Knitting: The Aspen Sweater

 My little boy (age 3) requested to be an Aspen tree for Hallowe'en, which made this mama super happy! I've been waiting to do some sort of Aspen pattern for a while, and this was the perfect opportunity to design a sweater for him. The sweater is knit from thick roving, so it takes very little time to whip up. It is knit flat and seamed to give it shape. A shawl collar finishes it off. Stay tuned for the matching toque pattern, which I'll post just as soon as I can do a little photo shoot.

For the printable pattern, click here.

For the printable graph, click here.

The Aspen Pullover

Yarn: Briggs and Little Country Roving in Natural White (2 skeins) and Dark Grey (1 skein)

Needles: 6mm and 5mm for ribbing

Gauge: 9st x 15rows = 4”

Abbreviations:

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

p-purl

p2tog-purl two together

RS-right side

ssk-slip, slip, knit

ssp-slip, slip, purl

st-stitches

St st- Stockinette stitch

WS-wrong side
Size: 3t

Measurements:

Sleeves= 16”

Length= 16”

Girth= 29”

Front

On 5mm needles with Natural White, cast on 34st and work 1.5” in 1x1 ribbing.

Switch to 6mm needles and work in St st until front measures 8.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row. Throughout the sweater, add in bars of Dark Grey randomly to create the effect of Aspen bark. Use the graph as a guide if needed for different shapes/spacing.

Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (32st)

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (30st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (16st)

WS: p

Neck and Left Front

RS: k8, turn

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to end (7st)

WS: Bind off 1 st, p to end (6st)

RS: k to end

WS: Bind off 1 st, p to end (5st)

RS: k1, ssk, k to end (4st)

WS: Bind off 1 st, p to end (3st)

Work until front measures 16” from the bottom. End after a WS row. Bind off.

Neck and Right Front

Return to the remaining st.

RS: k

WS: p

RS: Bind off 1 st, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (6st)

WS: p

RS: Bind off 1 st, k to end (5st)

WS: p

RS: Bind off 1 st, k2tog, k1(3st)

Work in St st until sweater front measures 16” from the bottom. End after working a WS row. On the next RS row, bind off remaining st for shoulder.

Back

On 5mm needles with Natural White, cast on 34st and work 1.5” in 1x1 ribbing.

Switch to 6mm needles and work in St st until front measures 8.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row. Throughout the sweater, add in bars of Dark Grey randomly to create the effect of Aspen bark. Use the graph as a guide if needed for different shapes/spacing.

Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (32st)

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (30st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k to 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (16st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

Right Back Shoulder

RS: k5, turn

WS: p

RS: k2, k2tog, k1 (4st)

WS: p

RS: k1, k2tog, k1 (3st)

WS: p

Work in St st until sweater measures 16”, bind off.

Centre Back Neck

Reattach yarn and bind off 6 st

Left Back Shoulder

RS: k (5st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k1 (4st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk (3st)

WS: p

Work in St st until sweater measures 16”, bind off.

Sleeves

On 5mm needles with Natural White, cast on 16st. Work 1.5” in 1x1 ribbing. Switch to 6mm needles and work in St st. Throughout the sleeve, add in bars of Dark Grey randomly to create the effect of Aspen bark. Use the graph as a guide if needed for different shapes/spacing. Work the sleeve as follows:

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (30st)

WS: p

RS: k1, m1, k to 1 from end, m1, k1 (32st)

WS: p

Bind off 1 st at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (30st)

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (28st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (26st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (24st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (22st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (20st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (18st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (16st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (14st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (12st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (10st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (8st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k until 3 from end, k2tog, k1 (6st)

WS: p

RS: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4st)

WS: ssp, p2tog (2st)

Bind off.

Get really comfy, because there are a lot of ends to weave in! Weave them in and block. Sew up seams and then work the shawl collar as follows:

Shawl Collar

With 6mm needles in Natural White, pick up and knit 36st around collar, starting at centre front.

Knit 0.75” in Garter st.

Next row: k until 3 from end, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 3 from end, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Next row: k until 1 from marker, place marker, and turn.

Slip all the stitches until you reach the beginning. Knit one row and bind off.

Weave in ends and you're done!

Knitting: Snowshoe Hare Sweater

This pattern has been a long time coming. I first designed it last fall, but when I had finished knitting it up, the armholes were much too small! Heartbreak! It took me a year before I was ready to pull it all apart and start knitting again. I changed the design around a bit and now I am so happy with it!

One of my favourite animals to encounter in the winter woods are Snowshoe Hares. They've shed their summer greys and browns and put on a coat of pure white. They would blend in perfectly with the snow, if not for some tiny accents of black on their ears and their black eyes. I wanted to design a sweater that would reflect this beautiful creature for my daughter. The pattern is sized for a 12-18 month-old. My daughter is nearly 17 months old now, and about average size.

This sweater features puffed sleeves, a gathered, moss stitch skirt with an empire waist bodice, and a hood with ears.

Here is the link to the printable version: Snowshoe Hare Sweater printable

 

Snowshoe Hare Pullover

Yarn: Patons North America Shetland Chunky in white and black (for the ear tips)

Needles: 5mm circular

Gauge: 13st and 19 rows = 4” in St st

Abbreviations:

gt st- garter stitch

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

m1- make 1 stitch

p-purl

RS-right side

ssk-slip, slip, knit

st-stitches

St st- stockinette stitch

WS-wrong side

Measurements:

Sleeve length: 13”

Girth: 20”

Sweater length: 14.5”

Front

Cast on 37 st. Work 1.25” in stockinette st and end after working a WS row. Bind off 2 st for underarm shelf at the beginning of the next two rows.

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

Work in St st until garment measures 4.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row.

Work neck as follows:

Left Front

Knit 11 stitches. Turn work.

WS row: Bind off 2 st, p to end

RS row: k

WS row: Bind off 2 st, p to end

Work the left front in St st until the garment measures 6 inches from the bottom. Bind off.

Right Front

Join yarn. Bind off 7 st, k to end

WS row: p

RS row: Bind off 2 st, k to end

WS row: p

RS row: Bind off 2 st, k to end

WS row: p

Work the right front in St st until the garment measures 6 inches from the bottom. Bind off.

Back

Cast on 37 st. Work 1.25” in stockinette st and end after working a WS row. Bind off 2 st for underarm shelf at the beginning of the next two rows.

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

WS row: p

Work in St st until garment measures 5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row.

Right Shoulder

RS row: k 9 st, turn work

WS row: Bind off 1 st, p to end

RS row: k

WS row: Bind off 1 st, p to end

Work in St st until garment measures 6” from bottom. Bind off right shoulder st.

Left Shoulder

Bind off 11 st, k to end

WS row: p

RS row: Bind off 1 st, k to end

WS row: p

Rs row: Bind off 1 st, k to end

Work in St st until garment measures 6” from bottom. Bind off left shoulder st.

Sleeves

Cast on 21 st. Work 1.5” in garter st.

In St st (starting with a purl row), increase one stitch on each side of a RS row, every 6th row until there are 29st. Continue working in St st until sleeve measures 7.5” from the bottom. End after working a WS row.

Bind off 2st at the beginning of the next 2 rows.

Work 16 rows in St st.

Bind off 2 st at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Bind off 4 st at the beginning of the next 4 rows.

Bind off remaining st.

Body (Skirt)

Cast on 96st and join to form a circle. Work 1.5” in garter st. Switch to Moss stitch or St st and continue to work in the round until garment measures 8”. Bind off.

Block pieces. Sew the shoulder seams together, then the side seams. Sew the sleeves up the seams and then set in armhole as follows: Beginning separately at each underarm, sew up until 2.5” from the top shoulder seam on each side. Gather the remaining sleeve cap to fit and sew in place.

With the body tube laying flat, use a stitch marker to mark the sides of the body. Match the sides of the body to the side seams of the top and pin in place. Gather the fabric of the body to fit the top and sew in place, with seams to the inside. If you want, add a couple of buttons to the bodice for decoration.

Hood

Starting with the last two bound off st of the lowest point of the neck (Right front of sweater), pick up and knit 54 st as follows:

Right front to shoulder seam, pick up 14 st

Back between shoulder seams, pick up 26 st

Shoulder seam to left front, pick up 14 st (Ending with the first two bound off st of the lowest point of the neck)

Work 1” in St st, then increase as follows on a RS row:

K17, m1, (k4, m1) 5x, k to end (60 st).

Work in St st until hood measures 9.75” tall.

With 30 st on each needle and folded with right sides together, bind off using a three needle bind off.

Hood Band

Next, pick up and knit 3st for every 4 rows around the hood. Work hood band in garter st until the band measures 1”. Sew the bottoms of the band down to the neck of the sweater (They should just meet in the middle). Weave in ends.

Ears

With 5mm needles, cast on 11 st

row 1: k

row 2: p3, k5, p3

Repeat these two rows until you have 22 rows

Row 23: k

Row 24: p4, k3, p4

Row 25: k

Row 26: p5, k1, p5

Row 27: k1 ssk, k5, k2tog, k1(9st)

Row 28: p

Row 29: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1(7st)

Row 30: p

Row 31: k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1(5st)

Switch to black

Row 32: p

Row 33: ssk, k1, k2tog (3st)

Row 34: p

----This is where the ear will be folded back when completed----

Row 35: k

Row 36: p

Row 37: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1(5st)

Row 38: p

Row 39: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1(7st)

Switch to white

Row 40: p

Row 41: k1, m1, k5, m1, k1 (9st)

Row 42: p

Row 43: k1, m1, k7, m1, k1 (11^st)

Row 44: p

Continue in St st until back measures the same as front. Bind off. Fold in half with wrong sides together and sew the edges of the ear together. Fold in the bottom two corners into the middle and sew onto hood this way. I like to sew the ears to the hood at the bottom of the ears and then tack them part of the way up to the hood, so they stand up straight.

 I hope you enjoy the pattern! Please let me know of any errors you may encounter and be sure to friend me on Ravelry (I'm honeynutbrown).

Knitting: Cedar's Spring Shawl

My Cedar baby needed a new shawl to wear to match those baby blues. And so, here is my latest creation!

 This beautiful shawl is designed to fit babies from around 10 months -18 months. It is knit by holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together. The garter stitch gives it wonderful texture and keeps the shawl from curling. A double increase in the centre of the shawl leaves a delicate pattern up the back.

Download the printable version here.

 Cedar's Spring Shawl

Yarn: 1 skein each of Bernat Satin in Sage and Aqua (worsted weight). Both strands are held together while knitting

Needles: 6mm

Gauge: 3st x 5rows = 1”x 1”in garter st

Size: 12-18 months

Measurements: Each arm of the triangle measures 23” from the tip to the centre top.

Abbreviations:

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

RS-rs

st-stitches

WS-wrong side

yo-yarn over

Shawl Pattern:

Cast on 3 st on 6mm needles using both strands of yarn held together. The shawl is worked in garter stitch.

Row 1: k

Row 2: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1

Row 3: k

Row 4: k until just before centre st, yo, k1, yo, k to end (You can place a marker before and after the centre st to remind you where it is)

Row 5: k

Repeat rows 4 and 5 until you have 49 st on your needles, ending on a knit-only row.

Knit the next 24 st and place them on a holder, bind off centre st, and knit the last 24 st. You will be now working these st back and forth.

Knit 3 more rows

Decrease: k1, k2tog, k to end (Decreases are worked closer to the centre side)

Knit 3 more rows.

Continue to work a decrease row after every three rows knit until you have only 2 st remaining on your needles.

Knit two more rows and bind off.

Rejoin yarn at the centre and work the stitches that were on the holder.

Knit 2 more rows.

Decrease: k1, k2tog, k to end (Decreases are worked closer to the centre side)

Knit 3 more rows.

Continue to work a decrease row after every three rows knit until you have only 2 st remaining on your needles.

Knit two more rows and bind off.

Weave in ends and block the shawl.

 Each arm of the shawl measures 23" to the centre top.

Knitting! The Big Bad Wolf

With a new Little Red Riding Hood pattern, we needed a Big Bad Wolf to go along with it! The hat pattern is only one size, which should fit a 2-3 year-old. You could make the hat from any pattern though, and knit the ears from here to attach.

 Big Bad Wolf Hat

Yarn: 

Main colour (mc): Patons Shetland Chunky in grey (less than one skein)

Contrast colour 1 (cc1): Patons Shetland Chunky in white (much less than 1 skein)

Needles:

5mm double pointed needles (dpn's)

Gauge:

4stitches and 4 rows = 1" in Stockinette stitch

Measurement:

circumference= 21"

Size:

one size, fits a 2-3 year-old

Abbreviations:

cc1-contrast colour 1

dpn's-double pointed needles

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

m1-make 1

mc-main colour

p-purl

p2tog-purl two together

ssk-slip slip knit

st-stitches

St st-stockinette stitch

Wolf Hat

On 5mm dpn's cast on 70 st in mc (grey) and join in round.

Work k1, p1 ribbing for 1"

Switch to Stockinette st and work until hat measures 5" from the beginning.

Next row: *k5, k2tog* 10 times (60st)

Next row: k

Next row: *k4, k2tog* 10 times (50st)

Next row: k

Next row: *k3, k2tog* 10 times (40st)

Next row: k

Next row: *k2, k2tog* 10 times (30st)

Next row: k

Next row: *k1, k2tog* 10 times (20st)

Next row: k

Next row: *k2tog* 10 times (10st)

Next row: *k2tog* 10 times (5st)

Cut yarn, leaving a 5" tail. Thread yarn through the remaining loops on the needles and pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Wolf Ears

Cast on 10 st on 5mm needles in grey.

Knit 1.5" in Stockinette st ending on a wrong side row.

Next row: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k2tog, ssk

Next row: p2tog

Bind off

make 2

White Ear Centres:

Cast on 8 st on 5mm needles in white.

Knit 1" in St st ending on a wrong side row.

Next row: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1

Next row: p

Next row: k2tog, ssk

Next row: p2tog

Bind off

make 2

Sew the white centres onto the grey ears. Sew both ears on top of the hat.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the pattern! Check out the Little Red Riding Hood and other patterns under the "knitting patterns" tab at the top of the page. Questions and comments welcome and please let me know of any errors you may find.

Knitting! Little Red Riding Hood/ Christmas Hood

Knitting pattern time! This one I made for Halloween, but it can also double for Christmas too. Who doesn't need a bright red cape and hood? This is a one-size fits all type of pattern. My almost-5-month-old daughter is wearing it in the pictures and I tried it on my two-year-old son as well and it fits nicely. 

Little Red Riding Hood/ Christmas Hood

Yarn:

Main colour (mc): Bernat Softee Chunky in Berry Red (2 skeins)

Contrast Colour 1 (cc1): Bernat Softee Chunky in White (1 skein)

Needles:

5mm circular needles

Gauge: 

6 stitches and 8 rows = 2inches

Measurement:

cape has a circumference of 29", Hood is 10" high

Sizes:

One size will fit between 6months and 2T, possibly 3T(see notes in pattern in parentheses) It will just have a more fitted look for older children

Abbreviations:

cc1-contrast colour 1

cc2-contrast colour 2

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

k1f&b-knit one front and back

m1-make 1

mc-main colour

p-purl

ssk-slip slip knit

st-stitches

St st-stockinette stitch

Cast on 90st in cc1(white) on 5mm circular needles and join in the round, placing a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each new row.

Row 1: *k5, on the right needle, slip 2nd st from left over the first st, then the 3rd st over the 1st, then the 4th over the 1st, and then the 5th over the first, leaving just one st on the right needle, yo* Repeat * to * a total of 18 times.

Row 2: k1f&b in every stitch around

Switch to main colour (Berry Red)

Knit until the red portion of the cape measures 3" long (if you are knitting this for a 2 or 3 year old, consider adding an inch or two of length at this part).

Next row: *k6, k2tog* 9 times

Next row: k

Next row: *k5, k2tog* 9 times

Next row: k

Next row: *k4, k2tog* 9 times

Next row: k

Next row: *k3, k2tog* 9 times (36 st)

Next row: k

Next row: k

Now the hood is going to be worked flat. Instead of continuing to work in the round, turn your work, k2, purl until 2 from the end, k2.

Next row: k

Next row: k2, purl until 2 from end, k2

Next row: k8, *k2, m1, k1, m1* 6 times, k2, k8 (48 st)

Next row: k2, purl until 2 from end, k2

Next row: *k4, m1* 6 times, k1f&b, k3, m1, *k4, m1* 4 times, k4 (60 st)

Continue to work in stockinette st, with the first and last two stitches of each row always knit (garter st) until the hood measures 9.5" long from where it splits from the cape (add and inch or two for sizes 2T-3T). Turn the hood inside out and fold in half, doing a 3 needle bind off to seam the top of the hood together.

Weave in ends and block the hood.

Look out! It's the Big Bad Wolf!

I hope you enjoy this pattern! If you find any errors, please let me know and I will try to fix them. I welcome any questions or comments as well. Please check out the tab at the top of my blog which links to a page of all my other knitting patterns. Stay tuned for the Bid Bad Wolf hat as well!