Day 3: Easy As Pie Tam Knitting Pattern

 This knitting pattern is for a simple and quick tam or beret.  What I love about this pattern is that it works up quickly and you can make it in almost any fiber just make sure that the fiber you choose has enough memory or spring for the brim of the hat.  I like a wool silk blend, or a blended Angora for extra warmth and luxury. 

Materials:
120 Yard of a Worsted Weight Yarn
Us 8 16 inch Circular Needles
US 8 DPNs
Stitch Marker

Gauge:
About 4 sts to the inch in stockinette on US 8 needles, Aggressively Blocked

CO 80 sts
Place Marker and join work being careful not to twist cast on edge.
Work in 2x2 rib for about 1-11/2 inches.

Increases:
R1: Knit 10 M1, repeat this to marker
R2: Knit All
R3: Knit 11, M1, repeat this to marker
R4: Knit All
R5: K12, M1, repeat this to marker

Knit even till the hat measures about 4 inches from the cast on edge.  (If you would like your tam to have more room in or be a bit more floppy knit even till you have 5 to 6 inches from the cast on edge.)

Decreases
R1: K11, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R2: Knit All
R3: K10, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R4: Knit All
R5: K9, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R6: Knit All
R7: K8, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R8: Knit All
R9: K7, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R10 Knit All
R11: K6, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R12 Knit All
R13: K5, k2tog, Repeat this to marker
R14: Knit All (Switch To DPNs)
R15: K4, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R16: Knit all
R17: K3, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R18: Knit All
R19: K2, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R20: K1, K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R21: K2tog, Repeat this to marker
R22: K2tog, Repeat this to marker

Work I-cord for 2 rows.
Bind Off
Weave in ends

To get the desired Tam shape you will need to aggressively wet block your tam on a plate.

Easy Peasy Beanie Pattern

Materials
120 yard of a worsted weight yarn
16" US 8 circular needles
4 US 8 DPNS
Stitch Marker
Tapestry needle

Skills
K2tog
Double Pointed needles
Circular needles
2x2 rib

Gauge
About 10 sts x 13 rows = 2" x 2"

Size
One size, buy you can alter the size of the hat with the wight of the yarn and the size of the needle you use.  This basic hats fits both me and my Husband.  

Hat
Cast on 80 Stitch
place marker and being careful not to twist the cast on edge join.
Work in 2x2 rib for about 1 1/2 to 2 inches. 
Swtich to stockinette stitch and knit untill the hat mearures about 6 to 6 1/2 inches. 
Now it is time to close up the hat's top.

Crown Decreases
R1: K8, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R2: Knit all Stitches
R3: K7, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R4: Knit all Stitches
R5: K6, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R6: Knit all Stitches
R7: K5, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R8: Knit all stitches (switch to DPNS, Equally distribute the stitches on to three needles)
R9: K4, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R10: K3, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R11: K2, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R12: K1, K2tog, repeat this to marker
R13: k2tog, repeat this to marker (5 stitches remaining)

Break the yarn and with a tapestry needle pull the yarn through the remaining 5 stitch and pull closed
Weave in the ends and voila! A warm winter hat.

Pattern Giveaway

That's right, my first pattern giveaway and a sneak peek at my newest pattern.  One lucky reader will receive their choice of the Hurricane Hat or the Peaks and Valleys Beanie.  All you need to do is comment below and I will pick a winner randomly and announce the winner on Friday's blog post along with releasing a new pattern.

The winner will also receive a copy of my newest pattern The Textured Triangle (pictured above) which will be in my etsy shop on Friday. Good Luck!  

New Pattern: Hurricane Hat

What a fitting day to release this pattern, it is good weather for ducks here in Philly and a perfect day for staying inside and knitting something cozy.  How about my newest pattern the Hurricane Hat.  I was inspired by the hurricane season here on the east coast and started to dream this up during hurricane Irene.  The swilring stitch pattern is what gives this hat its name sake and makes it fun to knit up. 

The pattern was designed using a bulky alpaca so it knits up pretty fast the gauge is three stitch to the inch.  What I like most about it (other than the stitch pattern) is the slouchy shape.  You can where is slouchy or fold up the brim for a more fitted look and extra warmth around your ears.  Check it out in my esty shop with my other patterns.

P.S. I am also giving away a free copy of the Southerly Tam knitting pattern over on One Pearl Button

New Pattern Sneak Peek

Here is a quick peek at my latest hat pattern.  It will be released in my Etsy store this Friday.  I was inspired by the hurricane season. 

New Pattern: Peaks and Valleys Beanie

Here it is, the Peaks and Valleys Beanie.  It is boy approved and is a fun and simple knit.  While I designed it with my Hubbie and guys in mind anyone can rock this hat.  The design element in the hat is executed with simple knits and purls which makes it a great hat for someone new to knitting.  It also knits up relitively quickly and is a great gift knit.

The motif of the beanie is reminiscent of mountain peaks and the valleys below.  You can find the pattern in my etsy shop.

The Southerly Tam Pattern

Here it is The Southerly Tam Knitting Pattern! I just listed this in my etsy shop. If your looking for a new take on an old hat check this one out. I suggest it for intermediate to experienced knitters. This tam also knits up pretty quick and is perfect for last minuet gifts.

I suggest using a yarn that has good stitch definition or a semi solid hand painted so that you can see the movement in the stitch pattern.
I designed this tam while I was in Australia which was interesting because It was sweltering when I was working on this hat. So the only time I was really able to comfortably knit was at knit when the "southerly" would blow up the coast bringing a cool breeze to relieve the hot day. I have yet had a day since I finished this tam where I could wear it out, but with fall moving in I'm hoping I can show off my new tam shortly. Simon is getting really good at taking my photos for me. We did the photo shoot while we were in Oz at one of our favorite beaches. It was right around sunset so we got some great shots.

Hat Pattern

Here's a close up of the top detail of my new pattern. This tam is knit top down and incorporates some interesting techniques and a unique stitch pattern. The tam knits up quick and is perfect for last minuet gifts.

Yarn: The yarn I used is Louisa Harding's Grace Hand dyed which is a worsted weight yarn that is 50% wool and 50% Silk. Warm, soft and shinny.

Check my etsy shop tomorrow for this pattern.

New Design!

What oh what is this! Could it be...no it can't, but wait it is! A new design!!!

That's right a new design, this one I've been sitting on for awhile and finally think that it's time to release it into the world. That date being Tuesday September 7th. Expect to see a new hat pattern listed in my esty shop. This pattern is a bit tricky compared to my last hat pattern, but has lots of fun and new techniques in it. First of all it's a top down hat pattern.

I'm really excited for this pattern as I had such a great time designing and knitting this one. The stitch pattern is interesting and works great with semi sold hand painted yarns as well as solid and variegated. That's all I'm going to tell for now, I don't want to spoil the release of such a fab hat pattern. Check back here or on Blue Betty's fan page to see more of whats to come

Give a Hoot Beanie

I just learned how to make an owl cable and wanted to try it out. I had some of this great green heather cascade 220 left over from a baby sweater that was just enough for a beanie. If you want to try your hand at an owl cable beanie the pattern is written out below and it is pretty simple and fast.

Materials
120 yrds worsted weight yarn
US 8 16" circular needle
1 set on US 8 dpns
2 small buttons
Stitch marker

Hat:
Cast on 80 Stitches, place marker and join work being careful not to twist the cast on row.
Work in 2x2 rib till brim measures 2"
Purl all stitches for two rounds
R3: Purl 25 sts, Knit 8 sts, Purl to stitch marker
R4: Purl All sts
R5: Purl 25 sts, C4B, C4F, Purl to stitch marker
R6-12: Purl 25 sts, Knit 8 sts, Purl to stitch marker
R13: Purl 25 sts, C4B, C4F, Purl to stitch marker
R14-18: Purl 25, Knit 8, Purl to stitch marker
R19: Purl 25, C4B, C4F, Purl to stitch marker

Now you should see a little owl perched on your hat.
Work in reverse St st till hat measures 6 1/2"

Hat decreases
R1: *Purl 8 sts, P2tog* repeat *to*
R2: Purl all sts
R3: *Purl 7, P2tog* repeat *to*
R4: Purl all sts
R5: *Purl 6, P2tog* repeat *to*
R6: Purl all sts
R7: *Purl 5 sts, P2tog* repeat *to*
Place stitches on dpns and continue with decreases
R8: Purl all sts
R9:*Purl 4 sts, P2tog* repeat *to*
R10: *Purl 3 sts, P2tog* repeat *to*
R11: *Purl 2 sts, P2tog* repeat *to*
R12: *Purl 1 sts, P2tog* repeat *to*
R13: *P2tog*


You should now only have 4 sts remaining, using a darning needles thread yarn end through the last 4 sts and pull closed. Weave in all end.

Sew two small buttons on owl cable for eyes. As pictured below.

Sneak Peek: Kina Tam

Here is a sneak peek at the hat pattern I'm working on. I just finished editing the photos.

It's called the Kina Tam. Kina means sea urchin in Maori. I thought that the ribbed lace pattern used in the tam looked like the ambulacrum of a sea urchin. The Ambulacrum is a row of tube feet.

Update

Yesterday was my day off and it was so beautiful outside. It was 48F yesterday when I left the apartment and walked all over Philly. I didn't get too much done as I ran into friends at Whole Foods and spent the afternoon with them. I did finish one hat. Just one, but it's a start. I plan on knitting more once I'm working at the theatre again at the end of the month.

As for right now I must be off to my day job. I'm working like crazy this next two weeks.

Fish Tails and Jasmine

I Just finished this hat. I love this lace pattern and this yarn, it looks beautiful all knit up with the eyelets. The lace pattern is fish tail lace and the yarn is Louisa Hardings Jasmine, which has been sitting in my stash for months and I still have more. This yarn is 48% cotton, 39% bamboo, 10% silk,and 3% polyester , which is the silver metalic that runs through this yarn. These pictures really do n't do this hat justice, but I couldn't wait to post it.

It's so yummy to work with and comes in many colors, the one i used is duck egg and I love it! I can't wait to wear it and I may consider making a few for my Etsy.

And that is a plate that the hat is blocking on. It's perfect for blocking tams.

OMG!

This morning I was rudly awaken by my next door neighbor playing Metallica at 8am in the morning. Although I was awake before I wanted to be I checked my email and there is a blog that wants to feature me and my etsy shop. I've only been selling for a week so I was shocked. Pleasently surprized, but i thought that it would take longer. I Still haven't made a sale, but this is a great opertunity.

Also i've been working on a few different things for my shop. I have a hat i'm working on that is absolutly gorgous, but i think it's the yarn that makes it as beautiful as it is. I'll post a pic tomorrow when i can get some good pics of it in the light.