The River Hat is a versatile, mid-weight hat, knit up rather quickly in worsted. Easy to memorize basketweave stitch pattern, and perfect for solids, variegated and long stripes. Makes a great gift for anyone. Watch out though, they are addicting to knit!
This stitch pattern is a variation on the broken rib — just shifted to create a basket weave pattern. It uses only knit & purl stitches, and is quite simple to remember. This makes a great project for someone new to knitting and a breeze for those with more experience.
Size: 8” flat across, and 10″ tall (unstretched) — but stretchy enough to fit almost any head.
Materials Needed:
50-60 g. (90 – 120 yds) heavy worsted — sample was done in Lion Brand Fisherman’s
Needle: US8 36″ circular for Magic Loop, or 16″ circular and set of DPS needle or size needed to obtain soft drape and gauge
Gauge: 4.5 Sts per inch in Rib Pattern
Directions:
Cast on 80 Sts loosely, using a knitted cast on, cable cast on, or similar stretchy cast on. Divide for Magic Loop, or place marker for Start.
**Magic Loop How-To Video HERE **
Ribbing: K2, P2 around for 8 rows.
Begin River Basket Weave Chart.
Repeat 6 times, or until desired length, ending after Row 8.
Begin Decreases:
** If using short circular needle, switch to DPNs when needed
Row1: Knit 6, K2TOG, K2TOG around = 64 Sts
Row 2: Knit Around
Row 3: P2, K2, P2TOG, P2TOG, K2, P2, K2TOG, K2TOG Around = 48 Sts
Row 4: P2, K2 Around
Row 5: K2, K2TOG, K2TOG Around= 32 Sts
Row 6: Knit Around
Row 7: K2TOG Around =16 Sts
Row 8 K2TOG Around = 8 Sts
Break end leaving a long tail. Using needle, run tail around though the remaining 8 Sts, twice around, and pull tight. Pull yarn to inside of hat and tie off.
Weave in ends…. and enjoy!!
Worsted Wool: Fisherman’s Wool
NEEDLES: 8US long –40″ circular needle for Magic Loop (see a short video on this page), –OR– a smaller 16″ circular needle and a set of corresponding US8 DPNs.
GO HERE to Order through Ravelry, and get updates automatically.
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Days 101 - 108 of the #tracywearswool dress challenge - & the dress lives on! The Challenge is over... and I have ordered my reward dress -- a washed navy Sierra. She will join my iron gray Rowena and my charcoal heather Sierra.Rainey is still photobombing my...
Day 96 of #tracywearswool, and this mama does dance! And if you don't believe me, you can check out my Appalachian Flatfooting and Clogging page. I signed up for a class, after a free trial on Facebook. And it had some interesting side effects. Not only did I learn...
#tracywearswool day 81 out of 100, and for me, the times are a changin'! This whole dress thing has been a game-changer for me. I am not quite sure exactly what I was thinking when I signed up. I didn't think it over that much. Just saw an ad on Facebook... and...
The Canyon Hat is a nice chunky hat made in bulky weight yarn, Easy to memorize, and shows off hand-dyed yarn in all its glory! It makes a great gift for anyone. Watch out though, they are addicting to knit!
This pattern is perfect for a beginner’s first project. You only need 2 stitches Knit and Purl to make the Double Broken Rib pattern. It’s also a great pattern for traveling, and knitting in public, because it is easy to memorize and easy to see exactly where you are in the pattern. I loved it because it showcased some spectacular colors in the yarn I used…. and sometimes, if the pattern is too busy, the colors can get “lost”.
Size: 8” flat across, and 10″ tall (unstretched) — but stretchy enough to fit almost any head.
Materials:
*100 g. bulky or heavy worsted — sample was done in Malibrigo Mecha (colorway: Piedras) – 130 yards
Needle: US8 36″ circular for Magic Loop, or 16″ circular and set of DPS needle or size needed to obtain soft drape and gauge
Gauge: 4.5 sts per inch in Rib Pattern
Directions:
Cast on 80 sts loosely, using a knitted cast on, cable cast on, or similar stretchy cast on. Divide for Magic Loop, or place marker for Start.
**Magic Loop How-To Video HERE **
Ribbing: K2, P2 around for 16 rows.
Begin Double Broken Rib:
Rows 1 & 2: Knit around
Rows 3 & 4: K2, P2 around
Repeat for a total of 40 rows.
Decreases:
** If using a short circular needle, switch to DPNs when needed
Row1: Knit 6, K2TOG, K2TOG around = 64 Sts
Row 2: Knit Around
Row 3: *K2, P2, K2TOG, K2TOG, P2, K2, P2TOG, P2TOG* Around =48 Sts
Row 4: K2, P2 Around
Row 5: *K2, K2TOG, K2TOG* Around= 32 Sts
Row 6: Knit Around
Row 7: K2TOG Around =16 Sts
Row 8 K2TOG Around =8 Sts
Break end leaving a long tail. Using needle, run tail around though the remaining 8 Sts, twice around, and pull tight. Pull yarn to inside of hat and tie off.
Enjoy!
Hand Painted YARN: Malabrigo Mecha in Piedras Colorway.
NEEDLES: 8US long –40″ circular needle for Magic Loop (see a short video on this page), –OR– a smaller 16″ circular needle and a set of corresponding US8 DPNs.
CLICK HERE to download the CANYON HAT pattern PDF for Free!
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Check out more knitting information, tips and techniques on my main KNITTING page. You can also get links to the yarn I used for the Bulky Version of the Canyon Hat (top photo), and some really cool needles. There is also a link on how to do the MAGIC LOOP technique that I used for the hat. But, you can also knit this up with Double Pointed Needles, and/or a small circular.
The advantage of Ravelry — for those not on it, is that you will automatically get updates. And plus… it is the BEST resource for knitters and crocheters!
Check out the River Hat, too!
Days 101 - 108 of the #tracywearswool dress challenge - & the dress lives on! The Challenge is over... and I have ordered my reward dress -- a washed navy Sierra. She will join my iron gray Rowena and my charcoal heather Sierra.Rainey is still photobombing my...
Day 96 of #tracywearswool, and this mama does dance! And if you don't believe me, you can check out my Appalachian Flatfooting and Clogging page. I signed up for a class, after a free trial on Facebook. And it had some interesting side effects. Not only did I learn...
#tracywearswool day 81 out of 100, and for me, the times are a changin'! This whole dress thing has been a game-changer for me. I am not quite sure exactly what I was thinking when I signed up. I didn't think it over that much. Just saw an ad on Facebook... and...
I just got a super sweet yarn delivery: Vidalana in Desert Dusk! In the old days, I use to visit my LYS and check out the yarn displays, spending hours sometimes. Deciding WHAT to pick sometimes takes a bit of time!
But things have changed a bit.. and in this present-day situation– that means ordering online. Sometimes I like to pick my own colorway… but I have to admit… sometimes it is really nice to let them pick… and be surprised!
I also love opening a package…. not exactly sure what is in it. It makes it a little like my birthday — but all through the year. That is the case with my current delivery.
In addition to the great colors, I was super pleased with the softness of the yarn.
Vidalana is 80% Peruvian Highland, and 20% nylon — which makes for a fantastic sock yran with a bit of stretch so it holds it’s shape. I can’t wait to get started with this.
Inside each order is a card with information nd links to special patterns. And there is a link to download KnitCrate’s monthly magazine of inspirations and patterns using the featured yarn.
PRETTY COOL YARN DELIVERY!
The folks at KNITCRATE also sent me a little something extra — but I must confess — I have no idea what it is!
Let me know if you figure it out… or take a wild guess– comment below!
I have been PINING over one of these super cool wooden ball winders…thought it would be a real tree-t. All puns aside… What would be better, I ash you?
So I ordered one — DETAILS HERE
And honestly, it exceeded my expectations.
I had been using a rather old, rather jerky, and rather squeaky plastic model. the kind with plastic gears that grind off with use. And I can’t tell you how many times my yarn slipped off the guide and got wrapped up on the greasy gears. Oh brother. That was a nightmare!
So made a couple of videos — one showing it in use… and actually I did it on a recent Virtual Knitting Circle.
**NOTE – I actually thought that the video was paused for a bit — didn’t want to have people sit through winding the entire 100gr skein. Sort of like watching paint dry or grass grow.
But, as luck would have it, the video didn’t pause… so you get some very honest commentary on the ball winder — between me and my mom. And by the way — mom DOES knit — but I think she meant that she wasn’t knitting as much as she used to. She has a huge background in fiber arts — knitting, spinning, weaving — not to mention raising prize-winning Romney sheep. And — I made a second video showing how to assemble… which was pretty easy.
I was super pleased, especially with how quiet it is, and how smooth. I had no problem with the yarn tangling, and my maiden “wind” went very well.
I think if I was going to change anything, it would be to put a larger knob on for turning the handle. It would make it easier to grip when turning and would be a simple modification, involving just one screw. A nice little ceramic knob — like a drawer pull or small doorknob would be great.
Yarn wound is from Barnyardknits.com, fingering yarn in winterberry. (All of their yarn is gorgeous, tell them GypsyRambler1 told you!!)
And the little peanut of a dog that video bombs me is Rainey!
Unfortunately, this ball winder did not come with any instructions for use — or DIRECTIONS for assembly. Luckily, there were only 6 parts, and it went together pretty easily. But, I made a video, so you could see how it is done.
The zig zag cloth is another super simple and quick knit. It is a 1-row pattern, knit 2 tows in one color, then two rows in the other color. the yarn is carried up the side, so it never shows. Perfect for a beginner, and a great traveling project for someone with a little more experience. It doesn’t use much yarn, about 10 grams of each color.
I like to keep a stack of washcloths stashed away because they make a quick and personal gift — just match it with oatmeal soap, bath bombs, or other bath items — Plunk them in a small handle bag and tie with a ribbon. And you are set.
I try to get in the habit of knitting them between projects. And right about now, I start building for the holidays — and try to make one each week. Perfect for last-minute gifts, hostess presents, birthdays, a thank you gift, or just to let someone know you have been thinking about them.
This year, I will be making these, the waffle cloth, and pot scrubbers! Click the link for the free patterns.
Since they are made of soft absorbent 100% cotton, they are a joy to use and last a long time. On a recent Virtual Knitting Circle, I knit one up.
(makes one)
Cast on 30 stitches
Row 1 & 2: First Color – [K4, K2tog, K3, Kfb]x3
Row 3 & 4: Second Color – [K4, K2tog, K3, Kfb]x3
Repeat for a total of 8 times.
then Rows 1 & 2.
Bind off loosely.
Weave in ends.
The needles used in the above projects are from a set that I just adore… MORE INFO HERE
The waffle cloth is one of my favorites! I give away lots of washcloths throughout the year, but especially during the holidays. They make super gifts, and I often pair them up with handcrafted soap, bath salts, or other bath items. Made of soft absorbent 100% cotton, they are a joy to use and last a long time. On a recent Virtual Knitting Circle, I knit one up.
I have been knitting and gain washcloths for years now. Usually, I whip up one or two between the longer projects, like a pair of sock. Then I keep them stacked until I go soap shopping. Finished off with a ribbon, or wrapped in tissue and put in a handled paper bag, they make an easy gift to keep on hand — birthdays, holidays, hostess gifts, or “just because”.
This year, I think I will be making a lot of these simple waffle cloths, and also some of another obsession: pot scrubbers!
AND — I think I will knit some up for a favorite Charity: Lily’sPadRescue, who helps find forever homes for medically fragile bulldogs. They have an auction/fundraiser coming up this summer. Maybe pair it up with dog soap for them!!
The waffle cloth pattern is super simple. Great for a first project or for knitting with kids.
(makes one)
Cast on 30 stitches
Row 1 – Sl 1, Knit Across
Row 2 – Sl 1, Knit Across
Row 3 – Sl 1,K1, (K2,P2) x6, K4
Row 4 – Sl 1,K1, (P2,K2) x6, P2, K2
Repeat 4 rows of pattern 10 time, then Rows 1 & 2.
Bind off loosely.
Weave in ends.
The needles used in the above projects are from a set that I just adore… MORE INFO HERE
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