Christmas Knitting 2014

It's the busiest time of year for knitters, as we try to finish off handcrafted gifts for everyone. Here are four hot off the presses patterns that make perfect last-minute knitted gifts:

Dipped Mitts are cute and quick to knit. Colour-block patterns are so on trend, and a great way to use up ends of yarn. This is one to break out your brightest, boldest colours for. 

Available to download from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Blaze mitts are another eye-catching fairsle design. The yarn is Rowan Felted Tweed, which is a gorgeous alpaca blend that's lightly felted, giving a lovely vintage look.

Available to download from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Superchunky Cabled Hat is super quick to knit. It's knitted with worsted weight yarn held double, you could knit it up in an afternoon if you put your mind to it! A classic design that would make a good first cabled project.

Available on Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Arrochar Hat is another winter classic. Fairisle snowflakes and soft, cosy yarn make this a lovely Christmas gift. 

Available to download from Ravelry, Craftsy and Etsy.

Our First Ebook

Proud to announce the release of our first Ebook, Warmth

Warmth is a collection of our cosiest, comfiest patterns - perfect for keeping the winter chill at bay! 

Buachaille Scarf is a chunky lace and cable creation in chunky, undyed bluefaced leicester yarn.

Heron Cardigan is a classic cabled cardigan in a luxurious cashmere blend yarn.
Snowcloud Cardigan is our bestselling pattern - a wearable hug. Chunky yarn and double moss stitch accents make this a winter classic.
Lomond Hat is a cute and quick to knit accessory. Perfect gifting material!
Felted Lace Wrap is an elegant way to keep the heat in. Felting gives this a gorgeous vintage look.


Available as always from Ravelry, Etsy and Craftsy.

Islay Hat

 

A simple unisex hat in a stylish textured stitch pattern. Includes directions for two sizes.

Yarn: Shilasdair Luxury dk 35 (45)g from a 100g skein.

Needles: Set of four 4mm / US 6 double pointed needles (dpns), or one 4mm/US 6 circular needle for magic loop.

Gauge: 18 stitches and 26 rows = 4” in Twisted Moss Stitch.

Dimensions: 18 (21.5)” around. Stretches to fit the average ladies (mens) head.

Notation:

CO = cast on

k = knit

p = purl

k1b= knit 1 into back of next stitch

k2tog = knit next two stitches together

k1bw = knit one into the stitch directly below the next stitch on the needle.

dpn = double pointed needle

Techniques

k1bw

Knit into the stitch below by inserting needle as shown:

 

Stitch Patterns

Twisted Rib

Round 1: *k1b, p1* to end of row.

Repeat round 1 for pattern.

Twisted Moss Stitch

Round 1: purl.

Round 2: *k1bw, k1* to end of round.

Round 3: purl.

Round 4: *k1, k1bw* to end of round.

Repeat these four rows for pattern.

Directions:

CO 80 (96) stitches over three dpns or on circular needle for magic loop method. Join stitches in the round ensuring they're not twisted and if using circular needle, place marker for beginning of round.

Work in Twisted Rib Pattern for 8 (10) rounds, then knit one round.

Work in Twisted Moss Stitch until hat measures approximately 6½” (7½”), finishing with Round 3 of pattern

For smaller size, follow instructions for decreases immediately below. For larger size, follow instructions below that, headed "Decreases for Larger Size".

Decreases for Smaller Size

Decrease round 1: *(k1, k1bw) four times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 2: *p8, k1* to end of round

Decrease round 3: *(k1bw, k1) three times, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 4: *p7, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 5: *(k1, k1bw) three times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 6: *p6, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 7: *(k1bw, k1) twice, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 8: *p5, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *(k1, k1bw) twice, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 10: *p4, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 11: *k1bw, k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 12: *p3, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 13: *k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 14: *p2 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 15: *k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 16: *k2tog* to end of round.

Decreases for Larger Size

Decrease round 1: * (k1, k1bw) five times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 2: *p10, k1* to end of round

Decrease round 3: *(k1bw, k1) four times, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 4: *p9, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 5: *(k1, k1bw) four times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 6: *p8, k1* to end of round

Decrease round 7: *(k1bw, k1) three times, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 8: *p7, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *(k1, k1bw) three times, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 10: *p6, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 11: *(k1bw, k1) twice, k1bw k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 12: *p5, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 13: *(k1, k1bw) twice, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 14: *p4, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 15: *k1bw, k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 16: *p3, k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 17: *k1, k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 18: *p2 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 19: *k1bw, k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 20: *k2tog* to end of round.

You should have 8 stitches left. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread the long tail onto a needle, and slip the remaining stitches onto the thread. Pull tight and sew over the little hole at the top a few times. Weave in the loose ends on the wrong side and you're done!

Copyright Littletheorem: Do not reproduce in full or in part without the author's written permission.

 

Handspun Star Hat

 Unisex hat in a simple cable pattern shows off the beautiful colours in handspun yarn. This was the first time I had bought handpainted fibre to spin, and watching the colours change as I knitted this up was fascinating. The decreases at the top make a star shape and I added a few tiny star-shaped buttons as a cute detail. The buttons could be omitted (and perhaps more sober yarn used) for a manly version. I also include instructions to avoid the “scalloped” look at the edge. The hat is very stretchy, and will fit more or less any head. While the yarn in the picture is my own handspun yarn, I have suggested several commercially available alternatives.

Yarn: Handspun yarn from handpainted fibre or for example: Malabrigo merino worsted, Cascade yarns sierra, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. You need 120m in total.

Needles: 5 mm/US 8 dpns

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4” in stocking stitch.

Size: Stretches to fit most heads.

Extras: One 5mm / US 8 cable needle, and some buttons and embroidery thread if desired.

Notation:

CO = cast on

k = knit

p = purl

dpn = double pointed needle.

pm = place marker

slm = slip marker

ssk = slip two stitches knitwise, then knit them together with left hand needle.

K2tog = knit two stitches together

C6F = slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front of your work, knit the next 3 stitches from left-hand needle, then the three stitches from the cable needle.

Cable Pattern

Round 1: *k6 p2* to end of round.

Round 2: As round 1.

Round 3: *C6F p2* to end of round.

Round 4: As round 1.

Directions

CO 120 stitches over 3 dpns and join in the round. Work in Cable Pattern until hat measures 6.5”. You might want to make it a little shorter/longer if you have a particularly small/large head. Also, if you want to avoid the scalloped look at the edge of the hat, work in k6 p2 rib for 4 rounds before starting the cable pattern. After 6.5”, ending on round 3, work decreases as follows:

Decrease set up row: k3 pm *k3 (p2 k6) twice p2 k3 pm* to last 21 stitches, k3 (p2 k6) twice p2.

It's easier to give instructions if the start of the round is the first marker, so k3 and we'll start rounds at the marker from now on .

Decrease round 1: *slm k2tog k1 (p2 k6) twice, p2 k1 ssk* to end of round (110 stitches).

Decrease round 2: *slm k2 (p2 k6) twice, p2 k2* to end of round.

Decrease round 3: *slm k2tog (p2 C6F) twice p2 ssk* to end of round (100 stitches).

Decrease round 4: *slm k1 (p2 k6) twice p2 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 5: *slm k2tog p1 k6 p2 k6 p1 ssk* to end of round (90 stitches).

Decrease round 6: *slm k1 p1 k6 p2 k6 p1 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 7: *slm k2tog C6F p2 C6F ssk* to end of round (80 stitches).

Decrease round 8: *slm k7 p2 k7* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *slm k2tog k5 p2 k5 ssk* to end of round (70 stitches).

Decrease round 10: *slm k2tog k4 p2 k4 ssk* to end of round (60 stitches).

Decrease round 11: *slm k2tog k3 p2 k3 ssk* to end of round (50 stitches).

Decrease round 12: *slm k2tog k2 p2 k2 ssk* to end of round (40 stitches).

Decrease round 13: *slm k2tog k1 p2 k1 ssk* to end of round (30 stitches).

Decrease round 14: *slm k2tog p2 ssk* to end of round (20 stitches).

Decrease round 15: *slm k2tog ssk* to end of round (10 stitches).

Cut the yarn leaving a 10'' tail. Thread this through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Sew over the hole a couple of times and weave in any loose ends.

Asterisk Hat

A slouchy, easy-to-knit hat in two sizes. Decreases at the top form an asterisk shape. The hat pictured is in the larger size.

Yarn:  Patons UK Wool Blend DK, 1 skein = 251m (you won’t use it all!)

Needles: 4 4mm dpns or 4mm 16” circular needle and 4 4mm dpns.

Gauge:  22sts and 30 rows = 4”

Dimensions: small = 18” around, 8” high, large = 20” around, 9” high.

Extras 3 stitch markers.

Notation: 

CO = cast on

k = knit

p = purl

sl = slip

k2tog = knit 2 stitches together

ssk= slip 2 stitches knitwise then knit them together with the lefthand needle

psso = pass slipped stitch over

pm = place marker

Add caption

Double Moss Stitch Pattern:

Row 1: *k1 p1* to end of row.

Row 2: *k1 p1* to end of row.

Row 3: *p1 k1* to end of row.

Row 4: *p1 k1* to end of row.

Directions: 

Note: The directions for this pattern require you to use 4 (not 5!) dpns. The decreases at the top are worked in 6 segments, 2 on each dpn.

Cast on 102 (114) stitches, 34 (38) on each of your 3 dpns (if you’re using them).  Join in the round and place a marker for the beginning of the row if you’re using a circular needle.

Work in k2 p1 rib for 10 rows (or around 1½”). Now work in Double Moss Stitch until hat measures 6” (7”), ending on Row 3 of the Double Moss Stitch Pattern. Change to 4 dpns if you were using a circular needle, ensuring you have 34 (36) stitches on each of your 3 working needles.

Work set-up row: *p1, (k1 p1) 8 (9) times, pm, k1 (p1 k1) 8 (9) times, (you should be at the end of a needle)* to end of row.  You basically work row 4 of the Double Moss Stitch Pattern but place a marker in the middle of each dpn, i.e. after 17 (19) stitches. This divides your stitches into 6 segments for the decreases.

Now decrease as follows:

Row 1: (ssk k1 *p1 k1* to two stitches before marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk p1 *k1 p1* to two stitches before end of dpn, k2tog ) three times, 12 stitches decreased.

Row 2: (k2 *p1 k1* to one stitch before marker, k1, slip marker, k1 p1 *k1 p1* to one stitch before end of dpn, k1) three times.

Repeat these two rows 6 (7) more times, you should have 18 stitches left.

Final Row: *sl1 k1 psso* to end of row. Cut the yarn leaving a 10'' tail. Thread this through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Sew over the hole a couple of times and weave in any loose ends. 

This Just In: World's Softest Hat Found!

 I knitted this one up for my brother's birthday. To make it totally complaint-proof, I made it the softest yarn I could find in John Lewis haberdashery section. After twenty minutes or so of skein-fondling I came across this gem, it really is at the pinnacle of itch-freeness. However, it's also a little fuzzy for the cable pattern to come through as well as it might. This was perfect for me, knowing that most menfolk prefer an understated hat, but if you want the cables to really show you might want a smoother yarn. 

Yarn : Rowan Lima, one 50g ball ( = 100 metres) . 

Needles : Four 5mm/US 8 dpns plus a cable needle.

Gauge:  20 sts in stocking stitch using 5.5 mm needles (although note this pattern uses 5mm needles, having said that, using 5.5mm needles would be fine too.... )

Size: To fit an average adult head, stretches to be approx 22'' around and 9'' high.

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

p2tog = purl two stitches together

sl = slip (with yarn held to the back of your work)

C3B = slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next stitch on the left hand needle, then the two from the cable needle.

C3F = slip one stitch onto the cable needle and hold at the front of your work. Knit the next two stitches from the left hand needle, then the one on the cable needle.

C4B = slip the next two stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next two stitches on the left hand needle, then the two from the cable needle.

Directions: 

Cable Pattern:

Row 1: *p2 k7 p2 k1 p2 k1 p2 k4 p2 k1 p2 k1* to end of row.

Row 2: *p2 k7 p2 sl1 p2 sl1 p2 k4 p2 sl1 p2 sl1* to end of row.

Row 3: *p2 c3b k1 c3f p2 k1 p2 k1 p2 c4b p2 k1 p2 k1* to end of row.

Row 4: As row 2.

CO 81 stitches. Work in k2 p1 rib for 10 rows, or until ribbed section is 1 1/2 inches high. Now work in cable pattern until hat measures around 7'' from cast on edge, making sure to end on row 4 of the cable pattern.

Work decreases as follows:
Row 1: *p2 k7 p2 k1 p2tog k1 p2tog k4 p2 k1 p2tog k1* to end of row.
Row 2: *p2 k7 p2 sl1 p1 sl1 p1 k4 p2 sl1 p1 sl1* to end of row.
Row 3: *p2tog c3b k1 c3f p2tog k1 p1 k1 p1 c4b p2tog k1 p1 k1* to end of row.
Row 4: *p1 k7 p1 sl1 p1 sl1 p1 k4 p1 sl1 p1 sl1* to end of row.
Row 5: *p1 k7 p1 k2tog twice k4 k2tog p1 k1 * to end of row
Row 6: knit
Row 7: *k4 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 8: knit
Row 9: *k3 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 10: knit
Row 11: *k2 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 12: knit
Row 13: *k1 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 14: *k2tog* to end of row.

9 stitches remain. Cut the yarn leaving a 6'' tail. Thread this onto a needle and pass through the remaining stitches, slipping them off the dpns as you go. Pull the thread tight to close the hole at the top of the hat and secure the tail inside the hat. Weave in loose ends.

Agata Hat

This is a bit of shameless advertising.... but just to let you all know there's a new pattern available for sale in my Ravelry and Etsy shops. 

 It's a slouchy lace cloche hat decorated with vintage buttons. Casual but stylish, this is an easy lace project that works up quickly. It's made with k1 yarns selkie, a gorgeous cashmere and merino yarn that I absolutely adore. This hat only uses around half a ball so you'll have plenty left to play with!

Supercosy Baby Hat

 Please note: this pattern is now available to download as a pdf from Craftsy for $2. It will still be freely available on this blog, but I thought people might want the opportunity to download a pdf version.

Cute cabled baby beanie to keep tiny heads warm this winter!

Yarn : Garnstudio DROPS Nepal. Less than one 50g ball (= 75m). 

Needles : Four 5mm/US 8 dpns

Gauge: 17 stitches = 4'' in stocking stitch.

Size: Newborn - 1 year (it's very stretchy!). 10'' circumference, 5'' high.

Notation: 

k = knit
p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together
p2tog = purl two stitches together

sl = slip

wyib = with yarn held to back of work

RT = right twist = k2tog without slipping stitches off the left

needle, knit into first stitch again, then slip both stitches off left hand needle

Directions

Cable Pattern:

Row 1: *p2, k2, p2, k1* to end

Row 2: *p2, k2, p2, sl1 wyib* to end

Row 3: *p2, RT, p2, k1* to end

Row 4: *p2, k2, p2, sl1 wyib* to end

CO 49 stitches over three dpns. Join in the round and work in Cable Pattern until hat measures 4.5'' ending with row 4 of pattern.  Now decrease as follows:

Row 1:*p2tog, k2, p2, k1* to end

Row 2: *p1, k2, p2, sl1 wyib* to end

Row 3: * p1, RT, p2tog, k1* to end

Row 4: *p1, k2, p1, sl1 wyib* to end

Row 5: *k2tog, k1, p1, k1* to end

Row 6: *k2, p1, sl1 wyib* to end

Row 7: *RT, k2tog* to end

Row 8: *k2, sl1 wyib* to end

Row 9: knit

Row 10: *k2tog* to end

Cut the yarn leaving a 6'' tail. thread remaining stitches onto the tail, pull tight and secure inside the hat. Weave in ends and top with a pompom if desired!