No More Paper or Plastic in Colorado

 As of January 1, Colorado started charging for plastic bags at stores, including the grocery store.

I have a big bag of cotton yarn that I collected in anticipation of this. However, I really didn't like the feel of knitting with cotton, so the bag just sat in my craft room for the past several years (yes, years). So I finally decided to start using it up. I am on my third bag now. I seem to like the feel of it better now since there is a necessity. 

I am using a basic pattern. There are several free patterns on Ravelry for shopping bags, and they are very similar.

I cast on 24 stitches with size 9 circular needles and knit back and forth in stockinette (or garter stitch, your choice) until it is close to a square. Then I pick up stitches along the sides and bottom. I don't really count the stitches because exact numbers don't matter. 

I continue knitting in the round, increasing two stitches at each corner two or three times. Then just knit in stockinette for a couple of inches. 

I change to a larger needle, in my case size 11 and start the lace pattern:
Round 1: YO, k2tog for the entire round.
Round 2: Knit

I continue these 2 rounds for 12 to 14 inches. I then go back to stockinette for another couple of inches. 

Divide for handle. This is the first time (and only time) I actually count the stitches. I take the total stitches and subtract 24 stitches (handle is 12 stitches wide). I divide that total in half. 

Such as:

  136 total stitches
  - 24 
  112
/    2
   56

Next round: Knit 12 stitches. Bind off the next 56 stitches. Knit 12 and put those stitches on a holder and remove from needles. Bind off the next 56 stitches.

Change back to size 9 needles. Work in garter stitch back and forth (knit every row) until you have the length you want for the handle. Use a three-needle bind off with the stitches on the needle. Weave in the ends.

As you can see, it is pretty much "seat-of-your-pants" knitting. It's pretty forgiving and after you have made a few, the pattern is "in the bag!"

Cable back fingerless

Sometimes, I just want to do mindless knitting. We may go for a drive and I need something to knit while in the car. I don't want an intricate pattern but rather one I can just move my needles, sometimes without even looking at them. This is one of those patterns. I use double-pointed needles which I understand many people do not like. But you have to remember I learned to knit very young, so it was never an issue of liking or not liking; it was just what you needed to use. 

The only problem with using double-pointed needles in the car is if you drop one, it usually goes under the seat. Then we have to pull over so I can crawl under it to retrieve it. Anyway, I made these gloves while we were driving through the mountains to see the aspens changing. It has a simple cable stitch up the middle. They fit very nicely so they are on my list to do again. 

The free pattern is in Ravelry. You can find it by searching fingerless gloves called Claws by Tera Johnson. I made these a bit longer than the pattern called for.

Celtic Fingerless Gloves in Teal

 More fingerless gloves. This pair have a Celtic design on the back of the hand, made in a soft teal yarn. I ended up giving this pair away to a friend of mine as well. One of these days, I'll keep some of these gloves for myself!

This is a free pattern available on Ravelry, link below. It is a German pattern but it is translated well. It is a great pattern if you have never tried cable knitting before. It is a great pattern for those of us who love Celtic designs too.

 

 

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-gloves---stulpen

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-gloves---stulpen?set=&_rfoff=1

Woolly Diagonale Hat

 One of the most creative hat designers is Woolly Wormhead. I think I have made several of her hats over the years. 

This one was about as easy and fast a hat as you can make. It is made on two needles instead of circular if that matters to you. It is just garter stitch with increases and decreases. And if you want to take a break from casting on and binding off, you start with three stitches and end with three stitches. Give it a try.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diagonale-3

By the way, it is a free pattern. Be sure to thank the Woolly Wormhead.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diagonale-3 

Mary Jane Booties with Flower

This is for the little baby girl in your life. It is white worsted yarn (acrylic) with a blue trim. I don't remember which pattern I used for the flower, but you would have no trouble finding a flower of your own.

The only problem with white yarn is not because it is hard to keep clean; this yarn is easily washed. It is trying to keep all the little black strands of fur as Omi sits in my lap while I knit. I swear it took me longer to remove those little hairs than knitting the booties themselves!

"How cute am I?" -- Omi

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mary-jane-shoe-booties

That's One Good Ombre!

This Ombre is orange and blue, and if you like
in Denver Bronco country, this is a plus.

 I love this pattern. Mainly because I can use my favorite yarn to make it. I am currently working on the third hat using the ombre motif. It is a simple stranding pattern and a good first project for learning how to work with two colors.

I use Loops and Threads Woolike which is an acrylic yarn available at Michaels. I usually go to my local yarn store for most of my yarn, but I have to admit this yarn really has a hold on me. You can check out my Ravelry page on this project at
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-ombre-slouch-hat

Mr. Neary's pattern is included as a link on my Ravelry page. I made a few changes but it is essentially the same as Paul Neary's pattern. Feel free to use any of these changes -- or not -- as you would like. 

This is actually closer to the true colors.

I cast on 120 stitches instead of 112 because I like a little bit bigger hat for my guys (big heads and all -- lots of brains).  The pattern is in multiple of 4, so sizing is easy. My hats are around 23 inches instead of 22".

I also do a different brim. The one I do makes a double thickness around the ears for extra warmth. I cast on my 120 stitches and work in stockinette (knit every row since you are knitting in the round) for 4½ inches (don't worry about the edges curling; you will deal with that when you sew the thicknesses together). Next row: Purl one row (fold line). Go back to working in stockinette for 2½ inches. Now return to the original pattern for the rest of the hat.  

I made Ken's hat in maroon and navy. I don't think
he has taken the hat off since. He actually sleeps in
a hat so this is perfect for him.

Here There May Be Dragons!

Truth be told, I have never watched an episode of Game of Thrones, but both of my adult sons love it. I am more of a King Arthur fan with my favorite book of all time is Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I usually read it about every other year just to return to that fantasy land. So this is the hat that I made for my son. I am working on the another for the other one. No matter what, I love dragons and the mythology around them. 

One feature of this hat that is special is I knitted a fairly large lining before starting on the front of the hat. This accomplishes two things: 

First, it makes the hat especially warm over the ears because it is double thickness. 

Second, it covers all the stranding from the design so you don't catch them by accident while wearing it. 

I got the dragon design from a free design on Ravelry and I added another fair isle border above and below the dragon, so the pattern is free.  I want to experiment with a couple of other colors as well and I will post those as well.  Until then, enjoy!

PENDRAGON SLOUCHY HAT

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in Red (A), Black (B) and Beige (C) (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds))
Size US 2.0 (­­2.5 mm) Circular Needles

Size US 2.0 (2.5 mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 16 stitches in pattern to 2”

Size: Fits most medium (22-23”) and large (23-25”) sized heads. Large size appears in parenthesis ().

Hat Pattern:

With Color A, cast on 140 (160) sts. Place marker and join.

Work in stockinette (knit every row working in the round) for 4 inches.

Purl 1 row (fold row)

Knit 4 rounds.

With Color B, knit 6 rounds.

Border pattern:

Round 1: With Color A, knit 1 round.

Round 2: With Color C, knit 1 round.

Round 3: *K1 with Color C, K1 with Color A.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 4: With Color A, knit 1 round.

Round 5: *K1 with Color C, K1 with Color A.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 6: With Color C, knit 1 round.

Round 7: With Color A, knit 1 round.

With Color B, knit 3 rounds.

Dragon Pattern:

Using the chart, repeat pattern 7 (8) times.

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K 3 Rounds in Color B

Border pattern:

Repeat border pattern above.

Switch to Color B. Work in stockinette (knit every round) until the hat measures 7 (8) inches from the fold line. Feel free to add more rows if you want a slouchier hat.

Crown:

Switch to double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: *K2tog, K16, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 2: K all stitches.

Round 3: *K2tog, K14, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 4: K all stitches.

Round 5: *K2tog, K12, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 6: K all stitches.

Round 7: *K2tog, K10, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 8: K all stitches.

Round 9: *K2tog, K8, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 10: K all stitches.

Round 11: *K2tog, K6, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 12: K all stitches.

Round 13: *K2tog, K4, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 14: K all stitches.

Round 15: *K2tog, K2, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 16: K all stitches.

Round 17: *K2tog, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 18: K all stitches.

Break yarn. Thread yarn thread and draw through the remaining stitches.  Weave in ends.

Fold the hat on the purl round and pin or baste in place, keeping it as smooth as possible. Whip stitch the lining in place.