Knitwith Homespun

This beanie was so popular when Bella wore it that I had to make several more before I left Portland this Christmas Holiday. It’s very simply and quite warm. Initially, my nephew asked me to duplicate a hat he had that was worn out and had a competing patch on it (KTM). I found a Yamaha patch, did a few test beanies and came up with this pattern. I have knit 5 of these so far. 2 black, one pink, one turquoise, and one green.

Materials:

One skein (should make two beanies) Caron Simply Soft brites
Size 6 (US) circulars 16″.
Plastic bill (I cut bill from plastic folder at Staples and hot glued two together for strength)
Sewing thread
Sewing needle
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker
Bill= 8 inches tip to tip, width at crest 2 inches, arch is 3.5 inches.

Bill modifications care of  amandajewls on Ravelry.  Thanks Amandajewls!  To draw the bill:   Draw a straight line and mark two points 8 inches apart. Do another mark half way between these points. Now draw a line perpendicular at the half way mark. On the perpendicular line mark 2 inches AND 3.5 inches. These mark the arch points for the bill. Mark 2 is the forehead. 3.5 is away from the head.

Pattern:
Cast on 80 stitches. Place marker, join (careful not to twist).
Row 1: K2, P2, *K2, P2* to end.
Row 2: Repeat row one making 2 x 2 rib for 1/2 inch.
Note: This beanie is doubled up as a tube
Row 6 (approximately): *K1, M1, K1, P2* to end. Making K3, P2 rib.
Row 7: *K3, P2*, to end.
Continue to 14 inches or desired size. To check size, place doubled tube on desired head and make sure you have a good size. There should only be a small uncovered circle at the top.
Decrease until you have 80 stitches again.
Begin at marker, *K1, K2tog, p2* repeat to end.
Repeat this row 4 times.
Bind off loosely.

Top: Cast on 13 stitches with double strand of yarn on Size 6.
Row 1: K1, YO, Knit to last stitch, YO, K1.
Row 2: K1, Knit through back loop of YO, Knit to 2 stitches before end, Knit through back loop of YO, K1.
Row 3: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three more times.
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: K1, K2tog, Knit to 3 stitches before end, K2tog, K1.
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Repeat Row 12.
I ended up with about 26 rows for my top but you may find you need more or less. I wrote this part of the pattern backwards and my top was done when I wrote this up. As you are knitting, hold the top up to your opening for the top and make sure the size you have will fit into the opening you have.
Continue until you have thirteen stitches left.
Bind of loosely. Cut yarn about 36 inches (for stitching top to hat).

Assemble:
Place bill inside tube down to the bottom and turn out so it’s a bill.
Stitch with thread in place across the bill. Make sure the tube has the cast on edge and bind off edges together before stitching bill in place. If they don’t match up, cut the stitches and replace the bill. (I had to do this a few times before I figured it out).
Thread tapestry needle with double strand of cut yarn from the top of the hat. Using desired stitch, stitch top to bind off and cast on edges together.
Weave in ends nicely and you can have a completely reversible hat with a bill.

M1 = Lift bar between two knit stitches onto left needle and knit through the back of this loop.

Apparently, tonight is the biggest full moon in a long long long long long time and it is closer to the earth than in a really really really long time. I don’t know what all this means but I took a picture of it anyway because that is quite an opportunity.

I don’t like to complain on my blog as a rule because who wants to read that, right?  However, I have been really sad and actually want to cry a bit about one of my obsessions; TV.  I watch way too much and really get into my shows.  There haven’t been any good shows coming out for years now.  Years, I tell you.  I love reality TV.  I love mystery and cop shows.  Those are a dime a dozen.  Good scripted shows are few and far between anymore and now, I am losing one of the best shows on TV these days; Pushing Daisies.  This show is quirky, colorful, happy, well written and very enjoyable to watch.  The concept is original and dripping with fantasy and creativity.  Yesterday I watched the episode that aired on Wednesday and I really want to cry that it is going away.  The characters are rich and wonderful and we are just getting to know them.  I hope some cable network picks it up but I doubt that will happen.  I just wanted to vent and see if anyone else is lamenting the death of this wonderful show.  I wish Ned could touch it and have another show die instead.

My friend and blogger posted this meme and I thought I would participate.  Go to the sixth page of your flickr photostream and post the sixth picture on that page.

Not my best photo but that’s not the point, is it. Feel free to join me in this fun meme!

I have to knit.  Here are pictures of finished objects and unspun fiber.  Enjoy!

The first shot is our house with the sign posted there this morning (at the beginning of our street). The second shot I don’t want to fix the red eye cause it made the picture look all weird but her expression was the best I have seen. She was so excited when the sirens went off in the neighborhood with the police announcing that Santa would be here in 5 minutes! One of the many reasons I love the town I live in. Thanks Tustin!