Alternating Cables Cap

Alternating Cables Cap

 

 

I made a smaller version of my Alternating Cables Cap Pattern (see right hand side of screen for pattern information). I intend to give this to my friend for her 4 year old daughter, Emma.  I cast on fewer stitches (112 instead of 128) and used US Size 5 needles instead of Size 6 and this made a shorter and snugger cap which I think would be at great size for a child. I tried it on myself and I feel it's a tad short for me (like it will feel like it's slipping off my head... my straight hair is really slippery... no texture here!).  My mother-in-law is here for a visit and she tried on this cap and the original longer, looser version (in green... posted about this not too long ago) and she likes the larger hat better. We picked out some cherry red yarn from my stash of Berroco Comfort DK and I cast on a cap for her with this pattern.  It's fun to knit for another (of course) but it's especially fun to me when you know the recipient likes the fit, design, and color!  

"Dansk Hjerte"

 



 

 

"Dansk Hjerte":  I think this translates to Danish Heart.  This is a cute little knitting pattern in the 2012 edition of "Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts" magazine.  The pattern designer indicates she made the hearts as a child out of red and white paper.  The top of the heart is open so one can insert a small gift or some candy.  I made my heart out of left over bits of Plymouth Encore Worsted (a wool & acrylic blend).  I like little projects like this but the finishing and sewing at the end always drives me nuts.  I muck up nice knitting with sub par sewing.  It looks pretty good in the photo; just don't look closely.

Alternating Cables Cap (Free Pattern)

Alternating Cables Cap

I improvised this hat design and typed up the pattern over a year ago. The hat looked great on my wig/hat stand "Miss Wiggy," but the hat was a tad short on a person.  I finally got around to knitting up the hat one more time and inserted a few rows, here and there, to make the hat long enough.  The hat is rather loose fitting but I am really happy with it.  I think a hat like this, with ribbing and cables, is really flexible for sizing since it's so very stretchy.  As is, this cap will fit lots of folks. My son tried it on and I think it fit him pretty well, too (he's over 6'1" and is almost 16 years old).  Soon I plan to knit another one of these caps in pink and I plan to go down a needle size to see how that works.  I think it will work just fine.  This hat is knit in Berroco Comfor DK and used nearly the entire ball of yarn.

The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry; for the Ravelry link click HERE.

It is also available as a PDF download by clicking HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

Intertwisted: Complete!

It just occurred to me today that I never showed you this completed item.  I finished it just before the end of  the year, but it was a KAL (Knit-Along) from October.  I got side tracked with Christmas knitting so this took me longer than it should.  I am enjoying wearing this accessory. 

"Intertwisted": a pattern by Michelle Hunter
www.knitpurlhunter.com
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Pattern Link is HERE

 

Wore my Intertwisted Cowl and my Semi-Swedish Hat (and hand knit socks) snow skiing a few days after Christmas.  I was toasty and warm in wool!  First time snow skiing in about 21 years!  A blast from the past indeed!

Knitting Goals for 2013

As the end of 2013 was approaching and I was looking at what I had accomplished in 2012, I set new knitting goals for the New Year.  Last year I got a little carried away with goal setting; I totally strayed away from my establishd goals but, all in all, it was a fun and productive year.  I have set the following goals for myself for the coming year... I am already off track a bit but I am having fun.  I cast on a new pair of socks, a hat, and a cowl, this past week, none of which were on my "list of things to do!" 

Although not listed below, I am determined to knit from my stash and not buy more and more yarn this year.  So far so go... It's January 7th and I have not bought any new yarn this year!  I would also like to try my hand at Intarsia this year.  Last year I did try a little fair isle (colorwork) which was a goal I had set for myself.  Okay, drummmmm rooollllll pllleeeaaassseee... here are my knitting goals for 2013!

Finish the following WIP's:


Boring Black Cardigan (BOBLACA)

Intertwisted Cowl (finished 12-27-2012)

Disappearing Act socks

Frozen Leaves shawl

Lemon Drops socks

Candy Corn socks

Socks for Son

Sunflower Capelet

Hearts for Tunie scarf



Things to knit in 2013

Fingerless gloves for Husband

Citron in red and black (Kauni Effecktgarn)

Little Owl Mitts (Berroco DK)

Annis Shawl (Mountain Colors Lace)

Christmas tree skirt (yarn called "Nancy" from my Mom's stash)

Aran Cable Circle Wrap for "Wrapped in Care"

Gift (sweater and bonnet) for Anne's baby due March 2013

Slipper Socks for Maryellen (January 2013: started a cowl called "Henning" with the yarn I had in mind for slipper socks)

Stockings for Operation Holiday Stockings (goal 13)

Hats for Calvin's Hats (goal 13)

Pair of Woodhaven Mitts using leftover Boboli

Harvest Bread Cloth

Cable Bias Cowl

A Little Christmas Sewing...

I can't believe I forgot to post about this.  I had this done before Christmas but did not want to put it on my blog for fear my son might look over my shoulder and spoil the surprise.

For Christmas, I made this fleece blankie for my son.  It's a big piece of rather bright dark blue fleece and I added a fleece border.  It's hard to tell in the photos, but the fleece border is very similar to the color of tennis balls.  That wonderful bright yellow-green color.  My son is a tennis player and this was one of his Christmas gifts.  I cut the fleece into five inch strips and sewed the strips together.  I folded the strips in half lengthwise and then pinned and stitched down the border going through all three layers.  I also ended up going around and around the border with a big zig-zag stitch.

The blankie is far from perfect but I love how excited my son was when he opened it.   I love that every night he brings the blanket into bed with him and I love that every morning, when he wakes up, he brings his blankie out to the living room so he can be cozy while he watches some TV.  The blankie is five feet wide and six feet wide and my tall boy loves that he has something to cover his toes.

And I love that my son loves and appreciates a gift I made for him.