wheee...a hat!

You've made the wheee... sweater for your little one, and now you need a hat...

 wheee....a hat for baby

by pamela w allen

you will need:

app. 50 yds. Katia Ushuaia (leftover from the sweater project)

1-US15/ 10mm dpn's

1-16" circular, if desired

darning needle

button

gauge:

2 stitches per inch over stockinette in the round

directions:

With circular, or two dpn's, cast on 34 stitches.  Work back and forth in garter stitch (knit every row) for 6 rows.  Bind off 4 stitches, knit 30, then join to work in the round and continue to work in stockinette (knitting ever round) until work measures approximately 3”. 

shape crown:

Decrease 5 stitches, every other round until you have 3 stitches on the needle as follows:

Round 1:  Knit 4 k2tog; repeat to end of round...25 stitches remain.

Round 2:  Knit.

Round 3:  Knit 3 k2tog; repeat to end...20 stitches remain.

Round 4:  Knit.

if using circular, change to dpn's... 

Continue decreasing as established, 5 stitches every other round, until 5 stitches remain on the needles.

Knit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 together...3 stitches remain.

Knit these 3 stitches in i-cord (stitch diva has a good tutorial online) for an inch-or-two.  With your tapestry needle, pull yarn through the 3 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 to desired length.

               et voilá!!!

©2015 pamela w allen designs…all rights reserved 

for personal use only…

  

kermit the beanie...

a free pattern

it had just arrived at my favorite yarn store, 

a skein of oh-so-soft merino

in a dizzying combination of greens and greys...

I didn't love it, but I was intrigued...

then I saw the color name...

 kermit

image designed by Ted Wright

how could I resist?

I took it home and made a hat...

the color changes on this Manos del Uruguay yarn are short and regular, and when knit up in a 3 x 2 ribbed beanie 

with a 20" circumference,

the colors stack, creating spiral stripes...

it's fun, and soft...

KERMIT the BEANIE...

this hat fits an average adult head...

gauge is 5 stitches per inch

1 - skein Manos del Uruguay Maxima in color Kermit (m8106)

1 - 16" circular, sz. US7 / 4.5mm or size needed to obtain gauge

1 - set of dpn's in the same size

darning needle 

With circular, cast on 95 stitches.  Join to work in the round. *K3, p2--repeat to end of round.  Work in pattern (3 x 2 rib), as established, until your work measures app. 6" (longer, if you wish to turn it up).  Try it on your head before you begin your crown shaping.

Crown shaping:

rnd 1:*k3, p2tog; repeat from * to end of round--76 sts. remain.

rnds 2 & 3: *k3, p1; repeat from * to end of round.

rnd 4:  *k1, k2tog, p1;  repeat from * to end of round--57 sts. remain.

rnds 5 & 6: *k2, p1;  repeat from * to end of round.

rnd 7:  *k2tog, p1; repeat from * to end of round--38 sts. remain

rnd 8:  *k1, p1;  repeat from * to last 2 sts, k1.  do not work last purl stitch.

rnd 9:  beginning with un-worked purl stitch from last round, k2tog 19 times--19 sts. remain.

continue to k2tog until 10 stitches remain.  Break yarn and pull through the 10 stitches twice.  Tack down well on inside of hat. Weave any ends.  Wet or steam block, being careful not to stretch the ribs.

et voilà!!!

you should have enough to do a baby hat as well...

might I suggest a pixie hat?

happy knitting!!!

it's been a long, long time...

...so...where does one begin, after such an absence?

perhaps a free pattern is in order?

a pattern for a 3 x 2 ribbed beanie

in softy-soft fair-trade merino?

 

the yarn is maxima from Manos del Uruguay

the colorway is kermit

the hat is knit in the round, taking advantage of the short, even color changes that stack to create spiral stripes

of froggy colors...

the pattern is free...look for it this weekend, 

right here on this blog!

visiting an old friend...

after looking at all the bits and bobs of ultra alpaca that clutter my knitting room, I have decided to re-visit a favorite hat...the "scrappy little hat"...

it is a fabulous way to use up scraps of beautiful yarn...they can be of any length, any color...

the pattern, originally written for sport-weight yarn, is easy to adapt to any weight... however, I have recently re-written it, making it easy for you to use up all those small lengths of worsted weight yarns...

scrappy little hat...worsted version

This hat is a fun and practical way to use up those bits and pieces of yarn leftover from past projects! An interesting texture is formed by alternating stockinette and reverse stockinette with each new scrap…

Below are step-by-step instructions for your first hat…So, gather your leftovers, and let’s knit a “scrappy little hat”! 

Materials:

1 – 16" size US6 (4.0mm)circular needle
1 - 16" size US7 (4.5mm)

1 – set of size 7(4.5mm) double pointed needles

1 – darning needle

1 – skein worsted weight (main color)

Scraps of worsted weight yarn in four or more colors and of varying lengths (but not more than 3 or 4 yards each).

Gauge:

5 stitches per inch in stockinette

Abbreviations:

K – knit; K2tog – knit two stitches together

Size:  

Child...about 17", with app. 2 inches negative ease.

Instructions:

Using size 6 needles and main color , cast on 84 stitches.  Join without twisting and work in 2 x 2 rib (in other words, knit 2, purl 2, and repeat all the way around)  for one inch (or desired length).

Now the fun begins.  With larger circulars, pick up a length of scrap yarn (preferably in a contrasting color).  Knit with this yarn until you are about 1 inch from the end of the scrap.  Then, pick up a second length of scrap yarn, in another color, and purl, purl, purl until you are an inch from the end of that scrap.  Pick up a third scrap, and knit, knit, knit, around and around, until you reach the end of this scrap.  Continue this way, alternating knitting and purling with each new scrap of yarn until your hat measures about 4 inches.  Now pick up your main color again and knit for a few rows. Place a marker if you wish (to indicate the beginning of the round) and shape the hat’s crown as follows:

1^st round:  K10, K2tog, repeat to end of round—77 stitches remain

2^nd,4^th,6^th,8^th,10^th,12^th,14^th,16^th rounds: Knit

3^rd round:  K9, K2tog, repeat to end of round—70 stitches remain

5^th round:  K8, K2tog, repeat to end of round—63 stitches remain

7^th round:  K7, K2tog, repeat to end of round—56 stitches remain

9^th round:  K6, K2tog, repeat to end of round—49 stitches remain

11^th round:  K5, K2tog, repeat to end of round—42 stitches remain

*switch to double-pointed needles*

13^th round:  K4, K2tog, repeat to end of round—35 stitches remain

15^th round:  K3, K2tog, repeat to end of round—28 stitches remain

17^th round:  K2, K2tog, repeat to end of round—21 stitches remain

18^th round:  K1, K2tog, repeat to end of round—14 stitches remain

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

Break thread, leaving a 3” tail.  Thread through darning needle and pull through the seven remaining stitches twice; Tack down well on inside.  Weave in all ends. Wet block. 

Et voilà!

Pretty simple—and so many possible variations!  It is quite easy to adapt this pattern for different sizes and yarns, too. 

And, yes, I would love to see photos of your

scrappy little hat!

© 2014 pamela w allen designs...all rights reserved.

teach your cables well...

another FREE pattern...yay!

this little cabled beanie was designed specifically for a class that I am teaching at the Mendocino Yarn Shop...

A simple, stretchy hat, it is easy to make and fun to wear.  Put a pom-pom on top or perhaps a big wool-y flower at the brim. 

The beanie, made as written, will fit an average teenage/adult head snuggly, but you can alter the size very easily.  If you need it larger, try knitting it in an aran weight at 4.5 stitches per inch.  Need a baby hat?  Use a sport-weight on size 3US needles.  For a toddler/child, knit one in a dk-weight at 5.5 stitches per inch. Need it longer?  Add a cable cross or elongate the cables by crossing the cables every 8th or 9th round!

happy knitting!

teach your cables well...

cabled beanie

by pamela w allen

Materials:

·         One skein worsted-weight yarn, preferably wool 

·         Size 6US (4mm) 16” circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)

·         Set of size 6US (4mm) double-pointed needles

·         Cable needle

·         Darning needle 

Gauge:  

5 stitches/7 rows per inch in stockinette stitch and 7 stitches per inch in cable rib pattern, un-stretched.  You can fudge a little bit on the gauge, by the way, because this fabric is quite stretchy.   Hat fits head up to 22".

Abbreviations: 

K—knit; P—purl;  K2tog—knit two together; P2tog—purl two together; 6CR—6-stitch right cable turn (slip three stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, knit next three stitches, knit stitches from cable needle;  SL2-k1-psso—slip 2 stitches as if to knit at the same time, k1, pass the two slipped stitches over the knitted stitch together.

Directions:

With circular needle, using the long-tail or cable method, cast on 96 stitches.  Join to knit in round (careful not to twist!) and place marker.

1^st round:   *K2, P2, K6, P2; repeat from * to end of round.

2^nd – 6^th rounds:   Repeat round 1.

7^th round:  *K2, P2, 6CR, P2, repeat from * to the end of the round.

Continue knitting established pattern (rounds 1-7), until just before your sixth cable round.  Your work should measure about 6”.

Begin decreasing the crown on your sixth cable, round 7, as follows:  On each 6-stitch cable, slip 3 stitches to the cable needle, hold  in back of work, K1 , K2tog, knit the first two stitches from cable needle together, k1.  At the end of the round you will have 80 stitches on your needle.   Work three rounds, without decreasing (knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches). 

2^nd decrease round: * K2, P2tog, K4, P2tog, repeat from * to end of round—64 stitches remain.   Work two rounds  without decreasing (knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches). 

3^rd  decrease round:  * K2tog, P1, K4, P1, repeat from* to end of round —56 stitches remain.   Switch to double-pointed needles.

4^th  decrease round:  K1, P1, put next two stitches on cable needle, hold in back, K2tog, knit two stitches from cable needle together, p1—repeat 7 times, but do not work the last purl stitch on the round —40 stitches remain. Remove marker.

5^th decrease round: Work the last purl stitch of previous round with the next decrease round as follows:  *SL2-k1-psso, K2, continue from * to end of round—24 stitches remain.

6th decrease round:* K1, K2tog from * to end of round—16 stitches remain.

K2tog until you have 8 stitches left.  Break the yarn, leaving about 2”.  With a darning needle, pull yarn through the remaining 8 stitches.  Weave in ends, securing well. Wet block, being careful not to over-stretch the ribbing.

Et voilà !!!

© 2013 pamela w allen designs  

This free pattern may not to be used in any publication, nor should it be reproduced in electronic/digital format without my permission.

comments are always welcome...

the new year hat...

happy 2013!!!


my new year hat, which you glimpsed yesterday, has been blocked, and is almost dry...

want to make one, too?

it's a fun, easy hat that will keep you very warm this winter...

it has a seed stitch border, 

with a horizontally-striped 

body 

and vertical stripes at the crown...

here's the "recipe"...

my gauge is 3.5 stitches per inch

over stockinette

the hat fits an adult

but you can easily adjust this to another gauge or head size...

new year hat

by pamela w allen

find some nice, bulky wool (color A) and another skein of contrasting yarn (color B)...I used these two from my stash...

with A, cast 69 stitches onto a US9 circular and work in seed stitch (k1, p1) for about 1" to 1.5"...

knit the body, beginning with color B, alternating with A every other round (eg: knit one round A, one round B), for about 4"...hint:  do not break the yarn for each round--simply carry the unused color up, always bringing the color that you are using under and over the unused yarn 

finish with one round of color A, then knit five rounds in seed stitch...

the crown is striped vertically...(knit 1 stitch A, 1 stitch B) to the end of the round, decreasing one stitch somewhere so that you have 68 stitches (divisible by 4)...

you will decrease 8 stitches every other round using 4 centered double decreases (sl 2, k1, p2sso)...Knit 14, slip two stitches knit-wise at the same time, knit one, pass the slipped stitches over the knit stitch (tutorial here)--repeat to end of round...

on subsequent decrease rounds,  mark the center stitch, then knit to within one stitch of the marked stitch and make your double decrease...eventually you will need to change to double-pointed needles, of course...

when you have 12 stitches left, break your yarn, thread a darning needle with the tail of color A, pull through the stitches, and secure well...

block however you wish...I prefer wet-blocking when working with wool.

© 2013 pamela w allen...please do not copy without my permission

questions?  problems?  don't hesitate to contact me!!!

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.