Benjamin

Benjamin Slouch Hat

Benjamin by Jennifer Adams

Project Specs:  

Knit in Ultra Alpaca,6206 [light grey] and 6294 [turquoise mix].

Knitted on size US 5 needles.

Meet Benjamin.  Both the kid and the hat!  I had such a fun time writing this pattern.  For such a simple [looking] hat, it was a bit more complicated to design... and then explain clearly!  I mentioned before that I've enjoyed knitting patterns that are worn "inside-out."  And with this hat I wanted to take that idea a step farther, in the contrasting color floats found on the reverse side of the fabric.

Deceivingly, Benjamin could be considered a simple pattern upon first impression. But much like the thirteen year old who inspired it, there are a lot of twists, turns, and interesting details that reveal themselves only when they are ready. Details that will leave even a seasoned knitter pleasantly surprised!

Stripes create a stitched-effect on the "wrong" side.

 My idea for this design was for it to be knit on both the right and wrong sides.  And color options are endless!  I love Karin's version seen below.   I'm also excited to see her second version, with the colors reversed!

{ sketchbook }'s version of Benjamin

Benjamin is a slouch hat, my son's favorite style to wear at the moment!  But there are instructions included to make it more of a traditional beanie.  I also didn't want to fiddle too much with numbers, instead opting for one set, with size being determined by your needles.  I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Zimmermann, and love how her patterns could always fit on a post-it note!  One of the ways she achieved this was keeping it simple.  With yarn weight and needle size Benjamin can be easily modified to fit any number of heads.  

Ben's all about a slouch hat.

I hope you enjoy this new pattern!  It's a fun knit that works up quickly. (I am still all about instant gratification!)

I'm looking forward to 2012; working on new patterns and knitting some great ones that are out there!  I'm also itching to catching up with a lot of old [blogging] friends and seeing what everyone is up to!  I can't even begin to imagine what my blogroll looks like right now... See you soon!

Happy Knitting!

B. E. N.

Benjamin Slouch Hat, [ jenleigh ]'s version.

First, Happy New Year!  I hope everyone is looking forward to the new year (and new knits) with renewed energy.  I giggle a little as I say that because I have been down for a week with a sinus infection gone wild.  And then I look around the house knowing I will soon need to take down all the holiday decorations that I swear I just put up 12 hours ago... well maybe I'll go back to bed today.  But just for today!

Second, I've got to say, having a teenager in the house provides lots of laughs, and lots of knitting inspiration.  My pattern Graham has really taken off.  Thank you for all your sweet comments and questions.  It's been fun knocking ideas around with you!  My son, Ben (whose middle name is Graham) told me exactly what he wanted in a hat, and I've enjoyed seeing how other guys like the pattern as well.

Another idea I've been kicking around for the last month is the "inside out" hat.  I knit Woolly Wormhead's Chunkeanie, and loved it so much I knit several for family and friends.  I love this idea, and found a couple of great designs by the giants (i.e. Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors) that also incorporated stripes into the mix.  For me this is like taking a caramel and adding sea salt...

My new pattern incorporates these two ideas and will be released this week.  Ben has been brainstorming this pattern idea with me, so I hope it will resonate with all of your guys (and gals) as well!

Be looking for the new pattern this week.

Happy Knitting!

Luxe Cowl

Luxe Cowl, [ jenleigh ]'s version.

Luxe Cowl by Jennifer Adams

Pattern Specs:

Knit in 1 (!) ball of Noro Silk Garden (colorway 241).

Knitted on US size 8 circulars.

I am on a real "don't overthink it" kick.  Simpler is often better.  My friend asked for a cowl with pretty colors.  That was it.  I love Noro and I love miters... goodness knows I've knit several pair of Mitered Mittens!  And I've wanted to knit a cowl using both for quite some time, it's just been on "the list" for too long.  

One (!) ball of Noro and a movie.

I knit this simple Luxe Cowl last night.  And I'm calling it Luxe because it truly is.  Silk Garden and Silk Garden Lite are two of my favorite luxury yarns.  The colorways are gorgeous and anyone who is fortunate to receive a knit from either will thank you for it. 

Luxe Cowl 

.........................................

Using the alternate cable cast on (or knitting on), cast on 80 (100) stitches on needle.

Join in round and alternate purling and knitting rounds for 5 rounds and then begin mitered pattern.

Mitered Pattern:

Over 20 stitches: *K1, M1L, K7, SSK, K2TOG, K7, M1R, K1* repeat *pattern* to end of round.

Knit round 2.

Repeat these 2 rounds until the cowl measures 8 inches. Then alternate purling and knitting rounds for 5 rounds (ending with a purl round), and bind off with knit stitches.

  

........................................

That's it!  I'm including the pattern in the notes section of my project page as well.  So if you're looking for a quick, yet special gift for someone, the Luxe Cowl is a perfect choice.  Enjoy!

Happy Knitting!

Graham

Graham Hat

Graham by Jennifer Adams

Project Specs: 
Knit in Cascade Eco-Alpaca, charcoal.
Knitted on size US 6 and 8 circulars.
Pattern PDF

Note:  Since first publishing the pattern in November I have updated the numbers and crown decreases for Graham.  The decreases now work invisibly with the Broken Rib pattern and the hat is completely reversible.  Enjoy!

Ben has been requesting a new hat for the last month, and he pretty much gave me the exact specs for what he wanted.  I think when knitting for a guy this makes life so much easier.  Especially a finicky 13 year old.  Guys may not always know exactly what they want when it comes to a wearable knit, but they can give you enough descriptive words that you get the picture.  Ben used words like "rasta, slouchy, and soft."  When I showed him a photo of a true rasta he said, "umm... no, not what I meant."  When I showed him some celebrity photos of guys in slouch hats we hit paydirt.
 

After that it was smooth sailing, and we had a hat 2 days later.  I knit Graham in Eco-Baby Alpaca by Cascade, which a great choice for a slouch hat.  It drapes so well but also shows good stitch definition.  Another great option is Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

Graham knit in Ultra Alpaca, Redwood Mix.

Knit using a Broken Rib stitch this hat is completely reversible.  In the photo above, Annabelle is wearing her Graham on the reverse side.

Thank you [ so much! ] for your response and comments regarding Graham!  I love "stalking" the project pages on Rav and seeing all the different versions!  Here are just a few of my favorites!

I've knit so many of these, but I love this one in Katia DeGrade.

[ knitsandpots ] version

[ nireknit ]'s version

[ eLoomanator ]'s version

 ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: angie  DATE: 11/26/2011 06:16:17 PM oh I love this!! I love the texture it has! I was just getting ready to start browsing for quick Christmas gifts and it looks like I don't need to browse anymore!! Thank you kindly for the pattern!

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Janet  DATE: 12/25/2011 07:55:54 PM I'd like to make this for a head with 24 inch circumference. Would it be easy to increase the size, and how would I do this? I don't have any experience modifying patterns to this point.

Fall Arrival & Flint Hill

Flint Hill Cowl

Flint Hill by Jennifer Adams

Project Specs:

Knit in Magnum by Cascade Yarns, 2 skeins in #9459 Yakima Heather.

Knitted on one pair straight needles or one 20"‚ circular needle in size US 15.

It's here!  And just in time for Autumn.  The leaves had just begun to turn here, but after a Sunday rainstorm the landscape has changed overnight.  And along with the rain came cooler weather.  Perfect time to begin on Fall and even Christmas knitting.

Flint Hill is now available for purchase on Ravelry.  A super fast project to match the super bulky yarn, Flint Hill knits up in just a couple of days.  As a matter of fact I think the blocking time is longer than the knit itself!

I've been taken with cowls for some time, and most recently with larger scarf-sized cowls, that can wrap more than once; or be worn around the head and neck simultaneously.  Flint Hill manages both perfectly.  Cascade's Magnum yarn is so light and airy (imagine Peruvia's big brother), that I was able to design a large scarf, 60"x8", without adding weight.  After finishing the piece I soaked it for a bit in Euculan and then draped it over the towel rack to dry.  Doing so really intensified how the cowl drapes, making it easy to slip on and off.

After finishing the pattern I was initially worried that it might be a little finicky to style. But Amy, one of our instructors, proved it was a sinch (see first photo).  She slipped it over her head and it looked perfect!  Thankfully I had my camera on me and snapped a photo right then and there.

We're all having a hard time keeping our hands off of it at the yarn shop.  Every time one of us walks by the display we adjust it.  I've yet to see a styling I haven't loved! 

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: whitney  DATE: 10/11/2010 03:51:31 PM I love this!!

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: amy  DATE: 10/12/2010 08:08:49 PM oh my gosh, i feel famous! i have made it to the front page of Jen's blog! thanks for making me look good Jen! and the cowl....oh the cowl, it's a must make! go knit it up folks!

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leslie  DATE: 10/18/2010 10:05:02 AM This is so great! My daughter would definitely love this.

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer  DATE: 10/19/2010 07:11:05 AM Thanks guys! =)

Aspen

Aspen Mittens

Aspen Mittens by Jennifer Adams

Project Specs:
Knit in Knit Picks City Tweed, HW in Cottontail and Romance.

Knited on size US 7 circs in magic loop.

My family loves skiing... and thankfully all have taken to it fairly easily (we won't mention the school of kindergarteners I nearly took out last year).  And what we really enjoy most about it is our time spent together on the mountain.  Warm fires, hot chocolate, warm woolies, playing cards.  Honestly I think it's these things that keep us coming back! 

But one of the things I love the most about being in the mountains is the solitude, and stillness.  Even in a little ski village, with hundreds of skiers, I can step outside at night and it's quiet.  Just the mountain, covered in snow, and it's heavily laden Aspens towering over you.  It's magical.

Stranded colorwork adds a warm lining to the inside of the mitten.

This is where the inspiration came from for my Aspen Mittens.  I love vintage, rustic knits.  And these mittens fit the bill.  They are a simple ski mitten knit in a thick hearty tweed from Knit Picks called City Tweed.  With only a braid embellishment on the cuff, the mitten hugs your hand and wrist comfortably, easily slipping under a ski jacket.  And by working the mitten in two colors a warm lining is created for extra warmth.

Pattern gauge is given in three sizes, adult small, medium, and large.  And these sizes are achieved by simply changing needle sizes.  I also love the City Tweed used in this pattern too!  It's a heavy worsted/Aran weight yarn that smooths like a dream when blocked and softens even more.  I call this the "puffiness factor..."  You could use any worsted or Aran weight yarn you like though, just change needle size to obtain gauge. 

Aspen is a quick knit and there's still time before Christmas to knit up if you're looking for a quick Christmas gift!  I hope you enjoy this pattern...  I'm looking forward to wearing mine on the slopes in 2010!  And if I don't post again before Christmas, here's wishing you a happy holiday season! 

Happy Knitting!

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: amy  DATE: 12/21/2009 06:14:45 PM Outstanding Jen! they are on my wish list!!!
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: BeccaDATE: 12/22/2009 11:39:54 AM Those are sharp!
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leslie  DATE: 01/02/2010 11:19:04 AM I'm so behind on my blog reading, but wanted to say these are gorgeous! I love the pattern and the color combo. Great job!

Autumn Knits

I promised more pix of the Lovikka mittens, and the weather has been so beautiful that getting outside to do so was a joy!  Not much to report here... just hoping you're enjoying the fall weather as well!

 

And a special thank you to Lu's BFF for graciously agreeing to being such a fantastic model.  =)

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Leslie  DATE: 11/07/2009 01:09:18 PM Such great mittens! I've never made any felted ones. And your little model is the cutest! 

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Julie  DATE: 12/07/2009 05:04:01 AM beautiful mittens and your pictures are gorgeous (helped by having a wonderful model)

Mittens!

Lovikka Mittens

Generic (Latvian) Braid Pattern

CO stitches designated by the pattern in Main Color. Place marker and join for knitting in the round. Round 1: Knit. Round 2: Bring MC to front as if to purl. Join CC and purl 1 stitch in contrasting color. Bringing the MC over the CC, purl the second stitch. Continue purling, bringing each yarn over the other, alternating colors. (This will cause your yarn to twist, so allow yourself plenty of tension.) Round 3: Beginning with CC, purl, continuing to alternate colors as in previous round, only bring each yarn under the previous yarn. (This will cause your yarn to twist the opposite direction, until completely untwisted.) Round 4: Knit in MC. Continue with pattern instructions.
For a really clean embellishment, knit the round before and the round after the braid in your contrasting color.

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Janey DATE: 02/26/2008 06:05:50 PM That generic braid looks very much like the Latavian mitten braid. It - the generic braid as well as the Latavian one - fascinate me. Not that I have been brave enough to try either ... I only found your blog tonight while surfing. (Knit like a Latavian is/was a blogspot blog and there is now a group in Ravalrey by the same name. Another fact which I only found out tonight.) Perhaps finding all these references to such a fine looking ridge for a hat are a sign that I should get my needles out! Thank you, Janey
----- COMMENT: AUTHOR: Jennifer  DATE: 03/03/2008 08:23:25 AM Hey Janey, I'm so sorry to be responding late, I (and my family) have been down with the flu since last Tuesday. (UGH!) The braid is just a "generic" braid used in colorwork. You mainly see it in Nordic or Latavian knitting patterns. I love it because it is a great alternative to using a garter ridge row or an I-cord, which can sometimes be pretty time-consuming with having to pick up stitches. I most recently used it on my Norwegian mittens by Elizabeth Zimmermann. She called for either a garter row or I-cord for the cuff, but I loved using the braid because it also causes the cuff to "flare" out. Good luck with your knitting--you can stick a braid on nearly anything! :-) Jennifer