27 June 2014

his vest...

this...

has finally become


this...


merry christmas, warren!



16 June 2014

oh! the colors!

my little coastal garden is filled with color inspiration these days...


I have been marveling, in particular, at the common alstroemerias that grow like weeds along a rustic fence just outside my kitchen door...

most of them are pink, but occasionally we get one that is gloriously orange...




and with that blue, blue, blue sky of early summer?


even these ordinary lilies become breathtaking...



of course, the temptation to knit with these colors was too great...



isager alpaca merino 2 from 

pretty darn yummy, eh?

10 June 2014

instant baby sweater...

the pattern for the 
wheeee...instant baby sweater
is almost ready!



pattern will include two sizes and a hat...

this is a fabulous 
instant gratification project

look for it soon!



02 June 2014

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:
1st round:  K10, K2tog, repeat to end of round—77 stitches remain
2nd,4th,6th,8th,10th,12th,14th,16th rounds: Knit
3rd round:  K9, K2tog, repeat to end of round—70 stitches remain
5th round:  K8, K2tog, repeat to end of round—63 stitches remain
7th round:  K7, K2tog, repeat to end of round—56 stitches remain
9th round:  K6, K2tog, repeat to end of round—49 stitches remain
11th round:  K5, K2tog, repeat to end of round—42 stitches remain
*switch to double-pointed needles*
13th round:  K4, K2tog, repeat to end of round—35 stitches remain
15th round:  K3, K2tog, repeat to end of round—28 stitches remain
17th round:  K2, K2tog, repeat to end of round—21 stitches remain
18th round:  K1, K2tog, repeat to end of round—14 stitches remain
19th 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.

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