more pixie love...

last week I posted a pattern for a pixie hat...

a few days later, Peggy Mowry (Peggity on Ravelry), 

made this for her wee granddaughter...

pretty darn cute, isn't it?

thanks for sharing, Peggy...and happy grand-baby!

pixie love...

it has been six months

since last I wrote on the pages of this blog...

wow

if you follow this blog's facebook page, you know that I have promised to post a new FREE pattern today...

and here it is...

pixie love...

Pixie hats are wonderful!...Their jaunty little pointed crowns are always adorable on babies and young children.  The beauty is that you can make a pixie hat in the same time it takes to make a rolled-brim beanie! The trick is to elongate the crown decreases. 

I offer this pattern for free, but I do hope that if you use it (and even if you don't), you will make a donation to save the children or any other hurricane sandy relief fund...thank you!

you will need:

• one skein of worsted wool
• a couple yards of the same yarn in contrast colors (optional)
• 1-16" circular in size US 6/4.0mm (or whatever size you need to obtain gauge)
• 1 set of double pointed needles in the same size
• tapestry needle

gauge is 5 stitches per inch

note:  you can make this hat at almost any gauge...just measure the head you want to fit, subtract an inch, then divide that number by your gauge-per-inch...

size is for an infant (baby), but this hat is very easy to size up (or down for preemie).

directions:

Cast 70 (77) stitches on to your circular needle (I use the long-tail method).  Join work (without twisting, of course) and knit, knit, knit for approximately 4 (5) inches. 

begin crown decreases:

Round 1:  Knit 8 (9), knit 2 together; repeat to end of round... 63 (70) stitches remain.

Rounds 2 & 3:  Knit.

Round 4:  Knit 7 (8), knit 2 together; repeat to end...56 (63) stitches remain.

Round 5 & 6:  Knit.

Round 7:  Knit 6 (7), knit 2 together;  repeat to end...49 (56) stitches remain.

--change to double-pointed needles--

Continue decreasing this way, seven stitches every third round, until 7 stitches remain on the needles.

Knit 2 together three times, knit 1...4 stitches remain.

Knit these 4 stitches in i-cord (stitch diva has a good tutorial here) for an inch-or-two.  With your tapestry needle, pull yarn through the 4 stitches and thread to the inside of the i-cord.  Leave cord as is, knot it, or add a "lazy knitter's tassel"(below).

lazy knitter's tassel:

Thread a darning needle with several strands of yarn, each about 12" long.  Pull through the end of the i-cord stem halfway, then knot.  Clip ends.  



et voilà !!!

as you see, there are endless possible variations to these simple hats...can't wait to see what YOU come up with!

this pattern has not been test-knit (except by me)...please let me know if you find any mistakes!  happy knitting!

the cable baby beret...

I love berets...

especially on babies...

they are cute, comfortable classics that can be worn with a jaunty tilt

or simply pulled down over the ears for warmth...

today I offer a pattern for a wonderful little cable-banded beret

it is easy to knit

and makes an impressive--as well as useful--baby shower gift

happy knitting!

the cable baby beret...

Materials:

• One skein Rowan Pure wool 4-ply (or similar yarn...wool works best!)
• Size 3 (3.25mm), 12" or 16" circular needle 
• Set of size 3 (3.25mm) double pointed needles
• Cable needle
• Darning needle

Gauge:

6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch and 8 stitches per inch in cable rib pattern, un-stretched. You can fudge a little bit on the gauge, by the way, because this cap, when made in wool, is quite stretchy.

Abbreviations:

K—knit; P—purl; K2tog—knit two together; P2tog—purl two together; C2—turn cable (slip two stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, knit next two stitches; knit stitches from cable needle); dpn's--double pointed needles


Make 1:   
Insert the tip of the right hand needle into the strand (between the stitch just knit and the first stitch on the left needles) from front to back. Transfer this strand to the left hand needle. Knit into the back of this strand on the left needle and remove as usual.

Directions:

With circular needle (or dpn's if you prefer), cast on 98 stitches using the long-tail or cable method. Join carefully. 

K2, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2; Repeat this fourteen-stitch pattern to end of round. Place marker, if you wish. Work established pattern for six rounds.

Cable turn round (seventh round): K2, P2, K2, P2, C2, P2 Repeat to the end of the round. Continue working in established pattern, turning cables every 7^th round, until the hat measures about 2" (three cable twists), and you have worked two or three rounds past your last twist.

Next round:  Knit, increasing 34 stitches (with a make one increase as above), evenly spaced (okay...you'll have to fudge a bit...increasing every three stitches yields 32.  Throw a couple more in the round somewhere.  And don't worry!)--132 stitches.

Work these 132 stitches, in stockinette, for approximately 2 inches.

Now shape the hat by decreasing 6 stitches, evenly, every other row:

1st decrease round:  K20, K2tog to end of round--126 stitches remain.
2nd (and all even rounds): Knit
3rd decrease round:  K19, K2tog to end of round--120 stitches remain.

Continue decreasing, in this way, until 72 stitches remain; change to dpn's if using the circular, then decrease six stitches EVERY row until three stitches remain (decreasing this quickly creates the flat top).  Knit these three stitches as i-cord for a few rounds (more if you wish to knot it).  Break yarn, pull through the stitches and through the cord to the inside of the hat.  Weave in ends and wet block, shaping the beret flat, (block on a smooth porcelain plate if you have one the right size--this creates a really nice, smooth beret), shaping the cable band (don't stretch the ribbing!) on a straight glass, if possible.  

 

et voilà!   

© 2012 pamela w allen designs  I am happy to share this pattern with knitters. It may be used for non-commercial, personal or charity use. It is not to be used in any publication, nor should it be reproduced in electronic/digital format without written permission of the author/designer.

this pattern has not been test-knit, nor has it been professionally edited

if you find an error, please contact me!

perfectly simple...and free!

simplicity...

“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”

...even in baby hats

today i offer you 
supreme excellence
in a baby hat...

delightfully simple,

versatile,

and easy to fit...

this cap has a stretchy, ribbed band
that can be folded up,

or worn pulled down over baby's ears...

its crown comes to a
jaunty little point...

it looks great in any color...

can be embellished if you wish...

and the pattern is perfectly free...

a perfectly simple baby hat...
by pamela w allen

materials:

• 1-skein of dk or worsted yarn, preferably one with a good memory and stitch definition (I used classic elite's wool bam boo on the hat above--it is simply luscious knit in cashmere or merino!)
• 1-16" circular, size 6/4mm
• 1 set of size 6/4mm dpn's
• darning needle

gauge:  

5 stitches per inch in stockinette

size:  

baby/toddler (the ribbing measures 5-5.5", flat, and stretches quite a bit)...this hat is easily adjusted to fit anyone (see my notes below)!

how to:

With the circular (or set of dpn's, if you wish), cast on 68 stitches--think of it as 17 groups of 4--with your preferred method (I use long-tail).  Join and work in k2, p2 rib for 2" (or more, if you wish).  

The next round you will knit, increasing every fourth stitch, thus:

K4, M1 (I use the backward loop method) to end--85 (17x5) stitches.  

Work in stockinette stitch, until the hat measures about 4 inches.

Now you will begin shaping the crown by decreasing five stitches every other round:

1. *K15, K2tog, repeat from* to end--80 stitches.
2. Knit the round.
3. *K14, K2tog, repeat from* to end--75 stitches.
4. Knit the round.

Continue in this way, decreasing every other round, changing to dpn's when necessary, until you have five stitches left on your needles.  Decrease one more stitch and work the remaining 4 stitches in i-cord for an inch-or-so.  Break yarn and pull it through the remaining stitches with your darning needle.  Darn in end at ribbing.

Block flat using steam and a press cloth, being careful not to stretch the ribbing.

et voilà!

as you see, this pattern is very easy to size up or down, or to adjust to different weights of yarn...just remember to cast on in multiples of four for the ribbing, and increase to multiples of five for the body!  also, this hat is perfect when unadorned, but it does lend itself well to stripes and other decorations (like the star and button on the hat pictured)...enjoy!!!

© 2012 pamela w allen designs...I am happy to share this pattern with knitters. It may be used for non-commercial, personal or charity knitting. It is not to be reproduced in electronic/digital format without written permission.

menthe à l'eau...

baby hat in rowan's pure wool 4-ply

babies...

wearing hand knit hats...

 caleb

 jaxon

tiffany

all lovingly photographed by

anna myers

winsome hats

by pamela w allen (oui, c'est moi)

raspberry sorbet cloche...

I offer this pattern to any who wishes to knit a cute, quick and comfortable baby hat (not for commercial use, of course).  Please let me know what you think!

raspberry sorbet cloche

baby hat

Materials:

❉ Rowan PureLife organic cotton DK—one skein brazilwood (color A) and one skein quebracho bark (color B).

❉ Size 4 16” circular

❉ Set of double pointed needles in size 4

❉ Darning needle


Gauge: 5.25 stitches per inch. Finished hat measures 16” in circumference.


Note: For larger size, cast on 92 stitches and knit according to directions, decreasing one stitch after completing the eyelet insert. When shaping crown, you will knit 11, K2tog around on your first decrease row.


With circular needles, using color A, cast on 84 stitches. Join work carefully and place marker if you wish. Knit, knit, knit around for 2". Using color B, knit one round, then purl one round. Eyelet row: Knit 2, yarn over, knit two together--repeat all the way around. Purl one row. With color A, knit until work measures approximately 5". Begin shaping crown, decreasing 7 stitches evenly (step-by-step directions are below) every other row until you have 21 stitches left, then decrease every row until 7 stitches remain. Break yarn and pull through remaining stitches—tack down well. Weave in ends. To make bow: make twisted cord with two strands of each color; knot ends and trim….tie bow and tack securely to side of hat…Et voilà


❉ step-by-step directions for shaping crown:

1st decrease round: * Knit 10, Knit two stitches together (K2tog) repeat from * to end of *round—77 stitches remain

2nd and all even rounds: Knit

3rd round: *Knit 9, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—70 stitches remain

5th round: *Knit 8, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—63 stitches remain

7th round: *Knit 7, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—56 stitches remain

9th round: *Knit 6, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—49 stitches remain

CHANGE TO DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLES

11th round: *Knit 5, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—42 stitches remain

13th round: *Knit 4, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—35 stitches remain

15th round: *Knit 3, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—28 stitches remain

17th round: *Knit 2, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—21 stitches remain

18th round: *Knit 1, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round—14 stitches remain

19th round: K2tog to end of round—7 stitches remain


© 2009 pamela w allen designs.... I am happy to share this pattern with knitters. It may be used for non-commercial personal or knitting guild use. It is not to be used in any publication, nor should it be reproduced in electronic/digital format without written permission.

Questions and comments may be directed to: pwadesign@aol.com