07 January 2011

Free Pattern: Hat: Quinto

See that hat on Zachary Quinto there?






Pretty cute, isn't it?  Well, I says to myself I says, I should make one!  And so I did.

SIZE:

20" circumference, unstretched.  Easily stretches to accommodate even freakishly huge brains.  My hat doesn't quite cover the bottoms of my ears, but it can be made longer.

GAUGE:

19 stitches = 4" in stockinette stitch.
Row gauge is less important.

MATERIALS:

One set (5) DPNs, size US 6
or One 16" circ, size US 6 and one set DPNs, size US 6
or One long circ for magic loop, size US6
or Two circs, size US 6
or size needed to get gauge.

Two skeins Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER in contrasting colors.  You will probably use most of the MC, and less than half of the CC.
For my sample, I used Nest (gray/brown) for the MC and Tent (green) for the CC.  The contrast isn't great, but I didn't buy the yarn with this project in mind...
To match the hat in the picture, I suggest Soot (gray) for the MC and Faded Quilt (light gray/blue) for the CC.

Eight stitch markers.  Preferably, the one for the beginning of the round is distinctive from the others.

INSTRUCTIONS:

With MC, cast on 96 stitches and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.  Place marker for beginning of round.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit every stitch of every round) until work measures 3.5" from cast on edge, or longer if desired.

Next round (MC): Purl.



STRIPE:
With CC, knit three rounds.
Switch to MC.
Next round: Knit
Next round: Purl

Repeat the stripe four more times, for a total of five stripes.

Crown decrease setup:
With MC, *knit 12 sts, pm*, repeat between * around.  8 markers.

Crown decreases:
1. *Knit until 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker*, repeat between * around.
2. Knit.

Repeat these two rows until 8 sts remain.  Cut yarn, leaving 12" tail.  Draw tail through eight stitches and pull tightly to close.

Weave in ends and wear with pride!

05 January 2011

Free Pattern: Hat: Ex Astris, Scientia

I designed this very, very simple hat for the "learn to knit" post I wrote over at ONTD: Star Trek for Academy Week 2010.  It would be a great first project for a new knitter, since it is in garter stitch, but is shorter than a scarf.  It is worked flat, and minimal finishing techniques are required.



FINISHED SIZE
Length crown-brim: 20 cm
Circumference: stretchy and variable

MATERIALS

less than 1 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky (50-75 meters)
1 pair straight or circular needles, size US 11

DIRECTIONS

Cast on 20 stitches using your favorite method.  Cast on more for a longer hat, or fewer for a shorter hat.  Do not join in the round.

Work in garter stitch (knit every stitch, every row) until the piece is long enough to comfortably wrap all the way around your head, then bind off. A shorter rectangle will be tighter, and a longer rectangle will be looser. Remember that garter stitch is stretchy!

Seam the two short ends of the rectangle together to make a tube. Then, using a yarn needle, thread a piece of yarn through the ridges on the top of the tube, pull very tightly, and knot.

Weave in ends, and wear proudly.