Showing posts with label knit list. Show all posts

I've had four skeins of Cascade Eco+ wool in my yarn stash for almost a year now. Two grey skeins, one hot pink skein, and one bright green skein. I've used bits of the two grey skeins making a few hats, but each Eco+ skein is almost 500 yards, so there's still SO. MUCH. YARN. left for me to use!

I decided the only way to get this yarn out of my stash and made into wearables for charity was to get myself onto Ravelry and figure out what other people were doing with their Eco+. I found so many amazing patterns, I ended up making a Pinterest board filled with over 30 patterns that would be amazing with this yarn!

Above are a few of the patterns I found that are super wonderful, and would look amazing in this yarn!

1. Sequoia by Alegria DaSilva
2. Quick Cable Slouch Hat by Azure
3. Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf
4. Gale by Alicia Plummer
5. Twenty Ten Cardigan by Veera Välimäki
6. Quincy by Jared Flood

For more yarny inspiration, check out the full Pinterest board! And I'll be sharing my finished Eco+ projects over the next few weeks ... I can't wait!!

Using Up My Eco+ Wool

Jul 6, 2015



You guys. I know, I just posted a sweater I want to make for Lou for the fall, but COME ON. I love the photos I have of Lou in her Owlet sweater from last year, but there's no way she will fit in it again this winter. She's fully in 2T clothes - at just 16 months - so it's time for a bigger sweater.

For this fall, I'm pretty sure the Wowligan is going to be her go-to cardigan. I love how easy the owls are to work up, and I can't wait to get this sweater on the needles for her! My hope is that, if made in a neutral grey, she'll be able to toss this on with everything, wear it until it falls to pieces, and then request one in a bigger size.

So, not a whole lot of hopes and dreams for this sweater ....

With sizes from 6 months to 10 years, if it works up as fast as the Owlet did last fall, I might even be able to work a few extras off the needles to gift this holiday season! I know a few little girls who would look super cute in this cardigan, and since it's open in the front, minus those few buttons at the neck, there's not as much concern with sizing over a baby belly - always nice when gifting knits to little ones!

Grab a copy of the pattern on Ravelry here!

Knit List || Wowligan

Jul 2, 2015





I cannot begin to explain just how particular Lou is. She loves to have bangs, and will get crazy mad when they get too long and start to hang in her face. She loves to have pig tails or a top knot as well, and picks out which hair bands I should use.


She picks out (and changes frequently) the shoes she is wearing, and will stand in front of her closet with me, helping me decide which shirt to wear. If I should try to just grab a shirt or pair of shoes for her, she will protest QUITE loudly until she can have her say.

At 15 months old, she's got more opinions than her 3 year old brother!

Because of this particularness, I know I cannot simply knit her something and assume she'll wear it in the colder months. She's got enough opinions for our entire house, and so I'm going to have to run future knitting choices by her before I cast on. But boy, do I hope this Hot Chocolate sweater makes the cut! I love the boxy nature, the turtleneck, and the cropped sleeves. It feels very Lou to me, and I hope she sees that as well!

Until it gets colder and she can start helping me pick out some winter knits, it goes on my "here's hoping list"!

Knit List || Hot Chocolate

Jun 25, 2015

I'm in love with the Tot Toppers pattern list. It's packed full of patterns of all varieties - sweaters, blankets, and more - but it's their hats that have me totally smitten.

Top Left: The Luka Slouch features all-over cables, is sized for the whole family, and is topped with my favorite hat accessory - a huge pom!

Top Right: I love the mini ear flaps on the Favorite Cap, and already have plans to make this worsted weight hat for several of my favorite charities, both with and without the rainbow look.

Bottom Left: I've got a soft spot for chevrons, and the Charlie Brown-esque Ollie Hat definitely makes me super happy! That there's a matching sweater to go along with makes my heart beat such a happy tune!

Bottom Right: The Squiggles Hat is the perfect hat for the knitter who hates double points and decreasing. Not only are rectangular hats adorable on kids, they're fun to make and mean you can just work without the worry of shaping!

 This is just a super small selection of the hat patterns - not to mention all the patterns - Tot Toppers has to offer. I got lost in their pattern pages for a good hour, so be warned!

Tot Toppers Hats

Feb 24, 2015

It's no secret I love using Ewe Ewe Yarns for my hat projects. It's incredibly luxurious, but you can still get a kid sized hat out of just one skein, which means I'm not having to weave in more ends than necessary (something I'm not a fan of).

I'm also a huge fan of the fact that Ewe Ewe's hat patterns are charity knitting friendly. By this I mean, once I buy the pattern, I know I'll use it more than once for charity hat projects. Because of my big charity knitting goals, I'm not a big fan of hat patterns that cost more than a few dollars if they're also ones I'll only want to use once or twice. In the case of Ewe Ewe's patterns, every one I've got I've used on repeat!

Top Left: Copper Mountain. I'm in love with the little bitty chevron stripes!

Top Right: Family Of Hats. I'm a sucker for stripes, and this pattern comes with sizes for everyone you know, making it the perfect charity hat pattern purchase.

Bottom Left: Downhill Diva. I've actually got one of these hats on the needles right now for Lou, and I love the cabled look!

Bottom Right: Hat Season is a hat made using Ewe Ewe yarn, and it's a great charity hat pattern. The stripes will help you use up leftover bits of yarn you may have from other patterns, and give this hat the perfect look for men or women.

One of the best parts of Ewe Ewe's pattern section? It's always growing! Heather, the owner of Ewe Ewe, is always writing new patterns for her yarn, and she's begun working with a wide variety of designers to add to the Ewe Ewe pattern collection as well!

Designer Crush || Ewe Ewe Yarns

Feb 17, 2015


A few weeks ago, I shared four flat knit hats for babies and kids. This week, I'm sharing four that are perfect for adults!

Top Left: Chunky Cable Knit Hat, by Lula Louise. (free pattern) Made with super bulky yarn, this hat works up fast on straight needles. The perfect introduction to cable knitting for new knitters, you can make this hat in two sizes.

Top Right: Men's Basic Hat Pattern, by Yarnspirations. (free download) This pattern includes both flat knit and circular knit instructions for the hat, and instructions for the scarf!

Bottom Left: Ribbed Watchman's Cap, by Channah Kopel. (free Ravelry download) I've linked to this hat in the past, and will probably do so again in the future. Channah collects hats for Israeli soldiers, and has since her son was enlisted. She's written this pattern both for flat knit and circular knit lovers, and encourages folks to donate from her pattern wherever they feel there's the most need.

Bottom Right: Knit Hat For Anyone, by Kathy North. (free pattern) I love that Kath's website says her patterns are "practical, wearable, charitable". The pattern gives both flat knit and circular knit instructions, although they're given at the same time, which might get confusing.

Flat Knit Hats For Adults

Feb 9, 2015


One of the questions I find I'm asked most often in the comments of my free patterns is how to make my hats knit flat instead of in the round. I haven't written any of my hat patterns with instructions for knitting flat because I am fully in love with my circular needles, but because so many knitters knit flat, I've got it on my list to re-write some of my patterns with instructions for both ways of knitting.

Because that's not probably going to happen any time soon, I'm going to share some flat knit patterns that should fit the bill while you wait! First up, flat knit hats for babies and kids.

Top Left: Aviatrix, by Justine Turner. (free Ravelry download) I've made bundles of these in the past, although I haven't made one in what feels like years. Might have to get back to it, as Lou is in the "rip all hats off my head" stage. It truly is one of the best baby hats I've ever used or gifted!

Top Right: Cool Wool, by Ekaterina Blanchard. (purchase through Ravelry) This pattern comes with instructions for both the cowl and the hat, with sizes to fit toddlers, children, teens and adults.

Bottom Left: Split Brim Toddler Hat, by Stranded Knitter. (free Ravelry download) I love that this hat is made using super bulky yarn; I can see it whipping off my needles, both for the toddlers in my life, and for charity donation! With just one size, it seems like this hat will actually fit a wide variety of kiddos, stretching from 17" to 20".

Bottom Right: Pilot Cap, by Theresa Belville. (for purchase pattern) This pattern features four sizes, from newborn through child, and is meant to give complete coverage for cold winter days. I've got this pattern saved in Ravelry and on my computer, but I'll admit I haven't knit it yet. 

Visit my Flat Knit Hats board on Pinterest for even more inspiration!

Flat Knit Hats For Babies And Kids

Jan 27, 2015

Left to right: Heart Hat for Baby, From Norway With Love, Hearts On Repeat, Not Your Valentine

Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away, which means it's the perfect time to wear hats full of hearts! I've got a few hat patterns I've been working on in anticipation for this fun day, and I'll be sharing those in the next few weeks. While I get those finished up, however, I can't help but share these great hats!

Visit my Valentine's Day Hats board on Pinterest for even more inspiration and patterns!

Valentine's Day Hats!

Jan 23, 2015


I love a good braided cable, and I've found myself drawn over and again to hats with a braided cable edge! (see my recently finished Cable Hat with Flower as an example) Many times, the rest of the hat is rather plain, but the sideways braid at the edge is always enough to make the hat look fancy and gorgeous.

From left to right, here's a few hats I'm loving right now, with a variety of braided cable edges.

Coronet - Perfect for someone new to braided cables, this hat is simple stockinette after you master the gorgeous cabled braid at the brim.

Saxon Braided Cabled Cap - This more detailed braided edge is large and gorgeous. The detail makes the braid a focal point for the hat!

Teampall Bhreacháin Hat - The all-over braiding on this hat means I wouldn't be able to knit it while reading a book or even watching a movie, but the finished result is worth the focused effort!

Wavy Moss Hats and Headband - I love knitting the moss stitch, and I'm in heaven that this pattern has a few varieties, both of hat types and a headband as well!

BRAIDED EDGES

Dec 17, 2014

It's crunch time for knitted gifts, and if you're anything like me you're still hoping to get five or six more presents done. Thankfully, designers near and far have heard your cries for a handmade holiday, and have written fast-working hat patterns sized for the whole family! Because I can't help but want everyone I know and love to have a handmade hat on their heads, these fast hats have saved me time and again!

 left to right: Big Chunky Comfy Hat || Bill's Rustic Beanie || Casie Hat (my pattern) || Cozy Cap

 left to right: Finnegan || First Frost || Holbrook Hat (my pattern) || Jack and Jill Beanie


left to right: Kiyona || Madge || Ski Sweater Slouch Hat || Yokohama

While not every person on your list will want a handmade hat this season, hopefully these twelve suggestions will help fill at least a few of those gift bags!

LAST MINUTE HATS

Dec 9, 2014

Once my holiday knitting is done, and I've begun tackling the stash in earnest (more on that tomorrow), I'll be looking for fun ways to use up my leftover bits as well as all those full skeins lingering in my yarn stash. And colorful chevron hats seems like a fun way, doesn't it?! I love chevrons (who doesn't?!, and adding in some color work makes the chevron stitch really stand out.

Above are four fun chevron hats I found while poking around Ravelry recently:
top left: Ida's Kitchen, by Kristen Kapur
top right: Puck, by Dani Sunshine
bottom left: Bregne, by Joyce Tromba
bottom right: The Shea Chevron, by Whitney W.

I'm sure to be casting on one (or more!) of these soon!

COLORFUL CHEVRON!

Dec 4, 2014


With my desire to ditch the sweatshop clothes this fall, and dress my family in ethically-made items, I've decided that maybe it's time I branch out a bit from hat making, and make a few family sweaters.

I've shied away from sweater-making in the past, thanks to two horrible experiences in a row attempting to make a sweater for my husband. And while I hope to make him a sweater this fall/winter as well, I'm starting a bit smaller, with sweaters for the kiddos and me. Dip my toes in, figure a few things out on some smaller pieces before I move on to his sweater.

With each of our sweaters, I already know I'm going to have to make a few modifications, but each should be easy enough that the sweaters shouldn't cause me too much stress.

First, there's Owlet for Lou. The smallest size has an 18" chest, which is just about where she's at right now, so I'm going to size it up one I think. That way she should be able to wear it a bit longer into the winter before I have to make her a new one. I plan to make this one with short sleeves, so she can wear it over a long sleeve onesie and not have the arm bulk get in her way as she learns to crawl soon (too soon for my liking, I think).

Then I'll make a Fisherman's Pullover for Owen. This little man is so skinny I'm going to make the smallest size for him, and then add length until it fits. Unless he decides to start eating like a linebacker anytime soon, this sweater should fit him all fall and winter long, which will be nice! I might make the ribbing on the sleeves start a bit sooner, so it's a bit longer. That way the sleeves won't droop on him, and will stay out of his way!

Finally (for now, at least), I want to make myself an Oatmeal Pullover. So many folks have already shared modification notes for this sweater, I'm just going to follow their suggestions and hopefully breeze right through this one! I love that it's made using a bit chunkier yarn, and that the millions of miles of ribbing should help it stay in place as I chase after my kiddos - both of whom will be mobile very soon, if Lou has her way!

I'll share as I knit each sweater, along with when each is done. And of course I'll still be knitting tons of hats this fall and winter, have no fear! What do you have on your needles for fall?

a family of sweaters for winter

Aug 19, 2014


A funny thing happens after you've been knitting for awhile - you start to accumulate leftover yarns. Small bits of varying yardage, remainders of projects you've finished. In all the years I've been a knitter, I've yet to finish more than five projects without having leftover yarn - and those five projects were scarves or cowls, knit until I had no yarn left!

So what do you do with all those leftover bits of yarn skeins once your original project is done? I tend to save them in a giant glass jar until that's full, and then I work those skeins up into striped hats.

I usually follow my Tyson Hat pattern, adding stripes as the remnant balls run out. Sometimes, if I've got enough balls that have enough yarn each, I'll decide to stripe each color for 3, 4, or 5 rows each before switching to the next color. I don't think about color, and just grab from the pile, trusting that the colors will all work out together in the end.

If you're not that adventurous, or this will be your first scrap hat, here's a few patterns you can use to get you started using up those leftover bits of yarn!


A Most Bespeckled Hat - perfect for the smallest bits of leftover yarn.


Bella's Eclipse hat, modeled after one from The Twilight Saga.


From Norway With Love is perfect for using up bunches of similar yarn colors.


Hello, New York uses bits of one leftover color and lots more of a neutral color.


Traveler's Hat - the perfect striped slouch!

As I get closer to filling up my scrap yarn jar, you'll surely see more of these hats making their way to this blog! Do you do something different with your yarn scraps? Know of any other good scrap-worthy hat patterns?

Hat Patterns To Use Up Your Yarn Scraps

Aug 11, 2014

1. Altair // 2. Bray Cap // 3. Brig // 4. Fjord 
5. Habitat // 6. Irving // 7. Norby // 8. Ravensfoot 
9. Rosebud // 10. Seasons Hat // 11. St. Leger // 12. Turn a Square 
(all links to BrooklynTweed.net)

Brooklyn Tweed began in 2005 as a knitting blog for Jared Flood. By 2007, the blog featured Jared's designs, and today has become a treasure-trove of patterns featuring clean designs nodding to nature and city life.

I've found a few of the design house's hat grace my needles in the past few months and years, and if I'm honest I had a hard time picking just a few to share here with you - so I picked a dozen!

Most of the Brooklyn Tweed patterns cost between $5 and $6 - not a small sum to pay for a hat pattern, but every time I've bought one I've been over the moon with happiness and have used those patterns enough times to make them well worth the money!

the hats of brooklyn tweed

Oct 23, 2013

Now that September is officially here I can finally start talking Halloween without sounding a bit like a crazy person. Which means by the end of the month I can share holiday thoughts without seeming too odd, right? ... RIGHT?!

Despite my love of holidays of all kinds, I'm not much for dressing up on October 31st. Which doesn't usually work in my favor as my husband used to be the king of Halloween. For reals, he ruled that holiday with an iron, and always well-costumed, fist.

Now that Owen is in full toddler mode and excited to pick out his own costume, and the looming thought of another little to dress up and go door-to-door with next year as well creeps into my brain, I might have to suck it up and get festive with at least my headwear.

Thankfully, Ravelry has almost 300 hat patterns tagged with the word "Halloween" - here's a few of my favorites for folks of all ages! (note: all links are to the pattern Ravelry pages)

Kittyville, by Kitty Schmidt
Kurbis, by natalja
Lael Viking Helmet, by Tara Murray
Zsa Mask, by Nele Peeters
Brain Hat, by Alana Noritake
Ood Ski Mask, by Lilana Wofsey Dohnert
Dr. Zoidberg, by Kate Quinn
Lassie Wig Hat, by Charlotte W.
Princess Leia Hat, by Amanda Kaffka
Mummy Hat, by Tara Murray

halloween hats for the whole family!

Sep 9, 2013

Next weekend I'm attending a local craft retreat, hosted by my mother-in-law. Once a year or so, a group of us gets together at her home to scrapbook, knit, crochet, drink too much coffee (and other stuff!) and generally have a wonderful time! This year, a few of the yarn-loving ladies have agreed to make hats with me for Nebraska Hats For Hope Initiative! One of our projects involves collecting hats for a local elementary school, so I've been looking for some simple hats that can be made for kiddos. Enter hats that can be made on two needles! You don't need to know how to knit in the round for any of these patterns, making them perfect for new knitters -- and all the hats end up looking gorgeous, so you'll want to make them again and again!


The Aviatrix Hat is one of my favorites for little babies, but this free Ravelry downloadable pattern is sized to fit up through pre-school!


Bev's Really Basic Stretchy Hat is the perfect hat for anyone in need of a warm noggin! The pattern is designed for babies through large-headed men, and can be knit up using just about any yarn weight you've got on-hand.This pattern has been made thousands of times for folks around the world, and with good reason -- it's the perfect pattern for folks looking to make a super stretchy ribbed hat without needing to knit in the round!


Vortex by Lee Meredith is a slightly more difficult pattern, although it is still knit flat and then seamed together. This pattern calls for short rows and more increasing and decreasing, but it's the perfect way to learn some new skills (including working with two skeins of yarn) for those up to the challenge!

I can't wait to share these patterns with my friends and family next weekend, and get some hats added to the bin for the local elementary school! What are some of your favorite hats that can be knit flat?

three hats to make on two needles

Apr 11, 2013


Have you been taken in yet by the amazing design house that is Pickles? Based out of Oslo, this sister-team of designers has a yarn line as well as publishing patterns at least once a week to their blog! They share at least one size free for everything they design, and their variety of patterns is astounding! Here are a few of the Pickles patterns I love and adore:


Warm Winter Pom Pom Hat - this one is on my short list to knit up this fall!


Plain Tunic - I know a gal in Copenhagen who would ROCK this tunic!


Baby Kit For Melker - this hat is a go-to for newborns I know!


Big Fat Lampshade - While we don't have any lampshades like this in our house currently, I'm tempted to pick one up just so I can cover it!


I Heart You Sweater - that same gal in Copenhagen? She'd look great in this as well!


Oslo Anorak - I'm hoping I can talk Owen into this sweater this winter!


Natural Winter Kit - I love this hat/cowl combo!


Melker's Kindergarten Kit - Love this simple sweater and striped hat! I might have to start making them for all the younger kids in my life!

That's just the tip of the Pickles iceberg! You can see more of my favorites pinned here, or head to their blog to get lost in the goodness!

Pickles Patterns I Love!

Jul 24, 2012

Several people in my life have either had little boys in the last few months, or they are set to do so by the end of the year. That means lots of baby boy hats need to start flying off my needles in preparation for the fall and winter months! Here are some of the knitted hats I've fallen in love with for baby boys (up to a year old):


This Owl Hat has me running for my yarn right now!


This cute hat is knit in vertical stripes instead of horizontal. But oh no ... the link from Ravelry doesn't go through to a pattern! Maybe I can write one myself ... ?


Warm As Wool hat. I love the contrasting stripes done in different stitch patterns.


The Aviatrix Hat is a perennial favorite knit of mine.


I love to make the cabled baby hat on the right for just about every new babe I know!


I love the loopy tab at the top of this Magic Coffee baby hat!


Tubey from Wooly Wormhead is one I've got on my needles right now ...

More cute knit hats for babies (both boys and girls) pinned here! Head on over to have a look!

knit hats for baby boys

Jul 18, 2012

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