Beginner's Knit Scarf - Leolani Super Scarf

 

I don't know why I had such a hard time figuring out what to make my bestie for her birthday. There are so many stitches and so many things I could make but then in the end, I decided on a simple knit scarf - The Leolani Super Scarf. She wanted a neutral, long scarf so I headed to Hobby Lobby because their cotton yarn is so soft! Since I used a worsted weight yarn, I doubled up by using 2 strands with the 8mm needles. 

Note: You can easily adjust by using a bulky yarn and the 8mm needles. You can also choose any size yarn and suggested needles however you will need to decide what your cast on number is to achieve desired width.

Example: Worsted - 5-6mm needles | Bulky - 8-9mm needles | Super Bulky - 9-10mm needles

I just love the simplicity of the garter stitch which makes this pattern easy for beginners. All you need to know is how to cast on, knit & cast off. That's it! If you're looking at one side, it's alternating rows of knits and purls. The purl stitches are just the back side of the knit stitches. You will not need to do any purl stitches for this pattern.

I don't have any beginner video tutorials so you will be linked to my favorite tutorials on YouTube.

Materials:

Yarn - Use 2 strands together | 4 Skeins total | I Love this Yarn (Hobby Lobby) | Dove
8mm Straight Needles or Circular Nneedles (worked back and forth)
Scissors
Yarn Needle (with large eye)

Leolani Super Scarf Pattern: Finished scarf is 9" wide and 88" long.

1) Cast on 28 using 2 strands
2) Knit all Stitches back and forth until desired length
3) Bind/Cast off
4) Weave in ends with yarn needle

See below for more details (Remember that 2 of the strands count as ONE stitch)

1) Using 2 strands of yarn together, start by doing a long tail cast on | Video Tutorial from Sheep and Stitch
Cast on 28 stitches - This gave me a width of 9 inches. 
Note: If you want a wider or narrower scarf, cast on less or more stitches

2) Knit all 28 stitches across | Video Tutorial from Howcast 
Turn your work, knit back across all 28 stitches

That's it! You just repeat by knitting all 28 stitches in each row until you reach desired length. I used up 4 skeins of the cotton yarn which measured 88 inches. Remember that a super scarf is just a long scarf. 

3) Bind/Cast off: Now you are ready to complete the scarf. To do that you "Bind off" or "Cast off" | Video Tutorial from VeryPinkKnits

4) Weave in all ends with yarn needle | Video Tutorial from VeryPinkKnits

 

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You may sell products using ©Handmade by Phanessa Patterns, but please give credit and link back to the patterns. Please send me a message if there are errors to the pattern handmadebyphanessa@gmail.com. Thank you!

© 2016 Handmade by Phanessa, All rights reserved. 

Basic Knit Boot Cuffs

Who is ready for FALL? I have been ready since last Fall!

I'm so excited since learning how to knit, I've enjoyed making so many things and one of them is the boot cuffs! I only crocheted last Fall season so this season, I'm super excited to knit boot cuffs as well!

Please visit my Handmade by Phanessa etsy shop to purchase a pair or you can make your own! The free pattern is available here. If you know how to knit, it's pretty basic and very easy.

Aren't these so cute!?!?

Chunky Raspberry Beanie with Pom Pom

While searching for patterns and different stitches, this one kept popping up. This is the Raspberry Stitch (also known as Trinity Stitch).

This video shows you how to make it in rows which isn't what I wanted because I wanted to make it in rounds. If you watch the video, the knitting and purling is opposite from the pattern below.

When you work in rounds, it almost seems like you're working it opposite, if that makes sense. This video taught me how to do the stitches so I had to do it opposite (from the video).

Honestly, I do not know how to decrease these stitches. I tried different ways and ended up frogging it. I did a quick search online and wasn't able to find anything and not wanting to spend too much time on it, I just decided to decrease 2 rounds with purls. Not perfect, but you can't tell and I'm happy with it.

Supplies: 

Super Chunky Yarn - Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick
Mega Bulky Yarn (for Pom Pom is optional. You may used the same yarn instead).
9mm & 10mm 16" Circular Needles
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Scissors
Tape Measure

Abbreviations:

co - Cast on
k - Knit
p - Purl
pfb - Purl front & back (increase)
k2tog - Knit 2 together
k3tog - Knit 3 together

Brim

co 44, place stitch marker and join
k1, p1 for 6 rounds or as thick as you want the brim

Main Hat

The Raspberry Stitch is worked in multiple of 4s and in a 4 rounds repeat:

Round 1 - *p9, pfb. Repeat from * all the way around (4 increases). You may increase more if you like just remember to increase so that you have a multiple of 4 stitches. I'm going to try an additional 4 stitches next time!
Round 2 - *p1/k1/p1 All in the same stitch, k3tog. Repeat from * all the way around.
Round 3 - p1 all the way
Round 4 - *k3tog, p1/k1/p1 All in the same stitch. Repeat from * all the way around. The bumps should appear in-between the bumps below. If this isn't the case, it's wrong.

This is the same repeat except there is no more increase rounds so I thought I'd include a new set of instructions:

Round 1 - p1 all the way around
Round 2 - *p1/k1/p1 All in the same stitch, k3tog. Repeat from * all the way around.
Round 3 - p1 all the way
Round 4 - *k3tog, p1/k1/p1 All in the same stitch. Repeat from * all the way around. The bumps should appear in-between the bumps below. If this isn't the case, it's wrong.

Repeat 2 more times or as high as you want your beanie (especially for slouchy hats). Mine was 7.5 inches before decreases.

After a few attempts, I just decided to do this. If you have a better way, let me know! :)

Decrease rounds:
Round 1 - *p9, p2tog. Repeat from * all the way around.
Round 2 - *p4, p2tog. Repeat from * all the way around.

Cut yarn and weave through stitches as if to knit and fasten off.

Using a extra large pom pom maker, make a pom pom using same yarn or contrasting color yarn. I actually used Barnat's mega bulky yarn. Attach pom pom and weave in all ends.

For other patterns, visit my shops:

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You may sell products using ©Handmade by Phanessa Patterns, but please give credit and link back to the patterns. Please send me a message if there are errors to the pattern handmadebyphanessa@gmail.com. Thank you!

© 2016 Handmade by Phanessa, All rights reserved. 

Knit Slouchy Moss Beanie

I have been getting more comfortable with using smaller knitting needles. I'm trying to get away from making things with bulky or super bulky yarn only. Don't get me wrong, I will never give up my big needles and big yarn. It's my true love :)

After making this hat, I still feel like it took more time than I wanted to work on a hat. Maybe when I can speed through a project at lighting speed, I'll enjoy making things with smaller needles!
I have been making a lot of newborn knit items with smaller needles but I don't mind so much when the items are so itty bitty and adorable!

Knit one front and back is the method of Increase I used

Supplies:
Worsted Weight Yarn 
US 10 - 6mm circular 16" needles
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Scissors

Abbreviations:
co - Cast on
k1 - Knit one
p1 - Purl one
k2tog - Knit 2 together
p2tog - Purl 2 together

Pattern:
BRIM (11 rounds) - The circumference fits 21-24"
co 68 stitches 
Add stitch marker and join round (my favorite way of invisible joining)
k1, p1 all the way around

MAIN Hat:
Round 1 (Increase Round) - k1 all the way around increasing (see video above) every 10th stitch (74 stitches total)

Repeat rounds:
Rounds 2-3: k1, p1 all the way around
Rounds 4-5: p1, k1 all the way around

Repeats rounds 2-5 until desired length is reached. The longer, the slouchier. 

You can cinch the top of the hat together or you can decrease the rounds and round off the top. I actually don't know the proper way to decrease seed/moss stitches so this is what I did:

Decrease Rounds:

Round 1 - *k1, p1* (4 times) for a total of 8 stitches and every 9th and 10th stitch, you decrease by doing *k2tog, p2tog*. Continue around [k1, p1 (4x); k2tog, p2tog]. 
Round 2 - k1, p1 all the way around
Round 3 - p1, k1 (3 times) for a total of 6 stitches and every 7th and 8th stitch, you decrease by doing p2tog, k2tog. Continue around [p1, k1 (3x); p2tog, k2tog]. 
Round 4 - p1, k1 all the way around

You can continue to decrease but this is where I stopped (4 rounds only for me). 
Cut yarn leaving long tail. Weave through the remaining stitches as if to knit and close up. Weave in all ends.

To add or not to add a pom pom? That was the hardest questions of this? ha-ha This beanie was for me so it's large on my model ;)

For Handmade by Phanessa patterns, visit my shops:

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You may sell products using ©Handmade by Phanessa Patterns, but please give credit and link back to the patterns. Do NOT use any of my photos or copy/distribute any of my patterns as your own. If you share my free patterns, please link back to original pattern page. Please send me a message if there are errors to any of my patterns to handmadebyphanessa@gmail.com. Thank you!

© 2016 Handmade by Phanessa, All rights reserved. 

Newborn Striped Shorts & Beanie Set

This is cuteness overload. I have been out of control making knitted pieces for newborns from Shae Simms. I just can't help it! Most of what I've been making has measured the correct size except this one for some reason. It was slightly larger than what the pattern was supposed to be.

Newborn Striped Set Pattern by Shae Simms

After making the beanie, I decided I wanted a matching Bonnet too! ;)

Newborn Knit Shorts and Textured Bonnet Set

So... this happened! I made 3 newborn sets this weekend! So freaking cute! 

Newborn Bib Overall and Bonnet Set

Newborn Onesie Romper and Bonnet Set

I have no idea why I was so intimidated! Actually, I do know why. I'be only been knitting for 7 months and mostly hats. I recently learned of the magic loop method and it was like discovering light! haha

The pattern for the shorts can also be made into pants and the bonnet is a moss stitch so the texture is really awesome!

Newborn Knit Shorts

Newborn Knit Texture Bonnet

Newborn Knit Onesie Romper and Bonnet Set

I just finished the first Knit Bib Overalls and Bonnet set and I was eager to start another set! Sometimes, I feel so  overly joyed and wonder if anyone really understands how I'm feeling! I know there is a whole community of people on Instagram that gets me.

I'm actually throwing my first knitting party this coming Saturday! I can't wait! I really wanted to try out the We Are Knitter's Kits but they are a but overpriced. It's supposed to be really nice product so we shall see!

Pattern Links:

Newborn Onesie Romper

Newborn Knit Bear Bonnet (I didn't add ears because I just wanted to hat)

Knit Newborn Bib Overalls and Bonnet Set

I have wanted to make knit newborn props for the longest time. I started crocheting first and just picked up knitting 7 months ago. I started with chunky yarn and large needles. I've been getting more comfortable with written patterns and using smaller needles and thinner yarn.

I've pinned all these newborn outfits and have been dying to try it out. Since I have a new baby boy coming in next week, I really wanted to make a couple of sets for the session. 

Here are the patterns for the outfit. Shae Sims is so awesome!

Newborn Bib Overalls

Newborn Knit Rounded Back Bonnet

I love that most of her patterns are using the same size needles and I use mostly worsted weight yarn. I'm not sure if I made it according to pattern. I made a couple more and realized I did some things wrong. Good thing, this is a prop and not a gift hehe

Newborn Rainbow Knit Bonnet

My friend just had a baby girl (I had to wait until she gave birth to find out the sex!). Not a lot of people know that her daughter is their rainbow baby. I did ask first if it was okay to incorporate that into the newborn photos. 

I was inspired by this RainBOW Baby Knit Hat. I didn't want a bow on mine and I didn't want it to be a beanie so instead, I made a bonnet. 

I used the same pattern for this Newborn Brown and Pink Knit Hat Pom Pom. The only difference is I didn't join the round until after I've completed the rainbow colors. The flower was something I made years ago and is clipped on. I like clip-on flowers because you never know what side the baby ends up and you want the flower to be on the side you photograph.

Worsted weight yarn in Heather Grey and rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)

5mm 16" circular needle

5mm double pointed needles

Stitch marker

Yarn needle

Scissors 

K1 - knit 1

P1 - purl 1
K2tog - knit 2 together (decrease)

Cast on 60 stitches (Brim and rainbow portion is worked in flat rows, the rest of the hat in rounds)

Using the Heather Grey yarn

Row 1-7 (Brim): Slip the first stitch as if to knit (without actually knitting it), k1, p2, *k2, p2, Repeat from * all the way around. Turn your work and repeat for a total of 7 rows.

Row 8-9: Slip the first stitch as if to knit (without actually knitting it), k1 all the way to end. Turn your work and repeat for row 9.

Row 10-15 : Change (6) colors for next 6 rows repeating previous rows. 

Switch back to the Heather grey color yarn, add stitch marker and join the hat. 

Rounds 1-4 : k1 all the way around

Decrease Rounds: Change to double pointed needles at any time you are too tight around.

Round 1: k4, k2tog, Repeat all the way around

Round 2: k1 all the way around

Round 3: k3, k2tog, Repeat all the way around

Round 4: k2, k2tog, Repeat all the way around

Round 5: k1, k2tog, Repeat all the way around

Round 6: k2tog all the way around until you have a few stitches and close up by using the yarn needle and thread through each stitch as if to knit. 

Cut rainbow colored pieces each side of desired length of yarn, thread through corner of brim and braid. Do the same for both sides. The amount of yarn and colors used is up to you.

This little (not so little) 10 pound baby girl took her time and was 10 days late.

For Handmade by Phanessa patterns, visit my shops:

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You may sell products using ©Handmade by Phanessa Patterns, but please give credit and link back to the patterns. Do NOT use any of my photos or copy/distribute any of my patterns as your own. If you share my free patterns, please link back to original pattern page. Please send me a message if there are errors to any of my patterns to handmadebyphanessa@gmail.com. Thank you!

© 2016 Handmade by Phanessa, All rights reserved. 

Knit Fisherman Ribbed Hat

I saw this tutorial by iKnits on YouTube when I first started to learn how to knit. I always start with videos since I'm a visual learner. So... the title said fast and easy. Imagine my excitement. When I tried to learn, I was really struggling with the P1B and K1B stitches. I couldn't tell where she was going through and I got really frustrated. So, I pretty much gave up.

Fast forward to 6 months later and I'm pretty comfortable with my knitting. The hardest part is working on my tension/gauge. I Just finished testing a pattern for the talented Destiny Meyers at KniftyKnittings. Check out the Knit Cabled Hats I made using her pattern. They are too adorable! 

So,  I go through my Pinterest of knit hats to make. I found the written pattern for the Fisherman Hat I tried by iKnits. Apparently this was the same pattern :) I decided to give it another try. OMG it really was easy and fast! 

I used whatever yarn I had with me, Loops & Thread Charisma in Forest. I know it's an easy project but over the moon excited about it!

Chunky Cabled Toddler Hat

I had the opportunity to test a pattern for Destiny over at Knifty Knittings. I've only been knitting since December 2015 and the reason I started to was because I just love the way cables look on hats. I love to crochet but it's just not the same in cables. 

Anyway, I was super excited when I got the pattern and started right away. It was late, I had a long day. My oldest just finished Kindergarten (and he's grown so much!). Apparently I can't count because I cast on the wrong number of stitches and nothing made sense after that. I started to have a beer (and my tolerance has gotten really low since dieting and exercising). I should have known better since I'm not too familiar with written patterns for knitting. I had to watch a few YouTube videos to clarify some of the instructions. Luckily, I'm a fast learner!Anyway, I pretty much had to frog it and start fresh the next day. 

And coffee.... YES, COFFEE PLEASE! 

 

We had some things going on during the day but I was able to finish it later in the evening. I ran into a hiccup in the pattern and let Destiny know. Luckily I watched a lot of YouTube videos when I first started on fixing various knitting mistakes.

I thought I could finish it outside while the kids played but nope, not when it involved water guns and water balloons! I got as far as almost closing it up and finished up in the house later.

My 2 little ones are 18 months apart and it fit both of them. The smaller one wasn't as cooperative! ha-ha

I worked the light colored hat in looser stitches so it was very stretchy and fit me! I made another using my normal stitch tension and it fit the little one much better! Of course, he wasn't too thrilled about it!

DIY Stitch Markers

I have been wanting to make stitch markers. They're so simple and easy to make. I've seen some really fancy ones out there and maybe I will figure out how to make those later!

SUPPLIES:

Beads

Eye or head pins

Wire cutters (honestly have no idea what the other ones are called)

12mm rings (I wanted to be able to use it on my 10mm needles)

1) Insert bead into pin

2) Bend right about it

3) Using the rounded top pliers, curl the wire into a loop shape

4) Add the ring

TA-da!