Monday, February 4, 2013

New Pattern Available: Salty Dog Men's Hat

Little rough around the edges and weather worn, but there is a twinkle in his eye.  And he’s polite with the ladies, sometimes overly so, until he gets brave enough to ask if she finds salty language objectionable.  Depending on how she answers, that twinkle might just become a full-on sparkle and lopsided grin. Thoroughly masculine, with just enough styling to make him stand out.  Very elastic, for comfort.  Fold it, roll it, wear it slouched; a hat for every man.
Salty Dog Men's Hat

Sizes:
Men’s – Will fit head 22-25”
Yarn Requirements: 
Approximately 170 yards of worsted weight yarn.
Shown in Cascade 220 Heathers
(220 yards, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, color: 2442 Fog Hat).
Recommended Needles:
Size 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needle and a set of double pointed needles (DPNs) in the same size
Gauge:
22 sts = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch
Change needle size to obtain gauge.
Supplies: 
Cable needle, tapestry needle for weaving in ends, ruler and four (4) stitch markers.  Row counter may be helpful.
Notes:  Hat is knit in the round, rim up. Pattern instructions are written and charted.

Available via Ravelry - $3.00

Friday, February 1, 2013

January Projects

This month, I completed a pair of socks. Ok, so I'm a day late posting what I did in January, but here they are:

This pattern is Peace Rose Garden Socks by Diane Edgerly (available for free on Ravelry) and I'm proud to admit fully that I CHEATED!!! I used self striping yarn, rather than do all the color changes. This sock would knit up nicely in about any yarn. A spiraling stripe maybe not so much, but a lightly variegated, solid, kettle dye or self striping works nicely. If you choose to work this pattern yourself, do keep in mind, this pattern is designed to be more of a slouch sock as the leg is bigger around than the foot, which is tighter.  I made minor changes to eliminate any slouch on my pair, as I hate constantly feeling like I need to pull my socks up.  I also worked my heel differently where I simply don't like a stockinette heel - I find them too weak against my sock abuses.  This was a quick and easy knit.  I used KnitPicks Felici in Botany.  Anyone who truly knows me knows that my not making the stripes match up perfectly is fully out of character.  Usually I like my socks to be 100% identical, down to the stitch when stripes are involved.  This simply wasn't an option this time so I went for "wholly out of whack" instead.  Pair 1 of 12 complete!