Bulky Beanie

Have you started making holiday gifts yet?

I'm working on it.

Sort of.

Slowly.

But I think this new hat pattern is really going to speed things up for me.

I designed this hat as a pattern that can be knit in a day or two and then given away. It looks good on women and men and even older kids and the hat can be thrown in the washing machine so there's no chance of your lovely handmade item being ruined in the wash. It's definitely not revolutionary or anything but it's the kind of thing I like; simple and classic. Also, I was able to use yarn that was left over from knitting my Acorn Head which makes me feel like the yarn was free!

It's the kind of thing you could knit a pile of and then decide who to give each one to later. I like to do that. Do you do that?

I think you could wrap up a this hat with some homemade cookies, or a box of tea, or a book and it would make a very sweet gift. Can you tell I'm starting to get excited for the holidays?

Well, anyway, here's the pattern. I hope you like it.

Bulky Beanie

You Will Need:

- Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (The colors I used were Denim and Cilantro, less than half a ball per hat)

- Size 13 Circular Needles or DPNs

- 1 Stitch Marker

- 1 Tapestry Needle or Crochet Hook (to weave in ends)

Cast on 36 sts.

Place stitch marker and join to knit in the round.

Work K2, P1 rib for 6 rows (feel free to use a 1x1 or 2x2 rib if that's what you prefer, I just think the 2x1 rib looks nice and tidy).

*K6, M1* repeat to end of round (42 sts).

Knit stockinette until hat measures 6" from cast-on edge.

*K5, K2tog* repeat to end of round (36 sts).

Knit one round.

*K4, K2tog* repeat to end of round (30 sts).

Knit one round.

*K3, K2tog* repeat to end of round (24 sts).

Knit one round.

*K2, K2tog* repeat to end of round (18 sts).

Knit one round.

*K1, K2tog* repeat to end of round (12 sts).

*K2tog* repeat to end of round (6 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining 6 stitches and pull to close up the hole. Weave in ends and you're ready to do some gift giving!

p.s. If you like the sample hats I knit, they are both for sale at Treehouse.

Simple Slouchy Beret

So... I'm finally getting around to sharing this pattern. It's taken me a while in getting this out there. Partly because I've been really frustrated with my camera, every time I've tried to take a photo of the hat that goes along with the pattern all I get is blurry blobs... Well my crummy camera is four years old so what should I expect, right? So I ordered a new one online, it should be coming on Monday and I can't wait.

But without further rambling, here's that pattern. It's a great simple beret pattern that I use all the time. It's not too loose around the brim so it doesn't feel like it's about to slide off your head, but it's still nice and slouchy and cute.

Simple Slouchy Knit Beret:

You will need:

-About 130 yards of Yarn (aran weight or light to medium worsted will all work, as long as you get some drape)

-Size 6 16-Inch Circular Needles

-Size 9 16-Inch Circular Needles

-Size 8 or 9 Double Pointed Needles

-1 Stitch Marker

Cast on 80 stitches on the size 6 needles. Place marker and join to knit in the round.

Knit 1x1 rib for 8 rows.

Change to Size 9 circular needles and *K2, M1* to end of row ( 120 sts)

Knit about 5 inches.

*K4, K2tog* repeat to end of round (100 sts).

Knit 4 rounds.

*K3, K2tog* repeat to end of round (80 sts).

Knit 4 Rounds.

*K2, K2tog* repeat to end of round (60 sts).

Knit 3 rounds.

*K1, K2tog* repeat to end of round (40 sts). At around this point you will need to switch to your double pointed needles, just do it when your stitches feel tight on the circulars.

Knit 2 rounds.

*K2tog* repeat to end of round (20 sts).

K 1 round.

*K2tog* repeat to end of row (10 sts).

Knit one round.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches and pull to close up the hole.

Good Job! Just weave in the ends and you're good to go; no need to block this one.

Did you know it's quite snowy in New York right now? Luckily, I have a lot of wool hats.