New Year, New Attitude

Isn't this ironic.  For years I have lived in  Chaos (can't have anyone over syndrome) and now that I am finally, seriously working to de-clutter, add routines, and organize myself, it seems that my brain does not want to follow suit.  I guess I should not be surprised. Maybe some of you can relate.
Anyhoo, in the spirit of re-organizing and getting things in order, I did a little work with my blog this morning and added a Free Pattern Downloads page (link at sidebar).  Now all my free patterns are available on this page, in pdf format.  Enjoy!
I also realize I have not posted in 2012....sorry about that! I have been working the FLY Lady program and really love it. I am earnestly putting her program into practice, which has diverted me somewhat from my knitting and crocheting.  But as I have added routines and really started to dispose of clutter, I am finding I have much more time for my fiber projects.  So this means I'll be blogging more, knitting and crocheting more, and spinning more.  Could it be I will actually complete the handspun project I have wanted to finish for such a long time? I believe so. The best part is, I finally have peace in my home.  It's been well worth it.  Check out the Fly Lady.  Her website, emails, and resources are all free and have been most helpful to me and thousands more like me.
I have also started a project for Emma. A cute little crocheted hat.  I will be sharing that, and hopefully, the pattern with you all shortly. Until then, here's a great picture of William and Emma from our recent trip to Asheville, NC.  This double decker  was outside a quaint little tea room on Biltmore Ave. I believe that you can enjoy your tea and scones inside the bus.

Sweet Baby Noah

One of my daughter's closest friends from High School is expecting a baby boy soon. I have worked up a little cable hat for the cherub. I wanted something that Mom, Jess, could use at anytime that would also be soft and keep baby Noah warm. So I used a soft, chunky yarn in a neutral color. The little hat worked up in no time, too. It is worked on two needles and is seamed at the back.

Noah's Hat

Yarn: Bernat Chunky, approx. 65 yards.

Gauge: 3.5sts, 5 rows = 1 inch

Needle: US Size 9, Straight Needles

Size: Newborn/Infant

Stitches:

C4F: (cable 4 front) Slip two sts to cable needle and hold in front, knit next two sts., knit two stitches from cable needle. (left cross)

k1tbl: knit 1 stitch through back loop

p1tbl: purl 1 stitch through back loop

Sl1K2togPsso: slip one stitch as if to purl, knit 2 stitches together, pass slipped stitch over the two stitches that were just knit together. (Double Decrease)

Note: This hat has a 4-stitch cable set off with 2 purl stitches and a twisted stitch. The twisted stitch detail is achieved by knitting the stitch through the back loop on the right side and purling the same stitch through the back loop on the wrong side. You can find a video for ptbl here, and ktbl here.

CO 54 sts using a long tail cast-on.

Begin knitting Rib: (RS)P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * across, ending K2.

Repeat row 1 for 8 rows, ending with ws row.

Begin Cable rows as follows:

Row 1 and 3:P2, *K4, P2, K1tbl, P2; rep from *, across, ending with K1tbl.

Row 2 and 4: P1tbl, *K2, P4, K2, p1tbl; rep from * across, ending with K2.

Row 5: P2, *C4F, P2, K1tbl, P2; rep from *, across, ending K1tbl.

Rep rows 1-5 once more.

Begin Decreases:

Row 1: *p2tog, (k1,Sl1K2togPsso), p2tog, k1tbl; rep from * across. End k1tbl. (40 sts)

Row 2: P1, *k1, p2, k1, p1tbl; rep from * across. End k1.

Row 3: *p1, k2tog, p1, k1tbl; rep from * across. End k1tbl. (36 sts.)

Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread tail through darning needle and run it through all the stitches left on the needle. Cinch tightly, turn inside out and seam edges together with whip stitch. Weave in ends.

This is quick and dirty. As with any of my patterns, if you spot an error or have questions, don't hesitate to email me, leave a comment here, or you can pm me on Ravelry. I also hang out at Twitter.

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