Basic Ribbed Hat Pattern

Here's another basic pattern, this time for a ribbed hat. This is still a flexible pattern, play with it!!! I knit for fun and what fun is following the directions? Just do this pattern with the number of stitches being divisible by 4. You could also create a brim for this hat if you want.

Needles: US #10 circular
US #10 dpn
Yarn: Caron
Tapestry Needle

CO 92 sts.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing until it fits the intended head. Once again try it on!

Decreasing:
Round 1: (K2, P2, K2, P2, K2tog) until last 2 sts, K2
All following round: Continue in ribbing pattern (K2, P2) until K2tog stitch, K2tog (knit K2tog stitch and stitch behind it together). Continue in this way until you can't use the circulars anymore, and switch to the dpns. Continue until there's about 6 stitched left (once again the number isn't important). Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed.

Basic Hat Pattern

Here is a basic hat pattern I made for our club's fundraiser. It is really easy to adjust so that it can be used with any yarn. This pattern is for the "standard pattern" It can be adjusted by changing needles, yarn, or the number of stitches. Just keep the CO number a multiple of ten. You can also play with the types of decreases used, the number of decreases, or the length of the brim. It's up to you.

Needles: US #10 circular
US #10 dpn
Yarn: Red Heart
Tapestry Needle

CO 90 sts

Brim:
Work in K1, P1 ribbing (K1, P1 entire brim) for 4 inches

Body:
Knit around until it fits the intended head (try it on yourself!!!)

Decreasing for the Top:
Round 1: (K8, K2tog) around (9 times)
All following rounds: Knit up to K2tog stitch. K2tog (knit k2tog stitch and the stitch behind it together)
Continue in this way until you can't knit with the circular needles anymore and switch to the dpn. Keep going until you have about 6 stitches (the number isn't really important). Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed.

Socks, Socks, and Socks again

So I finished the socks I was working on the day before Thanksgiving. I gave them to my friend and he said he really like them. I also got him wool wash for them because they are wool. The day I came back for school I gave a presentation to Yarn Works (we are doing knitting now) on knitting socks. I just basically had pictures of the parts of a sock and and told in general how they work. I also recommended that they go to the sock pattern generator site. For the presentation I I started a bunch of socks as examples. I had one finished sock, one with a heel flap, one with the decreases at the toe started, and one with the leg part started. So now I have a ton of unfinished socks. I turned one into an ankle sock just so it wouldn't take me as long to finish it. I feel now so sick of socks and I just can't get away from them.

Knitting Machine

Here's a picture of my knitting machine toy and the scarves I have made with it. Three were made in one day and four in another. I love it so much!!!

Finished Sock

So I finished the first sock. The new heel pattern I found worked great. I started the second sock right after. I am so glad I haven't come down with a case of SSS. I really liked how it came out.

Is it still handmade?

So I have found a new knitting toy. Literally a toy. It's a toy knitting machine that I found at Toys R Us (it also came with a sewing machine that really works too). It makes a small tube of knitting or it can make a flat piece. It takes about 15 seconds to set up and you just crank it can it works!! The fabric doesn't come out perfect, sometimes the stitches get a little caught, but it will work itself out and you can barely tell from the outside. I am using to make scarves for my club's fundraiser and to donate to children through my school. I love it!! I made four scarves today. But I don't know if it is considered handmade. It's not really manufactured so I don't know what to call. But I did make pom poms for it. I will post a pic when I remember but it would be a cool present for kids and good you need to make a ton of scarves.

Trying a New Heel

So I have decided to use a heel from a pattern from a beginners sock pattern. I like this pattern because it is using the same number of sts I am (56) so I don't really have to think about it or do any math. The heel flap is worked in St st with the first st of each row being slipped. The heel turning is as follows (ohh that sounded to official as if I completely knew what I was talking about, it amuses me):
Row 1: k16, sl1, k1, PSSO, k1. Turn.
Row 2: sl1, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn
Row 3: sl1, knit across to gap, sl first st before gap, k1, PSSO, k1. Turn
Row 4: sl1, purl to gap, p2tog across gap, p1. Turn
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all sts have been worked.

I hope this works, cause I don't want to have to do it again. Here goes.

'Fair Isle' Sock

So I bought yarn from the LYS that automatically makes fair isle patterns. I have been avoiding it because it was expensive, but I decided to make socks for my boyfriend's brother's birthday (could I have any more b's). It was a little expensive, $18 for the skein. I like it, but not enough to buy it again. I was looking at the different choices, and they are all the same pattern just diffrent colors. Also I am using a pattern that I got from an online free sock pattern generator. It had options to choose a round heel or a dutch heel. The heel flap pattern was Row 1: k1, sl1 Row 2: sl1, p1. I realized that since the flap is worked on an even number of sts that one side will be knit/purled every row while the other will be slipped every row. So I changed it to Row 1: k1, sl1 Row 2: p1, sl1. This worked but the sts were very tight. I then followed that pattern's direction for turning the heel. It looks fine when not on a foot, but I tried it on my boyfriend and the heel doesn't fit right. It just kinda sits on the heel, but doesn't fit around the heel like it should. There are two little flaps on the sides of the heel which seems to be from the heel turning, the heel flap fits fine. I have decieded to rip it out and find a sock pattern with a round heel and just use that pattern. I am kinda sad to have to rip out all that work because it took me a couple hours to do it, but I want to make a nice sock and not one that is a little flabby. Socks can be flabby , right?

About me

So this is my personal knitting blog. It's knida an experiment to see how I like blogging. I have tried before, but never had a specific interest in mind or any motivation. I think this would be a good way for me o keep track of my progress.

So now I will tell you a little bit about myself. I am 21 and started knitting about a year and a half ago. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had both my ovaries removed. I needed something to occupy my time as I recovered, so I decieded to learn how to knit. I bought a kit with a book and a pair of needles. Within a month I was knitting in the round with dpn. You could say I became a little obbsessed.

I am now back in college and have continued with my knitting. I have started a club on campus called Yarn Works. This semester we are making hats and scarves to give to the community service group here, who is putting them in Christmas gift baoxes for children. Next semester we are going to concentrate on crocheting.

I am very excited to be starting this blog. I hope to post tons of pics of my WIPs and finished projects, as well as some patterns that I will probably come up with along the way.