Point Isabel Cowl

The Point Isabel Cowl is a luxurious cowl that can be dressed up, dressed down, and worn by everyone. It is a must-have accessory for both women and men!

 

Although the resulting cowl looks intricate, this pattern is easy to memorize and great for working on while at the beach or while watching a movie.

Going for a retro look? Pair two high contrast colors like blue and white or red and white.  Going for a modern look? Pair two muted colors together like black and gray.

This pattern includes a tutorial for the sewn bind off.

Thanks to my awesome pattern testers and the Ravelry Free Pattern Testers group all your help! If you are a Bay Area peep, you can see a sample cowl at The Yarn Boutique.

Top-Down Carboy Sweater Pattern, Finally!

Because I've knit this carboy sweater 3 times, each time taking notes and making improvements, it is time to publish a pattern to save others the trouble. When you are making this, do not dwell on the fact that you could be making yourself a sweater instead. No, no, no, that will make you bitter.

Instead, think kind thoughts about the person who spent 3 months fussing over every little detail about the sweater when she could have been making 3 sweaters for herself or 20 cat hats. And buy her pattern on Ravelry.

$4.00 USD

Because carboys with sweaters are happier, more productive  carboys, they reproduce. There is an additional carboy that just appeared in our house, and since I'm not one to discriminate, it will get its own sweater.

Coastal Redwood Cowl

$5.00 USD

Although they only span 50-miles inland and range from Southern Oregon to Central California, coastal redwoods dominate the landscape and imagination. The Coastal Redwood Cowl’s lush texture reflects this tree’s strength and beauty.

The pattern’s directions are both written and charted. Also included are instructions for special stitches and the sewn bind off. 

Finished measurements are 6” wide by 20” long.

In addition to yarn, you’ll need the following notions:

• 3 1-inch buttons; lightweight buttons recommended 

• 1 cable needle 

• row counter 

• scissors 

• tapestry needle

$5.00 USD

Ultimate Slouch Hat

When traveling on public transportation or shopping at the produce market, I am overcome with slouch hat envy. Although the weather here doesn't even come close to being in the single digits, folks here know how to rock a hat, and I found it shameful that I was a knitter, yet I sported a naked head. Naked head no more! Introducing the Ultimate Slouch Hat.

$2.99

This hat lays just so thanks to short row shaping at the crown, and since it's knit from bulky Cascade Ecological Wool,  it works up at lightening speed! I think the best part is that I can get 3 hats out of one skein of Cascade Eco, so I foresee giving a lot of these away as gifts. Thanks to my test knitter, Deb!

Needles:

• 16-inch US  #9 circular needle
• 16-inch US #10 1/2 circular needle
• 1 set of US #10 1/2 DPNs or a 20-inch US #10 1/2 circular needle 

Skills needed: 

• knitting in the round
• knitting with 2 circular needles or DPNs
• short row shaping.

Sizes

• Small, 20-22 inch circumference
• Large, 22-24 inch circumference

Gauge

• 15 stitches = 4 inches

Wildcat Canyon Scarf

Introducing the Wildcat Canyon Scarf! I just posted this pattern in Ravelry, and and if you'd like a copy, you can click the handy little button above.

I just love the little agave-like nubs

If I had to choose which yarn I'd take on a desert island, it would be Malabrigo Rios. I just love the stuff! It's soft against the skin, pleasurable to knit, and the colorways are rich and dreamy.  I knit this scarf with 2 skeins of Malabrigo Rios in the Agua colorway. 

The scarf circumference is 50-inches, so it's long enough to wear in a single or double loop. I've been wearing mine doubled up over a v-neck sweater.

Many, many thanks to my test knitters with the most-est (who, coincidentally, all have first names that end in vowels): Rani, Tina, Tara, and Elena. And thank you to my beautiful model, Jen! She was a good sport when I called her up and told her I'd be wielding a camera in her face in um, about 15 minutes.  She rocks it!

Baby Heart Pattern

The Tilden Park Scarf is an easy ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit.

My sock yarn scrap stash is multiplying! Two balls of leftover skeins have somehow learned the birds and the bees, and now I'm left with a bunch of odds and ends that need a new purpose. Since Valentine's Day is approaching, the red sock yarn called out to me, and after a few tries I ended up with these sweet baby hearts. My hearts are around the size of a nickel, and each one took roughly 5 minutes to crochet. Instant gratification at its finest!

I like to make these hearts into tags that can be tied to anything (and anyone).

Materials
• 2 feet of fingering weight yarn

• Size B/2.25 mm crochet hook
• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations
ch chain

dc double crochet stitch
hdc half double crochet stitch 
sl st slip stitch


Directions

1. Ch 4. Sl st into first chain to form a ring.
2. Ch 3. Into the ring, dc 4 times, hdc 3 times, dc 1 time. This forms half of your heart.
3. Still crocheting into the ring, hdc 3 times, dc 4 times.
4. Ch 3. Sl st into the first chain from step 1.
5. Weave in ends. 

http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

International Cat Hat: North Pole

The Tilden Park Scarf is an easy ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit.

Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas! Santa Cat gives presents to all the good kittens and puppies, although today he's more inclined to give lumps of coal to everyone. If you want to spread the cheer, knit one of these for the special cat or dog in your life.

Don't forget to check out my other patterns listed on the sidebar!

Materials
• 30 yards of Cascade Eco Wool (white)
 • 40 yards of Cascade 220 (red)
• 1 US size 7 16 inch circular needles OR needle size needed to achieve gauge.• 1 US size 7 circular needles, any length, OR needle size needed to achieve gauge
(US size 7 DPNs may also be used instead of 2 circular needles)
• Row counter
• Tapestry needle

Special Skills Needed• Knitting in the round using two circular needles
Gauge
• 4.5 stitches = 1 inch on US size 7 needles in stockinette stitch with Cascade 220
• 3.5 stitches = 1 inch on US size 7 needles in seed stitch with Cascade Eco

Finished Measurements
Finished hat circumference is 15 inches at the brim. Please note that my cat has an enormous head! 

Abbreviations
[ ] repeat instructions between bracketsco cast on
k knit
k2tog knit two stitches together
pm place marker
sts stitch(es)

Directions
Loosely CO 56 sts on one circular needle (needle A) using the white yarn. Slip half of the stitches to the other circular needle (needle B). Join to knit in the round, placing a marker at that point so you know where the round begins. Since my cat has an enormous head, you can create a smaller hat by casting on less stitches in multiples of 7 (example: cast on 49 stitches or 42 stitches).

Brim
Round 1: [k1, p1] to end
Round 2: [p1, k1] to end
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 three more times for a total of 8 rounds.

Hat
Switch to the red yarn.
Rounds 1-5: knit all sts
Round 6: [k5, k2tog] to end. 48 sts
Rounds 7-11: knit all sts
Round 12: [k4, k2tog] to end. 40 sts
Rounds 13-17: knit all sts
Round 18: [k3, k2tog] to end. 32 sts
Rounds 19-23: knit all sts
Round 24: [k2, k2tog] to end. 24 sts
Rounds 25-29: knit all sts
Round 30: [k4, k2tog] to end. 20 sts
Rounds 31-35: knit all sts
Round 36: [k3, k2tog] to end. 16 sts
Round 37-41: knit all sts
Round 42: [k2, k2tog] to end. 12 sts
Rounds 43-44: knit all sts
Round 45: [k1, k2tog] to end. 8 sts
Rounds 46-47: knit all sts
Round 48: [k2tog] to end. 4 sts

Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.


Finishing
Using the tapestry needle, thread the yarn tail through the 4 remaining sts. Pull closed. Weave in ends. Make a 2-inch pom pom using the white yarn and sew it to the top of the hat.

 

Here goes my usual plea: if you knit this, I'd love to hear from you and see your finished objects and your grumpy cat! Email pictures to wildtomatoknits (at) gmail (dot) com. I'll feature your finished cat hat on my blog.

http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Tilden Park Scarf

I'm thrilled to announce that the Tilden Park Scarf is now available for purchase through Ravelry! If you're not a Ravelry member, don't fret, you don't have to be a member to buy the pattern.

The Tilden Park Scarf is ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit, from a little black cocktail dress to your favorite worn in tee. I've been wearing mine doubled up to add some ruffly goodness to my jackets.

The Tilden Park Scarf takes 480 yards of fingering weight yarn. Pictured is my scarf in Schafer Anne (60% superwash merino wool; 25% mohair, 15% nylon; 560 yards/133 grams per skein). It is knit in the round, so when you're done, you only have 2 ends to weave in.

Many heartfelt thanks go out to the kind people who test knit this scarf in 2 weeks and provided me with invaluable feedback. Also, the pattern looks extra spiffy thanks to my graphic designer friend who performed a layout miracle! Making words and pictures on paper look pretty, balanced, and yet easy to read takes mad skillz.

My Pimp Paw is Strong!

The Tilden Park Scarf is an easy ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit.

  

 Big G, the notorious C.A.T., is the most wanted hoodlum in our neighborhood. Among his rumored activities are pushing catnip, stealing food from kitties, and threatening the other toms. You see, there is only room for one player in this 'hood, and his pimp paw is strong!

Remember, folks, Halloween is right around the corner, and your cat does not want to be left out. Check out my other free patterns for dressing up your cat or your kid.

Materials

• 40 yards of worsted weight purple yarn for the hat. I used Cascade 220 in colorway 7807
• 10 yards of worsted weight yellow yarn for the gold chains
• Size J crochet hook for the hat
• Size K crochet hook for the gold chains
• 12 inches of  5/8-inch ribbon in an animal print
• A couple of feathers. Mine feathers were plucked from a catnip mouse.
• glue
• tapestry needle

Gauge 
4 sts in sc = 1 inch (I'm a tight crocheter, so check your gauge)
Finished hat has a 10.5-inch circumference around the sides (not the brim)

Abbreviations
[ ]     repeat instructions between brackets
ch     chain
sc     single crochet
sl st  slit stitch
st(s) stitches

5/28/11 Edited sc increases so stitch counts are correct.

Directions
Using the magic ring method and the smaller crochet hook, ch 1. SC 5 into the loop. Pull the tail tightly to close the hole and sl st into the turning chain (the first ch 1).


Top and Side of Hat
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc into base of sl st just made, sc 2 times into next 5 sc. Sl st into the turning chain. (12 sc total)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 1 sc, sc 2 times into next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (18 sc total)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 2 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (24 sc total)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 3 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (30 sc total)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 4 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (36 sc total)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 5 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (42 sc total)
Rnd 7: Continue to sc into the next stitch (you are crocheting in a spiral) until the hat is 2 inches high.

Brim
Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 6 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (48 sc total)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 7 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (54 sc total)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 8 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (60 sc total)
Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 9 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (66 sc total)

Cut yarn. Using a tapestry needles, thread yarn tail through the last stitch and weave in tail. To get my hat to have crisp edges, I soaked it and blocked it on top of an upside down measuring cup. When dry, glue a piece of ribbon and a couple of feathers to the hat. I used plain old Elmer's glue, but feel free to use some other type of adhesive or to stitch the ribbon into place.

Gold Chains
Using the larger crochet hook, make a slip knot. Ch 1 until you have a "gold chain" long enough to wrap around your cat's neck, then cut yarn and thread the yarn tail through the last stitch. My chains varied from 16 to 21 inches, and I made 4 necklaces. Tie the necklaces together at the base.


As always, if you make this, let me know! I continually troll my patterns on Ravelry looking for new pictures, so if you're too shy to contact me, post a picture of your pimpin' cat in Rav and I'll be sure to see it!


http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Giddyup Kitty!

The Tilden Park Scarf is an easy ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit.

Giddyup kitty! When your cat dons this itty bitty cowboy hat, don't be surprised when your cat sneaks out to go the saloon to down a frosty glass of milk or tries to lay down the law with you.

Check out my other free patterns for more cat headgear ideas.

Materials
• 30 yards of worsted weight yarn. I used Lion Cotton Solid.
• Size J/6.0 mm crochet hook
• Tapestry needle

Gauge
• 4 sts in sc = 1 inch
I have a feeling I'm a tight crocheter, so you may have to go down a hook size or two if you crochet on the loose (aka normal) side.

Abbreviations
[ ] repeat instructions between brackets
ch chain
sc single crochet
sl st slip stitch
st(s) stitch(es)


5/28/11 Edited directions to fix increases so stitch counts are correct.
Directions
Use the magic ring method, ch 1. SC 5 into the loop. Pull the tail tightly to close the hole and sl st into the turning chain (the first ch 1).

Top and Side
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc into base of sl st just made, sc 2 times into next 5 sc. Sl st into the turning chain. (12 sc total)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 1 sc, sc 2 times into next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (18 sc total)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc into the base of the sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 2 sc, sc 2 times in next sc ] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (24 sc total)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next st to end. Repeat Rnd 4 until the hat is 1.5 inches high

Brim
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc 1 into base of sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 3 sc, sc 2 times in next sc] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (30 sc total)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc 1 into base of sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 4 sc, sc 2 times in next sc] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (36 sc total)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc 1 into base of sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 5 sc, sc 2 times in next sc] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (42 sc total)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc 1 into base of sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 6 sc, sc 2 times in next sc] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (48 sc total)
Rnd5: Ch 1, sc 1 into base of sl st just made, [sc 1 time in next 7 sc, sc 2 times in next sc] to end. Sl st into the turning chain. (54 sc total)

Finishing
Using the tapestry needle, thread yarn tail through the remaining st. Weave in tail.

If you make this, I'd love to hear from you. Have fun humiliating your cat!



http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.