knitting for my little one

I made this hat for Joshua well before he was born, intending that he wear it this fall. And it fits! However, little guys don't so much like to keep things on their heads, regardless of how stylish they are, and my grandmother wisely suggested that I add earflaps and ties to keep it on his head.

I finally got around to doing that just yesterday, and here is the finished product on my sweet baby's head.

And how?(Warning, knitting abbreviations ahead.)

Pick up 9 stitches on one side of the hat.
K five rows in stockinette stitch.
On the right side, K1, K2tog, K to three stitches before the end, ssk, K1. (7 stitches)
Purl 1 row.
K1, K2tog, K to three stitches before the end, ssk, K1. (5 stitches)
Purl.
K1, K2tog, s1, return two stitches to left needle, K2tog, K1. (3 stitches)
Purl.
Knit.
Using the three remaining stitches, continue knitting to form I-cord. Add a cute little tassel.
Repeat on the other side!

Basic Baby Hat

I've been knitting like crazy here, and I love it!

The most recently finished project is a really basic baby hat.

I used a self-striping sock yarn, and I like how it turned out. Would you like to knit your own?

Basic Baby Hat

Materials:
Less than 1 skein sock yarn or other lightweight baby yarn. I used Lion Brand's Magic Stripes yarn.
US size 4 straight needles or dpns

Gauge:
6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Notes:
This pattern is knit flat, but could easily be adjusted for knitting in the round. To knit in the round, CO 72 instead of 74sts, join for knitting in the round, and then k1p1 around for 8 rounds. Follow pattern as written.

Pattern:
CO 74 stitches using the long tail cast-on method, and leaving at least an 8" tail.
Row 1: K2, (p1, k1)repeat across to establish 1x1 ribbing pattern
Rows 2-8: knit in pattern
Row 9 and following: knit in stockinette stitch until piece measures 4" from the cast on edge.

Decreasing:
Row 1: (k8, k2tog)repeat across
Row 2 and all even rows: knit even in stockinette
Row 3: (k7, k2tog) repeat across
Row 5: (k6, k2tog) repeat across
Row 7: (k5, k2tog) repeat across
Row 9: (k4, k2tog) repeat across
Row 11:(k3, k2tog) repeat across
Row 13:(k2, k2tog) repeat across
Row 15:(k1, k2tog) repeat across
Row 17: k2tog across

Finishing:
Draw a 6" tail of yarn through remaining stitches and pull tightly, fastening off.
Seam the sides, from the ribbing to the top, using the 8" tail from the cast-on and mattress stitch to create an invisible seam. What's mattress stitch? Find out here.

 

Let me know what you think! Link back to my blog if you try it, please! 

Scandinavian snowflake hat

I made a hat! More knitting for our baby boy, of course.

I'm working my way through my yarn stash, trying very hard not to purchase anything new. As long as I keep my little feet out of craft stores and my mouse away from the Lion Brand website and Ravelry, we'll be good.

There was almost a full skein of navy blue acrylic yarn. I seem to remember purchasing it on a music ministry team trip in college, but I can't remember what the brand was...I only know we were at Wal-Mart. Funny. The light blue yarn is what was left of a Patons acrylic tweed skein that I bought to make infant hats for the little twin boys I watched when we lived in Ithaca. Together, the two colors look great! At least, I think so!

 

The hat is a toddler size, and will be just right for next winter, I hope. I borrowed the snowflake chart from this pattern, and I think I may retroactively add earflaps to my improvised hat pattern so that it looks a bit like this one. The tassel on the top was fun to knit, and an easy way to finish the project. The hat is thick and cozy - just right for our snowy winters. What do you think of it?

knitting to give away

Every year that I've been at this college, we have done a winter wear drive to clothe the people of Buffalo, NY who don't have the money for coats, hats, mittens, boots, and other winter items. Many of these people are refugees or immigrants, and they receive help from Jericho Road Ministries. I have always wanted to participate by knitting something special for these people and their struggling families. College studies and busyness always got in the way.

This year, I started early. I wanted to be sure that I had time to make at least one thing to give away this winter. So I made a hat. And then a few more!

The first one is an infant size hat - quick and easy - using scraps from my stash, even some self-striping sock yarn. I held two strands together throughout the project, so it's pretty heavy fabric. It should keep its new owner toasty! The colors are not what we see as traditional for infants, but I think it may suit the darker skin of many of the refugee children who take shelter in Buffalo. Do you like it?I made a child-sized hat next, using a creamy yarn with flecks of other colors. It's pretty basic - flexible enough to be for a boy or a girl. It's lightweight and stretchy.The next hat is for an older child, about 12-14, or for a woman. It's brown and burgundy striped, which I think is also flexible for a young man or woman. This last hat is a true work of love. It's the best hat I have ever knitted, I think. It wasn't easy. And it's a little hard for me to give it away. But we're made to be poured out, right? Filled to fill others? And gifted to give away. Blessed to bless others.

But I digress. I knitted using the technique called "fair isle" knitting or "intarsia" - that's using two or more colors to create a design. I used a traditional snowflake pattern, making the "snowflakes" smaller as the hat gets smaller. I'm really proud of this one, and I hope that the new owner - a man or woman - feels loved and cared for when they wear it. It's a navy blue yarn, using the same creamy tweed-like yarn that I used to make the child-sized hat. What do you think? And the view from the top: It reminds me of the Christmas that my grandma made the black and white Kirsten doll sweater for my doll instead of buying it - the sweater was so expensive! And tiny! And detailed! Now that I know how much work it is to knit like this, I am so much more thankful and amazed at the work that my grandma put into that special gift.

I hope that these little contributions help to make a family more at home here, that they'll feel welcome, stay warm and healthy, and learn about the hope we have in Jesus.

unbelievable

yesterday was sunday, and church, of course. we were supposed to get our "new" car, but evidently something is wrong with the battery. we're glad the guy is fixing it, but it really stinks for my husband to not have a car. we've worked out rides and who has the car for the next few days... it'll work for a little while longer. we didn't realize how blessed we were to have two cars at all!

work has been... more drudgery than simply work. i know the Lord establishes the work of our hands. i'm really struggling to be grateful. i know i'm here to do his work in this time, and not just the secretary stuff. i'm supposed to be an outspoken servant of His. what an assignment.

on a positive note, it has been a beautiful day. i love when, in the winter, the sun comes up clear and golden, and hits everything with a perfect warmth that takes the chill out of the snowy landscape. there's a hill of open pasture land near our house that is dotted with round, snow covered bales of hay. when the sun is out, they cast small, dark, semi-circle shadows beside them, as if they've been gently nestled into the field. with the sparkling cold snow, bright icy blue sky, the golden bales waiting for spring, and the almost blindingly bright sun, it looks like something wonderful is about to happen - something special. occasionally, there's a deer with his furry winter coat burying his muzzle in the snow. his graceful form, alert brown eyes, fuzzy ears, and white tail just belong - this all belongs together. it was created to be this way. there could be no accident.


and i feel so much more peaceful. just breathing in the sharp, cold air and seeing such beauty is enough to stop me from my worrying, to make me slow down, and to really remember what a blessing it is to be here, now, for a reason.

Saturday evening we had another girls' night in - and just as I arrived, the sky was clear and full of stars. what more could i ask for to remind me that He's always there, that i'm complete, loved, and that my life has meaning? i have not been forgotten. there is a plan.

here's a hat i made this weekend for a coworker of mine. it's a basic hat pattern, but i added three big cabled sections to it for variety (*k8, p4, k8 [cabled section], repeat three times from *). it's made with a worsted weight Lion brand (washable!) wool, and a Red Heart "Symphony" acrylic/polyester blend held together. It's very thick and warm - perfect for the frigid temperatures we're experiencing at the moment. and what better timing than right before the snowstorm we're supposed to get tomorrow?
and for good measure, here's the completed gray/pink/sparkly pink legwarmer i finished:

yes, i did actually take a picture of it with the stitches going the wrong direction... oops. i suppose i could flip the picture so it's correct, but what fun would that be?


counting my blessings.

i am so in love with my husband. i have so much more than i need. my mom sent me a package today! at work! :o) a lovely diversion. and i'm re-learning my Music Theory. deep breath. my life is in His hands.