Knitting

Izmir hat pattern

A buttonless hat.

A buttonless hat.

This hat gets its name from the gorgeous blues of the tiles produced in Izmir, Turkey. The 8,000 year old city was a huge producer of striking Turkish tiles for centuries during the Ottoman Empire.

Or so I was told when I visited Turkey. The internet will only confirm with questionable resources. What I can reliably say is that Turkey remains a huge textile producer.

Supplies

  • 36 grams (140 yards) 100% wool heavy fingering weight yarn (440 yards to 113 grams). Mine was knit using Sappho II in Salt Under the Sea.

  • US size 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles

  • Tapestry needle

  • Markers

Notes

  • K - Knit

  • P - Purl

  • PM - Place marker

  • M1 - Make one, using your preferred method (here are some options). I did the raised increase.

Size

23-24" head circumference (average adult female)

Gauge

24 sts per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch knit in the round. Row gauge is not critical.

Note: this hat does not have much stretch so stitch gauge is important.

Setup

Cast on 8 sts and join to work in the round.

Next round: M1 in all sts (16 sts total)

Next round: *K2, pm*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

Crown shaping

  • Round 1: *K to marker, M1, slip marker*. Repeat from * to * to end of round.

  • Round 2: Knit all sts, slipping markers as you come to them

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until you have 120 sts on your needle (15 sts between each marker). Pro tip: if you don't want to check your gauge (who does?) you can put the hat on a long circ or scrap yarn and try it on. Once it's the size you need, continue on, even if  your stitch count does not match 120.

Knit all sts until work measures 6" from the crown, removing markers as you come to them.

psst. your mullet is showing..

psst. your mullet is showing..

Brim

Note: if you want a clear indicator of where to wrap the yarn later, you can tie a scrap piece of yarn to the first stitch of the round. 

Work the following twice:

  • Purl all sts for 5 rounds

  • Knit all sts for 3 rounds

Purl all sts for 5 more rounds (3 ttl purl ridges).

Knit one round.

Bind off knit wise.

Break yarn leaving a long (~18") tail. Thread the tail onto a needle and wrap the yarn around the purl ridges. If you chose to place the scrap yarn, you will be threading the tail through the stitch marked and then around the bottom of the hat. Wrap about 10-15 times. If you want to add a button or decorative element, use the tail to attach it. If you have a marker, cut it out.

Sew closed the hole from the cast on, and weave in ends. Look like a princess in here most beautiful hat.

Pull tight when wrapping the knot.

Pull tight when wrapping the knot.

Jericho Knit Baby Blanket

My four year old niece and 6-month nephew will staying with me and the fella for a week or so starting Friday. I have been stocking up on ideas to make me the best stay at home aunt ever. I have enough to last through day 2. After that: television. Aunts can get away with that. I'd designed this blanket to use up some yarn I've had laying around since 2009, and decided to name it after the impending invasion. Seven days running around a city and then shouting loud enough to knock down city walls? That sounds about right.

This photo was taken on a peaceful morning. So much for those.
This photo was taken on a peaceful morning. So much for those.

This blanket uses the same start in the center and work your way out construction as my lotus and stripe seven baby blankets. I love this construction because you it's very forgiving if you're off gauge or are unsure about the amount of yarn you have. You just start knitting and bind off when you start running low or are sick of working on it.

Just enough to keep it interesting.
Just enough to keep it interesting.

This blanket knit up SUPER fast. Size 11's, chunky yarn, and almost all knit stitches. I think it took me all of a week from start to finish.

Those lines of "walls" remind me just a bit of the noise emanating from a temperamental 4 year old.
Those lines of "walls" remind me just a bit of the noise emanating from a temperamental 4 year old.

I'm experimenting with new software, so I actually put this into a PDF. Lucky you!

Download Jericho Baby Blanket Knitting Pattern

Red Redux

Knit scarf pattern for man

Knit scarf pattern for man

The last men's scarf pattern I wrote elicited elicited some envy, so I made another. It's a nice texture that's fast and easy to knit up. The big needles, bulkier yarn and easy to memorize pattern make this a good pattern for beginners.

Red Redux

Materials

3 skeins Plymouth Chunky Merino Superwash Color 18 (100 gr, 109 yards; 100% merino wool)

US size 10 14″ needles

Tapestry needle and scissors

Notes

The scarf is 8" wide, which is pretty wide. If you'd prefer a narrower scarf, you can reduce the width by 4 stitch increments.

K- knit

P – purl

Left Twist - (LT) - knit into the second stitch, then knit into the first, slip both stitches off the needle

Cable cast on description

mens scarf knitting pattern

mens scarf knitting pattern

Directions

Setup

Cable cast on 34 sts.

Knit three rows.

Pattern

  • Row 1: K3, *p2, LT* Repeat from * to * until final 3 sts, k3.

  • Row 2: K3, *p2, k2* Repeat from * to * until final 3 sts, k3.

  • Rows 3 & 4: Repeat rows 1 & 2

  • Row 5: K to end

  • Row 6: K3, p to final 3 sts, k3

  • Row 7: K3, *LT, p2* Repeat from * to * until final 3 sts, k3.

  • Row 8: K3, *k2, p2* Repeat from * to * until final 3 sts, k3.

  • Rows 9 & 10: Repeat rows 7 & 8

  • Rows 11 & 12: Repeat rows 5 & 6

Repeat pattern until scarf measures 60″, or you run low on yarn.

Knit three rows.

Scarf texture

Scarf texture

Men's Scarf Pattern

Men's Scarf Pattern

I like to pretend that I'm a selfish knitter, meaning I only knit for the 'knit-worthy' - those that would both help you move a body and truly understand the craft and time and love that go into hand-knits (and quilts, for that matter). The idea rose as a backlash against that jerk acting like they are doing you a favor by requesting that you make them something and that other jerk that informs you that you can buy socks already made at Walmart. Very helpful.

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I lack the discipline to be 'selfish' and instead foist projects that took me days, weeks, months on completely unsuspecting people. The obvious amount of energy that goes into the projects lays there like threat - reject this and you reject me. It's gift-giving emotional one-upping. "Oh, it's no big deal. I just spent 30 hours working on this, stitch by stitch. Thinking about what you'd like. Fretting that you wouldn't want this. Reflecting on how you're important in my life. Nothing major. It's no Best Buy gift card or anything."

It's a bit unfair, really, because even I would rather get the Best Buy gift card. My interest in wearing the things I make dies about four days after I complete them. Perhaps, the truly selfish approach is to leach inspiration from those around me, so I can induldge in a hobby I enjoy while pretending I'm giving a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that will be cherished for decades.

This emotional bombing is not too dissimilar, in fact, from foisting my navel-gazing posts upon readers just coming here for free scarf pattern to knit for a man in their life (or lady, I suppose). So, with only a little more adieu, here we go -

This pattern was the request of an old friend to replace a scarf I'd made him years and years ago, when I'd just started knitting/crocheting. I have always been a little 'meh' about that scarf (though apparently he loved it - always a sign of the knit-worthy) so I jumped on this as an opportunity to redeem myself. His request was "long, dark red and textured". It all fell into place from there. Red yarn that just happened to be named "Pagoda" when he'd just so happened to spend some time in China and a stitch pattern that just so happened to look like roof tops, and here we are - Mao's Little Red Scarf.

This pattern is ridiculously easy and a pretty quick knit for a scarf. You need to know how to knit, purl, cast on and cast off, so it is very beginner friendly. 

Mao's Little Red Scarf Pattern

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Materials

2 skeins Malabrigo Worsted weight in Pagoda (100 gr, 210 yards; 100% merino wool)

US size 8 14" needles

Tapestry needle and scissors

Stitch marker

Notes

K- knit

P - purl

PU - pick up strand from 2 rows down and slip it over the next live stitch. (You don't work this stitch. It is held into a point by the live stitches)

Cable cast on description

Directions

Setup

Cable cast on 35 sts. 

Knit five rows.

Pattern

  1. *K3, slip next 5 sts with yarn in front*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.
  2. *K3, p5*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.
  3. K5, *pu, k8, repeat from * to * until last 6 sts, pu, k6.
  4. *K3, p5*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat pattern until scarf measures 60" or length desired.

K 5 rows.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Optional: Ship to Asia.

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Pucker Up Cowl Free Knitting Pattern

Materials

1 skein Cascade Yarn Rustic (79% Wool, 21% Linen) 100gr, 196 yds

32" size 7 circular needles

Tapestry needle and scissors

Stitch marker

Notes

Make pucker: Pick up stitch from 10 rows below and knit together with one stitch on the left needle.

Seed stitch: K1, p1 for the whole round. (On the second round, you'll knit into purl stitches, and purl into knit).

Slip marker as you come to it.

Cable cast on description

Directions

Setup

Cable cast on 125 sts. Join, being sure not to twist.Place marker to note start of round.

Work 1 inch in seed stitch.

Knit 10 rounds.

Pucker Up Cowl Free Knitting Pattern

Materials

1 skein Cascade Yarn Rustic (79% Wool, 21% Linen) 100gr, 196 yds

32" size 7 circular needles

Tapestry needle and scissors

Stitch marker

Notes

Make pucker: Pick up stitch from 10 rows below and knit together with one stitch on the left needle.

Seed stitch: K1, p1 for the whole round. (On the second round, you'll knit into purl stitches, and purl into knit).

Slip marker as you come to it.

Cable cast on description

Directions

Setup

Cable cast on 125 sts. Join, being sure not to twist.Place marker to note start of round.

Work 1 inch in seed stitch.

Knit 10 rounds.

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Lotus Baby Blanket Pattern

Lotus Baby Blanket Pattern

I need to get rid of yarn. 

A lot of it is left overs from other projects - too much to toss, too little to make anything - or stuff that has been given to me. Nice and thank you, but not what I'd have bought. Also, yarn follows the same rules as Chinese food - left overs are either consumed in the first two days, or you lose the ability to see them. The get pushed further and further to the back, until in a flurry of Spring cleaning you come across a container you're afraid to open.

It's making me crazy. I feel guilty buying new stuff I'd actually use because I have approximately 8 sheep in my closet. And it just sits there. Staring.

So I made a blanket to cover my shame.

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This yarn was a lovely cotton/alpaca blend that someone cruely dyed the color of blanched salmon. I believe my mother had a sweater in exactly this color somewhere around 1993. I used it to make a baby blanket. Being pre-verbal, babies' opinions on color pallet are easily ignored. But to appease their now-talking parents, I plan to dye it 'flamingo'.

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This blanket is a pretty quick knit. All the confusing stuff is right at the beginning, so starting over/frogging (not that anyone ever does...) isn't too painful. The petal pattern is easily memorized and doesn't take much concentration after you figure it out. This probably isn't the best pattern for your first lace project, it would make a great second one. 

Lotus Knit Baby Blanket Pattern

Size

32"x32"

Gauge

18 sts x 20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Materials

  • 300 grams (3 skeins) Cascasde 220 wool or similar worsted weight yarn (100 grams, 220 yards) 
  • Size 8 (5 mm) 32” circular needles
  • Size 8 (5mm) 60" circular needles
  • Darning needle

Abbreviations

  • K – Knit
  • P – Purl
  • K2tog – knit 2 together
  • Ssk – Slip 2 stitches knitwise and k2tog
  • Sl, k2tog, psso – Slip on st to the right needle, k2tog, pass slip stitch over
  • K1f&b - Knit 1 in the front and back of the stitch
  • K tbl - Knit through back loop
  • YO - Yarn over
  • PM - Place marker

Notes

Throughout pattern, slip markers as you come to them.

Switch to longer circulars when needed.

This blanket is knit using the magic loop method.

Directions

Cast on 8 sts using the disappearing loop method. Pull the cable through so you have 4 sts on each needle.

Center Flower

Work the following pattern four times on each round.Place a marker between each repeat.

  1. K, 2yo, k
  2. K2, p, k
  3. K2, yo, k2
  4. K2, k1f&b, k2
  5. K2, yo, k2, yo, k2
  6. Knit
  7. K2, yo, k4, yo, k2
  8. K3, k2tog, ssk, k3 
  9. Yo, k2, yo, k2, yo, k2, yo, k2
  10. K3, k2tog, k1, k1f&b, k1, ssk, k2
  11. K tbl, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo
  12. K4, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, ssk, ssk, yo, k3
  13. K tbl, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k2, k1f&b, k2, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo
  14. K8, yo, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k5
  15. K tbl, yo, k3, yo, k1, ssk, k1, sl1, k3tog, psso, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo
  16. Knit
  17. K tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo
  18. Knit
  19. K tbl, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo
  20. Knit
  21. K tbl, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, yo
  22. Knit
  23. K tbl, yo, k9, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k9, yo
  24. Knit
  25. K tbl, yo, k11, yo, ssk, k10, yo
  26. Knit

 

Petals

Work the following pattern between each marker.

  1. Ktbl, *yo, k tbl, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 1 st before marker, yo, k tbl, yo, slip marker.
  2. Knit
  3. Ktbl, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 3 sts before marker, yo, k3, yo, slip marker.
  4. Knit
  5. Ktbl, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7* Repeat from * to * until 5 sts before marker, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, slip marker.
  6. Knit
  7. Ktbl, *yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 5 sts before marker, yo, k5, yo, slip marker.
  8. Knit
  9. Ktbl, *yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 7 sts before marker, yo, k7, yo, slip marker.
  10. Knit 
  11. Ktbl, *yo, k9, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso* Repeat from * to * until 9 sts before marker, yo, k9, yo, slip marker.
  12. Knit 
  13. Ktbl, yo, k11, *yo, ssk, k10* Repeat from * to * until marker, yo, slip marker.
  14. Knit 

Repeat the petals pattern 4 more times, for a total of 5 repeats.

Outer Edge

  • Increase round: Ktbl, yo, k until marker, yo, slip marker.
  • Even round: Knit

Alternate increase and even round for ten total rounds. Work 5 additional rounds in seed stitch.

  • Seed stitch increase: Ktbl, yo, *k, p* repeat from * to * until marker, yo, slip marker.
  • Seed stitch even round: P, k around.

Cast off loosely in pattern.

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Edited 3/16/2011 - Fixed error in line 7 and 13 of flower pattern.
Edited 3/17/2011 - Couple more.
Edited 3/20 - Dyed.
Edited 3/27 - Couple tweaks
Edited 3/31 - Row 15 will be the death of me.

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