Sunday, June 26, 2005

EZ Knitted Scarf and Hat

These scarves and hats are so quick and easy to knit I'm tempted to call it an un-pattern. Simple garter stitch rectangles become warm and toasty accessories perfect for charity projects.

Knitted flat with 2 strands of Lion Brand Homespun on size 15 US/10 mm needles, you can play around with leftover yarn to make interesting stripes and color combinations. 2 skeins required to make a set, any size.

Sizes: Small (2 years), Medium (8 years) and Large (teen to adult). Pattern written for small size with changes for medium and large sizes in parenthesis where appropriate.

Gauge: 9 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in garter stitch (knit every row) using size 15 US/10 mm needles of any style. Also required: large-eyed tapestry needle.

Scarf: Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 12 (12, 15) stitches.
Knit in garter stitch for 126 (144, 160) rows. That's 63 (72, 80) ribs.
Bind off. Weave in ends.

Note: To recreate my striping pattern, change the color of one of the strands of yarn every 18 (18, 20) rows or 9 (9,10) ribs.

Hat: Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 30 (36, 40) stitches.
Knit in garter stitch 24 (28, 32) rows or 12 (14, 16) ribs.
Final row: Knit 15 (18, 20) stitches and stop, leaving the stitches on the needles. Cut the yarn, leaving a 24" tail for seaming. Fold the hat right sides together and using a large tapestry needle weave the front and back stitches together using kitchener stitch. Turn hat right-side-out and continue seam along side of hat using mattress stitch. Weave in ends.

Note: To recreate my striping pattern, change the color of one of the strands of yarn every 6 (6, 8) rows or 3 (3, 4) ribs.

Bonus: Toddler Thumbless Mitts
Using 2 strands of yarn, cast on 12 stitches.
Knit in garter stitch for 20 rows, or 10 ribs.
Row 21: *K2tog, knit 2, K2tog* twice; 8 stitches.
Row 22: Knit
Row 23: *K2tog* across row; 4 stitches.
Row 24: Knit
Cut yarn leaving 14" tail for seaming. Using large tapestry needle, draw yarn through 4 remaining stitches and pull up tightly. Fold sides of mitt together, wrong sides together, and seam using matress stitch. Weave in ends.

Note: I played around with stripe patterns with the mitts using the leftover bits of yarn. I started with dark colors and ended with light colors, but didn't do the same thing twice.

This photo shows the small size set, appropriate for a toddler of 2 years. The colors I used for this set: #368 Montana Sky (darker blue), #391 Blue Sky (light blue) and #300 Hepplewhite (white).

Stripe pattern:
A: 2 strands dark blue.
B: 1 strand dark blue, 1 strand light blue
C: 2 strands light blue
D: 1 strand light blue, 1 strand white


This photo shows the large set, appropriate for a teen or adult. The colors I used for this set: #368 Montana Sky (dark blue), #391 Blue Sky (light blue), #369 Florida Keys Green (dark green) and # 389 Spring Green (light green).

Stripe pattern:
A: 1 strand dark blue, 1 strand light blue
B: 1 strand light blue, 1 strand light green
C: 1 strand light green, 1 strand dark green
D: 1 strand dark green, 1 strand dark blue


The red colorway uses # 375 Candy Apple (dark red), # 370 Coral Gables (light red), and # 300 Hepplewhite (white).

A: 2 strands dark red
B: 1 strand dark red, 1 strand light red
C: 2 strands light red
D: 1 strand light red, 1 strand white

The green colorway uses #369 Florida Keys Green (dark green), # 389 Spring Green (light green) and #300 Hepplewhite (white).

A: 2 strands dark green
B: 1 strand dark green, 1 strand light green
C: 2 strands light green
D: 1 strand light green, 1 strand white

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