Stash Buster: Knitted Infant Hats

Do you have mini skeins or leftover yarn from a larger project in your stash?

Is it sock weight/fingering weight yarn?

Do you want/need/desire to make a project that is guaranteed to be instantly gratifying?

Do you love to make cute little items for cute little people?

If you answered yes to 2 or more of the above questions then it looks like you are up for making a simple and quick baby gift. Hats make a great gift for the newest little ones in your life.  Parents appreciate the love you put into making a handmade item and let’s face it, it makes their baby look darn cute.

This is a recipe (aka not a pattern) for a basic infant beanie. For sizing, I use these measurements from Bev’s Country Cottage. Feel free to add adornments such as bows, flowers, buttons, and/or patches.

Materials: 

At least 30-40 grams of fingering weight yarn (for sizes newborn-12 mo)

US size 3/3.0mm knitting needles (either DPNs or circular) * I used the magic loop method

1 stitch marker

Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 7 sts and 10 rows per 1″

Abbreviations: K= Knit st, P= purl stitch, k2tog= knit two stitches together

Brim: Cast on the number of stitches needed for the sizing you have chosen (example: with my gauge I cast on 100 stitches for 3-6 mo infant hat to give me a 15″ circumference). Join the stitches in the round while making sure not to twist the stitches. Place your stitch marker.

Rows 1-10: K1, P1 across all stitches.

Body: Knit all stitches until you reach 1″ below your desired length (for a 3-6 mo hat I knit for 5.5 inches from the edge of the brim )

Crown: Begin decreases.

Row 1: Knit 9 sts, k2 tog across all sts.

Row 2 and all even row: Knit all sts

Row 3: Knit 8 sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 5: Knit 7sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 7: Knit 6 sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 9: Knit 5 sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 11: Knit 4 sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 13: Knit 3 sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 15: Knit 2 sts, k2tog across all sts

Row 17: Knit 1, k2tog across all sts

Row 18: K2tog across all sts.

Finish: Cut an 8-inch tail. Thread tapestry needle and weave the needle through the remaining stitches on the needle. Turn the hat inside out and weave in the ends.



Enjoy!

-Whit- 

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Knitting Stacks Hats

This weekend was a long weekend for me and I took some time to relax with my knitting. I made two new Stacks Hats  for my Etsy shop. 

I have to say I don’t usually knit patterns over and over. However, the Stacks Hat is the perfect project for a Netflix marathon. One can get in a good knitting rhythm, which leads to increased TV watching vs just listening to it. 😉

I almost got fully caught up on The People vs OJ Simpson, watched a couple of comedy specials and a few episodes of OA.  The OJ Simpson dramatization is really interesting.  I am too young to remember all of the hype around the trial so it is intriguing to watch it now as an adult. The OA is just bizarre. I have watched 5 episodes now and I am losing interest. It is too out of the box for me.

In terms of knitting, the hats came out great! The green hat is Paton’s Classic Wool in Jade Heather. I had some leftovers from my Armande sweater I finished a couple of weeks ago. The gray hat is some new hand dyed yarn that I just discovered. It is called Dark Star and made by the lovely Laura at Crooked Kitchen Yarn. This yarn is dyed beautifully and it is so amazing to work with. The yarn is so soft and I love that there is a hint of sheen that makes your finished project look a little glossy. When you get the chance head over to her shop to view her gorgeous color choices. 

All and all it was a productive weekend. Some more projects are in the works so please keep track of my knitting via Instagram @knitsbywhitsf

Until Next Time

-Whit-

Mini Flax Sweaters

The babies are coming! The babies are coming! Well that is at least what I have been chanting in my head. May I present my latest baby gifts…

Mini Flax Sweaters by Tin Can Knits. Tin Can Knits does a lovely job with creating everyday basics for the whole family. The tan sweater is sized 0-6mos and the red one is 6-12mos. I really love this pattern as it is free, well written, and has so much potential for variations. 

I used Patons Classic Wool Worsted for both sweaters. I made no modifications except using an alternative color on the neck, cuffs, and bottom edge of the tan sweater. I will say I had a little trouble with keeping the stitches even as I picked up additional stitches at the underarms. However, I went back and did some tightening up of the stitches with a tapestry needle and spare yarn.If you are in need of a quick and easy pattern, I highly recommend the Flax Sweater. Did I mention that they have a lightweight version too?  

The babies aren’t due till spring, but I am glad I can check these gifts off the list.

What is your go-to baby sweater pattern?

Until Next Time, 

-Whit-

Armande Sweater

I joined the Selfish Sweater Knit-a-long (sskal2017), hosted by Andi Satterlund of Untangling Knots, back in January. The SSKAL is focused on creating cardigans, and in my opinion, Andi’s cardigans are amazing . Her patterns are straightforward to execute and have cute feminine touches like lacework and waist shaping. I previously tried to make her Minette sweater and failed horribly. One thing about most of Andi’s sweaters is that they fit snug (aka have 1-2″ negative ease). I messed up the sizing on my Minette so much I couldn’t even button it up. 😫

This time around I really thought about my gauge and how I wanted the sweater to fit. I opted for the medium size and am super pleased with the result. It is a must to layer up in San Francisco and my Armande has enough room for a shirt or two underneath.  

I used Patons Classic Wool Worsted in Jade Heather. Gosh I love this color. It is mainly green, but there are flecks of blue and yellow-green that really give the yarn some dimension. I am also really jazzed about these buttons that I found at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

All and all another successful sweater! Sorry I didn’t get any pictures with me wearing it quite yet. I was quite busy finishing up some other knitted goodies this weekend. Make sure to follow me on Instagram (@knitsbywhitsf) for future photos of my Armande Sweater in action.

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

Day 7: Stripes

The #yarnlovechallenge has been a fun process. Today’s prompt was stripes. I personally love stripes (especially black and white ones). Stripes are a great pattern option without being over the top. When knitting or crocheting, stripes are also one of the easier ways to incorporate color into a piece. Here are some of my favorite FO with stripes:

On the Beach Sweater

Color Pop Beanie

Identical Twins

Purple Jaywalker Socks

Peach Striped Beanie (toddler size)

Do you like crafting with stripes? 

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

For more on the #yarnlovechallange head over to Instagram. Please connect with me @knitsbywhitsf

Stacks Hat

Since my birthday is approaching I am offering a 32% discount on the Stacks Hat. Buy this pattern before November 13th and enter the code: BIRTHDAYGIRL.

I am delighted by this pattern as it represents my design style so well. I love a clean look with an added element of interest. The Stacks Hat features a classic shaped beanie/toque with an added textural surprise. Instead of using the traditional ribbed stitch, I incorporated a twisted knit stitch. By doing this, the ribbing takes on a raised three-dimensional look.

 

The Stacks Hat is a quick project that is sure to keep you warm during the months of cold weather. It is a one skein project and the choices of yarn to knit with are endless.

(Featured: Red Hat uses Brooklyn Tweed Arbor in Fireside; Grey Hat uses Dark Star from Crooked Kitchen Yarns)

Want the pattern? Please stop by Ravelry  and purchase your copy.

 

Until Next Time,

-Whit-

Knitted Football Coasters

I made these coasters a couple of years ago and they were a hit. Since Superbowl weekend it coming up I thought I would update the pattern. These coasters are a great stash buster that will have you football ready in no time. Enjoy!

knitsbywhit

Finally, football season is coming to an end. No more Sundays dictated by when the game is on. Since I will be heading to a friend’s house, I thought I would whip up a cute little hostess gift. Here is the general outline for my stash busting football coasters.

Football Coasters:

Materials: US size 6 needles,  ~30-40 g of worsted weight brown acrylic yarn, ~1 yd of worsted weight white acrylic yarn, tapestry needle (The yarn requirements are dependent on how many coasters you are making.)

Abbreviations:

k=knit

p=purl

kfb= knit into the front and back of stitch

k2tog= knit two sts together

Cast on 3 sts.

Row 1: knit all sts

Row 2: k1, inc1, knit to last st, kfb (5 sts)

Repeat Rows 1-2 until there are 11 sts total.

Row 8:  purl across all sts.

Row 9: k1,inc1, knit across to last st, kfb (13 sts)

Continue Rows 8 and 9 until there…

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