This is how I feel when I wake up too ..
My life seems to be evolving in a new direction since I adopted my little dog a year ago.
He is a Velcro Dog in the most literal way. Which makes knitting a bit of a challenge. To put it mildly!
It appears that what started as a knitting blog may become a “tribute to my dogs” blog. I hope my many readers don’t mind. (That means you, mom)
He inspires me to be a better person. And he has inspired me to dig out my art supplies. I am brushing up on my skills with the goal of a portrait that celebrates the way this tiny dog has changed my life.
The photo above is a portrait of my last dog, a watercolor I painted almost twenty years ago. It hangs in my living room and brings my memories of her to life every time I see it.
My sweet Rougie ❤
The day Rougie (Roog-eee) rescued me. Only four pounds, malnourished, and urine stained tail, hips and feet from living in a tiny crate for six months.
And now, coming into his own. Love this sweet boy! All six pounds of him!
Who cares how many WIPs (work in progress) they have going when there are cool new patterns to fall in love with and yarn to buy? Priorities, you know.
I found a lovely pattern called Bounce from Tin Can Knits. It is for a baby afghan but I couldn’t resist. I did a little math to make it full size, bought the yarn and, just over a month later, I have a beautiful afghan for my son and daughter-in-law. They are getting ready to move into a new home and this will make a wonderful housewarming gift. My mother said it makes her think of an ebb tide.
So, I ask you, why worry about WIPs when there are so many wonderful patterns and yarns out there?
This is my version of the 1898 Hat (original pattern for an adult size hat can be found on Ravelry). I used sock yarn and US 2 needles (one set of double point needles). So here goes:
Hat Band
Cast on 12 stitches. *Slip the first stitch of every row purl wise with yarn in front*
Row 1: knit 16 rows (you will have 16 rows or 8 garter ridges)
*Increase as follows for ear flap:
Row 1: K to last 2 stitches, kfb (knit front and back), K1
Row 2: Knit.
Repeat rows 1&2 until you have 20 stitches on your needle.
Knit 6 rows even (3 garter ridges)
Decrease as follows:
Row 1: Knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog (knit 2 together), K1
Row 2: Knit
Repeat decrease rows 1&2 until you have 12 stitches on your needles.*
Knit 44 rows (22 garter ridges)
Repeat increases/decreases from * to * for second ear flap
Knit 16 rows (8 garter ridges)
Your hat band should be about 13″ long. Cut yarn and graft or seam ends together.
Hat Crown:
Pick up and knit 77 stitches around top of hat brim. Continue knitting in the round for 1 1/2 to 2 inches.
Decrease as follows:
*K9, k2tog* around. Knit 2 rounds. *K8, k2tog* around. Knit 2 rounds. *K7, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *k6, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *K5, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *K4, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *K3, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *K2, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *K1, k2tog* around. Knit 1 round. *K2tog* around.
You should have 7 stitches left on your needles. Cut yarn and, using tapestry needle, thread yarn through these stitches. Pull stitches snug and weave in end.
Note: try decreasing the last 7 stitches to 4 stitches and knit about 2″ of Icord. Use to make a loop on the top of your hat (see photo).
*This pattern is for personal use, please do not sell the pattern. Thank you.
My roses have a perfectly nice trellis but they refuse to use it!
Any one else interested in winning this pretty little silk bag? I could envision many other uses for this bag for my non-knitting friends, and this blog is always an interesting read 🙂
When carrying my knitting around, I like to keep it in nice project bags. I used to drop works in progress (WIPs) into ziplock bags and throw them into my purse or tote bag. It was handy but not very attractive. I have a couple of large bags that I’ve acquired through the years that are my standbys. Those are better suited for large WIPs; one of them is currently holding a blanket that will ultimately fit a double-sized bed. Another is a tote bag with a witty phrase. For small projects – like socks – I use this little silk bag.
The bag is 8.5″ tall, 8″ wide and about 2″ deep (21.5 cm x 20 cm x 5 cm). It fits the necessary yarn, needles, notions, and patterns for socks, hand warmers, a hat or other small projects.
It is fully lined and cinches closed. And it’s pretty. It’s meant to…
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My two year old peach tree blooming like there’s no tomorrow!
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What an easy pattern this is! Now I have a nice little stack of hats ready for donating.
And lots more sock yarn in my stash, just waiting for me.
I just finished knitting a baby hat with ear flaps using self striping sock yarn. It is adapted from an adult size pattern with a few minor modifications.
The brim is garter stitch and is joined with a stockinette top knit in the round. Super easy and very little finishing. You could sew a bow or flower to the brim for a more girly hat.
This will be the ideal hat for donating to a local hospital. The one I made would easily fit a large newborn to several month old infant. I am going to try for a little smaller size that would be suitable for a premature infant. NICU nurses (and parents) like the tiny sizes as they are especially useful for keeping baby warm once the warmers are turned off and baby is transitioning to room temperature.
The original pattern can be found on Ravelry as “1898 Hat”. This pattern has a double layer brim to keep your ears toasty. I did not do that as I felt that was too much bulk for a baby, unless you live in a colder climate than I do!
babywren 