From Me to Ewe, Manditory Knitcation. No, in a bad way.
March 12, 2011 § 4 Comments
So I have been working like a mad-lady trying to get these two dressed designed, patterned, sewn and photographed to submit for a competition, and while I finished one, the second one, I realized only at the very last moment, just wasn’t meant to be. With the production rush I have been very, very bad about not posting, but what can I say.
Last weekend, Ramon and I traveled up to my mom’s house to hang out. So funny and so cute, my mom had called a few days before we arrived stating that, “Since you are having so much fun with your yarn, I want to try to take up crochet, again. Can you give me a lesson.” Happy to oblige and after a trip to Walmart to buy cheap, big yarn, and big crocheting needles, she is now off and running, able to 1. identify mistakes and more importantly 2. go back and fix them.
Also on our little northern voyage, we took a 22 mile drive out to see Lamborghini. And while, sadly for us, it was raining, Lambo didn’t let that stop her from a Triscut feast. With sheering time only weeks away, I tried to make good friends with Lambo, as I will be super lucky to acquire her goods after the woolly event, which I will hopefully be able to watch, and maybe even participate it.
Now to the bad news.
I have been working on this sweater that I love, the cover sweater from Precious by Kim Hargreaves
This was all fine and good, as I was able to sew, until a few nights ago, when I had a very bad muscle spasm in my neck.
Basically unable to move my neck at all, it took 5 hours yesterday to get to the art store to buy illustration board to mount the pictures I had already taken of my sewing competition entries, get the pictures mounted to the board (a task I have done hundreds, if not thousands of times), and get it down to FedEx. I already had all of the forms filled out, pictures touched-up and printed, but FIVE HOURS!!! This was followed by a two hour nap, then a margarita, then sleep. Ugh.
Today my neck is still very stiff, but since I can’t knit, I feel like a bump on a log, and totally worthless. With nothing else left to turn to, I have started to crochet the Broomstick and Lace hat
So now slowly I go, trying to get back to normal, whatever that is.
Now, if only I had a subway to ride.
January 17, 2011 § 3 Comments
After my long winded longings about going to New York and thoughts about art and Alexander McQueen, I took some pictures of the hat that I just completed from Modern Top Down Knitting, the Subway Hat, also one from my 12in11 list.
Great pattern, took one day, even including making the lining and adding the braids. The pattern was simple, but I learned three new things. This is the first—and not the last—hat I have done from the top down. Big yarn—I used Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Hand Dyes in Blue and Natural, Colorway 2001 and 2003— and big needles meant it went along quickly, and I got the majority of it done at the Laundromat yesterday. The second new skill was doing the crochet boarder. Super simple, and this is another skill that I will be putting to good use in the near future.
On Saturday I found a fleece remnant in the bin at the local fabric store, and a buck later, it was mine. It was .45 yards and 2x what I needed. I quickly drafted a pattern, surged it together, & over-locked the edges. I included a 1/2″ seam allowance, so I folded it up, and stitched it. Incorporating the braids seemed like it might be fun, and also something I hadn’t done before (3rd new skill).I also over-locked the braids into the lining, in the seam allowance, so there is no mess, no muss, and no fuss.
Being lazy I used my Bernina 450, the correct thread—natural for the crochet boarder, and light gray for the fleece—and a top-stitching needle, I carefully, and quickly sewed the lining into the hat. I know it was cheating to do it this way, but, hey, I don’t mind.
So warm, now I just with I had a subway to ride on … New York? Something about New York?
A Simple Hat.
December 13, 2010 § 9 Comments
As I have recently made a number of hats for the Holidays, I have come across a big problem. I have used a number of different patterns, but I have yet to find a good pattern, for a masculine hat that is sophisticated in its simplicity. So, I have made my own pattern.
I am sure that this pattern is similar to a number of others out there, but I did create it all on my own, based on what I wanted.
The way that Ramon likes to wear hats, he likes to be able to take the ribbed section and flip it up, or down depending on the temperature. This hat is made to be long enough to almost cover the ear with the ribbing folded up, and made to be very low on the neck, ear, and mostly likely over the eye-brows when the ribbing is flipped down.
Yarns:
I chose to work with this specific yarn because it is very soft, and wonderful to knit with. I have realized that the softer the yarn, the more comfortable on the neck and forehead over long durations of time. Knit with the US size 7 needles, the tightness of the stitches provides generous enough elasticity and a lot of warmth in addition to the softness.
Color A:
Blue Sky Alpacas, Worsted Cotton, 613 Ink (Black), 1 Hank 150 yards, and this project used almost the entire hank.
Color B:
Blue Sky Alpacas, Worsted Cotton, 614 Drift (White), 1 Hank, 150 yards, used probably about 1/4 of a hank.
Gauge:
4.5 sts per inch on size 7 needles
OR 18 sts and 26 rows equals 4″ x 4″
Needles:
US size 6, 20″ or 24″ circular needles, for ribbing
US size 7, 20″ or 24″ circular needles, for the cap
Large Hat, 24″ in Diameter
Ribbing:
Row 1: With Size 6 circular needle, Using Color A, CO 96 sts using continental method, pm,
Row 2: On the next round, Join sides, being careful not to twist stitches.Work in k2 p2 rib, in the round
Row 3-20: Continue working in k2 p2 rib, in the round. Piece should measure 3.25″
Striping:
Row 21: Switch to Size 7 circular needle, working in stockinette stitch, k12, m1, repeat to end of round [104 sts]
Row 22–23: Knit even.
Row 24-25: Add in Color B, be sure to carry up the opposite color at the marker whilst. Knit even
Row 26–28: Switch back to color A, and knit even. (3 rows)
Row 29–37: Switch back to color B, and knit even (8 rows)
Row 38–40: Switch back to color A, and knit even. (3 rows)
Row 41–42: Switch back to color B, and knit even (2 rows). You are now finished with Color B and no longer need to carry it up. Cut the yarn, leaving at least 4″ to weave back into secure.
Row 43–55: Using color A knit 12 more rows even. Piece should measure 8″ from CO edge.
Cap Decreasing:
Row 56: K11, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 57: K10, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 58: K9, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 59: K8, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 60: K7, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 61: K6, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 62: K5, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 63: K4, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 64: K3, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 65: K2, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 66: K1, k2tog, repeat to end of round
Row 67: K2tog until you have only four stitches remaining. Pull 4 stitches carefully to inside of hat, and using a crochet hook, weave tail of yarn through the stitches, securing.
When I get a moment, I’ll create the same pattern for smaller sized hats, as I know this one is on the larger side.
If you find any errors I would love to know!
Enjoy!
©2012 Julie LeFrancois. All Rights Reserved.
Please respect copyright law and Do Not Reproduce in any form. Duplication & distribution of this pattern in any form without express permission of the author is a violation of copyright law: You may not make multiple copies of this pattern, reformat it for commercial use or resale, or sell items made from this pattern. Your respect for coypright law allows me to keep bringing you new and interesting designs. Write with feedback or errata via my contact page. Thank you.
