Finally, the "Viking Flap Hat" pattern

Viking Flap Hat Pattern





Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted Weight (handpaintedyarn.com) one skein. (I used rowan cord for my BIL's hat (24" around) and needed about 1 and 1/4 balls.)
Gauge: 18 sts in 4" on US#8 needles. Use the size needles you need to get gauge.
Notes: This hat is worked from the top down. This way you can easily try it on as you knit and the earflaps are knit last instead of having to add them to the hat. The pattern starts after the increases for the crown and is randomly knitting single and double garter stitch ridges in stocking stitch. When working the ear flaps, be sure to purl the first and last stitch on the WS when knitting those stitches to form a garter stitch row.
Sizing: You can easily make this hat of any gauge, any yarn in any size. Simple start knitting the crown. Measure your gauge when you have a sizable circle. Increase to the number of stitches you need, acording to you gauge, to fit your head size minus an inch. Once you have the main body of the hat knit, try it on to see how many stitches you should cast off for the front and back openings, and how many to leave for the flaps. (a mirror and stitch markers come in handy here!) Then just follow along with those numbers.

Shaping the crown:
Cast on 7 sts. Join for working in the round (if not working magic loop, place marker to indicate start of the round) The marker is at the back of the hat.
Row 1: *M1,K1*rep to end of rd.
Next row and every alternate row: Knit
Row 3: *M1, K2* rep to end of rd.
Row 5: *M1, K3* rep to end of rd.
Row 7: *M1, K4* rep to end of rd.
continue the increases in this manner until you have 98sts.

Main body of hat:
Purl one round and knit the next round. Continue in stocking stitch (knitting every round), randomly adding garter stitch ridges (purl rounds). Be sure to end in a double garter stitch ridge so the hat won't roll at the rim.
next row: knit 32 sts, bind off34 sts, then knit 25 sts for other ear flap. Add second ball of yarn and bind off 7 sts, remove marker and bind off the next 7 sts. You should have 25 sts for each ear flap.

Ear Flaps:
Working both ear flaps at the same time,
row 1: purl
row 2: sl1 kwise, knit to the last st, sl1 kwise.
repeat rows 1 and 2, then row 1 again.

Decreases:
row1: sl1 kwise, ssk, knit to the last 3 sts, k2tog, sl1 kwise.
row2: purl (see notes for adding garter stitch ridges)
repeat these two rows until 5sts remain.
next row: (rs) sl1 kwise, ssk, k2tog.
next row: purl
last row: sl1, k2tog psso.

Weave in ends. No blocking required!

Home.

We are finally home from the christmas marathon. I am tired. I am organizing...getting rid of...toys. Getting the house reorganized.
Here are some shots of happy recipients.

My BIL Mike in his hat...hot off the needles. Pattern is coming this week I promise! (I have one on the needles for myself too!)


My MIL in her scarf/shawl. It turned out to be the perfect size for her.


My FIL in his sweater...he would like it a little longer...so a little more knitting to do on that. Along with some crazy rib grafting. Help.


Lucca in his vest Christmas morning...he carries in his "rescue pack" and tells everyone that I knit it for him...he is so cute!


Matteo in his sweater...some boys in their hats...and Alexis! I knit her green hat last year...still so cute on her!

More tomorrow when I can rest up, and read up on all the blogging I've been missing!

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me....

A gorgeous leather jacket and a 6 mega pixal digital camera. Good bye so sad 2.3 mega pixals! He is so awesome...I now need to put on the new software and download the pictures...so no new photos at the moment.

The knitting....is done. Feel free to sing along...

7 crazy hats
6 trips to the yarn shoppe
5 handknit bags....one felted!
4 gorgeous scarves
3 perfect vests
2 rib cuffed sweaters....
and a pair of jaywalker socks!

(Now, I will knit an unofficial gift for my SIL's boyfriend...another quick scarf...and then a hat for my BIL Mike...which I don't need until the 27th)

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!

Early Gift Giving.

My parents were here overnight and I won't see them until the 27th...so I gave them their gifts. I was so worried about fit...but look!

You remember the vest...here. This is not the best picture...I will try to get another one...DAD!


and the other veste everest....here.



Plus mom got a scarf...here...also notice the lovely winter white jacket I got her...she looks gorgeous!
Ok, of to wrap, print labels...wrap somemore...knit..maybe go to LYS before they close...knit...wrap...knit...wrap...knit...

I love felting!

Ok, this was just too much fun! I ended up washing twice and it was perfect. I searched for some leather ties for handles but could only fine some leather string that I braided together...just not what I wanted. So I made the twist cord and it looks great. I didn't bother making the eyelet holes for it...it looks fine without.


and a close up of the felting...



This was knit in about 4 hours...maybe 6, who's counting...a night and a half of knitting. the bottle inside is a huge wine bottle that I used to shape it while it dried. A smaller bottle will be going in it. This was just too much fun, I can predict more felting over here!
Pattern: Handknit Holidays, the Felted Wine Bag.
Yarn: Highland collection peruvian wool...I double stranded which is a waste of yarn really, but I love it. I used a ball of each, then had to start a second ball of one colour that completed the entire base.
Adjustments: The gauge was really close...11.2 in 4" is the pattern, and I got 12 so I increased the sts, also knowing I was putting in a liquor bottle not a skinny wine bottle. It is perfect!

In other knitting news...the MIL scarf is coming along just fine...it is an acceptable size now...so today's additional rows are a bonus. I still have to sew in the zipper on FIL's vest. I am thinking of adding a scarf to the list...a quick knit like this one I did...I can do it...I have one more day!

Progress...little blogging

No time to blog...



I need to sew in that zipper.

And what is this?



Well, I am not sure if it will work...I double stranded the peruvian highland wool to get gauge. It is in the washer now...cross your fingers!

What am I getting myself into?!

Post weekend progress....
When last we left, you read my ideas for a scarf...which by the way doesn't even warrant a pattern, but it is in "Last Minute Knitted Gifts". We actually didn't end up leaving until Saturday, so Friday night I knit most of it. Here is the in the car, finished shot:



And the happy recipient:



(notice the hat, I knit it last year!)

I also finally gifted "ruffles" to my sister for her belated birthday:



(notice the smiles on the faces...that is why I do this...who would hate a handknit gift?!)

I finished a couple hats....the nija turtle (requested by my 5yr old nephew)



and a plain black cap for my other nephew.

So, on the way home I finished off my FIL's sleeves for his sweater. Just some blocking, seaming, collar knitting and putting in a zipper to do.

Now, you have noticed that I haven't really committed to doing my MIL's scarf. She did get a couple knit tanks this summer...but everyone else is getting something handknit....so....last night...obviously in state of super knitting delirium(SKD)....I started this:


It's about the size of a bandana right now.


It's the Kiri shawl...which will be more like a scarf....well, whatever I get done by Christmas eve is it! I really hate using large needles...I know it is lace...but I chose to use this gorgeous blue in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool and US#6 needles.

Last on the list is my BIL Mike's hat. Not even a real thought on that yet.
Oh and I did want to felt the wine bag from HandKnit Holidays for my sibling exchange.
Five days people...five days...

Fours hours and 5 balls of yarn.

This....


(wool, angora, mohair/silk)

Plus four hours in a car....will equal this...



Johnny's 40th is this weekend...although he is not officially a brother in law...yet...he wanted a matching scarf for the hat I knit him last year. So I am hoping to get it done right away.

On top of that...I am at the armpits on the sleeves of the FIL sweater...the other pieces are blocking. I am a couple inches into the last nephew hat (both of these projects are black stocking stitch....help!). I have another request for a hat for my BIL that I wasn't going to knit before christmas...but hey, why not try! Lastly, I may do a couple hats for the sibling exchange, if I have time.

Wish me luck, I am off to Toronto for the weekend...and plan to do a whole lot of knitting!

A girl can dream...can't she?

It's new years eve...up north in the Muskokas....very cold, lots of snow. A warm, brilliant natural fire...a glass of wine...kids quietly playing together....and I in my freshly knit Ballet Wrap Cardigan:



Well, if I could get this christmas knitting done...it could come true!
I am loving this ballet wrap on the cover of Interweave Knits Winter 2005/6 whatever. There are many sweaters in this edition that I am loving...this one, and this one, and this one, oh...these socks...gorgeous. But, I just happened to have this gorgeous alpaca that my SIL brought back from Buenos Aries...dying to be knit.



It swatches perfectly (well, I haven't washed the swatch yet). I will need to do a little adjusting to the pattern. I would knit the smaller size for my body...but I need the larger size for the arms. I can't wait to knit a sweater for myself! At this gauge and needle size, it will only take a couple days!

p.s. catherine...there is the straight hair shot...well, until I go outside to shovel all the snow.
I hate taking pictures of myself...and my nose looks big with straight hair.

A two fer

I am behind a couple memes...so it's time I get caught up!
Way back when Christine tagged me for a meme:

Why do you Blog?

• I started blogging to keep track of my knitting...now I realize that I have entered a world I won't return from!
• I also just adore other knitters and when you give encouragement, opinions and guidance on my knitting.

Why do I read Blogs?

• I love that there are other knitting fanatics out there. We seem to have so much in common!
• The amount of knitting techniques I have learned in less than a year, from other knit bloggers is just unbelievable.
• The trials and tribulations of knitting are just too entertaining to miss!
• Free patterns by the knitting underworld...proven that they have been knit and work!

And another tag from Stephanie over at unwind...take a photo of your knitting spot:



Can you tell I've been sittin' knittin'? The cushion is a little flattened! I try to rotate between the love seat and the sofa, so the cushions don't show how much I knit!
(notice the progress on the FIL sweater? I am on to the sleeves....

Now who to tag...well, I know you are all busy knitting the christmas gifts, baking, decorating or just sitting around getting "merry"...so if you have the time, consider yourself tagged!

Happy Birthday Baby!

My baby is two!

I made it through the party....yes, those are handmade candles martha...anything you can do I can do better!

Now, aside from a family christmas party up in Toronto this weekend, I am sittin' knittin'. Two hats to go, a sweater and a scarf...if I can fit it in! I did make some progress on the sweater. A back, a front and today I will have the other front done...only a couple sleeves and alot of finishing to do! I really can get it done!

I'm excited...about acrylic.

It's not often that a yarn really makes an impression on me...but this one has. Remember when I told you about the wool-ease that I used to make the veste everest. Well, forget all of that. I have found a far superior acrylic blend yarn. I know, it's crazy to even think an acrylic blend yarn is even on my needles again...but I needed a machine washable yarn.
A couple days ago my FIL was here and I took his measurements for a sweater he wants. He says (use your heavy Italian accent)

"You already took my measurements...you mean you haven't even started my sweater for Christmas!?"

Oh man. There is no getting around this one, it has to be done. My husband and my FIL are two peas in a pod. Not only are they grown children, but Christmas morning with them is like Christmas with a 3 yr old. I have to get this knit.
So I ran out to my LYS to get some Wool-ease. (my MIL although an avid crocheter, will never hand wash). She had no Wool-ease...but she had this:



Diamond brand "Tempo" 75% acrylic and 25% wool. When I first picked it up I thought it was wool. I read the label, found that it is actually an acrylic blend that is machine washable and dryable. Unbelievable really. The colour selection that she had is just outstanding.
I swatched and threw it in the washer. Looked good...so into the dryer it went. Unbelievable. No stitch shrinkage, no crunchy acrylic. Beautiful. This yarn does not split at all...while the wool-ease does and wool-ease is crunchy. I am loving this yarn so much that I am thinking of making myself a sweater out of it. If I knit myself a sweater out of this stuff, you know it is good.

So where am I going with this sweater. Well, ribby cardi is the base. He wanted black but they didn't have enough in stock so, we are adding some grey accents. I am just about done the back...hopefully starting a front today...I can do this!

I am wondering about the sleeves. I haven't read far enough in to pattern yet, but you knitting guru's out there could probably direct me...I don't want to rib the sleeves and this is a raglan sweater. Do I just make the decrease on the raglan sleeves the same as the front and back pieces while making the plain st st sleeve the same size as the schematic? Yes?

Thank you for all of your comments on the christmas knits. It is encouraging. I am out there reading blogs everyday...I don't really take the time to comment. So know that I am reading...I just have to keep knitting....and knitting...and knitting. (remind me to either start earlier next year or just not to knit for everyone in my family!)
I will post the flap hat pattern for you this week. Thank you for your interest!

A Tale of Two Hats.

The cookies are baked

The tree is decorated, the cards are written and stamped....

On to more Christmas knitting.

The request: Via a phone call from 4 yr old Christopher. After drilling him with questions...do you want a pom pom...colour...ear flaps...etc...he requests this:

A blue hat. Nothing sticking out...nothing else. Flames on it and a five and another five. Then he said something about a race car.
So this weekend I knit this:


I really like the flames on this one. I made them smaller and the repeats were more often. I did a big hem on it to keep his ears warm. Now the "55" I did in intarsia. Yeah, I know nothing about this...but I do know that it is nearly impossible to do in the round. Don't ask...I don't really like it. I ripped it three times and this is it.



I am hoping some blocking will fix it. And I axed the race car...but put a lovely black stripe around the top signifying a race track (well, I was really running out of blue and had some black to use up!)

Request #2 actually from the mother....CK. Lukas' hat. She said black with some flaps. She likes the Tom Hat but not as long on the ear flaps. So I based it on that. Top down in the same yarn.



I added some garter stitch rows randomly to add texture.



I am loving the way the flaps flip out. I wonder if I should block it? It stretches to fit (perfect on my head) and looks cute on my 3 yr old as well. Definitely a one size fits all.
Should I add braids...twists...icords...something to the flaps? Or just leave them?

Diego Vest part three.

AAAANNNNNNNDDDDDDD.............We're back.
blogger....you are something.

Due to lack of batteries and bloggers disappearance, you haven't been able to see my lovely Diego Vest. Well, here it is....



Started: November 25, 2005
finished: December 1, 2005
Yarn: Handwork cora....I just started the 4th ball. So depending on yardage of the yarn you are using, three may work. It's a cream colour....not the dirty colour that the photos show!
Pattern: My own little number....I can post it if someone wants it.

Here are a couple detail shots...




All in all, it turned out great. I had to try putting the pockets in a couple times until I was satisfied with the finish. I love the hem and the overall simplicity of the pattern. Handwork Cora is just fine for this project. I machine washed it and blocked it into submission. It will certainly survive the "Diego Stage" however long it may last. I am hoping to somehow copy the badge he wears on the vest...maybe printing it on some iron-on paper and adhering it to some canvas material then sewing in place...hoping. Well, I must attempt these Grumperina's custom labels for my Christmas gifts...so I will get some iron-on products!

Tom Hat Pattern

Yarn: Laines Du Nord Dolly Maxi in Ebony x3 balls approx 285 yards.
Needles: US #8 addis 40" to work magic loop...or whatever you are comfortable doing and which ever size you need to get gauge.
Gauge: 18 sts in 4"

M1R= make one right. Pick up the bar inbetween the two sts from the back and knit it through the front.
M1L= make one left. Pick up the bar inbetween the two sts from the front and knit it through the back.
tbl= through back of loop.
sl1 wyif= slip one stich purlwise with yarn in front.

Hat:
Cast on 7 sts. Join for working in the round (if not working magic loop, place marker to indicate start of the round)
row 1: *M1,K1*rep to end of rd.
next row and every alternate row: Knit
row 3: *M1, K2* rep to end of rd.
row 5: *M1, K3* rep to end of rd.
row 7: *M1, K4* rep to end of rd.
continue the increases in this manner until you have 84 sts.
Knit stocking stitch until you reach 4 1/2" from last increase row.

Start garter stitch border:
row 1: purl 28 sts, knit 20, purl 16, knit 20.
row 2: Knit
row 3: Bind off knitwise 28sts, knit next 20 sts (include the last st of bindoff in this number). Add second ball and bind off back 16 sts, knit next 20 sts (include the last st of bindoff in this number). Now you can work the two earflaps at the same time. You should have 20 sts for each earflap.

Earflaps: these instructions are per earflap. Remember to go across both earflaps repeating the instructions on the second earflap. Work the decreases on the second earflap k2tog tbl.

row 1: (ws) sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k2, purl to the last 5 sts and k2, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
row 2: (rs) k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, knit to the last 5 sts and p2, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
row 3: same as row 1
row 4: k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k4, k2 tog, k4, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, k1
row 5: sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k2, p9, k2, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
row 6: k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k3, k2tog, k4, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
row 7: sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k2, p8, k2, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
row 8: k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k2, k2tog, k4, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
row 9: sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k2, p7, k2, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
row 10: k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k7, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.

cont repeating row 9 and 10 until flaps are 4" long ending with a ws row.
Keeping the 5 st pattern at the beginning and end of each row, start increases as follows:

row 1: k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, k1, M1R, knit to last 6 sts, M1L, k1, p2, k1, sl1 wiyf, k1.
row 2: sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif, k2, purl to last 5 sts, k2, sl1 wyif, k1, sl1 wyif.
row 3: k1, sl1 wyif, k1, p2, knit to last 5 sts, p2, k1, sl1 wyif, k1.
repeat last two rows 2 more times then the increase row (row 1) again.

These eight rows are the increases for the flaps. (you are basically working 7 rows and increasing on the eighth)
Repeat the eight rows until you have 43 sts on each flap.
Purl 2 rows to form garter sts border and bind off.
Weave in ends and block.
Finito!

Add some colour or texture...use your creative license! Please let me know if someone actually knits on of these...and if you come across any mistakes. I tried my best to copy my notes!

It's starting to get crazy...

Life is starting to get a little crazy now. On top of all the Christmas knits to do...we have parties to go to, cookies to bake, trees to decorate, cards to write....

My camera is out of batteries and I can't show you some fabulous knit photos. Later people, later.

I am also working on the "Tom Hat" pattern and will hopefully post it later today or tomorrow.

Now, it's time to work on the Christmas cards....here is a little taste. (see what we make our children do...)


Notice the youngest in the "O" picture...picking his nose...yeah that's right, and he would only pose for one photo. You take what you can get from them.

The Tom Hat Finito

Here it is Tom...happy belated birthday!

I must say that I look like Kate Winslet here...no? Very weird, I've never noticed this!
This hat is very hard to photograph. I have tried for 2 days...I know Tom will send me a fabulous photo of himself wearing it!

Started: November 20, 2005
Finished: November 30, 2005
Yarn: Laines Du Nord Dolly Maxi in Ebony x3 balls. This is a very nice merino wool. So soft and bouncy...like DB cashmerino aran...or Zara...very nice. I am not sure on the wear of it yet, I will let you know how the hat holds up.
Pattern: My own! And I will have it available for those that may want it...
It is simple. Knit top down in the round. Casting off for the front and back and working the ear flaps at the same time.

Here is a sad photo of me trying to show the length of the ear flaps...




And my favourite...different ways to wear it Tom!

Block Party

I'm having a block party. Don't be fooled, some of these are just being washed, not newly knit!



I did reblock the veste everest to help the arm and neck bands. Some socks that needed washing (I must say I love wearing handknit socks...even my hubby is wearing his!) and some hats that were completed.
The Tom Hat is done! It was actually a quick knit...I just kept putting it aside. More on it tomorrow when I can model it!

So let us recap. It is December 1st. I am crazy enough to think I will knit something for everyone this Christmas. I still have 4 hats to knit for nephews, I would like to knit the "rescue pack" for Lucca, a sweater for my FIL, a sweater for my hubby, a scarf for my MIL and something for the sibling exchange. YEAH...24 knitting days left to do that in....IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN!
So, the first to get axed...hubby's sweater. He'll understand, and he is so picky that I haven't nailed down a design or picked a yarn yet. I'll do it in the new year.
My FIL's sweater. Well, it may happen. At the very least, I will start it and wrap up what I get done, even if it is still on the needles!
The hats...oh yes, I will get them done, and the orders are hilarious. Next up a blue hat with flames and the numbers 55 on it! Don't ask.
The scarf, I'll knit over a weekend...no problem.

The reality is...I need to knit something for myself now. I am thinking a shrug. It's quick and hopefully satisfying. I have some handpaintedyarn in merino weight (some of you know it as Malabrigo) waiting to be knit. Hmmmmm.....