Socks and Hats

The socks and the hat are finished and new projects have already started.

Here are Caleb's socks and my cat Bessos looking very annoyed that I would be putting socks next to her and taking multiple pictures. She'll get over it I'm sure. This is your basic sock pattern, but if you would like written instructions let me know. (my boyfriend's grandma and mom call knitting patterns "recipes.") So, on to the hat and the "recipe."

My boyfriend, Mark, chooses to go hairless. Living in the Midwest the winters leave his bald head quite cold at times. To aid his misery I provide him with nice warm hats for the cold wind outside and chilly nights inside. This is the fifth hat I've made him and is more of a spring hat made with cotton yarn (my boyfriend will not wear anything synthetic) for a lighter weight piece. Brown Sheep Company, Inc. Cotton Fleece, Cavern.

Isn't he handsome? The hat is super easy to make, it took me only one day, once I got started, and is great project for new knitters. Keep in mind that all patterns posted on this blog are original designs by me and are copy written. They are meant for sharing purpose only and it is forbidden to republish any of them without my consent.

To start, ALWAYS check your gauge. Using US size 1, 16" circular needles gauge should be 6sts & 8rows = 1".

Measure the head of the person you 're knitting for, multiply those inches by the number of stitches(sts) in one inch. Subtract 10% and round to the next multiple of eight. I had 104 sts. Cast on, join without twisting sts, and work in a 2x2 rib pattern for 3/4 of an inch. After ribbing, knit each round until hat is 4 inches tall. Note: For a rolled brim skip the 2x2 and just knit all rounds. My bf likes the rolled brim best.

Now you'll work in your decreases. Knit one round and place marker (pm) every eighth st. On next round you'll decrease by knitting two sts together(k2tog) before each marker. Pass marker back on needle and continue for one round. Second round you'll knit with no decreases keeping markers. Continue one decrease round and one knit round, switching to double pointed needles when hat is too small for circular, until 8 sts remain on needles. Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail, thread thru remanding sts and pull close. Tie off, hide your ends and give to the cold headed man in your life. Here's a close up.

Later,

Purl Girl