j.erin knits

     When I created the avaElongated Scarf a few weeks ago I immediately started making plans for a companion hat. This stitch pattern is elegant and easy to work up so it is a total win. In fact, the pattern would be a perfect way for new knitter's to venture into the world of eyelet/lace patterns. The avaElongated Hat has a beautiful seed stitch brim and a slight medium slouch. I will be creating beanie and tam versions of this hat some time in the future.

by turkey, sweet potatoes and all the usual Thanksgiving treats! I thought, for some crazy reason, that I would be able to finish this week's pattern and get it up while also cooking dinner with my mom. I was completely wrong. Dinner went off without a hitch but the pattern got neglected. Sorry all! I am going to finish up the pattern tonight, though. It should be up by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. It's still 'this week' so I have decided to cut myself some slack on this one. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving and good luck to those of you braving the crowds on black friday!

    I decided to be completely crazy this week and try knitting up a doormat out of garden twine. It turned out much better than I expected. I am really happy with the result and I think it will make a great gift, especially for those people that don't wear hats or scarves. While I was breaking rules I also decided to try painting the finished product. It was so much fun. I felt a little like a kid with his hand in the candy jar. It went against all my instincts but since I was using twine I had to go for it.

    Pattern note - This turned out a little smaller than is ideal. I used  832 ft of twine but when I do it again I will use 1248 ft so that it is a bit longer.






bootJute


Yarn?: twisted jute garden twine, 4lb load limit
Needle: Size 15 straight or circular (worked back & forth)
Gauge: 2 sts & 3 rows per inch. (2 strands held together)

Cast-On 32 sts

     Row 1-4: knit
  
     Diamond Pattern:
        
           Row 1: k3, [p1, k11, p1] twice, k3
           Row 2: k3, [k2, p9, k2] twice, k3
           Row 3: k3, [k1, p2, k7, p2, k1] twice, k3
           Row 4: k3, [p2, k2, p5, k2, p2] twice, k3
           Row 5: k3, [k3, p2, k3, p2, k3] twice, k3
           Row 6: k3, [p4, k2, p1, k2, p4] twice, k3
           Row 7: k3, [k5, p3, k5] twice, k3
           Row 8: k3, [p6, k1, p6] twice, k3        
           Row 9: repeat row 7
           Row 10: repeat row 6
           Row 11: repeat row 5
           Row 12: repeat row 4
           Row 13: repeat row 3
           Row 14: repeat row 2
        

     I just wanted to write a quick post to thank you all for the positive feedback. It has been great to hear that you've been enjoying my patterns. I started this blog (and the free pattern series) in the hopes that this would happen but I am completely shocked, flabbergasted, dumbfounded and humbled. :) I never thought I would see my patterns worked up by other people. It is so fantastic!

     I hope that you all enjoy the rest of this free pattern series. In addition to that series continuing through December, I am going to be adding some posts about my favorite knitting accessories, yarns, and tools. I'm also working on a giveaway (or two) that I will be posting details about next week, so watch for that.

     Oh! One last thing. I finally created a twitter account. Follow me for sneak peeks of upcoming patterns, knitting tips and other randomness. ;)  

     The idea for this pattern has been gnawing at me ever since I finished the Ava Lynne Baby Hat. The Ava Lynne eyelet pattern is easy to knit but it still creates a great deal of visual interest so I knew that I was going to use it again. I took the same basic eyelet pattern from Ava Lynne and extended it (both in width & length) to create a more elegant stitch pattern. This scarf has a beautiful subtle wave along the edges. I am really happy with it and I hope you all enjoy it.






avaElongated

Yarn: Naturally Caron - Country (shown in deep taupe) - 2-3 skeins depending on desired length
Gauge: 5sts & 7 rows per inch
Needles: Size 6 straight (or circular worked back & forth)

Cast On 46 sts

Row 1: *k1, p1* to end
Row 2: *p1, k1* to end

Repeat these 2 rows 2 more times (total of 6 seed stitch rows)

Keep working 1st & last 5sts of every row in seed stitch. knit the purls & purl the knits.. ;)

Eyelet Pattern:

     Row 1: [yo, k10, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 2 (and all even rows): p all sts
     Row 3: [k1, yo, k9, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 5: [k1, yo, k9, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 7: [k2, yo, k8, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 9: [k3, yo, k7, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 11: [k4, yo, k6, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 13: [k5, yo, k5, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 15: [k6, yo, k4, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 17: [k7, yo, k3, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 19: [k8, yo, k2, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 21: [k9, yo, k1, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 23: [k10, yo, k2tog] 3 times
     Row 25: [ssk, k10, yo] 3 times
     Row 27: [ssk, k9, yo, k1] 3 times
     Row 29: [ssk, k8, yo, k2] 3 times
     Row 31: [ssk, k7, yo, k3] 3 times
     Row 33: [ssk, k6, yo, k4] 3 times
     Row 35: [ssk, k5, yo, k5] 3 times
     Row 37: [ssk, k4, yo, k6] 3 times
     Row 39: [ssk, k3, yo, k7] 3 times
     Row 41: [ssk, k2, yo, k8] 3 times
     Row 43: [ssk, k1, yo, k9] 3 times
     Row 45: [ssk, yo, k10] 3 times
     Row 46: purl all sts

Repeat until scarf is desired length or until you are nearing the end of your yarn.
Work 6 rows in seed stitch.
Bind off all stitches & weave in ends.

    
       This week's creation was totally one of necessity. I have been struggling through this fall season with only one hat and I had reached my breaking point. I know, I know. I'm supposed to be creating patterns *and* getting holiday gifts done (two birds, one stone & all that) but I just couldn't take it any more. And I am so glad that I used my own desperation as inspiration because this hat turned out great! I wanted a slouchy simple hat that is easy to wear and twistedBurl fits the bill perfectly.

       The slouch on this hat is pretty mild because I don't think I'm quite cool enough to pull off the full slouchy hat. So if you want an extreme slouch you'll need to add more rows before you start the decreases -- I'd recommend one extra loop through the pattern rows 1-10. Oh! One more pattern note, I intentionally worked this pattern on needles that are a little big for the yarn so that the fabric created would be a little floppy. So if you want a chunkier hat then use a bulkier yarn on the same size needles. ;)








This pattern is #5 of the 14 free weekly patterns that I will be posting here on this blog. Check out this post to learn more.


twistedBurl