Let it Snow ... Let it Snow .... Let it Snow

Now it looks like we are going to have a warm winter due to global warming.  Thought we had a brown or near brown Christmas last year; so just like rain dance, I am doing what I know best and trying to bring some snow for Christmas by knitting a snowflake hat :D

This snowflake hat makes up the newborn snowflake set: a hat, a pair of thumbless mittens and a pair of booties.

The hat is rather easy to knit, and I made it top down to avoid the Kitchener stitch bind off. For the brim bind off, I chose the tubular bind off; but you can also use any kind of stretchy bind off to avoid picking up that yarn needle (giggles). To make it looks nicer, I had stiffened the snowflakes with sugar water before sewing it to the hat. This is optional. 

I use this simple way to make the sugar water: 1/8 cup of white granulating sugar + 1/8 cup of boiling water, mix until all sugar dissolve, and for good measure, I put into microwave and use Hi heat for 40s. Let it cool down a bit before using.  It just makes enough for the project.

Immerse the piece into the sugar water, take it out and squeeze out excess liquid gentle, then put in between 2 sheets of paper towel to pad dry.  Set it on a blocking sheet (I use 2 sheets of cork boards) with sewing pins to hold the shape desired.  I put in a piece of parchment paper to cover the board surface to prevent the pieces sticking to it. Leave it overnight to dry.

The mittens and booties are seamless knitting, and if you choose to do a stretchy bind off rather than tubular, the yarn needle will only be for weaving in tails :D  The mitten pattern is rather easy to follow, and the bootie pattern needs both crochet and knitting skills.

The free hat pattern will be posted below.  The seamless mittens and booties patterns will be on sale in Ravelry pattern store.  I am putting those on sales just to recuperate the cost of the yarns and time I spent on making the free patterns, so I can buy more yarns and bring everyone more free patterns :) Thank you for your support in advance :)

Enjoy knitting the hat :)

Snowflake Hat (picture here  also show another design as suggestion)

Knitting techniques involved

 

1.       Judy's magic cast on

2.       Magic loop knitting

3.       Changing colour yarns during knitting

4.       Rib stitch

5.       Tubular bind off

 

Crochet techniques involved

 

1.       Magic circle cast on and crochet in rounds

2.       Chain stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, triple crochet and slip stitch

 

Abbreviations

 

CO = cast on

st(s) = stitch(es)

Rnd = round

k = knit

ktbl = knit through back loop

wyif = with yarn in front

wyib = with yarn in back

sl(pw) = slip purlwise

" = inches

mm = millimeter(s)

approx = approximate

Materials

Yarns, worst, 2 colours

• Yarn A: Royal blue
• Yarn B: Light blue

Circular needles, size 4.50mm and 3.75mm (cable length 20cm)
Crochet hook, size 3.25mm
Scissors
Yarn needle

 Gauge (Stockinette stitch)

 Width and Height             10 stitches x 10 rows = 2 1/2" x 1 1/2"

 Size Newborn - 3 month (3 - 6 month)

 Measurement (approx)

Hat circumference = 11" (13")

Hat height = 6" (6 1/2")

This square hat is knitted from top down.

Using circular needles 4.50mm and Yarn A, CO 48 (56) sts using Judy's magic cast on

Rnd 1     k to the end of rnd (make sure all sts are correctly aligned, depending on the way you cast on, some might have the stitches in reverse, you will then need to ktbl for those sts for correction in the first rnd)

Repeat Rnd 1 until the piece measures 5" (5 1/2")

Rib edging

Rnd 1     Change to Yarn B, *k1, p1* to the end of rnd; cut Yarn A leaving a 3" tail

Rnd 2     *k1, p1* to the end of rnd

Repeat Rnd 2 until the rib measures 3/4"

Set up for tubular bind off

Change to circular needle 3.75mm,

Rnd 1     *k1, wyif, sl(pw), wyib*; repeat * * to the end of rnd

Rnd 2     *wyib, sl (pw), wyif, p1*; repeat * * to the end of rnd

Cut yarn leaving a long tail (around 4 times the circumference of the hat)

Thread the tail to the yarn needle to commence tubular bind off (basically a modified kitchener bind off)

Snowflakes

I have chosen this snowflake pattern on YouTube for the hat.  Feel free to browse anywhere for the pattern you like :)

 

 

Finish

Check the pieces for knit or crochet mishap, amend as necessary

Stiffen the snowflakes with sugar water or any other means you prefer (optional)

Sew in the snowflakes on each top corner of the hat

Remembrance Day will soon be here .....

In less than a week, we will be having our Remembrance Day to observe the bravery and sacrifice our men and women make every day in the military to keep us safe and free.

This has inspired me to make this poppy mittens.  The written pattern provided is free but I encourage you to please give generously to your local veteran charity.

The mittens are asymmetrical and poppy flowers are only on the left one. The cuff is a lace pattern I like, and like all laces, you might want to block the pieces to prevent rolling up at the edge.  I like it natural, so I didn't block. However, I do a ch3 (using the tail from the long tail cast on) to join the lower edge of the mitten to help with the rolling edge.  Without doing major alteration to the lace pattern for a flare out cuff, I left the edges of the cuff open for ease of putting the mittens on.

I use seed stitches and strips to decorate the right mitten. The design is impromptu so I didn't write it down; but get inspired-daring and place flowers on both

On a different note, please support our writer Mike and read his  Halloween short story .  He had served in the military for several years. Your comments, good or bad, are welcome :)

Enjoy the pattern and let us remember our soldiers, past and present through every stitch we knit :)

Asymmetrical Poppy Mittens  

Knitting techniques involved

 

1.       Long tail cast on and knit cast on

2.       Circular knitting

3.       Knit 2 together and slip slip knit

4.       Yarn over and reverse yarn over

5.       Changing colour yarns during knitting

6.       Stockinette stitch

7.       Kitchener stitch bind off

8.       Make 1 left and make 1 right

9.       Picking up stitches along the edge

 

Crochet techniques involved

 

1.       Chain stitch

2.       Single crochet stitch

3.       Slip stitch

4.       Magic circle cast on and crochet in rounds

5.       Triple crochet stitch

 

Abbreviations

 

CO = cast on

st(s) = stitch(es)

Rnd = round

k = knit

p = purl

yo = yarn over

ryo = reverse yarn over
sl(kw) = slip knitwise

m1l = make 1 left

m1r = make 1 right

pm = place marker

sm = slip marker

m = marker

rm = remove marker

BO = bind off

" = inches

mm = millimeter(s)

cm = centimeter(s)

approx = approximate

ch = chain

sc= single crochet

tc = triple crochet

sl = slip

Materials

Yarns, worsted

• Red
• Black
• Green

Circular needles, size 5.00mm and  4.50mm (cable length 20cm)

Crochet hook, size 3.75mm

Stitch Holder

Markers, 2

Scissors

Yarn needle

Gauge (stockinette stitch using 4.00mm needle)

Width and Height             10 stitches x 10 rows = 2.15" x 1.25"

 Measurement (approx)

Hand circumference = 7" (size small for women)

Length =10.5"

These mittens are made from bottom up starting with the lace cuff, continue to build the body and the gusset, and finished with the finger cap. Finally picking up the stitches for the thumb and then sewn in the poppy flower.

 Lace cuff (for both left and right mittens)

Using red yarn and circular needle 5.00mm, CO 33 sts using long tail cast on method; leave a 12" tail

Row 1    K2tog, k4, *yo, k2, sl(kw)1, k2tog, psso, k2*, repeat * * 2 more times, yo k4, k2tog (29 sts)

Row 2    p5, *ryo, p6*, repeat * * 3 more times (33 sts)

Repeat Row 1 and 2 for 7 more times, ending Row 2

Repeat Row 1 (29 sts)

Join the rnd

Rnd 1    sl2 onto a cable needle, k3, *yo, k6*, repeat * * 2 more times, yo, k3; k the next st with the 1st st of the rnd on cable needle together, k the last st with the 2nd st of the rnd on cable needle together (31 sts)

Rnd 2     Add black yarn, k to the end of rnd

Carry the red yarn up if you decide on knitting decorative stitches or strips; otherwise, cut red yarn leaving a 3 " tail

Rnd 3     k1, m1r, k13, m1l, k2, m1r, k to the end of rnd (34 sts)
Rnd 4 and 5         k to the end of rnd

 
Right Gusset (For right mitten ONLY)

Change to circular needle 4.50mm,

Rnd 1     k1, pm, m1r, k1, m1l, pm, k to the end of rnd (36 sts)
Rnd 2 and alternat Rnds                k to the end of rnd

Rnd 3     k1, sm, m1r, k3, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (38 sts)
Rnd 5     k1, sm, m1r, k5, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (40 sts)
Rnd 7     k1, sm, m1r, k7, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (42 sts)
Rnd 9     k1, sm, m1r, k9, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (44 sts)
Rnd 11   k1, sm, m1r, k11, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (46 sts)
Rnd 12   k to the end of rnd
Rnd 13   k1, CO1 using knit cast on method, rm, sl the next 13 sts onto a stitch holder, rm, k to the end of rnd (34 sts)
Rnd 14   k to the end of rnd

Continue k until the piece measured 6" from the cuff; improvise with decorative stitches or stripes as desired.

Finger Cap (For BOTH left and right mittens)

Rnd1      k1, k2tog, k11, ssk, k2, k2tog, k11, ssk, k1 (30 sts)

Rnd 2 and alternate Rnds             k to the end of rnd

Rnd 3     k1, k2tog, k9, ssk, k2, k2tog, k9, ssk , k1(26 sts)
Rnd 5     k1, k2tog, k7, ssk, k2, k2tog, k7, ssk, k1 (22 sts)
Rnd 7     k1, k2tog, k5, ssk, k2, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1 (18 sts)
Rnd 9     k1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k2, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1 (14 sts)

Close the cap using Kitchener stitch BO

Thumb (For BOTH left and right mittens)

Transfer the 13 sts on the stitch holder to circular needle 4.50mm

Pick up 3 more sts around the up edge of the gusset (16 sts)

Join the rnd

 Rnd 1    Add black yarn, k to the the end of rnd

Continue to k until the piece measured 1.25" from start

Rnd 1     k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1 (12 sts)

Rnd 2     K to the end of rnd
Rnd 3     k1, k2tog, ssk, k2, k2tog, ssk, k1 (8 sts)

Close the thumb using Kitchener stitch BO

 Left Gusset (For left mitten ONLY)

Change to circular needle 4.50mm,

Rnd 1     k15, pm, m1r, k1, m1l, pm, k to the end of rnd (34 sts)

Rnd 2 and alternat Rnd k to the end of rnd
Rnd 3     k to m, sm, m1r, k3, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (36 sts)
Rnd 5     k to m, sm, m1r, k5, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (38 sts)
Rnd 7     k to m, sm, m1r, k7, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (40 sts)
Rnd 9     k to m, sm, m1r, k9, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (42 sts)
Rnd 11   k to m, sm, m1r, k11, m1l, sm, k to the end of rnd (44 sts)
Rnd 12   k to the end of rnd
Rnd 13   k to m, rm, sl the next 13 sts onto a stitch holder, rm, CO1 using knit cast on method, k to the end of rnd
Rnd 14   k to the end of rnd

Continue to k until the piece measured 6" from cuff

Follow instruction in the finger cap and thumb sections to make finish the left mitten

Crochet Poppy Flower

Using black yarn and crochet hook 3.75mm, start with making a magic circle, ch1, sc8 (8 sts); add red yarn,  sl st into ch1 to join; cut black yarn leaving a 12" tail for sewing the flower onto the mitten

Row 1    *ch3, tc2 into the same st, tc2 into the same st for the next st, ch3, sl1 into the same st, sl1 into the next st *; repeat * * for 3 more times; cut yarn leaving a 3" tail

Weave in all tails except the 12 one

Repeat the pattern 2 more times to make a total of 3 poppy flowers

Finish
 

Check the pieces for knitting and crochet error, amend as necessary

Blocking the mitten pieces optional

Eyeball the position of the poppy flowers on the top off the left mitten and sew them in place

Using green yarn to embroider the stem

Using the 12" yarn from the long tail cast on; sl1 into the same st, ch3, sl1 into the last st of the cast on row  to join (optional)

Weave in all tails

Tomato making tomato soup

Tomato is now the all season vegetable like everything else in this global world.  I can remember when there was a season for every food on the table. I guess I am that old xD

Oscar checking out the melted cheese toast with Italian herbs
yeah, leave my tomato soup alone, you big furball :p

I love to make this soup for lunch is because it is fast, tasty and cheap. If you have a well stocked kitchen, you will be able to make it within half an hour. Skip the bacon if you want meatless, and use olive oil instead. Replace milk with chicken or vegetable booth and add in an extra tablespoon of flour.  Take out the flour and only add in 1 cup of milk if you wish to cut down the carb intake. Sugar is a must in any tomato cooking, but you can try cutting down the amount to taste.

Chunky Tomato Soup

Ingredients

2 thick slices of bacon, cut in strips
1 medium size onion, diced
1/4 tsp of thyme
1 tbsp. flour
2 cup of milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 fl oz)
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. brown sugar
salt and black pepper to taste

Cooking

1. In a thick bottom medium size pot, put in the bacon and turn the heat up to medium. Sauté the bacon and let it releases some of the fat. 10 min
2. Add in onion and continue sauté until the onion turn yellow. 10 min
3. Add in thyme and stir. 1 min
4. Add in flour and coat everything in the pot. 1 min
5. Turn heat down to medium low; slowly add in milk, keep stirring, 5 min
6. Add in baking soda, crushed tomato and bay leaf, sitr to mix. 3 min
7. Bring the liquid to boil, turn the heat down to low and let if simmer for 20 mins, stir frequently. 20 min
8. Add brown sugar, salt, more thyme and black pepper to taste. Turn off the heat and serve.

And now, for my friend Cornwall, he can go make his old style grilled cheese to accompany the soup :p   LOL  thank you Tomato  :)

Thanks and Giving

Thanksgiving is another festivity of good food and family get together.  I love cooking, but it is just too much work cooking for more than myself lol  My two furballs are easy going and would not mind if there is no turkey on the table.

Although saying all these, I decided to make a one of a kind turkey for this Thanksgiving.  You don't see a blonde turkey very often (okay, I confess I have a lot of yellow yarn :p).  I use the brown / yellow criss-cross edging to capture the autumn atmosphere. The colour feathers are the highlights of the hat; go crazy on it :D, perhaps using variegated yarns too .... lovely!!!

I find it very difficult to write crochet pattern, your comment for improvement is welcome.  Please don't hesitate to leave me message to clarify certain step(s) in the pattern.

Here is my crochet hat "recipe" Turkey a la Blonde to celebrate Thanksgiving. "Cook" your turkey the way you like it and enjoy :)

Turkey a la Blonde

Crochet technique involved 

Turkey a la Blonde

1.       Magic circle

2.       single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, triple crochet, slip stitch and chain stitch

Materials

Yarns, worst, multiple colours

·         yellow

·         brown

·         white

·         black

·         red

·         Multiple colours

Crochet hooks, 4.25mm and 3.75mm

Scissors

Yarn needle

Polyfil or waste yarns (optional)

Abbreviations

st(s) = stitches

Rnd = Round
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tc = triple crochet
approx = approximate
mm = millimeter(s)
" = inch(es)

Gauge

Length  ch10 using 4.25mm = 2"

Measurement (approx)

Hat circumference = 15"
Hat length = 6"

Hat

Using yellow yarn and crochet hook 4.25m, start with a magic circle, ch2, hdc8 (8 sts); sl st into the 2nd ch to join; pull on the tail to tighten the circle
Rnd 1     ch2, *hdc2, sc1*; repeat * * for 8 times (16 sts); sl st into the 2nd ch to join
Rnd 2     ch2, *hdc2, sc2*; repeat * * for 8 times (24 sts); sl st into the 2nd ch to join
Rnd 3     ch2, *hdc2, sc3*; repeat * * for 8 times (32 sts); sl st into the 2nd ch to join
Rnd 4     ch2, *hdc2, sc4*; repeat * * for 8 times (40 sts); sl st into the 2nd ch to join
Rnd 5     ch2, * hdc2, sc5*; repeat * * for 8 times (48 sts); sl st into the 2nd ch to join
Rnd 6     ch2, hdc2 to the end of rnd; sl st into the 2nd ch to join

Repeat Rnd 6 until the piece is measured 6" in height (from the centre of the magic circle to the edge); cut yarn leaving a 3" tail

Criss-Cross Edging

Rnd1      using yellow yarn and crochet hook 3.75mm, sl st in the 1st st, sc1, ch7,skip 3 sts, sc1, put the yarn to the back; using brown yarn, st st into 3rd st, sc1, ch7, skip 3 sts, sc1, put the yarn to the back; *using yellow yarn, ch7, skip 3 sts, sc1, put yarn to the back; using brown yarn, ch7, skip 3 sts, sc1, put yarn to the back*; repeat * * to the end of rnd; change to sl st to the sc of the same colour instead of sc1 to end

If you have problem following the above pattern, try this

Beak and Skin Flap

Using brown yarn and crochet hook 3.75mm, start with making a magic circle; ch1, sc3 (3 sts); pull on the tail to tighten

Rnd 1     sc3

Rnd 2     *sc2, sc1*; repeat 2 more time (9 sts)
Rnd 3     sc9

Repeat Rnd 3 for 2 more times; cut yarn leaving a 6" tail
Eyeball the position of the beak on the hat; using the 6" tail, sew the beak onto the hat; stuffing the beak with waste yarns or polyfil before closing optional

Using red yarn and crochet hook 3.75mm, start with a slip knot, ch12 (foundation chain)

Rnd1      sl st into the 2nd ch from the hook; sl st 6, sc1, hdc1, dc1, tc5 into the same st; dc3, hdc3, sc3, sl st to the end, sl st to the sl st to join; cut yarn leaving a 6" tail

Using the 6" tail, sew the piece to the right side of the beak

Cross Eyes

Using black yarn and crochet hook 3.75mm, start with makin a magic circle, ch1, sc6 (6 sts); add white yarn, st st to the 1st ch st to join, pull on the tail to tighten; cut black yarn leaving a 3" tail

Rnd1      sl st, sc1 into the same st; hdc1 , dc1 into the same st; tc2 into the same st for the next 4 sts; dc1, hdc1 into the same st; sc1, sl st into the same st; sl st to the sl st to join; cut yarn leaving a 14" tail

Repeat the pattern to make the second eyes
Eyeball the position of the eyes above the beak with the black pupils toward the centre

Feathers

Using a colour yarn and crochet hook 3.75mm, start with a slip knot, ch12 (foundation chain)

Rnd 1     sl st into the 2nd ch from the hook; sc1, hdc1, dc8, hdc1, sc3 into the same st; hdc1, dc8, sl st 2; sl st to the sl st to join; cut yarn leaving a 10" tail

Weave in the tail from the starting slip knot

Repeat the pattern for 8 more times using different colour yarns

Organized all the feathers together to form a rosette, use the tails of one pieces sewing into another piece to hold them in position; tie all the tails together



Rosette for Turkey a la Blonde

Eyeball the position for the feathers (in between the beak and top of the hat) , divide the tied tails into 2 bundles, pull 1 through the space in between sts to the ws; pull the other through the next space to the ws

Tie the bundles in the ws

Finish

Weave in all tails as necessary