The Best Beret

This hat pattern is how I learned to crochet. It's from a great old book of my mom's... a perfect, one skein project.

Everyone needs a great red hat, right???

Great pattern from an old book of my mom's. Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework

Pattern Two

GANSKY'S SCARF

By. Maura Clement

Here's a new scarf I improvised. It was commissioned by my friend Ben Gansky.

Size 8 needles
Plymouth Yarn's Galway Worsted
4 skeins (2 green and two light blue
($6.25 a skein) 

CO 44 stitches, long tail cast-on. Knit in two-color lattice stitch...
For my purposes, Color A is blue and Color B is green. Color A is the outline color. Color C is for the lettering and tassels.

On the RS, slip the stitches with the yarn in back; on the WS, slip the stitches with the yarn in front.
Multiple of 6 + 2 CO with Color A and knit one row.*

Row 1 (RS): With Color B, k1, sl1, *k4, sl2; rep from *, end k4, sl1, k1
Row 2: With Color B, p1, sl1, *p4, sl2; rep from *, end p4, sl1, p1
Row 3: With Color A, rep Row 1
Row 4: With Color A, p1, sl1, *k4, sl2; rep from *, end k4, sl1, p1
Rows 5: With Color B, k3, *sl2, k4; rep from *, end sl2, k3
Row 6: With Color B, p3, *sl2, p4; rep from *, end sl2, p3
Row 7: With Color A, rep Row 5
Row 8: With Color A, p1, k2, *sl2, k4; rep from *, end sl2, k2, p1

Repeat these 8 rows until scarf is desired length (note that if you are wet blocking, the scarf will stretch). Cast off using Color A. Weave in ends.

A border is desirable because the scarf does a good bit of curling in on itself.
Create a crocheted border of triple crochet two rows thick along each side of the scarf in Color A.
Add tassels along the bottom of the scarf using Color A and C.
Now comes the fun of wet blocking. Wet block the scarf so that the lattice stretches out and the scarf lays flat.

In Color C, embroider a word along the scarf in big loose stitches. Mine says "Patience."

*This text has been copied from:
http://www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches/2colorlattice.htm

Short Colonial Dress

 My brother Jeff and I, 1996

 

 

 Over Christmas break, I sewed this lovely little dress from Simplicity's New Look Pattern 6567. I made it in a size 12, probably could have made a 10 but better a little big than too small. The pattern is very simple and easy to follow. I completed the dress in just 2 days.  The length is perfect on me, although I did add 3/4 of an inch to the waist length because my torso is a bit longer than average. I will probably wear it with a belt or sweater to create the hourglass shape which I like so much. I love the floral pattern, so bright and joyful.

The sleeves are my addition to the pattern. I've always loved circular sleeves since I was a little girl. Felicity was my first American doll and my mother made me dresses like her. These aren't traditional circular sleeves because I ran out of fabric. Rather I gathered a rectangle to give the sleeves fullness.

Pattern One

Parliament Hill Cowl

by. Maura Clement

Originally designed for Josh Allen.

This cowl is easy to make but creates a very elegant shape on both men and women. The buttons make it fit you just right!

Materials

One set US size 15 (10.0 mm) needles.

2 skeins Colinete Point 5 wool, or similar chunky gauge

3 big buttons

Measurements

One size fits all. Rectangle will be approximately 30 inches by 10 inches.

Instructions

Cast on 60 stitches using the long-tail cast on method.

Knit for 20 rows, or till desired width.

Cast off.

Sew buttons on diagonally along the bottom right corner. Button cowl together as shown to form a V.

Take a walk!