cables ← Knits 'n' Pieces

Honeycomb fingerless mittens

Aug

2014

Last winter I was working at my computer a lot and my hands started to feel really cold. So first time ever I felt that I needed fingerless mittens to keep my hands warm so that I could get my work done. I actually tried to work with gloves on, but it was very uncomfortable. As last year I knitted Honeycomb gloves, which are very snugly and comfy and still my favourites, I decided to use the same stitch pattern for fingerless version. I chose a bit thicker yarn this time.

I used 2 balls of Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK (100% Merino, 127yds / 116m, 1.76oz / 50g) in color 0253. Needles US 2 1/2 [3mm].

Honeycomb fingerless mittens fit hand circumference 7-7 1/2” / 18-19cm. Circumference is easily adaptable, you can knit with larger needles or add/skip pattern repeats.

Length of the mittens is approximately 8” / 20cm. Again easily adaptable – more or less ribbing or pattern repeats.

You can find Honeycomb fingerless mittens pattern on Ravelry

Braided hat

Mar

2014

It was some years ago when I first knitted this hat. I took a random yarn from my stash (as there was no label I don’t know the name or the consistency of this yarn) and just started knitting and ended up with a hat that fit my daughter perfectly. When people started to ask for the pattern, I tried to find a suitable yarn, but I couldn’t find one. So after a few attempts I gave up. At the end of last year DROPS Andes caught my eye and I thought I give it one more try. I knitted and I unraveled. I tried different needle sizes. Finally I managed to get the size I needed now (my daughter has grown, you know). But as I’m still not quite sure how to alter the size of the hat, I decided to make it a free pattern.

Theoretically, if you want to make a tighter hat, try smaller needles. You can reduce the hat’s depth by working less crown rows (you have to adjust ribbing then as well). Or, if you need a deeper hat, work additional crown rows (and adjust ribbing).

So, here it is – Braided hat. I used about 1.5 balls of DROPS Andes (65% Wool, 35% Alpaca, 109yds / 100m, 3.53oz / 100g) in color 3740. It is knitted on two needles back and forth in rows from beginning of one braid to the end of the other. Then the ribbing for front of the hat and back of the hat are worked by picking up stitches from the selvage stitches of the main part.

It is a very easy and quick knit :) Hope you enjoy it!

You can find Braided hat pattern on Ravelry

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Cranberry hat and mittens

Nov

2013

A while ago I had this idea, that I have to get myself a hat with lots of cables and bobbles. And not a nice or neat hat, but really exaggerated, over the top and bulky one. And pink, definitely pink! It took me quite a long time to find the right yarn for this, but finally I did – DROPS Andes. I don’t know how I missed it before. Actually somehow I have only started to discover Garnstudio’s yarns. So far I haven’t been disappointed.

So this is the hat, knitted with DROPS Andes (65% Wool, 35% Alpaca, 109yds / 100m, 3.53oz / 100 g) in color 3145.

The braided band is knitted first, in rows. Provisional cast on is necessary, you can do this with crochet chain or without. The rest of the hat is knit in the round (how to pick up and knit stitches – if you have to pick up 2 stitches for 1 selvage stitch, insert knitting needle first under the back loop of selvage stitch and then under both loops) .

As it is a super bulky yarn, the hat is quite warm. But here in Estonia it gets really cold in winter, so a warm hat is a must.

You can find Cranberry hat pattern on Ravelry

And I couldn’t resist to make matching mittens. These are constructed the same way as the hat but with a rib cuff.

If you are planning to knit both hat and mittens, you’ll need 3 skeins of yarn not 4!

You can find Cranberry mittens pattern on Ravelry

Winter Bliss hat

Nov

2013

The inspiration for this hat was the yarn – Debbie Bliss Winter Garden – soft blend of merino, baby llama, linen and silk (30% Llama, 30% Merino Wool, 20% Silk, 20% Linen, 109yds/100m, 3.53oz/100g). I fell in love with the colors of this yarn the minute I saw them on the shelves of LYS. The subtle tweedy flecks give this yarn a really unique and wonderful look. Although I have heard a lot of complaints about the hard bits in the yarn (pieces of linen), I think these bits give a real character to this yarn (and it is not that difficult to pick them out if they really bother you ;) ).

As this yarn is quite bulky, it knits up real easy and quick and the hat will be done in couple of hours. You can wear this hat either with brim down or brim turned up. You can make a pom-pom for this hat, or not. Many possibilities.

You can find this pattern on Ravelry