Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Herringbone Hat


This hat is squishy and stretchy making it warm, versatile and comfy. It is worked loosely on large needles for nice stitch definition. The hat is worked in the round but it could easily be adapted to be worked flat.

Craft: knitting
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius
Skills: long-tail cast on, K2tog

Sizes: adult s (m, l)
Finished Measurements: fits adult 22" (23", 24")

Gauge: 24 sts and 20 rows = 4” on 8 mm in patt, (16 sts = 4" on 4.5 mm in st st as given on ball band); take time to check gauge
Yarn: 100g, 220 yds (201 m) worsted weight yarn
Suggested Brand: 1 skein Classic Worsted Long Print

Needles/Hooks: 8 mm 16” circular, 8 mm dpns
Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook


Instructions:

Read Notes and Tips before beginning.

CO 100 (115-130) with long-tail method (important); join being careful not to twist sts and pm for beg of rnd.

Rnd 1 (left slanting): *K2tog tbl slipping only the first st off the needle*, repeat from * to * to marker, sl m; repeat from * to * once more, then continue with Rnd 2
Rnd 2 (right slanting): K2tog slipping only the first st off the needle; repeat to marker, slm

Rep Rnds 1 and 2 until hat measures 5-6” from CO, ending with a Rnd 1.

Dec Rnds:
Work as established, making decs on Rnd 2 only. Work one dec by slipping both sts off the needle instead of just the first one (K2tog).
On the first dec rnd, the dec should be worked every 5 sts (repeat the pattern stitch 3 times, then drop the 4th and 5th st).
Then, every 4 sts and 3 sts. Then, K2tog until hat is closed up or until approx. 8 sts rem. BO and weave in ends. Add a pom-pom if you are into that kind of thing.

Notes and Tips:
• Keep your tension loose.
• Use scrap yarn as a stitch marker instead of a traditional ring marker so it won't get caught in the K2togs.

A big thanks to Allison Blevins for the pattern stitch - check out her amazing scarf here: http://store.tangleonline.com/index.php?main_page=pr...

Thursday, July 9, 2009

The Condom

An easy project that makes a naughty gift! The pattern is suitable for beginners and knits up quickly in a bulky yarn. Try knitting it in a 1x1 rib, for her pleasure.

Craft: knitting
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius
Skills: knit, K2tog

Sizes: adult s (m, l); shown in small
Finished Measurements: fits adult 22" (23", 24")

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in st st on 6 mm
Yarn: 100g, 180 yds (160 m) bulky weight yarn
Suggested Brand: 1 ball Cicciobello Hyppo

Needles/Hooks: 6 mm 16” circular, 6 mm dpns
Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook

 
Instructions:

CO 55, (60, 65) sts.
Knit even in st st until hat measures approx. 8, (8.5, 9)" from CO (not from bottom of roll).

Dec Rnds:

Rnd 1: *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end of rnd.
Rnd 2 (and all even rnds): knit
Rnd 3: *K2, K2tog* repeat from * to * to end of rnd.
Rnd 5: *K1, K2tog* repeat from * to * to end of rnd.
Rnd 7: *K2tog, K2* repeat from * to * to end of rnd (16 sts left). See Notes below.

Knit even for 10 rnds.

Next: repeat Rnd 3.
Next: repeat Rnd 2.
Next: *K2tog, K1*, repeat to end of rnd.
BO, weave in ends.

Notes and Tips:
• The key to a good condom hat is getting the tip to girth proportions right for the reservoir tip; depending on your yarn, 16 sts for the tip may not look just right...try knitting a few rnds and see how it looks. You may need to back up and adjust the number of previous decs worked, or pick up a st or two.

Mediterranean Tulle Wrap


Wearing this wrap makes me feel like royalty.  This is one of the easiest things you could make and it looks gorgeous. Mohair will keep you warm even though the pattern is loose and airy.

Craft: knitting
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius
Skills: knit, yarn over

Sizes: one size
Finished Measurements: approx. 28" wide and 56 inches from end to end (lying flat - it's stretchy though!)

Gauge: 14 sts and 16 rows = 4” on 6 mm in st st (as given on ball band); gauge is not too important
Yarn: 200g, 352 yds (321 m) bulky mohair
Suggested Brand: 4 skeins Pingouin Ligne Noire (discontinued)

Needles/Hooks: 10 mm 20" or longer circular or straight needles
Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook; 60" of 0.5 cm ribbon (or ribbon of your choice); 4-8 small buttons (size isn't crucial)


Instructions:

CO 61 sts (or an uneven number to the desired width).

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: *K2tog, YO*; rep from * to * to last st, knit

Rep Row 2 only until wrap reaches desired length, or until you run out of yarn (leaving enough for bind off). BO very loosely. Weave in ends.

Finishing:

Cut your ribbon in half and be sure the ends won’t fray (stick them near a flame to melt the ends, depending on the fabric - careful!).

Weave the ribbon through your wrap at one-inch intervals starting approx. 12 inches from one end.

Using a needle and thread, arrange one end of the ribbon in a bow and sew a button on top of it making sure you are sewing it to at least two strands of yarn at the edge of the wrap.

Repeat on the other side of the wrap pulling the ribbon so it is bunched as much as you would like.

Repeat for opposite end.