Banff Hats

I'm pretty sweet on the Banff Hat by Tin Can Knits. The simple repeat of the tree pattern is more interesting than knitting a plain hat, but doesn't require so much concentration that you can't knit it while doing something else, like listening to a piano lesson, or watching a peewee basketball game. It's got everything you could want in a pattern, colorwork, a simple chart, and speed.

The Banff is also written for worsted weight yearn. I have a ton of worsted weight yarn. My stash is heavy with single skein colors I bought 100 years ago when I was first experimenting with improvising my own kids' clothes. My goal is to get most of that yarn out of the box and onto the body in the next few months. The Banff Hat is a great way to use smaller quantities of colorful yarn. When I cast on the first one I didn't intend to make three. I've been struggling to commit to a longer term knitting project, and like to keep my hands busy, and my mind focused, so I just kept going. 

Details: This is a simple knit, and with simple projects it's nice to focus on the details. I used a tubular cast-on. It's my very favorite cast-on, and creates a nicely polished edge in 1x1 rib. The pink and green pompoms are made with a 2" pompom tool. They looked a little puny so I used a 4" piece of cardboard for the black hat's pom. 

Size: All 3 hats are the Adult S/M (sized to fit a 21" head). Both kids have 21" heads, mine is 22". The circumference is fine on all of us, the height is just a bit slouchier on the kids. 

Needles: I cast on with 7US straight needles, switching to 7US dpns to knit the brim in the round. The body is knit with 9US 16" circular needles, and when the crown decrease got too small for those I switched to 8US dpns, not in the pattern, but no dire consequences for such a short stretch. This sort of detail bores even me, but if I don't write it down I'll have to re-swatch when I make this again. Nobody wants that.

Yarn: The tree pattern on all 3 hats is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. The green is Forrest Heather, not sure what the pink is, and Black. The main color might be Mink Heather, but it's from a frogged toddler sweater so I can't be sure.

We've already got more hats than heads, more than we can even loose in the bustle of the school commute. These three are off to warm the heads of dear ones, and I'm looking for something new to put on the needles. Cables perhaps...

Pattern: Banff Hat from Tin Can Knits for Tolt Yarn & Wool 

Yarn: Wool of the Andes from Knit Picks

Cast On and Brim Needle: 7 US

Body Needle: 9 US 16" circular (link to my favorite)

Crown DPN:  8 US (because I didn't have size 9)

On Ravelry

NEW! Passing Showers Tee Knitting Pattern

The Passing Showers Tee is the newest pattern from Wholecloth Patterns (formerly SweetKM). It is inspired by a quick summer down pour, on a hot summer day. It’s the sort of top you can throw on as you leave the beach, or when the chill of the evening brings an end to a day in the sun.

I love a summer sweater, possibly because they are easy to wear, definitely because they are easy to knit. The Passing Showers Tee has evolved from earlier SweetKM designs that I have made repeatedly for my daughter over the years. It is a relaxed cotton blend pullover with decorative ribbing at the hem and shoulders, dolman sleeves, boat neck, and split hem. Summer knitting should be fast and light, the sort of thing you can pick up for a road trip, or a day by the lake. The very simple construction makes this the perfect take-along project for a road trip, the beach, or a baseball game. It uses a relatively small amount of yarn, making it a great showcase for a special fiber.

This sample is knit with the delicious O-Wool Balance in Opal. This yarn has a low resiliancy which is perfect for the decorative ribbing, and a subtle texture that matches the relaxed styling of the sweater. The wool and cotton blend, and beautiful color palette make it ideal for summer garments.

Check out the #passingshowerstee on Instagram to see yarn inspiration for tester sweaters.

Construction: Knit flat in one piece with a neck opening in the middle. Joined at side seams.

Skills: Knit, purl, yarn over.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows in 4in (10cm) in stockinette after blocking. Be sure to make a gauge swatch for the best fit.

Needles: US size 7 / 4.5mm straight needles or size needed to achieve gauge.

Yarn: O-Wool Balance Worsted (50% merino wool 50% cotton, 130yds/50g hank) 2(3, 3, 4, 5) hanks or 250(305, 370, 457, 540)yds comparable worsted weight yarn.

Notions: Tapestry needle

Size: 2T(3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10)child

Finished Chest: 24(26 ½, 29, 30 ½, 32 ½)in/  61(67.5, 73.5, 77.5, 82.5)cm

To Fit Chest Measuring: 21(23, 25, 26 ½, 28)in / 53(58.5, 63.5, 67, 71)cm

Finished Length (front): 12 ½ (13 ¾, 15 ¼, 16 ¼, 18 ¼)in/  32(35.5, 39, 41, 46.5)cm

Get you copy on:

ETSY

Cocoon Dress No. 2

Cocoon dress no. 2. I had more ambitious plans for this fabric, my sewing time, and December in general. This dress is so easy it kind of made itself, and I just let it happen. L wears her quilted heart version all the time. It is a sweatshirt, it is a dress, it is an effortless outfit all in one simple piece. In December when holidays and everything associated with them  just sort of suck you in, it is good to keep something simple. This dress is simple.

I wish I could remember where I got this fabric. It is probably from a local discount store, but I'm not sure. It is a cotton french terry. It's my first time sewing with french terry and it is much more delicate than sweatshirt fleece, but seems a bit nicer to wear. I went with the same long sleeve and banded neck modifications as last time. I will certainly make this pattern as directed at some point, but I am happy with this snugger version for now. It's made even snugger by L's instance on wearing her heartwarmer (and sometimes all 3 of them at once) as a scarf like a big kid. I promise you it was not that cold on the day we took these photos, but a little extra hand knit never hurt anyone.

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Credits:

Dress Pattern: Cocoon Dress by Groovy Baby and Mama

Dress Fabric: Cotton French Terry

Dress Accent: Jersey Knit

Scarf Pattern: Bless Your Heartwarmer by SweetKM

Scarf Yarn: Creative Focus in Lavender Heather by Rowan Yarn

Kid's Seed Stitch Cowl

Don't let my knitting silence fool you, I knit my way through this season of House of Cards in one week, I'm just a little behind with photos. I've been testing proportions for a kids seed stitch cowl. The one above was intended for adults, but I love the size for a kid, too. 

Aqua and Navy are in the shop. Pink to follow shortly. 

Boy's Winter Hat and Mittens

This year's hat and mittens for J have been a long time coming. I finished the hat so long ago I can't remember when he started wearing it. The mittens are hot off the needles. Yesterday, while walking home from coffee I realized J was wearing a picture worthy outfit, so we hurried home to document my triumph over procrastination.
The body color is  Paton's Classic Wool in Dark Gray Marl, that I impulse bought at A.C. Moore. The blue is also Paton's Classic Wool (Royal Blue, maybe?) from a  few years ago, and the green is from my Wool of the Andes stash (Grass, I think). I fully intended to keep it simple this time around, and knit matching hat and mittens in solid Marl, for the understated sophistication befitting of an almost 7 year old. But somehow a few bright colors found their way onto the needles (as usual!).

Both patterns are my own, and an expansion on the basics. The mittens are a soon to be added size for the Simple Ribbed Mitten pattern.

Color Pop Hat and Mittens

Sometimes I buy a yarn because I love it, and I want to caress it, and gaze at it, and hold it close to my heart forever. This, is that kind of yarn. I have been hoarding this mottled ball of perfection for just the right moment. Its super soft and warm, and the single ply gives it a little halo of snuggly softness. But, its time to stop being stingy. Winter is well upon my corner of the world, and this yarn is perfect for a 14 degree wait for the school bus. 

Both hat and mittens have a rolled edge and a pop of color, the minimal shaping lets the color and texture of the yarn speak for itself. L will be wearing this set at the bus stop tomorrow morning. Get your HAT and MITTENS at SweetKM.

Simple styling, toasty wool, the next polar vortex doesn't stand a chance. 

Bright Red Bonnet

Meet my new favorite big kid pixie bonnet: Bright Red. I admit I had the holidays in mind then I made this, and it will be just perfect for Christmas, but we will be wearing ours all winter long. After all February in Philadelphia could use a pop of color just as much as December.

To further extoll the virtues of this pixie bonnet style:
     1. Two layers of worsted weight knit around the ears. Super Warm!
     2. Ties at the chin for a snug fit. Stays put!
     3. Comes in sizes up to children's size 10. Bring on the big kids!

The Bright Red Bonnet is now available, along with our full line of big kid color choices.

Beachcomber Sweater

The Beachcomber Sweater is sized and ready for summer knitting and vacation wearing. With the end of school creeping up behind me, I managed to get the head spinning calculations out of the way before the official start of summer.

This dolman sleeve sweater wears like a t-shirt, and is constructed as one piece for easy finishing. Knit in bulky weight, Billow from Knit Picks, which I whole heartedly recommend that you try. The variation in strand width makes a subtle, casual, texture. The all cotton yarn is just as light as its name. The only problem: it is NEVER in stock! I am waiting patiently for more Comfey, which I am told will be restocked near the end of June. Until then, I have my eye on another Beachcomber Sweater in Clarity, or perhaps Cornmeal. I would be happy to hear of any bulky cotton yarns you love.

The Details:
US Size 11, 24" Circular Needles
14 Stitches and 19 Rows in 4"
Sizes 2T-10

BUY IT NOW!

Listed : Big Kid Pixie Bonnet

My pixie bonnet pattern has grown with my kids, and this is the logical next step. I replaced the chin strap with strings for little ones who want to dress them selves. This version has a double thickness of worsted weight yarn to keep tender ears extra warm on the recent 20 degree days. 

Finished versions, in colors perfect for a March Easter, are available in the shop.

Purple Heartwarmer

What can I say L is partial to purple. While I love more neutral knitting, she chose this heather purple, with tiny hints of pink and white, for the latest version of the Bless Your Heartwarmer. I'm not in love with this yarn's workability, but am reasonably happy with the finished result. I finished this one with a button loop at one of the ends and a vintage button at the other, anchored with a felt heart.

Yarn: Rowan Creative Focus in Lavender Heather
Pattern: My Own

Works as a mommy scarf, too.

Now that L has a heartwarmer she adores, we're listing the Bless Your Heartwarmer in the shop!