Basic Cowl for a basic guy

 My husband Ken is a simple guy. He has the same clothes he had when we met 41 years ago. Once he liked a shirt so much that he bought three more like it. So when I made a cowl for him of basic K1,P1 in green wool, I thought he would like it. He now wears it all the time, even to bed! He has stretched it out so much that it is now doubled, on its way to being tripled. Home Run! (wish I could rotate this picture though)

Deep Shade Blue Scarf

This is one of my favorite scarves. I made it from a wonderful yarn that has been discontinued. It was called Amazing Lace, an acrylic yarn that is so soft that it feels like alpaca. Fortunately, I purchased several of this yarn in several colors before it become extinct. This color is called Cobalt Blue, and all I can say is "No kidding." It is bright, bright blue.

I love doing lace and this is no exception. It comes from the book Scarf Style 2 (yes, I also have Scarf Style 1). This pattern is Deep Shade. Even if I have the book, I use my computer to track the rows. I take a picture of the pattern and using a PDF format, I can 'pencil' out each row when I finish it. 

Yarn for Pooling

I went to the Loveland Yarn Festival last April and came across this yarn specially designed for pooling. I love it! I made a hat with pink and cowl with the blue. It is worsted weight so it is very warm. 

 

Kitty Cuffs

Once again, my love of cats and fingerless gloves combine. This pattern is also from Cat Knit (See post of November 20, 2022). I wish I would have used a darker color for the cats on the cuffs, but it still beautiful and comfortable. I used Woolike yarn from Loops and Threads. 

 

 

Flowered Headband for a Cold House

We live in a solar house. Although it is over 4200 square feet, our utilities bill is always under $15.00. No kidding! But there is a downside to a solar house: the temperature swings. 

We rarely turn on our furnace. My husband (who is an solar house architect) is so determined to keep our utility bill low, I have to spend the first hour of the morning bundled up. The south side of the house is all glass so as soon as the sun comes up, the house warms up quickly. The problem then it might get too hot by late afternoon. We don't try to cool it down because when the sun goes down we need that heat for the evening and nighttime. 

Now I am naturally able to take cool weather and in fact prefer it. So this is the headband I use in the morning until the sun does its duty.  It keep my ears warm enough as I drink my first (and second) cup of coffee. Unfortunately I don't remember where I got this pattern. It is done in double-knit stockinette so it is pretty thick. The yarn is a Lion Brand acrylic. I will do an update if I come across the pattern. 

 

Simple and Snug

It's simple and snug. The star of this hat is actually the yarn. It is purple or dark lavender, not sure what it is called, and slightly variegated in lighter and darker hues. It is a simple reverse rib with a twisted knit stitch on every sixth stitch. 

Lavender Hat Just for Me!

This is is a sock yarn but I love the color and pattern so much, I have to put it on my head instead of my feet. I wanted it bigger so it doesn't crush my hair but still covers my ears. The pattern is a free pattern called the Lorne pattern. If you want the pattern, it is written out on the post for February 17, 2021. 

 

Knit to Keep Warm with a Free Pattern. Big Snow Coming.

 The prediction is somewhere between 1 and 3 feet of snow, starting tomorrow (March 11). The snowiest month in Colorado is actually March, so this is not unusually. In March of 2003, we had 3 feet of snow but my family was in New Orleans at the time and could only watch it on television in between trips to the French Quarter. We had three underage boys with us, so we went to hear the jazz. 

However, we are batting down the hatches for the next mega-storm: candles, flashlights, firewood, grocery run. We are set. I will post about the snow when it starts. 

Meanwhile, I have been knitting. This is a ball of yarn I found in my stash, and I loved the color.  I didn't use a pattern because it is very basic. Keep in mind, I have been knitting for over 60 years, so I often "just knit" instead of using a pattern. But I thought I would post the pattern here anywhere.

Materials:

Bulky yarn (I didn't use the whole skein so one should be enough.
Size 9 16"circular needle
Stitch marker
yarn needle

Using the long tail method, cast on 96 stitches. Place marker and join being careful to not twist the stitches.

Knit 1, purl 1. Continue until the piece is 13 inches. 

Begin crown (changing to DPNs when needed): 

K1, p1, k2tog. Repeat for entire round.

Next row: k1, p1, k1. Repeat for entire round.

Next row. K2tog, k1.

Next row: K the entire row.

Next row. Remove marker. k2tog around until there are about 8 stitches left. Cut yarn. Using a yarn needles, gather the remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

You can fold up about 4 inches. I did a whip stitch to keep the cuff in place but that it optional. 

My Alaska Hat - Trees and Snow

I love this pattern. I used yarn from my stash including a Red Heart Symphony. I don't think it is available any more but it was perfect for this project. It is fluffy and a bit fuzzy, so it looks like snow.  This fuzz even floats over on the trees to make it seems there is snow on the branches. I just love how it turned out. 

The pattern is by Camille Descoteaux and it is worth paying for the pattern. It is also very fun to knit even if you are new to stranding. I made it in about two days. Go for it.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alaska-6

The Sandie Fingerless - Free pattern

 

This is a very soft novelty yarn I purchased several years ago. I was happy to see it still available online since the yarn store where I purchased it is long closed. It is a little tricky to work with though. You have to be sure to knit through the thread holding the fluff on. It is very easy to knit some of the fluff instead. The other hard part is that it is very difficult to frog --  just a warning.

Sandie Fingerless Gloves

 

MATERIALS
1 skein Sirdar Snowflake Ultra light Chunky

(100% Polyester; 125m/137yds) 50g
Size US 5 (3.75mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 8 stitches per 2 inches.

Two sizes: Medium (Large). Both left and right hands are made the same.

 

Cast on 30 (34) sts. Place marker and join.

Purl one round.

Work in stockinette (knit every round) for 4½” (5½”).

Thumb hole: Turn your work. Slip first stitch as if to purl. Purl around to the gap.

Turn. Sl1. Knit to the gap.

Turn. Sl1. Purl to the gap.

Repeat the last two rows until the gap is 2” (Total work is 6½” (7½”)

Knit to the gap but do not turn. Knit over the gap and continue to work in stockinette (knit every round) for 2½” (3½”) or the desired length.

Purl one round. 

Bind off. Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Weave in end.

 

More of the Lorne Hat - Free Pattern

Sometimes when I like a pattern, I will knit it to death. That seems to be the issue with the Lorne hat. I named this hat after my son Lorne even though he doesn't need a hat. He lives in Los Angeles so a very warm hat is unnecessary most of the time. He still wears one every now and then. However, he has several hats already. 

It is a free pattern, but you have to go back to the post on January 17 for the pattern. As of that time, I had made the Lorne hat in maroon, cobalt blue, gray, and burnt orange.  As of today, I have made the hat in hot pink, teal, denim blue and lime green. I still have a couple more hats on needles with variegated yarn to see how they look. I'm going to have to move on to another pattern one of these days.

Katarina Cloche Hat - Free Pattern

 Katarina Cloche Hat

This hat has a flared brim while the rest of the hat fits snugly over your head. It is knitted a bit longer than your head would need so it has a slouchy design. It is mainly knitting in the round with one row of purling for the fold line plus increases and decreases in the brim and crown. And the pattern is free! Enjoy.

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in Purple (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds)

    (any fingering or sock yarn works well with this pattern too)
Size US 2.0 (2.5 mm) Circular Needles

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

6 Stitch markers

Gauge: 16 stitches in pattern to 2”

Size: Fits most medium (22-23”) to large (23-25”) sized heads since pattern is very stretchy. To make a smaller (or larger size), reduce (or increase) the number of cast on stitches by numbers divisible by 2.

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 144 sts. Place marker and join.

Knit one row

Next Row: *K3, K in front and back of next stitch.* Continue to end of round (180 stitches).

Next Row: Knit 15 rounds.

Next Row: Purl one round (fold line)

Next Row: Knit 15 rounds.

Next Row: *K3, K2tog.* Continue to end of round (144 stitches).

Knit every round until the hat measures 10 inches from the fold line.

*Knit 24 stitches, place marker* five times. Knit 24 stitches.

Crown:

Switch to double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: *SSK, Knit to 2 stitches before the next marker. K2tog, slip marker.*

Round 2: K all stitches.

Repeat these two rows until you have two stitches between each marker.

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

Stitch up the Brim:

Fold up the brim along the fold line. Pin in place. Cut a long length of the yarn and thread needle. Stitch the brim to the body of the hat using a whip stitch. Do a tiny stitch on the body of the hat. Every few inches, stretch the brim to prevent the brim from getting too tight. Weave in the ends.

 

The Lorne Hat- Just Basic, Simple Knitting Free Pattern

 My mom and grandmother taught me to knit before I was even in kindergarten. Therefore, I have been knitting for over 60 years. I have made hundreds and hundreds of items, including hats, socks, gloves, mittens, sweaters, shawls, scarves, etc., etc. I have done just about every style of knitting including lace, broiche, cables, etc., etc. I have made very complicated patterns where I have to followed every line of a pattern. I have made lace where I memorized the pattern after a few repeats. 

But there are times I just want to knit. Mindless straight knitting. No counting, no following a pattern, not even looking at the knitting while I am doing it. I am in that frame of mind right now. I have made four of these so far using Lion Brand Amazing Lace or Loops and Threads Woolike. You can even use sock yarn as well. I knit the brim for 10 inches. Then I knit the cast on edge with the live stitches. I then continue knitting until I feel that it is long enough and decrease around for the crown. 

Ok, here is the entire pattern. It is very simple and basic. 

Using 16" circular needles, cast on between 144, 152, 160, 168 stitches, depending on how big you want it or the size of needles. Just be sure the number of stitches is indivisible by 8. I have used needles sizes from 1 (2.5mm) to 4 (3.5mm). Like I told you, it is pretty mindless. Work stockinette stitch (knit every row) for 10 inches. Fold the cast on edge up to the live stitches and knit together. If you want the seam to show, knit in the back of the cast on row, as in the orange and purple hat. Do a wrap and turn as follows: move yarn to between then needles, slip the next stitch. Turn your work, slip the stitch back onto the left needle. Move the yarn to the back and proceed to knit back the other way).

If you want a smooth look, as in the blue hat, knit the front of the cast on row. Continue working in stockinette stitch for another four inches.

Now it is time to decrease for the crown. Divide the number of stitches by 8. For instance, if you have 152, the number is 19. (Yeah, I know -- you didn't know there would be math involved). Knit another round, placing a marker every 19 stitches (or whatever you can up with). In the next row, you will begin the deceases between the markers as follows: 

Next row: SSK, knit to two stitches before the next marker, K2tog. 
Next row, knit around. 

Change to double pointed needles (DPN) when needed. Here is another shortcut: I have used DPNs a size up or down (even more), depending on what I have on hand at the time. 

Continue until you have 3 (or 2 depending on the number you started with). Cut yarn and thread a yarn needle. Run through the remaining stitches and pull together (I often do this a couple of times. Weave in the ends and start the next one.

I know. I have two more started in case I get tired of one of the colors. I am also eyeing that mint green over there too.

Dane's favorite hat - Free Pattern

 This is my son Dane with one of his Christmas presents. I have made this hat a few times, all with Woolike yarn from Loops and Threads. Dane's is black and gray. The other two are maroon and gray and navy blue and green. I have given all these hats away. One of these days, maybe I'll make one for me. The link for this free pattern is listed below:

https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2019/03/06/corrugated-hat-and-cowl/

Free Pattern! Penny Spiral Hat

I designed this hat a few years ago, but I seem to always come back to it. I found a yarn from Lion Brand called Amazing Lace which is very similar to the Woolike. It has wonderful colors including this cobalt blue. So I thought I would post this pattern again. Enjoy.

Penny Reversible Spiral Hat

 I really like this spiral stitch so I incorporated it into a hat.  It is easy to do and it creates a wonderful spiral effect.  But as I put it on my model head I noticed the ‘wrong’ other had a wonderful texture to it as well. So in essence, this is reversible! 

MATERIALS

1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in Golden (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds))
Size US 2.5 (3.0 mm) Circular Needles

Size US 2.5 (3.0 mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 16 stitches in pattern to 2”

Size: Fits most medium (22-23”) to large (23-25”) sized heads since pattern is very stretchy. To make a smaller size, reduce the number of cast on stitches by numbers divisible by 2.

 

Pattern Stitch:

Round 1: P1, k1. Repeat these 2 stitches to end of round.

Round 2: Insert the tip of your right needle into the second stitch (which is a knitted stitch) on the left needle and put up a loop. Do not remove from the left needle. Knit the 1^st stitch on the left needle. Pull both stitches onto the right needle.  Continue to the marker which is the end of the round. Remove the marker, k1, place the marker. It is important that the first stitch of each round is a stitch that was purled

 

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 136 sts. Place marker and join.

Work the two rows of the pattern stitch for 10 inches, ending with round 2.

Crown:

Switch to double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: P1, k1. Repeat these 2 stitches to end of round.

Round 2: K2tog to end of round.

Round 3: K all stitches.

Round 4: K2tog to end of round.

Round 5: Repeat Round 4 until you have about 10-15 stitches left. It doesn’t have to be exact.

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

Wear with either side out!

 

 

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