Ear Warmers - Versions 1 & 2

Free Pattern: Ear Warmers - V. 1 & 2

Yes, it's another chunky pattern (I have a lot of stash I'm trying to use up). These ear warmers/headbands are inspired by Knitty's Calorimetry pattern, which can be found here. I love the look, but didn't like the button, plus the one I did came out way to wide for my taste. So these are worked in the round with quick chunky yarn. V. 1 is is worked in K1, P1 rib, and is thinner than V. 2, which is worked in broken rib. You can see the difference in the picture to the right. Both fit around the head about the same. The picture below is of V. 2.

Supplies:
US #8 circular needles - 16" length
1 skein Bernat Softee Chunky in Natural Earth (this is enough for both versions with some left over)
11 stitch markers (make sure one is a different color than the others)

Finished Measurements:
Both will fit a 20" to 24" head
V. 1 is is 3.75" wide, V. 2 is 4.75" wide

Gauge:
16 sts X 24 rows = 4" worked in stockinette

Abbreviations:
pm = place marker
rm = remove marker
sl = slip stitch purl wise
wyib = with yarn held in back
wyif = with yarn held in front

V.1 Directions:
Cast on 80 stitches using long tail cast on, place main (different color) marker and join in the round. Work 2 rows of k1, p1 ribbing.

3 - *k1, p1* to last 6 sts, pm, turn
4 - sl 1 wyib, p1, *k1, p1* to last 6 sts, pm, turn
5 - sl 1 wyib, p1, *k1, p1* to 6 sts before first marker, pm, turn
6 - 10 - repeat row 5, you will have 1 main marker, and 8 contrast markers in place

*When working back over slipped sts, be sure to knit the 2 sts before and after the gap snugly to reduce the size of the hole.

11 - sl 1 wyib, p1, *k1, p1* to marker, rm, work to 2 sts before next marker, turn
12 - sl 1 wyif, p1, *k1, p1* to marker, rm, work to 2 sts before next marker, turn
13 - 18 - repeat rows 11 & 12 3 more times until all contrast markers are removed, working last 2 rows until 2 sts before main marker

Do not turn work, begin working k1, p1, ribbing in the round. Work 2 rows ribbing, and bind off. Weave in ends and enjoy!

V. 2 Directions:
Cast on 80 stitches using cable cast on, work one round knitting all sts, place main color marker, and join to begin knitting in the round.

2 - *k1, p1* to end
3 - k
4 - *k1, p1* to end

5 - k to last 6 sts, pm, turn
6 - sl 1 wyif, p1, *k1, p1* to 6 sts before marker, pm, turn
7 - sl1 wyib, knit to 6 sts before marker, pm, turn
8 - sl1 wyif, p1, *k1, p1* to 6 sts before marker, pm, turn
9 - 14 - repeat rows 7 & 8 3 more times, you will have 1 main marker and 10 contrast markers in place

15 - sl1 wyib, k to marker, rm, k to 2 sts before next marker, turn
16 - sl 1 wyif, p1, *k1, p1* to marker, rm, *k1, p1* to 2 sts before next marker, turn
17 - 24 - repeat rows 15 & 16 4 more times until all contrast markers are removed, working last 2 rows until 2 sts before main marker

Do not turn work, begin working in the round again, knitting all sts on row 25.
26 - *k1, p1* to end
27 - k
28 - *k1, p1* to end

Bind off in pattern, weave in ends, and enjoy!

Tips:
Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods and working in the round.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.

Kyla's Rose Hat

Kyla's Rose Hat

My step-granddaughter (and no I'm really not old enough to be a Grandma at 30) was born recently, and with the weather cool I wanted to make her a nice soft cap to keep her little head warm. I also wanted to try this stitch I found, which turned out to be really cute! I made it a little long so it can be work brim down on really cold days or up on not so cold days.

Supplies:

US #8 double point needles

1 skein Bernat Natural Blend Cashmere in Petal

Stitch Marker

Yarn Needle

Stitch Pattern:

Rose Stitch adapted from "The Harmony Guides: 450 Knitting Stitches"

k1b = knit 1 through the back

* * = repeat between *'s for entire round

Row 1 - *k1, k1b*

Row 2 - *p1, k1*

Row 3 - *k1b, k1*

Row 4 - *k1, p1*

Gauge:

4 1/2 sts X 6 rows = 1"

Directions:

Cast on 56 stiches using knitted cast on. Place marker and join to begin working in the round. Work k2, p2 ribbing for 1 1/2". Begin rose stitch and work in pattern until hat measures 4 1/2 to 5" from edge. Begin decreases.

Decrease Rounds:

1 - *(p1, k1) 5 times, p2tog, k2tog*

2 - *k1b, k1*

3 - *(k1, p1) 4 times, k2tog, p2tog*

4 - *k1, k1b*

5 - *(p1, k1) 3 times, p2tog, k2tog*

6 - *k1b, k1*

7 - *(k1, p1) 2 times, k2tog, p2tog*

8 - *k1, k1b*

9 - *p1, k1, p2tog, k2tog*

10 - *k1b, k1*

11 - *p2tog, k2tog* to last 2 sts, p2tog

Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches, pull tight. Weave in ends and enjoy!

Tips:

Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods and working in the round.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.

Elf's Hat

Free Pattern: Elf's Hat
Well, I made a Santa hat, but Santa needed a helper... My son can be an angel some days, but there are days that he reminds me of an evil elf. It's not enough that he calls my name every 2 minutes, he has to try to karate chop everything in sight, including the camera!

Supplies:

US #10 1/2 circular needles

US #10 1/2 double point needles

1 skein worsted weight wool in Red

1 skein worsted weight wool in Green

(I used a worsted weight from Knit Picks, I lost the labels, so I'm not sure of yardage, I think it was about 100 yards per skein?)

Stitch Marker

Yarn needle

Finished Measurements:

18" around X 16" tall minus pom-pom - will fit up to 24" head

Gauge:

4 1/2 stitches and 5 1/4 rows - 1"

Directions:

With green, and circular needles,cast on 72 stitches using cable cast on, place marker and join to begin knitting in the round. (You'll need to switch to dpn's when you've decreased enough that the circular is too big, or you can always use dpn's all the way.)

Rows 1-8: *K2, P2* repeat between *'s around

Row 9-10: Knit

Row 11: Knit with red, do not cut green

For the rest of this piece, when you reach the beginning of the round, you will bring the yarn you are not knitting with over from the left of the yarn you are using, this will 'weave' the yarn up so it will be ready to knit with later.

Row 12-19: Knit

Row 20: *K7, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row 21-29: Knit with green

Row 30: *K6, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row 31 - 39: Knit with red

Row 40: *K5, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row 41-49: Knit with green

Row 50: *K4, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row 51-59: Knit with red

Row 60: *K3, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row61-69: Knit with green

Row 70: *K2, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row 71-79: Knit with red

Row 80: *K1, K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Row 81-89: Knit with green

Row 90: *K2tog* repeat between *'s around

Cut yarn leaving a 6-7" tail, thread through remaining stitches and pull tight. Make pom-pom with red and green together and tie to top. Weave in ends and have a Merry Christmas!

Tips:

Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.

Kids' Santa Hat

Free Pattern: Kids' Santa Hat
It's only November, but Christmas stuff is everywhere! So I thought my son would like a Santa hat. The brim pattern is adapted from "450 Knitting Stitches Vol. 2". Seed stitch or moss stitch would also look nice (and a lot simpler), but I wanted to try something different. Hope you all have a very jolly season!

Supplies:
US #10 1/2 16" circular needle
US #8 16" circular needle
US #8 double point needles
1 skein Red Heart worsted weight yarn in White (only a little bit was used)
1 skein Red Heart sport weight yarn in Cherry Red (about 1/3 of the skein was used)
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle

Finished Measurements:
21" around X 10" tall minus pom-pom - will fit up to 25" head
To make bigger or smaller add/subtract stitches in increments of 4

Gauge:
With #10 1/2 needles and worsted weight yarn
3 stitches and 4 rows = 1"
With #8 needles and sport weight yarn
4 1/2 stitches and 7 rows = 1"

Directions:
With #10 1/2 needles and white yarn cast on 72 stitches using cable cast on, place marker to note begining of round and join to begin knitting in the round.
Worked with wrong side facing.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K1, *(K1, P1, K1) into next stitch, P3tog* repeat between *'s, K1
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: K1, *P3tog, (K1, P1, K1) into next stitch* repeat between *'s, K1
Repeat these 4 rows one more time.

Row 9: Knit to end, slip marker bring yarn to front, slip first stitch to left hand needle, bring yarn to back, slip stitch back to right hand needle, turn work and push through needles so right side is facing.
Row 10: Purl all stitches

With #8 needles and red yarn:
Rows 11-24: Knit
Row 25: *K7, K2tog*
Rows 26-29: Knit
Row 30: *K6, K2tog*
Rows 31-34: Knit
Row 35: *K5, K2tog*
Rows 36-39: Knit
I switched to double points needles here.
Row 40: *K4, K2tog*
Rows 41-44: Knit
Row 45: *K3, K2tog*
Rows 46-49: Knit
Row 50: *K2, K2tog*
Rows 51-54: Knit
Row 55: *K1, K2tog*
Rows 56-60: Knit
Row 61: *K2tog*

Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches, pull tight. Make pom-pom with white and tie to top. Weave in ends and have a Merry Christmas!

Tips:
Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods and stitch patterns.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.

'Skull' Cap Chart

Free Pattern Chart: 'Skull'

For regular knitting X = k w/ cc right side, p w/ cc wrong side

For double knitting worked in the round X = k w/ cc, p w/ mc

For double knitting worked flat X = k w/ cc, p w/ mc right side, k w/ mc, p w/ cc wrong side

'Skull' Cap

Free Pattern: 'Skull' Cap
My husband loves anything with skulls on it, and is always asking me to knit yet another hat (he has about 5 already!). He also wanted something orange. I had a little orange yarn left from another project, so I thought I'd make a black hat with an orange skull. How could I possiby go wrong with that?! By the way, he loves it, so I guess I either did a good job, or he doesn't want to hurt my feelings ( which would be a big mistake on his part!).

Supplies:
US #8 16" circular needles
5 US #8 double point needles
MC: 1 skein Red Heart worsted weight yarn in Black ( I did not use even close to a quarter of the skein)
CC: 1 skein Bernat worsted weight yarn in Hunter Orange (only a few yards were used)
3 stitch markers (make sure one is a different color or use pieces of yarn)
Yarn Needle
Pick your own colors, just make sure they are both worsted weight and care instructions are the same.

Finished Measurements:
20" around X 7" tall - will fit 20" to 24" head
To make bigger or smaller, use larger/smaller needles.

Gauge:
4 stitches and 6 rows = 1"

Directions:
With circular needle and MC cast on 72 stitches using cable cast on. Place odd marker and join to knit in the round, knit for 6 rounds.
Round 7: K26, place marker, K19, place marker, K27

The following are the rows for the skull pattern (see chart link on side) , they are knit/purled back and forth to keep from having to cut yarn or having long floats on the inside.
When wrapping stitches, be sure to keep wrap tight or you can knit/purl wrap and stitch together to keep from having holes.
When switching between colors, be sure to twist strand of yarn together, again, to keep from having holes.
To make sure there are no floats inside, bring yarn you are not using over the yarn you are knitting/purling with, this weaves in the floats.

Rounds 8 - 25 Even Rows: K to first marker, K according to chart to second marker, K to end of round, slip marker, to wrap stitch bring yarn to front, slip first stitch, bring yarn to back, turn work and purl.
Rounds 8 - 25 Odd Rows:P to first marker, P according to chart to second marker, P to end of round, slip marker, to wrap stitch bring yarn to back, slip first stitch, bring yarn to front, turn work and knit.

Round 26 - 32: Begin working in the round again, K all stitches
Round 33: *K7, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 34 and all following even numbered rows: K all stitches
Round 35: *K6, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 37: *K5, K2tog* repeat to end of round
I switched to double point needles at this point.

Round 39: *K4, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 41: *K3, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 43: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 45: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 47: *K2tog* repeat to end of round
Cut yarn leaving a 6" to 7" tail. Thread through stitches left on needles. Turn work inside out and bring needle and yarn to inside and pull tight. Weave in ends and enjoy!

Tips:
Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods and working with colors.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.