Projects in August 2011

These are my completed knitting and crochet projects for August 2011, 13 in all, including the flower embellishment. I’m working diligently to create warm items for the “12 Days of Christmas” charity project in Baltimore. The “All-American” hats went to my friend E for his birthday. The rose hat I’m keeping. All the remaining hats here are going to the charity.

297. Textured Stripes Roll-Brim Hat

Crochet, project 297. Completed 6-Apr-2011

PATTERN
Adapted from instructions by Lisa Gentry, published in Leisure Arts #75358, Crochet Celebrity Slouchy Beanies for the Family. I like the roll brim look. You can also unroll the brim and wear it like a, well, slouchy beanie hat.

MADE FOR
Adult male

SIZE
Adult L; worked top until it was 7″ diameter, should fit 22 to 23″ around. 8″ length minimum

MATERIALS
Yarn: 152 yds / 2.2 oz worsted weight yarn

MC = main color. 1.7 oz, 116.6 yds worsted weight yarn

• Suffolk & Dorset Solitude Wool (70% Wool, 30% Nylon). 3.5 oz / 99 g. 240 yds. Color: Handpainted Blue.

CC = coordinating color. 0.5 oz, 35 yds worsted weight yarn

• Suffolk & Dorset Solitude Wool (70% Wool, 30% Nylon). 1.7 oz / 48 g. 120 yds. Color: Speckled White.

Crochet Hook: US Size H-8 (5mm)
Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and scissors

294. Sunburst Beret (crochet)

Crochet, project 294. Completed 23-Mar-2011

Wonderful yarn

PROJECT NOTES
I found a free pattern online for a cute beret. Unfortunately, the pattern called for discontinued yarn and had several serious problems (stated gauge was incorrect and other errors). I combined elements from at least three patterns to make a new beret pattern. The Berrocco Vintage DK yarn is pleasure to crochet with and withstands being ripped several times (as I discovered during pattern testing!)

PATTERN
This pattern is adapted from instructions and inspirations found in http://www.berroco.com (“Phannie”), http://gateauxetbisous.wordpress.com, (“Girlie Hat”), http://undervictoriashat.blogspot.com (“Sun Ray Slouch”), and Lily Chin’s book Crochet Tips and Tricks.

MADE FOR
Crochet class

SIZE
About 11” across; to fit women’s average size head.
GAUGE: Not essential. We’re working top-down until the beret is a specified size.

MATERIALS
Yarn: 2.3 oz, 189.3 yds (0.65 skein) worsted weight yarn
1 ball Berrocco Vintage DK (50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon), 288 yds / 263 m, 3.5 oz/100g ball

Crochet Hook:  US Size G-6 (4 mm) and US Size 7 (4.5 mm, which can also be called ”G”)

NOTES
This pattern uses a special “back loop only” stitch from “Under Victoria’s Hat”:  insert your hook under the back loop and the rear horizontal bar, which is located below the top loops in the back of the stitch. This causes the top front loops to bend over and look like a long dash on the side facing you, which will be the wrong side when you are done. This is similar to “in the back loops only” but it is more stable.

“Color change join” — Adapted from Lily Chin. Work the last dc stitch until you have two loops on the hook. Insert hook into the top of the turning chain, yarn over hook, and pull through all loops on hook (both the turning chain and the 2 loops on the hook).

291. Urban Appeal Hat

Crochet, project 291. Completed 24-Feb-2011

Very slouchy beret

PATTERN
Adapted from instructions by Lisa Gentry, published in
Leisure Arts #75358, Celebrity Slouchy Beanies for the Family

MADE FOR
Stage prop (1960′s costume)

SIZE
Head circumference: 22.25 inches. (Actually about 23 inches around.) TO FIT: XL/XXL head.
GAUGE: 3 sts per inch

MATERIALS
Yarn: 3.4 oz, 185 yds worsted weight yarn
1 ball Cascade Eco+ (100% Wool), 8.8 oz/ 250 g, 478 yds. Color: Black
Leftover Yarn: 5.4 oz, 293 yds worsted weight yarn

Crochet Hook: US Size H-8 (5mm)

NOTES
Top is very rippled and puckered (as designed). It looks like it is supposed to, but the fit is very loose, even with the decrease row I added. Will fall right over the nose on a 22-inch foam head.

288. Alaskan Gulf Shores Hat (crochet)

Crochet, project 288. Completed 8-Feb-2011

A Gulf Shores hat...made with Alaskan yarn

PATTERN
Hat adapted from the Gulf Shores pattern by Melissa Rotert — great pattern, have made it several times.
Flower adapted from a detail for a sweater pattern in Interweave Crochet, Fall 2010 (page 72).

MADE FOR
A friend’s birthday

SIZE: Adult Med, 19-inch head
GAUGE: Top down construction; gauge is not important. Worked until 6.5” diameter

MATERIALS
Yarn: 2 oz, 137.5 yds worsted weight yarn

• 1 ball Raven Frog Fiber Arts (100% merino wool), 8 oz / 550 yds. Color: Dark Winter Nights.

Crochet Hook: US Size G-7 (4.5 mm)

NOTES
The yarn is hand-dyed in Alaska and has generous yardage. Leftover Yarn: 6 oz, 412.5 yds yarn

287. Felted Bucket Hat (crochet)

Crochet, project 287. Completed 6-Feb-2011

After felting, on a 22-inch head

PATTERN
Adapted from a free pattern by the Purl Bee

MADE FOR Myself

SIZE
Hat circumference: 24 inches. TO FIT: Adult XL.
GAUGE: 1.5 single crochet sts = 1 inch (unfelted)

MATERIALS
The original pattern called for Cascade Eco+ (100% Wool), 8.8 oz/ 250 g, 478 yds.
Yarn: 7.5 oz, 333 yds worsted weight yarn held double

• 3 balls Stitch Nation Full O’ Sheep (100% Peruvian Wool) 3.5 oz / 100 g, 155 yds / 142 m. Color: 2012, Black Sheep
  Leftover Yarn: 3 oz, 132 yds (0.85 ball) yarn

Crochet Hook: US Size Q-19 (15.75 mm or 16 mm). Adjust hook size as needed to get gauge.
Tools: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and scissors

NOTES
From the original pattern: “We decided to send the Bucket Hat to the Laundromat! The result is a beautifully felted topper, good for protection from rain, sun and snow and for increasing general well being.” Now, who wouldn’t like a hat that increases your “general well-being”? Also, I needed a warm hat to wear in the snow, and this one was perfect.

The yarn is doubled throughout this pattern. I used two full balls to start, with the yarn strands held together. I finished the hat with two ends of the last ball held together.

Before felting, 22" across bottom (44" around)

Before felting: Hat is about 22” across the bottom (shown here draped over the 22-inch glass head). Felting instructions in the original pattern were brief. Here’s what I did:

Felting the Hat
Place the hat in a zippered pillow case to control the fuzz. Toss the pillow case into a top loading washing machine with some soap and a tennis ball. Set the water for HOT and the smallest amount of water. Check progress after 10 minutes, and then every 5 minutes until felted to the right size. Do not let it spin out.

Remove the hat from the zipped case and gently rinse it in cold water. Roll the wet hat in a towel and gently pat to remove water. Unroll the towel, smooth out any creases in the hat, and place on a glass head to dry.

Let dry for about 3 days, until all the water is gone.

After felting, on a 19-inch head

286. Feed Your Creativity Fair Isle Hat Kit

Knitting, project 286. Completed 1/29/2011

Slouchy Fair Isle

PATTERN
January 2011 kit #4 from Kollage Yarns. Their “Feed Your Creativity” series features 10 classes with “10 fibers, 10 patterns, and 10 techniques in 10 months to enhance your knitting skills.” I love this yarn — it was a joy to work with!

MADE FOR
Unknown. I wanted to learn the Fair Isle technique, and this was a fun project to work on. The hat is very slouchy and could be a bit shorter.

SIZE
Forehead circumference: 21.5 inches. TO FIT: Adult L (shown on a 22-inch head).

GAUGE: 4.5 sts per inch

MATERIALS
Yarn: About 170 total yards of yarn in 3 colors —
3 balls Kollage Fantastic (100% merino wool). 50g / 1.75 oz, 93 yds.

• 83 yds, Color A: Plumeria (purple)
• 40 yds, Color B: Porcelain (light teal)
• 46 yds, Color C: English Manor (gray)

Knitting Needles:

• US Size 7 (4.5 mm): set of 5 double pointed needles (DPNs)
• US Size 7 (4.5 mm): 16″ long circular needles
• US Size 8 (5mm): 16″ long circular needles

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and scissors

NOTES
$35 to $61.50 estimated fair market value.

Cast on 108 sts + 1 st = 109 sts to start.

284. Checked Beanie

Knitting, project 283. Completed 1/1/2011

Stranding the yarn makes the hat extra warm

PATTERN
Designed and knitted by CD Cooper. 3-in-1 join method adapted from techknitting. Top shaping instructions adapted from the free “Skull Beanie” pattern by Polar Knit. Checker chart by CD Cooper.

MADE FOR
My father-in-law

SIZE
Adult L, 19-inch to 22-inch head

Gauge: 3 sts/inch

MATERIALS
Yarn: 2 colors of bulky yarn:

• Main color (MC): 1.5 oz, 52 yds bulky yarn
  MC: 1 ball Bernat Roving (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool), 100g / 3.5 oz (120 yds). Color: 33, Flint (dark gray)

• Contrast (CC): 0.8 oz, 28 yds bulky yarn
  CC: 1 ball Bernat Roving (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool), 100g / 3.5 oz (120 yds). Color: 32, Putty (light gray).

• Knitting needles: US Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm), 16″ long circular needles and set of 5 double pointed needles (DPNs).
• Large-eye yarn needle;  scissors

NOTES: Could work the ribbing on smaller needles, such as US 10 (6 mm) or US 9 (5.5 mm) needles.

279. Skull Beanie

Knitting, project 279. Completed 11/6/2010

Toasty warm

PATTERN
Adapted from a free pattern (PDF) from PolarKnit

MADE FOR
My niece in Chicago

SIZE
Adult L, 22-inch head

Gauge: 3 sts/inch

MATERIALS
Yarn: 2 colors of bulky yarn

• Main color (MC): 1.4 oz, 48 yds bulky yarn — 1 ball Bernat Roving (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool), 100g / 3.5 oz (120 yds). Color: 33, Flint (dark gray)

• Contrast (CC): 0.5 oz, 17.1 yds bulky yarn — 1 ball Bernat Roving (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool), 100g / 3.5 oz (120 yds). Color: 32, Putty (light gray).

Knitting Needles: US Size K-10.5 (6.5 mm), 16″ long circular needles and set of 5 double pointed needles (DPNs).

NOTES
My first Fair Isle project. It is super warm, due to the stranded yarn. Next time, go down a needle size or two for the ribbing (US Size 9, 5.5 mm). A very quick knit.

278. Finian’s Hat

Knitting, project 278. Completed 11/4/2010

Jaunty!

PATTERN
Designed and knitted by CD Cooper. Pattern adapted from instructions by Susan B. Anderson’s book, Itty-Bitty Hats
I also used back join and jogless stripe instructions from the indispensable Techknitting blog.

MADE FOR
A 10-month old baby boy

SIZE
Fits 15- to 19-inch head (when flat, the hat is about 10″ across bottom and 14″ long, including the roll brim)

Gauge: 4 sts per inch

MATERIALS
Yarn:
Trim: 0.4 oz, 20 yds worsted yarn

• From 2.8 oz leftovers – 1 ball Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (100% Acrylic). 100g / 3.5 oz (170 yds). Color: 151, Gray

Body: 1.8 oz, 103 yds worsted yarn

• 1 ball Plymouth Encore Worsted (75% Acrylic, 25% Wool). 100g / 3.5 oz (200 yds). Color: 7144, Marina (multicolored)

Crochet Hook for cast on: US Size I-9 (5.5 mm)

Knitting Needles: US Size H-8 (5mm), 16″ long circular needles and set of 5 double pointed needles (DPNs).

NOTES
His mom asked for a stocking hat with a pointy top.