Belugah Slouch Hat and Beanie

This floppy slouch hat uses just one skein of "Maxima" by Manos del Uruguay. The merino is lovely and smooshy and makes a lovely drapey slouch hat. The pattern is also written for a beanie style.

Craft: knitting
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius
Skills: knit, purl, P2tog, K2tog,

Sizes: adult small (size 21-22" head) and large (size 23-24")
Finished Measurements: slouch = 11" tall (not including pom) and 9-10" wide lying flat; beanie = 6.5" tall

Gauge: approx. 20 sts = 4" in st st on 5 mm as given on ball band; 18 sts and 36 rows = 4" in patt st on 6 mm
Yarn: 100 g, 218 yds (199 m) worsted weight merino wool
Suggested Brand: 1 skein "Maxima" by Manos del Uruguay

Needles: 4 mm 16" circ, 6 mm 16" circ, 6 mm dpns
Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook

Instructions:

With smaller needles and long-tail method, CO 80 sts for small size and 88 sts for large size.

Join in the rnd, being careful not to twist sts. Pm for beg of rnd. Sl m throughout. 

Rnd 1-12: K2, P2 to end.
For large size only, pu 2 extra sts on Rnd 12. 90 sts. 

Brim should measure approx. 1.75" from CO (or work until desired length).

Change to larger needles.

Begin pattern stitch (see instructions below). Work in patt st until hat measures approx. 5.5" from CO for beanie and 10" from CO for slouch (or to desired length) ending with a Rnd 2. Begin decreases.

Pattern Stitch:

Rnd 1: *P4, K1*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 
Rnd 2: Knit.

Decs:

Change to dpns when sts become too tight on circulars.

Maintain patt st unless otherwise stated.

Rnd 1: *P1, P2tog, P1, K1*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 16/18 sts decreased. 64/72 sts.
Rnd 2-4: Work even in patt.
Rnd 5: *P2tog, P1, K1*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 16/18 sts decreased. 48/54 sts.

For Beanie only:
Rnd 6: Knit.
Rnd 7: *P2tog, K1*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 16/18 sts decreased. 32/36 sts.
Rnd 8-9: P1, K1 around.
Rnd 10: K2tog around. 16/18 sts decreased. 16/18 sts.
Rnd 11: Knit.
Rnd 12: K2tog around. 8/9 sts decreased. 8/9 sts.

For Slouch only:
Rnd 6-8: Work even in patt.
Rnd 9: *P2tog, K1*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 16/18 sts decreased. 32/36 sts.
Rnd 10: Knit
Rnd 11: P1, K1 around.
Rnd 12: K2tog around. 16/18 sts decreased. 16/18 sts.
Rnd 13: Knit.
Rnd 14: K2tog around. 8/9 sts decreased. 8/9 sts.

Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.

Gyspy Rose Hat

 

Bring some spring flavour to the winter season. This sweet hat is simple to knit up and is adorned with a charming cross-stitched rose motif. It works up quickly with a bulky yarn and makes a unique gift.

Craft: knitting

Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius

Skills: knit, purl, K2tog, cross stitch 

Sizes: adult medium (with instructions to adjust)
Finished Measurements: to fit approx. adult head 21-23"; approx. 9" wide and 8" tall lying flat 

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4" in st st on 6 mm needles

Yarn: 100 g, 120 yds (109 m) bulky weight wool; small amounts of worsted weight wool in 7 assorted colours
Suggested Brand: 1 ball Cabin Fever "Northern Lights"; small amounts of Cascade 220 (see below for colour suggestions)

Needles: 5 mm 16" circular, 6 mm 16" circular, 6 mm dpns
Other Materials: tapestry needle, teeny crochet hook (for weaving in ends)

Instructions:

With smaller needles and long-tail method, CO 72 sts (or a multiple of 8).
Join in the rnd being careful not to twist sts. Pm for beg of rnd.

Work K2, P2 rib for 6 rnds (approx. 1" from CO). Change to larger needles.

Knit in st st for at least 22 rows (to accommodate chart) and until hat measures approx. 6" from CO.

Decs:

See instructions below for pixie tip.

Rnd 1: *K6, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 64 sts.
Rnd 2 (and every even rnd): Knit.
Rnd 3: *K5, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 56 sts.
Rnd 5: *K4, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 48 sts.
Rnd 7: *K3, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 40 sts.
Rnd 9: *K2, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 32 sts.
Rnd 11: *K1, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 24 sts.
Rnd 13: K2tog to end of rnd. 16 sts.
Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 13. 8 sts.
Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.

For pixie tip: Work decs to Rnd 15. Do not cut yarn. Knit 2 rnds with no decreases or to desired length. K2tog to 2 sts. Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.

Following the chart, cross stitch the rose above the ribbing.

Cross Stitch Tips: 

• Work 1 cross stitch for every knitted stitch. 
• Work one colour at a time, going back and forth across chart, trying to use the least amount of yarn/stitch. 
• All stitches should cross in the same direction (i.e. the top cross should either run from bottom left to top right or vice versa - it doesn't matter which as long as you are consistent).

Colour Therapy

What does your favourite colour say about you?

Have you ever used a variegated yarn and felt a little agitated while knitting with say, the dull pink sections over the vibrant purples? Sometimes having some discord in your colourway can be a good thing to perk you up or keep your attention, but, amazingly, we are drawn to certain colours at different times depending on the needs of our body. You may find that when you are ill, you will crave certain colours for healing without even being aware of it.

The practice of healing with colour goes back to the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Colour therapy was used by sage physicians for healing, but interest these days is more psychological-focused. Colours influence our feelings and emotions, which, in turn, affect the health of our minds and bodies.

The power of colour is intuitive and personal – it is not an absolute. There are many factors at play when you are absorbing colour (which is all the time): light, mood, age, health, climate, season and memory. The good news is that colour can be used for healing in the form of food, environment, light and, of course, yarn.

Consider your mood and state of health the next time you choose your yarn colour. Make sure it is a colour that inspires positive feelings and arouses happy memories, even if it is a gift for someone else. Odds are, you are going to be looking at that colour for weeks until your project is complete! 

Bohoyarns "Dexter"

RED

Strength and courage, vitality and passion, confidence building, grounding, survival, stability, excitement, fertility. 

Use for: Stimulating circulation, infertility and shyness.

Bohoyarns "Archie Andrews"

ORANGE

Creative energy, revitalizing, feeds your inner child, joy, sex drive, purpose, experimentation, purpose, friendship.

Use for: Treating grief and ennui.

Bohoyarns "Wheels on the Bus"

 YELLOW

Mental focus, balances Ego, confidence, clarity, spirituality.

Use for: Digestive complaints, menstrual and hormonal issues, depression, low self-esteem and anxiety.

Bohoyarns "Shrubbery"

GREEN

Nurturing, love and relationships, balance and harmony, anchoring, prosperity, tolerance, development.

Use for: Memory and releasing past traumas, balance in relationships, claustrophobia, envy and nausea.

Bohoyarns "Travolta's Pants"

BLUE

Truth, communication and self-expression, tranquility, loyalty, peace.

Use for: Inflammation, emotional turmoil, coughs and sore throats, fever, agitation and terminal illnesses.

Bohoyarns "Doubting Thomas"

INDIGO

Calming, stimulates clairvoyance, understanding and perception, inspires order and structure.

Use for: Lowering blood pressure, combating infections, sinus and chest disorders.

Bohoyarns "Hendrix"

 PURPLE

Cleansing and detoxifying, restores perspective and intuition, boosts creativity, lifts spirits.

Use for: Headaches, strengthening the immune system and calming hyperactivity.

 

This article first appeared in the Knit and Caboodle newsletter. Click HERE to sign up!