Friday, December 29, 2017

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.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Omi and Wookie

What do you mean "Watch out behind you"?

Uh-oh.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

My Favorite Picture



I am so in love with my new kitties! Omi (aka Omen) is my sweet little delicate black cat who has more of a squeak than a meow, but lots of attitude. Wookie is my tortoiseshell who is super affectionate and a 'momma' cat with a deep need to take care of Omi, Ken, and me. They are young so we are looking forward to a long life with our sweeties.

Monday, December 11, 2017

Ruthy Slouchy cloche

This classic slouchy style cloche uses linen stitch to create a dense, tight knit gives the hats extra warm using sock yarn. The size is medium although it is stretchy enough to fit any adult head size.  I used a size 5 on the pink and black hat, but when done to a size 4 for the gray and pink hat so it was a little more fitted.  The good thing is that the hat does not crush your hair as some hats do. 

Also, this hat looks much better on your head than the stand or laying down because it needs the shape of your head to bring out the shaping.

You can use any sock yarn or similar weight and variegated yarns are especially showy. Also, I am going to try to make this hat with leftovers of my sock yarn to create a technicolor hat as well. 

I cast on and use a smaller needle for the first couple of inches and then switch to a needle several sizes larger. You can also adjust the size by increasing or decreasing stitches; it just needs an odd number of stitches.

Short rows are used to put more fabric at the front of the hat to make a smoother slouch in the back. My only warning about this hat is that it is fairly slow-going due to the density of the stitches, but it really does make a comfortable, warm addition to your wardrobe.
 Size:                       Large (Medium) size. Hat has a lot of stretch so one size fits most
Yarn:                      Any kind of sock yarn
Needles:              Circular needle size 4 (3.5 mm) 16”
                            Circular needle size 9 (5.5 mm) 16”
                             DPN Size 9 (5.5 mm) set of 4
                             Yarn needle
                             Stitch markers
Gauge:                 8 stitches/inch in stockinette, size 4 needles (not critical)

With smaller circular needles, CO on 175 (161) stitches.  Join, place marker (pm), being careful not to twist the stitches.
Knit 2 rows. 

Start linen stitch:

Row 1: K1, with yarn in front (wyif) sl 1 st purlwise. Continue to last stitch. K1.
Row 2: With yarn in front sl 1 st purlwise, k1. Continue to last stitch. Wyif sl.


Continue Row 1 and 2 for 2½ inches.

Switch to size 9 needles and continue in linen stitch for one more inch, for about 4” from cast on.

Short rows:
Short Row 1: Work linen stitch for 40 stitches; place marker.  With yarn in front, slip next stitch onto right needle. Turn. With yarn in front, slip stitch onto right needle.  With yarn in back, slip stitch purlwise, p1; continue for 80 stitches (the beginning of round marker is at the 40 stitch point).
Short Row 2: With yarn in back, slip next stitch onto right needle. Turn. Place marker. With yarn in front, slip stitch onto right needle. Continue in linen stitch to five stitches before the second marker (i.e., not the beginning of round marker).
Short Row 3: With yarn in front, slip next stitch onto right needle. Turn. Place maker. With yarn in front, slip stitch onto right needle.  With yarn in back, slip stitch purlwise, p1; continue to second marker.

Continue with Short Row 2 and 3 until you have five markers on each side, ending with Short Row 2 (e.i., the right side facing you).

Next row: *Work linen stitch to next marker not the beginning of round marker. Remove the marker. Lift the bar under the next stitch and place it on the needle. K tog.*  Continue * to * until you have removed all the markers except for the beginning of round marker.

Continue until the entire hat measures 9” or desired length. Be sure to measure at the marker so you include the short row length as well.

Crown: (switch to DPNs when necessary)

Row 1:  *K2tog, p2tog, work in linen stitch for 18 (16) stitches.* Repeat around. (Don’t worry if the stitches don’t come out even at the end. The important thing is to maintain the linen stitch.)
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: Knit in linen stitch.
Row 3:  Work in linen stitch for 6 stitches. *P2tog, k2tog, work linen stitches for 16 (14).* Repeat around.
Continue in this pattern, reducing the number of knit stitches between the decreases by 2 until you have about 10 stitches left (exact number is not critical).  Cut yarn, leaving an 8” tail. Cut yarn, thread through the remaining stitches and secure tightly.  Weave in ends.