Sneaky Slouchy Hat for Men

I find gift giving for men so challenging.  They are pickier than women, more utilitarian.  As a general rule, they like to keep things simple.  Take shopping, for instance.  When then need, a shirt let's say, they go to a store and buy one.  No meandering around a store, let alone go to more than one store!

I wanted to knit something for my grown daughters boyfriend who is particular.  I offered up a scarf, fingerless gloves or a slouchy hat.  She felt he wouldn't like any of them.  She did say he needed a new hat.  Mostly because she hated the hat he has been wearing.  A beanie type.  I saw this hat, by Susan B. Anderson and sent her a photo.

She thought he would go for this "sneaky slouchy"!  I love that....sneaky slouchy.  I also love Susan's patterns.  When reading this one, she uses two strands of fingering together or one strand of worsted.  I knit mine using worsted.

And, they turned out great! 

I happend to be in a Hobby Lobby and found this new yarn they put out.

And I had some skeins of Knit Picks in my stash.

A tweedy one in black.

A gray one.

And a blue(ish) one.

This blue(ish) one is I Love This Yarn Colors in Cappadocia.  Blues, grays, browns and a bit of cream. I had quite a bit leftover and might get one more hat from the yardage.  Super soft acrylic, machine wash and dry.

Still from Hobby Lobby....Yarn Bee Glowing Naturals in Naturals.  Grays, black and a silvery color.  

You can only get one hat from this skein.  Soft, machine wash acrylic.

They all look SO much better in real life.  The boyfriend, Drew, is getting all three and fingers crossed that he will like them all!

Find Susan's pattern on Ravelry!

Have a very Merry Christmas,

Sheila

Purls of Wisdom:

No ruler handy?  Did you know that your pinky finger is about one inch from knuckle to knuckle?

Holiday Knitting & Crocheting Part 3

Part 3 of Holiday Knitting & Crocheting is all about the noggins and hands!  I so enjoy these sorts of projects.  Not too much money or time.  Perfect for all ages and you can get as creative as you like. 

 

My Prada Inspired Knitted Headband is a great place to start if you are new to cables!  They are so simple yet, so effective for the WOW factor.  You can easily make some for the little people in your life and get several out of one skein of Lion Brand Jiffy or any bulky weight (5) yarn.  If you are using your stash, that's 135 yards (124 meters).

I designed these knitted Christmas Hats Collection for a custom client and love them.  Store bought buttons and ribbons make them extra special.  Pom pom toppers are classic.  The ribbon on that last hat reads "naughty or nice"....which makes me giggle!  These would be cute in any color combination, like Easter colors, team colors or even neutrals.  You get all the patterns for the hats you see in sizes newborn to toddler!  I used easy to find worsted weight (4) yarn, Caron Simply Soft.

My Knitted Arm Warmers is another, very versatile project.  Men, women and teens like these.  Perfect for the beginner who likes flat knitting.  I also provide instructions for knitting in the round for those who hate seaming up!  No thumb holes and variegated yarn does all the work here so no color changing!

I also have kits available in my Etsy shop, in three colorways, which comes with the yarn, printed pattern in a page protector, tote bag and coupon for your next order!

Many of you might have this free knitting pattern....Sockhead on Ravelry.  One skein of any sock yarn gets you this perfect hat for men, women and teens.  The ribbed cuff makes it easily fit any size noggin!  I love this easy pattern and it's a great take-along project.

Mittens is (are?) another great project for stash busting.  This free knitting pattern is from Susan B. Anderson. I do so love using variegated yarn for many of my projects as the effect is beautiful!  Find the pattern on Ravelry here.

This pattern, from Patons, is on Ravelry as well.  It looks like the mittens and the arm warmer is separate.  How cozy do these look?  Light colored yarn really shows of the detail.

I adore the colors Natalia used here and the design is lovely.  I found this knitting pattern on Ravelry as well.  Comes in and ebook with lots of other great designs.

If crocheting is your thing, these ribbed beauties by Mary Jane Hall are for you!  She has loads of beautiful things in her Ravelry shop.

I have this pattern by Hand Knitted Things on Craftsy.  Julia has truly, lovely things.  She is in Scotland and as I am half Scottish myself, I have a warm spot for her.  I adore the little Croft Houses in her shop!  The headband is knit first then you pick up stitches along its side for the hat part.  I love the oversized top of the hat....not head hugging and not too fitted either.

How cute are these animal headbands by Sweet Potato 3 on Craftsy?  No crocheting of the top of the hat, just a headband with the sweetness of a little critter....brilliant!

There you have it!  Next week, sweaters!

You can find all my pattern stores at the top of the page or find my

Etsy store here

Craftsy store here

Ravelry store here

Yarn tip:

Here are some head measurements for you

A Downton Abbey Christmas!

 Just LOOK at all this Downton Abbey goodness!  The full dvd set, 2 Downton books and a tote!  Can't wait for the new season to start!  Whoo hoo!

 A new yarn bowl from my bestie and a headband from my daughter!

The back of the headband.  I think I might have to try and recreate this!

An Addi starter kit from Fiber Wild for $50.00!  AND a $25 gift cert for an Addi Click It set!

What were some of your favorite prezzies?

Best,

Sheila

Yarn tip:

Freeze your garment overnight before ripping out mohair or other fuzzy yarns.  You'll have an easier time getting the stitches undone.

Knit Some Hats for Baby to Toddler

Do you have some babies and toddlers to knit for?  These are perfect and you get all three hat patterns AND my Project Cards for one low price of $13.00.  Of purchased separately, the cost would be $20.00.  That's a savings of $7.00!

 Sizes include newborn to toddler.  Great for the advanced beginner who wants to try knitting in the round.  Interesting enough for the seasoned knitter too!  

 You get all 6 patterns in my Christmas Hats Collection.  I am always available to help you after purchase.  Get your family photo taken with your little munchkins all in these cute hats.  How awesome would that photo be for a present to the Grandparents?  

 Try the little giraffe hat in brown and tan.  A two tone in creams would be stunning!  Rainbow colors would be fun!

I created these cards for myself as I have many "PIGS" (projects in grocery sacks)! Scarves started, but forgotten. A baby blanket that needs to be completed for a shower. A shawl put away for a rainy day.  I was constantly saying....what needle went with this project?

         I wish I wrote down what hook I was using for this!  What pattern does this project belong to? 

Print these cards off on your printer, punch a hole in one corner and attach it to your project with a safety                              pin or slide it on your circular needle!

Easy way to keep track of your PIGS!  

Great gift for any knitter or hooker! Print them off, tie them up with cute ribbon, add a skein of yummy yarn, pair of needles or crochet hook and there you go....instant gift!

If you like to shop on Etsy, find the pattern collection here 

What are you working on for gifts?

Best,

Sheila

Yarn tip from Craftsy for weaving in ends:
Bulky-weight yarns can be difficult to hide since they’re so thick.

Just pull the yarn apart into two pieces, then weave the pieces in separate directions.

Pattern Sale - Christmas In July Sale in my Etsy Shop

Visit my Etsy shop only for my Annual Christmas In July Pattern Sale!  All patterns are 20% off for the rest of the July.  If you are like me, knitted and crocheted items are under the tree every year for loved ones.  I whip up these little hats every year for new babies arriving in the New Year.

This simple crocheted granny scarf is the perfect gift for all your girlfriends.  Cotton, acrylic or yummy yarns can be used for this great scarf/shawl.

My crocheted Pocket Cowl is a great gift for women or men!  Two skeins of super bulky weight yarn and a few buttons are all you need.

Make a dozen little toys OR pincushions from my Cupcake pattern.  Use up those little balls of yarn and stuff with fiberfil, cotton balls or more of your scrap yarn!

This is perfect on any little munchkin or bigger noggin!  Easily change up the color combo, add a pom pom, tassel or clip on bow.

Don't forget the teacher, secret santa, hairdresser, babysitter or your favorite mail carrier if you like to spread your yarn goodies around!

Click here for my Etsy shop

Best,

Sheila

Yarn tip 

* If you are a fair isle knitter, use the square plastic bag holders that come with a loaf of bread as bobbins!