Knit Free Pattern - I'm Topsy Turvy

stripped skull baby beanie

June 4, 2012 by Ashlee · 9 Comments

I started this sweet hat for Baby Boy in December after I came across this cover of Baby Talk! I loved it, but it used two new techniques I hadn’t worked with before. Remember I’m still a really new knitter! But I love learning knew things and I was dying to make my own version of this hat!

Intarsia and Intarsia in the round. This hat ended up being very VERY difficult, I ended up taking it apart at least a dozen times, starting over, but wanting to get it right, eventually it turned into January and I got super busy, so the hat got moved off to the side for awhile. Last month when I finally finished all my conferences and cake orders I sat down and finished it!

IT WAS TOO SMALL!!!! Shoot me now. If I’d just stopped and added a few rows it would still have been a bit tight, but so much better! Oh well, I’m planning a slightly different version for this fall/winter (I’ve already started it) that includes another new technique- ear flaps!

Intarsia in the round- basic instructions

you’ll knit back and forth as you would with flat knitting, but you’ll be making a join at the turn so you’re still working in the round. It definitely takes some getting used to but it’s really quite simple.

Work the last stitch of the round

Turn your work, so you’re now on the “other” side (inside or out, depending on your last row)

Make a yo (on what would be the “next” needle, the right if your right handed) and continue your row. When you get to the end of the next round k2tog (or p2tog) the final stitch and the YO together, this will create the join!

Stripped Skull Baby Beanie
size 3-6 months
INTERMEDIATE knitters only

Materials:
Medium weight Yarn in White and two other colors (I like to use Lion Brand yarns and baby soft so it won’t irritate his head)
size 4 double pointed needles (I use a long needle for the cast on)

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl
k2tog- Knit two together (decrease)
ssk- slip one knitwise, slip another knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit (decrease)

Gauge:
12 stitches per 2 inches

Cast on: 98
I prefer to use the long tail cast on for hats, it leaves a clean and flexible edge.

divide stitches evenly onto double pointed needles and join

rows 1-5- a simple rib pattern: k2, p2 around in red
rows 6-8- simple rib pattern: k2, p2 around in black

Because the skull pattern is odd number (because I wanted the one stitch nose hole) AND because I wanted my decreases centered I added an extra stitch to the center, so in row 9 add an extra stitch!

Also because we’re having an odd number of decreases with this hat (7) and didn’t want a decrease in the center of my skull I offset the pattern by 7 stitches, so this intarsia block starts at stitch 29, so your first white is at stitch 32

row 9-34 work this intarsia pattern, remembering to switch background color every 5 rows

I started my decreases at row 32, but since it was a little small on baby boy I wish I’d started at row 37 instead~ So depending on your baby make your own decision on that!

Crown:
row 1(32)- k4, k2tog, ssk, k5 around (so there will be k10 in between the decreases)
row 2- k around
row 3- k3, k2tog, ssk, k4 around (now k8 between the decreases)
row 4- k around
row 5- k2, k2tog, ssk, k3 around (now k6 between the decreases)
row 6- k around
row 7- k1, k2tog, ssk, k2 around (now k4 between the decreases)
row 8- k around
row 9- k2tog, ssk, k1 around (now k2 between the decreases
row 10- k around
row 11- k2tog, ssk

cut the yarn with several inches left. With a needle pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.

And your done! I’m making a new version for next fall/winter for Baby Boy right now, I’m sticking with the stripes, but wider, and the colors, but I’m adding ear flaps and of course making it BIGGER!!!!!

Filed Under: Crafts, knit, Knit Free Pattern · Tagged With: yarn

knit cable scarf pattern

March 8, 2012 by Ashlee · 19 Comments

When I decided to learn to knit 2 years ago the first image I was inspired by was this gorgeous cable scarf! The blog I first saw it on has since dissapeared, but it’s a popular pattern and you can see it on a ton of different blog. You guys know me though, I don’t want to buy the book that the pattern is in so I decided to try to recreate the pattern myself.

I actually finished this scarf over a year ago, but I wasn’t confident in my pattern writing skills back then. But now I’m feeling more confident and I finally decided to share it with you guys.

The one thing I have to say is this. Mine scarf is one sided. The actual pattern in the book is 2 sided, softer and I like their strange ripple effect to the braid more than mine. I’m super happy with my scarf, but I’m still in love with the actual scarf and I’m going to break down and buy the pattern and make myself another scarf!

knit cable scarf

Materials:
Medium weight yarn
size 8 needles

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl

Gauge:
8 stitches per 2 inches

cast on 58 (I like the long tail cast on)

row 1- p3, *k2, p3* across
row 2- k3, *p2, k3* across
rows 3-5- repeat rows 1 and 2

row 6 (cable row 1) *slip 5 stitches onto a cable hook and hold in the FRONT, k3,

slip the 2 purl stitches back on the needle and p2,

slip the last three knit stitches back on the needle and k3,

p2, k3*, p2. Repeat the cable pattern 3 more times, with a p2 between each time

row 7-11 repeat rows 1 and 2

row 12 (cable row 2) *k3, p2,

slip 5 stitches onto a cable hoop,and hold in the BACK, k3,

slip the 2 purl stitches back on the needle and p2,

slip the last three knit stitches back on the needle and k3*, p2. Repeat the cable pattern 3 more times, with a p2 between each time

repeats rows 1-12 until you reach the desired length of your scarf, ending with a row 5~

I showed just one set of braids for the tutorial to help with the cable tutorial, but the scarf itself is 4 braids across, with p2 between each braid! I think if I was to do it again I’d do just 3 braids for a narrower scarf and go longer???

knit cable scarf

Materials:
Medium weight yarn
size 8 needles

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl

Gauge:
8 stitches per 2 inches

cast on 58 (I like the long tail cast on)
row 1- p3, *k2, p3* across
row 2- k3, *p2, k3* across
rows 3-5- repeat rows 1 and 2

row 6 (cable row 1) *slip 5 stitches onto a cable hook and hold in the FRONT, k3,
slip the 2 purl stitches back on the needle and p2,
slip the last three knit stitches back on the needle and k3,
p2, k3*, p2. Repeat the cable pattern 3 more times, with a p2 between each time

row 7-11 repeat rows 1 and 2

row 12 (cable row 2) *k3, p2,
slip 5 stitches onto a cable hoop,and hold in the BACK, k3,
slip the 2 purl stitches back on the needle and p2,
slip the last three knit stitches back on the needle and k3*, p2. Repeat the cable pattern 3 more times, with a p2 between each time

repeats rows 1-12 until you reach the desired length of your scarf, ending with a row 5~

Filed Under: Craft Tutorial, Crafts, knit, Knit Free Pattern · Tagged With: tutorial, yarn

Knit Reindeer Beanie

January 9, 2012 by Ashlee · 61 Comments

I have been on quite the yarn kick lately. I have been loving both crocheting and knitting again, and especially hats. After our pumpkin beanie and then the Turkey leg Thanksgiving hat I had to come up with something for winter! I actually finished this just a few days AFTER Christmas, bummer, but I did make the hat bigger so MAYBE he’ll fit it next year (or my sisters new baby will?!?!). I’m thinking about adding big round eyes and a big red nose if it fits anyone next Christmas.

But for now it’s a cute winter hat, esp since he spends most of his time in the Moby wrap and his head is the only thing people ever really see! And could be be any cuter? I can’t BELIEVE he’s 3 months old already, the time goes WAY to fast for my liking.

Baby Beanie

Materials:
Baby soft yarn- brown for this hat (I like Caron Simply soft)
size 6 double pointed needles (I use a long needle for the cast on)

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl
k2tog- Knit two together (decrease)
ssk- slip one knitwise, slip another knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit (decrease)

Gauge:
10 stitches per 2 inches

Cast on: 72 (6 months- 84, 12 months- 96, toddler- 108)
I prefer to use the long tail cast on for hats, it leaves a clean and flexible edge.

divide stitches evenly onto double pointed needles and join

First 8 rows a simple rib pattern: k2, p2 around

knit around until the hat is as tall as you want it. I stopped mine at 4 3/4 inches and it’s a tad bit too long, I wish I’d stopped at 4 1/4 or 4 1/2. But some basic size estimates is newborn- 4.5″, 6 months- 5.5″, 12 months- 6″ and toddler- 6.5 inches

now to start decreasing for the crowns, the k2tog then ssk creates nice even lines up to the crown instead of having your decreases curve around your beanie. It’s a bit trickier, but totally worth it in the end in my opinion.

Crown:
row 1- k4, k2tog, ssk, k4 around (so there will be k8 in between the decreases)
row 2- k around
row 3- k3, k2tog, ssk, k3 around (now k6 between the decreases)
row 4- k around
row 5- k2, k2tog, ssk, k2 around
row 6- k around
row 7- k1, k2tog, ssk, k1 around
row 8- k around
row 9- k2tog, ssk
cut the yarn with several inches left. With a needle pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.

And the beanie is done! A great base for any baby hat!

For the antlers you have two choices, using double pointed needles you can make them separately and attach them later or, like me, knit them directly onto the hat! Pick where you want your antlers (mine centered on each side, 4 rows down from the center- in hindsight I WISH I’d done my antlers more forward from the center) and slide 4 needles through 3 stitches on each side creating a square. We want to start with 12 stitches. Stuff it as you go.

Materials:
baby soft yarn- tan (caron simply soft)
size 4 double pointed needles
filling

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl
k2tog- Knit two together (decrease)
ssk- slip one knitwise, slip another knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit (decrease)
kfb- knit front and back (increase)

Rows 1-9- k around (12 stitches) starting on the right side, then the bottom, then the left side, and finally the top
row 10- k9, kfb, k1, kfb (14)
row 11- k around
row 12- k3, kfb, k1, kfb, k3, kfb, k3, kfb (18)
row 13- k around
row 14- k11, kfb, k5, kfb (20)
row 15- k12, cast on 2 skip 7, k1 (15- with 7 left on a separate needle for later) (don’t forget to stuff as you go)
row 16- k3, kfb, k3, kfb, k7 (17)
row 17- k around
row 18- ssk, k9, k2tog, k4 (15)
row 19- knit around
row 20- ssk, k7, k2tog, k4 (13)
rows 21-23- k around
row 24- k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k6 (11)
row 25- k around
row 26- k2tog, k3, ssk, k4 (9)
cut the yarn with several inches left. With a needle pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end (remember the stuffing).

going back to the skipped 7, add the cast on 2 stitches for a total of 9 and spread out evenly over 3 double pointed needles.
rows 1-4- k around (9)
row 5- k2, ssk, k1, k2tog, k2 (7)
cut the yarn with several inches left. With a needle pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end (don’t forget to stuff).

I had some wide holes where I knit the first row, so when I was done I took some extra yarn and sewed it a bit, tightening up the gaps, you can’t even see the gaps anymore!

I did the same thing here that I did for the antlers, knit right onto the hat. I slipped one of the double pointed needles right into the hat. I started my ears 4 rows below the antlers

Ear

Materials:
baby soft yarn- brown (caron simply soft)
size 4 needles (I just used the double pointed ones I was already using)

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl
p2tog- purl two together (decrease)
k2tog- Knit two together (decrease)
ssk- slip one knitwise, slip another knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit (decrease)
pfb- purl front and back (increase)

slip needle into 6 stitches of a column on the beanie wherever you want the ears

row 1- k6
row 2- p2, k2, p2
row 3- k2, pfb, pfb, k2
row 4- p2, k4, p2
row 5- k2, pfb, p2, pfb, k2
row 6- p2, k6, p2
row 7- k2, p6, k2
row 8- p2, k6, p2
row 9- k2, p2tog, p2, p2tog, k2
row 10- p2, k4, p2
row 11- k2, p2tog, p2tog, k2
row 12- p2, k2, p2
row 13- k1, ssk, k2tog, k1
row 14- p4
row 15, ssk, k2tog, binding off as you go
Weave in ends

And it’s done!!! I love it! I’m sure there are better ways to create this, and I’m still a newbie, but I’m so tickled it turned out so well!

And here you can see what I was talking about earlier on the crown of the beanie. The k2tog, ssk creates these beautiful and straight ribbed lines instead of a curved line from using just k2tog each round. It’s personal preference, but this totally fits my style!

And one last picture, I can’t help it. I just love this sweet little boy so so SO much! He’s getting to be so big and so fun. He laughs now, and his smile melts every part of my being. He’s found his thumb, and finds it often, but I can’t seem to get a picture of it yet! He’s still an amazing baby, so happy all the time, rarely upset, very easy going and he makes all our lives better! I’m so glad he’s a part of our family!

Baby Beanie

Materials:
Baby soft yarn- brown for this hat (I like Caron Simply soft)
size 6 double pointed needles (I use a long needle for the cast on)

Abbreviations:
k- Knit
p- Purl
k2tog- Knit two together (decrease)
ssk- slip one knitwise, slip another knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit (decrease)

Gauge:
10 stitches per 2 inches

Cast on: 72 (6 months- 84, 12 months- 96, toddler- 108)
I prefer to use the long tail cast on for hats, it leaves a clean and flexible edge.

divide stitches evenly onto double pointed needles and join

First 8 rows a simple rib pattern: k2, p2 around

Antlers

Materials:
baby soft yarn- tan (caron simply soft)
size 4 double pointed needles
filling

I had some wide holes where I knit the first row, so when I was done I took some extra yarn and sewed it a bit, tightening up the gaps, you can’t even see the gaps anymore!

Ear

Materials:
baby soft yarn- brown (caron simply soft)
size 4 needles (I just used the double pointed ones I was already using)

slip needle into 6 stitches of a column on the beanie wherever you want the ears

I did the same thing here that I did for the antlers, knit right onto the hat. I slipped one of the double pointed needles right into the hat. I started my ears 4 rows below the antlers

Filed Under: baby, christmas, Craft Tutorial, Crafts, Holidays, kids, knit, Knit Free Pattern · Tagged With: yarn

Knit Finger-stache tutorial

December 15, 2011 by Ashlee · 19 Comments

So I totally fell in LOVE with these finger-staches from Megan Death. Her pattern was SO cute, I didn’t change much, mostly the cast on and bind off’s as well as a smaller version for my little girl. (forgive my non-make up day- this is real life for me, I only wear make up for GNO’s, date nights and pictures for the blog! Thinking I should at least wear mascara every day!)

I decided to try my hand at the provisional cast on! I love learning new techniques.

Material:
worsted weight yarn- two colors- I used cream and brown)
J- hook 5.5 mm
size 7 needles (three of them)
with scrap yarn and your crochet hook chain 19. Add a knot to the starting tail.

skip first chain, weave knitting needle through back loops of the next 17 ch, skip last chain

row 1- knit main color into the crochet chain

you should have 17 knit stitches on your hook

row 2- purl across
row 3- knit across
row 4-8 repeat rows 2 and 3

The moustache pattern
(rows 9-12 chart can be found here if you work better that way)
row 9- (cream) knit 3, change color (brown) knit 4, (cream) knit 3, (brown) knit 4, (cream) knit 3
row 10- (cream) purl 2, (brown) purl 6, (cream) purl 1, (brown) purl 6, (cream) purl 2
row 11- (cream) knit 1, (brown) knit 1, (cream) knit 2, (brown) knit 9,(cream) knit 2, (brown) knit 1, (cream) knit 1
row 12- (cream) purl 5, (brown) purl 3,(cream) purl 1, (brown) purl 3, (cream) purl 5

cut the brown and weave in the two ends
row 13- knit across
row 14- purl across
rows 15- 20 repeat rows 13 and 14

now we’re going to work on our first edge, the provisional edge. Remember the knot we did at the starting side of the crochet chain? Start at the OTHER end and take out the knot.

slowly pull out the chain, while doing that weave another knitting needle into the loops that are left when you pull the chain out.

now your piece is on 2 needles, both needles should have 17 loops

Now for the 3-needle bind-off. Place the 2 needles together, right sides together! Stick the third needle into both the front and back needles like your going to knit them. Which is exactly what we’re going to do, knit! YO the third needle and pull back through both of the hooks. Pull the two loops off the two hooks. Now you have one loop from our new “row” on the third hook an 16 loops on each of the other two hooks.

keep going all the way across. Here we’re halfway done and you can see how it’s coming together!

finish off and weave in ends.

Turn right side out, place on finger and enjoy!!!

I made a few smaller versions. I still don’t have one I’m in love with. This teeny one I started with only 15 loops and so took off the first and last loop of each row in the pattern. I also only did 5 rows before and after the mustache pattern.