fishie’s aquarium

I’ve been busy, but not busy sewing this time. Since the last time I’ve posted, I had a job interview, a job offer, and a first week of work. I also started my NaKniSweMo project, and I’m almost done with the body. As I said, I’ve been busy, so this this is the only picture I have of it:

It’s the Cable-Down Raglan from Interweave Knits, Spring 2007. The yarn is worsted weight, 80% Alpaca/20% Nylon, recycled from some sweater from a thrift store. I had a few issues with determining how much I had, even after I bought a kitchen scale to weigh my yarn. I’ve figured I have about 860 yards, which should be enough to lengthen the sleeves to wrist-length. Being almost done with the body, and having used maybe about half of my yarn, I’m not too worried.

With the new job, I’m not sure when I’ll find time to knit, at least not until I’m trained and actually working. As it is now, I’m trying to make a good first impression, and with my boss being out of town and nobody training me… it’s a little frustrating spending 8 hours a day at a computer not really doing anything but still looking productive.

What is my problem? It’s the third day of November and I STILL haven’t cast on for NaKniSweMo. Guess I’ve had too many other things on my mind, such as all the sewing I’ve been doing.

First, the tablecloth I designed and made in a week for the Halloween party:

The tablecloth was made to fit the dining table that Kate’s grandfather made a million years ago, and it fit perfectly. Hooray! I only went crazy sewing it while the cat was trying to sit on it. I made it from a twin size top sheet and an old tablecloth I found at the Goodwill. I think total, they cost me $8.

Next, I decided to join an ongoing swap on Craftster. It’s great the way this one is set up… Somebody posts their wishlist, and then the next person claims something off their wishlist and posts their’s. If you’re too busy to make something, you don’t claim anything. It’s very low pressure. The lace-up armwarmers I made were for this swap. The second person I claimed wanted PJ pants and embroidery scissors with a case.

The case was pretty easy to make, except for me being an idiot and forgetting about how to make my lining into a nice finished edge. I managed, but it didn’t look nearly as nice as if I’d actually thought about it. I lined the case in that plastic stuff sheet sets come in, with a double lining in the point, so the scissors don’t poke out. It was a pain to turn inside out, but I’m pretty pleased with them.

The PJ pants were AWESOME. Can I just say right now that I didn’t use a pattern for these? Oh, and the fabric was free, which I didn’t figure out until I’d already walked out of the store and realized the clerk hadn’t scanned my receipt from the cutting counter. Apparently she assumed I walked into the store with 2 yards of fabric tucked under my arm? The draw-string is i-cord I knit myself, I made the stencil myself, and whoo hoo! I ended up with pants that would look store bought until you turn them inside out. Have I mentioned I want a serger?

I know I mostly talk about knitting, and I hoard yarn more than fabric, but sewing was my first love. And hey, I’ve been doing it for… 15 years now? Not bad!

My first version of this pattern is complete. When I finish up some other things, I’ll start working on a simplified, less cluttered version with a better brim. But for now, here ya go, my first written pattern! The yarn quantities are estimated. Bernat Satin comes in 166 yd skeins and the hat used barely half of the main, if even that much. I don’t have a scale yet so I can’t give more than my estimations.

Inspired by the art of Alex Grey, this hat is decorated with a representation of the crown chakra. This simple fair-isle pattern requires the use of only two colors at a time, with some duplicate stitching used to carry the design into areas where stranding is inconvenient. Using worsted weight yarn, this is a quick knit with warm results. Two variations of the color-work have been included. The two hats shown use the first variation.

MATERIALS

• Approx. 80 yards MC1/MC, 60 yards CC/CC1, and 30 yards MC2/CC2 of worsted weight yarn (I used Bernat Satin Solids, Mai Tai/Flamingo/Bordeaux and Ebony/Mai Tai/unknown worsted)

• Size 6 circular needle, 16″
• Size 6 DPNs
• tapestry needle
• one stitch marker

GAUGE: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Chart (click to enlarge)

Using MC1/MC and circular needle, CO 100 sts, place marker, and join in the round.
Work in k1, p1 ribbing for 5 rounds, then in stockinette stitch for 4 rounds.
Begin working chart joining in CC/CC1, starting on Row 3 (pattern on Rows 1 and 2 are done in duplicate stitch later). Make sure that your yarn floats are loose enough to allow fabric to stretch.

As you’re working:

• Rows 12 and 13 are worked in MC1/MC with duplicate stitching added later. Do not break CC/CC1 yarn, it can be carried up and worked in row 14.

• Rows 23-25 also have duplicate stitching that is added later. Knit these stitches in MC1/MC.
• Row 30: Break MC1/CC1 and begin working with MC2/CC2.
• Rows 33 and 36 involve decreases where stitches of two different colors are knit together.
• Switch to DPNs when it becomes difficult to knit on the circular needle

After Row 43 is completed, break yarn and draw it through 5 remaining sts, down into hat and weave in ends.
With a tapestry needle, take lengths of specified yarn in chart to do the duplicate stitches to complete the design. Here is a good duplicate stitch tutorial if you need a little help with this.

If you decide to knit this pattern and run into a problem or notice an error, please let me know! Also, I’d love to see pictures of finished ones. To see the process of this pattern, click here.

P.S. Please don’t sell this pattern or anything made from this pattern. Thanks :)