Kelsey Lace and Spiral Hat

Kelsey Lace and Spiral Hat

I recently did a spiral hat (posted April 12, 2017) and enjoyed doing the stitch enough to make a second hat. However, to add a little interest, I did a small leaf lace pattern just above the brim. Now I am thinking I need to make an entire hat of the lace pattern now. It is beginning to look like I will have more hats than I have cold days, even in Colorado, to ever wear them. (Don’t worry; I will sell many of them at holiday craft fairs)

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in Gray (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 knitwise into the second stitch (which is a knitted stitch) on the left needle and pull up a loop. Do not remove from the left needle. Knit the 1^st stitch on the left needle. Put 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

Lace Pattern Stitch:

Round 1: K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, k1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 2 and all even numbered rounds: Knit.

Round 3: YO, K3, YO, S2KP2. Repeat to end of round.

Round 5: YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, k1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 7: K1, YO, S2KP2, YO, k2. Repeat to end of round.

						8
		O	B	O		7
						6
	O	/		\	O	5
						4
B	O				O	3
						2
	\	O		O	/	1

	Knit
/	K2tog
\	SSK
O	Yarn over
B	S2KP2: Sl 2 sts as if to k2tog, k1, pass 2 sl sts over

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 136 sts. Place marker and join.

Work the two rows of the pattern stitch for 2 inches, ending with round 1.

Begin Lace pattern: Work the lace pattern 4 times, ending with round 8.

Return to the two rows of the pattern stitch until the hat measures 10 inches from the cast on edge, 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.

I Shot the Turkeys

Passing through our yard, I got a chance to capture the wild turkey rafter (yes, a group of turkeys is called a 'rafter') and I shot them all.  I used a camera, but you get my drift.

Escaping by way of the cul-de-sac

In our rock garden

Yes, they hang out in trees ...

... just so Neko can watch them.

What About Second Breakfast?

So far, Neko is really, really fond of Ken's and my retirement. Most mornings, Ken and I don't get up at the same time. I will get up around 7:30 and Ken will sleep in until 8:00. Sometimes, it's the other way around.

So Neko has figured out this schedule and now uses it to his advantage.Whoever gets up first has to fed the beast. Neko is so loving and affectionate in the morning because he wants breakfast as soon as possible.

Ken will get up first and feed him, rewarded by leg circles and loving twittering by the local panther. Then about an hour later, I will get. Neko approaches me with his sweetness and loving, making me think that he hasn't been fed yet. He uses that cute little mew so I just say "Awwww, my baby!" and then I pick him up. He purrs and rubs my chin. So I feed him again. I am such a sucker.

It's called Second Breakfast after the Hobbits in the Lord of the Rings. At least he has the same furry feet.

Knit Two for the Price of One!

Penny Reversible Spiral Hat

Rib side

 

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! 

Non-rib side

 

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

     yarn would be fine as well
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 knitwise into the second stitch (which is a knitted stitch) on the left needle and pull 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!
(named for my friend Penny)

My own personal Bagheera

"A black shadow dropped down into the circle. It was Bagheera the Black Panther, inky black all over, but with the panther markings showing up in certain lights like the pattern of watered silk. Everybody knew Bagheera, and nobody cared to cross his path, for he was as cunning as Tabaqui, as bold as the wild buffalo, and as reckless as the wounded elephant. But he had a voice as soft as wild honey dripping from a tree, and a skin softer than down.” 

― Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Books

You looking at me? --Neko

Have you ever read Kipling's Jungle book? My little black kitty is a true descendant of Bagheera the Panther. He is extremely territorial to the point that he will attack people who come to our house. We have to put him the office so our guests do not have to fear teeth and claws digging into ankles or hands. The office has interior windows and he will stare at our guests the entire time they are here. We assume that he believes they leave because of him, because no one ever stays! Then he struts around like he owns the place. (I guess he does)

I am a sweet, adorable, delicate kitty.
You got a problem with that"

We have never been able to figure out how he got this way. We got him from a cat shelter when he was just 14 weeks old and he has always been this way. His first months of life before us must have been a struggle, or maybe he was just born this way. He is now 14 years old, and he will never change. However, he is the funniest cat I have ever had. He runs from place to place in the middle on the night. He stands on top of me in the morning and meowed into my ear to let me know it is breakfast time. He dances with an invisible cat all the time. He sits on my keyboard and stares at me. He has the ability to look so adorable and mews so sweetly when it is treat time.


He can be nice to me and very cuddly when he wants to be. He is totally in love with my husband. He will crawl into Ken's lap, put his paws on both sides of his face and stare into his eyes. I am only the human who gets his food and cleans his litter box. He was originally supposed to be my cat, but he let me know from the beginning that the bearded human gets his love and I have to deal with both ends of him. {{sigh!}} But for some reason, I just adore him completely, notwithstanding the scars on my arms from his teeth and claws.

Where's my treats?

This is what it is to be abused by a little black panther.

Brainwave hat - Adapted to slouchy

I often use existing patterns and modify them for the yarns and needles I am in the mood to use at this point in my life.  Sometimes I am in a chunky mood (please, I am talking about yarn!) and sometimes, like now, I want to knit with a thinner yarn.  However, I always give full credit for the idea to the original pattern designer and only if the pattern is free. Plus I got permission from the designer to post the link. Thank you Jen!

So the link to the original pattern is http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brainwave. Copy this into your address bar and it should take you right there.

For this pattern I used Woolike from Loop and Needles. It is 100% acrylic so if you are allergic to wool or other natural fibers, this is the yarn for you. It has the feel of an alpaca lace yarn so it is extremely soft.

I used size 2 circular needs for the brim and Size 4 for the body of the hat. I cast on 128 stitches.  You can use any number of stitches as long as they are divisible by 8. I just love the cable ribbing and it is stretchy enough for any sized-head. I also did not do the return wave but I think I will on the next hat. The cable rib on the brim is so much fun too. I might do an entire hat in that pattern in a future hat.

Yarn holder?

I was just informed by the husband that the circles between the seats are actually to hold your drinks, not your yarn. Just whom is he trying to fool?

Right? I mean, right?

Ken Broken Rib Slouchy Hat

The slouchy hat can be made for men, women, or unisex by just using the color scheme of the sock yarn. This sock yarn is in navy, forest green, gold and orange. Unfortunately, it was in my late mother’s stash and did not have a label other than the box stating “sock yarn,” so I don’t know if it is still available. Although you can make this with a single-colored yarn, self-striping sock yarn will create the effect above.

MATERIALS
1 skein any sock yarn (you will probably only need about half a skein)

Size US 4 (3.25 mm) Circular Needles

Size US 4 (3.5 mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 18 (3½ pattern repeats) stitches per 2 inches.

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 4.

Broken Rib Pattern Stitch:

Round 1 and 2: P2, k2. Repeat these 4 stitches to end of round.

Round 3: P2, YO, K2, Pass YO over the two knit stitches. Repeat to end of round.

Round 4: P2, k2. Repeat these 4 stitches to end of round.

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 168 sts. Place marker and join.

Work the four rows of the pattern stitch for 10 inches, ending with round 4.

Crown:

Switch to double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: P2, k2. Repeat these 4 stitches to end of round.

Round 2: P2tog, k2. Repeat to end of round.

Round 3: P1, YO, K2, Pass YO over the two knit stitches. Repeat to end of round.

Round 4: P1, k2. Repeat these 4 stitches to end of round.

Round 5: P1, k2tog. Repeat to end of round.

Round 6: P1, k1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 7: k2tog. Repeat to end of round.

Round 8: K2tog. Repeat to end of round.

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

Shaylah Mock Cable Fingerless Gloves

If you liked the Shaylah Mock Cable Hat, you need to also make the fingerless gloves to go with it. 

Fingerless gloves are popular today, but they are actually from the Victorian era. At those times, a young lady was expected to learn to play music and sing, as well as do needlecrafts such as knitting, embroidery, and sewing. To keep her hands warm but still free to play the piano, fingerless gloves were not only fashionable, but functional. 

Now these gloves are in fashion as computer gloves.  In order to stave off the chills of low thermostats in the winter or air conditioning in the summer, these gloves made working on computer keyboards a must.  They are also called texting gloves, allowing thumbs to racing across cell phones keypads while keeping hands warm.  No matter what you use them for, they are a delightful accessory to any wardrobe.

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in #9 Rose (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds)
Size US 2 (2.5 mm) Double Pointed Needles

Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 20 (5 pattern repeats) stitches per 2 inches.

Mock Cable Pattern Stitch:

Pattern 1 and 2: K3, p2. Repeat to end of round.

Pattern 3: Slip 1 stitch. K2. Pass slipped stitch over both knit stitches, p2. Repeat to end of round.

Pattern 4: K1, yo k1, p2.

Pattern:

Cast on 70 sts. Place marker and join.

Work the four rows of the pattern stitch for 4½ inches (12 repeats of the pattern) ending with Row 4.

Begin thumb insert: - Created between two purls stitches.

Round 1: Work two repeats of pattern (10 stitches)

K3, p1. Place marker. Make 1, place marker. P1. Continue working pattern through the end of the round. (Although you can use any method to make a stitch, I used my right needle to pick up the yarn from the row below and placed it on the left needle. Then I knitted that stitch from the back loop.) 

Round 2: Work pattern to marker. Slip marker, K1, slip marker. Work pattern to the end of round.

Round 3: Work pattern to marker. Sm (slip marker), make 1, K1, make 1. P1, continue in pattern to end. See the instructions at the end of the pattern, in order to make a clean, definite line defining the thumb insert.

Round 4: Work pattern to marker. SM, K3, sm. Work pattern to the end of round.

Round 5: Work pattern to marker. Sm, make 1, K to next marker, make 1, sm. Continue in pattern to end

Round 6: Work pattern to marker. SM, K all stitches to marker, sm. Work pattern to the end of round.

Continue Rounds 5 and 6 until you have 21 stitches between the markers.

Repeat Round 6 two more times.

Next round: Work pattern to marker. Remove marker. Place the thumb stitches onto a holder. Cast on 4 stitches (using the e-cast on method) join to other side and continue the pattern to the end.

Next round: Work pattern to the one stitch before cast on stitches. Place marker. P1. Purl the cast on 4 stitches. P1. Continue pattern to the end of the round.

Next round: Work pattern to the marker. P2tog, p2, p2tog. Continue pattern to end.

Next round: Work pattern to the marker. p4. Continue pattern to end.

Next round: Work pattern to the marker. Remove marker. P2tog, twice. You are now back to the original p2 stitches of the pattern. Continue pattern to end.

Every round:  Continue knitting in the round in pattern for 2½” from thumb cast on edge (about 5 pattern repeats)

ending with Round 1 of pattern.

Bind off in pattern; weave in ends.

Thumb:

Put the 21 stitches from the holder on the double pointed needles. Join yarn and knit 21 stitches. Pick up 4 stitches from the cast on edge of the hand. Place marker. Join to the first stitch.

Knit 6 rows.

Round 1: Work round 2 of the pattern. (K3, p2)

Round 2: Work round 3 of pattern.

Round 3: Work round 4 of pattern.

Round 4: Work round 1 pattern.

Round 5. Work round 2 of the pattern.

Round 6: Work round 3 of pattern.

Bind off loosely.

Cut yarn, leaving an 8” tail.  Weave in ends.

Thumb insert details.

Although you can use any method you want to insert for the thumb insert, I like the nice clean lines this method gives me.

SM, knit the first stitch. Using the left needle, pick up the yarn from the left side of this stitch. Knit that stitch.

Continue to one stitch before the second marker. Using your right needle, pick up the yarn from the right side of the stitch and knit it. Knit 1, sm.

 

If you like the fingerless gloves, be sure to check out the pattern for the Shaylah Mock Cable Hat also available on Ravelry - http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shaylah-mock-cable-slouchy-hat and my blog. 

Shaylah Mock Cable Slouchy Hat

I am continuing my love affair with Loops and Threads Woolike yarn. This is the loveliest shade of rose and it is shown off beautifully in this slouchy hat. It is done with two sizes of needles and in the mock cable stitch. This stitch is popular for hats, scarves and socks, but shaping can be a little tricky if you want to keep the cables even. However, by using drastically different-sized needles, you can achieve the snug ribbing around the head while having more room for the slouchy part. I am currently working on the fingerless gloves to go with this pattern, so come back in a day or two to see it.  

Shaylah Mock Cable Slouchy Hat

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in #9 Rose (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds)
Size US 2 (2.5 mm) Circular Needles

Size US 6 (4.0 mm) Circular Needles
Size US 6 (4.0 mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 20 (5 pattern repeats) stitches per 2 inches.

Mock Cable Pattern Stitch:

Round 1 and 2: K3, p2. Repeat to end of Round.

Round 3: Slip 1 stitch. K2. Pass slipped stitch over both knit stitches, p2. Repeat to end of Round.

Round 4: K1, yo k1, p2.

Pattern:

With small needles, cast on 160 sts. Place marker and join.

Work the four rows of the pattern stitch for 4 inches.

Switch to size 6 circular needle. Continue until the entire hat measures 10 inches, ending with round 4.

Crown:

Switch to size 6 double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: K3, p2tog. Repeat to end of Round.

Round 2: K3, p1. Repeat to end of Round.

Round 3: Slip 1 stitch. K2. Pass slipped stitch over both knit stitches, p1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 4: K2 p1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 5: K2tog, p1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 6: K1, p1. Repeat to end of round.

Round 7: K2tog. Repeat to end of round.

Round 8: K2tog. Repeat to end of round.

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