My son Parker was born last Sunday, and while I've been hanging out holding a sleeping baby on my chest, I've taken the opportunity to have some yarn in my hands. This beanie is made with Knit Picks Shine in worsted weight, but can be made in any soft worsted weight yarn. Machine washable is always a big bonus for babies, who I'm coming to find out are very messy! I came up with this very basic baby beanie with stripes of a coordinating color worked through the bottom. This hat pattern is quick, easy, and doesn't use much yarn at all.
Note: Stripe colors can either be carried up the back of the project, or can be trimmed and worked into the rows.
Materials:
Size H crochet hook
Knit Picks Shine worsted weight yarn, 2 colors
Gauge: 8 sts x 4 rows in 2"x2", double crochet stitch
Size 0-3 Months:
Row 1: with Main Color (MC) chain 3, then sl st into first chain st to create ring.
Row 2: ch 2, dc 9 into ring. sl st into 1st dc to close round.
Row 3: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 2 into each st, 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 4: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 1, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 1) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 5: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 2, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 2) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 6: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 3, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 3) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 7: ch 2, dc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 8-10: ch 2, dc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 11: with Accent Color (AC) ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 12: with MC, ch 1, hdc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 13: with AC, ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 14: with MC, ch 1, hdc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 15: with AC, ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st. Trim ends and weave in.
Size 3-6 months:
Row 1: with Main Color (MC) chain 3, then sl st into first chain st to create ring.
Row 2: ch 2, dc 9 into ring. sl st into 1st dc to close round.
Row 3: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 2 into each st, 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 4: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 1, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 1) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 5: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 2, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 2) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 6: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 3, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 3) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 7: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 4, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 4) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 8: ch 2, dc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 9-11: ch 2, dc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 12: with Accent Color (AC) ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 13: with MC, ch 1, hdc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 14: with AC, ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 15: with MC, ch 1, hdc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 16: with AC, ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st. Trim ends and weave in.
Size 6-12 months:
Row 1: with Main Color (MC) chain 3, then sl st into first chain st to create ring.
Row 2: ch 2, dc 9 into ring. sl st into 1st dc to close round.
Row 3: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 2 into each st, 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 4: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 1, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 1) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 5: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 2, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 2) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 6: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 3 (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 3) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 7: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 4, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 4) 9 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 8: (ch 2, dc 1) into 1st st. dc 9, (dc 2 into 1 st, dc 9) 4 times. sl st into 1st st.
Row 9: ch 2, dc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 10-13: ch 2, dc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 14: with Accent Color (AC) ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 15: with MC, ch 1, hdc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 16: with AC, ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 17: with MC, ch 1, hdc all sts. sl st into 1st st.
Row 18: with AC, ch 1, sc all sts. sl st into 1st st. Trim ends and weave in.
In this video Megan LaCore of www.theartofmegan.com shows you how to hand-wind a center pull ball of yarn from a hank. Though this technique is shown with a handmade hank of yarn, any kind of yarn wrapped in any preparation can be wound into a center-pull ball with this method.
Over Christmas break, my husband Mark and I were watching a TV show with my mom about knit and crochet cables. I enjoy elegant details in my work, and loved the thought of crochet cables. However, I wasn't a big fan of how they worked their cables, and ideas started running through my head on how to create my ideal crochet cable.
I pictured this design as a cowl, because by design cables act a bit like ribbing, and a tube of ribbed fabric makes an excellent neck covering, which is perfect for the rainy winter months in the San Francisco Bay Area. The tiny scalloped top edging can also be omitted for a more masculine look.
Hook size H
Gauge: 7 sts by 10 rows = 2 inches
Yarn: On Line Linie 208 Nature-Wool
Weight: Bulky / 12 ply (7-8 wpi)
Pattern:
Row 1: Ch 78, sl st into first st to join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
Row 2: Turning foundation chain over, ch 1, then sc 77 into back loop of chain. Sl st into first st to join in the round.
Row 3: Ch 2, dc 77, sl st to join.
Row 4: Ch 2, dc 1, *(dc 4 into front of post, dc 2)* 12 times, dc 4 into front of post, sl st to join.
Row 5: Ch 2, dc 1, **(sk 2, dc 2 into front of post, cross in front of work and dc 2 into front of post of skipped sts, dc 2 into 2 following cabled post sts)**, sk 2, dc 2 into front of post, cross in front of work and dc 2 into front of post of skipped sts
Rows 6 - 8: Repeat row 4
Row 9: Repeat row 5
Row 10 - 12: Repeat row 4
Row 13: Repeat row 5
Row 14 - 15: Repeat row 4
Row 16: Repeat row 5
Row 17 - 18: Repeat row 4
Row 19: ch 1, sc 77
Row 20: Repeat row 16
Row 21: (Sl st, ch 3, sk st, sl st), repeat to end of row, slipping last st into first st. Pull tail straight up through final st.
Weave in ends. Block to shape.
The holidays are here, and it's time to spread the good cheer. Why not make an effort this year to reuse and recycle as many of your gifts as possible?
Today I'll be showing you how to make t shirt yarn, which is great for creating custom yarns, from slim to bulky weight, that can be made into any number of great home decor or fashion gifts.
First, collect t shirts. Specifically, you want a tube knit shirt with no side seams for the best results. Harvest shirts from your give-away pile, your friends' or family's cast-offs or closets (after asking, of course!), or from thrift stores. If you opt for the last option, this is a case where bigger is better. Hit up the men's sections first, heading straight to the xxxl's if possible. Bigger shirts will get you more yardage for the same amount of money.
Wash and dry all shirts when you get them home. Next, we dissect.
Begin by cutting off the hemmed portion of the t shirt as close to the stitching as possible. From there, cut a spiral strip from the bottom edge of the t shirt all the way up to either the armpit area of the t shirt or to the printed design, whichever comes first.
The thickness of your strip will determine the thickness of your yarn, but be careful not to cut down to less than a quarter of an inch strip or you won't be able to stretch your strips into yarn.
Here's one 3xl shirt, cut into 1 continuous strip, before stretching.
Begin stretching the strips between both hands by pulling the strip lengthwise. This works with the properties of a knit stitch to curl the cut ends of the fabric in on the strip, creating a rounded piece of fabric that is easy to work with and looks smooth. Continue pulling the strip until the entire length of the fabric has been stretched.
Here's the same 3xl t shirt after being cut and stretched, waiting to be rolled into a ball.
Here's my original pile of t shirts after being cut, stretched, and wound into balls. As you can see, I've already started crocheting them into a Christmas-colored rag rug. The rag rug was raffled off at the Our City Forest Eco-Holiday Craft Fair, and now has a happy new home!
Enjoy your new yarn, and enjoy making a green impact on our world!
Materials
Main Color (MC), Contrasting Color (CC) in worsted weight
crochet hook in 2 sizes between E-G
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
Scissors
Large Leaf:
Use largest hook.
With MC, ch 11, turn to back, skip 1 and sc 10 into single back loop of chain
sl st across short edge without turning
ch 2, sk 2, tc inc 2, dc 2, hdc 2, ch 2, sk 2, ss 2, ch 3, ss 2, ch 2, hdc 2, dc 2, tc inc 2, ch 2, sk 2, ss into beginning st of the row
cut end, pull up through working loop to tie off, leaving tail long enough to sew with or to weave in, as desired.
With CC, pick up a loop at the base of the leaf and sc a decorative line up the foundational center chain of the leaf. cut end and pull up through working loop, then through top loop of leaf. Weave in end on the underside of the leaf.
Small leaf:
Use smallest hook.
With MC, ch 7, turn to back, skip 1 and sc 6 into single back loop of chain
Sl st across short edge without turning
ch 2, sk 2, dc inc 2, hdc 1, ch 2, sk 2, ss 2, ch 3, ss 2, ch 2, hdc 1, dc inc 2, ch 2, sk 2, ss into beginning st of the row
Cut end, pull up through working loop to tie off, leaving tail long enough to sew with or to weave in, as desired.
With CC, sc all the way around the edge to tip of leaf, ch 3, then sc around to bottom edge. Ss into first CC st, then cut end and pull through working loop. Weave in end.
With MC, sc all the way around to the tip of the leaf, ch 4, then sc around to bottom edge. Ss into first MC st, then cut end and pull through working loop. Weave in end.