From Sweater to Hat

I've started a new blog, you can check it out at: http://jennyfishknits.blogspot.com

I like to take apart discarded sweaters and do one or two things with them. I either frog them (rip rip rip them apart), or make something new out of them. The other day I was digging in my stash of sweaters and found one that I thought was beautiful.

It was too small to fit me, and it was surged (meaning the fabric was cut and machine sewn around the edges). What is a girl to do but make something else out of it.
I cut the front panel. Making sure the surged edge was included on both sides of the panel. Otherwise it would unravel.

Then I cut the top part off.

I cleaned up the top row of live stitches and using some of the yarn I pulled out I threaded a needle and ran a line through all the live stitches to secure them. Pulled it tight and using a hidden stitch I sewed up the two surged sides.

At this point the hat is basically done. I hat a bit of a pucker at the top. So, I decided to hide it with a pom pom I made out of left over yarn pieces.

Now Baby G has a new hat!

This Buffalo Yarn is killing me!

Yet again I've decided to frog the scarf I was working on with this lovely yarn. I don't know why I have such a knitting blockage with this yarn. I think I have put to much pressure on myself for two reasons.
The first is the person I am making this for is special and I want the finished project to be perfect. The second is this yarn is so darn amazing I want the project to be perfect!
So again I am on the prowl for a new pattern...
I opened up Raverly this morning and the first pattern on the front page jumped out at me.
Marina pattern by Kate Blackburn
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marina-9
I think I can do it... Ok, I know I can knit the pattern, I hope it lives up to the pressure.

((( here I go again )))

A Day I Never Want To Forget

Yesterday is a day I never want to forget. I feel that it is a day that will go down in history as the beginning of my knitting dream come true. I met with some very powerful people and discussed my future. They have faith in me and are giving me the opportunity to lifetime. I can't really talk about all of the details at this time because there's so much that needs to be worked out. But I can say this, I can see The feature and it looks very promising.
Monday morning I will be handing in my notice at my medical office, and the following Monday I will be starting a new career in retail.
That's right, at 40 years old I am changing career fields completely.  Well, not completely. But I am giving up the office life in pursuit of my hobby.

The Buffalo Yarn That Wants to be Something Special

A couple of years ago my husband was at an auction and came across an old case full of yarn. Being the wonderful man he is, he called me to find out if I was interested. I of course was, even before he read me the label. When he told me it was Buffalo Gold brand yarn, I literately yelped and caused a stir in my office. I jumped up out of my chair and you would have thought I was at an auction.
"Buy, Buy, Buy" I yelled.
I have only ever seen this yarn at my LYS once, and with a huge sign that said "DO NOT TOUCH". Okay, telling a knitter not to touch yarn was crazy! So of course, with help of my best friend who played blocker, I snuk a feel of this amazing fiber with a price tag of $99.99 for one little small 3 oz hank. It was haven. Maybe more because of the sign and the price tag, but it was something I had never felt before, the forbidden fiber.
So, as I am jumping around like a crazy person in my office yelling over the phone to my husband the doctor I work for came out of the room she was in and asked what the heck was wrong with me. When I explained the situation she laughed, explained to the patient that I am a knitter and then they laughed together and went on about there business and left me to my call.
To my shock my husband was at a silent auction. Meaning he had to write down an amount and turn it in, at midnight they would announce the winner of the lot. To my excitement, we had until later that night to turn in our bid. My boss let me off work early, my husband picked me up and let me go look at the yarn before we submitted our bid.
When I walked up to the trunk of yarn, you could almost hear the slow motion movie music in the back ground play with each small, slow step I took. When I opened the case, the magnitude of yarn packed inside was out of this world. These people had no idea what they had. To them it was just some yarn. To me, it was paradise. I had to keep my composer, not to alert anyone else as to what this find was. Knowing that just one hank of this yarn was retailed at almost one hundred dollars, and I guessed this old case had about 30 or more hanks.
Now came the time to place a bid. Do I go for what I can afford? Do I go for what it's worth? Or, do I go low and hope that nobody knows what is in this case. While my guts turned, I played all the scenarios out in my head. My husband was of no help. He just enjoyed watching me make a fool out of myself. I made up my mind, $99, that's it ninety-nine dollars. It seemed fair, affordable and all I would have to do is sell one hank to make back the money and I would only have to part with one of my treasures in order to keep the lot.
We placed the bid and drove home. This was better than Christmas, I waited up till midnight waiting on the results to be posted online, while visions of yarn danced in my head.
Midnight hit and the results posted. I WON!!!! I WON!!!! I literately jumped on the bed like a little kid! It was amazing! Dollar signs danced in my husbands head, while puffs of fiber played around in mine.
Fast forward to now. I have had the most difficult time finding a pattern or project deserving of this fine fiber. I made a pie shawl for my mother-in-law and a cardigan for myself. I sold enough to cover my purchase and used some to barter with friends. I still have several hanks left that sit in my yarn room waiting to be made into something fabulous.
About 4 months ago I took a couple hanks out and wound them into a ball. I decided I was going to make something for my husbands niece. I love her dearly and I want this project to be perfect. The color is a green tone with aqua blue that would look wonderful with her hair and eyes. This yarn is meant to be something for her. The only problem is, I've started 4 different projects with this yarn and frogged them because the pattern wasn't pretty enough. I have gone days with nothing on my needles, all because I want to make this yarn into something wonderful.
This weekend, I had a little bit of time to play while we took a trip to our lake house. I had the pattern printed from my last failed attempt. I liked the design, but I didn't think it was robust enough for what I wanted. I looked at it, I read it, I played with the yarn, the needles and then it hit me. If I changed a few things add a few more repeats, doubled the yarn and changed the needle size it would be what I was looking for.
After casting on and knitting a few rows I feel that it is perfect! Finally, this yarn has a project!

And 2 years later here I am... still knitting...

First I have to apologize for the long absence. A ton of stuff has happened in the last two years. First of all I have a new name. Mr. Nathan and I got married February 16, 2013 in Eureka Springs AK. So my new Raverly name is TwistedFish. In honor of my new last name. Also something totally amazing, thought to be impossible, utterly unbelievable has happened! At 39 years old I had a baby boy! I have always been told I wouldn't have children. My 18 year old son was adopted and life just happened. After Nathan and I got married, we purchased a cabin at the Lake of the Ozarks in Warsaw Missouri. And after a romantic weekend trip we turned up pregnant. Garrett Adam Fish was born September 21st 2014 a few weeks early weighing 3 pounds 14 ounces and 17 1/4 inches long. Tiny but healthy. (Thank you Heavenly Father)
I have knitted so many things in the last 2 years. I have to admit I haven't been good at documentation. I have knitted beanies for the boys. Rugs for that bathroom, socks, dish cloths, wash cloths, scarves, baby blankets, hats, booties, sweaters. At one point I started a knitting group. I had two people show up and after the first meeting the group dissipated. I was offered a teaching position at the local carer center. We set up a class schedule and promoted the class and only three people signed up... so they canceled the class.
But have faith my people.. you can't keep this knitter down. I've been talking with some very important powers that be and trying to have them open a LYS. If all goes well I will be able to feed my yarn addiction in person instead of via the snail mail or box store. I don't live close to a HL store. But I did manage to make a trip to one and check out the yarn section. I have to say that I am impressed with the Yarn Bee and I Love this Yarn brand. They have expanded and I have to give it up to them on the selection. But the one thing a box store like HL doesn't have that a LYS does... Personality and knowledge.
Enough about that.. Lets talk about my little baby boy Garrett! OMG! I have had some fun knitting for him. When I was first pregnant I for certain knew I was going to have a girl. I knitted socks, hats, booties, baby blankets all in pink. At week 20 I got the news that I need to change yarn from pink to blue. I couldn't do it. For some reason I was so disappointed I couldn't stand it. I looked at pattern after pattern and nothing stood out to me. Nothing called for my needles to get to work. I finally found a baby blanket pattern that I have made several times and enjoy making. I decided to make it in cream and camo. It turned out pretty darn good. Then (something I never knew) happened. For the first time in my life I had pain in my wrists and hands. I was super distraught. I could figure out why I was waking at night with the most horrible pain! Oh Lord please let me knit again! was the mantra in my head. I found out for the doctors I had pregnancy induced carpal tunnel! I still had three months of pregnancy and they told me it would take another three months after baby to get back to normal. I was so heartbroken. I couldn't imagine not knitting for 6 months! I hit the YouTube and searched for different things to try and do. I ended up making jewerly out of paper beads made out of magazines. I learned how to weave baskets out of rolled up tubes of newspaper. I even... dare I say... picked up a crochet hook and made Garrett and baby blanket with it... (those of you know I have horrible tension with crochet, I tend to shy away from a hook like it is the plague.) But I did it! Thankfully a few days after being home the swelling was down and I was able to knit again. (okay everyone take a deep breath, and know this, I didn't kill anyone! Although I did come close to it a few times.)

Here are a few projects I did manage to photograph:
Garrett's XO Hat:

This is the first hat I made when I found out he was going to be a Boy and not a girl. I had already made a pink hat and booties out of this pattern. I was told by everyone that this hat would be way to small. I was teased about not knowing the size of a babies head... yada yada yada. Well Baby G was 6 weeks early and a very tiny preemie. So the fat was actually to big for him.

Garrett's two day Hat:

This is the first thing I knitted after my wrist got back to normal. I made this hat in two days. The nurses at the hospital seemed very impressed. This was made for left over sock yarn!

Camo Hat and Booties for a Preemie:

The best thing about a Preemie... you can knit up something very quickly. But the down side... they grow out of it very quickly.
I personally thing that if you ever feel the need to use up left over project yarn. Make something for a preemie and donate to your local NICU. Those nurse are always on the look out for warm items for the babies. Preemies need help keeping their body temperature up. If you buy commercial preemie items you are paying an arm and a leg for something they need for just a week or two.


Garrett's I got Wings Hat:

This was such a fun project. Garrett's father is 3/4 Swedish and has that Viking look. So we had to make Garrett a Viking Hat.

BTW: The blanket he is cuddled up with is also made by yours truly. It's the Camo and Cream patchwork blanket I made after the shock of having a boy wore off...

Happy New Year

At 12:05am I finished my first knitting project. Yep, I'm a real party animal. I spent my New Year's Eve Knitting.
It's all good. I'm glad to have my first project of the year completed.

I wanted to knit a doily and see if the pattern could be changed over to a wash cloth pattern. I think I will try and find another pattern. I have tons of cotton yarn that I want to knit with, and wash cloths seems to be a very popular item.

 

I have nothing on the needles. I've been searching Ravelry for a new project. I have a pair of socks that I binded off last night. I need to weave in the ends to finish them up.
I found a pattern for a scrubby that I think will be a new popular item. I want to make one and see how it goes. If it is easy and not boring I may make up a bunch to have as gifts.

I managed to give away all my wash clothes at Christmas time! Yippie!!

Life is too Short

I was on facebook this morning and a friend had posted this picture.

I just have to say as a knitter it has always been a goal to make each sock match. It is highly frustrating when you have enough yarn left over to make one more sock. With this new fad, I think I'll just use up the extra yarn and have a stack of mixed socks.

Christmas 2012

I honestly can't believe that it almost Christmas and this is the first time I have posted this year on my blog. I have been a very busy girl this year.

Nate and I are planning our wedding for next year. My son is now in 10th grade. I bought a house in my home town of Excelsior Springs. I have a wonderful job as an office manager for an awesome Chiropractor. It has been a exciting year.

I have knitted all year without buying new yarn. I made a promise to myself to only use what I have this year and I stuck to that goal! Yippie!! I am surprised with all the knitting that I did this year I can hardly see a dent in the stash. But with our new house I now have a yarn room. (I do share it with the laundry room, but it's big enough.)

I still have 3 tubs of yarn that I didn't even crack the lid on this year. I have cubbies still full of hanks, and a ton of organization left to do to get a real count of remaining yarn.

My goal next year is to keep knitting with yarn I already have and finding projects to fit the yarn, until all the tubs are cleared out. I have lots of cotton yarn left and I have been working on wash clothes designed after pie shawls. Using this idea I end up with round dish/wash clothes and they have been a hit this year. I have had more requests for wash clothes then I had anticipated. Hats have also been a highly requested item this year. I have made them with left over sock yarn, cotton and some cotton acrylic blend that I found in my stash. I found a lovely pattern on Raverly called Cable & Cross that the boys in my family love. The pattern is an easy repeat and the fabric has enough give that they can wear the hat in several different ways. I did find out that if you use a tweed yarn the pattern gets lost. If you use a painted yarn the pattern looks busy, but if you use a semi solid or solid both the yarn and pattern show up beautifully.

I made my very first pie shawl this year. I used Buffalo Gold and it took me over 3 months. It was finished just in time for my fiancés Mom's 80th birthday. She loves the shawl and understands the work and detail of the piece. She was excited to wear it to church and beamed with pride from the attention.

I love making things for people that understand the time and love that goes into making the items.

My soon-to-be sister-in-law, owns Missouri Star Quilt Company http://www.missouriquiltco.com/ and has tried talking me into learning to quilt. I love her, but knitting is my gig and sewing machines scare me...lol. I'm trying to talk her into selling yarn.. maybe someday ;-)

I love my soon to be new family. They have opened their hearts to my son and I, and have made us feel warm and welcome and that we belong. I am truly blessed to be entering this family in the next year.

Time to get back to knitting....

Hi Everyone!
Well, the last year and a half have been a roller coaster like no other. My marriage of 16 years ended. My son and I packed up and moved back to my home state of Missouri. I wanted to move home and open a yarn store. So far that hasn't happened but I'm still working on it.

I started a little business called Save The Yarn. I'm taking apart old sweaters and reclaiming the yarn. Cleaning it and winding it into hanks and balls and putting them up for sale in a local flea market. So far I have sold 2 hanks in 2 months. But I also started making hats out of old sweaters and I have sold two of those as well. Basically I have made enough money to pay for the booth.

I got a new job in a Chiropractors office, and she has allowed me to set up a little display area with my yarn. She has also told me I could use the office after hours for a knitting class. Only problem is find people interested in knitting. But I have a plan... I'm gonna carry my knitting every place I go and hope people will ask me about it... Then I can have them join me for a class.

Okay now on the more exciting news...

After moving home I met a man and fell head over heels. His name is Nate and we are now engaged to be married!! We are having a long engagement. So far we are talking about a Spring wedding. He supports my yarn and knitting and wants to see me have my shop someday.

I miss my girls back home, I miss the knitting parties we had. I was reading my blog of the night we forgot to open the flue on the fireplace, and I am so glad I blogged about that night. Because it was like reliving that night over again... Bec & Karen I miss you ladies!!

Now that life has settled back down again I plan on sharing my yarn adventure. I'm getting back to my roots and doing what I enjoy...

New Knitting Bag

I got this bag today from the Dollar Store. It's a garden tool bag, but works wonderful for my current project that involves four colors of yarn. The back has four outside pockets just the right size for a ball of yarn each. Can't beat the price of a Dollar!!!

I've also been working on my Ultimat Sweater Machine

Here is the front pannel of the sweater I am working on. Had to stop for the night because I'm stressing out over not having enough yarn.

My First Sell

My Frist Sell

Many times I have told people, I knit for fun and don't take orders. Well, after coming to the realization that in order to be a business I have to actually sell something, I let go of my old adage and took two orders. Thankfully the buyers loved the hats and I can now say that I run a small business. My next hurdle is to come up with a name that isn't already taken.

If I had more subscribers I might have a contest to try and come up with a name. As it is right now I have TwistedStitch Hand Knits and Yarn Closet Designs.

Independence Day Baby Blanket Pattern

Independence Day Baby Blanket Pattern

Using the Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine

I've started a new blog, you can check it out at: http://jennyfishknits.blogspot.com

Materials:
1 skein each of Red, White and Blue Worsted Weight “I Love This Yarn” (7 oz., 355 yrds)
Be careful and test yarn to see if it will bleed.
Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine
Keyplate 3 ½
Claw Weights
Row Counter

Needles Required: 56

Stitch Pattern:
Seed Stitch (K1 P1 then Purl the Knits and Knit the Purls)
To do this you knit one row then go back with hand tool and drop and knit every other row Knit the next tow and drop and knit the opposite needle as the row before.

Independence Day Baby Blanket”
Panel A
Using Red yarn CO 56 using closed cast on method.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2 – 10: Seed Stitch
Row 11 – Knit and keep the last 6 stitches on right in seed stitch
Continue until 229 rows read on your row counter
Row 230 – 239: Seed Stitch
Row 240: Knit then closed bind off

Panel B
Using White yarn CO 50 using closed cast on method
Use the sew as you go method to attach Panel A on the left side of Panel B, making sure to grab the bar and have the purl side facing you.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2 – 10: Seed Stitch
Row 11 – 229: Knit
Row 230 – 239: Seed Stitch
Row 240: Knit then closed bind off

Panel C
Using Blue yarn CO 56 Using closed cast on method
Use the sew as you go method to attach Panel AB to the left side of Panel C, making sure to grab the bar and have the purl side facing you.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2 – 10: Seed Stitch
Row 11 – Knit and keep the last 6 stitches on right in seed stitch
Continue until 229 rows read on your row counter
Row 230 – 239: Seed Stitch
Row 240: Knit then closed bind off

Weave in ends, wash block and enjoy.

Hand Towel Topper Pattern

Hand Towel Topper

I simply wanted a replacement for the crochet topped hanging hand towel that was given to me many years ago. So I decided I could figure this out and knit a topper.

Materials:
Hand Towel
A 3 oz of worsted weight yarn
Size 7 Knitting Needles
12 Safety Pins
Darning Needle
Large Button




Cut hand towel in half.

Fold over cut end twice, safety pin in place.

Run a stitch back and forth leaving enough room for your knitting needle to fit in the loop seeming up the top of the dish cloth while casting on by slipping knitting needles through the stitches leaving loops on the needle. (You can also use a crochet needle and place the loops on the needles. Choose whatever method works best for you. The idea is to seam up the top and punch through the towel to get loops on the knitting needles.)

The aim is to get 53 stitches on you knitting needles. If you don’t get that amount don’t worry about it. On row 6 you will increase or decrease to end up with 53.

Row 1: Knit and count the amount of stitch you have. I ended up with 53. (WS)
Row 2: K1, P1 (RS)
Row 3: Knit the knits and Purl the Purls (WS)
Row 4: Knit the knits and Purl the Purls
Row 5: Knit the knits and Purl the Purls
Row 6: Knit and do even increases or decreases to reach 53 sts.
Row 7 and all odd rows to row 29: Purl
Row 8: K11, k2 togo, place marker, k11, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k11, ssk, k11
Row 10: K10, k2 togo, place marker, k10, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k10, ssk, k10
Row 12: K9, k2 togo, place marker, k9, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k9, ssk, k9
Row 14: K8, k2 togo, place marker, k8, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k8, ssk, k8
Row 16: K7, k2 togo, place marker, k7, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k7, ssk, k7
Row 18: K6, k2 togo, place marker, k6, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k6, ssk, k6
Row 20: K5, k2 togo, place marker, k5, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k5, ssk, k5
Row 22: K4, k2 togo, place marker, k4, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k4, ssk, k4
Row 24: K3, k2 togo, place marker, k3, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k3, ssk, k3
Row 26: K2, k2 togo, place marker, k2, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k2, ssk, k2
Row 28: K1, k2 togo, place marker, k1, k2 togo, slip marker, k1, slip marker, ssk, k1, ssk, k1 (9 stitch)

Remove Safety Pins

Start Neck:
Row 30: K1, P1 (RS)
Row 31: Knit the knits and Purl the Purls (WS)
Repeat Row 30 & 31 (10 times)

Button Hole:
K3, BO 3, K3 (turn)
K3, turn CO 3, turn, K3
Row 1: K1, P1 (RS)
Row 2: Knit the knits and Purl the Purls (WS)
BO 9

Weave in ends. Sew on button.

Baby Blanket is Done

I made this blanket with the Ultimate Sweater Machine. Pattern to come soon... (as I type it up)

Works in Progress

Now and then it's a good thing to take stock of all the wonderful items on your needles. This way you can tell how really scatter brained you really are. I've decided to post my many works in progress. Now these are just my active works. I would have to dig in the knitting closet to find the few inactive works. Frankly, I just don't want to do that, or admitted how many unfinished items I've put away for one reason or another. I do know that somewhere out there is a sweater I started awhile ago that is missing in action. I found the extra yarn but have misplaced the pattern and beginnings of the work. But honestly I don't remember how much I had completed or the name of the pattern. Oh well, it will appear someday when it's ready to be finished.

Baby Blanket

This project is the closet to done. I just have to finish washing and then it's on to blocking.

Mason Dixon Wash Cloth

This project is a fast knit, and my excuse for carrying a large hand bag. I plan on getting a stack of these done to give out as gifts this year. I plan to always have one on the needles. This is what I call my purse knitting. I have a special area in my purse for a project.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

Okay I know, this isn't a knitting project. However, I claim it as an unfinished work because I haven't finished reading it. It's hard, because when I start reading I stop to go knit.

Lake Burridge Aran Afghan

Those of you that know me, know that I have given myself 3 years to finish this afghan. So far it has been 2 years and I'm about 1/4th of the way through the 3rd panel. Not to bad. This afghan has three long panels then two small that go at the head and foot. This project lives in a speacial bag and gets knitted on when I don't want to knit anything else and am not ready to cast on a new project.

Snowflack Ear Flap Hat

I'm almost done with this hat. It's a personal design that I'm knitting for a second time using my pattern instructions to make sure I didn't forget something. Unfortantly I have had to make a few revision to the pattern. But I'm glad I decided to go through the pattern this way.

Knitting with the Girls

We had a blast knitting tonight. Becca's working on my Ear Flap Hat pattern, I'm knitting a washcloth from Mason-Dixon, and Karen is using the Bond Ultimate Sweater Machine to make a baby blanket.

We started at 3pm meeting at a local bagel/coffee shop to knit with other local knitters. Then came back to my house to hang and knit some more. Karen brought chicken breasts with a sauce that was to die for. Becca made the coffee and I smoked up the house when I started a fire without knowing the flu was closed. Once we gave up on the fire and sat down to eat the fire kicked up and decided to actually produce a flame. (for a little bit)

This lovely night lasted until 12:30am. All three of us made so many mistakes that very little got accomplished, but we had an awesome time.

Lessons Learned:
Check the flu
Check the direction of the fan before turning it on in a smoke filled room
Don't get offended when you ask someone a question and get a 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 as an answer
It doesn't matter how many times you count, you will be off
Row counters can make mistakes too
Jenny can't say the name of the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou without totally messing it up
Karen is tight, Becca is right on and Jenny is loose (this is a knitting reference, I promise)
Three women can knit together for over 9 hours without finishing a project (some don't even get finished casting on)

I Love the Mail Man...

I got a box today from Knit Picks!!! Tonight I am trying out for the first time Zephyr Needles.

Yesterday's knitting went into the can. I went back to the dark green cotton to try out my new needles. Although I don't have a clue what I'm knitting, I'm casting on just for the pure joy of it.

Time To Start A New Project

I casted on for a new pattern the night before last. I don't really know what it's going to be, but we will see. Right now I cast on 120 sts and am working in a 2X2 basket weave pattern. I'm thinking it will be a hat.

Snowflake Ear Flap Hat Pattern

I have started a new blog: You can visit it at http://jennyfishknits.blogspot.com

Materials:
• 1 Ball of Green Worsted Weight Cotton (50g)
• 1 Ball of Cream Worsted Weight Cotton (50g)
• Size 4, 19” Circular needles or 5 dpn (this hat can be knitting using a longer circular cord and done in magic loop method)
• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Holder (or extra dpn)

Gauge:
24 stitches and 40 rounds = 4 inches

Earflaps: (make 2) MC
Cast on 4 stitches using cable cast on.

Rows 1 (RS) and 2: Knit
Row 3: K1,yo, knit to last st, yo, k1
Row 4 and 6: Knit
Row 5: Rep Row 3
Row 7: K1, yo, knit to last st, yo k1
Row 8: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3
Rep Rows 7-8 until there are 20 sts

Keeping first and last 3 sts in garter st (knit every row), and rem sts in St st (RS knit, WS purl), work even until earflap measures 2 ½ inches (4 rows). Place sts on Stitch Holder (or extra dpn).

Hat:
With MC Cast on 120 sts using Cable Cast On. Join without twisting, pm between first and last st. Marker will be the center back of hat.

Next rnd: [K2, p2] 5 times, with RS facing you, place one earflap behind work. Working in k2, p2 rib, work 1 st from main needle and 1 earflap st tog until all earflap sts have been joined. Work in rib over next 40 sts, join 2nd earflap as for first, work in rib to end of rnd.

Work even in 2X2 rib for 1 ½ inches.

Next rnd: With CC knit 10 rnd, inc 5 stitches in the 10th round.

Start Pattern: (gray = main color, white = contrast color) Pattern Repeats 5 times around hat.




Decreasing Rounds:
Dec Rnd 1: Change to CC Knit
Dec Rnd 2: Dec 5 sts evenly (120 sts)
Dec Rnds 3 through 7 and all odd round: Knit
Dec Rnd 8: *K9, K2tog*
Dec Rnd 10: *K8, K2tog*
Dec Rnd 12: *K7, K2tog*
Dec Rnd 14: *K6, K2tog*

Continue in decrease rounds pattern until 11 stitches remain. K2tog 5 times, K1
Last rnd: *K2tog* 3 stitches remain. Cut yarn and using tapestry needle thread yarn through last remaining stitches. Weave in ends.

Braids:
Cut 6 strands of MC and 6 strands of CC 24 inches long. Using tapestry needle, thread one strand of mc and one cc color through end of ear flap 3 times on each flap. Divides strands into three groups and braid, tie in knot at end.

last revision: 03/18/2010

It's Finished...

I finished the ear flap hat as the closing ceremonies began. Caleb was very happy to model the new hat. However it was a tiny bit small on him. He asked me to make another one a bit bigger.

I plan on writing down the pattern tonight so I don't forget how I made it all work out. Then I will be looking for a couple of pattern testers to try out the pattern before I post it for sell.