Knitting!: Hudson's Bay Doll Sweater

Here is the little sweater I designed, as modelled by Maurice the Moose. The shawl collar and Hudson's Bay colours give it a real rustic, outdoorsy feel. It has a wrap around front and drop shoulder construction.

Hudson's Bay Doll Sweater

Yarn: I used Patons Canadiana 

Main colour (mc) 10006 Winter White

Contrast Colour 1(cc1) 10110 Navy (blue)

CC2 10610 Fool's Gold (yellow)

CC3 10707 Cardinal (red)

CC4 10708 Leap Frog (green)

Needles: 3.5mm straight needles

Gauge: 6st x 8rows= 1 inch squared

Measurement: From arm to arm: 8"

From shoulder to hem: 3" 

Wrap around circumference: 9.5"

Abbreviations:

cc1-contrast colour 1

cc2-contrast colour 2

cc3-contrast colour 3

cc4-contrast colour 4

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

mc-main colour

p-purl

p2tog-purl two together

ssk-slip, slip knit

st-stitches

Sweater body:

Cast on 42 st in mc.

K1, p1 ribbing for 2 rows

Row 3: k

Row 4: p

Row 5: Switch to cc1 (blue), k 1 row

Row 6: switch to mc, purl 1 row

Row 7: switch to cc2 (yellow), k1  row

Row 8: switch to mc, purl 1 row

Row 9: switch to cc3 (red), k 1 row

Row 10: switch to mc, purl 1 row

Row 11: switch to cc4 (green), k 1 row

Row 12: switch to mc, purl 1 row

Left front of Sweater:

K 12st, place remaining stitches on a holder.

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, k9

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, k8

Next row: p

Next row: Bind off 2 st, k to end (8st left)

Next row: p

Next row: Bind off 3 st, k to end (5st left)

Next row: p

Next row: k

Next row: Bind off all stitches (5)

Back of Sweater:

Reattach mc yarn and knit 18st, place the remaining 12 stitches on a holder.

Next row: p

Next row: k

Next row: p

Next row: k

Next row: p

Next row: k

Next row: p

Next row: k

Next row: p

Next row: k

Bind off 18 st.

Right front of Sweater:

Reattach mc yarn and knit the 12 remaining stitches

Next row: p1, p2tog, p9

Next row: k

Next row: p1, p2tog, p8

Next row: k

Next row: Bind off 2 st, p to end (8 st left)

Next row: k

Next row: Bind off 3 st, p to end (5 st left)

Next row: k

Next row: p

Next row: k

Next row: Bind off all stitches (5)

Sleeves:

Cast on 24 st in mc.

Knit 4 rows in stockinette st.

Next row: k1, k2tog, k 18, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, k16, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, k14, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Do two rows of k1, p1 ribbing

Bind off all stitches

Repeat for the second sleeve

Weave in All the ends (I know! There's a lot!). Seam up the shoulders of the sweater. Sew the sleeves in the arm holes.

Collar:

Pick up and knit in mc 50st around the left side, back, and right side of the sweater. This part will be in garter stitch.

Knit 1 row

Next row: k until 10 st from the end, bring yarn to the front, and turn your work (short row)

Next row:  k until 10 st from the end, bring yarn to the front, and turn your work (short row)

Next row: k until 18 st from the end, bring yarn to the front, and turn your work (short row)

Next row: k to end

Bind off all 50 st

Weave in ends and enjoy your new Hudson's Bay Doll Sweater!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern. Please let me know if you find any errors and I will try to correct them.

Knitting! Woodland Stag/Deer Baby Hat

Halloween is coming in a month and it is time for another knitting pattern. This year my little guy is going to be a stag for Halloween and I designed this cute little hat for his costume. I now have two hat sizes available, but if either hat size doesn't work for your needs, you could always use a different hat pattern and just add the ears and antlers for your hat.

Woodland Stag/ Baby Deer Hat

Yarn:

Main colour (mc): Bernat Softee Chunky in Soft Taupe

Contrast Colour 1 (cc1): Patons Shetland Chunky in White

Needles:

5mm double pointed needles (dpn's)

Gauge: 6 stitches and 8 rows = 2inches

Measurement:

Small: circumference 16-18 inches 

Medium: circumference 19 inches [all medium instructions will follow the small instructions in brackets ( ) ].

Abbreviations:

cc1-contrast colour 1

dpn's-double pointed needles

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

m1-make one stitch

mc-main colour

p-purl

p2tog-purl two together

ssk-slip slip knit

st-stitches

 Hat Pattern:

With main colour, cast on 48 st (56st) on dpn's. Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

row 1: k1, p1 around

Continue for 3 (5) more rows.

Next row: k around and repeat until hat measures 3.5inches (4.5inches) from the start.

next row: k6, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k around

next row:k5, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k around

next row: k4, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k around

next row: k3, k2tog, repeat around circle

(Medium size only: k around)

next row: k2, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k1, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k2tog, repeat around circle

last row: k2tog, repeat around circle (k one). Cut yarn, weave through remaining stitches, pull tight, bind off and weave in ends.

Outer Ear Pattern:

With main colour, cast on 4 st on 5mm needles

row 1: k

row 2: p

row 3 :k1, m1, k2,  m1, k1

row 4: p

row 5: k1, m1, k4, m1, k1

row 6: p

row 7: k

row 8: p

row 9: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1

row 10: p

row 11: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1

row 12: p

row 13: k2tog, ssk

row 14: p

row 15, k2, bind off, weave in top end, but leave a long tail at the bottom (to sew the ear onto the hat). 

Repeat for the second ear.

Inner Ear Pattern:

In cc1, cast on 3 st on 5mm needles

row 1: k

row 2: p

row 3: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1

row 4: p

row 5: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1

row 6: p

row 7: k1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1

row 8: p

row 9: k2tog, k1, ssk

row 10: p

row 11: k2tog, ssk

row 12: p2tog

Bind off. Weave in one end and use the other end to sew inner ear centred onto outer ear.

Repeat.

Antler Pattern:

In cc1, cast on 9 st evenly on 3, 5mm dpns.

Knit in the round until it measures 1.5 inches from beginning. Place 3 st on one needle and set aside. Cast on 2 st on a fourth needle and continue knitting in the round (8 st on needles). After 3/4", k2, k2tog, k to end of the round.

Next row: k4, k2tog, k1

next row: k

next row: k2tog, k to end of row (5st left)

next row: k

next row: k1, k2tog, k2 (4st left)

next row: k

next row: k2, k2tog (3st left)

next row: k, moving 2 st onto 1 needle, 1 on the other.

next row: k2tog, k1, bind off.

Rejoin yarn where the 3 st are set aside. Cast on 2 st (5 st total) and knit in round for 1/2". k2tog, k3, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1. Bind off.

Sew up hole where new stitches are joined on. Pull bound off ends to the inside of the antler. If desired, add stuffing to the base of the antler and then sew onto the top of the hat. 

Repeat for second antler.

And that's it! Please let me know if you find any errors in the pattern and if you have any suggestions. I also love to hear from people who made the pattern and enjoyed it. Please check out my other patterns on my blog and add me on raverly :honeynutbrown.

The Northern Spring Shawl/Cowl

Or as I like to call it, a "Showl".  This is my latest knitting pattern, inspired by a beautiful shawl/cowl/infinity scarf that a lady in town wove. This "showl" is a great in-between season accessory and looks great with a light coat or sweater to add a little extra warmth. 

 Ah, Northern Spring, or as others like to call it, "Winter."

 The texture of this "showl" is lovely, the linen stitch gives it the appearance of being woven and the reverse side feels so luxurious.

Northern Spring Shawl-Cowl (Showl)

Yarn: Bernat Softee Chunky in Grey Heather, 6 skeins

Needles: 8mm

Gauge: 3st and 4 rows = 1 inch in linen stitch (gauge is not too important in this project)

Measurements: 19 inches wide and 6 feet long

Abbreviations: 

k-knit

p-purl

sl-slip

st-stitch

ybk-bring yarn to the back of work

yfwd-bring yarn to the front of work

Notes: This "showl" is cast on using an open/invisible cast-on and then joined to the end using kitchener stitch to make a continuos loop. The seam is still somewhat visible though, and if doing an open cast-on is intimidating for you, go ahead and use your regular cast-on method and sew up the two ends in whatever way works best for you.

Cast on 60 stitches using the invisible or open cast-on method.

Work in linen stitch until "showl" measures 6 feet long. Linen stitch pattern is as follows:

*k1, yfwd,  sl1, ybk* until 2 stitches remain. k2

*p1,ybk, sl1, yfwd* until 2 stitches remain. p2

When shawl/cowl measures 6 feet long, place the open cast-on stitches on a needle as well, twist the shawl/cowl in one full twist (like an infinity scarf) and join the two edges in kitchener stitch to make one continuos loop. Weave in ends. Wrap that "showl" around you and revel in its softness and warmth with a mind at ease, knowing that you didn't have to sacrifice comfort for style.

Knitting!: Fur Trader's Toque

Here is a hat pattern that I created, inspired by the Hudson's Bay and fur traders. I live in a small town that was established by the fur trade over 200 years ago and this hat is a throwback to those times.
This hat is knit flat, but can easily be knit in the round if that is what you like best.

Fur Trader's Toque

Yarn: I used Patons Canadiana (how fitting!), since it is itch-free.

Main colour (mc) 10006 Winter White

Contrast Colour 1(cc1) 10110 Navy

CC2 10610 Fool's Gold (I actually ended up switching this colour out for a no-name yarn that was a lighter colour yellow-this one was almost mustard)

CC3 10707 Cardinal

CC4 10708 Leap Frog

Needles: 4.5mm straight needles

Gauge: 9st = 2inches in stockinette st

Measurement: 22inch circumference

Abbreviations:

cc1-contrast colour 1

cc2-contrast colour 2

cc3-contrast colour 3

cc4-contrast colour 4

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

mc-main colour

p-purl

st-stitches

Cast on 78st in mc.

*K3, p3* repeat to end. Continue in k3, p3 ribbing pattern until hat measures 1.5" from start (around 8 rows).

Switch to cc1 (navy) and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to mc and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to cc2 (yellow) and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to mc and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to cc3 (red) and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to mc and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to cc4 (green) and work 0.5" in stockinette st. (roughly 3 rows). 

Switch to mc and work a further 2" in stockinette st.

Decreasing:

Row 1:*k5, k2tog* from end to end

row 2: p

row 3:*k4, k2tog* from end to end

row 4: p

row 5:*k3, k2tog* from end to end

row 6: p

row 7:*k2, k2tog* from end to end

row 8: p

row 9:*k1, k2tog* from end to end

row 10: p

row 11:*k2tog* from end to end

There should be 11st remaining. Break off yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through the remaining loops (pulling them off the needle) and pull tightly in a circle. Fasten. Sew up side, weave in ends. Make a pompom for the top and sew in place. Tada! 

Let me know if you find any mistakes or if you have any questions. I'd love to see your finished toques, so add me on ravelry: honeynutbrown. 

Knitting!: My Year in Temperatures -Scarf-

This is a conceptual knitting pattern that will look different for everyone who knits it.  In this pattern, you record the day's highest temperature by knitting one row in the colour designated for each temperature. At the end of the year, you will have a visual colourful graph of the temperatures of your area for a whole year.

 Start by casting on 35 stitches in white and knit 5 rows, working in garter stitch. After that, knit one row a day, in the colour you have chosen to represent your temperature groupings.

 Knit two rows in white at the start of each month, if you would like to keep track of the separate months.

At the end of the year, knit another 5 rows in white. Bind off, weave in ends, and you are done! I think this would also look nice in a monochromatic colour scheme. Hmmm, something to try next year? I am excited to see how mine turns out!