A New Knit Hat for Ethan, The Pattern + Avacado Mac & Cheese Recipe

Ethan is a sentimental boy who appreciates and loves what people do for him. Over the years I have knit many a hat for him. When he went to live on the tall ship he did not take any of the hats for fear of loosing them. There is a saying in sailing, "If you love it, leave it at home. If you like it, tether it." I told him that I would be happy to make a new hat for him, after all, if he looses it, I would just make another one. So, once we knew Larr would be going out to visit him, Ethan put in a request for a new hat. He wanted something simple, light, warm. He wanted a loop so that he could tether it and he would love for it to have an anchor. So, I set off to fulfill his request. I tried two different ways to include an anchor in the knitting, but neither worked out. So in the end I ended up making a very simple hat knit from Malabrigo's "Chapel Stone," a worsted weight pure Merino wool. I wanted something that would fit the time period and be a bit different from his darker colored hats. I love the Malabrigo yarns and I think it was the right choice. I also sewed on a tab that would fit nicely on a carabiner he he wears.

Ethan called to say that the hat is the best one yet. I am not really sure that it is. I liked the multi-tone one that I knit for him in December better. I think his reaction was as much about the love of having something made specially for you by you mom, who you have not seen in many months, as it is about the hat itself. I was thrilled, of course. (I was worried that it would be too large.)

With that in mind, I am including the pattern specifics.

1 skein Worsted Weight Wool
US 5 Double Pointed Needles
US 5 16" Circular Needles
US 7 Double Pointed Needles
US 7 16" Circular Needles
US 3 Double Pointed Needles
Yarn Needle or Crochet Hook, medium size

Cast on 96 stitches onto the US 5 16" circular needles . Knit the first round, with out making a circle. This will help ensure that you do not twist the loop. Once this is done, begin knitting in the round, K2, P2 to create ribbing. Be sure to place a stitch marker at the end. Continue with K2, P2 until you have about 2" of ribbing.

Knit one or two rounds on US 5 16" circular needles, then shift over to the US 7 size circular needles. Continue until the hat is about 8 3/4" or 9". Now knit another row, placing stitch markers every 8 stitches.

Begin the reduction to create the crown at this point. Once you come to a stitch marker, knit two together (k2tog). Continue this for about 3 more rounds. Then switch to the US 5 double pointed needles and continue the reduction until you have 8-10 stitches left on the needles. Cut of the wool, leaving a very long tail. Thread this yarn threw the remaining stitches on the needles, removing the needles as you go. Pull the yarn to cinch the top.

Next, thread the yarn threw the yarn needle. Pull the yarn to the inside part of the hat and turn the hat inside out. Use the yarn and needle (or crochet hook) to stitch the yarn through the stitches at the very top of the hat. Do this in a circular fashion so that it tightens up the reduction stitches. This will help prevent holes at the top of the hat. Finished length should be about 9 1/2" long.

-------
On Wednesday I went in to have a CAT scan. The doctor thinks that my thyroid might be obstructing my trachea, causing me to loose my voice and create a bit of difficulty breathing. The CAT scan should show us what the problem might be. Based on how I feel, I think he is most likely right. I have not had a CAT scan since before Ellie was born. It was a odd, but quick experience. The aid tapped into a vein in my arm. First she ran some saline and then some iodine, which she called a contrast. She warned me that it would feel like I had peed my pants and my did it. That alarming warm feeling spread quickly, but then went away a few minutes later. I was laid out on a moving table into the machine that told me when to breathe, swallow, hold my breathe, etc. It was over in just a few minutes. I am anxious to get the results. I am somewhat concerned, but trying not to worry. I've tried to stay away from looking thyroid problems up on the internet.

-------
Avocado Mac & Cheese
via: Two Peas and Their Pod

ingredients:
10 ounces dry elbow macaroni
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 avocados, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh avocado chunks, for garnish, if desired

directions:
1. Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Salt the water and add in macaroni. Stir and cook until Al Dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, make the avocado sauce by placing the garlic, avocados, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

3. To make the cheese sauce, place butter in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. When butter is melted, whisk in flour to create a paste. Whisk in milk until smooth. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sauce starts to thicken. Add in Pepper Jack cheese and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.

4. Place macaroni in a large bowl. Pour the avocado sauce over the macaroni and stir until well coated. Add the cheese sauce and stir until macaroni is coated and creamy. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve warm. Garnish with fresh avocado chunks, if desired.

Note-the lime juice keeps the avocado from browning. The mac and cheese is best eaten the first day, but it is still good the second day. The pasta may turn slightly brown, but not bad. If you want a milder flavor, you can use Monterey Jack or White Cheddar Cheese.

Ellie: First Camping Trip of the Season + a Knitting Pattern for a Hat + Warm Beet, Peppers, Kale & Pistachio Salad Recipe

Spring break is here and our plans have shifted. Grandpa Don has been moved to rehab. and will be there for at least a week. Larr and Ethan spent a day driving in the mountains. I've already reorganized the cabinet in my craftroom and have plans to sew.

Ellie, Kohlton and Mayo are camping. They had planned to go camping in Moab, or perhaps in a campground higher in the mountains, but it is still rather cold which means they would need a lot of bedding to keep warm. Their plans shifted, too, to camping at one of the local reservoirs where we could drive in, get them set up and camp. They just want to do something fun: ride their bikes, hang out together and have a bit of independence.

It is the first camping trip that Ellie has planned by herself and it is rather exciting to see. We discussed menus and I helped do the prep work for the meals, but the rest is Ellie. They are having:
* Breakfast Burritos (bacon, potatoes, eggs, cheese, tortillas)
* Pancakes with Bacon cooked in the middle
* Ham and Swiss Sandwiches
* Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwiches
* Chili Cheese Dogs
* Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
* Frito Pie (Frito chips with chili and cheese)
* Roasted Apples with a Cinnamon Sugar & Butter filling
* S'Mores (of course)
* Russian Tea (Tang orange drink mix, instant tea, lemonade, cinnamon & allspice (or cloves))
* Hot Chocolate
(I am sure that I have forgotten some things on their menu.)

Remmie wanted to go camping with them, but it would not work out. He would be a wild and crazy dog, a large, furry dog in the tent and he would limit what they could do. I think he would run and explore if someone did not have hold of him every minute. He returned home with me instead, disappointed, I think.
---

Anticipating the cold rides the kids were likely to go on, I made them new beanies to fit under their helmets.

1 skein Cascade 220 Superwash Wool, worsted weight
16" Circular Needles, 3 US
16" Circular Needles, 1 or 2 US*
1 Set 1 or 2 US Double Pointed Needles*
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers

Cast on 104 stitches onto the #3 circular needles. Knit one row to establish the stitches.
Place a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the row. Join the row to make a circle on row 2, (k2,p2)repeat to create a ribbed band. Continue this until the ribbed band is as wide as you would like it. (Mine are usually 1.5" - 2".)
Switch over to just knitting. Making the hat nearly as long as you would like it to be. (Ellie's hat = _________, Kohlton's hat = __________, made for going under a bike helmet and not including any length to allow for turning up the cuff. If you want that feature, make the hat longer.)
About .5" from where you will begin to decrease the hat, consider switching to the smaller needles. This makes the top of the hat so that it is knit in a tighter fashion. ** If you do not have the smaller set of needles, continue to knit with the size 3 needles.
To begin the decrease, knit a row, placing a marker after every 8th stitch until the end of the round. Continue knitting, reducing each round when you come to a stitch marker by knitting 2 stitches in one. Continue this until it is too tight to continue with the circular needles. At that point, switch over to the double pointed needles and continue reducing the number of knitted stitches. do this until there are 6 stitches left on the needles. Cut the yarn off about 6" from that point. Thread the yarn through the yarn needle. Run the yarn through each of the loops on the knitting needles, removing the needles. Pull the yarn tight. This should close the small hole at the top of the hat. Using the yarn on the needle, place the yarn on the inside of the hat. Turn the hat inside out and go through some of the knitted loops, putting it tight and then looping over it again before going onto another loop. I continue doing this in a circle at the top of the hat to tighten and re-enforce the stitches so that there are no holes at the top of the hat where I joined the stitches together. This makes the very top of the hat a bit thicker.

---

I made a nice, arm salad for Larr:

Warm Beet, Peppers, Kale & Pistachio Salad

2 large or 6 small Peppers, I opted for 2 small reds, 2 small oranges and 2 small yellows, chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 Red Onion, chopped into bit size pieces
Olive Oil
Pickled Beets, chopped into bit size pieces
6-10 cups Kale, chopped into bit size pieces (I actually used a Kale Super Salad from the store. It included shredded carrots.)
Balsamic Vinegar Reduction or Glaze

In a skillet, saute the pepper and onion in olive oil until they are tender. Add in the beets, as well as the pistachios and saute until they are heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the kale and heat until it just begins to wilt.

Place in a large bowl and drizzle with enough balsamic vinegar reduction/glaze to coat lightly. Serve warm.

Our Friend, James, Graduates

Ethan spent two very happy days at his new job in Glenwood Springs. He loves the crew and they love him. They even went to dinner together (that's a lot of guys) and had a rousing toast to "Finding Ethan." He came home for about a day and a half to tie up unfinished business, pack up some stuff and see his friend graduate. Then he jetted back up the mountain this evening. This is an intense kind of work. They expect to work 12-15 hour days, seven days a week for the next three or so months. If it continues to be a good fit then he will move with the crew to another location (likely Colorado Springs, 1.5 hours away). He offers comfort to me and reminds me that his is only going to be about 2.5-3 hours away; we could go see him. But I am not sure that his work schedule will allow for much of that. I think once I get over having him gone, I will feel better about the whole thing.

I have very conflicted feelings about this. I am proud of him for being so hard working and thrilled that he is getting an awesome opportunity to work with people he enjoys and a chance to learn an entirely new set of skills. I know that he will be more than fine. The other part of me is sad, mostly sad for the rest of us. He has been a constant in my life for nineteen years. I will miss the chance to see him on most days, to talk with him and to marvel at all that he knows. That boy is always surprising me with what he has recently learned. I know that they are supposed to grow up and move out - of course. I know that he will love us like he always have. I will feel his absence and experience a void in the places that he has filled up until now. I see it as a testiment to who he is in our lives. He is also his father's right hand man. There will be a letting go process there, too, one that is less weepy.

On another note, our good friend, James, graduated from our school on Wednesday night. It has been a joy to witness the remarkable young man he has become. He is the very example of what it means to grow into yourself. In recent years he has joined Larr and Ethan on some pretty great adventures. One notable one was the primitive camping trip I recently wrote about. In searching for the right present for him, it occurred to me that no one in his family knits for him and that he always comments on the hats I make for my family. After conferring with him I decided that James needed a hat, a hand knit, made just for you specifically hat. I used the wool that I had from making hats for Larr and Ethan to create a hat for James. The funny thing is that I like the hat that I made for him best of all.

Larr chaired his thesis panel and presented a speech, as well as several gifts. Even after so many years, I love to watch Larr give speeches.

We wish James the best of luck and a bright, interesting future.

-------
A little about the hat:

I used Malabrigo yarns - Rios Playa and Rios Piedras
Both yarns are merino superwash.

I cast on 96 stitches onto US 4 16" circular needles.
I knit a ribbed cuff (k2,P2, repeat) until it measured about 1.5".
Then I knit in the round until it was time to do the decreases.
To decrease I placed markers every 10 stitches and k2tg at each marker until there were only 8 stitches left.
I finished it off and woven in the ends.

And So He is Off Again...

Ethan has felt restless for a while. He was struggling with what to do next. Having finally recovered from everything and finished the training he was working on, he was trying to figure out whether he should get some sort of temporary work until the summer work season started again, or enjoy the spring in anticipation of being busy all summer. Those spells can frustrating and difficult.

This weekend was a turning point. He finished his much anticipated training, passing with flying colors and great test scores. On Saturday night he received a call from his friend, Hog, who helped him get his first job driving heavy equipment. Hog and a few other guys from the crew were working for the western division of the company doing work in Glenwood Canyon and they needed more help. When the supervisor mentioned the need for a good worker, Hog suggested Ethan. A few phone calls later, everything was lined up and Ethan was on his way by 6:00 am on Monday to go back to work. It seems to be making him happy. He even told the supervisor about a few commitments that he still had (such as a graduation ceremony for an important friend) and the supervisor said that he could be excused to attend those things. We are thankful for the support of his friends and another excellent opportunity to work for this company.

Ethan's vehicle needed some repairs, so had him drive Larr's car. Our mechanic called and wanted to share an impressive picture with us. Here's part of the issue:

His engine will be clean, fixed and happy again soon.

The weather, like the emotions around our house lately, have been on a roller coaster ride, too. We had a large storm about a week ago. Then we had a good bit of snow last night, too. A while back Ellie asked for a headband to keep her ears warm when she was not in the mood to wear a hat (like when she wants her hair in a pony tail. ) I whipped up this little dandy for her over the course of two days. I tried to knit quickly so that she would have it in time for the cold morning that greeted us today.


I used the Synnove's headband pattern found over at Ravelry.com . I cast on 98 stitches onto a US4 circular needle and used very nice merino yarns. I Once I was finished with the knitting I stitched it up with the kitchner stitch so that it was thick and two sided. Ellie likes it, but when I asked her if it was itchy she said it was. Perhaps I will knit another one, just one side this time, and line the inside section with fleece. Ellie is thankful for the things I make for her and she does not complain, but I want to get it right. I want it to be comfortable and warm, without annoyance.

We also spent part of the weekend with Uncle Doug, who was in town from Seattle, Don, Mark and Lilia. They invited us over for dinner. Here is a nice, simple and tasty recipe that Lilia shared with me:

Peach Cake
via: Lilia

3 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup Sugar (white)
1 cup Vegetable Oil
2 cups Flour
1 tea. Salt
1 tea Cinnamon, ground
2 cups Peaches, fresh, peeled, pitted & sliced.
1/2 cup Pecans

Preheat the over to 375 degrees (190 degrees C.) Grease and flour a 9" x 13" pan.
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Mix thoroughly by hand, being careful to not over mix.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until done.

Ethan's New Beanie

I recently made a new beanie for Ethan. It was a pleasure to knit up using Malabrigo yarn.


He wanted a Coyote Tan color. I could not find that, but this was so much more lovely than a solid color would have been anyway. Once it was done, he was very happy with it. He took it camping on Wednesday as he heads up to the Book Cliffs near Grand Junction to go camping with Scott and James.


I cast on 104 stitches onto size 3 circular needles. After doing a 2x2 ribbing for about 2", I switched to size 5 circular needles to knit the rest, until I got to the crown. Once there I went back down to size 3 double pointed needles. I was extra careful to make sure that there were no holes in the top of the crown. My knitting has improved a lot in the last year or so.

I think Ethan worries about loosing or wrecking the things I make for him. I told him that I would rather the hat come home with some small holes from use around a camp fire or from snagging in a tree than to have it sit on the top of his dresser unused. I believe that made him feel more comfortable. My hope is that it will help keep him warmer on these cold winter night camping in the dessert.

Waiting and Changes

Every year around Halloween I mean to pot a bunch of Paper-whites and Amaryllis bulbs to give as gifts and to have something wonderful blooming at Christmas time.

(The colors here are a bit funky. Right now I am extra busy at work. It is dark when I leave in the morning and dark when I return home. Thus, I could not take this picture with natural light. Also, Moxy decided to check out things with me and his tail kept covering the sensor on the camera, which means that the colors are really funky. They don't actually look like that in real life.)


Sometime I managed it. For the last few years I have missed the mark. Sometimes my father-in-law would give me a kit in early December. Sometimes I would walk by the clearance display at Target and see the green shoots poking forlornly and hopefully out of the boxed Amaryllis kits. And of course I have to peek in the box to confirm that the plants have such a desire to live that they try to make a go of it even in the absence of everything they need: sunshine, water and soil. And of course I have the urge to scoop them up, take them home and care for them as if they were little children. I a bad like that. Then I have to get real and figure out how many I can actually give homes to. I have not gone by that display yet this year. I am sure they will be there, waiting.

However, I do have two lovely plants growing and blooming right now. (One of them is technically my mother's, it just never made it to her house.) I decided last year that is was okay to be late in getting them going, or is helping those late bloomers fulfill their desire to bloom. Their cheery blooms are more cherished than if they were just one more thing in my lovely display of Christmas decorations. They get to be on center stage, if you will, instead of the support crew.

My mother requested a pair of mittens. I originally thought that I would make gnome mittens, as she loves gnomes, the repeated rows of them did not suit her fancy. As we looked at the patterns available, it became clear that she really preferred the Scandinavian look much better. In the end she opted for the Rainbow Mittens from DROPS Design. The pattern is from Ravelry.com She would be happy with just about any color combination that I would pick. I, however, am fussy and stubborn when it comes to color. I wanted to have a varigated yarn. I had a hard time picking one that had the green my mother requested. I almost purchased yarn with a longer flow in the colorways, but opted out with the worry that the mitten would not have enough variegation. I picked this other yarn that my mother really likes. I wish that the colorway were longer. It is actually designed for self-stripping socks and so the colors change quickly. She is delighted with how it is coming out. So is my sweet daughter. I had hoped that the flowers in the pattern would be more pronounced, but I do think they are pretty.

On another front, my son will begin a new job next week. He will be out doing field work. He is very excited. He loves to be outside. I am proud of him and thankful that he has been given this opportunity to prove himself.

Last night my 88 year old father-in-law was not feeling well and began to try to make himself puke. He dry heaved instead, which resulted in his tearing his esophagus. He has been puking up blood and is in the hospital. He is a fighter, so I am hoping and expecting that he will get well. Any illness is a worry when the person is 88. Doug, the middle brother, is in town. We are going to take turns taking shifts at the hospital.

Ellie's Winter Hat to Match the Team Uniform (Plus the Knitting Pattern)

This year the team changed their colors from red, black and white to green, black and white. That meant that I had an opportunity to make a new hat. The last one was much more subtle. Ellie decided that she wanted this one to be pretty full of pattern and fun.

It actually took three times to get this hat right. The first two were variations on black, white and green checkers. I just could not get it right. They were too tight. I guess that I have not figured out how to work the tension on carrying two colors.

I simplified my idea and went back to two colors. This one worked out nicely. Here's the instructions:
Ellie's Fun Patterned Hat

Needles & Yarn:

Size 1 16 inch circular needle
Size 1 double pointed needles
Size 4 or 5 16 inch circular needle
DK weight yarn (black, white, green)

Pattern:
Using the size 1 circular needles, cast on 98 stitches. Knit the first row without joining it. You can opt to do a *k2,P2* if you like. Next, straighten the knitting on the needles to make sure it is not twisted. (This is a secret Larr's Aunt Lynne taught me. It helps reduce the chance that you end up with a twisted, modius, round.) Place a marker and then join them, beginning to knit the ribbing with *k2,P2*. Continue this until you have achieved the desired amount of ribbing. Elli'e hat has about 1.5" of ribbing.

Switch to the larger circular needles and begin the body of the hat. I knit 6 rounds of stockingette

Patterns -

* = Black
O = White
G - Green

Jagged Lines 1 =

*GGGG*GGGG
*G*GG*G*GG
*G*GG*G*GG
*G**G*G**G
**********

Knit 3 rows of green.

Checkers =

OOOOOOOO
**OO**OO
**OO**OO
OO**OO**
OO**OO**
OOOOOOOO

Knit 3 rows of green.

Jagged Line 2 =

**********
*G**G*G**G
*G**G*G**G
*G*GG*G*GG
*G*GG*G*GG
*GGGG*GGGG

Vertical Cheveron =

**********
*OOO*OOO*O
O*OOO*OOO*
OO*OOO*OOO
OOO*OOO*OO
OO*OOO*OOO
O*OOO*OOO*
*OOO*OOO*O
**********

Repeat Jagged Line 1.
Knit 3 rows of green.
Repeat Jagged Line 2.
Kint 2 lines of black.

Begin Decrease to shape crown=
Place marker, Using the black yarn, knit 8, place marker. Repeat to the end of the row.
*K2tog, K7* repeat to the end of the row.
Knit 1 row.
*K2tog, K6*repeat to the end of the row.
Knit 1 row.
Switch to the size 1 ciruclar needles.
*K2tog, K5*repeat to the end of the row.
Knit 1 row.
*K2tog, K4*repeat to the end of the row.
Knit 1 row.
Continue in this fashion, changing to the size 1 double pointed needles when needed.
*K2tog, K3*repeat to the end of the row.
Knit 1 row.
*K2tog, K2*repeat to the end of the row.
Continue until you have between 10-12 stiches left on the needles. Cut your yarn so that you have a tail that is about 10" long. Use a crochet needle to move the remaining stitches from the double pointed needles onto the yarn. Pull to tighten and weave in. Use the tail to attach a pom pom, if using one. Weave the end of the yarn into the inside of the hat.
Weave in the loose ends from the color changes.
Block the hat as needed.

Ellie's Fingerless Gloves - A Time Back in Time

(Photo effects by Ellie)
While I was recently picking out the yarn that I needed to make fingerless gloves for Ellie's dance teacher, Ellie decided she would like some, too. She surveyed the offerings and picked out a bright, nearly neon, yellow from Falk Dalegarn DK weight yarn. It was nice to have as an easy project to enjoy that did not require the use of a pattern.

Yarn: Neon Yellow Falk Dalegarn, DK weight 100% washable wool
Black, Mission Falls, Dk weight superwash Merino wool

Needles: 3dpn

Directions:

(I made up patterns as I went. Below is the basic stitch structure.)

Cast on 40 stitches in black.

Abbreviations:
k=knit
p=purl
pm= place marker
sm= slip marker
m1= make 1 stitch by knitting into the front and the back of the next stitch

Cast on 40 stitches, divide evenly between 3 needles and join for knitting in the round.

Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round.

Ribbing:
Round 1-5: * k2,p2* repeat to the end of the round (40).

Cuff:
Knit in stockinette until the cuff is approx. 3.5" long.
(I used the Faire Isle two handed knitting technique to carry the two colors of yarn as I created the various patterns.)

For left mitten:
Clockwise from start: 8 sts for thumb, 20 sts for back of hand, 12 sts for palm.

For right mitten:
Clockwise from start: 8 sts for thumb,12 sts for palm, 20 sts for back of hand.
knit to end of round.

Round 35: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (42 sts)
Round 36: knit to end of round
Round 37: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (44 sts)
Round 38: knit to end of round
Round 39: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (46 sts)
Round 40: knit to end of round
Round 41: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (48 stst)
Round 42: knit to end of round
Round 43: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (50 sts)
Round 44: knit to end of round
Round 45: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (52 sts)
Round 46: knit to end of round
Round 47: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (54 sts)
Round 48: knit to end of round
Round 49: k5, pm, m1, k2, m1, pm, knit to end of round (56 sts)
Round 50-51: knit to end of round
Round 52: knit 5, place next 18 stitches onto a piece of waste yarn (these are the thumb stitches and will be worked at the end of the piece); cast on two stitches purl-wise; knit to
end of round.
Round 53-62: continue k1 to end of round.
Round 63-74: *k1 tbl, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Bind off all stitches in pattern.

Thumb:
Transfer the 18 thumb stitches from the waste yarn to your needles and divide evenly.
Round 1: Join yarn and knit 18 stitches, pick up two stitches from the two stitches that you cast on after working the thumb gusset (20 sts).
Round 2: knit to end of round.
Round 3-7: *k1 tbl, p1, repeat from * to end of round
Bind of all stitches and weave in ends.

A Little Bit of Black and Yellow - A Small Project for My Girl

It's kind of funny. When the kids were born we were very careful to not put gender stereotypes on our kids. I asked people to refrain from buying tiny sports uniforms and I loved dressing them in colors other than blue or pink. However, they continue to prove to me that they are their own people. Take Wednesday night as an example. I took Ellie to dance class where she worked on her Waltz, her Rhythm and her form. Larr took Ethan to learn how to use a plasma cutter. Both were happy as can be.

I've spent much of my time where I drive and then wait for a kid working on knitting projects. I got about 5" into the last project that I posted about but found that the gauge was too small so I undid it all. In the interim I began a pair of fingerless gloves for Ellie. She picked out Neon Yellow and Black.

She started out suggesting regular stripes, but I thought that might look too much like part of a Bee costume, so I mixed it up a bit. Ellie likes the result and asked that the second glove coordinate, not match. They were a hit at dance class. Several of the other girls tried them on. I think I'd find willing recipients if I decide that I want to knit more of them. Ellie likes them. They remind me of the '80's. I keep imaging big hair, punk rock music (such as "I'll Melt With You" by the Modern English) and leg warmers. Hmm, I wonder if those will be on my horizon some time soon.

A Fish Hat for Ellie

I like to knit, a lot. During our trip to Wisconsin Ellie spied a fun book of knitting patterns called Hat Head. I decided to buy it and have the kids mark which designs they liked. I was surprised at what they picked out. Ellie wanted the "fish Hat" with a slight variation on the colors.

I cast on 96 stitches onto a size 1 needle and knit enough to make a curled edge, adding in one purled row to make sure the curling did not continue. Changing to size 4 needles, I then knit a few more rows and then added in the fish pattern from the book.

From that point on I deviated a bit from the instructions.My stripes were three rows wide (instead of two) and I used more colors. She wanted it extra long so it could be slouchy, as is the fashion.I think I made it 9" from the rolled rim to the point where I started the decreases. I finished it up with a lovely, dense pom pom that made using a pom pom maker tool.

If I make this pattern again I will modify the pattern to allow for at least one or two stitches between the pattern repeats. I had not noticed how it ran together until it was too late. Going back and looking at the photo in the book, I see he added those stitches to set them apart, but did not make those notes in the book. Ellie loves the hat and did not seem to care how the fish were so close to each other.

A Hat For Gary

Ethan's Scoutmaster, Gary, is a wonderful guy and just the kind of mentor every boy should have. As a small token of thanks for all that he does for my boy, I made him a hat.

This is not just any run-of-the-mill hat. Oh no, it is a very special one made from an Alpaca fleece from the Lonesome Stone Alpaca farm in Grandby, Colorado. My friend Laura and I visited the farm about two springs ago. The animals were lovely. We got to view the entire process from dirty, stick infested fleece to luscious yarn. It is a special bit of yarn. Gary needed an extra warm hat and so it seemed to be a perfect match. I so loved knitting it up. I'd stop from time to time to "pet" the wool and enjoy the way the hat felt. I was even tempted to keep it since I like how it feels so much, but was happy to give it to him once I saw it on his head. I can always get another skein of yarn from them, if I feel the need.

Part of what makes this hat special is that the ribbing is doubled over, making your ears toasty warm and the fit a bit closer. It is a cool design.

Here's the pattern as was dictated to me over the phone by Aunt Lynne some years ago:

Double Warm Hat

Needles & yarn:
Size 7 Circular Needles (16")
Size 9 or 10 Circular Needles (16")
Size 7 Double Pointed Needles
1 skein Alpaca or Wool Yarn - Worsted weight (about 200 yards,perhaps less)

Pattern:

Cast on 60 stitches onto the size 7 circular needles.
R1 - knit
R2 -join the ends, being careful to not develop a twist in the yarn and knit.Knit in the round.

Ribbing -
Do the following ribbing pattern until the ribbing section of your hat is as long as you would like it to be. I made mine 1.5 "
*K2,P2* (60)
(If you want to make a larger hat, be sure to increase the cast on in multiples of 4 so that you end up with an even amounts of knitted and purled sections.)
Next row - Purl
Now, switch back to the *k2, P2* (60) until you have the same number of rows of ribbing as the previous part. This means you will end up with an extra long ribbed section with a purled row in the middle of it.
To complete the ribbed section fold the ribbing up so that the purled row is now the bottom of the ribbing (the purled row helps ensure that the folding up of the ribbing is equal all the way around). Make use that the ribbing sections are matching up properly. Now we get to the picky part. You need to join the two parts of the ribbing together. You do this by slipping your left needle into the stitch from the cast on that corresponds with the correct part of the upper ribbing. Knit these together. This will kind of feel like a k2t in that you are knitting through two stitches. Continue to do this until the entire rib section is joined together.
Knit 1 more row.


Stockinette/hat section:

R1 - k with the size 7 needles. Place marker. (60)
R2 - Switch to the size 9 or 10 needles and *k10, inc1* (66)
Continue working the stockinette stitch until your hat is almost as long as you would like it. I generally have my hat measure 7.5" from the end of the ribbing to the point where I begin the decreasing.

Begin the decreasing:
R1 - *K11, place marker* (66)
R2 - *k2tog, K 10* (60)
R3 - Knit (60)
R4 - *k2tog, K 9*
R5 - Knit (54)
R6 - *k2tog, K 8* (48)
R7 - *k2tog, K 7*
R8 - *k2tog, K 6*
Switch to the size 7 needles (use the circular or the DPN, using the DPN when the circular becomes too large for your project)
R9 - *k2tog, K 5*
Continue in this manner until there are 6-8 stitches left on your needles. Cut off a long tail and weave it through all the remaining stitches. Pull tight to close top, slipping the tail through the hole at the very end. Weave the tail ends to finish.