Big Sky Yarns & Crafts

Cascade Heritage Seamless Hat & Hand Warmers

Nothing is more exciting than a free pattern and here is my latest from Cascade Yarns, Heritage Seamless Hat & Hand Warmers:

Best of all, this set requires just one hank of the Heritage, a wonderful sturdy sock yarn that gives terrific stitch definition. I used color #5604, a medium blue that my mom and I love, love, love.

Both the hat and hand warmers have tons of tiny cables to keep your interest.

The hat's band is initially worked flat (beginning with a provisional cast on), seamed with a three needle bind off, and then stitches are picked up for the crown shaping and bottom ribbing, which are worked in the round. The hat band is 20" to fit a 21-22" head, but this pattern is easy for customization. Simply add or subtract the ribbing at the band ends to make smaller or larger. This hat fits best with an inch or two negative ease (smaller than the head you are knitting for) for a snug fit. Personal preference is your determining factor ultimately on that one. Keep in mind the amount of stitches picked up around the edges will vary accordingly as well.

The hand warmers are worked in the round from the bottom up to the thumb opening. The fabric is then worked flat for the length of the thumb opening and finally rejoined in the round for the top ribbing. The hand warmers are extremely stretchy because of the ribbing. Unstretched, the fabric is 6.75" and stretches comfortably to 9+". They feel absolutely divine on your little hands.  In fact, if you would like to see for yourself, I will be dropping off a hand warmer (and copies of the pattern) to Wild Purls on Monday, October 31st, so come take a test drive. They carry the Heritage and I am sure you will find the perfect color for you.

More specifics:

Sizes

Hat: 20” circumference, unstretched, to fit 21”-22” head, Length: 7.25” Hand Warmers: 6.75” circumference, unstretched, to fit 9+” circumference hand, Length: 8.25” Note: Hand warmers stretch significantly because of ribbing.

Yarn

Cascade Heritage, 3.5 ounces, 100 grams, 437 yards, 400 meters, 75% superwash merino, 25% ny- lon, made in Peru, color: #5604, 1 hank for both projects

Yardage

Hat: 165 yards Hand Warmers: 179 yards Total Yardage: 344 yards

Materials, Hat

US size 2 (2.75 mm), 16” circular or size needed for gauge US size 2 (2.75 mm), set of 4 double pointed needles or size needed for gauge US size 2 (2.75 mm), straight or size needed for gauge. Waste yarn of similar weight for provisional cast on 3 (5/8”) genuine shell buttons Stitch markers: 1 of color A, 10 of color B Cable needle Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Materials, Hand Warmers

US size 2 (2.75 mm), set of 4 double pointed needles or size needed for gauge 1 stitch marker cable needle Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Gauge

8 stitches and 11 rows/rnds = 1” in stockinette stitch 19 stitches of chart = 1.5” 10.5 stitches and 11 rows/rnds = 1” in (k1, p1) ribbing, unstretched

Happy knitting! Click here for the free pattern!

 

Flame Mittens

Remember these too-hot-to-handle mittens?

 

It is now availabe for purchase in PDF form so you can have it instantly!

Hand Circumferences: 7.25 (8, 9.25)"

Length: 9.25 (10.25, 11.25)" total

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight, MC Dark Grey #509 2 hanks and CC Red #511 1 hank

Gauge: 24 sts and 31 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch

Needles: US 4 or whatever size needle is required for gauge

These mittens are worked in the round beginning at the bottom cuff. Each intarsia flame is worked separately and the grey travels in the round. Corrugated ribbing gives extra zip to these super soft mittens. Kitchener stitch finishes the very tips.

If you want to try on the mittens, Ren at Purl Yarn Boutique has the actual sample, the scrumptious yarn and the patterns for all of you Billings-ites.

Originally published in Yarn Forward Magazine (now Knit Magazine), issue 32, January 2011. They were gracious enough to send me the actual layouts, so when purchasing the pattern, your pattern will be pages from the actual magazine.

Price: $4.95. Click on the "Buy Now" button below to purchase. Thanks so much for your support.

Happy knitting!

Gaia Finished!

The perfect 3 season cardi is finally off the needles and on my body:

Recap:

Gaia (free pattern link!) by my tech editor, Kristen TenDyke. Seamless, in the round, I worked the lace sections in a size 6 and the stockinette stitch in size 7. I worked the 44" and it fit perfectly. Because of the roll factor with reverse stockinette stitch, I worked two more rows on each button band. My buttons are genuine shell from JoAnn's that I got on clearance. I cleared out almost their entire button section that day. Even my kids were impressed at the number of buttons in the green plastic shopping basket.

The yarn is one of my new favorites, Remix from Berroco. Each 100 gram ball has a whopping 216 yards, so it is a fabulous value as well as an eco-conscious yarn made from recycled fibers. I chose Old Jeans, color #3927. All that would be worth diddly-squat if the yarn was not soft and I am pleased to report it really does wear like classying up your favorite t-shirt. Soft and perfect. Just don't wash your car. Can you imagine washing your car in your handknits? Makes me nervous just thinking about it.

I needed 6 balls instead of 5 because I added 3/4 length sleeves, which measure 11" from the underarm to cuff edge. Perfect length for me: coverage without getting in everything.

I leave you with yet another Kate story. We went out to dinner last night and she tells her dad she has to use the restroom. So we pointed her in the right direction and as she left she said, "I would go to the bathroom even if I didn't have to go to the bathroom just so I could see what it looks like." So glad she can check them all out without me now that she isn't 4 anymore. But then I thought about this. It really does matter what the restroom looks like in different places, doesn't it? 

Dan wanted to share this perfect leaf with you:

And Kate looking so big I can hardly stand it:

Knit on (preferably not in the bathroom -- but you gotta do what you gotta do. I won't tell anyone.)

 

Cable Slouch & Cowl (or Smitten by Sequins)

Look! My new designs from Premier Yarns:

  

This classic Cable Slouch & Cowl has just enough zip to keep you interested without taxing your brain too much. Best of all, it is a free pattern! Whoo hoo! Click on the link in the title to take you straight to the download page. The link to the pattern page on Ravelry is here.

I worked it in Deborah Norville Serenity Chunky Sequins in Chocolate Drops. Before I designed this set, I have to say I was anti-bling in my yarn. But let me tell you I have been converted. There isn't too much shine, just enough for a gentle sparkle. Best of all, the sequins are random. You too may surprise yourself and be smitten by sequins. 

Premier Yarns had a fashion show at Vogue Knitting Live just a few weeks ago and these were showcased there. I have another set that isn't on the website quite yet, so I can show you that soon.

The set is a quick knit, even with the cowl being so long because it works up at 3.5 stitches and 4.5 rows per inch in stockinette stitch. The set is surprisingly lightweight. The slouch is worked in the round and would make a perfect gift and will be finished before you know it. Don't be intimidated by the cables. They are a basic 9 stitch cable that are just twisted at two different times in the repeat. Totally easy.

Here's the shaping in the back:

 

The slouch is 16" unstretched and stretches easily to 22+ and does not constrict in any way. The cowl is worked flat and can be worn long or doubled. Here is the fabulous Ren from Purl Yarn Boutique sportin' it flat and wrapped twice:

And both pieces:

Isn't it funny she is wearing a blue shirt the same as Premier's model?

The slouch requires 3 balls (198 yards) and the scarf 6 (485 yards ) or 8 total (683 yards) if working both.

Many thanks to Sheila at One World Button Supply Company for the charming wood slice buttons. Ren carries their scrumptious line. They are one of my favorites for distinctive, original products that give our hand knits that special finishing touch.

What else have I been doing the last month, you ask? Well, I know you wouldn't be surprised to here Miss Kate and I ventured to Arizona. Here we are enjoying lunch with my mom, brother (taking the pic), sister-in-law and the Great Paige: 

Can you stand it? No, I can't either. The Great Paige is 6 months now and is pretty perfect.

My mom and I went yarn hopping as well and she bought me this stunning sweater kit on sale from Jessica Knits, also a yummy neutral chocolate brown:

Torino bulky from Tahki Stacy Charles is a plush merino with an inseresting twist that I plan (cough, cough) to work this winter as well.

Between deadlines, I even finished the second sleeve of Gaia (free pattern link):

I hope to finish the button bands in the next couple days. And I get to pick buttons! My favorite part.

Hope you have enjoyed fall wherever you may be. It has been pretty perfect in Billings:

Happy knitting.