Warm, Cozy Scarf

This scarf is real easy for any beginner to knit. However, you need to learn how to purl.

Tools you will need:

1) US 10.5 straight needles 
2) Yarn needle (to weave in the ends)
3) crochet hook (to pick up dropped stitches)
4) One skein of Lion Brand "Homespun"  185 yds.

Cast on (CO) 27 stitches. I usually knit a row after I cast on. Then knit 3 (k3) purl 3 (p3) until end of row. Always ending with knit 3 (k3). That is all you do until you use up the yarn Then you bind off (BO).

To bind off, knit 2 and then pull the first stitch over the second stitch. Then knit one and pull first stitch over the second stitch. Do this until you have one loop on the needle, cut yarn and pull through that loop and weave in the ends.

Circular Knitted "Crazy Hat" with band

This hat was made the same way that the blue hat in the previous post was made. The only difference is that after I cast on 80 stitches and joined the to ends together, I knitted one row. Then I knit 2 (k2) purl 2 (p2) for two inches. This gives the hat a nice band and prevents the hat from "curling up".  I like to make both variations.  

I also used to different yarns on this hat. I like to use up odds and ends of yarns. The band is  from one skein of red and gold and the rest is another skein. They do go together real well.

How I Created An Easy Hat With Circular Needles

This is an easy hat to knit.  I call these my "Crazy Hats" as you can see with the multi-colored yarn.

The tools you will need are:
1. US 8 circular needles size 16

2. US 8 double point needles (set of 4)

3. Yarn. I use your basic acrylic yarn. This hat was knitted with Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn. Net wt 3.5 oz. 192 yards. I can usually get two hats from one skein of this yarn.

4. Yarn needle. This is so you can weave in the ends of the yarn once you are through.

5. It is good to have a crochet hook handy. You never know when you will drop a stitch and need to pick it up.

Cast on 80 stitches to the circular needles. When you have 80 stitches, hold tail of yarn and the other end and knit. Continue knitting until you complete the circle, keeping the end connected to the skein on you right.

You will continue to knit in a circle until you knit about 6 inches. As you can see, the bottom ends "curl up', don't worry it is part of the design. Just keep knitting and watch it grow.

We finally made it to 6 inches. Now it is time to knit onto the double point needles, so we can start to decrease. (Note: it is a good idea to keep counting stitches to make sure you have 80 stitches). Notice the tail at the end, make sure you end with that in the middle of your needles. Using your yarn needle, put a small piece of yarn in the eye and mark the middle between the needles.

Take one double point and knit twenty stitches onto it. Take a second double point and knit 40 stitches on that one. Take a third double point and knit 20 stitches onto that one.

This is what you should have. Always make sure you have 20-40-20 or it will not come out right.

Now you are ready to decrease.  

With the fourth double point needle you will begin your decrease.

Row 1: Knit 8 then k2tog do this on each needle.
Row 2: Knit each needle.
Row 3: Knit 7 then k2tog
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit 6 then k2tog
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: Knit 5 then k2tog
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: Knit 4 then k2tog
Row: 10 Knit
Row 11: Knit 3 then k2tog
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: Knit 2 then k2tog
Row: 14 Knit
Row 15: Knit 1 then k2tog
Row 16 K Knit
You should do this until you have 6 stitches left. Cut the yarn from the skein and thread your yarn needle and put through the yarn that is still on the needles. This is how you get the double points off your hat. Once the needles are off, pull the yarn until the top closes up, then weave in your end.  Next time I will show you another variation of the same hat, without the ends curling up.

I have fun knitting these "crazy hats". I usually make these knitting on the go. When I am out at Angel Island at my Chapel, where I am a docent, I can knit as I wait for visitors to come and visit me. 

If I can knit a hat, so can you.

Prayer Shawl

This is a prayer shawl I knitted using Lion Brand Yarn Homespun. It is a bulky but soft yarn.
You use the better part of 3 skeins (each skein is 185 yards).

You use size US 11 circular needles 16 inches. Cast on 57 stitches. Then you knit until it reaches about 60 inches and bind off and weave in the ends.

Welcome To My Knitting Diary

I joined the Knit Wits, which is a knitting group at my church.  As a member of this group I learned the basics of knitting. I did not know how to knit  and now I know how to cast on and bind off and add new yarn. I know the basic knit and purl stitch. I have also learned to increase and decrease.  I have made simple scarves, prayer shawls, baby blankets and hats using circular needles. I am looking forward to learning more advanced techniques.

The purpose of this blog is to document my progress as a knitter and to show my projects as I complete them.  I also would like to research more on different knitting techniques and share what I learned.

I hope you enjoy watching me mature as a knitter.