at last

it's been awhile and the posting of this pattern is long overdue...

Not another bulky Beret pattern a.k.a.

The 75 meter bulky beret or the 82 yard chunky tam

By: Madelaine Pippa Bartlett

Materials: 82 yards/75 meters bulky to super-bulky weight yarn (this amount does not include yardage for gauge swatch)

Set of 4 US #6/4mm DPNs

Set of 4 US #10.5/6.5mm DPNs

Optional but recommended: elastic thread ***

Size: to fit an average ladies head (20-22 inches around)

for larger heads: go up a needle size for 2x2 ribbing

for smaller heads: CO. 68 and increase 4 stitches during Row 5 as follows; R5:*K17, m1; rep from *.

Gauge: 12-14 sts. & 16 rows = 4’’/10cm of St. st. on 6.5 mm needles

(change needle size to accommodate gauge)

Pattern: Co 72 st. on US #6/4mm DPNs

Join, being careful not to twist.

(optional-include elastic thread when knitting first 4 rows)

K2, P2 ribbing for 4 rows

switch to 6.5mm DPNs

R5: Knit to end

R6: *K18, m1; rep from *. (76)

R7: Knit to end

R8: K9, m1, *k19, m1; rep from * 2 more times, k10. (80)

R9: Knit to end

R10: *K20, m1; rep from *. (84)

Next 10 rows: Knit.

begin decreases

R21: *K10, k2tog; rep from *. (77)

R22: Knit to end

R23: *K9, k2tog; rep from *. (70)

R24: Knit to end

R25: *K8, k2tog; rep from *. (63)

R26: Knit to end

R27: *K7, k2tog; rep from *. (56)

R28: Knit to end

R29: *K6, k2tog; rep from *. (49)

R30: Knit to end

R31: *K5, k2tog; rep from *. (42)

R32: *K4, k2tog; rep from *. (35)

R33: *K3, k2tog; rep from *. (28)

R34: *K2, k2tog; rep from *. (21)

R35: *K1, k2tog; rep from *. (14)

R36: *K2tog; rep from *. (7)

R37: K2tog, k3tog, k2tog. (3)

i-cord for three rows.

*Omit i-cord if making garter stitch medallion version or adding pompom.

For garter stitch medallion, purl rows 31, 33, 35, & 37 (ex. R31: *P5, p2tog; rep from *.).

Finishing

pull yarn tightly through remaining stitches. Weave in all loose ends. Block lightly over a dinner plate.

To make a pom pom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02ZZUlpB4Z8

***Elastic thread: If unavailable at your LYS, try looking in the sewing section of your local craft/hobby shop or non-unionized mega department store, it is sometimes referred to as smocking thread. You Can also use elastic thread for beading or from bait shops in a pinch, or purchase online: http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/073258.html.

future plans

hmmm...i've been looking for the perfect knit skirt for winter...I'm thinking of doing a hybrid between Wenlan Chia's metropolitan diary skirt and Kat Coyle's Guernsey Skirt....

so something like this...

but shorter and knit up in something super bulky like this...


hmmm...I think it's time to go yarn shopping

mushrooms

I love it when my knitting actually counts for marks that go towards a BFA. I made these mushroom cozies for an assignment about re-imagining urban space, some sort of knit graffiti was my obvious choice. They make great finger puppets too!

Here's the before shot...

And here's the after shot...


They were gone the next day...hopefully they have a nice new home and arn't just sitting in the trash. they were quick n' simple to knit, here's my "pattern" if you can even call it that...

-I used approx. 12 grams of cascade ecological wool per mushroom, knit on US#8/5mm DPNs

CO 16 sts., work K1, P1 rib for 16-20 rows depending on desired size

NR: knit
NR: *K2, m1, rep from * to end of row
knit for 2 rows
NR: *K3, m1, rep from * to end of row
knit for 6 rows
NR: *K2tog, k2, rep from * to end of row
knit 1 row
NR: *K2tog, k1, rep from * to end of row
pull yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight, weave in ends.

p'tit beret

I went to a rockabilly festival earlier this month...

(check out my significant other Andrew with Wanda Jackson!)

Anywho I noticed oodles of fascinators for sale and knew I wasn't the only one who had a thing for mini hats. My roomate's mother bought her this royal blue mini beret and I loved it so much I had to make my own! felted swatches tend to lie so it took me three tries to get it just right.

Here's the pattern, It's also available as a free pdf download on Ravelry,

P’tit Beret Fascinator

By: Madeleine Pippa Bartlett

I’ve noticed a renaissance of hats and headpieces on the runways and the street lately, so I just had to combine this new look with an old favorite of mine. Berets are my favorite kinds of hats. They’re just so casual, so elegant, and so French. They look good worn to the back of the head with exposed bangs or pulled tight over the ears on a windy day. A good beret can be so many things, bulky or lacey, stiff or floppy, oversized or even mini. This teeny tiny beret can be jazzed up with feathers and lace or keep it subtle and plain. Knit in the round on large needles, this p’tit beret knits up quick and then gets tossed in the wash to felt it down to size. You can attach it to a clip, comb or whatever you please, but I find an elastic headband holds it in place the best. A great New Year’s Eve accessory or last minute gift!

ONE SIZE

Finished measurements

4-inch diameter after felting

Materials:

Cascade 220 [100% Highland Peruvian Wool; 220yds/198m per 100g skein]; Shown in Christmas red 8895 & black 8555; 0.5 skein

1 set of US #13/9mm double-point needles

Tapestry needle or crochet hook (to weave in ends)

Large curved hair clip (no longer then 4 inches) or elastic hair band

Sewing thread and needle

Gauge: 12 sts/15 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch, with felting (2 cycles in top loader washing machine) shrinks down to 3” W x 2.5” H

Pattern notes

I-cord: Slip all 3 stitches onto 1 needle. Knit across, slide all sts to other end of right needle, switch needle back to your left hand, bring yarn around back of work, and start knitting the sts again. Repeat this row to form I-cord.

Pattern

CO. 30 sts.

Divide sts between needles and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 2 rounds in stocking stitch.

Round 3: [K5, m1] 6 times. 36 sts.

Work 2 rounds in stocking stitch.

Round 6: [K6, m1] 6 times. 42 sts.

Work 2 rounds in stocking stitch.

Round 9: [K7, m1] 6 times. 48 sts.

Work 2 rounds in stocking stitch.

Round 12: [K8, m1] 6 times. 54 sts.

Work 4 rounds in stocking stitch.

Decrease rounds begin

Round 17: [K7, ssk] 6 times. 48 sts.

Round 18: [K6, ssk] 6 times. 42 sts.

Round 19: [K5, ssk] 6 times. 36 sts.

Round 20: [K4, ssk] 6 times. 30 sts.

Round 21: [K3, ssk] 6 times. 24 sts.

Round 22: [K2, ssk] 6 times. 18 sts.

Round 23: [K1, ssk] 6 times. 12 sts.

Round 24: [Ssk] 6 times. 6 sts.

Round 25: [Ssk] 3 times. 3 sts.

Slip all 3 stitches onto one needle

I-cord for 3 rounds (see pattern notes)

Break yarn, draw through remaining stitches and pull tight.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.

Felting: You can use your preferred method of wet felting or do what I did: Using a top loading washing machine, set to small load on hottest setting. Add a couple pairs of old jeans for friction; do not use any clothes that shed fibers (i.e. bath towels), as the lint will felt into your new hat. Use only half the amount of detergent and once things get shaking in there you can add a tablespoon of baking soda to really get things going. I had to do two cycles to completely felt it down to size. Once felted it may come out a bit hairy, I picked these stray fibers off by hand but you could also shave it.

Now for the attachment, if using a narrow elastic hair band just sew the elastic down on either sides of the beret using a whipstitch. Sew onto the bottom side, of course, and be careful not to let those stitches show on the top. If using a large hair clip, glue may be your best option. However, stay away from the hot glue gun! Use fabric, jewelry or epoxy glue. Pair with red lipstick for maximum effect.

back in the game

I've been avoiding this thing since I opened it but it's time to jump back on the bandwagon. I'll mostly be using this blog to post knitting patterns I have available on ravelry and to showcase some of the stuff i make as a art student. Here are some shots from a show i was in this July called committed.

2lb bag of beets

Ah, the creativity which sparks from unemployment...I got bored of working on my noro scarf so...

I made up a recipe for borscht this afternoon and tried it out, here goes my attempt at explaining it to you:

1 can condensed beef consommé (284ml)
I diced Spanish onion
I cup diced raw potatoes
1 cup shredded cabbage, green or red (coleslaw salad mix)
1tbsp butter
3-4 large raw beets or 2 cups cubed
1tsp balsamic vinegar
1tsp brown sugar
-boil beets until tender, reserve 284ml of stock
-drain and rinse beets with cool water,
-melt butter in large pot and add cabbage, potatoes and onion, let simmer for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, meanwhile peeling beets.
-add beef consommé, reserved beet stock, vinegar and sugar,
let simmer for another 5-10 mins or until you’ve finished cutting the beets into chunks.
-add beets and simmer for as long as you can bear it, until you want to taste this delicious magenta stew…it was about 8 mins for me.

credit where credit is due

First post. You'll have to excuse my shy-ness until I can get a bit more comfortable blogging. My mother just finished knitting the Linen Kilt by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark from Knit 2 Together. It turned out beautifully, hold it's shape in a lovely manner. My first port is for her.