Blue Snowfall Hats

Saw this kit in Little Red Mitten and loved the hat

Now  winter is almost here and I still have no hat! Finally got started

Made the large size which is huge even for me

Lots of yarn so made the smaller one which is just right. Only did 6 rows of Rib and cut 2 plain knit rows out of pattern chart too.

Still enough yarn to make a child's hat. Started with 48 sts and 5 rows of rib. Increased to 56 sts. Then mixed and matched rows from pattern as dictated by yarn

Very happy to have got 3 hats.  Only need the one for me so the other 2 will go to NGH

Pattern: Lopi Snowfall Hat by Joan Janes
Size: 72 sts, 64 sts, 48 sts
Yarn: Istex Alafosslopi
Colour: Navy, White

Flax Sweaters

Two little sweaters for NGH

Really simple pattern
Knit from the top down

Not very fond of the pink yarn. It feels a little harsh and the colour changes are too short for my taste

Pattern: Flax by tincanknits
Size: 2-4, 4-6
Yarn: Bernat Super Value, Redheart Comfort
Colour: Gingerbread, Shaded Pink

October Knitting

Another month busy knitting for NGH  - more mittens and some baby sweaters
I think I got them finished in time for the Christmas sales season
It must be time for a change as I have the mitten pattern memorised!

MRR  was fascinated with the little pink sweater. She was hoping it was for her.  I'm not sure if she really needs a new sweater . She is still wearing the DK pink and purple sweater which I made last year. This particular one would have been too small any way.

I will need to focus on family for the next little while as there is a new great niece on the way

Hospital Knits for September

I continue to knit items for the hospital

Some more mitts
Used The World's Simplest Mittens by tincanknits
I added some cables to some and some stripes to others. This really is an easy pattern and it has instructions for different weights of yarn.

Some more hats
Used the Tristan pattern

Needed a change so made some small cardigans

I have used this pattern several times. It is knit in one piece from the bottom up.
I like the lack of seams so that once the knitting is done there is very little sewing


Pattern: Gib's Safari Sweater by Barb Bettegnies
Size: 122 Stitches
Yarn: Merit Worsted
Colour: Kelly Green

Yarn: KnitPicks Comfy Worsted 

Colour: Seraphim

More Hospital Knits

Continuing to knit for the local hospital

Two more hats:
Palindrome Hats

This is an easy pattern. I knitted the first one in purple following the pattern exactly.
The second one is smaller, child's size. It has 96 stitches and I continued the cables all the way up the hat
Both have really thick brims which should keep ears warm in winter.


Pattern: Palindrome Hat by Kristin Bellehumeur

Size: 120 Stitches, 96 stitches
Yarn: Bernat Super Value Solids
Colour: Purple

Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Worsted

Colour: Ciel

Apparently we are short of mittens so I made some more Antler mitts and then found this pattern also from tincanknits

World's Simplest Mitts

I knitted the first pair in solid green following the pattern for 32 stitches exactly

The second pair were Ciel and Gosling. Also 32 stitches. The only modification is the stripes and slightly shorter hand.

The third pair are toddler size but with 28 stitches 

Pattern: The World's Simplest Mittens by tincanknits
Size: 32, 28 Stitches
Yarn: Merit Worsted
Colour: Kelly Green

Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Worsted

Colour: Ciel and Gosling, Almond 

Hospital Mitts #1

Next phase of use up the stash:

Mittens

First up

Newfie Mitts

Making several using left over yarns

#1 Child size Purple main, Pastel contrast
Cast on 32 sts, used 30 sts for body.
Used 37g yarn; 15g contrast, 22g main

#2 Adult size 40 sts. Gingerbread main, Mushroom contrast

#3 Child size 32 sts. Green main, Pastel contrast


Pattern: Newfie Mittens by Nadine Reeves
Size: 32 or 40 Stitches
Yarn: Bernat Super Value Solids
Colour: Purple, Gingerbread, Mushroom
Yarn: Merit Worsted
Colour: Kelly Green
Yarn: Patons Canadiana
Colour: Light Pastels

Antler Mittens

A new pattern so I knitted the child's size with no modifications.

The result is a long and narrow mitten

Next time I will make it wider and longer in the rib and shorter in the hand

Pattern: Antler Mittens by tincanknits
Size: 28 Stitches
Yarn: Bernat Super Value Solids
Colour: Purple

Hospital Hats #2

Made some more hats for charity

Hurricane Hats
These are so easy
A very simple pattern which I have memorized

#1 Mushroom 45 g
#2 Gingerbread 42g

Pattern: Hurricane Hat by Andrea Guldin
Size: 80 Stitches
Yarn: Bernat Super Value Solids
Colour: Mushroom, Gingerbread

Barley Hats
Easy straightforward pattern

#1 72 stitches Toddler size no mods! took 35g
#2 84 stitches Adult size no mods! took 50g
#3 66 stitches Baby size alternating stripes all knit took 24g




Pattern: Barley by tincanknits
Size: 72, 84, 66 Stitches
Yarn: Bernat super Value Solids
Colour: Mushroom, Gingerbread

Hospital Hats #1

I seem to have lots of add bits of yarn so I am going to knit them up into hats of various kinds for the Hospital

First one is a Tristan hat in Coral

Love this pattern.
The yarn was left over from a cabled sweater I finished earlier this year and it's made a lovely hat but it's not for me

Pattern: Tristan by Drops Design
Size: 117 Stitches
Yarn: Filatura di Crosa Zara
Colour: Salmon

Second one is a small Wribbed hat in blue

Love this pattern too. I prefer to knit in the round so I modify the number of stitches but that is all

Pattern: Easy Wribbed Hat by Joan Janes
Size: 84 Stitches
Yarn: Tent Sale Worsted
Colour: Blue

Ecru Wribbed Hat

Another quick and easy hat
Very simple pattern

Pattern: Easy Wribbed Hat by Joan Janes
Size: 96 Stitches
Yarn: Bernat Super Value
Colour: Mushroom

Shaker Rib Hat

This was a quick hat for NGH

I used a free pattern from the yarn store
It was an easy enough pattern. I just didn't like the way the decreases for the crown were treated.
The knit stitches were out of alignment after the decrease row
Knitting 3 stitches together at this gauge leaves a bit of a hole

Also not too sure if I really like the knit into the stitch below I think I prefer German or Fisherman's rib

Pattern: Shaker Rib Hat by Bernat
Size: 83 Stitches
Yarn: Bernat Super Value
Colour: Mushroom

More NGH Crafts

We had a successful workshop day
One member brought in some knitted bears she had made

After she shared the pattern I found a similar one on line Teddies for Tragedies

The larger one is knitted in worsted yarn on 4.5mm needles
The smaller one is the exact same stitch and row count but I used Astra and 3.25 mm needles

NGH Craft Group

I have taken over as Convenor of the Craft Group

First step is to look at what we actually sell.
Turns out to be cup sleeves, scrubbies and dishcloths
So that's what I am making

Pattern: Waffle Love by DROPS Design

Yarn: Bernat Cotton

Size: 40sts

Pattern: NGH Cup sleeves
Yarn: Bernat cotton
Size: 40 sts


We also need to up our game in the services to patients we provide

I have made some toques for newborns and plan to do some each month

Pattern: NGH New born Toque
Yarn: Patons Astra
Size: 80sts

We are also taking over the Share Bear program where toys are given to patients who come in to ED for treatment

So toys are coming to the forefront

We are going to start a workshop morning
First one will be to make a braided ball

Pattern: Braided Ball

Yarn: Patons Astra

Size: 20sts and 68 rows

Boot Cuffs

These are for Craft Group

Some girls asked for boot cuffs when we were at market last October

So we have been looking for some simple patterns 

These seemed to fit the bill

Pattern: Thermal Boot Cuffs by Julie Tarsha
Size: 66 sts
Yarn: Patons Canadiana Sayelle
Colour: Grey

Pattern: Simple Cable Knit Boot Cuffs by Julie Tarsha
Size: 60 sts
Yarn: Patons Canadiana Sayelle
Colour: Grey

Baby Duck Cardi

Another little project for NGH.

I saw this pattern online and thought it would be great for KDR but Mommy didn't seem too keen. I still wanted to try the pattern so I used NGH yarn

I am quite pleased with the finished cardi but I am not happy with the colourwork. I found it hard to keep the stitches even. This is probably the last of this style that I will make. I'd rather do cables and stitch patterns. 

  It was an easy pattern. No armhole shaping . I may use it as a basic cardi.  The downside is being knitted in pieces. I think I could knit the body up to the armholes all in one and then divide. I might even try picking up the sleeves and doing them on dpns.

Pattern: Children's Duck Cardigan by Amy Bahrt
Size: 2
Yarn: Patons Astra
Colour: White, green, orange, purple, yellow

Fingerless Mitts

The Craft Kits for Hats all sold so I am now trying out some fingerless mitt ideas.

These are the first attempt

Pretty good if I do  so say myself!

I used 54 g of worsted yarn which is less than the hats
We have lots of 4.5 mm needles so I chose to use those
The pattern is written for 2 straight needles as these are supposed to be beginner patterns

Burgundy and Pink Stripey Sweater

Another small stripey baby sweater trying to use up the odd balls of yarn from the Craft Group stash.

I didn't quite guess the yardage right so the sleeves are dark red not burgundy but they look fine


Pattern: Jazzy Snazzy Pullover by Lion Brand Yarn

Size: 60 sts
Yarn:Unlabelled  Worsted Acrylic
Colour: Pink, Burgundy,Dark Red

Red and Blue Stripey Sweater

I am trying to use up the odd balls of yarn from the Craft Group stash.

Small stripey baby sweaters seem to be the easiest way to go 

I have used this pattern before and it is very straightforward.  
The top down construction means that there are no seams to sew up at the end which is a bonus

Pattern: Jazzy Snazzy Pullover by Lion Brand Yarn
Size: 60 sts
Yarn:Unlabelled  Worsted Acrylic
Colour: Blue, Light Blue, Red, Grey green

Hats, Hats, Hats!

We have a lot of yarn and needles in our Craft Group Store Room. I thought we could put some of the single odd balls and turn them into Craft Kits.
I needed to draft a pattern. Hats are fairly easy and quick so I have made several to test my pattern

The two draft versions which will go to NGH for sale as well as showing what the Craft Kits should look like

The two smaller versions which used up most of the Tranquil yarn.  Theses will go to the littlest ones for winter

Pink Elephants

I put this to one side so I could make the purple striped cardi for MRR.

Photo will have to wait until I get my desk top sorted out.

I improvised this using  King's Green Stripes as a guide.
The elephants were added from a single motif modified to make the border

Size: 120 stitches
Yarn:  Unlabelled Acrylic/ Nylon worsted
Colour:  Pink
Yarn: Princess  Knit & Crochet Worsted
Colour: White

Pink Diamonds Sweater

This is for the new market stall

There were multiple errors in the pattern but nothing too serious.  I learned to read each section through before knitting!

Mods: 
used larger needles to match the yarn so it came out bigger than the pattern
Actually it is 24 inch around so I made it as long as the pattern said for the largest size
Sleeves on dpns picked up 2 extra sts at underarm
decreased from 54 to 36 2 on every 4th row
Seed stitch at cuffs not rib
8 rows of Seed stitch at bottom


The travelling stitches and the heart stand out against the reverse stocking stitch.
Difficult to get the sleeves without ladders

Actually I like the structure of this pattern and may use it as the basis of another cardi  in stocking stitch


Size:66 sts
Pattern: Baby Raglan Cardigan by Kelly Klem
Yarn: Unlabelled Acrylic or Nylon Worsted
Colour: Pink