. . . FO’s en UFO’s . . .

This was 2017 in FO’s (finished objets)

and in UFO’s (unfinished objects) and maybe patterns in some near future …

to everyone

. . . pythagoras’ mitts . . .

Matching fingerless mitts to go with Pythagoras’ beret.
Pythagoras’ mitts are worked bottom up starting with a Latvian two-color cast on. Written instructions are included and a photo tutorial can be found in the separate pdf. It’s a lovely way to start colorwork, but you can use another cast on method if you prefer.

A special kind of increases is used to shape the thumb gusset.

Sizes
Finished measurement hand circumference: S-M, L: 17 cm / 6¾”, 20 cm / 7¾” to fit hand circumference: 18 to 19 cm / 7 to 7½ “, 20 to 22 cm / 7¾ to 8¾ “

What you’ll need
sport weight
± 240 to 270 m / 260 to 300 yards
(half of each color)
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle
crochet hook in the same size as the needle
for the Latvian two-color cast on
2 markers
tapestry needle

Gauge
28 sts and 39 rows in stranded pattern
(see page 2) = 10 x 10 cm / 4” x 4”

Check it out here

They will be free until December 25, midnight (Brussels time), no coupon code needed

. . . buccia . . .

Buccia, pattern number 100

**Buccia** is the Italian word for ‘bark’. The cable stitch pattern reminds me of the bark of an old, old oak tree. It is worked bottom up and seamlessly in the round starting with a clever and neat way to make a tubular cast on in a contrasting color. The ridge is also worked in CC. Pretty decreases continue the ‘bark’ effect and shape the crown.

**Sizes**
available for size: KIDS, S, M and L
head circumference: 48-53 cm / 52-56 cm / 55-59 cm / 58-63 cm (19-21” / 20½-22” / 21½-23¼” / 23-25”)

**What you’ll need**
worsted / 10 ply or fingering / 4 ply held double
Yardage for the hat
± 170 m / 185 yards (if you use fingering weight yarn held double you will need to double the yardage)
1 or 2 leftovers in contrasting colors
4 mm (US 6) circular needle
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle
cable needle
crochet hook for the provisional cast on
marker
tapestry needle

**Stitches**
twisted ribbing 1/1 (in the round): (k1 tbl, p1)
cable stitch pattern

**Gauge**
23 sts and 30 rows in stitch pattern, blocked: = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”) with the larger needle

**Techniques used**: tubular cast on

Read about it here

To celebrate the 100th pattern, there is a promotion on all individual patterns (no e-books). Fill in the coupon code 100 and get 50% off until December 25 midnight …

Find all 100 patterns here

. . . dove stone . . .

A new hat called Dove stone.

Well, not so new. It took me a year to write the pattern, haha.

But it is pattern 

**Dove stone** is a hat worked bottom up and seamlessly in the round. It starts with a clever and neat way to make a tubular cast on in a contrasting color. It has a cable stitch pattern that gradually decreases to shape the crown. It can be made as a ‘light’ slouchy hat or blocked on a plate for a beret shape.

**Sizes**
available for size: S, M and L
head circumference: 52-56 cm / 55-59 cm / 58-63 cm (20½-22” / 21½-23¼” / 23-25”)

**What you’ll need**
DK / 8 ply
Yardage for the hat
± 150 m / 165 yards
small leftovers in a contrasting color for the cast on and the pompom.
4 mm (US 6) circular needle
3 mm (US 2½) circular needle
crochet hook for the provisional cast on
cardboard and scissors to make a pompom or tassels (optional)
marker
tapestry needle

**Stitches**
twisted ribbing 1/1 (in the round): (k1 tbl, p1)
stitch pattern

**Gauge**
25 sts and 30 rows in stitch pattern, slightly stretched: = 10 x 10 cm (4”x4”) with the larger needle

**Techniques used**: tubular cast on
pompom, tassels or something different

Check it out here

how to … my favorite tubular cast on …

Have you tried several methods to work a tubular cast on like I did ? And did your yarn get tangled and maybe your fingers too ? Well, mine did. Holding needle and yarn in a delicate position in one hand trying to scroll down – or back if it is a video – to see the next image from the tutorial with the other hand. A ‘tour de force’ and every time the cast on is a real mess …

Or – working with waste yarn – did you cut the waste yarn but also your main yarn ? I did …

Here is one that is – at least for me – easy and neat: my favorite tubular cast on for a 1/1 ribbing. It is a very easy-peasy, non fiddly way using waste yarn, a combination of the crochet cast on – my favorite – and the way I learned to work a tubular cast on a long time ago …

I stumbled on this method by surprise. I wanted to knit me a hat and I had just written a blog post (here) …
1 + 1 made 2

You will need some waste yarn in a contrasting color and a crochet hook in the same size as the needle. Go up a needle size for the provisional crochet cast on. It is easier to work with a larger needle and the cast on will be stretchier.

That’s it for the provisional cast on. Next the working yarn will be introduced. The first rows are worked back and forth – even if you will be joining to knit in the round later to make a hat or a sock – because it is easier to manipulate the stitches.

……………………………………………………………………………………

That’s really it, you are all set to start your knitting. If you are making a hat, you
can join in the round now. Work the last stitch of the row together with the first
stitch of the next row (= 1 stitch decreased) and now you have the right number
of stitches.