I got these pretty charms and the bracelet to hang them on from Primark (I don’t think they exist in the US, but I bet Forever21 has something close) with the intention of using them as stitch markers. They work like a charm (ho ho) and would make great (inexpensive) gifts for knitting friends. You can then purchase them charms on other special occasions to add to their collection. Stitch markers with clips would also work; I know Atomic Knitting makes beautiful ones.

The regular charms from Primark fit needles up to 3.5mm.

There are some adorable charms in the kids section too, but they’re smaller (and cheaper) and will fit needles up to 2.75mm. Perfect for socks!

This is a colourwork hat I’m working on with designs from the Perpetual Colourwork Calendar (October). I’ve already attempted filming one tutorial about creating your own colourwork charts, but the lighting was so poor that I think I will try again. Sorry for the delay!

The needles are KnitPro Symfonie (short 3mms with 60cm cable) and the yarn is Pure Wool Superwash from Nako.

If you go to the Primark in Birmingham, say hello to the Bullring Bull in his woolly jumper. :)

Have you read?

1. Stitch Marker Knitting Patterns
2. Printable Knitting Calendar

CORNFLOWER HAT PDF PATTERN – £3.00

WATCH THE TRAILER | WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL
QUEUE IT ON RAVELRY

Many thanks to my Technical Editor, Akshata Dhareshwar!

Cornflower is my idea of a carefree hat; a hat you pull on without even thinking as you head out to do a spot of gardening. Or perhaps you keep it hanging on a nail in the greenhouse, for convenience. And if your ribbing starts to sag a little because you’ve worn it so much, well, just tie it up a bit tighter! When you get back inside you can sit down with a well-earned cup of Lady Grey. It has cornflowers in it, you know!

Cornflower is knit from the brim up in a deceptively simple & fun stitch pattern that is a combination of eyelets and elongated stitches (watch the video to see for yourself). The ribbing transitions neatly into the main stitch pattern which decreases into a very satisfyingly symmetrical crown. The tie is braided herringbone-style and threaded through the yarn over holes in the brim. Like all good hats, it will knit up in a day.

things i love about this hat, in no particular order

• I can use the braided tie as a bracelet, to stop a door slamming, to tie up drooping plants, or for various other stringy purposes.
• It gives people behind me in a queue something pretty to ponder.
• I can use it as a pouch with a drawstring.
• I can stick all manner of found objects into the tie.
• I can tie it onto my coat / bag / wrist so I don’t lose it! The number of hats I’ve stuffed in my pocket & subsequently lost on walks doesn’t bear thinking…
• It’s lacy & textured at the same time.
• It can be beribboned.
• The tassels mirror the stitch pattern. Details make me happy. :)

On a side note, if you like lists like this, you really should read the 101 Reasons Why I Love Knitting.

details

YARN
‣ 1 ball Alize Cashmira [100gr; 100% wool; 300m / 328yds] or approx. 170m / 186yds of DK-weight yarn (including yarn needed for braided tie).

NEEDLES
‣ 3.5mm (US 4) double pointed needles or 40cm/ 16in circular needles for ribbing,
‣ and 4.5mm (US 7) double pointed needles,
‣ or size to get gauge.

GAUGE
‣ 16sts / 20 rows over 10cm/4in in blocked ribbing.
‣ 1 pattern repeat (18 rounds / 20 sts) is 7cm/2.75in x 7cm/2.75in when stretched.

SIZE
‣ Finished size will be 51cm/20in around the brim (to fit a head 56cm/22in),
‣ 21cm/8.25in from cast-on edge to tip of crown.
‣ The pattern includes instructions both for altering gauge for a tighter-fitting brim, and for making the hat slouchier.

PDF PATTERN – £3.00

QUEUE IT ON RAVELRY

Have you read?

1. Wordless Wednesday
2. Free Pattern: Rambler Legwarmers
3. Pretty as a Painted Parasol

(click here if you can’t see the embedded video)

I think the work you put into your knitting will reward you richly, not just in the beauty of the final piece, but in more profound ways, just like the pretty spring blossoms bear fruit in autumn. That’s the story I tried to tell in this video. Also, of course, that a hat with a drawstring is an excellent place to keep your lunch, perhaps Paddington-style marmalade sandwiches?

You can also amuse yourself by spotting all 5 types of fruit in the trailer, and identifying the following quotations that were going through my head as I shot the clips:

• “…sloeblack, slow, black…”
• “…it is only flowers, they had no fruits…”
• “nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries…”
• “the pears are not viols…”
• “hope is the thing with feathers…”
• “when I am an old woman I shall wear purple” (I might start now!)

Many thanks to Granddad’s orchard, Grandma’s greenhouse, Dad’s camera, providential butterflies, birdsong and the D chord.

The pattern will be released this week, knitters! I hope you enjoy it…

Have you read?

1. Her Woolly Materials

Another upcoming pattern. I’ve provisionally called it “Cornflower”, but I’m not sure. What do you think?

Have you read?

1. Cornflower Garden Hat
2. Wordless Wednesday
3. Wordless Wednesday

I squealed with delight this morning on finding a download link from WoollyWormhead for her Bambeanies ebook! A while back when she was looking for name suggestions for the patterns, I nominated a few of my favourite Jabberwocky words, and I was lucky enough that she chose one of them. And now I get to squeal once a week as the patterns land in my inbox! Hmm, I wonder which one is Beamish? :)

Well, I was so excited that I cast on for a Ruskin right away, using some leftover yarn from my first Parasol Shawlette. There’s a very special baby girl who is to make her début in September, and hopefully she’ll enjoy wearing it.

The pattern is very quick & easy, but I did learn something new. I tried out WoollyWormhead’s Alternate Cable Cast On for ribbing for the first time. It’s a clever variation on the usual cable cast-on, and very easy to remember, so I shall certainly be using it in the future.

The name reminds me of a vague little daydream I’ve had for a few years, to be in a band called “Buskin’ Ruskin”. I wonder whether the man himself would approve? ;)