New fun easy and quick hat

Kind of improvised the first version of this hat. You know cast on a number of stitches that I think will fit my head using some left over sock yarn that I hand spun doubled up. I figured out the math later. The fist version was ok, but I wrote up the pattern quick and figured I would share.

Materials
Size 3 circular needles or double points
Couple hundred? Yards of sport weight or light worsted yarn
Gauge...not real sure.

Cast on 80 stitches using a stretchy cast on. I like long tail. Join making sure not to twist. Insert marker at the beginning of the row. P one round. Start knit one below pattern:
Row1: k1, k1b to end
Row 2: p1b, p1 to end

Here is a link to a pattern...not exactly the same but hopefully it gets you the idea. Instead of using two colors you use one and because it is knit in the round you can't knit both rows, but instead have to purl as stated above.

Continue for 7" ending on a row 2. Begin decrease rows as follows:
Row 1: k1, k1b, k1, S2KP, k1, k1b (10 times)
Row 2: p1b, p1 to end
Row 3: k1, ssk, k1b, k2tog (10 times)
Row 4: p1b, p1, sl1, p1 (10 times)
Row 5: k1, S2KP (10 times)
Row 6: p1b, p1 to end
Row 7: k1, S2KP (5 times)
Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches pull tight.

Stitch abbreviations:
K1b - knit one below
P1b- purl 1 below
Ssk- insert needle as if to k1b, but slip the stitches instead, knit one, transfer slipped stitches over like a regular ssk.
S2KP—slip two tog, knit one, pass two slip stitches over

The basketweave stitch tutorial and free pattern

This can be a little bit difficult of a stitch pattern to understand, and it's even harder to explain, but I'm going to have a go at it... This pattern is basically cabling on both sides of the work without using a cable needle. The front side of the work cables 1 stitch left and the wrong side cables 1 stitch right over two stitches. As far as the terminology, first and second refers to the order of the stitches as they are on the left needle, not the order that new stitches are made.

Row 1: (RS) k1,

*Insert the right needle into the second stitch on the left needle (knitwise), behind the first stitch as shown below. You can go through the front leg of the stitch or the back loop, it really doesn't make a difference on the finished piece, it is easier to go through the back loop.

Make your new stitch, but leave the old stitch on the left hand needle...

Next, insert your right needle into the first stitch on the left needle...

make your new stitch...

Then drop both of the old stitches off of the left needle.

You can see in the picture above that the stitch that was first on the left needle ("first old stitch") has crossed over the stitch that was second in line. * Repeat *-* until 1 stitch remains, k1


Row 2: (WS) p2,


*Insert the right needle into the second stitch (purlwise) in front of the first stitch on the left needle as shown

Make the new stitch and leave the old stitch on the left needle

Insert the right needle in the first stitch on the left needle

make your new stitch...then drop both old stitches off the left needle.If you look on the right side of your work you will see that there is a right leaning stitch just made.* Repeat *-* until there are two stitches left, p2.

Repeat rows 1 and 2!

Free Pattern: Basket weave tutorial swatch coffee cozy

Materials: Worsted weight yarn, I'm guessing here, but I think 50 yards should do it. I used some left over Plymouth Encore wool/acrylic.
Size 7 needles
2 buttons

Gauge: About 4 right leaning stitches per inch in pattern.
Finished size: 3.5 inches wide x 9 inches circumference
Cast on 24 stitches. Work 2 rows in garter stitch.
Work in basket weave pattern until the piece measures 10 inches, BO in following pattern:
*k1, k1tog, rep from *.
Finishing:
Overlap the ends as shown in the photo below, sew together. Add buttons as shown, weave in any loose ends, add to coffee cup!

New Pattern- Basket weave handbag

Call me the bag lady for the next few weeks, I seem to have a desire to use up all of my single skeins and small bags are perfect for that. This week is a very simple little bag, very light and perfect for the hot weather. I saw a scarf in a similar color way of a different Manos yarn and I loved the stitch pattern, but what the heck am I going to do with a wool scarf in Louisiana???? If found the stitch pattern in my big book of knitting and decided to go for a bag instead. Sorry for the awful pic, I promise to get a better one up in the next few days.

Materials- Main color (MC) 1 skein Manos del Uruguay silk blend (150 yds) in 3113
Contrasting color (CC) 1 ball Patons Grace in Ruby
size 8 needles
size G/6 crochet hook

Gauge- who cares it's a purse (but if your a stickler--about 6 st/in in pattern, which is really hard to tell, but count both the right leaning stitch and the left leaning stitch below it)

Finished size- 8"x10"

Cast on 76 st and begin pattern as follows:
Basket weave stitch pattern-- worked over two stitches
Row 1-k1, *with right needle behind the first st, knit into the second stitch, do not drop stitch off of left needle, knit into first stitch and then drop both stitches off of left needle* rep *-* to last stitch, k1
Row 2- p2, *with right needle in front of first st, purl into the second stitch, do not drop stitch off of left needle, purl into first stitch and then drop both stitches off of left needle* rep*-* to last 2 stitches, p2

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 12 inches, BO. Fold in half (hamburger style) and sew side seams. You should have enough yarn left to crochet one or two rounds around the top of the purse; if not, join CC. Single crochet around the top edge evenly in the round (see note below).
Note:
This is about the time I started just going and not paying attention to the fact that I wanted to write this pattern down. To keep even with the stitch pattern, I crocheted into every other BO or CO st, this tightened up the top fairly nice. This means that you should end up with 76 sc.

Handles
If you haven't already, switch to CC.
work 2 round of hdc.
next round: 12 hdc, ch 14, skip 14 hdc, 24 hdc, ch 14, skip 14 hdc, 12 hdc.
next round: 12 hdc, hdc in each ch (14), 24 hdc, hdc in each ch (14), 12 hdc.
work 2 more rounds of hdc, BO.

Finishing- weave in ends and sew in liner if desired.

Abbreviations--
Sc= single crochet
Ch= chain
hdc= half double crochet



See how easy that was?

for the non-crochet-ers, try this top:

Instead of binding off, switch to the cotton yarn. Decrease every stitch, 38 st remain. Work in garter st for 4 rows (2 purl ridges on the front side).
next row: k12, bo 14, k12
next row: k12, co 14, k12 (leaving an opening for the handle but joining to the last 12 stitches) Knit 6 more rows (3 purl ridges on the front side) Bind off.
Pick up 76 stitches from the cast on edge and repeat the above directions.
Sew up side seams, weave in ends.

Next week's bag pattern (hopefully if I don't lose my head before then):

I will pull myself into 2008 and finally knit with Malabrigo, since I am apparently the last knitter on earth to pick some up.

Free Pattern

Okay this will count as my very first pattern. I have it in PDF format if anyone would like it, please let me know and I will email it (I have no idea where or how to upload it so that it can be directly downloaded. I'm not that technical)

Boho Beaded Bag by Robynn Thomas
Needles: size 13 24” circular needles
crochet hook size I/9-5.50 mm
Yarn: 2 skeins Lamb’s Pride Burly Spun in sable
or about 350 yards of worted weight

yarn, 2 strands held together

Notions: Stitch markers
71/2” diameter round purse handles
Assortment of large wooden beads
Gauge: 10 sts = 4 inches in St st

Notes:
Moss Stitch pattern:
Round 1: k1, p1
Round 2: k1, p1
Round 3: p1, k1
Round 4: p1, k1
Repeat rounds 1-4

Pattern:
Cast on 58 stitches, join being careful not to twist.
Place marker to mark beginning of round. Work 29 stitches in stitch pattern, pm, work in stitch pattern to end of round.

Next round (increase round): m1 by p1, k1 into the first st, cont in patt to 1 st before marker, m1, slip marker, m1, cont in patt to 1 st before marker, m1.

Work even for the next 3 rounds

Work these 4 rounds until there are 74 sts.

Work even until piece measures 10”

Divide for top of purse
Next round: k16, BO 5, k32, BO 5, k2, ssk, k to last 4 st, k2tog k2 (30 sts), turn. You will work only these 30 sts for now.
Next row: sl1, p1, p2tog, p to last 4 sts, ssp, p2
Next row: *sl1, k1, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: sl 1, p1, p2tog, p to last 4 sts, ssp, p2*
Rep *-* once more
Next row: *sl1, k1, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2
Next row: sl1, p to end*
Repeat *-* twice more
Work 4 rows in St st, bind off.
Repeat for other side

Finishing
Weave in ends and sew in liner if desired

Attach handles by crocheting on. See tutorial for braided look (check for this in the next week or so).

Make 4 20” lengths of cable cord by cutting 40” of yarn (if using 2 strands of worsted held together, do the same to make the cord) tape or have someone hold one end of the yarn, twist in the same direction the yarn is twisted tightly. Hold the middle of the yarn taught, bring the ends together and then release and let the yarn twist back on itself.
Note:
I-cord works very well for this also, but I recommend using a fingering or sport weight yarn to make the I-cord or it will be too thick to fit through the beads.


Using a crochet hook (and picture for reference, I have crudely outlined the cord to make it more visible) lace cords through the top of the purse and secure to the wrong side. String one bead onto both cords, then three beads onto each cord, make knots to hold beads in place, repeat for other side.

Weave in any remaining ends and enjoy!

© Robynn Thomas 2008All rights reserved