28 February 2014

Friday Fun


Great music by David Garrett; it may be purchased here.

27 February 2014

Kitchen Scraps

with flare

Solar dyeing yarn with flowers, spices, roots, wood and food was so much fun, I wondered if it would work on fabric.

YES!

My solar dye pots are still frozen, but I can dye small things in clean spaghetti sauce jars just by setting the jars in the window for a few days. I made homemade soy yogurt from dried soy beans and used some of the milk from the process to mordant scrap PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric pieces. The pastels I achieved were so exciting, I decided to do eight panels for my favorite skirt pattern in different shades of kitchen scraps.

skirt panels

I'd been collecting red onion skins since last summer, and there were more than enough to fill a spaghetti jar. I assumed that would be enough for one skirt panel. With yarn, I'd been able to achieve bright light green with red onion skin pigment. The reddish purple turns magically green in tap water. I thought if I did two panels, washing one in tap water and one in distilled water, I might get two different colors.

It worked!

Kitchen Scraps, a soon-to-be handkerchief-hemmed skirt dyed with, from right, black beans and red onion skins, hibiscus and red onion skins

Unfortunately, disaster struck when I, like a fool, hung the first three skirt panels to dry on (brand new, still coated) metal hangers. I should have known better. Iron is a mordant. It turns natural dyes "sad." It darkens them. It left its moody mark right across the most beautiful red onion skin panel!

OHHHHHHHH!  NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Luckily, I had enough fabric left to cut one more panel. I'll use the striped panel for something else. I dyed with the same jar of red onion skin pigment one more time, and I was surprised to find the dye was still good as new.

I made more homemade refried beans from dried black beans, which means soaking the beans overnight in water and then using the resultant purple water for dyeing just by straining it off into a dye pot. I'd had disappointing results with black bean water on yarn last summer because I didn't know then how dryer heat affects the bean color. My gorgeous purple yarn turned gray.

With the onion skin shades, this skirt already is destined for special washing, so I decided it would be okay to repeat the multiple hue process with the bean water. I made four panels in the bean drain-off. White cotton in bean water becomes a pretty shade of pale lavender. Add a little vinegar, and you get blue. Add a little ammonia and you get teal green. Wash with hot water, and you get gray. Four more perfect skirt panel shades! And this time, I dried the panels on a plastic hanger.

Kitchen Scraps, a soon-to-be handkerchief-hemmed skirt dyed with, from left, black beans, black beans with ammonia, black beans with vinegar

Hibiscus tea is among my favorites. The color it makes on yarn is gorgeous. Pink in distilled or rain water, and blue in tap water. I now had eight panels. The dyeing process had taken nearly two weeks. The panels were sewn together in less than two hours, and that includes the back zipper. The handkerchief hem is challenging, but it was done in another hour. I made the skirt on a Sunday morning, and I wore it to church Sunday afternoon.

We had unexpected company while I was pinning the hem.

Framed

Yes, the washing will be interesting; I will try to keep it as clean as possible so it doesn't need frequent washing. And then it may become the world's first color-changing skirt. In the meantime, I will enjoy the heck out of wearing this fun skirt!

nearly perfect points

heavenly colors

kitchen scraps handkerchief hem skirt

25 February 2014

Wordless Wednesday

Indoor January Polemonium

Indoor January Larkspur

Indoor January Habanero

Indoor January Serrano

Reach for the Stars

My First Hyacinth of 2014!!! On Valentine's Day!

My Brand New Irises Have Been Fooled into February Spring

Up and Coming

First Daffodils of the Year

Heavy Medal

Heavy Metal

I've participated in the Ravellenics three times now, twice during Winter Olympics (oh, wow, can I use that word?!? ha ha!), and once during the Summer Olympics. I think it's about time I had a medal to show for my work!

So I made one!

The idea came from Astri over at AppleBlossomDreams. She made my Fjord Beanie the day after I published the pattern, and I told her she should get a medal. She said that gave her an idea, and her comment on my comment gave me an idea. The race was on!

Who finished first???

Heavy Medal

I had planned to finish Welcome to the Jungle as a WIP (Work in Progress) Dance project, but alas, the Ravellenics doesn't have categories for sewing or quilting. I also was pretty busy at work during this year's Olympics, plus, I do still have to finish that quilt by the end of March if I hope to submit it in time to hopefully be juried into the Denver National Quilt Festival.

As a result, this year's Ravellenic projects were not huge, and none were horribly time-consuming, most made aboard the train during my daily commutes. I'm pleased with what I was able to crank out:

9 snowflakes
1 beaded snowflake
9 snowflake rocks
4 hats
1 cowl
3 necklaces
2 earrings
1 natural-dyed hank of yarn
and a gold medal!

2014 Ravellenic Snowflakes

2014 Ravellenic Free Dance

2014 Ravellenics

Lollypop Beanie

Cold Shivers Snowflake

24 February 2014

Snowflake Monday

Still Unnamed When I posted this pattern

Snowflakes aren't such a hit in summertime, and last year I was on a serious rainbow kick during the hot months. I searched Ravelry and at the time didn't find anything even remotely similar to the idea in my head, so I decided a giant lacy thread hexie with optional snowflake points would be a great summertime project. Then the prototype snowflakes (with hand-dyed thread from numerous sources) RAN when I stiffened them!!! YIKES!!!

(In my experience, liquid starch seems to be hand-dyed unfriendly when stiffening snowflakes. School glue and water do not seem to be as harsh on hand-dyed thread. In my experience, Epsom salts have not caused hand-dyed thread to run, but they do make the color appear duller, but stiffening with Epsom salts also provides a unique frosty appearance on mercerized thread.)

This snowflake pattern has been sitting around for long, long months. I was so discouraged. I didn't want to make all those snowflakes over again. Especially given they might run again...

Then along came the Ravellenics, an event I look forward to every two years, and I wanted to make, among other things, a rainbow project. This snowflake was one of the first ideas that popped into my head. Inspired by the courage of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, I was no longer discouraged by runny snowflakes.

Owie!

I freshened up the pattern just a bit, changed a few things to make it more unique, and played with some of my own hand-dyed thread. My peacock feathers are in full spread because with the exception of the commercial turquoise dye (which comes with a warning that it is the most difficult of all the dye colors to rinse completely out), MY thread did not run!!! (Happy dance! Happy dance!)

Not only is this pattern a cheery and colorful break from routine white Snowflake Mondays, the first version also may be worked in in lace weight or sock yarn without points to make joinable motifs, worsted weight or chunky to make dish cloths, placemats, or motif projects such as scarves, hats, vests or afghans, or even multiple strands of worsted weight yarn in as many rounds as desired for a cool rug project.

Unnamed Snowflake Bag

I've included the basic pattern without the flourishes just in case you'd like to make a motif project. While testing the pattern in my natural- and solar-dyed worsted weight cotton, I decided to try making a hat from the giant hexie, and I've included that pattern as well. The name comes from the Olympic sport I was watching while making both hats.

The fancy version of the pattern is the last pattern today. I gave it the same name as the hat because while I am writing this, I'm still struggling to come up with a good name for the basic pattern. Unnamed Snowflake just sounds so... blah!

Relief! The Lizard just named the basic snowflake. He said he likes the name Freestyle.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes and motifs you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Still Unnamed Snowflake

Finished Size: 8 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in 7 colors (or desired number of colors), size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

TIP: There are a lot of ends to weave in on these projects. To prevent having to go back and weave in ends at completion of project, weave in ends as you go.

Color Key for Rainbow Stripes:
Main Color: White or MC
Color A: shades of maroon or red
Color B: shades of orange (I ran out of the orange thread I used in the first project, so I used a combination orange and yellow thread for the updated project.)
Color C: shades of yellow (not used in the updated project)
Color D: shades of green
Color E: shades of blue
Color F: shades of violet

Unnamed Snowflake

Freestyle Snowflake Instructions
NOTE: This pattern is written without the fancy edging on the above snowflake to enable crocheters to use it as a motif. Four fancy edgings are included altogether in both patterns and are interchangeable if minor adjustments are made to accommodate the number of rounds worked.

Make magic ring.

Round 1: With White or MC, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc); 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: With Color A, 1 dc in any dc, ch 2, 1 dc in same dc (V-stitch made), ch 2, sk next dc, * ch 2, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 dc in same dc, ch 2, sk next dc; repeat from * around 4 times; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 3: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch, * 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch, ch 2, 2 dc in same V-stitch; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in top of starting dc; bind off.

Round 4: With Color B, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same sp (V-stich made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 5: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 3 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 6: With Color C, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 7: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 5 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 8: With Color D, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * [ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 2 times, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 9: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 7 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 10: With Color E, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * [ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 3 times, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 11: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 9 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 12: With Color F, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * [ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1dc in next dc] 5 times, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 dc in next dc, [ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 13 (for motif projects): With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 11 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Unnamed Snowflake

Round 13 (with tips as shown on smaller pink and blue snowflake): With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each ch 2 sp across side, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 7, 1 dc in 6th ch from hook, ch 5, 1 dc in same ch, ch 5, sl st in same ch, ch 4, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc in same V-stitch/ch 2 point (snowflake tip made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Dwarfed

As stated above, my finished worsted hexagon was huge! 25 inches across!!! If I'd had enough of the rhubarb-dyed yarn, I'd have kept going to make an exploded lace vest or jacket. My husband also thought it might be a cute skirt if I made a matching one, but I didn't have enough rhubarb-dyed yarn. I wondered how it would look to make as many more same-size hexagons with as much of the rest of my natural-dyed yarn as I could and join them together in an afghan. I think it might take only six or nine hexagons!

I decided to play around a bit and try making the hexagon into a super slouchy hat because I had enough yarn for that. I made the hexagon and turned it into a hat while watching Sage Kotsenburg of the United States win the gold in the first Olympic snowboard slopestyle event. So of course, slopestyle is the name I had to give the hat. After all, this is a pretty radical hat...

Slopestyle Slouchy Hat

Super Slouchy Slopestyle Hat Instructions

Finished Hexagon Size: 25 inches from point to point
Finished Hat: 14 inches across when laid flat, 22 inches around
Materials: Approximately 150 yards of worsted weight yarn in white or desired Main Color, small amounts of worsted weight yarn in 6 (or desired number) of colors, size H crochet hook, size 8 circular knitting needles.
NOTE: I used two sets of size 8 circular knitting needles for brim.

Work Rounds 1-12 same as above.

Round 13 : With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 11 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc and last 2 ch of final repeat; ch 1, 1 hdc in top of starting dc to form 6th ch 2 tip of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 14 : Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc and ch 1), * 1 dc between next 2 dc groups, ch 1; repeat around for a total of 78 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 3. Hexagon is now drawn into a bowl shape.

Round 15 : Draw up a loop through each dc around and place on knitting needles.

Round 16 : * K1, P1 around, decreasing 6 st evenly spaced for a total of 72 st.

Rounds 17-28 : * K1, P1 around. Bind off after 12 rounds of straight ribbing. (I began running out of the cream-colored (rhubarb) yarn on the first hat, so I repeated the rainbow pattern with 2 rounds each of each of my rainbow colors, then bound off with the end of the cream.)

Not So Slouchy Slopestyle Hat

NOTE: To make hat less slouchy, work fewer hexagon rounds, such as 9 or 11. Pick up 66 st when beginning knitted Rounds. I worked a less-slouchy version using 9 rounds and using random natural- and solar-dyed yarn from last summer's garden. The second hat is just perfect for my Goldilocks. It measures 10.5 inches across when laid flat and 18 inches around.

Slopestyle Snowflake

Slopestyle Snowflake Instructions

NOTE: I didn't have any plain orange variegated thread for this snowflake, so I used an orange and yellow variegated thread and skipped the yellow altogether in this rainbow. It is 2 rounds smaller than the first snowflake pattern.

Make magic ring.

Round 1: With White or MC, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc); 11 dc in ring; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: With Color A, 1 dc in any dc, ch 2, 1 dc in same dc (V-stitch made), ch 2, sk next dc, * ch 2, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, 1 dc in same dc, ch 2, sk next dc; repeat from * around 4 times; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 3: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch, * 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch, ch 2, 2 dc in same V-stitch; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in top of starting dc; bind off.

Round 4: With Color B, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same sp (V-stich made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 5: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 3 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 6: With Color C, 1 dc in any ch 2 point, * ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 dc in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 7: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 5 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 8: With Color D, 1 tr in any ch 2 point, * ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 tr in next ch 2 point, ch 2, 1 tr in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 9: With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each of next 7 ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 10: With Color E, 1 dtr in any ch 2 point, * ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 tr in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 hdc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 tr in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 tr in next ch 2 point, ch 5, 1 tr in same point (V-stitch made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last tr of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off.

Round 11 (blue and white snowflake pointed tips and fancy sides): With MC, 2 dc in any ch 5 sp, * 2 tr in same sp, ch 3, sl st in sop of tr just worked, 2 tr in same sp, 2 dc in same sp, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, sk next ch 2 sp, in next ch 2 sp [1 tr, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made)] 3 times, 1 tr in same sp, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, 1 sc in next ch 2 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 11 (rainbow snowflake with heart tips): With MC, 6 dc in any V-stitch/ch 5 point, * 3 dc in each of next 3 ch 2 sp, sk next ch 2 sp, in next ch 2 sp [1 tr, ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made)] 3 times, 1 tr in same sp, sk next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in each of next 3 ch 2 sp6 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 6, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch (first half of heart picot made, and you will be working into last dc made to finish heart picot), ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 dc in top of last dc of first half of heart picot, 1 dc in same dc, sl st in next ch (heart picot made), 6 dc in same ch 5 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 6 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 11 (smaller lavender snowflake and first rainbow snowflake with lacy tips): With MC, 2 dc in any V-stitch/ch 2 point, * 3 dc in each ch 2 sp across side, 2 dc in next V-stitch/ch 2 point, ch 7, 1 dc in 6th ch from hook, ch 5, 1 dc in same ch, ch 5, sl st in same ch, ch 1, 2 dc in same V-stitch/ch 2 point (snowflake tip made); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 dc of final repeat; sl st in starting dc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

Unnamed Snowflake

21 February 2014

Friday Funny

As The Verge noted, if only all Olympic narration could be this engaging...


And oh, it gets BETTER!!! Let's get Attenborough to narrate this...

20 February 2014

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

I was so tickled to see on Ravelry how many people were doing the very same thing as me during the Opening Ceremonies of the Event Which Must Not Be Named when speaking of fiber arts.

In reality, probably very few needleworkers were making thread snowflakes like me while watching, although thousands upon thousands were knitting or crocheting something. Many of these needleworkers apparently were doing the very same thing as me... taking notes on favorite hats, sweaters, scarves, jackets, mittens, fingerless mittens, etc., etc., etc., worn by the athletes during the Parade of Nations.

I can be a real oddball when it comes to design taste, so it was thrilling to see other needlecrafters spied some of the same gorgeous knitwear and crochetwear I did and longed for patterns/charts.

My absolute favorite is the Andorran sweaters. Being the Star Trek fan I am, of course, I, too, pictured a blue and white version. But also because I just love blue and white together! I'm thinking I might have to do a knitted cowl inspired by this sweater but in Andorian shades.

The Polish uniforms are pretty cool, too, with gray snowflakes (reminiscent of my Purple Mountain Snowflake) on their jackets and hats.

The Slovakian scarves and hats are a real hit.

Here's a chart for the Slovakian hat.

I like the Slovenian colors and hats. I intend to knit one of the these seed stitch hats, perhaps even in the same colors.

Here's another version of the Slovenian ski hat.

I might have to make one of the Swedish scarves, too, but in different colors. Blue and white. Or purple and white. Or black and white. Oh, the possibilities are endless!

I've charted my version of the Swedish scarf here.

A free pattern for the crochet Swedish hat is located here.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the colors of the Lithuanian uniforms!!!

A pattern for the Netherlands ski hat is here.

Here is a link to the free download for the USA knit ski hat pattern.

Not knitted or crocheted, but oh my, is this an outfit or what?!? Katie Uhlaender prepares for the skeleton.

And of course, there is the Norwegian beanie... simple single crochet. I chuckled at the number of knitters trying to determine what knitting stitch was used. Many Ravelers sought a pattern, and two are available free in foreign languages (one is located here), while one version is available for sale. My first thought was to make my own beanie for a Ravellenic medal. After reading an entire Ravelry thread devoted to this one hat, I thought I'd step up my Ravellenic medal difficulty level a bit and write a pattern, too. All in two days' time! (Although I spent a third day re-writing the pattern after accidentally overwriting the original with a blank document. AAAAARGH!!)

three degrees of alpine blue

The yarn I selected for this project was dyed by me last summer while Mrs. Micawber visited to ride the MS-150 with me. I had only 100 yards of each of the three gradations of my soft, winter blue, and I suspected the finished hat might take at least 150 yards. So I started at the top with the lightest shade, worked about a third of the way down and changed to the medium hue, then finished the last third of the project with the darkest color. I finished the hat off with undyed white instead of the red used in the official hats because, well, as I've said many times, I just love blue and white together!

This beanie is so versatile and may be worked in any color combination, worked in stripe, pinned, patched, beaded, embroidered or otherwise embellished. Use your imagination to make your hat yours!

Why Fjord??? In seventh grade, I had to write a 10-page report and give a 15-minute presentation on the country of Norway, way back before internet. I had to write to agencies in Norway to get photos and travel information, and the mail back then took WEEKS! The day before I was scheduled to give my presentation in front of the class, I still hadn't received anything from Norway. I'd been studying the history as much as I could in our small town library, mostly via encyclopedias. I had no visual aids for my presentation. So I made colorful yarn fjords on a piece of white poster board because that was the only idea I had. Of course, my travel brochures and magazines were waiting for me when I got home from school that day...

Check out Astri's interpretation of this pattern here!

You may do whatever you'd like with hats you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Fjord Beanie

Finished Size: 22 inches around, 11.5 inches tall
Materials: Approximately 150 yards worsted weight yarn in blue or desired color, small amount of white or desired color for contrast band, size H crochet hook
Gauge: 7 single crochet = 2 inches; 7 rows of single crochet = 2 inches
NOTE: This pattern is designed to stand taller on the head than the head. To make a shorter version, work fewer rounds to desired length. This pattern is worked tightly to provide a stiffer hat body. This pattern is worked in the round. Do not join at the end rounds unless instructed to do so. To make the hat more narrow, omit half of increases on Round 23 OR all of increases on Round 23 OR half of increases on Round 20 and all of increase on Round 23.

Fjord Beanie Instructions

With main color, make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; do not join. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc.

Round 3: * 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around 5 times for a total of 18 sc.

Rounds 4-8: 1 sc in each sc around, increasing 6 times evenly spaced but not directly above increases in the previous Round for a total of 24 sc, 30 sc, 36 sc, 42 sc and 48 sc respectively.

Rounds 9-10: 1 sc in each sc around.

Round 11: 1 sc in each sc around, increasing 6 times evenly spaced but not directly above increases in the previous Round for a total of 54 sc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Rounds 12-23: Repeat Rounds 9-11 4 times for a total of 60 sc, 66 sc, 72 sc and 78 sc respectively.

Rounds 24-40: 1 sc in each sc around. At desired hat length, sl st in next sc; bind off.

Round 41: With contrast color, 1 sc in each sc around.

Round 42, Picot Edge: *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook (picot made); repeat from * all the way around; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 42, Brim Edge: Sl st in next sc, ch 1, turn; 1 sc in each sc around; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Round 42, Thick Brim Edge: 1 sc over each Round 41 sc around; sl st in next sc; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Embellish with patches, pins, snowflakes or desired enhancement. Wear and stay warm!

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie

Fjord Beanie
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