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!

may's free pattern...one day late...

...but...before I give you the pattern, I want to share my favorite way to make a bobble...

years ago I taught myself to knit backwards, so that I could better help a left-handed student learn to knit...that lead me to the brilliant realization that bobbles could be made without turning my work...it is really so simple...

a better bobble...

1. knit, purl, knit into the stitch--3 stitches now on the right needle
2. knit these three stitches backwards by inserting your left needle into the back of the first stitch on the right needle...wrap the yarn from the right, behind the left needle, then over and between the two needle. Pull yarn through, from back to front and off the needle...you have just knit backwards, and they are on your left needle.
3. knit the three stitches.
4. your three stitches are now on the right needle.  Take the left needle and lift the second stitch over the first, then lift the third stitch over the first.  You have created a bobble without turning your work!

note:  If you wish to make a more pronounced bobble, work 5 stitches ( knit, purl, knit, purl, knit) into the stitch where you wish to place it and repeat steps 2 and 3 twice.  Either size bobble will work on May's hat...

I do plan to have more photos (or maybe video?) of this technique soon...keep checking back!

.......

and finally...here is the promised pattern for may...

blue jean baby...

This pattern, if knit in the Rowan Denim, will make a hat that measures about 16" unstretched and should fit a head that is between 16" and 21" (toddler to small adult). Adjust length accordingly.  For a smaller hat, cast on 72 stitches.  For a larger hat, cast on 88. The number of stitches should be divisible by 8.
The Rowan Denim, which I used here, is a fun, easy-care, 100% cotton yarn that can go in the washer and dryer.  It does shrink lengthwise, however, so be aware that you will lose between 1/2" and 3/4" in length if washing in this way (handwashing will minimize shrinkage)...of course, the pattern can be adapted to many types of yarn.  Just make sure it is one with good stitch definition...

By the way, this pattern has not been test-knit (although I have knit it twice now).  If you have any problems, or note any errors, please, contact me!  I want your knitting experience to be joyful and problem-free...I also welcome any comments--and I would love to see your blue jean baby...


you will need:

1-skein of Rowan Denim (more for a bigger hat)
1-size US5/3.75mm 16" circular or size needed to obtain gauge
1-set of size US5/3.75mm double pointed needles
darning needle

gauge:

5 stitches per inch and 7 rows per inch (before washing)
I would recommend doing a swatch and washing it, to see how much the yarn shrinks.  Adjust the length accordingly for your (or your child's) head...


abbreviations:

k2tog--knit two stitches together
MB--make bobble, as explained above

directions:

With circular needle, cast on 80 stitches.  Join work without twisting.  Purl one round.  Knit one round. 

Knit a round, making a bobble every fourth stitch.  Repeat this twice, knitting three rounds between each bobble round. In other words:

Rnd 3:  *Knit 3, MB--repeat from * to end of round.  Knit three rounds. 
Rnd 7:*Knit 3, MB--repeat from * to end of round.  Knit three rounds.
Rnd 11: *Knit 3, MB--repeat from * to end of round.

Knit, knit, knit until your work measures about 4-5 inches.  Repeat the bobble round (Knit 3, MB repeated around) and then knit another five rounds.

Begin your crown shaping.  You will decrease 8 stitches evenly around, every other row, until you have 32 stitches.  In other words:

Rnd 1:  *Knit 8, k2tog--repeat from * to end--72 stitches remain
Knit the even rounds

Fnd 3:  *Knit 7, k2tog--repeat from* to end--64 stitches remain

Rnd 5:  *Knit 6, k2tog--repeat from* to end--56 stitches remain

Rnd 7:  *Knit 5, k2tog--repeat from* to end--48 stitches remain

Rnd 9:  *Knit 4, k2tog--repeat from* to end--40 stitches remain

Rnd 11:  *Knit 3, k2tog--repeat from* to end--32 stitches remain

Now knit 3, MB--eight times.  Knit two more rounds, then continue decreasing 8 stitches every round until 8 stitches remain.

Work on these 8 stitches for four rounds.  k2tog one round, then work in i-cord on the remaining 4 stitches until the little tail measures about 2.5".  Break yarn, pull through the four stitches and then through the center of the i-cord to the inside of the hat. Tack down well.  Knot the end of the i-cord, if desired.

et voilà!!!

© 2010 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 used in any publication, nor should it be reproduced in electronic/digital format without written permission.

a preview...

coming friday the fourteenth...

may's free pattern...a denim cap

and a bonus...learn to make those bobbles

without turning your work!!!

.............