A declaration

I solemnly swear, and hereby declare that 2008 is the year of knitting for me…

I have very few projects to show for items I’ve knit myself.. the majority of which are dishcloths and scarves.. and those are mostly novelty yarn knits when I first was introduced to the novelty yarns by my old knitting group a few years ago.  My knitting has branched significantly… and I can’t wait to knit some things up for myself this year.

First up… I’ll highly SKILLS I want to work on (in no particular order)

1. Entrelac
2. Fair Isle
3. Intarsia
4. Lace
5. Socks (which I’ll probably start with)

And now that I can access the Winter Knitty (yesterday I seemed to get online the same time the rest of the knitting world decided too and kept getting shut out.. the HORRORS!)

Here are some things that will be on my list:

Ice Queen,  Quant, Tudora, Justify (I think this is my favorite one in this issue), Dahlia, Ok, I can’t get by without knitting something for my kids too.. and Toasty is up there, but I promise it’s going to look like their favorite animal of late,  a Penguin…

Come on 2008… just get here..

Dogs on Thursday

I’ve been hunting for these two photos.. (soft copy that is).. but have been completely unsuccessful, therefore… a photograph of the photos from the scrapbook…

I give you Christmas memories

And Murphy during this year’s Christmas tree decorating…

**Note the aging Murphy’s gone through in the las 3-4 years… that’s how old the scrapbook picture is… and I am shocked at how much white has spread to around his eyes…  my little old man!

New Pattern, Child’s Snowman Hat

Snowman Hat

Materials:
1 skein Patons Shetland Chunky in Aran or white colorway
scant orange yarn
1 set of 5 Double pointed needles, size 8
Needles (16” circular or straight) size 8
Large-eye blunt needle
Black sewing thread and buttons of various sizes
Stitch Markers *if worked in the round

Gauge: = 16 sts + 28 rows 4”x4” in st st on size 8 needles

Sizes 2-3T, child 3-7, child 8-10
Pattern is written for smallest size with larger sizes in parentheses. If only one number is given it applies to all sizes. This pattern can also be worked in the round. To work in the round, place a marker at the beginning of the round, working until needing to switch to dpns. When switching divide sts evenly on needles continuing to mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker.

CO - Cast On
BO – Bind off
St st – Stockinette Stitch
K2tog – Knit two together
P2tog – Purl two together
RS – Right side
WS – Wrong Side

Instructions
CO 66 (74, 7 sts. Knit 8 rows, then work in st st for 26 (28, 30) rows.

Shape Top
Row 1 (RS) *k4, k2tog; rep from * 10 (11, 12) more times, end k4 (3, 0) – 59 (63, 65) sts.
Row 2, 4, and 6 Purl
Row 3 *k3, k2tog; rep from * 10 (11, 12) more times, end k4 (3, 0) – 48 (51, 52) sts.
Row 5 *k2, k2tog; rep from * 11 (11, 12) more times, end k0 (3, 0) – 36 (39, 39) sts.
Row 7 *k2tog; rep from * 17 (18, 1 more times, end k0 (2, 2) – 18 (20, 20) sts.
Row 8 *p2tog; rep from * 8 (9, 9 ) more times, – 9 (10, 10) sts
Row 9 *k2 tog; rep from * 3 (4, 4) more times, end k1 (0, 0) – 4 (5, 5) sts
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing seam. With large-eyed blunt needle, thread tail through remaining sts on needle. Pull tightly and secure. Sew back seam. Weave in ends.

Carrot Nose
Using 2 dpns, CO 8 sts
Work in icord for 3 rows
In next row decrease 2 sts as follows: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2 tog, k1
Knit one or two rows and decrease again as indicated above. Continue decreasing until 3 sts remain and carrot has your desired length. BO 3 sts. Thread yarn through center of carrot with a tapestry needle. Attach to hat with a whip stitch in desired nose location.

Add button eyes and mouth in button sizes you desire with sewing thread and needle.

Enjoy the cute snowman hat on your child and the compliments on such a cute hat!

**Note** I have knit several of these hats, and my two most recent I added ear flaps for the 2-3 toddler size.  I will be adding this to two more hats and will note that part of the instructions and update this post.