Baby Girl Brimmed Hat

This is the female counterpart to the Baby Boy Brimmed hat. Its a little fancier than the boy version, but that is basically to make it a bit prettier for your pretty little girl! The knit flower can be replaced by a felted or silk one, or any other decoration you like!

Gauge:
sts and rows = 1inch
Size 6 needles
Caron Simply Soft quick

Set-up row:
Cast on 50 sts
Knit 2 rows

Body:
Work in following pattern until piece reaches approx. 4inches.
*k2tog, yo* repeat from * across row.

Decrease rows:
row 1: k2tog across
row 2: p2tog across
row 3: k2tog across, cut yarn, leaving 12" tail
using a tapestry needle, run yarn through stitches remaining on needle.
Stitch side seam.

Brim:
CO 18sts
row 1: K
row 2: P
row 3: K
row 4 p1, m1 p across to last st. m1, p1
row 5: k across. When you come to the increases, k in the back of the stitch.
row 6: p
bind off all sts

Sew edge of brim to bottom front of hat. Weave in all ends.

Use whatever embellishment you like, but I used this knit flower:
http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/flower02k.htm

You only need a little blocking...just to flatten out the brim and perhaps the flower.

I'm still a Kool-Aid kid!

So my awesome sister-in-law, who gave me the greatest gift of teaching me how to knit years ago, has given me another cool gift for my birthday! She gave me a kool-aid dyeing kit from Aisha Celia Designs! I had dyed with kool-aid once before and it was very fun! The colors come out so fun and bright and your house (and yarn!) smells so fruity and yummy! It totally reminds me of being a kid drinking Kool-aid all the time. Ahhhh...nostalgia....
Anyway, I am a fan of kool-aid dyeing because it is super easy and quick! The longest part is pre-soaking the yarn for 30 min in a vinegar/water bath, but then you just put the yarn in a microwave safe container, pour on your colorful kool-aid, and then microwave! There is practically no clean-up! I randomly mixed up the 3 primary colors that came in the kit (yellow, blue, red) I ended up with a purpley-maroonish varigation. Pretty neat. Now I just have to decide what to make with my fun yarns!

Ugg Booties Mods

So I thought since I had such an issue getting the Ugg Booties to come out right, I would post the mods that I used... I didn't write these mods, but I thought I would repost anniam's mods so that they might be easier to find.

Cast on 12 sts, K1 row

Row 1: k1, yf, k4 [yf, k1] twice, yf, k4, yf, k1
row 2, 4, 6, 8, 10: Knit, when you reach the yf knit in the back of the stitch
row 3: k2, yf, k4 yf, k2, yf, k3, yf, k4, yf, k2
row 5: k3, yf, k4, [yf, k4] twice, yf, k4, yf, k3
row 7: k4, yf, k4, yf, k5, yf, k6, yf, k4, yf, k4
row 9: k5, yf, k4, [yf, k7] twice, yf, k4, yf, k5

change to larger needles

rows 11, 13, 15, 17: knit
rows 12, 14, 16, 18: purl

shape instep
row 1: k22, SKP, turn
row 2: sl 1, p6, p 2 tog, turn
row 3: sl 1, k6, skp, turn
row 4-11: repeat rows 2 and 3, 4 times
row 12: repeat row 2
row 13: sl 1, k6, skp, knit to the end of the row
row14: p14, p 2 tog, purl to the end of the row. (23 stitches)

work in stockenette stitch for 2 inches, ending with a purl row
change to plush (trim yarn) and work 2 rows knit, BO.

weave plush yarn under and over stitches on sides of booties and over instep. Sew bottom seam and back seam.

There you go! I have 2 pairs to make before sept for some girls I work with. I think they will be pink!

I'm a slacker...

I am apparently not too good at keeping up with my blog....Things have been kind of hectic in my life lately. My job is taking pretty much all of my energy and sanity, so my knitting has been suffering!

I finally finshed the Ugg booties for my new cousin Brody. They came out pretty good. I wasn't a fan of the fluffy yarn I used for the trim...it was random stuff I found in my stash. I'll definitely find something better for the next pairs I make...which I need to get a move on because the too girls I am making them for are due in a month! They are really quick to make now that I have the hang of it. And I have to make them hats too. Also really quick. I am working on 2 Anthropologie sweaters for a friend's birthday at the end of August also, so I need to get a move on! Luckily all of those are really quick knits if I can sit down and just work on them straight!

I am still finishing up my raglan sweater pattern. I know, its been forever. I am on the really boring part of the body, so it is hard to keep motivated, but I am almost done.
I am also waiting not-so-patiently for my summer issue of Interweave to show up! I really want to make the apres-surf hoodie! I already have the yarn...some really purty light yellow (its called "sunlight") Palette laceweight from Knit Picks...whom I love...how can you not? Their yarn is awesome and super affordable! With all the rainy days we've had this summer, I need some sunlight!

This has been a busy summer despite the rain. Although, I haven't gotten to the beach yet (hopefully tomorrow!!!) and I haven't gotten my kayak in the water much other than early in the season, and a couple weeks ago in Maine. Maine was awesome. The weather turned out gorgeous and I got to see some friends I haven't seen in a long time. Mainly my friend Erin who moved to CO last year, and the Tumans, who although they don't live far away, we never get to see! So it was fantastic. Last weekend we went to see my family and to my dad's company picnic. Always a good time.

Yesterday I got to go with my friend Jennica to see her new puppy! We went to the breeder's house in Carver, MA. They breed Boston terriers. We got to sit in a pen with 6 tiny baby puppies! They were too cute for words, and all of them wanted to cuddle! They all decided to sleep on us. I was in animal-lover heaven! Jennica's puppy is awesome. She named her Mitsy and she picked Jennica right out, it was meant to be! I wanted to put them all in the car and run away! I'm sure Cory would not approve of me bringing home 6 puppies though...I'll just have to survive being Auntie Janel to Mitsy!

Well, the hubby and I are off to buy a pellet stove. Sounds like a fun time right? At least we won't go broke heating our house this winter....I hope!!

Ciao!

UGG!

So I am obsessed with the "suede booties" pattern I found on ravelry. They look like little Ugg booties and they are pretty much the cutest thing ever! I have started making them for several friends who are preggers. I am a little frustrated with the sizing though. I am using Bernat Natural Bamboo because it is soooooooo soft! I made my gauge swatch and found I needed to use much smaller needles. I decreased to a 1-2 needle as determined by my swatch, and started the sole. It was HUGE! So I decreased down again to a 0-1, and tried again, it was still HUGE. Sooo, I am trying to modify the pattern by casting on fewer stitches and altering the increase pattern, but I am afraid that it is going to distort the shape. Any suggestions???

I am still working on the raglan cardigan, so that is why there are no pics yet. I am almost done with the body. It is coming out really good so far. The body is a little boring, but the rows aren't too long, so it is tolerable.

My next "big" project is the Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio. I ordered the yarn from knit picks today! YAY! I am going to use the Palette fingering weight yarn in sunlight. I thought the pretty pale yellow would make a perfect light summery pullover. I can't wait to get the yarn!

I have a couple other projects I need to work on. My friend has been asking for the Anthropologie-inspired caplet, well, 2 of them actually, black and cream. Since her birthday is in August, I think I will make them for her. They are pretty quick knits, so they will be easy. I have a lot more bootie and hat sets to make, but I am discouraged with the uggs pattern, so I have been avoiding it. I am going to write a girl version of the baby boy hat pattern when I get around to making them!

Raglan Cardi

This pattern was written for a s/m with measurements of a 16" neck and 13" around the arm using a bulky weight yarn. I recommend taking your own measurements at your neck and arm, checking your gauge for the yarn you choose and figuring out the number of stitches you need to cast on. This pattern is super easy to modify so you get a perfect fit.
After you figure out how many co stitches you need. Divide by 6 (you may need to add a sitch or 2 to get a whole number) This is the number of stitches for the two front panels and 2 sleeves. Multiply that by 2, and that is the number of stitches across the back.

Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky in True Taupe
Needle: Size 10 1/2 circular
Gauge: 3sts and 4rows=1in on size 10 1/2 needles.

abbreviations:
pm: place marker
sl1: slip 1 stitch
raglan increase: *K to marker, yo, sl marker, k1 yo* repeat from *

Collar:
Cast on 48 sts
row 1: sl1, k1p2, k2p2 across to 4 sts to end, k2p1, sl1
row 2: p across to last st, k.
repeat these 2 rows 4 more times.

Setup for raglan increases:
row 1: k
row 2: p8, pm, p8, pm, p16, pm, p8, pm, p8
Raglan increases:
row 1: sl1*k to 1st marker ri, k to next marker* repeat from * to last st. Sl1.
row 1: purl.
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until 39 sts on front panel and sleeve sections (or no of sts calculated from your gauge and measurements) ending with purl row

Seperate sleeves from body:

sl1, k to 1st marker. Place sleeve sts on scrap yarn. k across back to next marker, place these sleeve sts on another scrap yarn. k to last st. Sl1.

Body:
Row 1: sl1, k to last st, sl1
Row 2: p
Repeat these 2 rows for 90 rows, or until piece reaches desired length.

Bottom edging:
Row 1: sl1, k1p2, k2p2 rib to last 4 sts, k2p1, sl1
Row 2: p2k2 across to last stitch, k.
repeat these 2 rows 4 more times.
BO all sts.

Arms:
Place sts for first sleeve from scrap yarn onto needles
Work in stockinette stitch until sleeve reaches desired length.
Switch to k2p2 rib for 10 rows. BO all sts.
Repeat for 2nd arm.

Button bands:
Pick up all sts along edge of left front panel
work in k2p2 rib for 8 rows.
BO all sts.
Repeat for r side.

Weave in ends and block.

I chose to use snaps up the button bands and sew a decorative button over the snap. Call it laziness, call it fear of math, but I didn't want to risk screwing up the spacing between buttons making button holes! If anyone figures out a good revision with buttonholes on the button band, please let me know, and I'll post it for everyone!

Baby Boy Brimmed Hat

This is my first attempt at writing a pattern, so bear with me... comments and criticisms are welcome!

I made a similar hat for a friend who had a little girl in April, it was more, well, girly. Now another friend is having a boy in July, so I am making this for her little one. After this, I have 2 other friends who are having girls in Sept, so I will make the girl hats again and post the patterns for them later.



Baby Boy Brimmed Hat



Yarn- Bernat Softee Chunky

1 skein navy blue (main color/mc)

1 skein grey (accent color/ac)

Needle- Size 5 dpns

Gauge: 3sts and 6 rows=1in on size 5 needles



Using mc CO 51 sts, divide over 3 needles

work in k2p1 rib, join in round, careful not to twist. Continue k2p1 rib for 4 rows.

Main body:
switch to ac and k 1 row
switch back to mc k 3 rows
switch to ac and k 2 rows
switch to mc and k 3 rows
switch back to ac and k 1 row
switch to mc and continue to k 5 more rows.
decrease rows:
*k1, k2tog* rep from *
repeat this row until 4sts remain on first needle and 3sts remain on 2nd and 3rd needles.
Break yarn, leaving a 10" tail
Using a tapestry needle, run the tail through remaining sts on needles. Remove dpns. Pull yarn tight and tie off. Weave in all ends.

Brim:
Pick up 21sts on needle 1 row up from co edge.
using mc work in p2k1 rib to end of row, turn.
k2p1 to end of row.
Repeat these 2 rows 2 more times.
p2tog, p1 k1, *p1k2* rep from * until last 2 sts. p2tog.
bo all sts. Weave in ends.

This piece doesn't need too much blocking, maybe just a little to straighten out the brim.