TGIF!

And that's the truth! I am VERY thankful today is Friday. I've caught myself a nasty head cold this week, and am looking forward to chilling at home a good part of this weekend.

We had our February installment of Craft Night this past Tuesday. Check out the Craft Nashy blog to read up on our cross stitch crafting this month! Most of us worked on a pattern of a deer head, that should hopefully look like this when finished...

I'm in love with this...so much so I'm making a deer head to put up on our little guys room as part of an art collage! I don't know what it is, but I love the antiquy (i don't know if that's really a word..ha) look of cross stitch. It's so simple, but totally awesome at the same time.

As always, if you live in the Nashville area and are interested in coming out to our monthly craft nights (first Tuesday of every month), shoot me an email (jilllouisehickman@gmail.com), and I'll get you added to that list.

I've got a lot of sewing planned for this weekend! So many projects, so little time to get it all done before little man gets here! I hope to have LOTS to show you come Monday morning!

I did finish a few orders this week, one of which is this super cute "Ripple" slouchy hat!


So this is one of my first attempts at writing up a pattern, so I hope this isn't too complicated or a complete disaster...hehe.

Ripple Hat

Size: To fit an average size adult head

Materials:
• 2 Skeins of Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Knit Picks Comfy Worsted Yarn)
• US Size 5 & 7 circular Needle, 16 inches, and Size 7 DPN
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Marker

Abbreviations
• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• M1F – Make One (Lift loop in between stitches and place on left needle, knit into the back of this loop: www.knitinghelp.com/videos/increases for help)
• YO – Yarn over
• K2tog – Knit two stitches together

Directions:
With Sz 5 needles CO 90 stitches with long tail cast-on (www.knittinghelp.com/videos/cast-on for help). Join and place marker to indicate beginning of round. Work in 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 6 rounds. Switch to larger needles.

Increase:
Next Round: *K2, m1f, k1, m1f, k2, m1f, repeat from * til end of round (162 sts)

Body of Hat:
Row 1: *[K2tog] 3 times, [k1, yo] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times; rep from * to end
Rows 2 - 4: Knit
Row 5: *[K2tog] 3 times, [k1, yo] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times; rep from * to end
Rows 6 - 8: Knit. Break yarn, leaving 3 inch tails and join A & B together
Row 9: *[K2tog] 3 times, [k1, yo] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times; rep from * to end
Row 10 - 12: Knit
Row 13: *[K2tog] 3 times, [k1, yo] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times; rep from * to end
Row 14 - 16: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1 – 16 til piece measures 8 inches.

Decrease:
Note: When the decreases become difficult using the circular needles, switch to DPNs

Next Round, begin the following decrease
Round 1: K2tog around (81 sts)
Round 2: *K2tog, repeat from * til end, k1 (41 sts)
Round 3: *K2tog, repeat from * til end, k1 (21 sts)
Round 4: *K2tog, repeat from * til end, k1 (11 sts)

Break yarn leaving a five inch tail. Using tapestry needle, thread the yarn tightly through the remaining stitches. Pull tight before weaving in. Weave in all ends.

If you feel inspired to try this pattern out, I'd love to know how it goes for you and to see pictures!!!

Hope ya'll have a lovely relaxing weekend!