Hats In The Round.

 Although life has been a little crazy I have continued with my knitting and crochet it was the only thing that has kept me sane I can tell you, what would we do without it, there's something so familiar and comforting about picking up a crochet hook or a pair of knitting needles and creating something new,  I have to be honest though it has had to be simple my poor overtired brain would not cope with anything complicated.  

I don't know how many hats I've made over the past few months but making each one has been a pleasure so easy and so quick. I have made hats for all age groups male and female and I have sourced and found some great hat patterns along the way, all free and available for us all to use and I want to show and share.

I loved this pattern because it makes a great hat, the possibilities are endless and it's a good way to use up scrap yarn, trying to work out the different stripe combinations is fun too.

It's knitted in the round and I used the magic loop which is still quite a new technique for me, here in the UK we tend to use straight needles for almost everything.  

Earlier in the year I joined an already established knitting group in my new town to be, I find joining new groups quite daunting especially when everyone knows each other almost from childhood and strong bonds of friendship have already been formed.  So there I sat amongst these women with my circulars, they were all without exception knitting with straight needles, I got some very curious glances I could see them staring at the needles wondering why I was using these strange contraptions, some of them made remarks like oh I couldn't be bothered with those give me straight needles any day while another started laughing and said all that tugging and pulling whats the point.  

It saddened me really I thought what a shame that these women aren't open to new idea's and maybe even learning a new technique, but when I offered to show them how to do the magic loop no one was interested.  Perhaps it was a case of who does she think she is the new girl trying to teach us new tricks 😄 who knows maybe once they get to know me better it will be different.

Knitting in the round still poses some challenges for me especially when changing colour and avoiding the step effect, I found some great tutorials online here is the one which I found most helpful.

This was my first effort

My second attempt was better

I will be using this pattern again and I can highly recommend it.  I made the second size and it took 35 grams of Dk yarn you can find the pattern here.

These hats will be going to Muddy Footprint.

See the great parties I will be linking up with over in my right side-bar

Have a great week. 😊

A Little Hat Collection

It feels great to actually finish something, I seem to have lots of long term projects on the go so making something small like a hat can give you a quick fix...at least the crochet ones do for me the knitting takes a little longer.

It feels good to make hats again and I really enjoyed making these.  I'm sure that most of you are aware that Taci is needing hats to take to Brazil when she goes in July if not you can read all about it here  I have made these to send to her.  This little hat and cute flower pattern was designed by Teresa Kasner and you can find the pattern here on her blog.

I have made lots of these in the past and always enjoy making them I think this pattern makes a great little boys hat there are lots of pretty little girl hats so it's great to have one for the boys for a change designed by Julia you can find it here.

Then out came the knitting needles I thought I will make a few knitted hats too and this one hat took me longer to make than the previous four did.  I must be a very slow knitter because there is absolutely nothing wrong with the pattern and I did enjoy making it I'm just very impatient. I think that knitted hats give a far better fit than crochet ones they are more stretchy and tend to stay put.  This little hat was designed by Marianna and you can find the pattern here.

I do enjoy making hats and they are needed by so many charities so I will be making more, in fact I have just spied some new hat patterns I really must try I will show you when my next little collection is ready.

Another great advantage of making hats is you don't need too much yarn so they are great for using up all those little bits of stash.


Hope you're all having a great week :)




 

Easter Chick Pattern in Knit and Crochet

It's not too late to make some of these cute little chicks for Easter, we are making them at work to raise funds for the Day Unit.  It's surprising how popular these little chicks are, we are struggling to keep up with demand as the ladies and gents who attend the unit are wanting them for their grandchildren.

With this in mind I wanted a nice easy pattern, something that will work up in no time and yet still look effective.  I know there are lots of Easter Chick patterns out there but this is how I made mine.

There are knitted and crochet versions although crochet chains are used to finish off the knitted chick.
(New crocheters my find this link helpful)

NB...
I have added a smaller version both in crochet and knit to accommodate the now smaller cream eggs, although the large version is still workable by just sewing a tiny seam along two stitches at the opening. 

Crochet Easter Chick

Made to cover a chocolate cream egg but would look good as an egg cosy too.

English Crochet Terms

htr = half treble  ( US hdc = half double crochet)

You will need
Double knitting yarn in any colour you wish.
3.50 mm hook for body
3.00 mm hook for trims

For a smaller chick Chain 20, htr in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain to end = 18 htr.
 increase one st at each end of rows 2-6 = 28 htr. For the head join yarn to the 10th htr, continue as above. 

**Tail feathers (Optional)
You can have fun with these, make them look outrageous kids will love them.

Head Feathers and Beak
change to 3.00 mm hook

work two French knots at each side of the head for eyes. 

Stuff the head with a little cotton wool or fibre fill, to complete put a cream egg inside the chick. 

Knitted version

 Smaller version now available to accommodate the now smaller creme eggs, larger version in brackets. 
Double Knitting yarn
4.00 mm knitting needles
3.50 mm for smaller version.

Cast on 30(32) sts and work 6 rows in rib.
garter stitch until you have 6 ridges of garter stitch on right side then cast off 10 (11)sts, knit to end.
Cast off 10 (11)sts knit  to end.
Work on these 10 sts until you have 4 (6) ridges for the head.
Finish chick as for crochet chick from **

So which do you prefer

Crochet or knit

or perhaps.....

a few of each.



find a print friendly version of pattern here

Cute Little baby Cape

Pammy Sue stumbled upon this little cape and went in search of the pattern, there was no pattern to be found but just by chance she found a Japanese chart for it.  Now I do like charts and usually I find them easier to follow than long drawn out crochet instructions. 

When I saw the chart I thought to myself I will never be able to follow this...the instructions are in Japanese! but the clever Pammy Sue managed to decipher it in no time and pass the how to on to me, so it's thanks to her that I was able to make this little cape.

Because I wasn't sure how it would turn out I just used an acrylic yarn I had in my stash.  I found that once I got started, following the chart was very easy and it works up in no time, however it didn't block so well, I really think that blocking acrylic is a waste of time. 

I think it's a very versatile cape and could be made in pretty colours for a sporty effect, It will be ideal to wear over a sleeveless dress in the spring or summer to keep little arms warm, or made with a beautiful yarn in ivory, cream or white it could be used as a exquisite Christening cape.

It is described as a baby cape but it is very easy to make it any size you like.  I made mine smaller than the chart beginning with an 83 chain instead of 101.  I'm sure it would fit a baby from 3 months up to 18 months.  I do wish I had a little model to try it on :)


Stats 
Made with Double Knit yarn and a 4.00 mm hook. 
It took 80 gram.
Measurements
length - 27cms 
width around the neck - 45 cm
width around the bottom - 103 cm

If you haven't seen it already you can see Pammy Sue's amazing version here .

It appears that the chart for this little cape is no longer available but I have a copy if anyone would like it please just email me with your email address.

Linking with 

Questions Answered , A Child's Cardigan and an Award.

I just want to say hello and welcome to both old and new friends who have joined in with Stash-busting for Stashaholics.  It's lovely to see all your beautiful projects taking their place in the link up...please keep them coming I can see that we are off to a great start.

I have had a few questions about the challenge and though I have answered all by email it seems that some are not getting through so I will answer them here and add this to the introduction so that it can be seen by everyone.

Is it too late to join in ?
No it is never too late, the challenge to bust the stash is on-going and not confined to this year only.
I can't see my name listed.
I am not listing names because there are so many of you, the official sign up is in the comments section here and any blogs that are taking part can be found in my right side bar, you can recognise any blogs that are taking part because they will have the Stash-busting for Stashaholics buttons displayed in their side bar.
Can I still join in even if I don't have a blog?
Yes of course you can, for those who don't have a blog......

1.  May I suggest that you follow me by email top right then you will receive all of my posts and won't miss out on any updates.  
2. You can still link your projects to the link party even if you don't have a blog, just use the new link method.  
3. If you would like to weigh your projects and give me the total weight in grams each month I will add your name to the totals section here, which I will be updating very soon.

Please let me know if there are any more questions.

Fun Time Cardigan

This little jacket was another one of the things I made and sent to the the Syrian refugees back in November.  

You know how I like quick and easy well this little jacket was certainly that.

A very easy pattern to follow and you can find it in a number of sizes too.

I was in a bit of a hurry to get this finished, if there had been a bit more time I would have embellished it with something cute, but the main thing is it will keep a little child snug and warm, I'm hoping it's doing just that right now. :)

Find the pattern here

This what I love about stash-busting when you see the results.

Out of this stash of Aran yarn here....

I managed to make all of these 

Now that's what I call a result

almost 1600 grams of yarn busted (I still have some little balls)

and was added to last years totals.

So what's next?

I'm rippling!

and finally thank you so much Susana from The Blue Window for awarding me with the Versatile blogger award

 I'm very honoured to receive it.

Something For the Weekend

Thank you for all the lovely comments about my Baktus scarf, I did enjoy reading them! and the scarf making goes on so more to share on that subject later.

Now I know we have had side to side mitts and they were fun to make, this time it's the turn of the sock.

Side to Side Crochet Socks.

This time in crochet and so quick and easy.

They can be made as fun gifts in bright colours, ideal as slouch socks, nice and cosy to wear while snuggled up watching the TV or warn inside of boots to keep little feet warm in the cold winter months.

It's very easy to adjust the size just by changing the yarn and hook sizes.
They take around 50 grams of yarn and you can find the pattern here
Great stash-busters too. :)

Have a great weekend and keep warm! 

Side to Side Mittens

Cute Knitted side to side mittens a little different from the ordinary. When I see something different I want to try it especially when I want to make a few of the same.  

They don't take too much yarn either so they are great for using up your little bits of stash.

Made in one piece and then folded, and sewn up the sides

The pattern comes in two sizes but by adjusting the yarn thickness and the needle size you can easily make them smaller or larger.  It takes me 2 hours to make a pair. 

25 grams DK yarn

 I don't know about you but when it comes to things that come in pairs I enjoy doing the first one but find the second one a bit of a drag and usually leave it to do later and sometimes that later just never seems to arrive.  Easy solution really just make them both together, it takes a bit longer but it's great to have both of them finished at once so it's worth that little bit of extra time.

55 grams Aran yarn

Things to note, nearly every row is different because there is a lot of  clever shaping going on, which means that there is a bit of concentration needed, also because of the shaping, adding other colours is difficult therefore it's a good pattern for variegated yarns.

This is a very clever pattern and it results in a rather lovely pair of mittens I think.

Find the pattern here

linking to

my stash-busting is coming on a treat this month. remember this....

well this is what it's looking like now :)

Rainbow Babies

It so long since I made any toys I had forgotten just how much work was involved in the making of them.

These cute little dolls took me ages to make because there are so many parts to them.  Luckily the legs, head and body are just one piece. Then two arms, a hat and a scarf, simple! nothing to it you may say and yes knitting the little pieces is simple enough but then..... you have to assemble, sew, stuff, and sew again, not mention the embroidering of the features, not something I am very good at, it usually involves me pulling out and trying again and again.

So why put myself through this you might ask? well it's for a very good cause, one of the members of Loving Hands has had an appeal from her contact in Gambia who has stressed how much the children would love knitted toys. 

Please don't let my ramblings put you off if you would like to make some too, the pattern is incredibly easy and almost fool proof, it tells you exactly where and how to sew on on all the little bits and pieces.

You must admit they are incredibly sweet but I have to say I do think that four is my limit.

   
 Wouldn't it be lovely for each child to have a toy :)

If you would like to make some too please email me and I will give you a UK address  where you can send them.

You can find the pattern here

These cute little babies took 20 grams of yarn each (before stuffing) 

made from my... what's left in the bag stash

                                                                                     the bag is almost empty!