Oxford Mitts

I designed these for my Dad to wear in England this winter. They are quick to knit up and don’t use up a lot of yarn. The K3, P1 rib makes the design a bit more ‘manly.’ The mitts will fit most adult hands, for example they fit me (women’s small) and my husband (men’s large.) For a tighter fit do one or two repeats less and for a looser fit add a repeat or two.

Materials

1 Skein Cascade 220 in black

4 US 8/5mm dpns

2 stitch markers

Crochet hook or embroidery needle

Gauge

16 stitches x 28 rows = 4 inches

Pattern

Cast on 36 stitches and divide evenly on 3 needles (12 stitches each).

Round 1: *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end. Join in the round, being careful not to twist!

Repeat the Knit 3, Purl 1 pattern until the mitt measures four inches from the cast on edge.

Thumb Gusset

Row 1: Knit 3, Place marker, M1, Place marker, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end.

Row 2: Knit 3, Slip marker, M1, Knit 1, M1, Slip marker, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end.

Row 3: Knit 3, Slip marker, Knit 3, Slip marker, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end.

Row 4: Knit 3, Slip marker, M1, Knit across, M1, Slip marker, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end.

Row 5: Knit 3, Slip marker, Knit all stitches between marker, Slip marker, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end.

Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until there are 15 stitches between the markers, ending with a knit across all stitches row.

Next row: K3,

Remove marker, Loosely bind off 15 stitches, Remover marker, Purl 1, *Knit 3, Purl 1* repeat until end. For the following row you will knit across the gap of the thumb in pattern.

Continue in the original Knit 3, Purl 1 pattern until the whole mitt measures 7 inches from the cast on edge.

Bind off all stitches loosely in pattern.

Repeat for the second Mitt.

Mandy's Panda Hat

My best friend Mandy loves Pandas. Her nickname is even Panda. A few years ago she asked me to help her make a panda hat. We went out and bought the yarn and then I moved away before we ever got around to making it. When I moved back recently, she found the yarn and we finally got to work. After we both knit on the hat for about a week and a half it was finally finished. We decided on a roll brim, but a K2, P2 rib would also look just as good on this cute little hat.

Materials

1 Skien Yarn Bee Boucle Traditions Brushed - Ivory

1 Skien Yarn Bee Cameo Bulky - Black (technically you only need a few yards of this so scrap would do if you have it)

1 Circular US 10/6mm needle

Set of 5 US 10/6mm dpns

Crochet Hook or Embroidery Needle

Gauge

Approx. 16 stitches = 4 inches

Head Circumference = 23.5 inches

The Hat

Cast on 80 stitches, knit one row and join in the round being very careful not to twist.

For the rolled brim: all you do now is knit every stitch round and around until the hat length (including the rolled brim, not from cast on edge) is equal to the length of your hand (or the recipients hand).

For a ribbed brim: K2, P2 rib for 1.5 - 2 inches. Then knit all stitches until the full piece from cast on edge is equal to the length of your hand (or the recipients hand).

The Crown

Switch from the circular needle to the dpns, 20 stitches per needle. Place markers in the middle of each needle so that each section has 10 stitches.

Row 1: *Knit 8, K2tog* repeat to end of round (72 stitches)

Row 2: Knit all stitches

Row 3: *Knit 7, K2tog* repeat to end of round (64 stitches)

Row 4: Knit all stitches

Row 5: *Knit 6, K2tog* repeat to end of round (56 stitches)

Row 6: Knit all stitches

Row 7: *Knit 5, K2tog* repeat to end of round (48 stitches)

Row 8: Knit all stitches

Row 9: *Knit 4, K2tog* repeat to end of round (40 stitches)

Row 10: Knit all stitches

Row 11: *Knit 3, K2tog* repeat to end of round (32 stitches)

Row 12: Knit all stitches

Row 13: *Knit 2, K2tog* repeat to end of round (24 stitches)

Row 14: Knit all stitches

Row 15: *Knit 1, K2tog* repeat to end of round (16 stitches)

Row 16: Knit all stitches

Row 17: *K2tog* repeat to end of round (8 stitches)

Snip yarn leaving a decent tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches, making a small circle. Weave in all ends.

The Ears

Pick up and knit 11 stitches, 2 inches from the crown of hat. Knit every stitch fro five rows. For the next 8 rows, knit across until 3 stitches remain, k2tog, knit 1. When only three stitches remain bind off. The ears may seem pointy, but when you weave in the ends they will become rounded. Repeat for the second ear.

SSF Spring Ankle Socks

I designed these to be a quick knit to keep my toes warm during this bizarre spring weather we are having here in Santa Fe. Bright colors were to help inspire the feeling that maybe it will be warm today. (But don't get those hopes too high!)

Materials:

Baby Bee Sweet Delight Pomp Colorway: Crayons/2115 (54% Acrylic, 36% Polyamide (Nylon), 10% Rayon)

US size 3 dpns (set of 4)

Embroidery Needle

Gauge: 6 sts x 10 rows = 1 inch

Size: US Wms size 5.5-7

For those who have never done a sock before, here is a great tutorial with lots of pictures.

Cuff:

Cast on 48 stitches and knit one row. Divide onto three needles and join being careful not to twist. Continue in K2P2 ribbing for 2 inches. Knit all stitches until the piece measures 3.5 inches from the cast on edge.

Heel:

Divide the stitches so there are 24 stitches on needle 1 and 12 stitches on needles 2 and 3.

Work back and forth on needle #1.

Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, Knit across, turn work.

Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1, purl across, turn work.

Repeat rows one and two until the flap is a square (should be about 28 rows).

Turn the Heel:

Row 1: P14, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 2: Sl1, K6, K2tog, K1, turn

Row 3: Sl1, Purl to within one stitch of last turn, P2tog, P1, turn

Row 4: Sl1, Knit to within one stitch of last turn, K2tog, K1, turn

Continue decreasing in this way until all stitches have been worked, 14 sts remain.

Gusset and Foot:

Pick up and knit 14 stitches. Combine needles 2 and 3, then knit across (24 st). Pick up and knit another 14 stitches and then knit 7 stitches from the heel (21 total st). Slip the remaining 7 stitches from the heel onto what is now needle 1 (21 st). There are now be 66 stitches total.

Decrease back to 48 stitches as follows:

Row 1: Knit all stitches.

Row 2: Needle 1: K18, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K18, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K18.

Row 3: Knit all stitches.

Row 4: Needle 1: K17, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K16, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K17.

Row 5: Knit all stitches.

Row 6: Needle 1: K16, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K14, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K16.
Row 7: Knit all stitches.

Row 8: Needle 1: K15, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K12, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K15.
Row 9: Knit all stitches.

Row 10: Needle 1: K14, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: Knit all stitches; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K14.

Divide stitches so there are 12 on needles 1 and 3; and 24 on needle 2. Knit all stitches until the foot measures 7.5 inches.

Toes:

Row 1: Needle 1: K9, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K18, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K9.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Row 3: Needle 1: K8, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K16, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K8.
Row 4: Knit all stitches.

Row 5: Needle 1: K7, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K14, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K7.

Row 6: Knit all stitches.

Row 7: Needle 1: K6, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K12, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K6.

Row 8: Knit all stitches.

Row 9: Needle 1: K5, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K10, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K5.
Row 10: Knit all stitches.

Row 11: Needle 1: K4, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K4.

Row 12: Knit all stitches.
Row 13: Needle 1: K3, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K3.

Row 14: Knit all stitches.
Row 15: Needle 1: K2, K2tog, K1; Needle 2: K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1; Needle 3: K1, SSK, K2.

16 stitches remain, combine needles 1 and 3 so there are 8 stitches on both needles left.

Graft the toes using the Kitchener Stitch. Weave in all ends.

Note: Hand wash socks before wear they are much softer after a wash.

Twin Hat Pattern

Bodhi and Mazzy's Hats
Originally uploaded by SGCBright

These were originally made for a family friend's twin girls Bodhi and Mazzy for Christmas 2006.

Materials
Yarn: One ball each Violet and Autumn Red Caron Simply Soft Tweed or colors of your choice.
Needles: 5 dpns US size 7
Stitch markers (optional)

Gauge: 4-5 sts per inch

>Cast on 64 stitches on US size 7 dpns with your main color. Distribute sts. evenly on four needles (16 st per needle). Knit one row and then join being careful not to twist! If this is a problem for you then try knitting all 64 stitches on one needle before distributing - this tends to make the yarn want to go all crazy on you.
>Knit all stitches for 3.5 inches. Switch to secondary color and knit for one inch. Snip off secondary color, leaving a decent tail. Return to main color and knit until hat measures 6.5-7 inches from the cast on row.
>Crown: Place markers in the middle of each needle so that each section has 8 stitches.

Row 1: *Knit 6, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Row 2: *Knit 5, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Row 3: *Knit 4, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Row 4: *Knit 3, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Row 5: *Knit 2, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Row 6: *Knit 1, K2tog* repeat to end of round
8 stitches remain. Snip yarn leaving a decent tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches, making a small circle. Weave in all ends.

To make the second hat, repeat the pattern, but the former main color yarn is now the secondary yarn and the former secondary yarn is now the main color. This will give you two hats with two colors that are similar, but not the same.

While you can modify the brim, the rolled brim is great for growing heads. By making the hat a bit bigger than actual baby head size you can roll the brim higher so that it fits now and as the head grows you can roll the brim down and the hat still fits. The hats I made for the twins I wrote the pattern for still is wearable two years later.

College Blanket (Twin XL)

I first created this blanket for me during my sophomore year in college. It fits a twin extra long matress like one that you would find in a college dorm. It is not hard to make and takes about five solid days of knitting (or two weeks if you space it out). I loved mine so much that I made one for my mom for her birthday. This blanket is very durable and holds up well in the washer and dryer, even a few years later!


Shayna Version:
Gauge: about 6 st x 6 rows is 4 inches
Materials:
Size 17 US Circular Needles
Red Heart Super Saver (economy size) 7 oz., 364 yards
Colors: 2 Black and 2 Grey Heather


Cast On 105 stitches with grey.
Entire blanket is in stockingette stitch.
Work the color pattern as follows:
14 Rows in Grey
4 Rows in Black
2 Rows in Grey
14 Rows in Black
6 Rows in Grey
**2 Rows in Black
2 Rows in Grey
2 Rows in Black
6 Rows in Grey**
**Repeat Rows 3 more times
8 Rows in Black
2 Rows in Grey
8 Rows in Black
6 Rows in Grey
**2 Rows in Black
2 Rows in Grey
2 Rows in Black
6 Rows in Grey**
**Repeat Rows 3 more times
6 Rows in Grey
14 Rows in Black
2 Rows in Grey
4 Rows in Black
14 Rows in Grey
Bind Off all stitches. Weave in any loose ends.



Mindy Version:
Gauge: about 6 st x 6 rows is 4 inches
Materials:
Size 17 US Circular Needles
Red Heart Super Saver (economy size) 7 oz., 364 yards
Colors: 2 Medium Purple and 2 Country Blue


Cast On 105 stitches using the Blue.
Entire blanket is in stockingette stitch.
Work the color pattern as follows:
12 Rows in Blue
2 Rows in Purple
2 Rows in Blue
6 Rows in Purple
6 Rows in Blue
**2 Rows in Purple
2 Rows in Blue
2 Rows in Purple
6 Rows in Blue**
** Repeat these 12 rows four more times
6 Rows in Purple
2 Rows in Blue
6 Rows in Purple
6 Rows in Blue
**2 Rows in Purple
2 Rows in Blue
2 Rows in Purple
6 Rows in Blue**
** Repeat these 12 rows four more times
6 Rows in Purple
2 Rows in Blue
2 Rows in Purple
12 Rows in Blue
Bind Off all stitches. Weave in any loose ends.