Tiny Pumpkin Hat

The nickel is there to show the size. I think I have enough yarn to make another one.

Safe Return

This traditional motif was featured in a children's book, Safe Return by Catherine Dexter. Based on a true incident in 1824 on an island in the Baltic Sea, it was also mentioned in The Mitten Book by Inger and Ingrid Gottfridsson.

A Fair Isle Hat

This hat will fit a child about 6-8 years old and will be sent to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. It is made of worsted weight wool.

One TinyTomato Hat

More Preemie Hats

Calvin's Hats

Here are twelve hats made for Calvin's Hats. These tiny hats are for babies born much too soon and are intended to carry a small amount of healing, comfort, and peace.

The pattern:

Baby Cashmerino (or any DK yarn)
Size 3 dp needles
Tapestry needle

Cast on 48 stitches and divide evenly on three needles (16 stitches each).
K1 through the back loop, P1 for 10 rounds.
Knit 1 round
Purl 1 round
YO, K2 tog one round
Knit 1 round
Purl 1 round
Knit 12 rounds even
K6, K2tog for one round
K5, K2 tog for one round
K4, K2 tog for one round
K3, K2 tog for one round
K2, K2 tog for one round
K1, K2 tog for one round
K2 tog for one round
Use last three stitches to make an I-cord about 3/4".
Weave in ends.

These hats take about an hour each to make.

Watermelon Preemie Hat

Knit on size 1 dp needles using hand dyed, self-striping watermelon with seeds sock yarn bought from KnitPurlGirl on Etsy last March. It is 75% Superwash merino wool and 25% nylon.

I cast on 60 stitches, did a k2,p2 rib for 10 rounds, knit 20 rows in stockinette stitch then decreased as follows:
Round 1: k4, k2 tog
Round 2: k
Round 3: k3, k2 tog
Round 4: k
Round 5: k2, k2 tog
Round 6: k
Round 7: k1, k2 tog
Round 8: k
Round 9: k2 tog
Round 10: k2 tog
Make i-cord. Weave in ends.

I realized after I finished the first sock I made with this yarn, that I would have plenty to make this hat so I finished the hat and now I'm starting the second sock.

Two More Preemie Hats

The first is another just like the one I just finished. The second is an easy-peasy rolled brim hat. I've put them both in the box for the Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital.

Ribbed Lace Preemie Hat

I knit this little hat for Valentine's Day using red Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn and size 3 dp needles. It took me about 90 minutes to knit.

This is the stitch pattern:
Rnd 1: k1, p1, k2, p1, k1
Rnd 2: k1, p1, yo, ssk, p1, k1
Rnd 3: k1, p1, k2, p1, k1
Rnd 4: k1, p1, k2tog, yo, p1, k1

I cast on 42 stitches and knit 8 rows of k1(tbl), p1, completed the stitch pattern four times and then decreased as follows:
Rnd 1: k4, k2tog
Rnd 2: Knit around
Rnd 2: k3, k2tog
Rnd 4 Knit around
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog
Rnd 6: Knit around
Rnd 7: k1,k2tog
Rnd 8: k2tog
Rnd 9: k2tog 3 times, k1 (4 stitches remain)
Make I-cord with remaining stitches and weave in ends.

Citron Vert (Lime) Toddler Socks

These are made of leftover yarn (100% superwash merino wool), using size 2 needles. The pattern stitch is a double seed stitch.

I had wanted to make Citron (Lemon) socks, but don't have any yellow. I've put it on the list!

These socks will be going to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Looking for Inspiration

I've been looking through books, on websites, and in my files for inspiration. I like knitting hats and socks and mittens which are small, portable projects. I've knit burial gowns in the past, but they're difficult emotionally. I've also knit sweaters and one of my favorites is the five-hour sweater even though it takes me longer than five hours to knit one.

I'm cleaning my sewing room and have found many small balls of yarn left over from knitting socks. They're wool which would make them suitable for baby items for afghans for Afghans or for the Pine Ridge Reservation. Hats, mittens, or socks would all work. Maybe that's where I'll start this year. It might be fun, too, to think of a sweater where I could use small, odd-sized balls of wool. Maybe Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise jacket?

Thinking. Thinking.

Knitting Classes

I am teaching four knitting classes at my local yarn shop in the next few months. I will be able to give the models I'm making for two of them--baby veggie hats and a top-down child's cardigan--to charity once the classes are finished. Here is a photo of the tomato hat sized for a newborn. I'm working on a pumpkin one as well.

Children's Mittens

I never did start on those preemie hats. Instead, I've been working on mittens made from leftover sock yarns. These are two pairs I finished today. The pattern is free and can be found here.

Preemie Hats

I just looked at this blog and realized I hadn't posted for almost a year! Whew! I've started knitting preemie hats again and will post photos soon. I like to make all the hats I send to a hospital unique as each little baby is unique. My method is either to make one pattern in different colors or to make numerous patterns of just one color. Right now I'm working on one pattern in different colors.

Preemie Santa Hat

A little Santa hat.

Elf Preemie Hat

This hat was fast to make and I hope to make several more before Christmas.

Child's Peppermint Hat

This hat will be sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Pink Swirl Preemie Hat

This pattern is knit in red and white and called Candy Cane in Handknit Holidays: Knitting Year-Round for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Winter Solstice by Melanie Falick.

I adapted the pattern as follows to make a preemie hat:
Using size 2 needles and DK yarn cast on 48 stitches.
Knit 6 rounds in stockinette stitch

**NOTE: There is an error in the pattern. Round 1 of the crown shaping should be as follows:
Rnd 1: K1, *skp, k4; repeat from * to last 5 sts, skp, k3.
All of the following rounds are correct.

Tomato Preemie Hat

The pattern is here.

Beanstalk Preemie Hat

The pattern can be found here.