Free Knitting Pattern: Winter Waffle Hat

Where I am, winter has been a long time coming. Finally (or unfortunately, depending on how you feel about it!), it has arrived, leading most of us to cuddle under blankets, blast the heat, turn on the wood stove, and chug tea like it’s our jobs.

I sat down to design a hat and originally picked up a thin (but beautiful) yarn. Just as I was about to start the stitch pattern, I decided I wanted something that was going to be quick and - perhaps most importantly - warm! This Winter Waffle hat is the result. Check it out:

Craft: Knitting

Level: Easy

Materials:

• Super Bulky weight yarn (I used one skein of Bernat Roving in the color Teal)
• Size US 10 circular needle and DPNs (you can use the DPNs for the entire hat if you'd like; otherwise, you'll just need them for decreasing at the top)
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker

Abbreviations:

• PM: Place Marker
• K2tog: Knit 2 Together: Knit the next two stitches together (right-slanting decrease)
• YO: Yarn Over
• st/s: Stitches

Notes:

• Slip stitch marker at the end of each round so you know where the next row begins

Pattern:

CO 58 sts

Ribbing Pattern: *K1, P1* around, PM

Repeat Ribbing Pattern for 1"

Row 1: *YO, k2, pass YO over 2 knitted sts* around

Row 2: Knit around

Repeat rounds 1 + 2 until entire hat measures 6" high, ending on R2

Decreasing for top of hat

Note: Switch to DPNs once hat is too small to fit on your circulars.

Row 3: *YO, k2tog, pass YO over the k2tog st* around

Row 4: Knit around

Repeat rounds 3 + 4 until 4 sts remain, ending with an R3 row.

Finishing:

Cut yarn. Using a tapestry needle, thread yarn through remaining stitches and tug. Weave in ends and enjoy!

Free Knitting Pattern: Autumnal Sun Coaster/Dishcloth

I recently survived an "I don't have enough cotton-based yarn" phase. I'm not sure if it was the plethora of dishcloth patterns I'd seen (combined with my need for instant gratification) or if I just couldn't get over all the overwhelmingly beautiful colors now available from Lily Sugar 'n Cream.

Whatever the reasons, I had stockpiled a full, ginormous box of Lily Sugar 'n Cream that I purchased from Blitsy during my cotton yarn gorge-fest. And I needed to do something with it.

So I dug into my new stash and got to town on a new technique I've become obsessed with: knitting wedges to create a circle. It's a simple technique and there's a lot you can do with it, and I wanted to see what I could design.

And so, this quick-and-easy dishcloth/coaster was born. The size can easily be adjusted to create a placemat that would look lovely as part of your holiday settings this year.

Although I used fall colors for my prototype, a red-and-white variegated cotton yarn would make for an amazing peppermint motif post-Thanksgiving (hint-hint!) Or choose solid colors to coordinate each circle with your home's decor. The options are endless, which makes this pattern versatile and customizable to your preferences!

$1 Knitting Pattern: Cable-ish Hat

It’s not often that I get to sit down and experiment with different knitting stitch patterns. But as with most things in life, it’s important to take a break and do something for yourself.

So the other day, I sat down, flipped through one of my pattern books, found a stitch I loved, and altered it into a beautiful hat using one of my favorite stash yarns: Red Heart Shimmer. It’s a favorite of mine because it’s so incredibly soft for an acrylic and has a wonderful little halo effect, making it appear like more of a natural fiber. The shimmer is just that - a shimmer - as opposed to a sparkle, so the effect is more subtle. I can’t get enough of it.

The hat looks beautiful as-is (if I do say so myself), but a coordinating pom-pom on top adds an extra special touch. Of course, that’s up to you!

Download Pattern

free crochet pattern: no-sew easter/spring basket

Good morning, everyone!  Today, I have an adorable crocheted Spring/Easter basket for you to play with before Easter arrives on Sunday:

It requires no sewing  - aside from weaving in ends (and you don't even have to do that - just stuff the ends into the basket and cover with grass!)

This pattern takes very little time to work up, so they make for great favors at your dinner party.  Put an egg or two inside filled with some treats and you're ready to celebrate.

I hope you enjoy this pattern; definitely let me know if you've made anything out of it because I'd love to see your version!

Visit the pattern page on Ravelry to add yours!

Materials

Size H8/5mm crochet hook

Yarn needle for weaving in ends

BASKET

Row 1: Ch 12; Sc in second chain from hook and in next 10 sts; 3 sc's in next ch; sc in next 9 sts on opposite side of chain; 2 scs in last st; join in first sc

Row 2: Ch 1; 2 scs in same st; sc in next 9 sts; 2 sc in next st; sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; sc in next 10 sts; sc in next st; join to first sc

Row 3: Ch 1; sc in same st; 2 dcs in next st; sc in next 10 sts; 2 scs in next st; sc in next 2 sts; 2 scs in next st; sc in next 11 sts; 2 scs in next st; sc in next st; join to first sc

Row 4: Ch 1; sc in same st; 2 scs in next st; sc in next 10 sts; sc in next 4 sts; 2 sc in next st; sc in next 11 sts; 2 scs in next st; sc in next 2 sts; join with a slip

stitch around (behind) first sc

Row 5: Ch 2; Bpdc around; join to top of ch 2

Rows 6-10: Ch 2; *Fpdc, dc* around; join to top of ch 2

Row 11: Ch 1, *Bpsc around*; join to first sc; fasten off

BLANKET

Change colors

Row 12: Working in front loops only of Row 11, join new color with sc;, sc around; join to first sc

Row 13: Ch 2, dc around, join to top of ch 2

Row 14: Ch 2, turn, dc around, join to top of ch 2; DO NOT TURN

Row 15: *Sk 2 sts, 5 dcs in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st* around; join with sl st to first st

Push Rows 12-15 down so that they are arranged like a little blanket in the basket

HANDLE

Pick up original color again

Decide where you'd like to place the handles and join oiginal color to any stitch from Row 11 in the back loop; sc in next 2 sts

Rows 16-45: Ch 1, sc aross

Join to 3 back loop sts from Row 11 on opposite side with slip stitch, fasten off

Weave in ends or stuff in basket

free crochet pattern: really easy slouchy beanie

This super simple slouch hat is perfect for beginners looking to play with some basic shaping and textures, but it's also fun for the intermediate crocheter who wants to whip up something quick and cute.

Supplies:

• Medium/Worsted Weight yarn

• US H8/5.00mm

• US G6/4.00mm

• Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)

Notes:

• If you choose to use yarn like Red Heart Super Saver, please note that it is thicker than the medium/worsted yarn used in my prototypes and could possibly make your hat much larger than gauge. You can adjust the hat's size accordingly by eliminating increase rounds and removing some of the straight rounds toward the bottom of the hat according to preference.

• Make sure you are joining directly into the top of the ch-2 at the end of each round, not into the gap between the ch-2 and the next DC. Joining into the gap will create a hole.

Download Pattern

I hope you all enjoy this pattern!  If you have any photos, definitely post them on Ravelry because I'd love to see everything you make :)  Thanks for taking the time to drop by and check it out!

For more knit and crochet patterns, make sure to visit my Patterns page!