I'll Have a Slice of Rasperry Tart, Please

Let's talk about food. I know, I know, I said this was a blog about knitting, but I also said it's a little about life in general... and who doesn't like food, huh? Good food. And dessert ! What kind of life would it be if we didn't have the privilege of having something ooey, gooey, sweet, and delicious sliding across our tongues?


I love to bake! I leave the main cooking to my husband and I handle the desserts. In fact, I just baked a cake last night and made some delicious homemade frosting, thank you Julia Child. (Okay, yes, I was inspired by the movie Julie & Julia, and yes, I bought the darn cookbook. But no, this will NOT turn into a cooking blog). Now where was I? Oh yes, the cake. Quite good, though a tad on the ugly side. Okay, it stuck to the baking pan. Just close your eyes and swallow. So, due to my love of all desserts, ugly or pretty, I thought it was only right to pay homage to all things sweet and delicious. You're gonna want to eat this hat. It screams raspberries! Viva la dessert! Enjoy this pattern; it's easy and super fast thanks to Debbie Bliss's Cashmerino Superchunky. I added a bit of Berrocco Zap Yarn (Eyelash) to the first 5 rows and the pompom to jazz it up a bit.

Difficulty: Beginner familiar with working in the round

Finished measurement: fits head circumference 20-23 inches

Yarn: Debble Bliss Cashmerino Superchunky - 1 ball, Berrocca Zap - enough for trip and pompom.

Needles and Notions: size 10.5 circular - 16 inch, size 10.5 straight needles, stitch markers, tapestry needle.

Holding both yarns together, cast on 60 stitches, join stitches, avoiding twisting and place marker to mark beginning.

Row 1-5 : k1p1
drop the Berrocca yarn, cutting, leaving a tail which you will weave in later.
Row 6 and all even rows: *p 5sts, with yarn in back, slip 1 st purlwise*, repeat from * to marker Row 7 and all odd rows: purl
Continue above until you've completed 20 rows - hat should be approx. 6 inches long from cast on.

Begin decrease rows:
Row 1: *p3, p2tog, p1, repeat from * to marker
Row 2: *p2, p2tog, with yarn in back, slip 1 st purlwise, repeat from * to marker
Row 3: purl
Row 4: *p1, p2tog, with yarn in back, slip 1 st purlwise, repeat from * to marker
Row 5: purl
Row 6: *p1, p2tog, with yarn in back, slip 1 st purlwise, repeat from * to marker
Row 7: *p2tog, p1*, repeat from * to marker
Row 8: p2tog
Cut yarn, leaving tail approx. 20 inch long. Slip yarn end onto tapestry needle and thread through remaining stitches, pulling tight to a close.

Make pom pom with both yarns held together. Trim to shape and attach to hat top with desired method.

Wanted: Warm hat for bald head

Alpaca Ear Flap Hat




Happy New Year! My husband has the perfect head for knitted hats. It's round and shiny and quite susceptible to the cold. He started shaving his head several years ago when nature decided hair didn't belong there anymore. So, over the course of my few years of knitting, I've tackled several beanies for him - always from patterns that were good, but didn't quite fit as well as he wanted. This hat pattern was a lot of fun to create and I got his input every step of the way. And if you haven't yet noticed, it's made from my favorite yarn - 100% baby alpaca. Guaranteed warmth and comfort.

Skill Level: Advanced Knitter

Techniques involved: knit, purl, increase, K2tog, backwards loop cast-on ( there are several video sites showing this technique - Very simple)

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn - Baby Alpaca Grande - US 10.5 needle = 3.5 sts per inch

Amount needed for project : approx. 140 yds

Needles and notions: Size 10.5 , 16" circulars and 10.5 dpn, stitch markers, stich holder, tapestry needle


Fit's large man's head - 23" circumference +/- 1-2 inches


**note ** - 10.5 straight needles can be used during creation of the ear flaps.

**note** - when increasing stitches on ear flaps, do not increase the first or last stitch unless stated. This allows for a neater, more uniform edge. Increase by knitting in front and back of same stitch.


**note** - knitting in the round creates stockinette stitch.



Directions:
Begin with earflaps:


Earflap #1
CO 6 sts


row 1 - knit
row 2 - purl
row 3 - knit, increasing 2 sts on row ( ex. K1, K in front and back of next stitch, K2, K in frontand back of next stitch, K1) = 8 stitches are now on needle.
row 4 - purl
row 5 - knit, increasing 2 sts on row
row 6 - purl
row 7 - knit, increasing 2 sts on row
row 8 - purl
row 9 - knit
row 10 -purl, increasing 2 sts on row
row 11 -knit
row 12 -purl
row 13 -knit, increasing 2 sts on row
row 14 -purl
row 15 -knit, increasing 2 sts on row
row 16 -purl
row 17 -knit, increasing 2 sts on row - 20 stitches now on needle
row 18 -purl
row 19 -knit, increasing 2 sts on row
row 20 -purl
row 21 -knit
row 22 -purl, increasing 2 sts on row
row 23 -knit
row 24 -purl
row 25 -knit, increasing 2 sts on row
row 26 -purl
row 27 -knit, increasing 2 sts on row - 28 stitches now on needle
row 28 -purl, increasing the first and last stitch in the row ( explanation: knit in front and back of first stitch, K26, knit in front and back of last stitch)

place stitches on holder.


Earflap #2

CO 6 sts
Repeat above - rows 1 - 28.
row 29 - knit, increasing the first and last stitch in the row.


If you knitted earflap #2 on straight needles, transfer to your circulars at this time.


Backwards loop cast-on 8 stitches.


Transfer earflap #1 to your circular needles. Your cast on stitches should be in the middle of the 2 earflaps. Join the earflap to the cast on stitches, knitting row 29 from above.

Backwards loop cast-on 8 stitches. Place marker to indicate beginning. Join the other earflap to these stitches by knitting. You now have a complete circle, joined. 80 sts on needle. Continue knitting in the round until hat height is approximately 4 1/2 inches long from your cast on stitches. Place 6 markers evenly around hat ( * note - of course 6 doesn't divide evenly into 80, so I placed markers at the following #s - beginning, after st#13, after st#26, after st#39, after st#52, after st#66.


Begin decreasing as follows:
all rows are knit, on rows where you k2tog, do so before each marker.


Row 1:K2tog before each marker. (decreased 6 sts)
row 2: knit
row 3: knit
row 4: K2tog before each marker. (decreased 6 sts)
row 5: K2tog before each marker. (decreased 6 sts)
row 6: knit
row 7: K2tog before each marker. (decreased 6 sts)
row 8: knit
row 9: K2tog before each marker. (decreased 6 sts) = 50 sts remain.
row 10: knit
row 11: K2tog before each marker.
row 12: K2tog before each marker.
row 13: K2tog before each marker.
row 14: K2tog before each marker.
row 15: knit
row 16: K2tog before each marker. = 20 sts remain.
row 17: knit
row 18: K2tog before each marker.
row 19: K2tog before each marker. = 8 sts remain.

remove markers - cut yarn , leaving tail and thread through remaining stitches, pulling tightly to close hole. Weave in ends.











Cut 6 lengths of yarn , approximately 24 inches each. Thread 3 pieces of yarn through each earflap tip, braiding them together to desired length and securing end with a simple knot. Cut even, leaving approx. 1 inch of yarn.

Is that a Frog on your head, I'm a slave to my cat, and other random thoughts

Every morning we go through the same routine. Fresh water, layering the pillows on the bed in just a particular way, downstairs for breakfast and back and forth from my office to the bedroom to play at least 3 times before 10am. This is not my schedule, but rather my cat's schedule that I have the privilege of following. It seems that she thinks I'm at home everyday just to fulfill her every fancy. I don't mind though; she is a joy, and her quiet meows and purrs fill my heart with love. ~ Excuse me while I make my 5th trip back to the bedroom to make sure the bed pillows are placed just right for her to nap behind. ~

So, have you ever wished you could be the one to sit around and come up with the names for all the colors of paints, crayons, nail polish, yarn? What a fun job that would be. My kitchen is red, but the paint color is called "Summer Pudding". The nail polish on my toes is pink but the color is "Blushingham Palace". The yarn for my recently knitted creation is called "Lily Pad" and it does remind me of frogs and lilies floating on the pond water. I hope you enjoy this easy pattern which uses one of my favorite stitches: the seed stitch:



Seed Stitch Alapaca hat



Difficulty: Beginner familiar with working in the round

Finished measurements: Head measurement 20-23 inches
Yarn: Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky hand painted (100% Baby Alpaca) - 1 hank = approx 109 yards Needles: size 10.5 circulars and 10.5 dpn
Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle


Stitch Glossary:

1- Seed stitch - K1 P1 for 1 round, then P1 K1 (in other words, knit your purls and purl your knits)[ x - knit, o - purl : example : round 1 - xoxoxoxo , round 2 - oxoxoxox ]
2 - K2tog- knit 2 stitches together.

Using circular needles, cast on 66 stiches using long tail cast-on. Join for working in the round and place marker for beginning of round. Begin seed stitch for 5 rounds. The pattern will work as follows ** Explanation: because this is an even number cast on, when working the seed stitch in the round, at the beginning of the next round you will have to knit or purl twice in order to create the pattern. So, if round one started with a knit and ended with a purl, round two would do the same, which would NOT create the seed stitch. Simply knit or purl the same stitch you just ended with and start the new round with the appropriate stitch:

Rounds 1-5 : seed stitch
Rounds 6-10 : knit stitch (which will form stockinette stitch when worked in the round)
Rounds 11-15: seed stitch
Rounds 16-20 : knit stitch
Rounds 21-25: seed stitch
Knit next 3 rounds then

Begin crown decrease: Switch to DPN when work becomes too small for circulars


Row 1: (K9, K2tog) 6 times
Row 2: (K8, K2tog) 6 times
Row 3: (K7, K2tog) 6 times
Row 4: (K6, K2tog) 6 times
Row 5: knit
Row 6 : (K5, K2tog) 6 times
Row 7: knit
Row 8: (K4, K2tog) 6 times
Row 9: knit
Row 10: (K3, K2tog) 6 times
Row 11: (K2, K2tog) 6 times
Row 12: (K1, K2 tog) 6 times
Row 13: (K2tog) 6 times

Cut yarn leaving an 8 inch tail. With tapestry needle, thread yarn through remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

And watch out for frogs. They will be very tempted to jump on your head!

Can you ear me now? - Alpaca headband

One of my favorite sites to find knitting patterns is www.knittingpatterncentral.com, and I've always wanted to publish a knitting pattern of my own. However, as I only consider myself an advanced beginner in knitting, I decided that I didn't want to be the cause of alot of knitters pulling their hair out trying to knit some concoction that I might come up with.
But, I'm not opposed to trying something simple. This headband will keep your ears toasty warm and you'll look great too! So, here is my first attempt at my very own pattern - albeit very, very simple.

Alpaca Headband

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Chunky; 100% Baby Alpaca - Color: Havasu
Amount: approximately 40 yards
Gauge: 3.5 stitches per inch on size 10 needles.

Finished Dimension: (approximate) 2.75 x 18 inches (will fit up to 23 inch circumference when worn as pictured above)

Please note: I used size 10.5 needles for this headband.

Cast on 11 stitches

Work back and forth in knit stitch - slip the first stitch in each row knitwise to produce a nice edge.

Work until approximate length

Seam the two ends using preferred method. This web site offers several techniques for seaming: http://www.knitsimplemag.com/node/18

Darling, you thrill me

Small balls of Angora, Silk, Mohair. Jewel tones, muted browns, spicy reds. It's more than the eye can behold, and each time I visit my LYS I know I'm in trouble and will not be leaving empty handed. Today, Jenna was there and she gets as excited about the yarn as I do, showing me new patterns, new yarns, always the expert on how to exchange one yarn for another and still get the same outcome. She's always understanding when I say "Oh, I can't possibly spend $30 on one skein of yarn", and she happily takes me to a more affordable option. Sometimes however, well, more often than not, I end up being drawn back over to that pricey skein of silk - I swear sometimes I can hear it calling me. Today was no exception. I had 6 balls of yarn in my arms before I even realized what I was doing. I always pick up more than I plan to buy, that way when I leave the store with less, I feel like I've sacrificed something and it seems to make the purchase more bearable. Now don't think for one minute that I begrudge spending the money on yarn. It's a hobby I thoroughly enjoy and it keeps me home, safe at night, snuggled in next to hubby and kitty. Another successful and well enjoyed trip completed with dreams of next time.
Now, should I start on something new with my new found loves or put them away for now and finish those other 'works in progress'. Who knows.

A Tuesday in November

A short visit from dad this morning; a nice break from the humdrum of work - albeit a very slow day on the job. I have so much to do, but I have no choice but to sit shackled to this desk and wait until the clock ticks down the minutes until I'm free to do what really matters to me. And by that time, I'll be so tired of sitting here that I won't have the energy to get anything else done. The cat is asleep under the covers in the bedroom and the house is quiet. I'm researching for a new knitting project (although I have 4 unfinished projects that I can think including some Christmas gifts - time is ticking fast on the deadline to get these done). Found a great beret at http://sockpixie.blogspot.com - the February Beret. I'll be drawn like a magnet to my LYS before too long to touch and feel all the new yarns, delighting in trying to pick out which one I will use for this project. I think I've figured out the joy of knitting is finding that perfect pattern and then buying the yarn!
Welcome to my blog spot.