Hats and Socks

My arm said it was time to take a break from looming so I've been crocheting lately. This is called the Chunky Brimmed Winter Hat. I had some variegated yarn in pretty fall colors I wanted to try and think it turned out nicely. The free pattern is located at http://www.yarnsandmusings.com/2007/01/chunky-brimmed-winter-hatchapeau.html .


Lion Brand published a book called Just Hats, Favorite Patterns to Knit and Crochet. It has basic hat patterns for both techniques as well as variations and more complicated patterns. This hat is called The Kiss and was as easy as the pattern promised. It's the first time I've used double point needles and they turned out to be quite manageable.

These socks have consumed much of my time lately. They are made of Moda Dea Sassy Stripes and were done on two circular needles. I used Queen Kahuna's methods for the cast-on, general directions for size, and short row heel (http://www.queenkahuna-creations.com/). I really like her technique. I've done other socks on circular needles but never quite got the sizing correct and hated the heelflap. The ribbing is a pattern of K2 P2 for 5 rows, then P2 K2 for 5 rows.

Fancy Fur Hat Brims

The Dollar Store near me had Fancy Fur. Here are a couple of the hats I made with it. The first hats had regular brims and a complementary color for the top. They were just okay. Then I made some with the same color as the fur and let the brims roll. I think these are much prettier.

Krystal's Afghan Project

Krystal makes afghans which are donated to charity. She has created this pattern and shares it freely. Her only requirement is that you agree to send her a completed square. Above are two of the squares I'm sending her. There are pictures on her blog of squares sent to her from all over the world and of some finished blankets. She has even started a Yahoo group to help people with the pattern. If you crochet, you might want to check it out at http://krochetkrystal.blogspot.com/ .

Row Counter

I saw a row counter similar to this on YouTube and decided to make one for myself. This one has 7 beads on it so I can use it while making mini socks and hat brims. I place the counter on the arm of the couch next to me. The Scottie bead at the top helps it to balance without falling off and the beads slide easily in either direction.

Mini Sock Bookmarks

Here's a good way to use the mini socks. I crocheted a chain 22 inches long, attached the sock to the center of the chain, and threaded the ends of the chain through a pony bead from opposite sides. The chain is long enough to fit around a large book. Pulling the ends of the chain snugs the pony bead up to the book so the bookmark keeps its place. By attaching a small metal ring to the sock and to the chain where the sock is attached, the sock hangs freely.

Mini Set from Mini Loom

Using Isela's Mini Sock Loom, this set was made with Paton's Grace. Leftover sock yarn was recommended but I have to knit some more socks before there is any leftover yarn. If you're not part of the Yahoo Loom Class group, you can find the patterns at http://decoraccentsinc.com/looming_instructions.html .

Fruit Hats

These hats, done from Sara's pattern, have received lots of complimentary comments from my friends. They're a nice change from the traditional style I usually do and work up just as quickly. The patterns for all of Sara's designs are available at http://www.loomknit.com/ .

Felted Bags

After seeing a friend's felted purse, I decided it was time to try the process. The first attempt was needleknit. Turns out my washing machine's very gentle agitation makes it worthless for felting, so I tried doing it myself in the sink. The purse ended up being 10 in wide by 6.5 in high.

Next I made one on the yellow KK. It was made in the round like a hat but I seamed the bottom flat instead of gathering it. This went through the neighbor's washing machine. In my attempt to removed the ridges, it shrank more than was intended. The final size is 7 in wide by 6 in high.

The third attempt was done as a flat panel on the yellow KK. I knit down the front, did 2 inches of garter stitch for the bottom, knit up the back and made the flap. After seaming the sides, it was ready for felting. Now that I knew what to expect, this one came out better. The final size is 9 in wide by 7 in high and the bottom is an inch wide.

Crocheted Cloths

I found a couple of crocheted goodies on people's blogs that I just had to try. The first is a dishcloth. It was an easy project but I haven't wanted to actually get it wet and dirty yet. Shortly after finishing it, I saw that Janice on the Looming Dishcloths group posted the directions for it there. Here is the link to the pattern I used: http://www.jimsyldesign.com/~dishbout/cpatterns/crodress.html .

The other projet is a hot pad that is two thicknesses. It is crocheted in one continuous piece with no shaping. To finish it, just fold it properly and close the seam. This link will take you to the pattern and some nice pictures of the work in progress: http://www.mielkesfarm.com/diagonal_hotpad.htm

A Circular Knit Dishcloth

I spotted this dishcloth on someone's blog. It looked so intriguing I just had to try it. It is shaped into a circle by shortrowing. The first one was done exactly as the pattern said. On the second one, I eliminated the edging.

This is a needleknit pattern and I found the pattern several places, including here (http://www.mielkesfarm.com/dishclth.htm) . Some suggested knitting the two edges together to finish it and others suggested sewing them. One suggested using the kitchener stitch and that's what I did.

Crocheted Mug Cozy version 2

The first cozy I made was done with yarn that was too soft. It loosened up so much it would only fit an extra large mug. This version is made with WoolEase. It has loops and buttons to keep it together, which are less bulky than the ties. Also, I ran a thin piece of elastic around the top to help hold the shape. After constant use for a few weeks, I hear it's doing its job well.

Two-color Hat

I've done many hats with two different colors but usually they are simple patterns in the band above the brim or in the whole top portion of the hat. With this hat, I just played around with different patterns until I liked the design and the hat was long enough. It was a lot of fun but I can see the advantage of planning a design to avoid ripping out ideas that don't work! This is definitely something to try again.

Woven-Top Hat

Another project that was fun to complete is this hat from Learn New Stitches on Circle Looms by Anne Bipes. The weaving was very easy to do even though it looks intricate. What a great pattern!

Strata Yarn

While at WalMart one day, I found some yarn by Red Heart called Strata. First I tried using one strand of the Strata and one of a coordinating color. The hat was pretty. But then I wound the yarn into two balls and matched the colors on the two strands. This is the result with no help from me. It was such fun watching the stripes form on their own. I'm definately going to try some of their other color combinations.

Isela's Arellis Bracelet

It was a lot of fun learning how to use a bead spinner and choosing the beads I wanted. Making an icord with a string of beads is pretty different.

As usual, Isela's directions were clearly written and easy to follow. My biggest problem was
fastening the two ends together in a way that didn't show. You can find the pattern at http://www.loomknit.com/arellis-bracelet.html .

Crocheted Mug Cozy

A friend asked for a cozy to keep his coffee warm while he's busy on his computer. After doing a search for patterns and comparing the features, this is what I came up with. It is open on the side for the cup handle. To keep it on, he fastens the ties over the handle.

Crocheted Espresso Cup Sleeves

I made these cup sleeves with leftover WoolEase. They are a fast project and can be varied in many ways. And they can be washed if your drink spills --- always a possibility in the car.

Supplies:
small amount of WoolEase

G crochet hook

Note:

The completed sleeve is 13 rows of single crochet. At the end of each row, join to the first stitch of the row with a slip stitch and chain 1.

Pattern:

Using 2 strands of yarn, chain 30 stitches and join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.

Work 4 rows of single crochet.

On row 5, sc 8 stitches, dec, sc 8 stitches, dec, sc 8 stitches, dec.

Work 3 rows of single crochet.

On row 9, sc 7, dec, sc 7, dec, sc 7, dec.

Work 2 rows of single crochet. Fasten off.

Attach yarn to the top of the sleeve and work 1 row of sc. Fasten off. (This gives the top a finished edge.)

Weave in yarn ends.

Camera Bag

Another variation on Crystal's pattern. This is a small bag made to hold the supplies for my camera. The camera itself has its own case and will fit in my purse. I wanted something to hold the cords, charger, and mini tripod. The pocket on the inside of the flap holds an extra memory card. The bag can be stored in my dresser and takes up much less room than the box. It also keeps everything together in my suitcase when traveling.

Flat Bottom Bag

On her blog, Crystal posted directions for a small, flat bottomed bag which she was going to use for a cell phone or pda. Since I've been playing with purses lately, I wanted to see how her directions would work on a larger scale. This bag took me two afternoons and one evening. It was done on the green KK with 3 strands of yarn and a 1 over 1 stitch. It is 7 in. across, 3 in. deep and 6-1/2 in. high. There were small spaces along the bottom of the sides so I wove in some yarn to fill them. Crystal's pattern can be found at http://crystalkini.blogspot.com/ in her February 2006 archives.

Woven Bottom Bag for LoomClass

Made on the red loom, this bag measures 7 1/2 inches in height. It was done with 3 strands of 4 ply yarn in a 1 over 1 stitch. The woven bottom is more solid than just normal knitting would be. Thanks, Laura, for another great project.

Loomed Purse

This simple purse was made on the yellow loom. I used 3 strands of ww yarn and did a flat knit stitch. It turned out nice and firm. The purse measures 9 inches across and 8 and 1/2 inches high. I seamed the bottom twice to make it more secure.

Adult Bootie for LoomClass

s; I made two pairs of slippers. This first pair follows the pattern as posted. They are finished off with a crocheted ruffle and a pompom. The recipient chose the colors, although when she saw them she said she needs a clown suit to wear with them. The lightest color is a soft yellow.

I saw this variation in Jo Ann's Project 150 photo album. She calls it her EZ Slipper. When I asked for directions, she suggested I wrap 22 pegs so the slipper would stop at the ankle. I just continued to knit the 22 pegs until I got to the row where the top is shaped. Other than that, I followed the original pattern. These are finished with a row of single crochet and a pompom made from all three colors in the slippers.

Thanks for sharing the pattern, Jo Ann. With the 1 over 2 stitch, these slippers should last longer than my others have.

Baby Hat and Booties for LoomClass

Laura Campion's pattern was easy to follow and would make a nice gift. People have finished them off in a variety of ways (using ribbons or yarn flowers). Mine have a crocheted edging in yellow.

Some more hats

Here is the Child's Earflap Hat from Isela's book. I've been wanting to try earflaps and found her directions clear and easy to follow.

Another style I've wanted to make is this one with the straight top and the tassels.

Working with variegated yarn is always fun because you never know how the pattern will look. On these hats after bringing up the brim, I attached one strand of variegated yarn. Cutting one strand of the solid left the usual two strands of yarn. I did 5 rows, then replaced the brim color with cream for 5 rows. Each of these sections was repeated making a total of 20 rows for the crown. I like the way the variegated pattern continues while the solid colors change. For both of these hats, the variegated yarn contains the color used in the brim.

Back to Hats

After receiving Isela's book from Amazon and seeing some of the creative hats posted on the groups and on individual blogs, I'm ready to return to making hats. What a great excuse to visit JoAnn's and stock up on yarn. Of course, I will be making lots of basic hats like those in my photo album. But it's fun to make fancier hats too. So here is the beginning of season 2007.


This first hat started out from Isela's book. I like her cable hat and the cables were easy but all those flat stitches were more than my neck could handle. So the cables became an accent instead.





Here I was experimenting with accents other than pompoms. This is a loopy flower someone posted on one of the groups some time ago.

The flower on this hat was posted by the same person. It's a little large for this hat but I think some little girl will like it.

More Toys

Bev Qualheim had a pattern for this crocheted bunny and links to the bear and a doll on her blog(http://www.bevq.blogspot.com/). The patterns include a vest and pants and shirt for boys. The size when finished is 6 inches from head to toe. Very fun to make and a nice change. My bunny does have a nose and mouth but the yarn is too pale to show.



Here are a couple more bears modeling the other clothing options



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Loom Bunny

This little guy was made from a pattern posted by Ann Bipes on her site(http://loomknittingblog.blogspot.com/). The head and legs and body are all from one loomed rectangle. His little face is so small I didn't give him any eyes or nose. He worked up very quickly and could probably be changed into different animals just by modifying the ears and tail.

Another Dog

t Using fun fur makes a difference. This guy has more character. And I attached his legs closer together so he can sit better. Most of the strands from the fun fur seemed to be on the inside (purl side) so I made that the outside of his body. I'm using buttons for the eyes --- not good for young children, I know --- but it's what I have and I like the eyes shiny.

Knit Kitty

The kitty was an earlier project posted in the Loom Class before I joined the group. It was fun doing something so easy, although I didn't read the directions for binding off the head until after I did it so the shape is off a little. Someone posted a picture of a puppy done with this pattern using fun fur that was very cute. I do like seeing what other people have tried and getting ideas from their pictures.

Toby's Turn

Maltese Toby has been very cold lately. Sometimes he curls around the furnace vent on the floor and sometimes he asks to be covered with a blanket. This morning I put Emma's second sweater on him (not the pink one). It fits Toby much better than Emma but he's not any happier about it than she was. After sitting for his picture, he stayed in the chair while I ate breakfast instead of curling up in his bed next to me under the table. When I moved to the bedroom and turned on the computer, he slunk his way after me and hid under the bed. So will he accept the sweater and begin his regular activities or will I give up and remove the hated straightjacket?

Follow up: I left the sweater on him for a couple of hours but then he began leaving a room from the opposite side I entered it. So the sweater was removed and now we're best buds again. My little white shadow is happily following me everywhere. Oh, well, it was a good idea.

Tubby Puppy

Tubby is based on Scruffy (made by Kathy Norris and posted on her blog http://knittingmuse.blogspot.com/). She posted directions in one of the loom groups. Her Scruffy turned out much cuter because she used fun fur. Since I didn't have any, I used a veriegated Homespun combined with Red Heart for the body and just the Red Heart for the rest of him.


My poor little guy is so stocky he can barely stand or even sit. I've crocheted many toys but this is my first loomed one.

Newborn Bonnet for LoomClass

My bonnet is finished. The pattern was very easy to follow and I think it makes a cute hat. It's hard to see, but there is a white edging on the brim.

There are no lifesize dolls at my house to model my bonnet so Shelby graciously agreed to help. She's a little small but I think pink is her color.