Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Sparkly Hat

So, yes I am still obsessed with hats. I made what I call the "Sparkly Hat" from Berroco Mirror FX and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. I bought both yarns at Knit New York. I must truly say that I love that knitting store. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and they have a wonderful selection to choose from. This is actually derived from a pattern I bought from them a few months ago, so I must give credit where credit is due. But, being totally unorganized with my knitting patterns (New Year's Resolution to change that is slowly going into effect) I lost it, and had to create my own.






I casted on 96 stitches to make a hat that is approximately 22 inches in circumference. I used a size 7 needle for the ribbing, just to make it snug (I hate when the wind blows into my ears). K2 P2 ribbed for approximately 1 inch, then continued in the stockinette stitch using size 8 needles. This is all done in the round on double pointed needles (just my preference... I hate seaming hats).






Now, here is the part that boggles everyone who comments on the hat. They actually think that I sewed each and every sequin..... Hello!!!! I live in New York. We are too fast paced to do things like that, even if we are the "Fashion Capital of the World". The sequins are strung along the Berroco Mirror FX yarn, and I hold both yarns together as I knit. How easy is that, huh? Glamour without pain and bags under the eyes. My own personal thing is not to overkill the garment with sparkles. You want it to look more like snowflakes, and less like the New Year's Eve ball. So, I only knit the two yarns together every other round.




During the shaping, my decrease rounds are knit in the Cashmerino yarn by itself, and the knit even rows have the Mirror FX yarn joined in.
I used a basic hat pattern, and started my decreasing with K10, K2tog after 6 inches. The next round is knit even, and the round after that is K9, K2tog. I keep following in that pattern until there are 8 stitches left on the needle. I thread the remaining yarn through the stitches twice, and weave in the ends.





Simple Glamour. Enjoy!!!






Monday, January 8, 2007

Moda Dea Hat and Scarf

























I have created this hat and scarf set using Moda Dea's Cache' in Siren. This is 75% Wool, 22% Acrylic, and 3% Polyester. The hat uses 2 skeins, and the scarf uses approximately 5 skeins.

The hat pattern is simple.
Head measurement = 22 inches
Using 3 size 10.5 double pointed needles, cast on 68 stitches.
K2,P2 rib for 1 1/2 inches (Using 4th double pointed needle)
Knit even until hat measures 7 inches

Decreasing
  • Round 1 - (decrease 4 stitches evenly) - K15, K2tog *
  • Round 2 - Knit even (64 stitches)
  • Round 3 - K6, k2tog*
  • Round 4 - Knit even (56 stitches)
  • Round 5 - K5, K2tog*
  • Round 6 - Knit even (48 stitches)
  • Round 7 - K4, K2tog*
  • Round 8 - Knit even (40 stitches)
  • Round 9 - K3, K2tog*
  • Round 10 - Knit even (32 stitches)
  • Round 11 - K2, K2tog*
  • Round 12 - Knit even (24 stitches)
  • Round 13 - K1, K2tog* (16 stitches)
  • Round 14 - K2tog* (8 stitches)
Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining stitches.

Scarf
Cast on 34 Stitches on size 10.5 Needles.
Right side - K2,P2*
Wrong Side - P2, K2*
Continue until scarf measures 60 inches.
These are two easy patterns for beginners, and the use of a variegated yarn makes it fun and easy to add a pop of color to your wardrobe.