Baby Hat in Eyelet Mock Cable Rib

Knit with #5 dpns and TLC Baby Sport, it should fit a newborn.
Cast on 70 sts (16-18-18-18)and work 2 1/2" in k1p1 rib.
Move sts to (15-20-15-20) this pattern is a multiple of 5.

Rnds1-2 *k3, p2*
Rnd3 *sl1, k2, psso, p2*
Rnd4 *k1, yo, k1, p2*

Knit in pattern until hat measures at least 5 1/2" from the beginning. Stop after round 3, decreases begin with the next round. Shift your stitches so each needle begins with 2 purl stitches.

Rnd1 *p2, k2*
Rnd2 *p1, k2tog, k1*
Rnd3 *k2tog, k1*
Rnd4 *k2tog, k2*
Rnd5 *k2tog*

Finish ends.

Alternate beginning: I began with 72 sts (16-20-16-20) and k2p2 rib for 2 1/2". On the first round of the pattern, I decreased 1 stitch on my 1st and 3rd needles and ended with (15-20-15-20). I worked 5 complete repeats of the pattern, and 3 rounds more, then started my decreases.

Baby Hat in Snowdrops Stitch

Knit with #5 dpns and TLC Baby Sport, should fit a newborn.
Cast on 72 sts (16-20-16-20) and work 2 1/2" in k2p2 rib in the round.
This pattern is a multiple of 6, and now you need to shift your stitches to (18-18-18-18).

Rnds1-3 *p3, k3*
Rnd4 *p3, yo, (sl1, k2tog, psso) yo*

Knit in pattern until 5 1/2" from the beginning, begin decreasing after Rnd4.

Rnd1 *p2, k2tog, k2*
Rnd2 *p2, k1, k2tog*
Rnd3 *p2, k2*
Rnd4 *p1, k2tog, k1*
Rnd5 *k2tog k1*
Rnd6 *k2tog k2*
Rnd7 *k2tog*

Finish ends.

Baby Hat in Waving Rib

Knit with #5 dpns and TLC Baby Sport, should fit a newborn.

Cast on 72 sts (16-20-16-20) and work 2 1/2" in k2p2 rib in the round.

This pattern is a multiple of 6, and now you need to shift your stitches to (18-18-18-18).

Rnd1-4 *k4, p2*

Rnd5-8 k1, *p2, k4* end k3

I repeated the pattern 3 times, 24 rounds. Your hat should measure between 5 and 5 1/2" from the cast on edge.

Shift 4 sts so each needle begins with 2 p sts (of rnd1), and begin decreasing.

Rnd1 *p2, k1, k2tog, k1*

Rnd2 *p2, k1, k2tog*

Rnd3 *p2, k2tog*

Rnd4 *p1, k2tog*

Rnd5 *k2tog*

Rnd6 *k1, k2tog, k1*

You have 9 sts left, finish off.

Baby Hat in Links of Lace

This is not the best picture of the hat. My knit, stuffed ball is a bit too big, and the hat is stretched too far. I originally found Links of Lace in a sock pattern. While I didn't have to change it to knit in the round, I have had to devise my own decreases.

Knit with #5 dpns and TLC Baby Sport, should fit a newborn.

Cast on 72 sts (16-20-16-20) and work 2 1/2" in k2p2 rib in the round. This pattern is a multiple of 6, and now you need to shift your stitches to (18-18-18-18).

Rnd1 *k2, p1, yo, k2tbl, p1*
Rnd2 *k2, p1*
Rnd3 *k2, p1, k2tog, yo, p1*
Rnd4 *k2, p1*

Knit in pattern until it measures about 5 1/2". I knit 20 rounds, and began my decreases after Rnd4.

Rnd1 *k2, p1, k2tbl, p1*
Rnd2 *k2, p1, k1, p1*
Rnd3 *k2, k2tog, p1*
Rnd4 *k1, k2tog, p1*
Rnd5 *k2, p1* (shift sts so each needle begins w/a purl st.)
Rnd6 *k2tog, k1*
Rnd7 *k2tog*

When you have 9 sts, finish off.

Today I delivered another 2 dozen hats to a local hospital. I'm a bit late with these, my summer has been stressful to the point where knitting hasn't been much fun. Life is easing up now, and I'll have to hustle to get 3 dozen done by the end of the year. Hockey season starts soon, and I knit most of my hats watching the Red Wings on tv. I can knit 2 hats in 3 games, not too bad.

Last time I delivered hats, I learned that they are a bit short sometimes in the winter - they lose many retired knitters when they head south. It's getting time to start on Christmas knitting for my family, too. Tatt3r's knitting needles will be heating up soon!

Baby Hat in Little Basketweave

Knit with #5 dpns and TLC Baby Sport, this hat fits a newborn.

Cast on 72 sts (16-20-16-20) and work 2 1/2" in k2p2 rib. This pattern is a multiple of 6, and now you need to shift your stitches to (18-18-18-18).

Rnd1&2 *k2, p4*
Rnd3&4 *k2, p1*

Repeat for 18 rounds, you should be about 5" from the beginning. Move your stitches so there are 4 purl sts at the beginning of each dpn.

Decreases:
Rnd1 *p1, p2tog, p1, k2*
Rnd2 *p1, p2tog, k2*
Rnd3 *p1, k2tog, k1*
Rnd4 *p1, k2*
Rnd5 *k2tog, k1*
Rnd6 *k2tog, k2*
Rnd7 *k2tog*

You should have 9 sts. You know what to do. You gonna make me write it out? Nah.

Baby Hat in Diagonal Eyelet Rib

I used TLC Baby, a sport weight yarn, and #5 dpns.

Cast on 72 sts, (16-16-16-24)
k2p2 rib for 2 1/2 ".

Rnd1 *k1, yo, skp, k3, p2*
Rnd2 *k6, p2*
Rnd3 *k2, yo, skp, k2, p2*
Rnd4 *k6, p2*
Rnd5 *k3, yo, skp, k1, p2*
Rnd6 *k6, p2*
Rnd7 *k4, yo, skp, p2*
Rnd8 *k6, p2*

Repeat Rnds 1-8 2x, begin decreasing at Rnd7 of the 3rd repeat of the pattern.
Rnd1 *k1, k2tog, k1, yo, skp, p2*
Rnd2 *k1, k2tog, k2, p2*
Rnd3 *k1, k2tog, k1, p2*
Rnd4 *k1, k2tog, p2*
Rnd5 *p1, k2tog, k1*
Rnd6 *k2tog, k1*
Rnd7 *k2tog*

Knitter's notes: skp = slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over; use a stretchy cast on. Twisted German Cast on is my preference. Knit ribbing 2.5", knit body of hat for at least 2.5", begin decreases. Pattern is written in the round, use dpns or circular needle and magic loop. My gauge is about 5spi, 7rpi. This hat will fit a newborn, stretches to about 12".

Thanks for the Hats!

I delivered baby hats about 6 weeks ago, and have not kept up the pace recently. I've been tatting, gardening and just living, and I set baby hats aside for a few evenings.

But I'm energized once again, because I got a Thank You in the mail today! It came at the right time, and I've been smiling all morning.

JoAnn had my favorite baby yarn on sale so Kaylee and I hopped in the truck and picked up some pink. (No blue, we'll have to go back next week and see if they've restocked).

When we returned, the mail had been delivered, and I had this wonderful note signed by all the nurses. Wow. I was overwhelmed to get some thanks from the nurses. I know, they probably sent the same thing out to everyone who knits hats, it's not just me. But I don't want to think of it that way. I want to believe they thinking of me and my hats when they signed the card.

Delivery Day

Today I'm delivering 2 dozen baby hats to my local hospital. Here they are, all clean and ready to go.

Don't think that babies don't need hats because it's warming up for summer. Newborns don't have the ability to regulate their body temps right away, and hats help them stay warm.

I'm planning to make another delivery in July or August. I'm knitting a doily for the county fair right now, and when that's done, I'll be back at the hats.


I knit this duduza doll and intended to give it to Bean. When it was done, I liked it so much I decided to keep it for awhile.

I made another one which was modeled after a troll in one of Bean's books, Three Billy Goats Gruff. I got two shades of purple, and made a duduza doll which closely resembled the storybook troll. It was fun, and Bean carried him around for a few days. I like the shape of that doll - it has no arms or legs to sew up. Simpler is always better in my book.

Dragon or Dino?

The pattern said Dragon, but I think it's a Dinosaur. It's for Bean, my grandson, and he won't care what it's called, he'll just make it growwwlllll.

The original was sport yarn, I used Red Heart Worsted. Knitting with #6 needles left a few gaps, you can see one by the eye. I should have either used #5s or a double strand of yarn, but by the time I realized that, I was not going to frog all that knitting.

The pattern has several mistakes and I had to grit my teeth and fudge some decreases. I finally relaxed about the whole thing when I told myself, "It's just a toy!" and so Bean will have a squishy toy from his grandma. The eyes are a bit creepy, but I like the crocheted shells up the spine. Pretty cool for a gal that can't crochet much.

Here's another project, a Duduza doll. I didn't want to knit a traditional teddy, with all those pieces, and all that sewing. I read about a charity that needed Duduza dolls and I thought I would try the pattern for Bean. Of course, I had to change the pattern just a bit. First, I decided to knit it in the round. I hate sewing seams, plus I'm not so good. Then I decided to get even fancier, and started off with a closed tube, double knitting. I added a few stitches to make the doll wider, then had to make it a bit longer to keep the proportions correct. I knit all evening, finally putting it away just before bedtime. All I need to do is find some brown variegated yarn for the hair and...Wait a minute.
As I drank my coffee this morning, I realized if I finish the hat/hair and decrease, I won't be able to stuff my doll! Wow, that was close! Knittin' Grandma had a senior moment last night, and only the gray dawn of morning saved her from a Serious Knittin' Goofup!
Now the plan is to stuff the doll, finish the head, stuff and then seam the arms/legs/neck/waist.
My Great-Nephew was born at the beginning of the month, and I'm getting his package ready to go. I have the Seamless Kimono, in sock yarn, a pair of booties from the leftovers, and a bright blue bib done in kitchen cotton.

Seamless Baby Kimono - Done!

The kimono is done, and I have about 32 grams left from my 100 gram skein! I could make 2 pairs of matching baby socks, I don't think a hat would be used much. I made 2 ties at the corners but am wondering if I need 2 more ties inside. Or maybe a button and a loop. It's pretty lightweight, and the fronts might not stay put.

I notice the seed stitch borders tend to flip around, too. I'll see if I can't gently block it before I send it off.

The kimono is a good size, bigger than the 6 month size I expected. The sleeves are 3/4 length, and that was intentional. I found a partial skein of Opal Petticoat in my stash that is delicate pink, yellow and white. I have enough to make another kimono for a girl that will arrive this summer. I'm going to stop at the dime store tomorrow and find some #4 circs for that sweater. I think I'd prefer a firmer knit for the next one. #5s are just too big.

Seamless Baby Kimono in Sock Yarn

I'm expecting to be a great aunt this month, and I guess I'd better pick up this little sweater again. I have had this skein of Regia Cotton Surf for years - it's so old it weighs 100 grams instead of 50. I've tried to make a scarf or socks with it several times, and each time I frogged it. There's something about the colors I don't like, but it will be fine for a baby boy.
My nephew lives in Georgia, and the weather is hot in the summer. I thought a light weight kimono would be useful for a summer cover up anywhere the A/C is too cold. I find it hard to imagine too much A/C, but I don't live in the South.

I'm using the Seamless Baby Kimono from the Complete Fabrication blog. It's really just a top-down raglan sweater with surplice fronts. The original pattern is written for 8ply, so I've had to make some modifications for my little sweater. I'm using #5s with sock yarn, which is almost too big, but the resulting knit fabric is soft and light. I'm getting about 6 sts per inch, and I decided I wanted a 6 month size sweater, and 112 sts for the body.

I saw her kimono had 100 sts for the body, and so I multiplied everything by 112% to get my numbers. So far it looks pretty good, even a bit larger than I expected.

I also am keeping 3 stitches in garter for the front border, and it's nice and stretchy. I finished the yoke and put the sleeves on scrap yarn; my skein has 70 grams left. I should be able to finish the sweater, and maybe even a pair of little socks!

More Baby Hats

Two dozen baby hats delivered to the local hospital yesterday. Here they are all clean and ready to be folded and bagged. Most of them were k2p2 rib this time. They look tiny and plain, but there's a lot of stretch there. It's cold in this part of the world, and all babies need hats. Come to think of it, even big babies need hats in this weather. I knit a new one for myself, and maybe J. will take a picture of me wearing it. I put a new pattern on tatt3r's geocities site, with 6 ribbed baby hats. The decreases have all been tweaked and tested so they make a pretty good looking hat, IMO. Here's the pattern

Socks for me, and a picture I forgot

I forgot to upload the picture of my Christmas knitting. I was asked to knit a pair of slippers - 2 strands of worsted weight acrylic and #8 dpns. My wrists survived, and I tackled another pair. It seemed that my knitting mojo was on its way back, so I knit 2 pairs of wristers and 2 hats. Then I added 2 pairs of booties and 3 bibs, and it was all done in time for the holiday!
Now I've power-knit a pair of birthday socks, and am taking it easy on a pair of socks for me. My sock drawer needs some refreshing, a new pair of warm, toasty socks will cheer up my toes.



The Knit Picks tweed is very soft, and my k2p2 instep doesn't pull in the way it did for the Opal birthday socks. As I knit, I am thinking of stopping the rib after the heels, and working the cuffs in plain stockinette. I don't care if the cuffs are a little slouchy, but I like my sock to have a good fit inside my shoe. If the rib doesn't work in this yarn, why bother? It would look strange if I stopped in the middle of the foot, but I think I could live with a pair of socks that had plain cuffs and ribbed feet. We'll see.
Baby hats #22 and #23 are tucked in the side of the picture. I've got #24 OTN, should finish it today, wash the load on Monday and deliver the batch sometime this next week. I think of 24 warm babies and I smile. It's good to be knitting again.

Cabin Fever!

As you can see, I'm not going anywhere today. Lake effect snow has edged further inland today, and I feel like I'm living in a snow globe.

Cabin Fever is a state of mind that knows no logic. If the roads were clear and dry, I would be content to stay at home, doing my normal Sunday stuff. But I can't go anywhere, and suddenly I have this intense urge to go somewhere or do anything. Anything away from the house.

I'm done with Christmas knitting. I kept my gift knitting to a minimum and managed to surprise myself with a nice variety of knitted warm stuff for my family. I took a picture, but won't post till after we have our Christmas get together. Sometime in February, when the roads clear up.

I've moved on to knitting for babies, and I aim to make a delivery to the hospital in mid-January. I have just over a dozen ready to go, and maybe I can make it 2 dozen.

They say that the hats for newborns should fit over a medium grapefruit, and preemies are closer to oranges. I happened to have some beautiful ruby red grapefruit from Texas (Thanks, Mom!) and so I thought I would check out the hats.

Yup. They fit alright. Don't worry, I'll wash the hats before they go to the hospital.

Bean and the 5 hour baby sweater

The red 5 hour baby sweater fits Bean just perfectly. He's also wearing the red earflap hat that I made to match. It should fit through most of the winter. Don't you love those two little teeth and the big, gooey baby smile?

Another picture of Bean, just because I wish I were at Diametrag's house to give him a hug.

We got lake effect snow on Friday, and today a clipper system is dumping more snow. This vivid pink schlum finally opened yesterday, and it is a welcome spot of color this gray and snowy weekend.

Earflap Hat for Bean

Here's another shot of the earflap hat in action. Yeah, the hat fits just fine, just a little room to spare. It will keep my little Travelin' Man warm in the car during the cold winter mornings.

He's almost 9 months old now, and a little suspicious of strangers. He warmed up quickly and shamelessly mugged for the camera. He's pulling himself to stand, sitting down (not falling down) when he's tired, and is an absolute speed demon when he wants to get somewhere in a hurry. He loves his Grandpa J, who reads him story after story. J has a history of scaring every little kid he meets, but Bean never flinches.

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner at Diametrag's house; good food, great family, lots of love to share.

Hat for Bean and Schlumbergera blooms

I finished an earflap hat for Bean, it looks like a good fit to me. The booties are huge, but I'm taking them along anyway. We'll at least try them on and see how close they are. I used Woolease and #8s. The pair I made with #5s was almost too small. I should have dug a bit deeper and found my 7s, but I use them so rarely they are deep in a pile somewhere.

I used a pattern for an earflap hat I found on a blog. It's for dk weight, and I used the smallest size, Woolease and #8s. I feel confident the hat will fit, at least for the weekend.


Two more Thanksgiving Cactus opened this morning. I picked up the red one last year, and nursed it through the summer. It is a beautiful, true red, with a prominent white throat. This picture doesn't show the throat because I like the side view of these blossoms so much.

I picked up the yellow one this weekend, and the first blossom is now fully open. I was looking over the display of plants; pink, white, and orange. Then I saw this one, the only yellow one. I darted around a man who was holding a pink one and looked very undecided. I snatched the yellow from the table, "This one is coming home with me" I said. He put the pink one down and finally decided on an orange one. You snooze, you lose, especially when there's a yellow houseplant involved.

5 Hour Baby Sweater for Bean

I finished the second sleeve yesterday, I need to pick up some buttons this morning. Bean is only 8 months old and this sweater looks huge to me. The chest is 22" and the sleeves and body are about 7". I'll see how it fits Thanksgiving Day. Maybe he'll be able to wear it to preschool.

I have another full skein and I plan to get matching hat and booties done before Thanksgiving. The weather has finally turned and Bean needs warm nose and toes!

5 hour baby sweater and more

I finished the body of Bean's 5 hour baby sweater. The yoke looks small to me, but it may even out when I pick up the stitches for the sleeves. Bean may end up wearing this to preschool! I must admit I may have overestimated his length.
I figure I must have at least 6 or 8 hours into the sweater, but I'm not keeping close track. I can knit longer and longer before my fingers get numb, almost up to an hour at a time. I hope that next July I won't have any limitations.

Here's Bean! All dressed up and ready for his first Halloween.
He's almost walking and is determined to do it sooner rather than later. See the booboo on his forehead? Bean falls down, but it doesn't stop him for long.

Last I must show a picture of my newest Thanksgiving Cactus. I was at the grocery store where a small collection of schlums greeted me as I entered. They were all the same, a pretty rose-red with white streaks on each petal. I found a tag which gives the name Maruska. Remember the Addams family movie where Gomez dances the Marushka? The memory made me smile, so Maruska came home with me.

5 Hour Baby Sweater - for Bean

I finished the yoke in Bean's 5 hour baby sweater. The sleeve stitches are on strands of scrap yarn, and I'm working slowly down the body of the sweater.

Now that I've seen Bean recently, I have my doubts that this will fit him for any length of time. It's only 21" around the chest, and the yoke is 6" at most.

I like the seed stitch that overlaps in the front; it will go over Bean's head and I won't have to mess with the knitted or crocheted button bands of a cardigan. I could have put a 4th reverse stockinette ridge, but I didn't know how many more rows I wanted to knit before dividing the stitches.