Knitted Beanie Formula and Tweaking

The saga of the knitted beanie, or hat as some would call it continues.

Remember this post HERE about my first attempt at knitting a beanie? Well I think I am well on the way to working it all out. May still be a little glitch to iron out but I will post my recipe and one of you may like to knit it up and see how it goes and tell me what you think.

This beanie is designed for a boy, and he didn't want a big bulky beanie, nor a long beanie. Just a tight fitting beanie that he can wear under his baseball cap if desired.

This is what it looks like;

Personally, I think it is too tight but apparently it's exactly what he wanted. I would like to tell you how I made this beanie but as I am not  a knitter, I may use the wrong words, expression, etc so please forgive me. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

My first ever tutorial, please be kind :-)

To get a beanie like this, here is what I did. 

First knit up a swatch that measures approx 2" by 2" using the needles you will be knitting with.

For this, I used a set of 3.25mm (size 3 US, size 10 UK) with an 8ply yarn.

I used Crofter Dk by Sirdar Fair Isle effect for the beanie above. It is a 50gm ball and is 60% acrylic, 25% Cotton and 15% wool.

For this tutorial I will be using 

Moda Vera Pure Wool 8 ply

100% Australian Pure Wool

The first thing I noticed about the Crofter and the Moda Vera was the difference in weight/size/width of the yarn. They are both 8 ply but the Moda Vera is definately thicker than the Crofter. In fact I think it is more like the Crofter is thinner, especially compared to other 8 ply yarns I have. Just an observation.

I am using the grey Moda Vera to knit a beanie for my almost 1 year old nephew, Cooper.

There is the little cherub now - see he certainly needs a beanie, I can't have the poor little munchkin getting around with a plastic plate on his head trying to keep warm now can I?

Here is the Moda Vera 8 ply

I used this set of 3.25mm (size 3 US, size 10 UK) DPN's (double pointed needles) They measure 8 inches long.

I tried hard to knit this entire hat on circular needles only. I guess it is achievable if I had a smaller set of circular needles, like a 3.25mm to do the band but since I don't and since I refuse to spend yet another $10 on another pair of needles, I am going to use these for the band. 

Stay tuned, I am guessing it won't be long before I cave and purchase them anyway :-)

It's time to knit a sample swatch.

In this instance (using Moda Vera) I cast on 15 stitches.

With the Crofter I cast on 20 stitches.

Here is my swatch.

Row 1 - 4 knit (to try to stop it curling)

Rows 5, 7,9,11: purl

Rows 6, 8, 10, 12: knit

continue until your swatch measures approx 2". 

Cast off.

Now, using your swatch and a rule, count how many stitches you have made in a 1" area.

You can see between the 3" mark and the 4" mark, I clearly have 6 stitches.

Remember how many stitches you have, yours may be different to mine.

Now you need to grab your tape measure and find your beanie recipient and measure the circumference of his or her head.

In my case, Cooper's head measures 45cm, that's almost 18 inches (rounded up to the nearest full inch).

So Coopers's head is 18 inches. I then need to subtract 2 inches from this amount which gives me 16 inches.

Whatever your head circumference is, subtract 2 inches.

12' (30.5cm) - 2" = 10" (25.5cm)

13" (33cm) - 2" = 11" (28cm)

14" (35.5cm) - 2" = 12" (30.5cm)

15" (38cm) - 2" = 13" (33cm)

16" (40.5cm) - 2" = 14" (35.5cm)

17" (43cm) - 2" = 15" (38cm)

18" (45.5cm) - 2" = 16" (40.5cm)

19" (48cm) - 2" = 17" (43cm)

20" (50.5cm) - 2" = 18" (45.5cm)

21" (53cm) - 2" = 19" (48cm)

22" (55.5cm) - 2" = 20" (50.5cm)

23" (58cm) - 2" = 21" (53cm)

24"  (61cm)  - 2" = 22" (55.5cm)

25" (63cm) - 2" = 23" (58cm)

Ok, then you take the head circumference, minus 2" and then multiply that number by the number of stitches in an inch on your swatch.

for me it will be 16 x 6 (18" head circumference minus 2 inches times the 6 stitches in my 1"swatch)

I will get a total of 96.

this is how many stitches we are going to cast onto our needles.

*** remember, you may have a completely different figure to mine***

(when I did beanie number 1 in the Crofter, I had a head circumference of 20", minus 2" which gave me 18 times the 5 stitches in my first swatch (which I am now thinking may have been incorrect)

That gave me a total of 90 stitches.

This should give you a correct starting point to get the right size for your beanie.

The beanie that I knitted for Cooper, Icast on my 90 stitches.

First row, Knit 2, pearl two

Second row, Knit 2, pearl 2 (I think, it has been a while since I have made this beanie so the second row may have been pearl 2, knit 1. In any case, you need to knit your ribbing) I knitted my ribbing up to one inch for 12 month old Cooper. For my son who is 13, I knitted an inch and a half, sometimes two inches.

I then continued knitting for about 6 - 7.5 inches, depending on the size of the recipient.

Now we start decreasing.

Knit 13, knit two together. Repeat until you are back to your starting marker, one whole round.

Knit the next row.

Knit 12, knit 2 together. Repeat until you are back to the start.

Knit the next row.

Knit 11, knit 2 together. Repeat.

Knit the next row.

knit 10. knit 2 together. Repeat.

continue knitting in this fashion until you are knitting two together.

If necessary, knit two together for the next row.

thread your yarn through the remaining stitches and end off.

Now, as I said, I have never done this before, have never written anything before or even knitted a beanie or hat before. I am 100% sure that this will need tweaking so if you can see the problems and the things that need changing, adjusting, please let me know.

I started writing this pattern/recipe twelve months ago and didn't finish writing so there will be bits missing and bits that need fixing.

I WILL adjust it soon so it is in a more comprehendable format but for now, if anyone would like to try it out and let me know where the adjustments need to be made, great!!!

Here is a picture of my completed beanie on Cooper.

Either my formula is not 100% foolproof or my knitting loosened from my swatch but Ithink it is a little too big for Coop. I'm not completely happy with the way it is bunching in the crown either so Iwill tweak that a little too.

I hope you may get something out of this.

have fun knitting :-)

I


would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.

I'm Still Here...

Well, I am still here among the land of the living, despite evidence to the contrary.
I guess you are all wondering what I have been up to? Apart from trying to deal with the shock of my beloved husband leaving us, I have been busy, busy, busy.

I have been doing some photography for Raceview Park Equestrian at Cessnock Show.

This is the camera I had the privilege of using. Not my usual tool of choice but a fun camera to use all the same. I have huge arm muscles now :-)

Here is my cousin's eldest daughter, Liela, leading Izzy in the led mare class. They both looked stunning.

We were mainly here for miss Sarah and Izzy though who were competing in many events over the two days. Here they are with some of their ribbons.

If you have a weak stomach, I suggest you look away NOW!!!

I managed to burn my lips so bad that I developed cold sores which ulcerated and also contracted an oral bacteria. I've just completed my third course of antibiotics. Incredibly painful and made me very sick. All in the name of a great photograph. Yes I did have sunscreen and a hat but still managed to burn.

I have been working occasionally for the lovely and dynamic Heidi Alexander Pollard of Leading Ladies International and Boost Your Career and having an absolute ball. Love, love, love my job!
I spent one rainy Wednesday morning at the Newcastle Gen X Women event at Merewether Surf Club.

The Surf Club and I was selling the resources for the morning, overlooking the ocean. Despite the rain, it was still gorgeous.

What a divine morning with Heidi, an amazing woman, I just can't get enough of her speaking and teaching.
I then spent last Wednesday morning at The Lake Macquarie Business Network Breakfast.

Here I am on the right with one of the lovely ladies I met at The Business Network Breakfast that I attended with Heidi. Again, selling resources and having a fabulous time.

I am opening my very own store so I have been busy making, sewing, stitching, knitting, beading, crimping, and assembling in readiness for the opening of Gladys and Maude.
At this stage, Gladys and Maude will be an online store and Made It store but my ultimate dream is to own my very own store full of delicious handmade and vintage items for sale.
Please pop over to my new blog at Gladys and Maude and let me know what you think so far.

Oh I have also been busy, busy, busy honing my patch working skills as I have landed myself a gig teaching beginners patchwork at our local patchwork store. I dream come true for me. I am so incredibly excited!

I will leave you today with a couple of little pictures that I found quite amusing, the first;

I almost laughed my head off when I saw this one. It's not quite a murder of crows :-)

Then, as we have all been flooded or effected by the floods, I thought you might get a kick out of this one;

I would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.

New Laptop!!!

Hi there girls.

I haven't abandoned you again.

I have been given my very own laptop that actually works - yipee!!!!

It is old but it works fine and it gets all the work done that I need done. I'm actually quite excited about it.

The only problem I have is that I don't have internet access at home anymore so unless I come to Mum and Dad's or go to Macca's I am unable to log on and post my daily blogs. 

Hopefully it won't be too much longer now until I can have everything restored to some sort of normality.

I hope you have all had a wonderful day sharing your Tuesday's Treasures with Melody.

I look forward to catching up with you all very soon.

I would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.

Tuesday's Treasures

How are you all today?
Well I'm doing this post from my little phone today so I don't know how we will go and I do t think I am able to link to Melody's blog from here but I'd love it if you would stop on over to the House On The Side Of The Hill http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com.au/ to see what others are treasuring today.

I think today my treasure is Gus
Gus came to us unexpectedly but has been a ray of sunshine in our lives.
After my husband left suddenly and unexpectedly recently, he contacted me to say he would be collecting both of our dogs, Misty the border collie x kelpie and Ruby the Maltese. The kids were devastated, we were all devastated. So the day he came to collected them, my mum turned up with Gus.
When I first laid eyes on him, I thought he was one of the most unattractive little fellows I had ever seen but he had just been shaved too.
Well the little cherub came to us at the right time. He was sort of a rescue dig. The people who owned him were told by their landlord that he had to go, so the very day he came to live with us, he was on his way to the pound.
He is the funniest little fellow and has certainly made his way into my heart. He does the funniest things and one of those is having a shower with us. He won't leave our side, which sometime can be a problem if I want to pop down the street or go out for dinner. We find he likes to stay at Nan and Pop's if we go out.
I've never been a dog person. Never liked them, could never touch them but this little guy sleeps in my bed. I know, I know - its not good but he keeps me company when I'm feeling along and he always knows when to cheer me up. He is just gorgeous.
When he stays at mum and dads, he goes and collects cushions and pillows and piles them on the wooden floor to sleep on. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw him do it!

I hope you have a wonderful week and can't wait till see you next week!

Tuesday's Treasures

Hi there everyone, it's been some time since I've joined you all for Tuesday's Treasures with Melody over at The House On The Side Of The Hill.

Today I thought I would share a Christmas gift from my sister, it's a golden frog.

I think it looks a little more like a cane toad with all of its lumps and bumps but I love him all the same

You can see here he has lovely ruby eyes ans some gorgeous Swarovski crystals on his back

I didn't know where to put him. I don't have much luck with nice things on my cupboards and side boards - I have a cat. Yesterday I decided he would habg from the rear view mirror of my car, that way I can see him every day :-)

WHat are you treasuring today?

Don't forget to pop on over to Melody's to see what everyone else is treasuring.

I would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.

Can You Help Me Please?

Hi there,

How are you all?
I need a bit of help. please. Can you please tell me what my background on my blog looks like. I have changed it so it should be showing a background with blue on the outsides and worn timber with paint peeling or is it just a pink box at the top with roses?

Your imput would be greatly appreciated as some of my settings are telling me it is there and others are telling me it is not.

Thank you so much in advance.

Chelle xx


I would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.

Fairy Slippers

Some time back I made some little fairy slippers at Guild. They are just the sweetest little things but very involved.
You start with a piece of felt, add some Vlisofix, some Angelina, some more vlisofix and then some crepe chiffon oh and you can add some glitter, sparkles or stars in between as well. Once you have you working fabric completed you can then trace your design, do a running stitch all around and then start decorating your little slipper. You can add stitches, beads, embellishments but remember your slipper is barelt an inch, maybe an inch and a half long.
I will show you some photos, they are not the best as I misplaced my camera charger for a few months and had to resort to my phone yet again.
Here they are...

You can see here by the size of my car key just how small they are and this is the big slipper

Here is the felt complete with the layers of Angelina and chiffon and I have added my outline so I know where to put my decorations and embelishments.

Here is the very first slipper I did in the class.

As you can see, I have used tiny little sequins, Swarovski crystals, Mill Hill glass beads and an enameled jewellery ornament. You can see here that I have done coral knot stitch around the bottom of the shoe - it needs something to ground and balance it.

A view from the top

You can see the inside here. It is a piece of purple velvet that has Vlisofix then gold foil that is affixed to the velvet.

Here is a red and black one. This one I did differently. I started with orange felt then used a hand dyed red, orange and yellow piece of cotton fabric then did the Vlisofic, flitter, Angelina and a red chiffon so it actually looks more red than orange.

I also crocheted a tiny little back glitter flower with some DMC metallic thread to put on the fron with some crystals.

As you can see I have turned this one into a key ring or one of those hangers that go onto your handbag. It didn't last long. I should have used tiger tail not cotton :-(

This one was supposed to be pink, purple and aqua but as you can see it has turned oout more pink and blue. It has purple velvet on the inside.

I also did some of these felt birds for cristmas presents. Don't have many left now but you get the idea.

This bird is made of some stuff I fouind at Spotlight. I don't remember what it is called but I had to buy a great big packet with ten sheets just for a tiny little piece. It is all glittery and shiny and sort of igves the same effect as Angelina so I thouhgt I would try it for the fairy slippers. I have only gotten as far as the birds so far. I just attached it to some white felt with some Vlisofix. It's a lot like paper. Depending on what coloured felt you use as the background, you will get different effects.

Have a fabulous day :-)

I would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.

So Much To Tell...

I have so much to tell you all that I just don't know where to start. It has been so very long since I have blogged I have such a lot of catching up to do.
I guess I will start with this one. My son, Master 13, has been learning to fly a plane, yes you read right, an aeroplane. A Cessna Skyhawk II. Can you believe it? No Neither can I. I am so incredibly proud of him though, after having so many people telling him he is stupid and won't amount to anything.

Here he is with the plane, of course.

Removing the chocs so the plane can taxi down the runway.

I think he is undoing the tie downs on the wings here - any piolets out there? I have no idea. Parents are not allowed to attend because we might distract them so I have never seen him fly, only these photos.

Checking the fuel

Just hopped into the plane with the instructor, Simmo. How incredibly exciting.

Here's Simmo about to let Connor take the controls

Oh my goodness Mum, look, I'm flying...

I'm still flying...

It has been a life long dream of Connor's to become a piolet. I think he was about three years old when he told me he was going to become a piolet and has wanted to ever since. He has been given this opportunity through the incredible school he is with as part of the LIFT program. It is an incredible program and I'm sure they could use any and all donations gladly.

Simmo donates his time and expertise to teach the kids to fly. He is a fighter piolet trainer at the RAAF so he is very time limited when it comes to the kids but still manages to fit in a heap of classes. The planes, fuel and everything is donated, it's fantastic.

The best thing is that Simmo was told he was too stupid and would never fly either so he is an incredibly role model for Connor.

Here is Connor's certificate of completion for the first part of the flying program.

Below is a short video telling of the LIFT program that Connor has been doing...

Well, that's my exciting news for the day.

Hopefullt tomorrow I will be back with an update on some of my latest creations.

I hope you are all well and have a fabulous day, week!

I would really love you to leave me a comment or even just drop by to say hi. It warms my heart and makes my day :) To post a comment, you need to go back to the top of this post - right there under the heading.