Saturday, January 28, 2017

A Second Pussy Hat Pattern


Hi all!

 Lately, I've been a little overwhelmed by the negativity coming from the eight-day-old administration. I made another pussy hat pattern to try to relax. Here's the pattern, using worsted weight yarn this time.

 Materials:
 Worsted weight yarn (less than 170 yds)
 H hook
 G hook
 Tapestry needle to weave in ends

 Abbreviations:
 Ch - chain
 Dc - double crochet
 Fpdc - front-post double crochet
 Bpdc - back-post double crochet

Pattern

Starting with a H hook...
1. Chain 38.

2. Dc in third chain from hook. Dc in each ch. When you reach the end (36 stitches), rotate the piece 180° and dc back across the bottom of the ch stitches you already dc-ed into. In total, you will have 72 stitches. Join to the first dc with a slip stitch. Ch 2. Do not turn. 




3. Dc into stitch slipped into from previous round. Dc in each stitch around. Join to the first stitch with a slip stitch. Ch 2. Do not turn.
Repeat step 3 until piece measures 6-6.5 inches long (approximately 12 additional rounds).

Switch to G hook...
4. *Fpdc, bpdc. Repeat from * around. Join to first fpdc with slip stitch. Ch 2. Do not turn.

5. Repeat previous round two more times. Do not chain at end. Break yarn. Secure yarn. Weave in ends.

I hear for the scientists march that brain hats will be accessory of choice. Stay tuned for a pattern for one of those!

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Spiralis Hat


It's been a pretty dreary day here in Maryland. Sleet and freezing rain has kept me inside all day. But with that time, I was finally able to write up my first original knitted hat pattern. It won 1st place at the Maryland State Fair in the original design category in 2016. The judges liked it. Now the pattern is written up and available for the world to make. (I know I look a little angry in the first photo, but it's the best one I have of me wearing the hat.)

Materials:
-Bulky weight yarn (100-120 yds)
     -Alternatively, two DK weight yarns knitted together also works.
-Size 9 circular needles
-Size 9 double pointed needles
-Stitch marker
-Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:
-K - knit
-P - purl
-SSK - slip slip knit (decrease)

Pattern:
Cast on 64 stitches.
First Straight Section
1.   *K2, P2. Repeat from * around.
2.   K around.
3.   Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until work reaches 3 inches long. End on Round 2.

Start Spiral
4.   K1, *P2, K2. Repeat from * until last stitch. K in last stitch.
5.   K around.
6.   *P2, K2. Repeat from * around.

7.   K around.
8.   P1, *K2, P2. Repeat from * until last stitch. P in last stitch.
9.   K around.
10. *K2, P2. Repeat from * around.
11. K around.
12-17. Repeat Rounds 4-9.

Back to Straight
18. Repeat Rounds 10 and 11 until this section measures 1.5-2.0 inches. End on Round 10.

Shaping the Crown (switch to double pointed needles when needed)
19. *K6, SSK. Repeat from * around.
20 *K2, P2, K2, P1. Repeat from * around.
21. *K5, SSK. Repeat from * around.
22. *K2, P2, K2. Repeat from * around.
23. *K4, SSK. Repeat from * around.
24. *K2, P2, K1. Repeat from * around.
25. *K3, SSK. Repeat from * around.
26. *K2, P1, K1. Repeat from * around.
27. *K2, SSK. Repeat from * around.
28. K around.
29. *K1, K2tog. Repeat from * around.
30. K around.
31. K2tog around.

Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw yarn through remaining stitches to close the top. Secure yarn. Weave in ends.


 

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Chunky Pussy Hat


I know I'm behind on this. But don't take this as me trying to pile on the bandwagon. I have loathed Screaming Carrot Demon from the start. He is a danger to our country, to diversity, to kindness in this society. Darth Cheeto could put my best friend on a list because she wears a hijab. Agent Orange could take away my health insurance and the insurance of 20 million other Americans. All of this is unacceptable.

I couldn't make it to the Women's March on Washington today, but here is a pattern I made for the Pussy Hat.

Materials:
K hook
J hook
Bulky weight yarn (just over 120 yds)

Abbreviations:
Ch - chain
Hdc - half-double crochet
Fpdc - front-post double crochet
Bpdc - back-post double crochet


Pattern:

Starting with a K hook...
1. Chain 30.
2. Hdc in third chain from hook. Hdc in each ch. When you reach the end (28 stitches), rotate the piece 180° and hdc back across the bottom of the ch stitches you already hdc-ed into. In total, you will have 56 stitches. Join to the first hdc with a slip stitch. Ch 1. Do not turn.



3. Hdc into stitch slipped into from previous round. Hdc in each stitch around. Join to the first stitch with a slip stitch. Ch 1.
Repeat step 3 until piece measures 6-6.5 inches long (approximately 12 additional rounds).

Switch to J hook....
4. Ch 1 more (should have 2 ch stitches to start this round). *Fpdc, bpdc. Repeat from * around. Join to first fpdc with slip stitch. Ch 2. Do not turn.
5. Repeat previous round. Do not chain at end. Break yarn. Secure yarn. Weave in ends.

The next four years will be long. Keep fighting. Keep moving forward. Keep the panic up. Do not let society normalize what is going on. Don't give up.

"A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

We are in hot water now. We must be strong.