Another Textured Shawl

I've finally finished this Textured Shawl!! It's seemed like forever since I cast on. I really love the stockinette and textured pattern combo. You can see the modifications I did to this particular shawl here. I used Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca & Silk in Plum, it's a light DK weight yarn that it worth trying, very soft and silky ... beautiful drape!!

This is a great shawl to get your feet wet in shawl making, give it a try!! You can't go wrong because the recipe is free ... check it out here. Also, don't forget to try my Shawl Cast-On Tutorial to get you started.

Semi-Beret

Semi-Beret

Yarn: Cascade Di.Ve' Teseo, Clr #32011-self-striping (50g-98yds; 45% microfiber/55%wool).

Needles: US 8 - 16" circular needle (for cast on and ribbing only); US 9 - 16" circular needle; US 9 - double pointed needles

Notions: 6 stitch markers (1-marker color #1 & 5-markers color #2); tapestry needle.

Gauge: 4 sts=1" on larger needle in-the-round (please use appropriate needles to achieve correct gauge)

Abbreviations: sts- stitches; k - knit; p - purl; m - marker; sm - slip marker; pm - place marker; m1 - lift bar between sts and knit through the back loop; k2tog - insert right needle into sts on left needle through front loops, knit together; ssk - slip 2 sts knitwise one at a time off left needle, insert left needle through slipped sts from left to right, knit together; CO - cast on; Stst - Stockinette Stitch - knit all stitches on right side; rnd(s) - round(s).

Note: Made for head circumference of about 22", measured around the crown. Ribbing circumference about 16" unstretched.

1) CO 64 sts with smaller needle. Place stitch marker for beginning of round, join in round being careful not to twist the stitches.

2) K1, p1 [1x1 rib] for 6 rnds (approx. 1"-1.5").

3) Increase rnd: *K1, m1, k2, m1. Repeat from * to 4 sts before m; K1, m1, k1, m1, k1, m1, k1, m1. (108 sts) Increase so that number of stitches are in multiples of 6.

4) Stockinette rounds: Knit in Stst for 4" to 4.5" (or to your preference…the longer the stockinette area the slouchier the hat.)

5) Decrease Set-up rnd: sm-color #1, *k18, pm-color #2. Repeat from * to end [6 markers total]. (108 sts - 18 sts between each marker)

6) Decrease rnds: *K to 2 sts before m, ssk, sm, k2tog. Repeat from * to end. Decrease 12 sts every other rnd 8 times. [12 sts remain]

7) Final decrease rnd: k2tog to end. [6 sts remain]

8) Cut yarn leaving about 6-10" tail, thread tail onto tapestry needle, draw through remaining sts, pull tightly and fasten off by weaving into wrong side of hat.

9) Weave in all ends. Block over a large pasta bowl or plate.

I accept full responsibility for any mistakes in this pattern, so please let me know of any mistakes. You can email me here.

Pattern by Claire Getman, © 2009.

http://clairebearknits.blogspot.com/

All content on this site is the sole property of Claire Getman, unless indicated otherwise, and cannot be reproduced without express written consent. Patterns are restricted to a single copy for personal use only. Any other use must be approved in writing by the author.

First Snow and a Textured Shawl

So we finally had our first snow of the year, it was beautiful. The next day we went up to NY State and it was even heavier there. Forgot my camera, but there was a 5" blanket of pristine white coating everything we drove by, it was glorious!!

On a knitting note ... here's my textured shawl, pictured here with a make-shift blocking board. You can see my Textured Shawl recipe here and it will connect you to the original 'recipe' as the designer calls it. I used 4 hanks of Blue Sky Alpaca's 100% alpaca sport weight yarn. I wasn't sure if it would be itchy to wear, but I wore it for the first time today and it's wonderfully soft and warm. The alpaca does shed a little, but it's still worth anyone out there giving it a try. Especially for those who are wool-sensitive, you'll love it!!

I was also thrilled because the pattern allowed me the freedom to use almost every last bit of yarn I have, all that was left was the tiniest remnant leftover. So exciting ... it's the little things, right?!

See an upcoming post for the shawl cast on that makes the smoothest edge.

Gail! My New FO

Although it's been months since I've blogged, I actually have been knitting! Lots of hats and quick knits for other people, and a baby blanket that I should have finished at least 5 months ago (because the little guy was born in June, oooops!!!!) Recently I've been on a search for a shawlette/scarf for myself for the winter transition. Something luxurious and green. What I found was one absolutely gorgeous skein of Halcyon Gemstone Soft Twist Silk yarn (sport weight/100% silk) ... a perfect match for my miniature version of Gail (aka Nightsong). You can find the original here, there are also some pages that will help you to knit this pattern here.

This was an incredible treat for me, a sumptuous yarn to knit with, which made knitting a dream. I was almost tempted to frog the whole thing and start all over again just so that I could knit with this yarn. If you try you'll never regret it, you'll love it and anything you make with it!!! Guaranteed!!!!

Knitting v. Workout

Time has really been flying by, I can't believe my last post was March 13th!!! We've been busy with life in general, all good things, but busy none-the-less. I have been pushing through the newsboy hat for weeks now, it was like torture when I tried to knit according to the modifications for a man's head and after trying it on my husband it looked like a floppy sweater with a brim on his head. So I had to re-evaluate the sizing and rip out most of the hat and eliminate most of the increases. Then had to undo the ribbing cast-off which was way too tight and use a much larger needle to cast-off. This has really been a learning process and I will be happy when the gift is finished and delivered to my friend ... Just in time for spring!!!

In the meantime ... after sitting at home knitting every single night for hours this entire winter, I realized that I can't fit into the majority of my clothing and none of my spring/summer clothes ... OUCH!!!! Time to hit the gym BIG TIME!!!! With a 1 hour+ playlist on my mP3 player for high energy workouts I should be ship-shape in time for Cape Cod in July!!! (That is if I ever get to it!)

The irony is (pretty amusing) that I've become much larger due to one of my favorite daily activities, Knitting ... much better than gaining weight while unhappy, right!?!?!

More Lace Knitting

I've been working on a few projects up to this point that are lace, not very successfully or happily, but recently there have been a few lace patterns that looked irresistible, also I have yarn waiting in my stash to be used ... calling out to me to knit it ...


The fine lace pattern is from the Spring 2009 Interweave Knits magazine, it's called Fountain Pen Shawl, love working the pattern ... really well written and very comprehensive, the designer even includes a lace BO so that you can achieve looseness while blocking your FO. For this pattern I had some Malabrigo Lace in the Purple Mystery colorway just waiting for me to knit it up. The yarn is really soft and cozy, yet light and airy too!! I'm really excited to continue with this pattern!!

This beauty is the Hemlock Ring Blanket and it's a free pattern (follow the Ravelry links to locate the original pattern). This pattern satisfies my desire to knit lace without it taking a year to finish the pattern. Also the Cascade Ecological Wool that I'm using is so beautiful to work with, plus I love the fact that it's not dyed or chemically treated ... always a plus when looking for 'Green' knitting projects!! This blanket should be a smaller blanket, like a lap blanket, so I'd say I'm almost half-way finished. I'm excited to finish this and I know it will be beautiful once finished and will perfectly coordinate our blue/beige couch!! Thanks to Jared Flood for making this version available!!!

Thank you to the ladies at Saybrook Yarn who are so sweet and helpful when ever I shop there!! I went in to buy The Cascade Eco Wool and originally I wanted a chocolaty brown, but they only had one hank left. I stared at two different colors for what must have been an hour. That wasn't working to help me see if I should have the color ordered or use the color they had in stock, so we found a skein of yarn that matched pretty closely to my sofa and compared to the colorways we were staring at. It turns out that the color they had in stock was an even better color, so I excitedly brought it home and cast on!! I was really surprised to find that what looked like charcoal in the store looks dark brown in my living room ... go figure!! It is so important it is to find a great LYS (or multiple LYS's) who are so patient, willing and helpful!!!

I've also been tackling a men's hat, like a Newsboy hat from the 1930's. I should probably say that the hat has been tackling me instead. I am determined to get it done before the spring officially arrives (my poor friend's head has been freezing all winter!!). I will post the pictures when I'm finished, if it's ever finished, not sure if I'm going to post the pattern though ... have to see how much finishing work is involved, it may not be worth passing on.

Alvina Scarf (Free Pattern)

Alvina Scarf
(A Reversible Cable Scarf)

Yarn:
Malabrigo Worsted Weight Merino Yarn (100% Merino Wool; 216 yds/100g) Jacinto #193 colorway, 2 skeins.

Needles:
-US 9 Circular (A very long circular will work best)
-Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Gauge:
4 sts/7 rows = 1" in Stockinette Stitch. (If gauge is slightly off, no problem.)

Size:
One size fits all. Scarf measures approx. 4.5"W x 6' H.

Note:
To make a smooth join between the two skeins, see this tutorial on Felted joins (scroll down page until you can view the video tutorial, very helpful!!).

Cable Stitches:
C8F - Slip 4 stitches onto your cable needle, hold to front of work, K1, P1 (2 times), then K1, P1 (2 times) from the cable needle.
C12F - Slip 6 stitches onto your cable needle, hold to front of work, K1, P1 (3 times), then K1, P1 (3 times) from the cable needle.

Directions:
CO 464 sts.

Rows 1-4: Knit (this will be your garter stitch border).

Row 5 (WS and all other WS rows): K4; *K3; [K1, P1] 4 times; K3; [K1, P1] 6 times, repeat from * 16 more times; K3; [K1, P1] 4 times; K7.

Row 6 (RS): K4; *P3; [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; [K1, P1] 6 times, repeat from * 16 more times; P3; [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; K4.

Row 8: Same as row 6.

Row 10: K4; *P3; C8F; P3; [K1, P1] 6 times, repeat from * 16 more times; P3; C8F; P3; K4.

Row 12: K4; *P3, [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; C12F, repeat from * 16 more times; P3; [K1, P1] 4 times; P3; K4.

Row 14: Same as row 6.
Row 16: Same as row 10.
Row 18: Same as row 6.
Row 20: Same as row 12.
Row 22: Same as row 10.
Rows 24 & 26: Same as row 6.

Rows 27-30: Knit (this will finish off the scarf and leave a nice clean garter stitch border).

BO: *K2tog, place stitch on right needle back onto left needle; repeat from * to end. Leave at least a 6" tail, cut yarn. Weave in ends.


Do not block ... the scarf takes on a very feminine flair unblocked, the cables create twists and ruffles naturally. This is what I think gives the scarf something extra!!

I accept full responsibility for any mistakes in this pattern, so please let me know of any mistakes. You can email me here.

Pattern by Claire Getman, © 2009.

http://clairebearknits.blogspot.com/

All content on this site is the sole property of Claire Getman, unless indicated otherwise, and cannot be reproduced without express written consent. Patterns are restricted to a single copy for personal use only. Any other use must be approved in writing by the author.

Fingerless Wonders

Not that what I have created gives a great representation of these two patterns, but at least they are cozy!!! [That's all that really matters, right?!?!?!]Sorry for these pics, a bit fuzzy, I know I should stop taking my own pictures and let someone else do it, scheduling issues. Oh well! :)

The slightly modified fingerless mitts are made from two different colors of Plymouth Brushed Suri Alpaca (100% Suri Alpaca) from my stash that were left over from a couple of other projects. I had two colors left and wanted to make opposite mitts, I knit them on US 7 dpn needles and modified the original pattern by picking up stitches at the thumbs and extending the knitting there in 1x1 ribbing, and also made them a little longer at the fingers to make mine a little more suitable for our Connecticut winters.....sooo warm and cozy!!! [Perfect to keep warm while knitting.] The free and simple pattern is from knit and tonic, I'm sure I'll use it again and again. [Both were knit in one evening.]

The huge fingerless gloves are for my Bro-in-law who works outside a lot. He requested something to keep his hands warm and dry while he's working, but still have the dexterity...so these fingerless gloves, from Marnie MacLean were a perfect solution. I modified the pattern to the size of my BIL's hands and the yarn gauge I was working with (Cascade 220, charcoal black, 1 skein, on the same US 7 dpn's as for the fingerless mitts). The first one took me forever, trying to tweek the pattern so that it worked with my yarn, et al...but the second one took me no more than a couple of evenings tv time.

I absolutely love knitting patterns like this, because they are functional of course, but also because they are quick knits and there's great satisfaction in having something finished within a night or two!!

I hope you enjoy the links to these two great designers and there equally great, yet simple, patterns.