Buttons!

Adding buttons to your knit work is a great way to make it more unique! My friend/neighbor just dropped off a box of her unwanted buttons. I organized them and took a few photos with my new canon s90 : )  Here they are:







Now all I have to do is figure out which button will work best with a hat I'm planning to start knitting soon...

RL Single Stripe Beanie

About the hat:
I made this hat for my brother, Rich, for Christmas this year. This was the first "fitted" beanie I tried to make. It took me about 2 days to complete.

Materials I used:
- US size 8 circular needles (16'')
- Lion Brand Yarn: Vanna's Choice (color: navy)
- Red Heart Super Saver Yarn (color: white)

RL Single Stripe Scarf Pattern: Cast on 80 stitches using US size 8 circular needles

Using the navy color yarn: *K2, P2* for each round until the work measures ~2 inches

Switch to the white color yarn: *K2, P2* for 3 rows

Switch back to the navy color yarn: *K2, P2* for each round until the work measures ~6 inches

Start decreasing: row 1: *K2, P2tog*
row 2-6: *K2, P1*
row 7: *K2tog, P1*
row 8-12: *K1, P1*

To finish: Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail.
Thread yarn through (you may want to use a tapestry needle).
Pull yarn through all stitches in the last round.
Take out the circular needle.
Pull tight.
Secure the yarn on the inside of the hat.
Weave in ends.

Abbreviations used in this pattern: K2= knit two
P2= purl two
K2tog= knit two stitches together
P2tog= purl two stitches together

Cabled Eunice Scarf

About the scarf:
I made this scarf for Eunice for Christmas this year (hence the name of the scarf). I knit it using 2 different color yarns (gray and white). Since I did it during finals week, I didn't have time to take many pictures of it before wrapping it up.

Materials I used:
- US size 13 straight needles
- gray and white yarn


Cabled Eunice Scarf Pattern:
Holding the 2 color yarns together as one, cast on 13 stitches using US size 13 straight needles

Row 1 (right side): K2, P4, K1, P4, K2
Row 2 (wrong side): K6, P1, K6
Row 3: K2, P4, K1, P4, K2
Row 4: K6, P1, K6
Row 5: K2, P4, K1, P4, K2
Row 6: K2, C4B, P1, C4F, K2

Repeat rows 1-6 until desired length
Bind off and attach tassels


Abbreviations for this pattern:
C4B= slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 2 sts from left-hand needle, then knit sts from cable needle.
C4F= slip next 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 2 sts from left-hand needle, then knit sts from cable needle.

Lattice scarf upgrade

So 2 weeks of school has passed, and saying it's been keeping me pretty busy would be an understatement. :(

But here the change I made in the lattice scarf I completed a while ago. (scroll down a few entries to see the original)



(photo taken from photobooth <3mac)

Since my brain is half fried, I have nothing more to add to this entry!

Now back to studying.

Coming soon... something different?

I really need to mix it up a bit and stop knitting slouchy hats. But I like them!
I'm currently working on yet another slouchy hat... in bright purple. After that I will start a new project. Hopefully!

I'm thinking about knitting up a tube scarf using circular needles.

The Shoey Slouchy Hat

This is the slouchy hat I made for Shoey; check it out:

About the Shoey Slouchy Hat:
I made it especially for Shoey, so I named it after her! It was a relatively quick knit, I started/finished it in 1 day. This was my first time working with this type of yarn.

Materials used:
Patons Melody Quick & Cozy (color: bright blue)

Pattern:
Quite honestly I didn’t write down how many increases/decreases I did; so sorry, no pattern for this one. What I do remember is casting on xx stitches and joining in the round and doing a K2, P2 rib for 6 rows, then just using the knit stitch for the rest of the hat.

Lattice Scarf (from knitzophrenic)

Here is the lattice scarf (pattern here from knitzophrenic) in a solid gray color. I tried blocking it because it curls in, but I've never blocked anything before and I failed. It is still curling in. I kind of like it that way!

I used the yarn that Sang bought for me from Viet Nam! :)

I knit this up with US size 7 straight needles.

Seed Stitch iTouch Cozy

  

About the Seed Stitch iTouch Cozy:

I recently bought a macbook (and I love it!). Along with it came a iTouch & printer that was free after rebate (even better!). I wanted to start a quick knit and a cozy was perfect for my new toy! I sort of made this up as I went so I didn't write down how many rows I knit.

Materials used:

- US size 7 straight needles

- BERNAT Softee Chunky Yarn (color: grey heather)

- large sewing needle

- button

Pattern:

Cast on 12 stitches using US size 7 needles

row 1: *K1, P1*

row 2: *P1, K1*

Continue this pattern for the rest of the pattern. (measure as you go)

Knit a button hole where appropriate. (learn how to knit a button hole here)

When you've knit enough rows to complete your project, bind off.

Seam together, turn it inside out, and sew on button where appropriate! 

All done!

(sorry for not having the specific # of rows to knit... but it's not hard to just measure as you go.)

Super Simple Slouchy

About this hat:

I wanted a plain white simple slouchy hat, and this was my attempt to knit one. I totally made things up as I went. The pattern I made up could use a little touching up, but it's good enough for now.

Materials I used:

- US size 10 circular 16'' needles

- Red Heart Super Saver Yarn (color: white)

Super Simple Slouchy pattern:

Cast on 64 stitches using US size 10 circular needles and join in round.

Row 1-6: *K2, P2*

Row 7: *K3, KFB*

Row 8: *K*

Row 9: *K9, KFB*

Row 10-25: *K*

Now it's time to start decreasing:

Row 26: *K9, K2tog*

Row 27: *K*

Row 28: *K6, K2tog*

Row 29: *K*

Row 30: *K5, K2tog*

Row 31: *K*

Row 32: *K4, K2tog*

Row 33: *K3, K2tog*

Row 34: *K2, K2tog*

Row 35: *K, K2tog*

Row 36: *K2tog*

Draw yarn through remaining stitches, remove the circular needles and pull tight.

( You may feel more comfortable using DPNs toward the last few rows because it gets tight)

Knot it up and weave loose yarn into stitches. All done!

Abbreviations for this pattern:

K = knit

P = purl

KFB = knit front and back (find videos on knittinghelp.com halfway down this page)

Urchin Beret (from pixiebell)

I bought the pattern for the urchin beret from pixiebell on etsy. I absolutely love love love her knit hats!!! The pattern was well written and very clear! And she was more than helpful with answering any questions I had. I'd definitely recommend buying from her!

I especially love how this hat does not take a long time to knit up! Quick-knits are always a plus.

Mine did not turn out as nice as hers but it will definitely keep me warm when winter rolls around... in 6 months!!! haha!






I am absolutely horrible at taking photos from the "rear view". This is the best I could do! -_-

Maner (from presentsknits)

I followed the pattern from presentsknits for the Maner. She has great patterns/pieces of work!!

I can't stand it when my ears are cold in the wintertime; it makes my head hurt so much when I go from the cold outdoors right into a heated room. This is the perfect thing to keep my ears super warm!

Also, I can wear this when I put my hair up (as opposed to my slouchy hats). IMO if I wear my hair up with my slouchy hats, I look weird.

Anyway, here is how it turned out:

Knit with:

• Lion Brand Yarn: Vanna's Choice (color: chocolate)
• US 10 circular needles (16'')
• NOTE: I used different sized needles/yarn than called for in the original pattern; therefore, I cast on LESS stitches. I thought I wrote down how many stitches/rows I worked with my yarn... but I made this so long ago I can't find it. If I do, I will edit this post.
  

Knitting Withdrawal

Ah! When I came back to Philly 2 weeks ago, I didn't bring any of my knitting stuff with me because I knew I would be knitting all the time instead of studying/doing my work.

But how I regret not bringing my knitting stuff! With no studying to do and the internet being soo slow... I'm about to go out and buy some knitting needles tomorrow.

So Slouchy Hat Pattern

About this hat:
I followed this pattern by newknits but sliightly changed a few things around.

Materials I used:
- US size 10 circular 16'' needles
- US size 10 DPN
- Lion Brand Yarn: Vanna's Choice (color: linen)
label recommended a size 9 needle*

*using a larger needle than suggested by the yarn manufacturer will make it more loose--perfect for the slouchy look

So Slouchy Hat Pattern:
Cast on 66 stitches on circular needles and join in the round.
(if you want your 2x2 rib pattern to match up exactly - cast on 68 stitches) I don't mind using 66 and having my rib not match up. (basically I started with 2 knit stitches and end with 2 knit stitches so when joined together, it will give 4 knit stitches. but I just wear that part in the back and you can't see it at all)

row 1: *K2, P2* (2 X 2 rib)
repeat row 1 for a total of 4 rows
-- remember to use a stitch marker to mark the start of a round--

row 2: *K6, M1*
row 3: *K9, M1*
row 4: *K1, P1*
row 5: *Purl*
repeat rows 4 and 5 until measures a little over 6" from CO. (or however "slouchy" you want the hat) now it's time to decrease the crown

Decreasing the crown (at some point while you keep decreasing the circular needle will be hard to use. that's when it's time to switch to double pointed needles)
row 1: *P9, P2G*
row 2: Purl all stitches
row 3: *P6, P2G*
row 4: Purl all stitches
row 5: *P5, P2G*
row 6: *P4, P2G*
row 7: *P3, P2G*
row 8: *P2, P2g*
row 9: *P1, P2G*
row 10: *P2G*
row 11: *P2G*
row 12: cut yarn ~5 inches from the last stitch, thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull to close the hole and weave in remaining yarn.

Abbreviations used in this pattern:
K1 = knit one stitch
P1 = purl one stitch
P2G = purl 2 together
M1 = make one stitch (increase) // learn about increasing here (I used M1R)

Loose-Knit Scarf Pattern

About the scarf:
This scarf is very simple and does not take too long to complete. It seems to have "holes" in it, but that's what makes it comfortable and unique. It's meant to be wrapped around more than once, so it's still very warm!

Materials I used:
-US size 13 needles
- yarn where manufacturer recommends using US size 9 needle

My Loose-Knit Scarf Pattern:
Cast on 16 stitches
row 1: purl
row 2: *K2, P2*
row 3: *K2, P2*
row 4: purl
Repeat rows 1-4 until desired length; end after row 3
Bind off and attach tassels.

Good luck!

Double Trouble Chunky Cable Scarf Pattern

About the scarf:
I made this scarf while kind of just messing around with different yarns and practicing how to cable (this was my first cabled project). What I did was used 2 yarns at once (to make it look bulkier). If you look closely, you can see the 2 different yarns.
The teal color yarn is actually yarn from an unwanted sweater that my mom took apart. And the white yarn is worsted weight yarn.
This pattern can be worked using bulky yarn or you can try using 2 different yarns at once. Mix and match and see what works for you.

Materials I used:
- US size 13 straight needles
- teal & white yarn
- cable needle

Double Trouble Chunky Cable Scarf Pattern:
Using size 13 needles, cast on 12 stitches.
row 1: *knit*
row 2: *K3, P6, K3*
row 3: *knit*
row 4: *K3, P6, K3*
row 5: *knit*
row 6: *K3, P6, K3*
row 7: K3, slip 3 stitches on cable needle and hold to back of work, K3, then K3 from the cable needle, then K3 to end the row
row 8: K3, P6, K3
**repeat rows 1-8 until desired length**

You can do a few rows of garter stitch at the ends of the scarf (right after casting on and right before binding off) to give the scarf a different look:


Abbreviations in this pattern:
** = repeat everything between the ** for the entire row
K = knit
P = purl

My Simple Scarf Pattern

About the scarf:
This scarf was my second knitting project ever. I had only bought 1 pair of size 7 needles and a pound of yarn for cheap. So with that I started experimenting with what different things I can do with just 1 pair of needles.
I made it years ago and I don't remember the exact pattern, but I think this is what I did:


My Simple Scarf pattern:
- use size 7 needles -
Cast on 34 stitches (or however skinny/wide you would like your scarf)
row 1: *KW* (There will appear to be twice the number of stitches on the needle across this row)
row 2: *K1, and drop the next stitch from the left needle as you do so*
row 3 & 4: *K1* to end of row

Repeat rows 1-4 until desired length.
Bind off and attach tassels.
there are many ways to attach tassels. I learned by just trying out different things and seeing what worked for me. If you're really lost, try searching for video clips on youtube.com or this site may help.

Abbreviations for this pattern:
K1 = knit one stitch
KW = wrap yarn twice around needle (as done when doing a yarn over) and pull the double loop through as you knit the stitch.


ENJOY and let me know if you have any questions.
If you tried this pattern, please come back and let me know how it turned out!

About My Blog

I'm a full time pharmacy student with 2 part-time jobs, so I don't know how often I'll actually be blogging. But, I decided to start this blog to share some of my knitting work with... whoever stumbles upon this blog. I always enjoyed looking at others' creative work and loved when people shared their patterns & tips.

So I'm going to give this a shot and hopefully my blog will help someone out there!

I started knitting in Winter '06. Through youtube and other miscellaneous sites, I learned the basics. After winter break ended, I tucked knitting away and did not revisit it until this winter. I got a bunionectomy and couldn't do much because of my crutches so all I did was knit nonstop. I love learning new stitches and working on new projects :). That's it about me, on to knitting...

To start off, here are some of my favorite knitting help links:

• knitting glossary - this is a very helpful glossary that even includes videos you can view! If you're just starting to knit and are confused with abbreviations, this is very very useful.
  
• free pattern directory - this is a site full of a collection of different patters from scarves to hats and other sorts of great knits!
• knitting stitches - shows many different types of stitches/patterns. very helpful when you want to make your own pattern.

I'm still a novice knitter, but hopefully I'll have time to learn more! Feel free to leave tips :) and follow along on my knitting journey.