The calm after the storm and a Happy Halloween too!

Good morning and a very Happy Halloween to you dear stitchers! We are busy here this morning making our annual Halloween party preparations, I think I am most excited about the food, as usual!

We are happy to say too our family has weathered Hurricane Sandy, we were extremely nervous as she arrived to the region, but we are OK now.  Very wild and scary storm.  I kept calm with my yarn basket close and stitched my way through it.

My thoughts and hugs to those still dealing with her aftermath, I have been thinking about everyone affected by the storm's path nonstop.  Sending comforting thoughts your way and hopes for a swift recovery.  Wherever you may be today, be sure to give those close to you a hug or kind word.  

That's all for now lovelies, happy stitching to you.

Free Knitting Pattern...Matilda Hat!

The Matilda Hat is a chunky, warm, and extra squishy hat that uses just one skein of yarn. Matilda features a ribbed cable stitch sequence that shows off your special yarn beautifully.  This pattern is suitable for both solids and multi-colored/variegated yarns.  Makes a thoughtful gift, but be sure to make one for yourself too!

Matilda Hat
By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• 1 Skein Plymouth Yarn Trabajos Del Peru (147 yards, 100% merino, "012" colorway) Note: A similar weight yarn may be substituted.  If substituting, a gauge swatch is recommended.
• US 10.5 16” circular needle
• 4 US 10.5 DPNs 
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Marker

Gauge:

• 16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches

Sizing:

• Women's Medium (9 inches tall and 22 inch circumference)

Special Instructions:

• C2B--Slip two stitches onto cable needle, knit two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.

Click here to learn how to make cables (photo tutorial)

Instructions for hat:
CO 84 sts
PM and join in the round, being careful not to twist.
Round 1-9: *K4, P2, rpt from * to end of round

Round 10: *K4, P2, C2B, P2, rpt from * to end of round
Repeat rows 1-10 three more times (for a total of four repeats), ending on row 10.

Decrease:
(Note: switch to DPNs when needed)

Round 1: *K2, K2tog, P2, rpt from * to end of round
Round 2: *K3, P2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Round 3: *K1, K2tog, P1, rpt from * to end of round
Round 4: *K2tog, P1, rpt from * to end of round

Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Weave in ends.

Finishing:
Using a tapestry needle, weave in ends.


© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages).  Thank you!

More Free Knitting Patterns Here!

How to Knit the Double Moss Stitch

The Double Moss stitch is a beautiful and very simple stitch that creates pretty little boxes of knit and purl.  This stitch is often seen on gorgeous traditional Irish Aran sweaters, and I just love its appearance.  It is reversible and won't roll or curl up on the edges.

Here's the basic sequence, and we'll go through it together too:

(Multiple of 4 stitches)

Row 1: K2, P2 across row to end

Row 2: Repeat Row 1

Row 3: P2, K2 across row to end

Repeat Row 3

Repeat rows 1-4 until desired length is reached

Note: When working both knit and purl in the same row, always remember to bring the yarn forward when working the purl stitches.

For our little swatch here, cast on 16 stitches (a multiple of 4),

Work rows 1-4 until piece is desired length...here is what the first repeat will look like (the first 4 rows),

After just a few repeats of the stitch sequence, you can see the sweet little boxes begin to appear.

The easiest Halloween garland ever!

I came across these the other day in my shopping travels...funny little plastic skeletons in festive Halloweenish colors!  I think they were about a dollar or two for 24 of them.   I strung them up on a black piece of yarn and made a garland in maybe 2 minutes flat...they are a big hit at our house, they kind of look like they're dancing in the window too.

After it got dark, I tried my best to take a spooky picture of them...more comical than anything I'm thinking though.

 

Free Knitting Pattern...Very Violet Newborn Hat!

This sweet little newborn hat was created to raise awareness for the Click for Babies program.  The program's mission is to teach people about the period of purple crying...those first few months known as the "purple period" when babies don't ever seem to stop crying and how it can lead to Shaken Baby Syndrome.

There is a wonderful group of folks knitting and crocheting hats to donate to hospitals where they are then distributed to newborns and their families in hospitals along with informative booklets...the purple color is to remind parents that the "purple crying period" of their development is perfectly normal during a time when caregivers may get frustrated with long periods of crying.

For more information or to learn how you you can get involved, please visit the organization's site:

National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Click for Babies

Very Violet Newborn Hat
By Jennifer Dickerson

*Instructions included for flat and in the round.

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn in shades of purple (note: if donating to the program, they require the hat to be 50% or more of the hat knit in purple)
• US 8 16” circular needle for hat in the round
• 4 US 8 DPNs for hat in the round
• US 8 straight needles for flower and hat (if knitting it flat)
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker (if knitting in the round)

Gauge:

• 24 stitches and 17 rows = 4 inches

Sizing:

• Newborn

Instructions for Hat Knitted in the Round:
CO 56 sts
PM and join in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work 6 rounds of K2, P2 ribbing
Work in st st (knit each round) until hat measures 5.5 inches from CO edge (Note: hat shown is worked in a stripe pattern that is 6 rounds of each color)

Decrease (switch to DPNs when needed):
Row 1: *K2, K2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: *K1, K2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: *K2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Break yarn leaving a long tail. Using a tapestry needle, thread through the remaining stitches and pull tightly. Weave in ends.

Instructions for Hat Knitted Flat:
CO 56 sts, leaving a long tail (you can use this to easily seam up the hat later)
Work 6 rounds of K2, P2 ribbing
Work in st st (knit one row, purl one row, and so on) until hat measures 5.5 inches from CO edge (Note: hat shown is worked in a stripe pattern that is 6 rounds of each color)

Decrease:
Row 1: *K2, K2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: *K1, K2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: *K2tog, rpt from * to end of round
Break yarn leaving a long tail. Using tapestry needle, thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Seam up the back of the hat.  Weave in ends.

Instructions for Bloom:
CO 10 sts
Row 1: KFB each st to end of row (20 sts)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: KFB each st to end of row (40 sts)
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: KFB each st to end of row (80 sts)
BO all sts

Finishing:
Stitch bloom to hat and weave in ends.

Check out more free knitting patterns here!

If big sister needs a hat, here's a matching hat for her too!
Click here for Cotton Candy Hat pattern

© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages).  Thank you!

Here we go! (Cross your fingers)

Alright folks don't laugh...I fired up the sewing machine this week.  I literally had to dust it off!  My fingers know what to do when yarn is in them...but sewing?  One would say I have "survival" sewing skills.  I'm pretty nimble when it comes to embroidery, but my machine and I are merely aquantinces.  My goal for the upcoming year is to learn how to make a simple garment or two...perhaps a cute skirt or apron?

It's a good thing my machine is numbered, otherwise threading this thing would be impossible!  Any sewing experts out there?  What is the best way to learn? A class perhaps?

10 Great Kids Hats to Knit for Charity

This time of year I can't help but think about those who might not have a hat to wear as cold weather settles in.  Being a mama, I especially think about all of the little people...I guess it's my mother bear instinct!  Everyone could use a warm and beautiful hat made with love and happy thoughts.

I've gathered some hat patterns that might inspire you this season to make a hat or two for someone who may need to keep their little head warm.  Perhaps for an organization or a little person you may already know.

Super Pink Hat 

Baby In Bloom Hats 

Rock Candy Hats 

Preschooler Rugby Hats 

Toddler Rugby Hats 

Lightning Fast NICU and Preemie Hats 

Baby Bear Hats 

Her Royal Highness Hat 

Baby Bunny Hat 

Cotton Candy Hat 

 More Free Knitting Patterns Here!

Knitting Tutorials Here! 

Free Crochet Pattern...Celebration Scarf!

My little blog received its one millionth visitor last week! I am so excited and honored to be part of such a wonderful community of stitchers. Here is a scarf that I crocheted with some festive yarn I have been saving for a special project. It is a simple double crochet scarf, with a fun twist...instead of fringe, it has fun celebratory curlicues at either end!

This is the perfect scarf for special person's birthday or other special occasion...the yarn reminds me of confetti and the curlicues are like party streamers!

Thank you lovely stitchers for so much great fun, may we have many more adventures to come!



Celebration Scarf
By Jennifer Dickerson

Sizing:

• Width: 6 inches 
• Length: As long as you want...the scarf pictured here is 56 inches long. 

Materials: 

• J Crochet Hook (6.0 mm)
• 2 Skeins of Lion Brand "Tweed Stripes" yarn in the Prism colorway (or similar weight yarn)
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Instructions for Body of Scarf:

Ch 18
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch.
Row 2: ch 3 and turn. 1 dc in each space across row.

Repeat row 2 until desired length, and take into account the curlicues when you determine length needed. Each curlicue is 5 inches long, and with curlicues at either end, this will add an additional 10 inches to your scarf.



Instructions for Curlicues:


Click here for a photo tutorial on how to make a curlicue

(Make 8)
Ch 18
Dc in 4th ch from hook, and 2 more dc in the same ch.
3 dc in each ch across row.

Fasten off.

Finishing: 

Attach curlicues either by sewing them on with a tapestry needle, or by simply using the tails of yarn from the curlicues to tie them right onto the scarf.  Weave in any ends.

© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages).  Thank you!


Free Crochet Patterns Here!

Lots of Free Crochet Tutorials Here!

I Love Yarn Day!

So apparently today is I Love Yarn Day!  I have never heard of this until today, but this is definitely a holiday I can get on board with.  So today I will take a minute and admire my yarn stash for a bit...no arm twisting needed!

If you're not near your yarn stash right now, I've gathered up some pictures of yarny eye candy just for you from projects past...