January 2009 Archives

I can't seem to get away from quick small projects. The instant FO's, they are so hard to resist.

Seeing countless cute and cozy looking cowls (wee, alliteration) lately I've had a few ideas for my own floating around. This exceedingly simple one I knit up holding two strands of worsted together to get a bulky gauge. I think I'll make a taller one in an actual bulky yarn as well for the single strand should show off the yarn overs even more.

This fitted cowl is nice for a little extra warmth without too much bulk under a coat.

Fissure Cowl

Finished Sizes
Women's [Men's]

Materials
Yarn: Moda Dea Cartwheel (100% Wool; 77yds per 50g); Color: #9412 Misty; 1 ball, held doubled OR a single strand of Bulky weight yarn. Needles: US Size 11 (8mm). Notions: Crochet hook (preferably close to 8mm), waste yarn.

Gauge
13 sts and 9 rows = 4" in Stockinette Stitch.

Abbreviations
See Yarn Standards Abbreviations.

DIRECTIONS
Crochet a chain with waste yarn approx. 20 sts for provisional cast-on. Using either 2 strands of worsted weight yarn held together or one strand of bulky weight, pick up 12 sts in the back of crochet chain for provisional cast-on. (Alternatively, a regular cast-on can be used and the ends seamed together during finishing.)

Note: You may pick up more than 12 sts for a taller/higher cowl.

Rows 1-4: Knit.
Row 5: Knit to last 5 sts, yo, k1, yo, k1, (yo)twice, k1, (yo)3x, k1, (yo)4x, k1 loosely.
Row 6: Knit across, dropping all yarn overs.

Repeat rows 1-6 nine[ten] more times.

"Unzip" provisional cast-on and place lives stitches on an extra needle. Join this end to last row via three-needle bind off.

FINISHING
Weave in all ends.

See more PieKnits patterns this way >>

My once pristine craft room was no longer so, especially after being used for the xmas present wrapping, it looked like a gift wrap explosion occurred. So the other day I buckled down and cleaned and organized and wow am I so much more inspired now! I've rediscovered several projects that I picked up pieces for ages ago and now have gotten to whipping up, so more to come soon.

But first, I got one of these painfully cute mini Sockblocker Key Chains with pattern probably close to two years ago and it was time to retrieve it from buried under the stash.



This was also a perfect excuse to sample some Claudia Hand Painted yarn I've been admiring in my stash. This is the Buckeye colorway. Sadly, I may be ruined for cheapie sock yarn now.



Oh, and what's up with the title you ask? Well I always do love amusing signage so I felt compelled to share this one with you. Pulled over and snapped this gem of sign-making design at a hair salon next to my office.

I always think I'm buying plenty of extra bananas for the sole purpose of letting a few go overripe for making this oh-so-yummy banana bread. However, Mr. PieKnits is far better at eating fresh fruit than I and they usually end up all gone long before the first signs of overripeness. This time however, I managed to snag two pieces of fruit and while a full loaf requires more along the lines of four, it was enough to half the recipe and instead see how many muffins I could get out of it. So Banana Nut Bread, er - Muffins!

Listed below is the amounts for a full recipe, so feel free to make it in loaf form if you prefer. I find the muffins are easy for snatching on the way out the door in the morning.

Banana Nut Bread or Muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
  
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
  
• 2 cups mashed very overripe bananas
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan (or muffin pan).

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs, vanilla, yogurt and mashed bananas until well blended.

Stir banana mixture into flour mixture just until moistened.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 60 to 65 minutes for loaf or 20 minutes for muffins. Cool bread 10 minutes in pan, then turn out of pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.

It always seems when knitting on any kind of a deadline it comes down to the the wire and thus my photos end up being hastily taken if remembered at all. Still, I wanted to at least try to portray how cute these mittens are! My owl-loving friend, who's birthday was coming up, had recently lost her pair of mittens so I knew this was the perfect pattern as soon as I saw it. "Give a Hoot" is a free pattern by Jocelyn Tunney and one I thoroughly enjoyed making. Both right and left directions are given which really is more convenient than a simple "work in reverse for other hand" type instruction. 

While the pattern calls for worsted yarn it definitely falls on the thicker side of that category. My yarn was a bit on the thinner side, so if you like a bigger fluffier mitten I would keep that in mind. While searching for some buttons for the eyes I came across these amber-eye ones and couldn't resist them! We were joking that these mittens could alternately be used as a hand puppets as well. :) I'm happy she likes them! 

Pattern: Give a Hoot by Jocelyn Tunney
Yarn: Ella Rae Classic, #1 - White
Needles: US size 6 (4 mm) & US size 8 (5 mm)
Mods: Not much other than shortening the ribbed cuff a little.

Mr. PieKnits hat is now available as a free pattern download!




I managed to get a little better shot showing the cabled decreases at the crown. It is tricky to photograph the top of your own head! I would like to get some photos of Mr. PieKnits modeling his hat but our daylight hours together in the winter are pretty much weekend limited.



This was designed as a gift for my husband who tends towards simple knits but still wants something interesting. While most of this hat is worked in a simple rib pattern, subtle cables spring forth twisting into the top decreases adding interest. The result, an engaging knit for both the wearer and knitter! As a very stretchy hat, it fits most adults.

The pattern contains both written and fully charted instructions.

Ths sample shown is knit in Schulana Cashmere Millefiori, other suggested alternative yarns are listed below. NOTE: This pattern was worked to use up ALL of the possible yarn without a swatch left over.

Pattern: Subtle Twist Hat
Gauge: 14 sts and 23 rows = 4" in Sockinette st.
Size: Adult/Unisex (20"-23" circumference)
Needle sizes: US Size 10 (6mm): 16" cir and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed needles (dpn)
Yarn: Schulana Cashmere Millefiori (100% Cashmere; 100yds/91m per 50g/1.76 oz.); Color: #5 Blue, Gray, Brown; 1 ball. Suggested Alternatives: Misti Alpaca Chunky, Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky.
Skill level: Intermediate Beginner (cables, working in the round)
Price: FREE
Format: PDF format digital pattern
Additional Photos: In this post
 

I suppose technically I spoke too soon in my last post about that being the final piece for 2008. Back in March I sent in a finished design for an upcoming book from DRG Publications and after hearing the publish date was pushed back several times I happened across the first image of the cover design. Now the book won't be out until June of 2009 (ETA: it is on sale now here!) but I just had to share.



My first cover! The blue hat in the top photo is my design. I don't know if this is the final cover but it's exciting to see none the less!
The book, Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat and Sock Knitters, is a collection of 50 hat and sock projects for varying skill levels. (Press release here).
The design is called Phaidros Grecian Hat (rav link).



My design of this hat was inspired by ancient Grecian hairstyles. A wide brim of crossed 1x1 ribbing gives a textured appearance and evokes the look of swept back hair. This then transitions into a braided cable stitch for a nice full cap, also mimicking the elaborate plaited hairstyles of the time. Finishing the piece are coordinating lighter-colored I-cords that wrap around the forehead and are secured through yarn overs in the hat on the bottom sides.

I can't wait to see it in print and share more!

ETA: I'll be participating in the book blog tour, to kick off on 2/21! Check out the details and schedule here.

**ERRATA** - The first "Next Round" listed in the beginning of the pattern should read:
Next round: [K1, p1] 5 times, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice, p1, [k1, p1] 26 times, k1, [yo, k2tog] twice, p1, [k1, p1] 5 times.