Tag: free pattern

Spring Break: Day 4

This is being written after the fact.  The fact is I spent most of yesterday lounging around, and taking naps.  Morning nap in the sun.  Late morning nap in the sun.  Afternoon nap on the couch.  And to bed at 8 p.m.  Anytime I have vacation, I usually do this sometime during the break, and yesterday was the day!  I think it’s just something I need to do.

That said, I’ve reconsidered some of my list.  In the knitting arena, I don’t feel especially like being challenged, so I pulled out a shawl in the Old Shale – a traditional Shetland lace pattern – I’ve been knitting off and on.  The pattern is easy to remember, knits up comfortably, and can be done in front of the TV or outdoors while listening to an audiobook.  I’m using 10 skeins of Noro in a worsted weight.

The pattern stitch is done in multiples of 18; the shawl has a 3-stitch garter edge either side, and is being knit lengthwise.  So, if you want to do something like it, here it is in a nutshell:

  • cast on 78 stitches
  • Knit 3 ridges garter stitch to show on right side of work, ending ready to begin pattern.
  • Row 1:  K3, place marker, knit until 3 stitches remain on right needle, place marker, K3
  • Row 2:  K3, purl to marker, K3
  • Row 3:  K3, *k2tog 3x, yo k1 6 x, k2tog 3x* – repeat pattern between * * to marker, K3
  • Row 4:  Knit entire row
I’ve decided that I am not too crazy about clothing knit up in Noro stripes – especially sweaters unless they are knit totally in the round.  The colors are beautiful, but the structure of a garment is lost.  As a result, the garment must be structured to work with the yarn.  This pattern actually is a good one for Noro because the broad stripes of color can be appreciated, and the ripple effect of the stitch pattern creates a colorful wave.  I hope I can finish it before I go back to work – 6 skeins left!

Eyelet Rib Beret – Updated and Expanded!

At last, an updated version of the original Eyelet Rib Beret! A few changes and additions have been done.  First, stitch count and directions for the original pattern have been updated, with advice to make the ribbing on smaller needles if it seems too big for your head.  A second beret has been added, with new shaping to create a traditionally shaped beret, with decreases to allow for a more tidy fit if worn high on the head – maybe more like a tam, really.  Thirdly, a slouch version of the traditional beret is included.  And, hopefully, all mistakes have been caught – but I admit, I had a hard time reading my notes, and there could be errors.  Ah, well.  It’s still for free!

The original pattern used Lamb’s Pride by Brown Sheep, which is a rather heavy yarn.  The new versions used Paton’s Classic Wool in Aran Tweed, and is knitted on size 6 and 7 needles.  Truthfully, I like this version a lot better – not as baggy – but some people like the bagginess of the original beret, so I have kept it, along with these newer versions, all in the same pattern, which is now 7 pages instead of two.  You may go to the Patterns page to download it.

Merry Christmas!

A Hat Named Priska on a Man Named Josh!

Just in time for Christmas and the cold!

Priska is knit using US 6 and 9 needles (4.25 and 5.5 mm) and less than one skein each of Cascade 220 worsted in two colors.  The hat band is designed to fit snugly, yet stretch.  This is possible because it is all stockinette, with stranded colors.  The hem is long and doubled over, creating a very thick, warm ear covering, as well as one which is snug enough, in theory, to allow activities without losing it.

My husband, Josh, is modeling the hat; this one is the “medium” size.  This hat fits me quite well, so the medium made be made for most adults.  The small will probably fit an older child, and the large for anyone with a big head, or for anyone who does not want a tight-fitting head band.

This hat can be knit up quickly by an experienced knitter, so it would be perfect for a last-minute gift.  Even the fairly new knitter, familiar with stranded knitting techniques, should not be too challenged by this pattern.

I designed this hat for my husband’s grandmother, Priscilla, with her bright blue eyes in mind.  Merry Christmas to Priska, and to all of you as well!

Lucette

. . . has arrived!

This is a hat I named after the lucet, which is a tool used to make cords, as well as after one of my favorite designers, Lucy of A Black Pepper (click the link at the right to go visit her), who does beautiful designs with cables and bobbles.

This hat is begun with the Estonian cast on, which is really easy to do, but nearly impossible to describe in words.   You can find Nancy Bush’s video of it on YouTube, or on the August 8, 2010, entry here.  This cast on is incredibly stretchy, as well as neat and tidy.  If you look at the bottom two pictures, you can see how much the hat will stretch out to accommodate a head!

Fly Away!

These are my second pair of toe-up socks, and I will say that I was very pleased with them. You can find the pattern on the Patterns page.

I’m not sure if I am a toe-up convert, but at least I don’t hate them (toe-ups) any more!

I got very frustrated with Publisher – if you delete pages, it sort of blurs 2 pages into one in a .png file, and when using Adobe to make the PDF, it was a mess. But, that got fixed . . . v 1.1 ten minutes after the upload! Sheesh!!