Easy Knit Hat for the New Year

Daughter #2 and her friends all wanted "matching" hats.  Which translated into a chunky knit hat that folded up at the brim and double pom poms attached. My daughter chose black for her hat.  Why, you might ask?  Because she is into neutrals and she knew that no one else would want that color.  (And believe me when I say there was a LOT of drama involving the color choice picks--aren't 13 yr. old girls awesome?)  She isn't a pink girl at all. 

So between me and another of the mom's we got them all done.

Here is my daughter in hers.

 

Details:

• Loops and Threads Charisma in Black--2 skeins needed because of the pompoms.
• Pattern based on this basic knit pattern.
• Cast on 60 with size 11 circular needles.
• K1 P1 ribbing pattern for approx. 4 inches.
• Seed stitch pattern for the body of the hat.
• Pinterest inspiration here and here.

Rambling Cable Scarf turned infinity

Daughter #2 has wanted to knit herself a scarf ever since she crocheted her first afghan.
Last Christmas she got some yarn for a gift.


Since then she has been working on this scarf off and on as she needed a break from homework or felt more motivated to get it done. And also in between the craziness of moving earlier this Spring.

As the weather has been cooling off here in MN she pulled it out and we realized that the only thing it needed to be completed was to sew the edges together to make it an infinity style scarf, and then block it.  Both of which turned out to be my job.







This scarf pattern is intended to make randomly placed cables through the 3 columns for a "wonky" type look.  No reading of cable diagrams to follow.  I have to say that daughter #2 is not at all random.  She decided that she wanted each column to cable at the same time. So by the time she was finished her project it appeared that she had followed a pattern.





"To each his own" as my mom would always say.





I still think this is one of the best scarf patterns to start learning cables.

Details:

• Pattern here.
• First version I knitted of this scarf pattern.
• 2 skeins of Loops & Threads Impeccable in either Aran or Heather. We threw away the yarn label.  Her next project she wants to make a scarf in Burgundy.  She has the yarn ready to go.  Just needs to decide the pattern and style.
• Finished dimensions 6 inches wide by 100 inches long. (She can wrap it 3 times shown in the picture immediately above).

"Reindeer" Pillows

While rummaging around at SR Harris a few weeks ago looking for something else, which at the moment I can't remember what, I found this fun deer fabric.

It was a total impulse buy, I admit it.  However, I knew I could have fun with it.

I wanted to change it up and make some pillows for Fall.
Hubby and kids hunt quite a bit, so why not have some deer pillows.



They didn't get done in time for that season, so instead they are now "reindeer" pillows.
Technically they are Mule deer--per hubby--and he would know.
But for my purposes it will work for the season.

I added a red button on one "reindeer" and voila! we have Rudolph and the gang.

Celtic Cable Scarf

This beautiful scarf is only the second cable project that my oldest daughter has tackled.
The SECOND!
And usually she prefers crochet over knitting.
She may just have a gift for yarn arts.



I LOVE the braided side edge.

I was having problems getting the color right because this is what you would think of as traditional kelly green.  It sure doesn't appear that way in any of these photos.





She really did a great job.
There were a couple times she and I had to unravel and fix a couple spots.
Fortunately that only happened about 3 times, which is pretty good considering how complicated this cable scarf was.

Details:

• Pattern here.
• 2 skeins of Loops & Threads Impeccable in Kelly Green
• Finished dimensions 7 inches by 72 inches.

Side note: She happily wore this to the Celtic Thunder concert last Friday in keeping with the theme of the night.

Braided Cable Scarf

Winter has come to Minnesota.
We received 6 inches of snow on Monday and we are in the 20's for the next 2 weeks for sure.
That means we need to break out all the winter gear, including the scarves, or maybe especially the scarves.

I like knitting with chunky yarns.
Your project comes together so much quicker.
And as one of my teenage daughters said, "Chunky is in."
Thank you, I'll take that as a compliment.








CO 28 stitches with size US 13 needles.
RS: K1, p1, K1, p2 then follow the 18 stitches on the chart as row number indicates (even rows 1-12), p2, k1, p1, k1.
On every WS (odd row) pattern is as follows: K1, p1, k3, p18, k3, p1, k1.

Details:

• Finished dimensions: 6 1/2 inches wide by 68 inches long. (Don't forget to block the scarf)
• 2 skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky in Pumpkin (bought on clearance somewhere).
• Pattern inspiration found here.  The pattern is in Russian but there is a chart to use also.
• Knitted 20 repeats for the infinity scarf.
• Size 13 needles

Double Knotted Lattice Cabled Scarf

I made this scarf for one of my nieces for college.
This is the last one for the 3 that just graduated this year.



She is currently attending BYU-Idaho, where it gets awfully chilly.
Last week I happened to see that they already had had their first FREEZE advisory for the overnight.




Details:

• Pattern found here.
• 2 skeins Red Heart Soft in Navy. (The color is a little off in the pictures she sent me.)

Original Picture source here.

Another cable scarf

I made this scarf for my niece who is a freshman at the University of Nebraksa--go Huskers!!! ( our mom and youngest brother are hardcore Husker fans)

She needed some cold weather team spirit gear.
This ought to fill the bill.

Cast on 46 w/ size 8 needles

Row 1: K1, p1, k1, k12, p2, k12, p2, k12,  k1, p1, k1

Row 2: K1, p1, k1, p12, k2, p12, k2, p12, k1, p1, k1
Row 3: repeat row 1
Row 4: repeat row 2
Row 5: K1, p1, k1,  k4, C8B, p2, k4 C8B, p2, k4, C8B, k1, p1, k1
Row 6: repeat row 2

Row 7: repeat row 1

Row 8: repeat row 2

Row 9: repeat row 1

Row 10: repeat row 2
Row 11: K1, p1, k1, C8F, k4, p2, C8F, k4, p2, C8F, k4, k1, p1, k1

Row 12: repeat row 2

Continue repeating rows 1-12 until desired length and then cast off.



Details:

• Original pattern inspiration here.  I modified it some--adding a side border as well as lengthened out the distance between cables.
• 2 skeins Red Heart Soft in Wine (I prefer a blue/red over an orange/red most of the time).  And my niece has similar coloring to my #2 daughter here)
• Finished dimensions:  oops!! forgot to take them before I packaged it up to send.  About 6 inches wide and probably close to 70 inches as you can wrap it around your neck once.

Londinium Scarf

I had thoughts of giving this scarf away as a gift, until I was into it awhile.
This pattern is rather intense and I decided someone else may not appreciate the effort it took to make it.  So the girls and I will share it.

It ended up being quite thick and cozy.






Details:

• Pattern from Smariek Knits--Londinium Scarf.  If you like intense amounts of cables this site has lots of free patterns.
• I eliminated 1 column of cables from the original pattern as I wasn't sure I wanted it that wide and I also wasn't sure I could make it as long as I wanted with only 2 skeins if I kept the original width.
• 2 skeins Red Heart Soft in Turquoise.
• Finished dimensions 5 inches by 74 inches.

Boyfriend Scarf Version #2

I've made this pattern once before, earlier in the year.  Then daughter #2 decided she'd like one and so this is hers.  I've had it done for awhile, just didn't get around to taking pics, and then it was Summer, and then we got going selling our house.  The list goes on.

However, the weather here is now turning cooler and so I thought I'd post these scarves I've made.


Daughter #1 doing the modeling.






This is a super easy cable pattern.  Great for beginning cablers I think.

Details:

• Pattern found online here or in the book "Chic Knits" by Phuong My Ly, pg. 59.
• 2 skeins Red Heart Soft in Tangerine.
• Finished dimensions 7 inches by 76 inches.

Rambling Cable Design Scarf

This may be my favorite cable knit pattern of all time.
Why?
Because you don't have to think, count, or keep track of anything.
You just place a cable wherever you feel like it, whenever you want.
Beautiful.
The whole time I was working on this scarf I kept thinking that this is a great pattern to learn how to make cables, because really you just make them when you feel like and you're not going to screw up any pattern or design.


Picture source here

Make them as big or as little as you like and as often as you'd like.

My oldest daughter is a little random herself.
So this design was right up her alley.
It was a toss up between this design and this pattern.

My version for my daughter.




Details:

• Pattern here or here.
• I added more edge border on mine---5 stitch seed stitch on each side of the cable rows.  Cast on accordingly.
• 2 skeins Red Heart Soft yarn in Teal
• Size 9 circular needles.
• Finished dimensions 6 1/2 inches by 76 inches.

Double Cable Scarf

My oldest daughter and her BFF are heading to BYU-Idaho in January.
It is located in Rexburg, ID--nicknamed "Iceburg".
No kidding!

I went there myself back in the day and there was snow on the ground from October to April---straight.
No melting and 6 ft. drifts near my apartment.
Even though they are both Minnesota girls and used to cold weather they are going to need some warm gear.


Source here

I made this scarf for BFF as her going to college present.
She LOVES purple and this color is just gorgeous!





Details:

• Finished dimensions 7 inches by 72 inches.
• Pattern from Vogue Knitting on the Go: Cables, pg, 26-29.  
• 2 skeins Red Heart Soft in Grape
• Amazingly I didn't make any changes to the pattern.  I did, however, rewrite the abbreviations somewhat so I could read it easier.  That is the one thing about cables, it seems there are a number of abbreviations that can be used for the same stitch.  i.e. 4-st RC is the same as CB2

The Boyfriend Scarf

As you've probably noticed I've been trying out different cabled scarf patterns.  I found this in a book from the library and then found it online.  I was originally going to make this scarf  and even started it, but it wasn't quite doing what the pattern intended.  I think for the yarn I was using it needed to have more than one stitch in between for the ribbing.  You just couldn't see any differentiation. So I found the Boyfriend Scarf instead and it does make me happy.

This scarf, with all the ribbing knitted into it, is rather thick and warm.





Daughter #2 has now put in her order of this scarf in burnt orange.

Details:

• Find the pattern here online. Or it can be found in the book "Chic Knits" by Phuong My Ly, pg. 59.
• I used Red Heart Soft Yarn in Grape, 2 skeins, for this scarf.
• Repeated pattern 8 times plus the rounds of side cables (rows 4-12) before binding off.

This is one cycle of the pattern (rows 1-51)--approx. 9 inches long.

Knit Cable Scarf--version #2

Now I might be getting slightly cable crazy here and not just my daughter.

Maybe it is the stupidcold (all one word) we've been having continually too.  Two days of 40 degree weather thrown in was not enough and made the next round of stupidcold even worse than before.

But really, cables just look so pretty.

And this particular pattern gives you a slight herringbone or chevron look to your scarf.

Quick pic because it was so cold.
If we wait for warmer weather to take pics I may not be able to post until June.

Details:

• Pattern found HERE at Michaels.com
• Red Heart Soft yarn in Tangerine--2 skeins.

Notes:

If you didn't want the scarf as wide as the pattern indicates (approx. 8 inches) I would suggest you adjust the pattern to do the K1, P1 edges only 2 times and not 3.  And/or you could also decrease the K26, P26 down to 22 stitches and then repeat the CB4 and CF4 only 5 times instead of 6.

Braided Scarf

I made this scarf at least 2 years ago, but never blogged about it.  I think I was trying to decide if I actually liked it and would wear it.  Just this Winter I finally blocked it out and wore it.  I received some nice compliments on those days.  So I guess I should wear it a little bit more.





I can't remember what yarn I used for it.  But obviously I went 2-tone in greens.
Note:  After making a run to Jo-Ann's for something else, I think this yarn was Lion Brand Jiffy in Apple Green and Avocado..

The pattern is called "Braided Neckpiece" from this book, "Loop-d-Loop" by Teva Durham, pg. 118-119. You can also find in on Ravelry here.

Knit Cable Scarf

I tried another cabled scarf pattern.
This one I happened to see on the skein of yarn itself while browsing the aisles at Michael's.

It worked up really pretty in my sunny yellow yarn.



A little close-up to show the detail of the pattern.
I really like this pattern.  It worked up fairly quickly for as much detail as it shows.

Details:

• Pattern is Loops and Threads™ Knit Cable Scarf
• Actually followed the pattern exactly as outlined.  (I don't always do that)
• 2 balls of Loops and Threads™ Impeccable™ in color Butterscotch.

If you need a little cable knit abbreviation lesson this post is very helpful.  

Knitting Glossary includes some video instruction.

Chunky Cabled Scarves

Daughter #1 has been slightly obsessed with cabled sweaters and would really like to make herself one.  We may do it down the road, but in the meantime we started with something slightly less intimidating and needing less yarn for her first cabled project--a scarf.

I've made cables before, and although they look difficult, it really just involves crossing some stitches as you knit.  And being able to read the pattern directions.  So together she and I each made the same scarf pattern so that I could talk her through hers (at least for the first couple cables) and then she could do it on her own. And I would end up with one too.

And then I made a couple more.....







Working with chunky yarn is a plus too.  Your project works up much quicker.



Details:

• Pattern here free from JoAnn's. Shown L to R above

• Cream one made from Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky color Pristine 2 skeins
• Finished dimensions after blocking 8 1/2 inches x 50 inches 

• Blue one made from Loops and Threads Charisma color Royal 2 skeins
• Finished dimensions after blocking 8 1/2 inches by 30 inches.  We only used a portion of the second one as daughter #2 wanted a shorter cowl version.  One alone wouldn't have been enough for a cowl however.

• With the remainder of the blue I made only half of the width of the scarf until I ran out of yarn.  Daughter #3 got a little cabled scarf that measures 4 1/2 inches x 35 inches.

• Tan one made from Lion Brand Hometown USA color Los Angeles Tan 2 skeins (or as Hubby said, "the color of their air.")
• Finished dimensions after blocking 8 1/2 inches x 36 inches 

• Pink one also from Loops and Threads Charisma.  

• Hat Pattern Here.  Loops and Threads Charisma color Charcoal.

One Pot Sweet Potato Chili

Tried this recipe for Sweet Potato Chili a couple weeks ago.  The recipe came in our little magazine from the health clinic.  Loved, loved, loved it!  We will definitely be making this again.



The lime juice and fresh cilantro make it AWESOME!

Case in point, one of my daughters tried my soup--all doctored up--then served herself some and told me that it wasn't as good.  Well, she hadn't added the yogurt or cilantro to it.

Recipe pdf. found HERE.

And just as good leftover as the day you make it.
Yummy served with corn or tortilla chips too.

Changes I made:

• Doubled the recipe for our family.
• Used 1 can each pinto and garbanzo beans, undrained, but they were my home canned jars and so they have less liquid than store bought cans.
• Used 1-15 oz. can corn, drained
• Did not double the red pepper (only because I forgot to buy 2 instead of 1)
• Used plain yogurt.