Category Archives: Finished Items 2008

Get Your Greek On

Posted by on January 2, 2009 17 comments

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.

Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat and Sock Knitters

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).

Tops & Toes: A Whimsical Collection to Delight Hat and Sock Knitters

My design of this hat was inspired by ancient Grecian hairstyles. A wide brim of crossed 1×1 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. 

The chart is incorrect. It has the first cable (3/3 RC) in the wrong place, it should be directly after the first YO. The written directions are correct.

So long 2008

Posted by on December 31, 2008 11 comments

Where did this year go? While I’ve actually finished four more things only one is going to make it up here under 2008. Mostly because, well I forgot to take photos of my gift knitting. I know, for shame! Especially considering I got my new favorite-est toy for Xmas!

My new baby

Hello my sweet Nikon D80! Oh how I coveted thee. I have tons and tons to learn but have at least started in on the practical with getting it out of the box and snapping away. And what does one do with a new fancy camera? Take pictures of their pets of course!
Ha, so here’s Aejaz in his favorite sun spot.

My furry baby

This beanie is Mr. PieKnits knitted gift this year. Several months ago when he patiently accompanied my to the LYS he spotted this yarn and really liked it. Well I’ve always said my boy has taste- it’s 100% cashmere, composed of several different colored strands spun together into a bulky weight. I snuck back later and got it. This is definitely the most extravagant yarn I’ve ever purchased, but I think Mr. PieKnits is worth it. :)

Click me

In typical guy fashion, he prefers most knits to be simple/plain but seeing as he already had a basic ribbed hat (and they’re boring! especially for such a fancy yarn), I wanted to add a little something. I decided to work most of it in a 3x2x2x2 rib until the top. Here I threw in some subtle cables twisting into the decreases for interest.

Surprise cables!

I like to think it strikes a balance.


Have a Happy New Year everyone!

Devra Hat Now in Sloucy Version!

Posted by on December 11, 2008 9 comments

Oh hi there, I am still alive! Sorry for the unplanned blog absence -life and all, you know that tune. So if you all haven’t wandered off in boredom I Do have a new pattern! Or er, a pattern upgrade, a new variation, an expansion perhaps? Well whatever you’d call it, Devra now has a new slouch version including new charts. Both versions are available in one pattern.

Devra Cabled Brimmed Hat
Devra Hat

Devra Hat

I just love the silhouette of this style. I can’t seem to stay away from it. This version has a wider repeat, is longer obviously and the crown decreases are worked differently than the original to account for the extra stitches.

NOTE: If you are one of the lovely people who have purchased the original Devra pattern before 12/11/08 and would like to get the upgrade please email at jen AT pieknits DOT com for a discount code. I’ll be offering the new version for $0.75 for pervious purchasers.

Brimmed Beanie

As with the previous version, this hat was an exercise in seamless cables from bottom to top. The bottom ribbing is made fitted with smaller needles and subtle increases for the main section. The cables continue to the very top with the decreases worked into the pattern. I’m kind of obsessive when it comes to continuing patterns for as long as possible. My other goal I really wanted to accomplish with this design was a clean, neat-fitting brim that was easy to do. I’ve worked ones with lots of short rows, multiple picking up stitches sequences or fiddly separate pieces that are just short of a nightmare to sew together. (I really dislike guesswork on finishing.) This brim requires no special techniques and is simply picked up and cast on all in one go then worked in the round. It’s my favorite brim to date!

Cables worked into decreases

The pattern contains both written and fully charted instructions for both versions as well as a template for the plastic insert in the brim.

The instant download rundown -after payment via Paypal you will be given a link to download the pattern. This link will also be emailed to you and will expire in 120 hours. For any questions about the pattern or whole download process please shoot me an email me at- jen@pieknits.com!

Pattern previewPattern: Devra 2 Cabled Brimmed Hat
Gauge: 15 sts and 20 rows = 4″ in St st on larger needles.
Size: Womens (20″-22″ circumference)
Needle sizes: Size 8 (5 mm): 16″ circular (cir). Size 10 (6 mm): 16″ cir and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn)
Yarn: Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends (70% acrylic, 30% alpaca; 120 yds [110 meters] per 100g):
Fitted Version: 93011 Wheat, 1 ball
Slouchy Version: 93040 Ebony, 2 balls
Skill level: Intermediate (cables, working in the round, picking up sts, kitchener stitch or three needle bind-off used)
Price: $5.00
Format: PDF instant download pattern

Buy Now

Add to Cart

Somewhat Reasonably Hip

Posted by on October 27, 2008 6 comments

This hat and another have been finished and hanging out in the sidebar for a long time but their boy recipients have proved illusive creatures to photograph. I finally snagged one.

clicky

Mr. PieKnits had requested another knit hat, with some specifics in mind. After some discussion I settled on using the pattern Reasonably Hip formerly on magknits.com with some modifications.

mmm, yummy... - er pumpkins!

The first run on this my Stockinette stitch proved tighter than seed stitch and the hat was tighter than I’d like. I’d also started the picked up bottom half of the brim and here the pattern wasn’t very clear. I realized once it was done the purl side was facing the outside (bottom) and I did not care for that either. So I decided to just scrap it and cast on a new one with two sizes larger needles. (Note- 1 ball of the Ella Rae Amity yarn would make 2 hats, I may finish the first for me.)

I can’t say I really cared for assembling this brim which is worked in
two separate quite fiddly pieces. It’s part of what inspired me to
create a simpler brim for the Devra hat.

I do like the short rows in the back that help extend the hat over the ears, something that can be more of an issue with a brimmed hat. I also switched to stockinette for the last few short rows for a narrow band appearance.

Mr. PieKnits is happy with his new cap so mission accomplished!

Pattern: Reasonably Hip by Elizabeth Cobbe
Yarn: Ella Rae Amity, #23 Blue-Gray
Needles: US size 9 (5.5 mm)
Mods: Worked last few short rows in St st instead of Garter and the rest of the hat in St st instead of seed stitch. Not sure if it’s a mod but worked bottom brim with RS of stockinette facing out.

A Tale of Mr. and Mrs. Korknisse

Posted by on October 24, 2008 11 comments

Meet Mr. and Mr. Korknisse.

Mr. & Mrs. Korknisse

They traveled far from the Land of Kork, home of their forefathers the Cork Oak Tree, to find a new place to brighten up. It’s important to spread the cuteness around.

They fashioned themselves some new traveling clothes from bits of stash yarn and raided their vintage button hoard to find coordinating accessories. After a brief journey they have now settled in their new home in the country of Office Cubicle.

And they lived happily ever after.

Devra Cabled Brimmed Hat Pattern

Posted by on October 14, 2008 6 comments

Devra Cabled Brimmed Hat

Devra Hat

This hat was inspired by and made for my good friend Mel, a bit of cuteness and a bit of funky sass all in one.

I wanted to make the cables as seamless as possible from bottom to top. The bottom ribbing is made fitted with smaller needles and subtle increases for the main section. The cables continue to the very top with the decreases worked into the pattern. I’m kind of obsessive when it comes to continuing patterns for as long as possible.

Brimmed Beanie

My other goal I really wanted to accomplish with this design was a clean, neat-fitting brim that was easy to do. I’ve worked ones with lots of short rows, multiple picking up stitches sequences or fiddly separate pieces that are just short of a nightmare to sew together. (I really dislike guesswork on finishing.) After a couple tries I’m very happy with how this one came out. It requires no special techniques and is simply picked up and cast on all in one go then worked in the round. It’s my favorite brim to date!

Cables worked into decreases

The pattern contains both written and fully charted instructions as well as a template for the plastic insert in the brim.

ETA: This pattern is now also available in a slouchy version! Click here to check it out.

The instant download rundown -after payment via Paypal you will be given a link to download the pattern. This link will also be emailed to you and will expire in 120 hours. For any questions about the pattern or whole download process please shoot me an email me at- jen@pieknits.com!

Pattern previewPattern:
Devra Cabled Brimmed Hat
Gauge: 15 sts and 20 rows = 4″ in St st on larger needles.
Size: Womens (20″-22″ circumference)
Needle sizes: Size 8 (5 mm): 16″ circular (cir). Size 10 (6 mm): 16″ cir and set of 4 or 5 double-pointed (dpn)
Yarn: Bernat Alpaca Natural Blends (70% acrylic, 30% alpaca; 120 yds [110 meters] per 100g): 93011 Wheat, 1 ball
Skill level: Intermediate (cables, working in the round, picking up sts, kitchener stitch or three needle bind-off used)
Price: $3.75
Format: PDF instant download pattern

Buy Now

Add to Cart

FO: Mini Tricorn Hat

Posted by on September 30, 2008 13 comments

Yo ho, a pirate’s life for Meeee!

ahoy!

When I bound off for this hat I was seriously debating whether to rip it all out or to go ahead and try felting it. The proportions seemed off, basically too long. And while if I did it over I think I’d make it a little bigger and less tall, I’m still quite pleased with it! Plus it’s impossible to don this headpiece and not giggle and speak horrible pirate lingo.

Hat pins used to stab INTO the head, haha

I stuck my little yo-yo broach I made awhile back on the side as a make-shift cockade. I decided I still want a full-size version as well and will make a real cockade for that one. This hat is held in place by a black wire hair comb I sewed on the inside.

You could store little things in there!

To modify the pattern I used a single vs. double stranded worsted and decreased the number of stitches by 40%. The decrease rates took some fiddling. If anyone’s interested in my specific notes let me know I can type them up (amazingly I did actually jot them down). ETA: pattern notes now added to the extended entry! You can see a pre-felted photo here.

Pattern: Tricorn Hat Pattern by knitlikeapirate.com
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino, single strand
Needles: US size 9 (5.5 mm)
Mods: Miniature version of course! Worked in single strand, cast-on 60% of sts, extensive mods to the decrease rates.

Read more »

FO: Chunky Newsboy Cap

Posted by on September 24, 2008 19 comments

Let me articulate how I feel about this particular piece.

OMGILovethishat!

Click me

When I saw this pattern I wanted to cast-on immediately (even despite having three other hats in progress). Thankfully this is the fastest knit I’ve ever done – less than 2 hours! I can definitely see cranking out a few more of these in other colors.

Easiest brim ever!

This is like cotton candy knitting, total fluff and mindless instant gratification. I followed the pattern line by line (nice, no measuring even needed) and it fits perfectly. Can you tell I’m smitten?

Pattern: Chunky Newsboy Cap by Diane Serviss of Earthly Fae
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, Grass #131
Needles: US size 13 (9 mm) and US size 8 (5 mm); used magic loop for top
Mods: None other than to cast-on in knit/purl long-tail method, detailed below
 

I’ve talked about the Purl variation of the Long-Tail Cast-on before in this tutorial but I didn’t show the difference it really makes. I particularly like to use this in combination with the regular cast-on for ribbing in bulkier yarns as it shows much more and thus used it here. The reason this matters is because the Long-Tail CO actually creates your first row of knitting, so in ribbing you have one row that doesn’t match the ribbing.

In the first swatch I used the combo of knit and purl variations and you can see it’s more seamless (especially when it is stretched out like when worn on a hat brim). The other nice thing about this is it is identical on both sides and therefore an ideal choice for things like scarves where both sides are visible. I’ve also used it when making a sweater for example where the body is worked in the round but the sleeves are worked back and forth. In this case different sides show on the RS and the cast-ons don’t match. Again this is more noticeable in bulky yarns (it bothered me in my Lace Leaf Pullover).

Combo knit/purl cast-on vs. regular long-tail

You can really see the difference between the two sides in the last two photos of the same swatch. If you prefer a photo tutorial vs. the illustrations, this is a nice example on the technique.

FO: Adorn Cropped Jacket

Posted by on September 22, 2008 14 comments

I have a whole parade of FO’s to share soon and the Grand Marshall kicking it off is the Adorn Cropped Jacket.

click me

This has been done for few weeks but just getting around to photographing it, even though I’ve already worn it several times. I’m really happy with it!

I have a tendency to choose sizes larger than I should. So after I had highlighted all the numbers for the Medium size I really looked at the bust measurements and realized I should probably just make the Small. Yes, stopping and thinking paid off! A snug fit is much more suited to this look and I can still pin the front closed if I wanted.

CheeeEEEse

I will say I love the look of puffy sleeves, seaming them in however is a whole other matter – ugh. Lots of pleasant details in this, particularity for a free pattern. The YO detail around the armholes makes a neat effect and the Bird’s Eye pattern reminds me of polka dots. I even used the recommended yarn and color on this. Nice easy care and wearability with an effortless coordinating neutral color. Now I can extend my work wardrobe and get use out of my sleeveless tops!

Pattern: From the now defunct Adorn Magazine, available via the Way Back Machine. (Ravelry link)
Yarn: TLC Cotton Plus Solid, #3303 Tan (Pattern called for 3 skeins, I squeezed
it out of 2)
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm)
Mods: Not much, I didn’t bind-off the back neck to avoid having to pick up sts
for the collar.

ETA: I’ve recreated the pattern stitch chart for this pattern since the original has now seemed to have disappeared and uploaded it here as well as my Ravelry project page.

Snug as a bug- er, camera

Posted by on August 5, 2008 9 comments

"It's so nice and cozy in here I never want to leave"
How I love my new compact camera. It’s slim, sleek and actually fits in a pocket instead of causing shoulder strain when simply occupying my purse like my old one. As such, I wanted to protect my new toy without adding the bulk of traditional cases. Camera sock is on the job!
Pooling- Twist me right round baby right round
I had a lone skein of Shepherd Sock stash yarn that worked out perfect. I’m rather digging the barber poll swirling effect the pooling has going on too. Now I just have to remember to use my camera when I actually take it places.
Pattern: Camera Sock by Not an Artist
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock, #36 Newtown
Needles: US size 1 (2.25 mm)
Mods: I used a size larger needle simply because I couldn’t be fussed to buy the correct ones. I decreased 4 sts for the ribbing, then increased 2 from that in the St st to compensate for the larger needles.