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Chunky Knit Fall Hat – Open Lace Design (Free Pattern)

So I went to our public library this weekend and found they have 300 million knitting and crochet books. Okay, maybe not 300 million, but close. Coming from suburbia where I was lucky to find 10 knitting books at my local library (no joke), this was heaven.

I checked out a few books and promptly went to buy more yarn.

I started knitting a chunky sweater, but when that failed, I ripped it out and went back to what I know: knitting hats.

There’s something about knitting on a Sunday afternoon that just feels right. So homey, so relaxing – a great way to start a new week. I want to apologize in advance for the lack of good pictures, but, my dear blog reader, I will share with you because I know you will not judge. Perhaps when I’m home again, I can bribe my sister to model, but I couldn’t wait share with you so here it is:

Slouchy Knit Hat/ Beret for Fall

We’ve been having colder weather here the past week in Ohio and I thought it was only fitting to create a slouchy/ chunky/ knit beret. I’m not sure if I had seen a hat like this recently or it was only a design that existed in my mind, but I worked a simple lace pattern to create this hat. I wanted a hat that was open and not really a wear-out-in-the-freezing-cold-hat, but more of a look-at-me-i’m-cute fall hat.

I would also caution that the instructions that follow provide more of a framework for knitting this hat rather than step-by-step instructions. If you’re an advanced beginner knitter and aren’t afraid to experiment, you’ll be fine. If you’re a newbie knitter and like to follow instruction verbatim, try it – you might surprise yourself!

Knit Fall Hat Pattern

Materials

Size 17 (12.75mm) US knitting needles

1 Skein Bernat Roving (I used the “Bark” color) or any bulky weight yarn.

Directions

CO 32

Rows 1 – 5: Work K2, P2 ribbing. (32 stitches)

This next part requires you to get creative, but you can do it. Read the directions below so you know what you’ll have to do.

For the next row (Row 6), you want to increase a couple stitches so your hat is a little slouchy. There’s no rhyme or reason to my increasing, I just worked increased until I went from 32 to 38 stitches. To make increases, randomly work *K1, YO, K1* (instead of K1, Yo, SKK) every so often in Row 1. This is you chance to be creative – mix it up and bit and experiment!

Row 6 (RS): *K1, YO, SSK*. Last two stitches – K2.(Remember to randomly increase so you end up with 38 stitches).

Row 7 (WS): *P1, Yo, P2Tog*. Last two stitches – P2. (38 stitches)

Repeat Rows 6 and 7 until hat measures 7 inches from beginning, ending with a purl/ WS Row (Row 7).

It’s time to get creative again for the decreases. Don’t worry – you can do it!

Next Row: K1, *SSK, YO, SSK*

Next Row: P1, *P2Tog, Yo, P2Tog*

Repeat Rows ^ twice more.

Final Decrease Row: *SSK, SSK, YO, SSK, SSK*

Final Decrease Row: *P2Tog, Yo, P2Tog*

Repeat 2 Final Decrease Rows until hat measures 9 inches from beginning and only a few (7-8) stitches remain.

Cut yarn. Weave through remaining stitches on needle. Sew up side seam of hat.

And there you have it – your semi-creative knit slouchy hat that’s perfect for winter!

Crochet, Knitting

Top 8 Reasons Why Crocheting is Better Than Knitting

It’s time to hang up the gloves. The question of which is better–crocheting or knitting– has been discussed since the first sheep’s wool was spun into yarn.

Knitters hold their needles high as they offer delicate stitches and sweaters that took weeks to knit, while crocheters fight back with the functionality of their knotted work.

As someone who has been crocheting since she was 8 and knitting since she was 13, I want to end this argument for good.

Crocheting is Better Than Knitting. (Don’t tell me you couldn’t see that coming… I have a crochet blog.)

Here are 8 reasons why I believe crocheting is better than knitting:

1. Crocheting takes 30% more yarn than knitting. While some might view this as a disadvantage, I view it as a positive. Any compulsive crafter would have to agree. The bigger dent you make in your overwhelming yarn stash at one time, the better.

2. Crocheting uses one hook instead of two needles. Why finagle two things when it’s easier to hold just one?

3. Crocheting is faster. Knitters see patterns for 5 1/2-hour crochet afghans and cringe. They dream about the day they could make something that fast. For crocheters, making an afghan in two evening sittings isn’t anything new.

4. Crocheting is easier to learn. I’ll admit this one is subjective… but it’s factual and true.

5. You have more freedom when crocheting. Crocheters use one hook with one loop of yarn on it. Knitters, on the other hand, have perfectly aligned loops sitting obediently on their needles. Where’s the freedom? When crocheting, if you suddenly want to go over the side, go for it. Back the way you came? Sure – not a problem. Want to join something together? Just fold and stitch along the top. Folks, it doesn’t get more free than that.

6. You can easily make a crochet flower and other accessories. I put crochet flowers on pretty much every hat I crochet because I think they’re adorable. (In fact, I love making crochet flowers so much that I created a Video Tutorial on how to crochet a flower.) Patterns for knitted flowers involve no less than 12 steps and lots of sewing together. All that work takes the joy out of flowers.

7. There are less crochet patterns than knitting patterns. Also might seem like a downside, but the thrill of the hunt makes this a plus for crocheting. Finding a good crochet pattern is like finding GOLD. Hundreds of books have been written about knitting, but good crochet patterns are harder to trace down and more rewarding when you find them.

8. And finally, the most compelling part of the case: Crocheting creates a heavier, stretchier fabric. This heavier fabric is useful when making:

Hats
Scarves
Afghans
Baby Blankets
Scrubbies & Dishcloths
Dishtowels
Bags
Purses
Cowls
Socks/ Slippers
Rugs
Ponchos (are these still in?)
Cozies (iPod, Coffee Cup)
Pouches (Laptop, Cell Phone)
Flowers
Mittens or Gloves
Amigurumi (little crocheted animals)
Even Dog Sweaters are better crocheted.

Pretty much the only thing people would rather knit than crochet is a sweater. So for projects that are a sweater, pull out the knitting needles. For everything else, grab a hook because crocheting’s where it’s at.

And so, I think you will find that crocheting, as whole, is better than knitting. What’s your preference? Are you a one hook or a two needle crafter?

For an additional comparison between knitting and crocheting, read here: https://www.jjcrochet.com/knitting-vs-crocheting/.

Knitting

A “Knotty” Surprise

After graduation came a full time job and with a job came moving out-of-state.

Moving out-of-state meant leaving the knitting group I’ve loved and enjoyed for the past 2 years and the 11 ladies who have become my “grandmas”.

Oh Knotty Knitters of the Public Library – You will be missed.

Last Thursday, July 28th, was the last knitting group I’ll have for a while. I don’t know when I’ll be able to take off in the middle of a work week to drive 3 hours home to knit with my girls.

This past week, just as our knitting was winding down for the evening, I heard “surprise!”. Startled, I saw everyone put down their needles and smile at me. I looked over my shoulder only to see a beautiful cake and across the table to see 11 smiling faces.

It was the first time I cried about leaving.

My parents came to share in the surprise and it was a lovely few moments spent with dear friends (and delicious cake).

I don’t think I’ll ever find a group as lively as the Knotty Knitters, even though they’re all over 65. No one can replace them! Grannies Wendy, Dolores, Carol, Nancy, Gloria, Helen, Suzan, and Marge – How I miss you already. Thursdays from 6 – 8pm won’t ever be the same.

Knitting, Projects

Knitted Baby Sweater – Rainbow

I recently visited a local yarn store that opened by my house. It’s cute. They remodeled a downstairs and sell novelty yarn and pottery. A few weeks ago, I spotted a store sample hanging by the window: A cotton knitted baby cardigan.

Now I’m not planning on having kids for a few years (have to find me a man first), but who can resist a miniature sized anything? I found the pattern from Plymouth Yarns and upon seeing it was “free with yarn purchase”, I made a yarn purchase.

Free pattern in hand and two skeins of Fantasy Naturale in Rainbow and I was ready to knit.

Detail of the Lace Raglan Top-Down Sleeve
The pattern worked up fairly quickly and I’m pleased with how it turned out. I followed the pattern exactly except I didn’t make the sleeves as long so it’s a 3/4 length knitted baby cardigan instead. It was a top-down raglan knit so super easy and minimal seams – just what a crocheter/ dabbling-knitter needs!

I especially like the bold color palette. You don’t normally see babies in brights, but I rather like it. What do you think?

Details:

Pattern Name: Fantasy Naturale Top Down Baby Sweater

Yarn: Fantasy Natural (2 hanks)

Needles: Pattern called for size 9, I used US 8 (and even then I thought my gauge was loose)

Size: 6 months

Crochet, Knitting

The International Language of Yarn

I imagine a knitting group in the town of Nantes, France would call themselves the Nantes Knotty Knitters.

I’m here in the beautiful French countryside on a 11-day “Best of France tour” with my school. We’re touring towering chateaus, exploring exotic cathedrals, and walking through wonder-filled villages. On one of our free afternoons, a few of my friends and I walked the streets of downtown Nantes at a place called Commerce. The streets are quaint, the shops expensive. Reminds me of a scene from the Jason Bourne movies.

I told my group the one thing I’d like to visit in France was a yarn store.

Wouldn’t you know that right before we left, my best friend (bless her) happened to spot a yarn store. Ahh! So good! After promising my group I’d only look around for 5 minutes (ha good one), I went in. There were rows of yarn hanging on wooden railings. I was in heaven. They priced each type of yarn then would wind off as much of the skein as you wanted. Some lovely green silk caught my eye and at 3.20 Euros for 50 grams, I was sold.

I walked up to the counter, but had a problem. I didn’t speak French and none of the 5 girls working spoke English. My five years of taking Spanish failed me. I think I managed to say “j’adore” and pointed to the skein I wanted. The clerk smiled and nodded. She wound off 50 grams for me, I paid and left. Wonderful! Excuse-moi for the tired looking picture of me, but I have to share. My friend managed to snap this awkward picture of me before we heard “No fotos”. Totally worth it.

Knitting

I’m a Yarn Harlot… or at least enjoy reading about one.

I’m currently reading “Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter” by Stephanie Pearl McPhee. This book is a reflection of my soul.

( If you’d like to get a little kicky flavor of her witting writing, check out a sample of her book her on Google Books). I promise if you’re a knitting or crocheter, you won’t be disappointed. And coming from me, a big non-reader, consider this a glowing recommendation.

Granted, I’m only 40 pages through, but I just got the book from a lady at my knitting group (thanks, Helen!) and am so pleased with it, I can only show my appreciation through blogging. Future note to self: finish reading a book in its entirety before sharing your opinions.

If you eat, breathe, and sleep knitting or crocheting you have to check out this book. Reading Stephanie’s stories will make you realize you’re not alone and not as crazy of a knitter as you realized. You’re just like the rest of us yarn harlots. There is hope.

In the tiny pages of Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter, you’ll find:

Notes left by UFOs (unfinished objects, for all you non-knitters), begging to be finished
Panic-laden moments of stretching sweaters and blocking blunders
Ambitious, soul-stealing knitting projects shoved in closets
Family vacation money spent at local yarn stores
Sock knitting ramblings, etc, etc, etc.

My favorite paragraph from the book (so far) has been this,

“Knitting is magic. Knitting is an act of creation and a simple transformation each and every time. Each knitted gift holds hours of my life. I know it looks just like a hat, but really, it’s four hours at the hospital, six hours on the bus, two hours alone at four in the morning when I couldn’t sleep because I tend to worry. It’s all those hours when I chose to spend time warming another person. It’s giving them my time – time that I could have spent on anything, or anyone, else. Knitting is love, looped and warm.“

If that blurb doesn’t incentivize you to put down your needles and pick up a copy of Yarn Harlot: The Secret Life of a Knitter by Stephanie Pearl McPhee, I don’t know what will. Happy reading!

Knitting

FPF: Famous Person Friday

Since it’s Friday, you’re probably expecting Free Pattern Friday. Sorry to disappoint, but I have something better than a free pattern, I have the creator of all things patterns. Happy FPF – Famous Person Friday.

When you think knitting patterns – classic, fitted, exquisite stitch detail – who do you think of? Just one name comes to mind, really: Debbie Bliss.

Debbie Bliss is an international designer from the UK who is famous for her classy knitting patterns, mostly for women. I had the opportunity to hear her speak at an event sponsored by Wolf Creek Yarns in Grove City, PA. She spoke about her designs and creative process. Here are some highlights from her talk:

Listen to yarn and let its texture speak to you; create with it what you it wants you to make
Don’t make garments that are too big – fitted clothing will fit better in the long run
Plain yarn can better showcase stitch detail than novelty yarn
Her yarn line, Debbie Bliss, was designed to be true to the knitter she was. Plain, simple, classic.
She visits Italy twice a year to select yarn for her summer and fall lines
If she doesn’t like the “hot” color for the season, she’ll hold out and wait to see if it catches on before adding it to her yarn line
She prefers classic silhouettes so people can personalize them
Her publisher didn’t think her first book of baby knitting patterns would be profitable. He was wrong
She worked as a nurse for two year before gradually building her knitting empire; It’s never too late, she encourage the audience, to pursue your dreams.

While I was the youngest member in attendance (nothing new to me, though, because of my 65-year old knitting group) I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Her accept was lovable, her demeanor calming, and her knitting insight a true reflection of the knitting prowess she is. And as an added bonus, everyone in attendance will get a new copy of her book… can’t wait!

Free Pattern Friday, Free Patterns, Knitting, Projects

Free Pattern Friday – Knitted Hat & Pattern: Tie-Cord Baby Hat

Free knitting pattern – Newborn Tie-Cord Hat

This knit baby hat was my first venture into the world of DPNs. After watching this Youtube video on how to knit with double pointed needles, I finally mastered the technique. I had heard knitting with DPNs was equivalent to wrestling with an octopus, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be. If you’ve never used big-bad (ooooh) DPNs before, try it. I thought having to sew up circular knit projects when I was done was no big deal. Wrong. Knitting in the round on DPNs is so, so, so much better. Try it… you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Free Pattern: Newborn Baby’s Knitted Tie Hat

Size: Newborn. Finished hat measures 12″ in circumference and 5.5″ inches high, not including tie.

Materials

US size 8 (5.0mm) double pointed needles
~75 yards worsted weight yarn
Darning Needle

Pattern

CO 45

Knit in Stockinette Stitch (K every round) until hat measures 4″ from bottom.

Begin to decrease.

Round 1: (K3, K2tog) around

Round 2: (K2, K2tog) around

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2, decreasing until only 4 sts remain.

Continue to K4 sts to form an i-chord that measures 6-7″.

Bind off.

Use Darning Needle to Sew in Ends.

Loosely knot i-chord at top of hat.

Laugh at all your other friends who knit this on straight needles and have to sew up the seam.

Knitting, Projects

Knitted Baby Sweater

I’d had my eye on this free knitting pattern on Ravelry: Baby Sophisticate for a while. I’ve never really had an excuse to make it, though. I’m a single 21-year old that has zero use for a knitted baby sweater.

Enter my good friend who’s pregnant with her second kid. (Suz, I’m sorry if you’re reading this, just act surprised when I give this to you the next time I see you.) On Monday, I learned she was having a boy and cast on for this knitted baby sweater Monday night. Finished it by Tuesday. Can’t stop looking at it. For more project details and where you can get this free knitting pattern for this baby sweater, check out my finished project page on Ravelry.

Only downside: My friend isn’t due ’til October so it’s another 5 months until we can try it on her little tyke.

Knitting

Knotty Knitters

Today was the first Thursday I’ve been able to go to my weekly knitting group in over 3 months and it made me realize how much I’ve missed them. It’s one thing to crochet by yourself, but to be surrounded by people you can “talk yarn with” is another. Our small group, the Knotty Knitters, meet at the local library from 6-8pm on Thursdays evening to knit, crochet, and share stories about life.

I’m the youngest member of the Knotty Knitters (by about 40 years), yet I absolutely love the time I spend with my fellow needlecrafters. These women are so thoughtful and genuine – not to mention knowledgeable about all things knitting – that spending 2 hours with them is not nearly enough time. I wish I was home more so that I could go more often, but alas, college calls.

Don’t worry, ladies – I’ll be back for another round (ha, crochet joke) soon enough.

Free Patterns, Knitting

Free Knit Hat Pattern – Hannah’s Hat: A Classic Essential for Winter

I love making this hat because being a crocheter at heart, I have to make instant gratification projects. If it’s not quick, forgetaboutit. This hat knits up in a jiffy, even though I’ve only been knitting for a while. (Granted, not as fast as I can crochet, but you can’t design crochet hats with a stitch pattern like this…)

Pattern is mainly for my own reference so it’s not completely precise, but feel free to enjoy! Just eyeball it and go. Contact me if you have any questions and I’d be more than happy to help!

Hat was named for my roommate in college, Hannah, who is classy and indie and wonderfully beautiful, just like this hat.

Materials

Size 13 (9.0mm) Knitting Needles

1 Skein Lionbrand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (107 yards) or any bulky weight yarn

Pattern

CO 48 stitches

Knit 4×4 rib for 2 1/2 inches (or however long you’d like your band to be).

Next Row: Switch to Mistake Ribbing For Body: *k2, p2* across until 2 stitches remain. P2tog (you need an odd number of stitches for the mistake ribbing).

Continue to work Mistake Ribbing (*k2, p2* across until last stitch, p1) until hat measures 7 inches from cast on edge.

Next Row: Begin to decrease. k 1, *k2tog, p2tog* across. Continue decreasing for 3 Rows until only 7 stitches remain.

Cut yarn and weave yarn through remaining stitches on needle, gathering hat shut.

Sew up side seam of hat and Enjoy!

Knit Hannah’s Hat with others on Ravelry:

If you’re not a fan of straight needles, instructions on how to knit this hat in the round are found below:

Cast on 48, do 4×4 rib as instructed.

Now here is where it gets tricky:

Mark your first stitch with a marker and k2 p2 around. (ending in p2)

Start next row (in the round means next stitch) p1, k2, p2 around till last stitch, and then p1. and then repeat. next row would start with K2.

This is how i wrote it down to help me:

k k p p k k p p

p k k p p k k p

k k p p k k p p

p k k p p k k p

you can see how the K’s and p’s line up, and the other verticals are every other as the should be.

You just need to know when you are going to have 3 purls next to each other, or just 1 purl.

Cast on 48, do 4×4 rib as instructed.

Now here is where it gets tricky:Mark your first stitch with a marker and k2 p2 around. (ending in p2)

Start next row (in the round means next stitch) p1, k2, p2 around till last stitch, and then p1. and then repeat. next row would start with K2.

Continue to work mistake ribbing until hat measure 7 inches from beginning.

Work decreases in hat as written above ^^. (Next Row: Begin to decrease. k 1, *k2tog, p2tog* across. Continue decreasing for 3 Rows until only 7 stitches remain.)

Have fun!

All this knitting mumbo-jumbo got you stumped? Don’t worry – visit JJCrochet’s Etsy Store for hand-made crocheted and knit hats!