Hats « Peacefully Knitting

Wednesday Pattern Spotlight: Let there be hearts!

8 02 2012

I thought today would be perfect to highlight a few patterns that would be wonderful as Valentine gifts!

Courtesy of Simone Van Iderstine

The Queen of Hearts by Simone Van Iderstine of Sand and Sky Creations is a beautiful stranded color-work hat that is worked completely in the round and includes corrugated ribbing. This hat would make a very special gift and is perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Simone’s pattern is very easy to follow, includes written instructions along with a detailed chart for the heart design. This project calls for 125 yards (114 m) of fingering weight (14 wpi) yarn in both main color and contrast color for the smaller hat. Or 135 yards (124 m) of fingering weight (14 wpi) yarn in both main color and contrast color for the longer hat. You will also need a US Size US 2½ (3.0 mm) 16″ circular needle as well as a set of DPNs.

For an adorable quick knit for a little girl, check out the Heart Party Shrug by Jenny Williams that was in the Summer 2010 Issue of Petite Purls.

This easy to follow pattern includes sizes 4, 6,8, and 10, requires 204 yards of yarn, a size US 3 and 5 needle and a set of US3 DPNs. This is a very inexpensive project with adorable results. I actually made this shrug for a dear friend’s little girl and it turned out perfect. (Photo courtesy of Jenny Williams)

Give a cozy that will wrap a mug with love using Valentine Mug Cozy designed by Kristen TenDyke for the Classic Elite Web Letter. For this project you will need 1 hank of Elite Renaissance Yarn for the main color (7155 Renaissance Red) and 1 hank for the contrast Color ( 7119 Rose), US size 8 needles, and a yarn needle.

This cozy is knitted using the Stranded Colorwork or Fair Isle knitting technique. When using this method, you will carry two colors of yarn across the same row and will alternate between the two to form a color-work pattern. While one strand is being worked, the other is carried behind it (or in front of it on the WS rows). This technique gives a thicker and much warmer knitted fabric. (Photo courtesy of Kristen TenDyke)

I hope you enjoyed a few of these ideas and for a couple of more, click here for last year’s ideas.

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

Comments : 12 Comments »
Tags: Hats, knitting, kristen tendyke, Patterns, sand and sky, valentines day
Categories : All Knitting, Hats, Pattern Spotlight, Patterns, Review

Casting On and Casting Off: More WIPs!

27 11 2011

So this weekend has been very good for me and my knitting. I have managed to finish a pair of socks for my Dad, a hat for my Dad and I’m almost done with the cardigan I started way back in October!

One pair of Maritime Socks (pattern Maritime Wool Socks by Simone Van Iderstine). I used only one skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease for this project and two circular needles, US size 6. If you’re looking for a quick knit gift for a guy, this is really a great pattern and really fast if you just sit and knit.

One striped beanie for Dad! I created my own pattern for this ribbed hat, an US size 8 circular needle and a set of DPNs, 1/2 skein of Cascade 220 Superwash and just a bit of the Cascade 220 Superwash in Gray. I really love this yarn and think it would make a great pair of worsted weight socks.

I’m also very excited to announce that you can download a quick knit ribbed hat pattern from Caron International – A Good Ribbing Hat, His and Hers Hats – that I designed for them. Hope you enjoy!

Happy knitting!

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Caron International Yarn, Hat, Hats, Socks
Categories : All Knitting, Hats, Knitting Patterns, Socks

Happy Fall!

23 09 2011

I’m so happy today is the first official day of fall! This means color temperatures are around the co0ler and soon I can wear my hand-knits.

I’ve joined the Members Choice SAL/KAL on the Spin a Shawl Group on Raverly, which means I will be spinning two different colors of fiber to create a shawl. I’ve chosen to knit the Crow Waltz Shawl designed by Juju Vail of Loop knit lounge. To get me into that fall feeling, I’ve chosen to spin my stash of Corridale that I purchased from two different dyers that are in very fallish colors.

The one on the left is from Hi Fiber Kits in the colorway Peanut Butter, which will be the edging of the shawl, and the one on the right is from Woolen Mill St Yarns in the colorway Stetson’s Are Cool, which will be the body of the shawl. I’ve just about finished spinning the Peanut Butter, which is only 3 oz, and I’m hoping to start spinning the Stetson’s Are Cool colorway this weekend. I think this will be a very enjoyable project and I’m excited to get started!

To celebrate fall, I’m running a special promotion on two of my fall named patterns. You can purchase these two patterns today through 12:00 p.m. noon tomorrow for only $1.00 ( no coupon required).

Woodland Collection: Pumpkin Patch

Woodland Collection: Autumn Leaves

Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning and crafting!

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Cowls, Hats, knitting, spinning
Categories : Knitting Patterns, spinning

All about baby!

14 02 2011

I just finished a pair of baby booties for a friend who is expecting in April. This pattern was super easy, super quick and super adorable!

When I saw Saartje’s Booties by Saartje de Bruijn I had to knit them but on my first one I really didn’t like all the seams or the ends that needed to be woven in. The pattern is great but for me, I prefer knitting in the round without too much seaming. So, I decided to use the modified pattern by Susan Stevens of Fleegles blog, Saartje’s Fleeglized Bootie. Susan created a seamless pair of booties based on the original pattern, Saartje’s Booties, to be knit in the round so there is no seam to sew up . This pattern calls for 2 circular needles but I used DPNs instead and ended up with a tiny seam to sew at the bottom of the bootie, which I didn’t mind at all.

I’ve casted on a matching hat, using the cute pattern, Easy Peasy Newborn Hat by Keri McKiernan of Knitty Gritty Thoughts.

This will be the perfect set to send off, along with a baby snuggle blanket that I will be sewing next week. I purchased a piece of flannel that has “I love mommy, I love daddy” all over it in pale green, blue, and white, along with a piece of fleece in a pale green. I plan to use the Prudent Baby – DIY Snuggly Baby Blanket that my friend Sara Beth used and can’t wait to start sewing!

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Tags: baby booties, blankets, Hats, Knitting Patterns
Categories : Knitting Patterns, Stuff

Casting on and Casting Off: WIPs, Completed Projects and a Bit of Spinning

13 12 2010

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me in the knitting side of things but I feel like I’m finally getting a few things finished up. I still have a few WIPs but look forward to time in the next few weeks to get those projects completed.

WIPs:

The Citron by Hilary Smith Callis using a lovely light pumpkin color sock yarn.
My Spring Forward socks by Linda Welch using Punta Merisock and two size US 1 circular needles for this project. I can’t wait to finish so I can wear them!
I have two braids of super soft 100% BFL fiber from Maya of Springtree Road that needs to be spun.
I’m still working on a shawl design using a beautiful hand-dyed worsted weight yarn by Lamb’s Ears .

Off the Needles: As mentioned earlier I finished my Mom’s raglan sleeve sweater and was excited to deliver it to her this past Saturday. It fit her like a glove and it was fun to see her excited! A few of you have already seen this photo on my FaceBook page and on Raverly, but I wanted to share with those who do not follow me there.

Also off the needles this week is my Hot Waffles Hat by Anne Hanson of KnitSpot using the yummy soft 100% deep chocolate brown Alpaca from Blue Moon Ranch. I really love how this hat turned out and I’m in the process of making matching mittens. I’m using the Hot Waffles Mitt pattern but have modified it to make mittens. I have one mitten finished and casting on the second one today.

On the wheel: I’m still working on my 8 oz of Wensleydale from Moonlight and Laugther . After a frustrating issue with my tension yesterday, I have finally spun another 2 oz for a total of 4 oz. This evening I will be plying and can’t wait to see how much yardage I achieve. So far I must say that I really love the Wensleydale. It’s quite soft and has a marvelous sheen to the fiber.

We only have two weeks before Christmas and I hope that all of you have been able to finish up projects without stressing out. Just remember to take time for yourselves as well and start a fun project just for you!

Happy knitting!

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: Hats, Knitting Patterns, mittens, spinning
Categories : Casting On and Casting Off, Knitting Patterns, spinning

Quick and easy projects just in time for the holidays!

23 11 2010

Right about this time of the year, knitters and crocheters are scrabbling to finish gifts that will be ready just in time for Christmas. I must admit, I am one of those knitters! Each year I tell myself that I will start my projects early in the season and each year, that statement seems to be a forgotten memory as I trudge along in my very own “Santa’s Workshop”. Hmm….. I wonder if I could hire a few elves?

I have found a few quick projects that are perfect gifts for friends, family and co-workers. Many of these projects only require one skein of yarn, which is a wonderful way to use up your stash!

Turn a Square by Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed is a super quick knit that you can use scraps of yarn to create a unique one of a kind hat. This project will require between 110 to 130 yards of worsted weight wool, a set of US Size 7 (4.5mm) DPNs and a US size 7 (4.5mm) 16″ circular needle. This is a free pattern available as a Ravelry download. (Photo courtesy of Jared Flood)

The Good Luck Cowl by Christianne Gerstner of the Drop Stitch Knitter is a simple Shetland lace pattern that is bordered with garter stitch. This lightweight lacey cowl pattern is a perfect project to use up left over fingering or sock weight yarn. This project will require approximately 200 yards of fingering weight yarn and a size US 5 (3.75mm) 16″ circular needle.

The Horseshoe Lace Cowl by Sashka Macievich. This cowl pattern offers a lace design that is super easy to memorize just after a few pattern repeats and knits up quickly. This project requires approximately 150 to 200 yards of fingering weight yarn and a size US 5 (3.75mm) 16″ circular needle. (Photo courtesy of Sashka Macievich)

Bookmarks are a great way to use up bits and pieces of fingering and sock weight yarn left behind by many projects. The Mountain Laurel Leaf by Bonnie Sennot is a super quick project that can be completed in an hour. Create a long i-Cord with a small leaf at one end and a large leaf at the other end for the perfect size bookmark! For those of you who enjoy crocheting, the Overlapping Circles Bookmark by Amelia Beebe is another super quick project that requires just a small amount of fingering weight yarn and a size G/6 Crochet Hook.

The Cranford Mitts by Jane Lithgow was inspired by the BBC adaptation of Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell. This pattern was generously donated by Jane to Pennies per Hour of Pleasure supporters of MSF. This project requires approximately 100 yards (50 grams) of sock weight yarn, 5 yards (10grams) of contrast sock weight yarn and a set of size US 1.5 DPNs ( 2.5mm). (Photo courtesy of Jane Lithgow)

Pair this set of mitts with the Horseshoe Lace Cowl for the perfect Christmas gift set!

Edgar by Silke Hupka is a unique diamond shaped scarf that has flexible lengths. This edgy scarf project requires one or two balls of self striping yarn (100 to 220 yards of Aran/Worsted weight) and a size US 8 (5.0 mm) pair of straight needles. Finish this scarf off with tassels at the ends or if making the shorter version, use a favorite pin to keep together.

From stylish scarves and hats, and exciting updates on holiday favorites, to chic and contemporary wearables, and beautifully designed home accents, Holiday Knits is the knitter’s answer to Santa’s workshop.

Don’t forget to take a peek at Holiday Knits, by yarn shop owners Sara Lucas and Allison Isaac. This small book is overflowing with gift ideas that will make this holiday season very stress-free. With over 20 projects to choose from, Yarn-shop owners Sara Lucas and Allison Isaacs know firsthand what the holiday knitter needs. Unique patterns, along with cozy mittens,ornaments, sweaters, stylish scarves and festive stockings, Holiday Knits is loaded with projects that will just about cover everyone on your list. Each pattern has well written instructions, along with how-to illustrations and project photographs.

Hopefully a few of these ideas will be of help for last minute gift ideas!

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Cowls, Hats, jared flood, Knitting Patterns, mitts, Patterns
Categories : Knitting Patterns, Patterns

Casting On and Casting Off: Socks, Hats, Mittens and a Shawl

4 10 2010

Off the needles: As already mentioned, I just released my new scarf pattern, Sand Painting, which turned out perfect. I was able to finish three hats for my friend in Kentucky, using the Button-Tab hat pattern by Marcia Nishioka of I Like Lemons and the Lacey Leaf Hat from Red Heart, which I modified. I loved the Lacey Leaf Hat pattern so much, I made the hat and the mittens for me too!

Buttoned Tab Hat

Modified Lacy Leaf Hat for Bette

Lacy Leaf Hat & Mittens for Me

On the needles: I’m still working on my Spring Forward socks and should have the first sock finished this week. I haven’t devoted enough time to this project and really need just to sit down and work on them.

I casted on the Pretty Triangle Shawl from Patons, using their new Patons Lace (80% Acrylic, 10% Mohair, 10% Wool) yarn in Sachet. This yarn so far is really nice to knit with and I’m still in awe that it is machine washable! The pattern is easy and simple to follow ~ can’t wait to finish it!

In the works: I’m still working on a new hat design for my ongoing Woodland Collection that will be featuring Spud & Chloe Outer in Sequoia and Namaste Farms Kid Mohair in Indian Spice. The two fibers mixed together look awesome and will make a great hat!

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Sponsored by the Yarn Market, purveyor of high-quality yarns from over 70 leading manufacturers.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Hats, Knitting Patterns, Lace, Patons
Categories : Casting On and Casting Off, Hats, Knitting Patterns, Patterns

Collection Sale!

30 09 2010

It’s time to start knitting hats for the fall, for the winter and for Christmas, so I decided to have a sale on my collection of hat patterns and guess what, it’s on Ravelry!

Now until Saturday, October 16, 2010 you can enjoy $3.00 off on my Collection of Vintage Inspired Hat Patterns – that’s a $1.50 per pattern! To receive your discount, simply click the link below this photo to instantly check out and receive this special offer, or use code AZ10 at check out by clicking on the “tag” in front of the PayPal logo for your coupon code.

Buy Now and save $3.00!

Happy knitting!

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Tags: Hats, Knitting Patterns, Patterns
Categories : Hats, Knitting Patterns, Patterns

Casting On and Casting Off: Sand Painting, Socks and a Hat

27 09 2010

Off the needles: I have finished my latest pattern that I’ve named “Sand Painting” using the yummy yarn from Cornelia Hamilton – Heaven’s Hand in Wool Classic. First of all, this yarn is a dream to knit with and second, it’s very soft. This hand-dyed yarn is perfect for any type of garment. I will be posting a pattern and more photos soon – just need my hubby to take them for me.

Meanwhile, here’s a teaser photo:

On the needles: I’ve casted on a quick knit hat that I’m making for a friend who is undergoing chemo for breast cancer. I’m using the Button-Tab hat pattern by Marcia Nishioka of I Like Lemons. This pattern is super quick and very easy to follow, perfect for a beginner knitter wanting to move on from basic ribbed hats. I wanted something very soft for my friend, so I’m using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran for this project.

I’ve also casted on another pair of socks using Spring Forward by Linda Welch. This sock pattern is not only quick, but is well written with a super easy stitch pattern that is a snap to memorize. I’m using Punta Merisock and two size US 1 circular needles for this project, and I can’t wait to finish so I can wear them!

In the works: This week I’m into hats! I’m working on a new hat design for my ongoing Woodland Collection that will be featuring Spud & Chloe Outer in Sequoia and Namaste Farms Kid Mohair in Indian Spice. The two fibers mixed together look awesome and will make a great hat!

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Sponsored by the Yarn Market, purveyor of high-quality yarns from over 70 leading manufacturers.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Debbie Bliss, handknitted socks, Hats, Wool
Categories : Casting On and Casting Off, Knitting Patterns, Patterns, Socks, Wool

In the works: Introducing my Woodland Collection

6 09 2010

I will be introducing several new patterns underneath my “Woodland Collection” that will feature fall colors with an ever so slight “woodsy” outdoors feel.

The first design to this new collection is “North by Northwest“. This new hat pattern is worked in a variation of two colors with a simple cable stitch band, available in two sizes and is a super fast project. This is the perfect design to create a hat to show off your favorite school colors or your favorite Harry Potter house colors.

Woodland Collection: North by Northwest

Original design by Tina Sanders