Ear Flap Hats

Ryan and Tim Shay model their ear flap hats I made for them this Christmas. The elder Shay opted for pom-poms.

They are made with double strands of wool-ease or just about any worsted weight yarn. The ear flaps are knit first and held on double points and then knitted into the first round.

Another take on two needle slippers

Free pattern: Sorry I can't remember where I found it online. It's been in my pattern book for a couple years and just recently did I decide to pull it out and try it. I've used the other easy slipper pattern several times for the family but they all had the same complaint. "I don't like the hole at the end 'cuz my toes stick out!"
Plus the boys thought they appeared girlish.This pattern comes up around the ankle and looks more like a boot when finished.

Here's the pair I made for Jaimey.

About 150 yards of Worsted or Aran yarn
Size 5 for kids, size 6 for adults

Directions are for children, with adult sizing in parenthesis

Cast on 76 (86)
Knit 14 rows of garter stitch

Decrease row 1 - K 35 (40), K2tog, P2, SSK, K 35 (40)
Decrease row 2 - P 34 (39), SSP, K2, P2tog, P 34 (39)

Continue working these two decrease rows, keeping the decreases on either side of the center two stitches, until there are 40 (50) stitches left.

Work 7 rows of garter stitch. For a fold down cuff, work additional rows. Bind off with a size 8 or 9 needle (keeps the cuff fro being too tight) and seam back and sole.

Note: SSP~ this stitch is tricky and I did it wrong on the first slipper but once you get it, its really makes the slipper look great. When you slip, make sure your yarn is in the purl position and put the stitches all the way back on the left needle. You'll go in through the back of the stitch from inside to outside and if you are not careful you'll push the stitches off the needle trying to get the right needle back through. When you purl, it will feel all wrong and the stitch seems to be backward but just go with it. (It really is backward because you are doing it on the backside of the pattern.)

Anyway, it sounds scary but give it a try. If I can do it, so can you. If you need help, just let me know.

Slippers

Well girls, I finally move beyond washclothes and am finished with my first pair of slippers! I gave them to Karina because green is her favorite color. She hasn't taken them off except for showering and this picture :-) I will be continuing with slippers for a while. I'm so excited that everyone is going to get a pair for Christimas...2009. I may revert back to washclothes as well for some of the women :-)

Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to continue to try!

Fran: Knit for Soldiers

I just saw this on the KiroTV News website and thought I'd post it here in case anyone is interested in helping. The National Museum of the Marine Corps is asking knitters and crocheters to help the troops by knitting helmet liners.

There are certain specifications that the liners need to meet in order to be used (for example they have to be 100% wool as the soldiers aren't allowed to wear synthetic fabrics. Wool will keep them warm even if it gets wet.)

Here is the link: http://www.kirotv.com/news/15304371/detail.html

The link will take you to a page that has more info and a web address for instructions if you'd like to help.

Happy knitting! :)

Shannon: On the Needles

I love, love, love the Rowena Cardigan in "Knit 2 Together." It's the one sweater I haven't been able to get out of my head. So I made a trip down to Sonya's shop (Yorkshire Yarns) in Lakewood, and she and I spent about an hour looking through her inventory for just the right yarn. When I did settle on one, she ended up having to order it for me so I'd have enough of the same dye lot. Then, when it came in, she sent it on up to me.

If you haven't been down to Sonya's shop yet, I recommend that you make the trip. In fact, if you want, we could all do a run together. Usually those things lead to lunch afterward ... any complaints?

Here's a picture of the Rowena Cardigan. And yes, I'm making it in brown. My only hesitation right now (I'm about six inches into the left front piece) is how I can alter the pattern so it's less boxy in the waist. I want to think this through before I just go decreasing willy-nilly.

So what's everyone else knitting right now?

Kari: Rylan Wyatt

Introducing my newest nephew, Rylan Wyatt Spellman. He was born on 7-11, 2007 and weighed only 6 lbs. That's what happens when you decide to come four weeks early! I guess he was ready to take on the world. I made this hooded blanket for him and his mommy was sweet enough to send me a photo of him all snuggled up in it.

Fran: Finally Finished My Sweater!

I started this thing last spring but got bored with it and started something else. (Actually, I got all the pieces done and just had to put it together. You know how that goes!)

Well, I didn't want the child to outgrow it before I had it finished so I thought I'd better get back to it (plus there was frost on the ground and she needs a sweater!)

The pattern is the same free Lion pattern that I used for Josh's sweater but instead of the rolled edges I knit an eyelet edging then went back and crocheted the pink into the eyelets. I like how it turned out (and so does Gracie.)

The only problem with this pattern is that the hood is never the size it needs to be for my kids. I added to it with the hope it would fit Gracie's head but I should have kept going because it's still a little short. Since it's too short I didn't tack the hood openings down like the pattern says to. Instead I left it loose and crocheted a picot edge along the neck opening to give it a finished look. Then I added ties to the hood so it will stay on if she wears it.

Here are the pics:

Kari: Purse

This was a joint effort.

I loved this purse pattern
but didn't realize to finish it I would need to know how to crochet.

Fran SAVED the DAY!

Thanks Fran.
I only put fringe on the front and it looks cuter than the photo shows. The handles had some sort of twisted crochet thing-y going on and that's where Fran came in. I planned on giving it to Tim's cousin last year but didn't get it finished in time so maybe I'll give it to her when we see her at Thanksgiving.

Update: Susan LOVED the purse I gave her at Thanksgiving. She lives in the Palo Alto area of CA and she said it's very trendy!