Big Knit Pillow

I had never really thought of knitting a pillow before but the idea came to me when I was thinking about what I could make for a photographer friend who has been taking our family photos as a favor.  I wanted to make him something that could be used in his studio as a prop.  I liked the idea of knitting a pouf but those are more of a seat and he photographs a lot of babies so I thought a giant pillow would be better to let the babies climb on.  I liked the idea of a chunky knit to provide texture to the photos and I also had to consider a neutral color that would be able to go with almost anything. I didn't want to do an intricate pattern that might come off as too masculine or mature.  I like to get creative and funky with my knits but I had to consider the purpose of this pillow and it had to be something that everyone could like. I chose Montana Super Bulky yarn in color 011.  This yarn is 100% unprocessed wool roving and the natural colors are created by the sheep's own coats.

You will need:
3 skeins of Super Bulky yarn
Size 19 straight knitting needles
24"x 24" pillow
1 square yard fabric
yarn needle
sewing needle
thread to match fabric
straight pins

Gauge= 3 stitches per inch

Pattern:
CO 74
K2, P2 for 62 rows
BO

Fold the knit in half and sew 2 sides together with the bulky yarn.  Set this pouch aside until the fabric pillow case is complete.

Fold the fabric in half so the part that will be on the outside is inside.  Sew one of the sides and then stuff the pillow in the corner you have created.  Making sure the fabric isn't pulled tight, pin the opposite side from the seam you just sewed.  Remove the pillow and sew the seam you just pinned.  You should now have a pouch for the pillow.  Stuff the pillow into the pouch, fold each of the open flaps inward and sew them together.

I find sewing to be quite tedious and it really just isn't my thing. However, I hand sewed this pillow case and it only took about 30 minutes to complete even though my sewing skills are mediocre at best.  You don't have to have perfect seams or stitches since you will hardly see this case from the outside.  Hints of the fabric will show through the chunky knit but the details of the seams will not be visible.

Now you will stuff the pillow into the knitted pouch, taking care to fit the pillow snug into the corners of the knit and also ensuring that the knit is evenly stretched over the pillow.  Using yarn sew the opening closed and your pillow is complete! This pattern is very simple and the pillow came out beautiful.

Copywrite Material: This pattern may be used to make gifts or donations but you cannot sell items made from this pattern.  You cannot sell this pattern.  This pattern cannot be reproduced, rewritten, or reposted anywhere.  Feel free to link to this pattern if you would like to share it. Happy knitting!

Ravyn Bomber

Ravyn is my best friend's daughter and she turned 10 years old this month.  I asked her what kind of hat she wanted me to make for her birthday and so this hat was designed by her.  She loves purple and black and wanted a bomber hat with long braids and owl buttons.  I found these owl buttons on etsy and they are perfect for the hat.  The hat looks so cute on her!

Ravyn Youth Bomber


You will need:
2 colors of worsted weight yarn
Size 9 circular needles
Size 9 double pointed needles
Size G crochet hook
two buttons
darning needle

Ear flaps (make 2 using main color) 
Use size 9 dpn

CO 3 stitches
K1, MK1R, K1, MK1L, K1
Purl across row
K1, MK1R, K to last stitch, MK1L, K1
Purl across row
Continue with this pattern until there are 19 stitches on the needle

Main hat
Use Size 9 circular needles

CO 11 stitches, K across 19 stitches from ear flap, CO 20 stitches, K across 19 stitches from other ear flap, CO 11 (You should have a total of 80 stitches)

Join in the round and use a stitch marker to mark the start of the round.
Knit 10 rows in main color
Knit 2 rows in contrast color (Don't worry if there are color jogs.  The bomber flap covers this seam!)
Knit in main color again until the main hat (not including ear flaps) measures 12 cm

Decrease rows for the crown of the hat


[K8, K2tog] repeat until end of round
Knit across
[K7, K2tog] repeat until end of round
Knit across
[K6, K2tog] repeat until end of round
Continue in this pattern until the last row is K2tog for the round
Using a darning needle sew yarn through the last stitches, tie knot and weave in all loose ends

Finishing


Hat trim:  With the size G crochet hook, single crochet from ear flap to ear flap so that you end where you         started.

Bomber flap: Using the 22 stitches on the front side of the hat (the side with the stitch marker), double crochet across the row, turn and double crochet back.  Continue rows of double crochet until the bomber flap measures approx 8 cm.

Bomber flap trim: Slip stitch into the first stitch of the bomber flap then [CH3, slip stitch] up the side of the flap.  From the top corner [CH3, skip stitch, slip stitch] across the top of the flap.  Finish the other side by [CH3, slip stitch] down the other side.

Buttons:  Sew buttons to the top corners of the bomber flap to affix it to the hat.

Braids:  Cut 12 strands of each color of yarn 80 cm (24 strands total).  You will use 6 strands of each color for each ear flap.  Using the darning needle, thread the 6 strands of each color through the end of the ear flap. Divide the yarn into three sections.  There should be 4 strands of each color in each of the three sections.  Braid to the bottom.  Using a piece of main color yarn around 20 cm tie a knot at the bottom of the braid and wrap the excess yarn around.  When there is only a bit left tie a triple knot and use your crochet hook to pull the knot to the back of the wrapped area and put the ends in with the tassel at the end of the braid.  When both braids are done, trim them so they are even.

Here are some pictures of my son Sage, who is two years old (it's a bit big on him) wearing the hat and also Ravyn rockin her new bomber! Happy 10th birthday Ray!

Copywrite Material: This pattern may be used to make gifts or donations but you cannot sell items made from this pattern.  You cannot sell this pattern.  This pattern cannot be reproduced, rewritten, or reposted anywhere.  Feel free to link to this pattern if you would like to share it. Happy knitting! 

Fusion First Bomber Hat

My best friend's daughter and my daughter were born a week apart. How cool is that?!?! Naturally I wanted to make her something fabulous for her first birthday. I really wanted her to have some OG knits from yours truly. So I freestyled a hat for her. It is a fusion first! I wanted it to be kind of like a bomber hat. I decided the body of the hat would be knit and the trim and front flap (which is what makes it BOMBer) would be crochet and BAM! Fusion! Get it. Fusion. Eh hem. Okay. Now that I've established myself as a freestyle fusion yarn charmer, I am pleased to share this pattern! The hat is available in 4 sizes. I made the toddler size for my friend's daughter. It is a tad bit big but will fit her for at least another year. I hope you love it! Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the hat or if you see any errors in the pattern as this is the first pattern I have written.

Fusion First Bomber Hat

You will need:

Size 8 double pointed needles

Size 7 circular 16 inch needles

Size G crochet hook

Yarn needle

2 skeins of medium worsted weight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice)

Stitch marker

At least 2 buttons

Sizes:

0-6 months

6-12 months

Toddler (ages 1-2 years)

Youth small (ages 3-5 years)

Earflaps (make 2 using size 8 dpn):

Cast on 3 stitches

Row 1 (and all odd rows): K1, mk1R, K to last stitch, mk1L, K1

Row 2 (and all even rows): K1, P to last sticth, K1

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have 15 (17, 21,23) stitches

End on a purl row

Switch to size 7 circular needles for the main hat:

Using a knitted cast on CO 9 (10, 12, 13), k across 15 (17, 21, 23) from the ear flap on dpn, CO 16 (18, 22, 26), k across 15 (17, 21, 23) from other ear flap, CO 9 (10, 12, 13). You should now have a total of 64 (72, 88, 98) stitches on the circular needles.

Join in the round, place marker, and taking care not to twist your stitches, knit in stockinette stitch for 8.5 (10, 11, 12.5) cm. If you'd like you can add a stripe after 3.5 cm. It doesn't even need to be jogless because the bomber flap will cover the seam. For the toddler size hat only: On the last row, K1, mk1R, k to last sticth, mk1L, K1. For the youth size hat only: On the last row, K1, k2tog, knit to 3rd to last stitch, k2tog, k1.

Decrease rows:

[K 6 (7, 8, 10), k2tog] for the entire row

Knit across

[K 5 (6, 7, 9), k2tog] for the entire row

Knit across

[K 4 (5, 6, 8), k2tog] for the entire row

Knit across

[K 3 (4, 5, 7), k2tog] for the entire row

Knit across

[K 2 (3, 4, 6), k2tog] for the entire row

Knit across

Continue with this pattern until the row in which you k2tog for the entire row.

Using a yarn needle, sew the remaining stitches together. Weave in any loose ends.

Using size G crochet hook, single crochet the trim of the hat starting at the point on the earflap.

Using size G crochet hook, single crochet across the 18 (20, 24, 26) stitches between earflaps on the side with the stitch marker. Single crochet rows back and forth until the flap measures 7 (8.5, 9.5, 11) cm.

Sew flap to hat by attaching buttons in each of the upper corners.

For braids:

Cut 12 pieces of yarn of each color 65 cm each. Sew 6 pieces of each color through the ends of the earflaps (each strand will be folded in half with the middle at the earflap). Divide the yarn into 3 sections. Each section should have 2 strands of each color. Braid the 3 sections. When you get to the bottom, tie the braid with a knot and wrap the yarn around a few times. Triple knot and then use your crochet hook to pull the yarn from the knot behind the binding and in with the tassle left at the bottom of the braid. Trim the ends of the braids with scissors.

Copywrite Material: This pattern may be used to make gifts or donations but you cannot sell items made from this pattern.  You cannot sell this pattern.  This pattern cannot be reproduced, rewritten, or reposted anywhere.  Feel free to link to this pattern if you would like to share it. Happy knitting! 

Hello Dolly!

My daughter, Ada, is going to be turning 1 at the end of the month. Since it was because of her that I really got into knitting, I wanted to make her something special. Initially I thought of making her a dress but then I thought of how quickly she grew out of her ear flap hat and the dress seemed like it wouldn't be worth the work until she can wear a size for more than 2 months. So I decided it would be best to make her some sort of stuffed animal that she'd be able to love forever and forever. I really wanted to make a doll so I started the search for the perfect doll. It was only after about an hour of digging through Google images when I saw her. She really was the most amazing hand made doll I've ever seen and I instantly knew I was going to make her. I pulled up the pattern and realized that she was a crocheted amigurumi doll. Crap. I don't know how to crochet. The only thing I ever crocheted was a flower and I had to restart the video a million times. I went back and forth. Should I take it on? Can I get it done before her birthday? I decided to do it and I am so glad I did. While it was definitely a lot of work, the actual crochet part was not very difficult. I finished it in plenty of time and she absolutely loves it. It is a great pattern and I will make more dolls based on this pattern. The pattern is available here for free from Stitch.

Hood Hats

Ada has already outgrown her ear flap hat and I found a super cute pattern for a hood type hat. I made two of them. One for me and one for her. I used different yarn so they don't match but I don't think I'm the type to get all matchy matchy with my kids. I LOVE this pattern. It is easy easy peasy and would be a great beginner pattern to try for those intimidated by hats or knitting in the round. The majority of the hat is knit on straight needles and the back joins in the round with simple decreases. The pattern, called Capucine, is available here free for download via Ravelry.

This hat is easily knit in a few hours. Give it a shot!

Slippers

The French Press Felted Slippers are a treat for feet! I made 5 pairs to give as gifts for Christmas and they were a hit. The whole process of making these slippers was really fun and they are so fast to make. The pattern is available here from Ravelry.

Go forth and make them for someone you love!