Dad's Giant Head Hat~

~Finally, some finished knitting that I can share! Most things I finish are for gifts, so I don;t want to post and spoil the surprise, then I forget to get photos after they are gifted.

Introducing.... the Giant Head Hat I made for my dad. 

It's a 24 inch circumference around the brim.

Big. Hat.

(insert photo here, of my handsome dad, grinning and wearing his spectacular new hat)

He lives 3,000 miles from me, so I am depending on him to send me a photo... ahem. hint hint.

Thanks for the photos Dad!

He has the brim all rolled up, like a Monmouth Hat...

Made from Miss Babs Yowza in Black Walnut.

Yowza is my favorite, favorite yarn right now. 

I am using it on the majority of things currently on the needles~ 

Go buy some from her.  

It's yummy, and washable, and the skeins are huge... and her colorways? drool.

OK, enough yarn pimping...

This hat was designed by me, combining basic hat knitting with custom features for my dad.
Here are my notes...
Used half a skein of Yowza (which are 560 yard skeins), so about one standard skein of worsted weight yarn (which usually run about 220 yards).
*Yarn held double*... so the gauge is really a chunky yarn, one strand of chunky = two strands of worsted held together.
Size 9 needles...
~ Cast on 88
~ K2P2 rib for 4 inches
~ Knit in round normally for 5 more inches (9 total inches from cast on edge)
~ Divide into 4 sections (22 st each) and place markers
~ Begin decrease... *k2tog, knit to 2 st before marker, ssk, sm, k2tog*... repeat around
~ Knit 1 normal round between each decrease round until 8 st remain
~ Cut yarn, thread through remaining 8 stitches, secure and weave in ends.

Ribbed brim either gives the hat extra length or can be folded up for super thickness over ears.
K- Dad... send me a photo?
xo

Baby Pip Hat REVISION~

Finally!

The LONG awaited and highly anticipated

Baby Pip Hat Pattern Revision!

Working on some more prototypes and variations... will add pictures here as they are completed.

Baby Pip Hat

by Reenie Hanlin

Gauge is 5 st/in in K1P1 pattern~

With a worsted weight yarn...

~ Size 8 dpn (or whatever size you need to obtain gauge)

~ Cast on 40 (preemie) (56 (newborn) or 60 (infant)) stitches and divide evenly between needles.

~ Connect and begin working in the round in K1P1 until hat measures 4 (4.5, 5) inches from cast on edge.

~ Divide stitches evenly on to two needles and bind off using three needle bind off.

~ Flip hat inside out so the bind off sea is on the inside.

Three needle bind off~

Knit 1st stitch from both front and back needle together

repeat and pass 1st st over 2nd st and drop off.

Repeat this pattern until seam is completed.

End and weave in ends.

Embellish the corners of the hat with pom-poms, tassels or ears.

www.MaterialWhirled.com

The Journey~ Michele made many!

I am honored that my Journey Hat has been so well received on Ravelry. (as of today, 117 and counting!)

Michele made 12 of them! She is michelou on Rav....

Now that is quite the Journey!

Knotted Scarf~

I just remade my Knotted Scarf pattern/tutorial...

It's Knot Knit.... because it's knot.

A scarf creation for those who LOVE art yarns but do not knit or crochet.

Made with your fingers!

Materials:
~ 1 skein of Material Whirled Yarn (min. 80 yards)
or any bulky or worsted weight yarn
~ Fingers (or large crochet hook)
~ Scissors
~ Embellishments (optional)

Printable Link~

Journey Hat Beaded Variation~

How to add beads to embellish your Journey Hat! (base pattern here)

You will need an even number of beads. If using smaller beads (as in pink hat below), you will want to use more than if they are large (such as with the lady bugs or skulls shown here).

It will make your life easier if the hole in the bead is large enough to accommodate both strands of yarn. Beads are added to the yarn right before they are knit in (see instructions below). This way if they are tight on the yarn, you don't have to fight them while knitting the entire brim, etc.

Plan to space your beads evenly spaced among 96 stitches. (Simple math... if using 8 beads- they will be placed every 12 stitches, if using 6 beads- place every 16 st, if using 12 beads- place every 12 st, etc., etc.)

Start the basic pattern and knit the brim... I typed the added instructions in RED below.
You also need the original pattern.... (printable link).

Materials: ~
~ 1 skein of worsted weight yarn, approx. 210+ yards (knit from both ends of the wound skein)
**A DK or light worsted will work well also!
~ Size 8, 16 inch circular needle
~ Size 10 1/2, 16 inch circular needle
~ Size 10 1/2 dpn
~ Tape measure
~ Yarn sized needle
~ Beads!

Brim~
Cast 64 st onto size 8 circ. needle.
K3P1 rib for 2 inches (approx. 11 rows)

Body~
Switch to 10 1/2 circ. needle.
Round 1, Purl
Round 2, Knit
Round 3, Increase round, *K2, M1*, continue * entire round, increasing to 96 st. (M1 by picking up and knitting the bar between stitches)
Break the yarn, string your beads on, and knot it back together. Leave ends long enough to weave in when the hat is completed. (Tip-- use a tiny crochet hook to pull the yarn through the beads. It's hard to find a yarn needle with an eye small enough to fit through your beads). It looks best if you can pull both strands of yarn through the bead.
ADDED ROUND~ Knit~When it is time to add a bead, simply slide down to your needle and keep knitting.
Round 4, Purl

From now on follow the original pattern as written. (printable link).

Be sure to send me pictures of your masterpieces!

Black Cat Journey Hat ~ Seed Stitch Top Variation

A custom order hat, knit from hand dyed black alpaca. It reminds me of my black cat~ she looks black until the sun shines on her, then she is really a dark dark brown.

I knit the top in a seed stitch, which I feel adds interest when using a solid color.

(I still need to write up instructions on where/how to add the beads~ doing this in a separate post)

Click here for the link to the basic Journey Hat Pattern.

Seed Stitch variation~

~Knit the Journey Hat pattern as written through round 12.

~ You need to knit a seed stitch in the round on an odd number of stitches. This means you will have an odd number when you begin decreasing, so once you place your markers, the first section of stitches will have one more stitch than the others. (I know, this may throw some of you retentive knitters into a fritz, think of it as creative therapy! ) Just ignore it and knit your decreases as if you had an even amount.

~Round 13~ M1 , *P1, K1* , repeat entire round. (97 stitches)

~Round 14 and on... Knit in seed stitch until your hat measures 5 inches from the edge, then begin your decrease rounds as follows...

Decreases~

In seed pattern, place a marker every 12 stitches (remember, your first section will have 13 st)
When decreasing in seed stitch, you need to knit (or purl) 3 stitches together. This will keep your seed pattern from looking all wonky. If the first of these 3 stitches is a knit stitch, K3tog, if the first of these 3 stitches is a purl stitch, P3tog. Got it?

To keep things simple, I wrote the decrease instructions as KNIT (K), but make sure you keep to the seed pattern.

~Decrease round 1~ *K9, K3tog* Continue in this pattern entire round.
~Knit 3 rounds normally
~Decrease round 2~ K8, K3tog* Continue in this pattern entire round.
~Knit 3 rounds normally
~Decrease round 3~ K7, K3tog* Continue in this pattern entire round.
~Knit 2 rounds normally
Continue to in this manner and knit 2 rounds normally between each decrease row until you have 9 stitches left on your needles. Switch to your dpn when you feel it is necessary.
Thread needle and connect all remaining stitches and secure, closing the hole.

meow!

Journey Hat (Sock Yarn Version) Prototype #1

" Either you run the day or the day runs you. " ~ Jim Rohn

Well that sums up the week I have been having. I feel 'run', manipulated by my schedule and my obligations. Of course I am the one who sets my schedule and commits to my obligations.
It is what it is. I love my life, but tire myself out. I wouldn't change a thing about it, except maybe make more time, but no one can do that.

So here is what I have been doing in my downtime.
The first prototype of the Journey Hat made from Sock Yarn!

Modeled by my Ann~ who will be 10 on Monday!

The hat came out smaller than I anticipated, and will fit a child head around 18-19 inches.
Next hat will fit 20-21 inch head and should have more slouc.
Knit from double stranded fingering weight superwash merino.

Off to shop for birthday paraphrenalia!

Double the Journey~

Here are two more Journey Hats! I am addicted. obsessed.
I want to try every combination I can think of. But I shouldn't really. reality you know. Reality aside, I am still going. In my spare-time. down-time.
(I have made two more since these two that I haven't photographed yet. I will post them soonish.)

Drum Roll......

Acid Grasshopper Skull Journey Hat

Knit from my Acid Grasshopper BFL ~
(as of this posting there are still a few skeins available in the shop)
Email me and I will sell you some of the wooden skulls too!
AND
Denim Diva Journey Hat
Knit from a chunky merino I painted.
(Chunky = double stranded worsted)Off to spin more orders!

Journey Hat

The Journey Hat

(because it's all about the journey)

~Scroll down for detailed images and yarn specs~

© 2009 Reenie Hanlin

Here it is!
My interpretation of a Free People hat from a year or so ago.
I knit pile of these, working out the math, then put it away for a year. Recently it caught my attention again, and now here it is!

Works up best in a painted yarn (in my opinion) , but also beautiful in a solid.
Scroll down to see more images knit in different yarns.

Hat is knit holding 2 strands of worsted yarn together to make knitting faster and to make the color combos even more spectacular. Simply knit from both ends of the wound skein.
Different yarn fibers will give you a variety of 'slouch'. For example, a bamboo blend yarn will be slouchier than 100% wool, because it is loftier and lighter. make sense?

The Journey Hat

Materials: ~
~ 1 skein of worsted weight yarn, approx. 210+ yards (knit from both ends of the wound skein)
**A DK or light worsted held double will work well also!-- or a single strand of a chunky yarn**
~ Size 8, 16 inch circular needle
~ Size 10 1/2, 16 inch circular needle
~ Size 10 1/2 dpn
~ Tape measure
~ Yarn sized needle

Brim~
Cast 64 st onto size 8 circ. needle.
K3P1 rib for 2 inches (approx. 11 rows)

Body~
Switch to 10 1/2 circ. needle.
Round 1, Purl
Round 2, Knit
Round 3, Increase round, *K2, M1*, continue * entire round, increasing to 96 st.
Round 4, Purl
Round 5, Lace round *YO twice, K3tog*, Continue in this pattern entire round.
Round 6, *K, Kbl, K* repeat entire round (Kbl means Knit in back loop)
Round 7, Knit
Round 8, Purl
Round 9, Lace round *YO twice, K3tog*, Continue in this pattern entire round.
Round 10, *K, Kbl, K* repeat entire round
Round 11, Knit
Round 12 and on, continue to purl until hat measures 5 inches from the edge .

Decreases~
Place a marker every 12 stitches.
*P10, P2tog*, Continue in this pattern entire round.
Purl 2 rounds normally
*P9, P2tog*, Continue in this pattern entire round.
Purl 2 rounds normally
*P8, P2tog*, Continue in this pattern entire round.
Purl 1 round normally.

Repeat the decrease rounds, purling 2tog before each marker with just 1 normal round in between each decrease row until you have 8 stitches remaining, switching to dpn when necessary.
Thread needle and connect all remaining stitches and secure, closing the hole.

Kbl= means knit in the back loop of the stitch (normally you knit in the front loop).. the stitch created by the second yarn over will be backwards. Knitting in the back of the loop will twist it around.
M1= means Make One, and it creates an increase. I do this by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting in the back of it. There are many ways to M1... choose your favorite.

Knit from Material Whirled Muse Hand Dyed alpaca in Selective Dementia colorway

Knit from Material Whirled Muse Hand Dyed merino/bamboo in Amaryllis colorway~

Knit from Cascade 220 Heathers in Galaxy colorway~

Test knit by Ruth in a painted alpaca from her stash~

If you are on Ravelry, go here to see almost 50 version of The Journey Hat.

They are spectacular!

Not on Ravelry? GO JOIN NOW... it will rock your knitting world!

After you join come and friend me.

Knotted Symphonic Poem Scarf

A few days ago I posted a link to a No Knit Scarf (knotted) from Martha Stewart.
I finally made one and it really works well with my handspun.

Here is the yarn, Symphonic Poem.

Here is the scarf!
The skein was 70 yards of bulky to super bulky but I recommend having at least 80 yards.

The knotted pattern really shows off the unique qualities of the handspun!

Here is the link to the scarf pattern.

Here is the link to the YARN SHOP where you can find many many beautiful skeins that will make spectacular scarves! (enough adjectives? haha)

Candy Corn Yarn and Free Hat Pattern!

Yesterday a package arrived from Arabella. She designed the yarn and hat concept.
I designed the hat pattern using my free Rainbows Eve hat pattern as a starting point.
The result is an adorable fall hat! Knit using Arabella's handspun Candy Corn yarn to avoid color changes! Buy handspun Candy Corn yarn here.

FREE CANDY CORN HAT pattern is below...

Here they are!

Traditional Flavor (is it vanilla?)
And Chocolate!
Now for the FREE PATTERN~

Materials:

Bulky weight yarn in 3 colors, approx. 80 total yards (hint* Using MW Candy Corn yarn eliminates color changes)

Size 10 1/2 circular needles, 16 in. length

Size 10 1/2 double point needles (dpn)

Yarn sized needle

Instructions:

Cast 48 st onto circ. needles

Connect first round and place marker at beginning of round.

Knit in k2p2 rib for the first inch.

Switch to stockinette and knit until hat measures 4 inches in length

First decrease round: *K10, K2tog*, repeat until one round is completed, placing markers at beginning of each decrease.

Knit 4 rows.

Second decrease round, *K9, K2tog*, repeating again until one round is completed.

Knit 4 rows.

Continue to decrease and knit 4 rows between each decrease, (switching to dpn when necessary), until 8 st remain on needles.

K2tog around until 4 st remain.

Using a yarn sized needle, connect all stitches and secure opening. Weave in ends.

Click here for a printable pdf.

Free Preemie Hat Pattern~

My lys has been collecting preemie hats to take to the local NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).
I knit a few up on Sat. and wrote down how I made them so YOU can make them too.
Great stash buster project and a quick knit. Use a washable yarn, preferably a non-synthetic fiber.
*For now the pattern is just gauged for a heavy worsted yarn, I will edit is as I work out gauge variations. For now you will have to swatch for a different weight yarn or wing it.*
Embellishments are cross-overs from my Baby Pip hat pattern, to which I will also be adding a preemie version.
I will also link this from my Free Pattern page on the site.
I am working on a Kitty version and a Christmas version also..... what else- Elvis version? Troll?

Preemie Hat Pattern

Finished size is 10 inches around and about 5 inches in height.

Heavy worsted yarn
Size 10 1/2 double point needle
Stitch Marker
Yarn needle
Crochet hook (for flower)
Instructions:

~ Cast 30 stitches onto 3 dpn
~ Place marker at beginning of round
~ Knit in the round until hat measures 3 inches from the edge
~ Decrease round *Knit 8, K2tog*, repeat around hat (since the hat is so tiny I did not place markers at each round, do so if you need to )
~ Knit 1 round normally
~ Decrease round 2 *Knit 7, K2tog*, repeat around hat ~ Knit 1 round normally
~ Continue to rotate between the decrease rounds and normal knit rounds until you have 12 stitches left.(For a pointier hat, continue to decrease until 6 stitches are remaining)
~ Cut yarn and thread through remaining stitches, pull opening closed and secure.

Leave hat as-is or embellish as desired.

To make bear ears:
I used a single strand of a dk to worsted weight yarn on size 8 needle.
~ Cast on 4
~ Row 1, Knit
~ Row 2, knit increasing 1 st in front and back of each stitch (8 st)
~ Knit 6 more rows
~ Bind off loosely
~ Attach to hat

To make a crochet flower:
~ Ch 5 and slip hook through first chain and sl st to connect, making a ring
~ Ch 3, dc 9 times more into the center hole of the ring
~ Connect to first dc
~ Ch 3, in first dc tr 3, * skip 1 dc, in next dc (sc, ch3, 3 tr)*, rep from * 4 more times around edge of ring, making 5 petals.
~ Attach to hat