Trying Lace

So I thought I'd venture into knitting lace. The Shetland Shawl, specifically.

I had to frog the cast on and first four rows FOUR times. When I finally got it right I put in a lifeline!

I am making progress but it takes lots of concentration.

Fortunately this pattern's wrong side is basically just purling back across, so I follow the right side row as I purl making sure my stitches match in number and type. I have already found and fixed a missed yarn over that way.

If you've never done it, it's easy to create a yarn over if you miss one, if you notice on the next row. Just lift the strand between the needles. Same for fixing an accidental yarn over created by forgetting to move the yarn front to back between purls and knits (or vice versa): just drop the extra yarn over and it becomes the strand between the needles.

Update: 30 Jan 2011, ten days after starting this project

It's been a busy week at work and I finally have a little time to add to this project.

Hillary's Twin Love Hat

Another simple baby hat.

This one starts with a very stretchy cast on -- use the long tail cast on but hold two needles together when performing it so that your initial row is loose, making the edge nice and stretchy.

This hat was done using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (3 skeins needed for the color work - pink, white, and red).

I used US size 6 needles. You'll need one marker for the end of the row.

Cast on 72 (or any multiple of 8 to adjust for size) using the long tail cast on demonstrated at KnittingHelp.com.

1x1 ribbing:
Knit one, purl one around for 6 rows in pink.
Knit one, purl one around for 3 rows in white.
Knit the knits in red and purl the purls in white for one row.
Knit one, purl one around for 3 rows in white.
Knit one, purl one around for 3 rows in pink.

(should yield about 2" of 1x1 ribbing)

Stockinette:
Knit all stitches for 2 rows in pink.
Knit one red, knit one pink for one row.
Knit all stitches for 2 rows in pink.

Knit all stitches in white 6 rows.
Knit 3 in white, one in red, for one row.
Knit all stitches in white for 6 rows.

Knit all stitches in pink for 3 rows

(Should yield a total of about 5.25" from cast on edge)

Decrease to close:
*Knit 6, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
*Knit 5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
*Knit 4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
*Knit 3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
*Knit 2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
*Knit 1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
*K2tog, repeat from * to end of round
Knit all stitches
You can leave a long tail and thread it (on a tapestry needle) through the loops and draw tight to close. Alternatively, repeat the row of k2tog and then close. Pass yarn to inside of hat. Weave in all loose ends.

Ciara's Star Hat Pattern

Project Page on Ravelry

This is a very quick and easy hat.
You need to be able to do an invisible cast-on (there are good videos online for this), knit, purl, and star stitch, as well as the increase and decrease of your choice.
Star stitch instructions included.
The sizes are approximate, and not all sizes were tested. Please use your good judgement and please contact me if there are pattern problems or you have suggestions for improvements. Thanks for trying this pattern.

Ciara's Star Hat

designed by Valeri Devaney on 3 Dec 2010

Please notify me of any errata. If you like this pattern, please donate to your local animal shelter.

Yarn:Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & QuickShown in Blossom colorway.

Needles: 10.5 gauge. Use DPNs or circular needle method of your choice.

Gauge: Approximately 2 stitches per inch (or about 12 stitches to 4 inches).

Size: as shown for 44-48 cm circumference head (9 month old infant). Add or subtract in units of 4 stitches to achieve desired size.

For correct number of stitches to cast on (approximate, all sizes not tested):

Newborn = 32 stitches

6 mos = 36 stitches

Older infant/toddler = 40 stitches

Small child = 44 stitches

Large child/small adult = 48 stitches

Large adult = 52 stitches

Extra large adult = 56 stitches

If you aren't sure, do several rows of ribbing on a circular needle and then place the headband on the wearer to test for size.

Size note: Shown in photo on infant with 48 cm circumference head

Special techniques:

Star stitch is done on the wrong side (purl side).

Purl 3 stitches together, leaving the stitches on the left needle.

Yarn over the right needle, and then purl the same three stitches together again.

(this makes 3 stitches while combining 3 stitches)

Search for star stitch to find video of this stitch.

Cast on 40 (44,48,52,56) stitches using invisible cast on for 1x1 ribbing.

Place marker before joining in the round.

Knit the knits, purl the purls (that is, do 1x1 ribbing) for 8 (10,10,12,12) rows

Then knit all stitches for 6(8,10,12,14) rows (stockinette)

Stop at the marker. Turn the work (from working right side out to now working wrong side out).

Cast on or make one purl-wise.

*star stitch, purl one Repeat from * until you complete the row.

Once you reach the marker, turn the work back to the right side. Slip one stitch from right to left. Knit two together.

Then knit the remainder of the row.

Knit another 3 (5,7,9,11) rows.

*Knit 3, knit 2 together, repeat from * for 3 (4,5,6,7) rows

Knit 2 together for remaining rows until only 4-8 stitches remain. Cast off tightly and use tail on tapestry needle to stitch any opening at top closed. Weave in end.