Cable Ribbed Hat for All Sizes

This hat is worked - from the bottom edge, up to the crown - on circular needles, switching to double-pointed needles when necessary. The entire piece can be worked on the DPNs if desired. With five different size options ranging from newborn to adult, the pattern will suit all ages. 

Enjoy knitting this hat for every special person in your life!
Pattern available here in my Etsy shop.

Join in-the-round for Circular Knitting

Made the baby and the sweater

My baby Charlie at 10 months old, modeling his Owlet Sweater.  More about the pattern here.

FO: The Owlet

The Owlet is finished, and I am completely in love with this sweet little sweater.  See my progress photos here.

Having fun with KNITCOL

On a recent trip out of town and a visit to the local yarn shop, my aunt discovered KNITCOL by Adriafil.  Yay!   She picked up a skein for my mom, who used it to work up this sweet little baby hat.  It's self-striping, almost giving the look of fair isle, and is 100% merino in DK weight.  It's available in about a dozen colorways.  See them here.

On my needles: Owlet Baby Sweater

I'm thrilled to begin the Owlet Baby Sweater by Kate Davies.  As you can see from Kate's photo below, it's pretty sweet.  I put it on my Knit List for 2012, and here we are in August.  It will be perfect for a little one to wear this Fall. Can't imagine whooooo. ;-)

It's my first time knitting with Madeline Tosh. This superwash hand-dyed 100% merino wool is gorgeous. Worth every penny to make this handknit sweater extra special. 

On my needles: The Puerperium Baby Cardigan

I can't help myself.  I love to knit baby sweaters and have a long list of patterns I want to work.  This one by Kelly Brooker of Knit So Quaint has been on my mind for a while.  It's designed for the newest of newborns - hence the name puerperium.  (The six weeks post birth)

It's a tiny little thing, so it may not be worn a ton.  I view it as more of an heirloom - and something made with love that can be worn home from the hospital!

Free pattern available here.

Introducing the Freedom Blanket

I am thrilled to share my new patriotic pattern for the Freedom Blanket.

Knit one up and donate it to a WOUNDED WARRIOR or a VETERAN in need.

See below for the pattern, or email me if you would like a printable (and pretty) PDF.

Thanks, and please share it with your knitting group!
-Katie
 katie@learntoknitwithkatie.com







FREEDOM BLANKET
Copyright: Katie Preston 2012

Supplies
Size US 17 circular needle in 24" length or longer
3* skeins of Lion Brand Thick n Quick in color Denim, or similar
(*Please note, I used almost every bit of the three skeins.  If your gauge is off, you may require a fourth skein.)
4 extra-large stitch makers
Tapestry needle

Gauge
8 sts and 12 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Please check your gauge, and adjust your needle size if necessary.

Finished Size
24 x 42 inches

Abbreviations
PM = Place marker

Begin
CO 50 sts
Work 5 rows in garter stitch. (knit every stitch)

Setup row:  K4, PM, k12, PM, k18, PM, k12, PM, k4.

Row 1:  (RS) K entire row, slipping markers as you reach them.
Row 2: (WS) K4, p42, k4.

Rep Rows 1 and 2 for 7 inches, ending with a WS row.  (Tip: you just completed a WS row, a row 2.)

Refer to USA chart below, and note instructions for working RS versus WS rows.

Chart Row 1: (RS) K to second maker, work Chart Row 1 over the next 18 sts, k to end.
(Tip: the chart is worked on the 18 sts between the markers in the center.  To work Chart Row 1, you will k15, p3, reading from right to left.)

Chart Row 2: (WS) K4, p12, work Chart Row 2 over the next 18 sts, p12, k4.
(Tip: To work Chart Row 2, you will k3, p15, reading from left to the right.)

Continue in this manner, working Chart Rows 3 through 70 over the 18 sts between the center markers, ending with a WS row.

Work Rows 1 and 2 and rep until this section of the piece measures approximately 7 inches.  (Tip: you are working Rows 1 and 2,  not Chart Rows 1 and 2.)  End with a RS row.  (Tip: you just completed a RS row, a row 1.)

Work 6 rows in garter stitch, removing the markers as you reach them.

BO loosely knitwise.  Weave in ends.  Give yourself a pat on the back, and ship to Care to Knit!

Copyright: Katie Preston 2012

For a printable (and pretty) PDF
version of the pattern, please send a request by email to
katie@learntoknitwithkatie.com

Donations are gladly accepted by:
Care to Knit, Inc.
1940 Deer Park Avenue,  Suite 155
Deer Park, NY  11729
http://www.caretoknit.org/

Your Freedom Blanket will be donated to a veteran in need.  THANK YOU for your effort!

Care to Knit, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in New York.  Its mission is to provide hand-knitted and crocheted items to those in need in hospices, shelters, nursing homes and hospitals.

Pinterest members,
pin it here.

Featured by Lion Brand Yarns on
July 2,  2012

Featured by CRAFTgawker.com on
July 2, 2012

The Sunnyside Baby Cardigan

I was SO thrilled when I found Tanis Fiber Arts' pattern and beautiful hand-dyed sock yarn at the 2012 Vogue Knitting convention in NYC.  Hand-dyed yarns with a bunch of wild colors are not my thing these days, but I go crazy over hand-dyeds that are sort of monochromatic.  I love subtle color changes and how they vary from slightly to very saturated in color.  Tanis really nails it.  And her free pattern for the Sunnyside Cardigan is exactly what I was looking for.  A simple cardigan with some cabling.  I needed something that is unisex since this one is for a "mystery baby" as I like to call them - my new niece or nephew who is due at the end of April!  As you may have noticed from the placement of the buttonholes, I am guessing it will be a BOY.

Visit Tanis Fiber Arts for your copy of the free pattern, and treat yourself to one of her incredible skeins.  I chose the Purple Label Cashmere blend sock yarn in color Dove.  See Tanis' amazing palette of colors here.

xo -k.

(Featured on CRAFTgawker.com in March 2012.)

Christmas Knits 2011

JADE SAPPHIRE CASHMERE SCARF

Made especially for my husband Ryan. 

Ever since I saw these scarves hanging in Purl SOHO, I've wanted one of these kits.  It includes 4 hanks of 100% Indian cashmere and a pattern booklet with seven "manly" scarf patterns.  I chose the Zach motif.  

ASYMMETRICAL CABLE CAP 

Made especially for my dad in Cascade Yarns' Superwash 128 in Charcoal.  

He can wear it for his walks this winter with the three consecutive cables in the front or in the back.  Whatever he likes best.  

LATTICE LACE COWLS 

Made especially for Jack's teachers, my dear friend Katy, and my sister-in-law Sarah.  

Knitted up in (left to right) Cascade Yarns' Magnum in Doeskin Heather, Blue Sky Alpacas' Bulky in Seaweed, and Cascade Yarns' Magnum in Rainier Heather.  Click here for my pattern.

On My Needles: Organic Cotton Market Tote

In a few weeks, I hope to fill this one with some goodies from Rockville Centre's farmers market.

PS - I love to knit lace!

Welcome Baby Isabelle!

Meet sweet baby Isabelle who was welcomed by my friend (and knitter) in June!

Here she is modeling a beanie with earflaps and I-cords knitted in seed stitch.
I worked this one in Cascade Yarns' Cash Vero DK - extra fine merino and cashmere, as soft as a newborn baby's skin.

Thanks to Isabelle's mommy for sharing her photo.  :) 

Update: Lattice Stitch Cowl

You're sure to be a master of cables and knitting in-the-round after completing this beautiful pattern.

1 1/2 skeins of Cascade Yarns' Eco Duo, a baby alpaca and merino wool blend
Size US 10 or 10.5  circular needle, 16" length. Any longer will not work!
1 or 2 classes, dependent upon experience = $25 or $50 (+supplies)

On My Needles: Lattice Stitch Cowl

This one is knitted with a 16" circular needle and a cable needle.  It's my first time knitting with Cascade Yarns' Eco Duo, a baby alpaca and merino wool blend - SUPER soft.  Both fibers are undyed, so the colors come straight from the animals!

I have about 6 of the suggested 27 inches complete.  I'll be sure to show you when it's finished.

(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)

Color Block Blanket

Knitted with love for my cousin Erin who is expecting her first baby in August.
Before shopping for the yarn, I took a peak at her gift registry to coordinate the colors with her Pottery Barn Kids' Madras Bedding.

This is a great project for beginners to really perfect their knit and purl stitches.  There are a few tricks along the way, including the Provisional Cast-on, to keep things interesting.

(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)

Caper Cable Cap

Photo credit: Jack Preston.  Yes, 5-year-old Jack. 



(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)

On my needles: Stitchy Beanie

The Stitchy Beanie knitted-in-the-round for my little boy Henry.

(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)

Lately...

The Chirp Baby Sweater, 

Circles and Stripes Slip Scarf

On My Needles: The Chirp Baby Sweater

The Chirp Baby Sweater

Knitted in Kraemer Perfection, a merino wool and acrylic blend in chirp color. This is a great yarn. It is soft and washable - perfect for a baby, or pretty much any project. It comes in a ton of beautiful colors that you can view at kraemeryarns.com

The Chirp is worked on long circular needles. The body is one piece, and then sleeves and a hood will be added. The bottom edge is called garter stitch, the main part is called stockinette stitch, then you can see it goes back to garter stitch for a few rows, and now I'm beginning the upper portion that's done in a bumpy pattern called seed stitch.

If you have an interest in learning this project, just let me know, and I'll do a class. All you need to know to start are the knit and purl stitches!

(Click below if you would like to leave a comment.  Thanks!)