That Favorite Toddler & Baby Winter Hat

Here's the updated pattern for That Favorite Winter Hat that I originally made for adults.  I've written a size for babies and toddlers.  Enjoy!  This is a very quick knit and is perfect for holiday gifts -- especially if you need to make something super fast.  

Gauge
 4 stitches and 7 rows = 2 inches


Size
Baby (Toddler)


Materials

• 1 Skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn (or another Super Bulky Yarn) -- 6 oz./170g (106 yd/97 m)
• 4 US 13 (9.0 mm) DPNs -- I did the whole hat on DPNs but it you want to start on a circular needle and switch to DPNs, feel free!
• 1 Stitch Marker
• Yarn Needle

Directions
CO 36 (40) STS and join in the round (being careful not to twist the yarn) with a stitch marker to note the beginning/end of row

Row 1: P  
Row 2: K
Continue K rows until hat measures 5(6) inches from bottom (or as long as you need to make it to fit)
If using circular needles, switch to DPNs now.  Start decreasing for top of hat as follows:

• (K2, K2TOG) to end
• K
• (K1, K2TOG) to end
• K
• (K2TOG) to end
• K 

 Using a yarn needle, draw yarn up through the remaining stitches. Pull tightly. Sew in loose ends.

Abbreviations

• CO = Cast On
• DPNs = Double Pointed Needles
• K = Knit
• P = Purl 
• K2TOG = Knit 2 Together

A Perry Ellis Knitted Knock-Off from Grandma!

While we were home for Thanksgiving, my mother set aside some old baby clothes of mine that she found while organizing her basement storage room.  You never know what may come out of these boxes, but I was pleasantly surprised to find an old Perry Ellis knock-off sweater that my Grandmother knitted for me back in the early 80's.  My Grandmother is very much "in the know" as far as fashion goes (who gets fashion advice from their grandmother!?!?  I do!) and had her own women's clothing store, Cookie M, in Cleveland back in the day.  She had this Perry Ellis sweater for herself and wanted to make me one as well.  While at home for Thanksgiving, I was even able to come across an old picture of me modeling the sweater.  Very fun to know that knitting runs in the family!

My Favorite Little Girl Knitted Cardigan

It's finally finished!  I just put the buttons on what is now my favorite little girl knitted cardigan that Madeleine has already proudly modeled.  I've had the idea for this cardigan in my head for a while and put my knitting needles together over the past couple of weeks and just completed it.  I've been so thankful for all of the help with my little ones while we've been back in Ohio for Thanksgiving.... It's been such a treat to be able to get some knitting done and relax.  I'll hopefully have the pattern for sale shortly so stay tuned....

 

A Little Bit of Thanksgiving

There's so much to be thankful for!  I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving with friends and family......

 

Happy Thanksgiving & May the Force Be With You

I caught a few pics of my son in his Star Wars shirt at my parents' front door today with their Golden Retriever.  I just couldn't resist sharing these.  Happy Thanksgiving and May the Force Be With You!

It's Beginning to Look Like Thanksgiving...

We're back in Ohio for Thanksgiving and my mom always has lots of fun festive things around the house.... I just had to capture a few to share..... more to come as we get closer to Thanksgiving!

That Favorite Winter Hat Pattern

 I came up with a quick pattern for a super warm winter hat that will soon become your favorite!  I knitted it during nap time last week (yes, I had one day last week when both the kids were napping at the same time) so it's definitely very doable in an afternoon. It's simple and easy, so try it out.  The pattern is written to fit an adult with a child size coming shortly....And yes, I took these pictures myself (sorry).
  
Gauge
4 stitches and 7 rows = 2 inches

Materials

• 1 skein Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick super bulky yarn (1 skein = 6 oz/170g, 106 yd/97m)
• 4 US 13 (9.0 mm) DPNs -- I did the whole hat on DPNs but it you want to start on a circular needle and switch to DPNs, feel free!
• 1 Stitch Marker
• Yarn Needle
  

Directions
CO 44 STS and join in the round (being careful not to twist the yarn) with a stitch marker to note the beginning/end of row

Row 1: P  
Row 2: K
Continue K rows until hat measures 7 inches from bottom (or as long as you need to make it to fit)
If using circular needles, switch to DPNs now.  Start decreasing for top of hat as follows:

• (K2, K2TOG) to end
• K
• (K1, K2TOG) to end
• K
• (K2TOG) to end
• K 

 Using a yarn needle, draw yarn up through the remaining stitches. Pull tightly. Sew in loose ends.

  
Abbreviations

• CO = Cast On
• DPNs = Double Pointed Needles
• K = Knit
• P = Purl 
• K2TOG = Knit 2 Together 

A Surprise Parade

We decided to make a trip downtown this afternoon to hang out and totally forgot that it was the weekend before Thanksgiving.... which means it was the day of the Magnificent Mile Parade of Lights.  We decided to jump in and join the festivities, even though we were certainly hesitant with two young kids in a very large stroller amongst a huge crowd of Chicagoans.  We fought our way through to get our own piece of real estate on Michigan Ave. to watch the parade -- Conor and Madeleine's first real parade!  Well worth it.....

A Handmade Thanksgiving: Easy Crocheted Napkin Rings

Napkin rings are things that I never think about -- yes, I admit I don't have fancy dinners at my house all that often.  But while thinking about Thanksgiving and coming across some craft twine in the back of the craft closet, I came up with the idea of making an outrageously easy napkin ring perfect for Thanksgiving.... Something  that would look earthy and rustic, that could be dressed up or down.  If you want to try crocheting, this would be the perfect first project!

Materials

• Crochet Hook Size N (10mm)
• Craft Twine -- one rings uses about 3.3 yards

Directions

• CH 10, join in the round with a SL ST to first CH, CH 1
• Row 1: SC in each CH so that there are 9 SCs, Join to first CH 1 with a SL ST, CH 1
• Row 2: SC in each SC so that there are 9 SCs, Join to first CH 1 with a SL ST, pull twine through to finish off.  Weave in ends.

Abbreviations

• CH = Chain
• SL ST = Slip Stitch
• SC = Single Crochet

Cozy Kiddo Cardigan

We're loving this cozy kiddo cardigan!  I finally finished a top-down seamless raglan pattern that knits up super quickly and is perfect for those cold winter days for your little kiddos.  The pattern is simple and fun and is the perfect gift when you need to make something quickly.  We've been using is this as a jacket as well since it's super bulky.  

Materials

Size US 13 (9mm) 24” Circular Knitting Needles

4 Size US 13 (9mm) DPNs 

2 Skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Super Bulky Yarn

4 Stitch Markers

Scrap Yarn

4 Buttons

Sizes
12 mos (2, 4) years
Chest circumference 21”, 23", 25”

Gauge
4 STS and 6.5 rows = 2 inches

Dressing the Dress Up

So I accidentally washed the flower pin that came attached to one of Madeleine's dresses.... and it just didn't survive. She really wanted to wear the dress to school yesterday and I remembered that I crocheted some flowers to go on a pillow that I never finished, so I quickly sewed on a pink button to one of the flowers and attached it to a pin.... and we were only a few minutes late to school!  Here's the result....

3 Button Crochet Cowl Pattern

It's definitely that time of year when all I want to do is wear comfy cowls!  I took hook to yarn this week and came up with a quick cowl pattern that was buttoned so it could be taken on and off without having to pull it over my head so that when I actually dry my hair and look like I took more than 10 seconds to brush my hair, I won't mess it up!  The open pattern allows the buttons to go through anywhere, so this cowl can be worn so many different ways.  The finished size measures approximately 12 inches wide and 28 inches long.

Materials

Size US 11 (8mm) crochet hook

2 Skeins Caron Simply Soft Yarn or any other worsted weight yarn (these skeins are 6 oz., 170g, 315 yards)

Gauge
While gauge isn’t too critical for this type of garment, approximate gauge is 5 rows = 2.5 inches and 10 HDCs = 4.5 inches

Fall Sunday at the Beach

We had a fun fall afternoon at the beach and playground.  A little bit of sand in our shoes and rides on the swing made our weekend complete.  It looks like winter is just around the corner in the pictures, even though it was close to 60 degrees outside!