Nov 24, 2021

My WIPs November 2021

I could be naming this post WIP Wednesday but I am slightly too disorganised to guarantee that I'll be publishing this today (I'm starting to write this on a Wednesday 😅).

At the moment I am working on 2 main projects: the main one being the sweater I'm knitting for my son at his request:

For this sweater I'm using a free knitting pattern I found on Ravelry called Turtle Dove II, but since my son had a specific idea in his head, I'm only using the pattern as a basis, mainly for the construction method.

I really like the ribbed split hem, even though I'm not allowed to use it (as Jack wants the version with the closed rib), but whenever I get time to make myself a sweater, I will add a split hem to it.

The thing I like best about this knitting pattern is that it's all made in one piece, so no sewing apart from weaving in the ends!

I've changed the pattern stitch as the sweater needed to look bulky, and I am also finishing the sleeves differently, adding a gap for the thumbs so that the sleeves can be either folded back or used as fingerless mittens.

Because it's a big project, I was getting bored by it so I also started a crochet project on the side. I can't really say what it is until I give it to the recipient but I'm planning on writing the pattern and sharing it on this blog if anybody's interested 😉. Here's a sneak peak:


What is everyone up to these days? Let me know in your comments or on my Facebook Page 😁.

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Oct 16, 2021

Revamped Easy Rolled Brim Hat Knitting Pattern: Free Beanie Hat Knitting Pattern

I've decided to revamp and add more sizes to one of the first knitting patterns I published on Ravelry. The pattern is called Easy Stripes Rolled Brim Beanie Hat as the yarn I used for the original hat pattern was self-striped.

For this pattern I am using Deramore Vintage Chunky yarn which is a solid colour yarn, so let's just call this the Revamped Rolled Brim Hat.

Revamped Easy Rolled Brim Hat
This beanie pattern has been downloaded many times so because of its popularity and also its simplicity, I decided to offer it on my blog for free. If you want to learn how to knit a beanie hat, this is an excellent basic pattern you should start with.

Adding the extra hat sizes and translating the pattern in French was as usual quite a bit of work (all my paid patterns are in English and also in French), so I will be adding a paid version of the Revamped Rolled Brim Hat knitting pattern to Etsy, Ravelry and Lovecrafts once I have the PDF including both languages ready.

The curling nature of the stocking stitch gives this hat a naturally rolled brim that can be rolled up or down, depending on how you prefer wearing it. Because of this, it is necessary to add some extra length to the bottom of the hat; this is taken into account in the following pattern.

Revamped Easy Rolled Brim Hat in 3 sizes
Sizes:
Small size fits a 7 to 12 year-old child head size (47-49 cm around);
Medium size fits a teenager to medium adult head size (52-55 cm around);
Large size fits a large adult head size (56-58 cm around).

Difficulty: Easy once you know how to knit in the round.

Materials:
1 ball of Deramore Vintage Chunky - 50% merino wool, 50% acrylic (100g/153yds/140m per ball);
6mm (US size 10) circular needle, length 60cm;
This yarn is now discontinued but any chunky yarn with a mix of wool/acrylic that matches the gauge below will work.
Scissors,
Tapestry needle large enough for chunky yarn.

Notes: after you start your decreases for the top of the hat, you can switch to double-pointed needles or use the Magic Loop method to avoid stretching your work.

Gauge: 15 stitches and 21 rows make a 10cm square using stocking stitch after blocking.

Abbreviations: 
k = knit,
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together (1 decrease).

Knitting Instructions for the Revamped Rolled Brim Hat:

1 - Small size hat:
Cast on 64 sts and join both ends to start knitting in the round.
Rounds 1 to 30: knit to the end of round (64 sts).
Round 31: *k6, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (56 sts).
Round 32: knit to the end of round (56 sts).
Round 33: *k5, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (48 sts).
Round 34: knit to the end of round (48 sts).
Round 35: *k4, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (40 sts).
Round 36: knit to the end of round (40 sts).
Round 37: *k3, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (32 sts).
Round 38: *k2, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (24 sts).
Round 39: *k1, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (16 sts).
Round 40: *k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (8 sts).
Round 41: *k2tog*, repeat from * to * 4 times (4 sts).

2 - Medium size hat:
Cast on 72 sts and join both ends to start knitting in the round.
Rounds 1 to 34: knit to the end of round (72 sts).
Round 35: *k7, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (64 sts).
Round 36: knit to the end of round (64 sts).
Round 37: *k6, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (56 sts).
Round 38: knit to the end of round (56 sts).
Round 39: *k5, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (48 sts).
Round 40: knit to the end of round (48 sts).
Round 41: *k4, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (40 sts).
Round 42: knit to the end of round (40 sts).
Round 43: *k3, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (32 sts).
Round 44: *k2, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (24 sts).
Round 45: *k1, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (16 sts).
Round 46: *k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (8 sts).
Round 47: *k2tog*, repeat from * to * 4 times (4 sts).

3 - Large size hat:
Cast on 80 sts and join both ends to start knitting in the round.
Rounds 1 to 38: knit to the end of round (80 sts).
Round 39: *k8, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (72 sts).
Round 40: knit to the end of round (72 sts).
Round 41: *k7, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (64 sts).
Round 42: knit to the end of round (64 sts).
Round 43: *k6, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (56 sts).
Round 44: knit to the end of round (56 sts).
Round 45: *k5, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (48 sts).
Round 46: knit to the end of round (48 sts).
Round 47: *k4, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (40 sts).
Round 48: knit to the end of round (40 sts).
Round 49: *k3, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (32 sts).
Round 50: *k2, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (24 sts).
Round 51: *k1, k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (16 sts).
Round 52: *k2tog*, repeat from * to * 8 times (8 sts).
Round 53: *k2tog*, repeat from * to * 4 times (4 sts).

Finishing:
Cut the yarn, leaving a 20cm tail.
Keeping those 4 stitches on your needle(s), insert the yarn tail into a large tapestry needle and weave the tail into these 4 stitches. Remove the knitting needle(s) and pull the yarn tight to close the hope at the top of the hat. Weave in any remaining yarn tails.
Wash gently in warm soapy water, roll in a clean dry towel and block your newly finished hand knit hat if you wish.

Knit the Revamped Easy Rolled Brim Hat for a quick handmade gift this season 
I hope you enjoy knitting this simple hat and since the Holiday Season is approaching, why not make a few of these easy to knit beanies to use as handmade gifts? 

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