avaElongated Hat - Free Knitting Pattern

     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.

      This is pattern #9 of the 14 free weekly patterns I'm posting through December.

Read more about it here.

avaElongated Hat

Yarn: Naturally Caron – Country, 1 skein

Gauge: 5sts & 7 rows per inch

Needles: Size 6 circular & size 6 double-pointed

Cast On 108 sts and join to work in the round

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)

Eyelet Pattern:

     Row 1: *yo, k10, k2tog* to end

     Row 2 (and all even rows): K all sts

     Row 3: *k1, yo, k9, k2tog* to end

     Row 5: *k1, yo, k9, k2tog* to end

     Row 7: *k2, yo, k8, k2tog* to end

     Row 9: *k3, yo, k7, k2tog* to end

     Row 11: *k4, yo, k6, k2tog* to end

     Row 13: *k5, yo, k5, k2tog* to end

     Row 15: *k6, yo, k4, k2tog* to end

     Row 17: *k7, yo, k3, k2tog* to end

     Row 19: *k8, yo, k2, k2tog* to end

     Row 21: *k9, yo, k1, k2tog* to end

     Row 23: *k10, yo, k2tog* to end

     Row 25: *ssk, k10, yo* to end

     Row 27: *ssk, k9, yo, k1* to end

     Row 29: *ssk, k8, yo, k2* to end

     Row 31: *ssk, k7, yo, k3* to end

     Row 33: *ssk, k6, yo, k4* to end

     Row 35: *ssk, k5, yo, k5* to end

     Row 37: *ssk, k4, yo, k6* to end

     Row 39: *ssk, k3, yo, k7* to end

     Row 41: *ssk, k2, yo, k8* to end

     Row 43: *ssk, k1, yo, k9* to end

     Row 45: *ssk, yo, k10* to end

Decrease:

    

      Row 1: *k10, k2tog* to end
      Row 2: *yo, k10, k2tog* to end
      Row 3:  k all sts
      Row 4:  *k1, yo, k9, k2tog* to end
      Row 5:  *k9, k2tog* to end
      Row 6:  *k2, yo, k6, k2tog* to end
      Row 7:   k all sts
      Row 8:  *k3, yo, k5, k2tog* to end
      Row 9:  *k8, k2tog* to end
      Row 10:  *k4, yo, k3, k2tog* to end
      Row 11:  *k7, k2tog* to end
      Row 12:  *k5, yo, k1, k2tog* to end
      Row 13:  *k2, k2tog* to end
      Row 14:  k all sts
      Row 15:  *k1, k2tog* to end
      Row 16:  k all sts
      Row 17: *k2tog* to end
      Row 18:  *k2tog* to end  

Cut yarn, weave through live stitches and pull to close. Weave in ends. 

I have been defeated...

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!

elleKat Legwarmers - Free Knitting Pattern

     
     This is my first legwarmer knitting experience and I'm kind of shocked that I haven't been doing this for years! They are easy to make and a super fun alternative to some of the typically gifted knitted projects (hats, scarves, etc). I decided to include sizes up to 20" circumference because I have some hefty calves and it is not often that I see things sized for people like me. ;) 

     

     My beautiful daughter Elle was the model (and inspiration) for these legwarmers so I thought it was only fitting to name this pattern for her. I plan to make these again for myself some time soon -- mother daughter legwarmers? I say "Win!" Between you and me, I have a secret desire to make a hat with this same stitch pattern just so I can name it the 'elleKat Hat'. hehe 

Hope you all enjoy this pattern. Over 1/2 way done with the 14 weeks of free patterns now. Whoa! 

This is pattern #8 of the 14 free weekly patterns I'm posting through December.

Read more about it here.

elleKat Legwarmers

Gauge: 5sts/inch in moss stitch
Yarn: Cascade Yarns Rustic
Needles: Size 7 double-pointed needles , or size needed to obtain gauge

Circumferences: 6” (8”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 16”, 18”, 20”)
             When choosing a size measure (or guesstimate) the calf size of the recipient and pick the circumference closest to that number.  The ribbing is done 1-2 inches smaller than the main circumference to make sure they stay up.

Cast On: 28 (36, 44, 52, 64, 72, 84, 92)

                Work 6 rows in 2x2 rib (k2, p2 repeating)
                Inc row – In 2x2 rib, increase with kfb 2 (4, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6, 8) times, evenly spaced.

                

             Moss Stitch Spiral:

 Row 1:  *p3, [k1, p1] 3 times, k1* to end
     Row 2:  Repeat Row 1
     Row 3:  *k1, p3, [k1, p1] 3 times* to end
     Row 4:  Repeat Row 3
     Row 5:  *p1, k1, p3, [k1, p1] twice, k1* to end
     Row 6:  Repeat Row 5
     Row 7: *k1, p1, k1, p3, [k1, p1] twice* to end
     Row 8:  Repeat row 7
     Row 9: *[p1, k1] twice, p3, k1, p1, k1* to end
     Row 10: Repeat Row 9
     Row 11: *k1, [p1, k1] twice, p3, k1, p1* to end
     Row 12: Repeat Row 11
     Row 13: *[p1, k1] 3 times, p3, k1* to end
     Row 14: Repeat Row 13
     Row 15: *k1, [p1, k1] 3 times, p3* to end
     Row 16: Repeat Row 15
     Row 17:  *p1, k1, [p1, k1] 3 times, p2* to end
     Row 18: Repeat Row 17
     Row 19: *p2, k1, [p1, k1] 3 times, p1* to end
     Row 20: Repeat Row 19

Repeat Rows 1-20 until legwarmers are desired length

Dec – In 2x2 rib, decrease with k2tog  2 (4, 6, 8, 6, 8, 6, 8) times, evenly spaced
     Work 4 rows 2x2 rib

Bind off in rib pattern. I used the basic bind off that can be seen here, because it is a little tighter than the cast on edge and brings in the legwarmers around the ankle. J

bootJute Doormat - Free Knitting Pattern

    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.

 This is pattern #7 of the 14 free weekly patterns I'm posting through December.

Read more about it here.

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
        

          Repeat these 14 rows until desired length.

     

     Work 4 rows in garter st.
     Bind off & weave in ends. 

After I finished knitting this up I painted it and then sprayed it with a clear glaze so that it stands up to people walking on it. It also took some reshaping to get it to lay right but it's perfect after I reshaped and put the clear coat on.  Here are some pics of the painting process. 

           

flabbergasted! & giveaways

     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. ;)  

avaElongated Free Scarf Pattern

     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.

     This pattern is #6 of the 14 free weekly patterns that I will be posting on this blog. 

Check out this post to learn more.

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.