Merry Christmas!

Socks for my dear daughter....

Beads for my dear friend......

This is a linen market bag for my sister.... pattern here. I really liked how this turned out, and will make one for me out of a more humble sotton, so doubt. The linen made it really crisp and showed off the lace effect.

You can see I have been very crafty this Chrismas, and had to wait to post these photos. Hope all had a merry and warm holiday and found time for knitting between all the eating, drinking and merriment! Cheers.

No Hat-Hair Hat!

I wanted to make a hat that holds snuggly around my head like a headband, but has a slouchy top, so that my hair is not squished. This is an easy pattern, and you can make it with any yarn that knits on 5mm needles and knits to gauge.

Yarn: Cascade Yarns, Lana Bambu: one skein (100grams, 196 yards.) Colour 3 (tan mix)

Needles: 5mm, (US 8)

Gauge: 16 sts = 4 inches in stocking stitch (knit row one, purl row two)

* note: I knit this flat, but you could knit in the round and change from circular needles to double points at the decreases near the top*

Pattern: Cast on 90 stitches. Work in K2/P2 ribbing for 7 inches.

Next row: Increase 18 stitches like this... [Knit 4, knit in the front and back of the next stitch] repeat in the brackets across the whole row (right side).

Next row...Wrong side: purl across 108 stitches. Right side: Knit across all stitches.

Repeat this stocking stitch pattern for 4 inches ending with right side facing.

First decrease row: Knit 21, [place marker, knit 2 together, knit 19 more] repeat the bracket 3 more times, then knit last 3 stitches.

2nd row : Purl wrong side row, slipping markers.

3rd row: [Knit to marker, slip marker, knit 2 together], repeat four times, then knit to end.

Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows 4 more times.

Purl next row.

Final gatherings; Row one: [Knit 2 stitches, knit 2 together], repeating until all are worked.

Row two: purl across. Repeat row one and two twice more.... cut yarn to 24 inches. Thread end onto a darning needle and draw needle through all the remaining stitches, pulling it snuggly closed, then proceed to sew down the back seam all the way to the cast on ribbed edge. Turn big ribbed edge up in half to make it thicker and warmer and perfect!.

Stay warm!

Fraternal Socks

I finished two pairs of the Christmas knitting socks, and love the feel and sturdy softness of the yarn I used... Patons Kroy Sock Fx. The only thing is, they are impossible to match exactly, making a pair of related socks that are not twins, but more fraternal.

The green colour is most obvious, and in two balls of yarn, I could not confirm a repeat in pattern at all. The grey ones are also non repeating, but it is not as obvious.

I have a hat to knit, with a lovely wool and bamboo yarn I got on my Lancaster - Intercourse trip in July. It has always been destined to be a hat, but it wasn't until yesterday, when the freezing cold wind was whipping in my ears as I ran from the car to the YMCA, that I remembered I had this warm hat almost ready to wear (actually haven't started it, but how long could one hat take to knit?). I want a snug warm band around my head with a bit slouchy top part, so as not to mess up my hair too much.... I think it should only take a day, so look for the pattern tomorrow or Monday. Tomorrow is likely to be a knitting/watching football day, as most of my Christmas shopping is done!

Fringy Suede Scarf

This long textured scarf was inspired by the yarn. The suede feel and natural colour reminded me of a suede jacket I had in the 80's that had a row of fringe around the chest and shoulders. I wondered if I could knit the fringe as I went, and tried casting on and casting off 10 stitches at the start of every row. A really easy project, and quick knit on 6mm needles.

Yarn: Lion Brand Suede, 3 - 85gram balls.

Needles: 6mm (US 10).

Pattern: Cast on 25 stitches. Row One: bind off 10 stitches, Knit the 15 remaining. Turn.

Row 2: Cast On 10 new stitches at the start of the row, then bind OFF 10 stitches, and knit the remaining 15.

Repeat row 2, adding a new ball of yarn when you run out, until the length desired or almost all of ball three is done (mine is 7 feet long, and I used only half of the last ball).

Last row: cast on 10 stitches, then bind off ALL 25 stitches. weave in ends.

Funky, fringy, cool.

Future Projects!

Just found this project on Elann! The Pinwheel Sweaters! I think it would be great for using my stash! I have several balls of worsted weight superwash merino, and other odd balls of same weight! I will gather together these and start knitting in a pinwheel after the Christmas knitting is done. If you don't have a stash to gather, I would recommend the kit... what a great price and a cool project. Only $30US.

I am working on a cool scarf using Lion Suede. I snagged 3 balls at Michaels for $3 each. I really like the mocha colour. It looks like real natural suede to me. Here is a peak at the scarf so far.

Pattern to follow, so stock up on Suede!