Wedge Scarf

Yarn: King Cole Tonal Chunky
Composition: 100% Acrylic
Colour: Quicksilver
Yarn: King Cole Tonal Chunky
Composition: 100% Acrylic
Colour: Humbug
Pattern: Wedge Scarf
Size: adult
Needles: 6mm
Amount used:
Started: 10th Nov 2019
Finished:

Cast on 3 sts.
1. Kfb, k to end.
2. K2tog, k to last stitch, kfb.

Repeat these two rows until the scarf is long enough.

To add a bit of interest, I decided to make every fifth ridge in the darker colour.

Simply A Hat

Yarn: King Cole Drifter Magnum Chunky

Composition: 25% Wool, 75% Premium Acrylic

Colour: Berry

Pattern: Simply a Hat

Size: adult

Needles: 6mm

Amount used: 100g

Started: 1 Sep 2019

Finished: 2 Sep 2019

This is a part of a series of designs I have been working on. They are for those just starting out in knitting, or those who like the designs. The pattern has been knitted twice. The first version is in English sentences, and the second in how it would appear in a conventional pattern.

The hat uses the following: cast on, cast off, knit (k), knit 2 together (k2tog) and yarn over (yo).

Using 6mm needles, cast on 38 sts. 

The hat is made from two rows of pattern. The first row is knit 3 stitches, knit 2 together, yarn over, and then knit the rest of the stitches in that row. In the second row, every row is knit.

Repeat these two rows until 120 rows have been knit. Cast off. Leave a tail of yarn around 30cm, and cut the yarn. This yarn will be used to sew the hat together.

The knitting will be a rectangle, with a row of holes near the edge of one side; this is the top. Fold the knitting in half and sew the short sides together. Sew in the other end.

Take a cord and thread through the row of holes at the top. Pull the cord tightly. This will gather the top of the hat and produce a pom pom-like effect. Fasten of the cord. Fold up a brim on the hat, and it is complete.

The cord can be crocheted, twisted, a piece of ribbon, or some strong elastic. If elastic is used, the hat can be worn with a ponytail poking out the top.

----

Using 6mm needles, cast on 38sts.

1. K3, k2tog, yo, k to end.

2. K.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 a total of 60 times.

Cast off, leaving a tail of yarn to sew up the side.

Sew the short sides together. Weave in ends of yarn.

Thread a cord through the row of eyelets.  

Simply A Hoot

Yarn: King Cole Dollymix 

Composition: 100% Acrylic 

Colour: Taupe Pattern: Simply A Hoot

Needles: 4mm 

Amount used: 100g 

Started: 25 Aug 2019 

Finished: 25 Aug 2019 

This owl was designed to be suitable for a brand new knitter. The ability to cast on, knit and cast off are all the knitting skills required. 

Using 4mm needles, cast on 25sts.

Knit 100 rows.

Cast off, and cut the yarn, leaving a tail of around 20cm.

Notes: I would recommend using a smooth, lighter coloured yarn. This will allow the new knitter to see their work clearly. Once the knitter is feeling more confident, darker yarn, or self-patterning ones can be used.

Blueberry Hat

Yarn: King Cole Shadow Chunky
Composition: 100% acrylic
Colour: Blueberry
Pattern: Blueberry Hat
Size: Adult
Needles: 6.5mm
Started: 17th June 2019
Finished: 17th June 2019

Cast on 56sts on 6.5mm needles. Join. Work in 2x2 rib until it measures 30cm.

1. (K2, p2tog) repeat to end.
2. (K2, p1) repeat to end.
3. (K2tog, p1) repeat to end.
4. (K1, p1) repeat to end.
5. K1, (k2tog) repeat to last stitch, then k2tog the last first, and the first from the next round.
6. K to end
7. K2tog, repeat to last stitch.

Break yarn, leaving a tail, and draw through the remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

Ribbed Aran Hat

Yarn: King Cole Fashion Aran Combo
Composition: 30% wool, 70% acrylic
Colour: 2343 Hint of Berries
Pattern: Ribbed Aran Hat
Size: Child
Needles: 5mm
Amount used: 50g
Started: 1st June 2019
Finished: 2nd June 2019

Cast on 68sts. Join. Work 40 rounds of 2x2 rib.

Decrease for crown.
1. (K2, p2tog) repeat to end.
2. (K2, p1) repeat to end.
3. (K2tog, p1) repeat to end.
4. (K1, p1)  repeat to end.
5. K1, (k2tog) repeat to last stitch, then k2tog the last first, and the first from the next round.
6. K to end
7. K2tog, repeat to last stitch, k1. (9sts)


Break yarn, leaving a tail and draw through the stitches. Weave in the ends.

Top Down Garter Stitch Jacket With Lapels

Yarn: King Cole Fashion Aran Combo

Composition: 30% wool, 70% acrylic

Colour: 2343 Hint of Berries

Pattern: Based on Top Down Garter Stitch Baby Jacket

Size: 24 months

Needles: 5mm

Amount used: 300g

Started: 24th May 2018

Finished: 1st June 2019

Abbreviations
sts	stitches
s1p	slip 1 stitch purlwise
k	knit
k	knit
yo	yarn over
pm	place marker

Collar Cast on 46sts. The first stitch in every row is slipped, purlwise. Work 14 rows of garter stitch. On the 15th and 16th rows, cast on 5 stitches at the end of each row. (56sts) The 17th and 18th rows are garter stitch.

Raglan Shaping
1. S1p, k12, yo, pm, k2, pm, yo, k2, yo, pm, k2, pm, yo, k18, yo, pm, k2, pm, yo, k2, yo, pm, k2,pm, yo, k13.
2. S1p, knit.

The four Raglan 'seams' are indicated by the stitch markers. These seams will always be 2 sts wide, and the sections on either side of the seams with grown with each row of increases.

3. S1p, (k to marker, yo, slip marker, k2, slip marker, yo) 4 times, k to end.
4. S1p, knit.
Repeat rows 3 and 4, until there are 168sts. This will have created 14 increase rows. Finish this section by repeating row 2 twice.

Separating body and sleeves
S1p, k27sts, cast on 4 sts. Transfer 32sts for the first sleeve onto waste yarn or a stitch holder. Knit 46sts, and cast on 4sts. Transfer 32sts for the second sleeve onto waste yarn or a stitch holder. Knit 28sts. You should have a total of 112sts for the body.

Body
The body is made by working with the 112st. On the first row, make a button hole: S1p, k2, yo, k2tog, k to end, and then work 19 rows of S1p, k to end. Make 3 button holes in this manner, separated by 19 rows garter stitch. After the 3rd button hole, work 40 rows of garter stitch. Then use a stretchy cast off.

Sleeves
Pick up 2 stitches purlwise from the underarm cast on edge. Purl 32. Pick up 2 more stitches purlwise from the underarm cast on edge. These 36 stitches form the sleeve. Work in the round in garter stitch (knit one round, purl the next), for 75 rounds. Use a stretchy cast off to finish the sleeve. Work the other sleeve in the same way.
Weave in ends, sew on buttons, and the jacket is finished.

Notes: I've been lusting after this yarn for the last two months, and on Friday I finally gave in. I'm loving the way it's working up, and I'm already thinking about making an adult-sized version for myself.

Strikket Lue

"Strikket Lue" means 'knitted cap' in Norwegian. This is a pattern for a knitted hat loosely inspired by Norwegian designs. 

Using colour 1, cast on 100sts. Join. Work 15 rounds in (k2, p2) rib.

On the 16th round, k1, kfb, p2, then (k2,p2) 12 times, k1, kfb, p2, and (k2, p2) to the end.

Switch to stocking stitch.

1. Knit in colour 2.

2. Knit in colour 2.

3. KK1 in colour 1, k1 in colour 2, repeat to end of round.

4. Knit in colour 2.

5. Knit in colour 2.

6. Knit in colour 1.

Repeat these 6 rounds a total of 4 times.

Decrease for the crown.

1. Knit in colour 1. (Repeat this instruction in each odd round.)

2. (K1 in colour 2, k1 in colour 1) 7 times, k1 in colour 2, k2tog in colour 1) 6 times.
4. (K1 in colour 2, k1 in colour 1) 7 times, k2tog in colour 1) 6 times.
6. (K1 in colour 2, k1 in colour 1) 6 times, k1 in colour 2, k2tog in colour 1) 6 times.
8. (K1 in colour 2, k1 in colour 1) 6 times, k2tog in colour 2) 6 times.

Mittens for a Child

Yarn: Deramores Studio DK
Composition: 100% acrylic
Colour: Aubergine 70010

Yarn: random sock yarn
Composition: 80% merino, 20% nylon
Colour: blues, pinks and purples

Pattern: Mittens for a Child

Size: child
Needles: 4mm
Started: 4th January 2019

Finished:  5th January 2019

Cast on 32 (36) stitches using 4mm needles. Join.

Work 13 (15) rounds of 2x2 rib. Change to stocking stitch. Increase two stitches evenly over the next round. Knit 12 (16) more rounds in stocking stitch.

Right mitten: K1, k7 with scrap yarn, place these 7 stitches back onto the left hand needle, and knit to end using non-scrap yarn.

Left mitten: Knit to 8 sts remain. K7 with scrap yarn, place these 7 stitches back onto the left hand needle, and knit to end using non-scrap yarn.

Continue knitting in stocking stitch until 32 (38) rounds have been knitted after the cuff. In the last round, knit 17(18), place marker, knit 17(18).

Decreases:

1. K1, ssk, knit to 3sts before marker, k2tog, k2, ssk, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1.

2. Knit.

Repeat these two rounds until there are 14sts remaining. Graft the top of the mitten.

Thumb: Pull out the scrap yarn and pick up the open stitches (7+6 sts). Pick up 1 additional st in each side (15 sts). Knit 17(19) rounds. In the next round K1, then k2tog to the end of the round. Break yarn, pull end through remaining sts and tighten.

Weave in ends.

Doctor Who Scarf

The Doctor has had some pretty iconic looks over the years (centuries), but I think that the Doctor's scarf is one of the best known. There were three different scarves, and the Younger Offspring has requested the scarf from Series 18.

It's a very simple knit, all knit, but there is a huge amount of it. The original was almost 7 metres long. I will not be knitting that much! Perhaps about 2-3m will be enough for me.

It can be difficult getting the right colours. These yarns are the best that I could find.

Yarn: Deramores Studio DK

Composition: 100% acrylic

Colour: aubergine
Yarn: Deramores Studio DK

Composition: 100% acrylic

Colour: wine

Yarn: Deramores Studio DK

Composition: 100% acrylic

Colour: paprika

Pattern: Doctor Who Scarf, Series 18

Size: Adult

Needles: 4mm

Started: 3rd October 2018 

Finished:  5th November 2018

Cast on 42 stitches in paprika. Knit all rows, slipping the first stitch purlwise. Two rows makes one ridge. On the row before a colour change, knit to the penultimate stitch, switch colours and knit the ultimate one.

There is a dead link on Pintrest to the pattern, but no pattern. Thankfully, there is an image on the dead link. I've copies it, and this gives the order, number and colour of the ridges. 

When the scarf has been knitted, make seven tassels for each end. Each tassel should contain all three colours.

It was a tad difficult to keep track of exactly where I was up to with all of the colour changes. There were several places where I 'personalised' it. And, I only made half of the scarf, even then it's about 3m long!

Knitting half of the scarf used up just a fraction more than 100g, and I used yarn from the second balls of yarn to make the fringe. Later, I'll be using some of the leftover red and purple yarns to make some wrist warmers. The red ones will be for The Offspring, and the purple ones for a friend. The orange yarn will probably end up as hats.

Child's Hat

Cast on 88sts (96,104), join and work in 2x2 rib for 4cm. Switch to stocking stitch, and knit until the knitting measures 13cm (14, 15) from the cast on edge.  

Crown Decreases:
Round 1: K6, K2tog; repeat to end
Round 2 (and every even round until round 14): Knit
Round 3: K5, K2tog, repeat to end
Round 5: K4, K2tog, repeat to end
Round 7: K3, K2tog, repeat to end
Round 9: K2, K2tog, repeat to end
Round 11: K1, K2tog, repeat to end
Round 13: K2tog, repeat to end
Round 14: K2tog, repeat to end

Cut yarn, leaving and end to thread through the remaining stitches. Draw the yarn through, secure and weave in ends. Trim excess yarn.

Toddler Hat

Yarn: Red Heart Lisa DK
Composition: 100% acrylic 
Colour: Glacier (08363)

Colour: Lilac (05691)

Pattern:  Toddler Hat

Size: toddler
Needles: 4mm
Amount used:
Started: 5th June 2018
Finished:  9th June 2018

Cast on 80sts, and join.

Work 10 rounds of 2x2 rib. Then switch to 20 rounds of stocking stitch.

To decrease for the crown:

1. (K17, slip 2 tog, k1, pass slipped stitches over), repeat to end.

2. K.

3. (K15, slip 2 tog, k1, pass slipped stitches over), repeat to end.

4. K.

5. (K13, slip 2 tog, k1, pass slipped stitches over), repeat to end.

Continue in this way until 8 stitches remain. Break off yarn and thread through the remaining stitches. Weave in ends. 

Notes:

This hat was made by working the ribbing in baby blue, switching to alternate rounds of blue and lilac for the stocking stitch section, and then using lilac for the crown. A blue and lilac pom pom was added.

The First Hat of June

Yarn: Red Heart Lisa DK
Composition: 100% acrylic
Colour: Petrol (08195)
Pattern:  Baby Hat with Ribbed Brim
Size: 6 months

Cast on 72 sts, Join.

Work 16 rounds of 2x2 rib, then 16 of stocking stitch.

Decreases for crown:

1. (K10, k2tog) repeat to end.

2. K.

3. (K9, k2tog) repeat to end.

4. K.

5. (K8, k2tog) repeat to end,

6. K.

Continue in this manner until 6 stitches remain. Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the end of yarn through the stitches and fasten off. Weave in ends.

Baby Hats

Two little hats made from the leftovers from the Zig Zag Blanket. 

Yarn: Red Heart Lisa DK
Composition: 100% acrylic 

Colour: Glacier (08363)

Colour: Petrol (08195)

Pattern:  Baby Hat
Size:  newborn, 3 months

Cast on 60 (66) sts.  Join.

For the newborn size, work in 2x2 rib for 6 rounds. For the 3 months size, 7 rounds of 1x1 rib.

Knit 12 (14) rounds of stocking stitch, adding stripes if desired.

Decreases

3 months hat: (K9, k2tog) to end. Knit next round.

Both hats: 

1. (K8, k2tog) to end.

2. Knit.

3. (K7, k2tog) to end.

4. Knit.

Continue in this way until there's only 6 stitches on the needles. Cut of the yarn, leaving and end, and draw the yarn through the 6 stitches. Weave in ends. 

An alternative is to work 20 rounds of stocking stitch on the 6 stitches, and then finish it off as above. Tie the cord in a knot.

Borromean Cowl

Materials

3 colours of Double Knitting yarn, approximated 30-50g of each.

5mm circular needle.

Directions

Ring  1: Holding yarn A  double, cast on 100st, join. Knit 10 rows. Cast off. Weave in ends. 

Ring 2: As Ring 1 using a different colour of yarn (yarn B).

Ring 3: Holding yarn C double, cast on 100st. Do not join.

Arrange Ring 1 and Ring 2 as shown.

Weave the circular needle under Ring 1, over Ring 2, under Ring 1, and over Ring 2.  Join.  Knit 10 rows.  As you knit move Rings 1 and 2 out of the way.  Cast off, and weave in the ends.

Hand-made Christmas Presents

There are times when hand-made Christmas presents are wonderful things, and other times when they are just wonderful ideas.

This year I managed to make a grand total of three Christmas gifts, and that is only if you count a pair of slipper socks as two items!

I decided around the 20th of December that I was not about to knock myself out trying to get all of my ideas into the realms of reality.  Instead, the days between Christmas and my return to work on the 7th of January would be crafting days.

Today, I am working on a Rubik's Cube tissue box holder for Number 1 Daughter. I looked at various pictures of the tissue box on-line and did not feel comfortable with any of them.  I could not be sure the puzzle could be solved.  Yes, that does sound a bit odd, but I wasn't about to make a Rubik's Cube tissue box holder that wasn't solvable.  :o)

After borrowing a cube I decided on this particular organisation of colours.  I can assure everyone that this pattern is definitely solvable. 

These are the six faces of the cube.  The letters show how to join the faces.  As join with As and Bs join to Bs, etc.  The middle orange square on the fifth face has been greyed.  This is to indicate where the opening for the tissue should be made.

I have included all six faces, but I will only be using five of them.  There will be no bottom to the tissue box holder.  Instead, the tissue box will be held in place by a couple of strands of elastic.

Cabled Wine Bottle Cover

Cast on 8 sts using a provisional cast on.

Using 5mm needles and two strands of DK yarn, knit one round.

1. Kfb into every stitch.
2. K
3. K1, kfb, repeat to the end of the round.
4. K
5. K2, kfb, repeat to the end of the round.
6. K

7. K3, kfb, repeat to end of the round.

8. K4, p1, repeat to end of the round.
9. K3, kfb, p1, repeat to end of the round.

Work 3 rounds of 4x2 rib (k4, p2).

Cable pattern

1. Cable 4, p2, repeat to end of round.
2-8. K4, p2, repeat to end of round.

Work 10 repeats of the cable pattern, or until it is long enough to cover your bottle.

Eyelets

1. Cable 4, p2, repeat to end of round.
2-4. K4, p2, repeat to end of round.

5. K4, yo, p2tog, yo, repeat to end of round.

6. K4, p1, p2tog, repeat to end of round.

7. K4, p2, repeat to end of round.

8. K4, p2, repeat to end of round.

Work 1 more cable pattern.

Moss stitch border

K1, p1 to second last stitch. kfb, p1.
Work in moss stitch(K1, p1) for 7 more rows.

Cast off in pattern.

Remove the provisional cast on. Using a tapestry needle, thread the yarn through the stitches. Draw together and fasten off the yarn securely. Weave in ends, and thread a ribbon through the eyelets.

Fibonacci Cables Hat

Fibonacci Cables Hat (Child)

Child's Hat

Needles: 3.5mm and 4.0 mm 

Yarn:  Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK in Pumpkin (115m) 

Using 3.5mm needle, cast on 96sts, and join.

Work in 2x2 rib for 8 rounds.

Change needle to 4mm.

Work in 6x2 rib for 20 rounds.

Cable 6 (Transfer 3 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 3. Then from the cable needle, k3), p2, repeat to end.

Work in 6x2 rib for 12 rounds.

Transfer 3 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 3. Then from the cable needle, k2tog, k1. P2. Repeat. (84 sts)

Work in 5x2 rib for 7 rounds.

Transfer 3 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 2. Then from the cable needle, k2tog, k1. P2. Repeat. (72 sts)

Work in 4x2 rib for 4 rounds.

Transfer 2 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 2. Then from the cable needle, k2tog. P2tog. Repeat. (48 sts)

Work in 3x1 rib for 2 rounds.

Transfer 2 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 1. Then from the cable needle, k2tog. P1. Repeat. (36 sts)

Work in 2x1 rib for 1 rounds.

Transfer 1 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 1. Then transfer the stitch from the cable needle onto the left needle, k2tog. Repeat. (24 sts)

K2tog. Repeat. (12 sts)

K2tog. Repeat. (6 sts)

Break off yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail of yarn through a tapestry needle, and go through the loops of the 6 sts. Then weave in the ends.

Fibonacci Cables Hat (Adult)

Adult Hat

Needles:  3.5mm, 4mm
Yarn:        Rowan Pure Wool DK (180m) in Enamel
Notes:      The adult version of Fibonacci Cables Hat is longer than the child version.  It has two extra cable widths included in the pattern.

Pattern

Using 3.5mm needles, cast on 112 sts. Join. Then work in 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) for 21 rounds.

Switch to 4mm needles, and work 20 rounds of 6x2 rib (knit 6, purl 2).

1st cable round
Transfer 3 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 3. Then knit 3 from the cable needle. Purl 2. Repeat to end.

Work in 6x2 rib for 12 rounds.

2nd cable round
Transfer 3 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 3. Then from the cable needle, k2tog, k1. P2. Repeat. (98 sts)

Work in 5x2 rib for 7 rounds.

3rd cable round
Transfer 3 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 2. Then from the cable needle, k2tog, k1. P2. Repeat. (84 sts)

Work in 4x2 rib for 4 rounds.

4th cable round
Transfer 2 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 2. Then from the cable needle, k2tog. P2tog. Repeat. (56 sts)

Work in 3x1 rib for 2 rounds.

5th cable round
Transfer 2 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 1. Then from the cable needle, k2tog. P1. Repeat. (42 sts)

Work in 2x1 rib for 1 rounds.

6th cable round
Transfer 1 sts onto cable needle, and hold at the back. Knit 1. Then transfer the stitch from the cable needle onto the left needle, k2tog. Repeat. (28 sts)

K2tog. Repeat. (14 sts)

K2tog. Repeat. (7 sts)

Break off yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail of yarn through a tapestry needle, and go through the loops of the 7 sts. Then weave in the ends.