Tiny Baby Hat

I made a tiny hat for you. Well, I suppose it's not for you exactly, but perhaps someone you know is having a baby? Perhaps you haven't been able to figure out the perfect gift to knit before that baby shower this weekend? Well, here I come to save the day!

Knit with Classic Elite Sprout, this little hat is pure organic cotton and sized for a brand new baby. It's perfect for our on again off again sunshine and rain, and it takes about 2 hours to knit. While my husband did comment on how my color choice makes the hat resemble a breast, I would argue that this makes it even more perfect for a newborn. If you wish to avoid that, a different color choice would be in order.

The only thing that might scare you off is that the whole thing is knit on double pointed needles. But wait! I have a little trick that makes it easy to get started. Plus, it's tiny, so there really isn't that much to complain about.

So, here's my trick. Knit a row straight before you join the whole thing on the double pointed needles. Then, you have a whole row of established knitting to work with so you can see where everything belongs. I find that this helps prevent twisting and makes it much easier to get started on the double points. Check it out.

First, cast on your stitches with a straight or circular needle.

Second, knit one row without joining.
Third, transfer the stitches from the straight needle to four of the double pointed needles. (Cup of coffee and crayon-enhanced table are optional.)

Finally, join in the round as you normally would.

Ta da! I use this method when I am casting onto double points for sleeves, too. I also like to do it when I am casting on a lot of stitches to help me join without twisting. It leaves you with a tiny one-row seam to close up at your cast on, but you were going to weave that in anyway.

I had hoped to have Dylan model for us, but she is a very busy newborn. As soon as I get my hands on her, though, I will get a photo for you. I made this same hat in Lumpy Bumpy when my baby was born. We have a few skeins of this fabulous wool left at the shop, and we will definitely be getting more in the fall. I promise to remind you of this hat then.

I skipped the i-cord on this version and just pulled the end through. The big fluffy bit of the Lumpy Bumpy just had to be left natural.

Here's the patten for you all. Go crank some out for back-up baby shower gifts!

Close Knit Tiny Baby Hat
by Leah Bandstra

Yarn: 1 skein Classic Elite Sprout (#4385 Dreamsicle)
Needles: US8 double pointed needles, US8 straight or circular needles (optional)

Other: Stitch markers, yarn needle
Finished Size: 13" around, about 5.5” tall
Gauge: 3.5 sts/in in stockinette

Instructions:
Cast on 48 stitches with your straight or circular needle.

Knit 1 row straight (without joining in the round). This extra row makes it MUCH easier to join in the round on the double pointed needles.

Slip stitches to four of your dpns, place marker for the beginning of the round, and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Purl 1 round.

Knit every round until you have about 3” from the cast on. At some point in here, you should place a marker every 8 stitches. It helps if your beginning-of-the-round marker looks different from the others.

*K to 2 stitches before the marker, K2tog. Repeat this all the way around the round.

K 1 round even.*

Repeat between the *s until you have 2 stitches left between your markers.

K2tog around the round, removing the markers as you come to them. You should have 6 stitches.

K2tog around again, so you have 3 stitches left.

Slide these stitches onto 1 dpn and work a few rounds of I-cord (I did 3). You can skip the i-cord if you don’t want the nipple effect on the top.

K3tog, and pull your yarn through. Weave in your ends, using the tail from your cast on to close up the little seam at the brim of the hat.

Find cute baby and gift hat.

Because we love you...

Beautiful weather lately, huh? I certainly won't complain about the sun, but things tend to quiet down around the yarn shop this time of year. We have many beautiful summer projects and free patterns to share with you here and on our Close Knit Facebook page, from small felting projects (sneak peek above) to silk scarves to cotton hats. To encourage you all to keep knitting this spring and summer, we have some special surprises for you.

First, we are going to be giving away a ball winder and umbrella swift on May 31st, just like the ones we use in the shop. When you spend $100 or more (in one purchase) during the month of May, you will be entered into a raffle to win your very own set. You can even enter again when you spend another $100 in May! I know you love watching us wind your yarn for you, but wouldn't it be nice to have your own at home?

In case you miss the gray skies,
Ultra Alpaca Tonal in Fumar (aka Portland April Skies).

We will also be having some surprise sales this summer. Great discounts on short notice for you, our loyal Close Knitters. Want to be the first on your block to know about the sales? Stay tuned to the blog or our Facebook page where we'll be announcing sale details. If you create an account and follow us on Blogger, you'll receive notifications as soon as we make announcements.

We have been doing some rearranging and spring cleaning to keep things fresh as we move into the summer season. Head out on a walk or bike ride, enjoy the sun, and come by the shop to see what we have for you!

Style Style: Accessories

Are you all familiar with the Interweave Style Series? No? Well, let me tell you a bit about them.

Each book is packed with designs following a theme: scarves, lace, colorwork, bags, and so on. The projects in the books span a wide range of skill levels, yarn weights, techniques, and design styles. There are designs from so many well-known designers, including Veronik Avery, Leigh Radford, Annie Modesitt, Teva Durham, Norah Gaughan, Pam Allen, Ann Budd, Debbie Bliss...the list goes on and on.

Today it's all about accessories.

The first in the series, Scarf Style, was one of the first pattern books I ever purchased. I remember flipping through the pages, falling in love with so many designs and feeling very intimidated by others.

My very first lace project, Ene's Scarf in Silky Wool, came from this book.

Interlocking Balloons, from the amazing Shirley Paden, would be a wonderful gift for the man who shies away from the chunky handknit scarves, especially in the refined Sport Weight from Blue Sky Alpacas.

I adore the Backyard Leaves Scarf from Annie Modesitt. You knit two halves from the center to the tips and then graft them together for a seamless and symmetrical scarf. Perfect with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran or Dream in Color Classy.

The Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole enjoyed quite a bit of popularity a few years ago, and Noro Silk Garden was all the rage for this. While I can appreciate how the entrelac shows off the color changes of Noro, I think this would be equally cool in a solid.

I like this understated little Midwest Moonlight Scarf, too. A lot of Ravelers worked it in Silky Wool for a drapey delicate scarf. Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend would be lovely, too.

One of the best things about scarves and shawls is that you can often fudge the gauge a bit and still end up with something fabulous. This can also be true for bags.

Oh, Bag Style. I would have bought you solely for Laura Irwin's Formal Boot Bag. I love this bag. I made it for myself using Tahki Donegal Tweed, which knits and felts like a dream. In fact, I loved the felted bag so much, I couldn't bring myself to cover it with the bobble and button panel.

There are, however, other lovely bags in the book, too.

Veronik Avery's Zenith Carpet Bag is not for the faint of heart, but look at the professional finished product.

The Two-Tone Triangle Purse is just begging to be embellished with some needle felting.

I really like the use of a tweed yarn for colorwork in the Celtic Weekend Tote. This would be really cool in the Tahki Donegal Tweed or Debbie Bliss Chunky Tweed.

I hadn't really noticed this Chullo Pouch before, but I now I sort of feel compelled to make one. If you don't want to try all the colors, it would be great in a single color of Brown Sheep Burly Spun.

This whole series is good. If you want to make scarves for everyone you know, try your hand at a range of lace techniques, or just get some inspiration, these books are worth a look. They make great gifts for fellow knitters (or yourself). I'll show you some of the beautiful things from the other books next week.

Spring Arrivals

Exciting news for our Close Knit family! Melissa and her husband, Ryan, welcomed a most impressive project into the world last week, sweet baby girl Dylan. She arrived a few weeks early, and Melissa and her family are all doing very well. We can't wait to see her all decked out in her fabulous Mama-made outfits!

We have had a few arrivals at the shop, too, although they aren't nearly as cute as Dylan. Several boxes of Classic Elite Yarns were delivered this week, including my FAVORITE summer yarn to date, Firefly.

The linen/viscose blend has the perfect combination of shine and strength, and the knitted fabric has such a fabulous drape and sheen. I made this simple little Firefly Bias Scarf last summer using three balls. The sample is back up in the shop, and the free pattern can be found here.

I've mentioned a few of my favorite Firefly designs in the past, including the V-Yoke Cardigan from the Spring 2011 Interweave Knits (shown below), and the designs from the CEY Firefly booklet, Meadow (#9136).

Our stock of Sprout has grown, as well. It's hard to find a bulky cotton that isn't too dense, and this one is lofty, springy, and organic, too. At 3.5 stitches/inch, you could crank out a summer cardigan or a baby blanket in no time.

I'm working on a little baby hat in Sprout, so I'll have a free pattern for you soon. Maybe I can talk Dylan into modeling for me!

Huit...Now Douze

When I made this little item for myself last month, I wasn't sure if I'd really wear it. Once I had it finished, I found myself looking for excuses to snuggle into it. I'm not sure if it's a cowl or a capelet. I'm going to avoid calling it a poncho, but that's just me.

I found the pattern, Huit, on Ravelry from a designer named Lisa Mutch. She has some great designs available in her Etsy shop, NorthboundKnitting, as well as her Ravelry pattern shop.

I really wanted an excuse to use some British Sheep Breeds Chunky that had come to live with me, but it's a little smaller than the pattern gauge. So I cast on 16 extra stitches and used them to add an extra rib at the front, back, and sides. I needed two skeins of yarn, US11 needles, and about three or four hours of knitting time.

The original design features eight ribs, huit in French, but mine has twelve, douze. The size came out just right to feel cozy around my shoulders, but it still fits under my raincoat. It's perfect for these rainy/sunny spring days in Portland.

I love the sheepiness of the Rowan Sheep Breeds, but if it's a little too rustic for you, I can recommend Cascade 128 Superwash. I used it to make one for a friend, and it came out perfectly. She uses it when she bikes to work, so the machine washable yarn is just the thing.

I wasn't so sure if I'd be able to pull off this look, but now I find myself hoping for a few more chilly days. And, um, there's a matching hat, too, Deux. Perhaps mine will be Trois...

Summer Knitscene

The Summer Knitscene has arrived, and there is some good knitting in there.

When I wrote about Amy Christoffers, my newest designer crush, I told you she was going to have a spread in this issue. She has four great designs, and there is a nice little feature article about her rise in the knitting world.

The Strafford Tee will soon be mine. We aren't carrying Hempathy at the shop this summer, but this would be amazing in Louet Euroflax, a pure linen, or Cascade Ultra Pima, a lustrous cotton, or Rowan Revive, a recycled cotton/silk blend.

The Windsor Cardi is a classic. This would be really nice in Rowan Purelife Cotton DK, an organic cotton in some beautiful muted colors. Louisa Harding Jasmine, a cotton/bamboo blend with a little sparkle, would also be fun.

The Penumbra Tee is a sexy little number with an interesting neckline detail. Would someone please make this in the Rowan Belle Organic Aran?

If you're feeling really adventurous, try the Heliosphere Tank. Classic Elite Firefly would be soft and lightweight, perfect for the drapey cowl neck and slight racerback style.

The Lodi Cardigan will be your go-to summer cardi. This would be really nice in Spud & Chloe Sweater, and we have a really great range of colors right now.

Speaking of which, the Figurehead Shawl is designed with Spud & Chloe Sweater, just one skein each of your two favorite colors. I am a sucker for a good stripe, and this sweet little kerchief is calling to me.

The Starboard Cape is knit with Canopy Fingering from the Fibre Company. Wouldn't this be great over a sundress at a summer wedding?

Okay, those are my favorites. Did anything else catch your eye?

If you have a weakness for fabric as well as yarn, be sure to make it up to our little corner of Alberta this weekend. The gals at Bolt are having a big ol' sale!

Learn Something New: Knit, Crochet, and Advanced Techniques

More classes for you! Our class schedule is filled out for the rest of April and May.

Nettie in Rowan Revive

Adrienne's Knitting: Beginning and Beyond remains a very popular class. On Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30, Adrienne will teach you everything you need to know to tackle a variety of projects. The next round of classes will be April 21st, 28th, and May 5th.

Formal Boot Bag in Tahki Donegal Tweed

Ann continues to offer a one-shot Learn to Knit workshop for those of you who just need a little reminder. Normally a Tuesday night class, we are offering one on Monday, May 9th, as well, to accommodate your busy schedules. If Tuesdays work for you, we have classes open on April 12th, 26th, and May 24th.

Destroyed Cowl in Rowan Renew

Many of you expressed interest in learning to crochet, so we have a Learn to Crochet workshop with Ann on Tuesday, May 17th. Ann will teach you as much as you can learn in two hours! If there is interest, we will continue to offer crochet classes this summer.

Crocheted yarn bomb on our little corner

Finally, I'll be offering an Advanced Knitting Techniques Workshop one Sunday morning each month from 10-11 before the shop opens. We are always happy to help you with your knitting during shop hours, but sometimes you knitters have some pretty big questions and dilemmas! If your question seems like more than a "10 minute problem", sign up for this workshop. Think of it as a semi-private lesson. When you sign up for the workshop, please let us know what you'd like to learn so I can prepare for class. I will contact you if there is anything special you need to bring along.
We can work through a pattern that's giving you trouble, talk through your first sweater, learn to fix mistakes, whatever you need! I'm happy to teach you any new technique you've been wanting to learn as well. Here are a few suggestions: short rows, seaming and mattress stitch, picking up stitches, I-cord, provisional cast on, grafting, fair isle methods, intarsia...I'm sure you'll come up with even more.

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Heart Bonnet in cashmere

Hope to see you in class!

P.S. The photos don't have much to do with anything, but aren't they pretty?