The new yarn keeps coming!

If it seems like every week I have a new yarn to brag about, it is because that’s true.  Today I have two more!
One of them is Flicker by Berroco.  This deliciously soft yarn is made with 87% baby alpaca and (yes your eyes are not deceiving you) a wee bit of sparkle.  It has just enough flash to add the glint of glamor, but not so much that it’s kitschy. The corded construction in this yarn gives the alpaca extra elasticity and means knitted goods will keep their shapes nicely.

We used two strands of Flicker held together to make this chunky hat. The Twinkle Hat is a great hat for beginners. You don’t even need to know how to knit in circles to make it.  We are offering it as a free in store pattern till Christmas with purchase.  If you can’t make it into the store you can buy just the pattern HERE.

Also new in the shop is a small amount of the Super Bulky yarn from Malabrigo called Rasta.  Many of you may be already familiar with this lovely soft merino yarn.  It comes in pretty hand dyed colours like this one ↓

The Rasta might be just thing for a last minute knit gift like a chunky headband.

Last year we published a free pattern right here on the blog called Knit 101 Headband.  Since then I have seen many charming versions of this pattern all knit up and keeping ears cozy.  Many clever people have adapted the pattern. One beautiful version combines knits and purl stitches in a stocking stitch pattern to make a more refined look.  I thought I might knit up a version like this and share the results with you.  Here it is ↓ and the pattern too!

Knit 101 Headband Too

Finished Dimensions: Width 10cm (4″), Circumference unstretched: 44cm (17″)

9mm needles, and cable needle

1 skein Spud and Chloe Outer 55m (60yds). For my version I used exactly half the ball.  Or like the original Knit 101 Headband you can double strand an Aran Weight yarn like Madelinetosh Tosh Chunky.

Gauge in stocking stitch – 12 sts/10cm (4″)

Cast on 12 stitches
Slip 1, Knit to end
Slip 1, Purl to end
Repeat these 2 rows till measures 23 cm (9″) or to fit half way around your head when stretched out some. End with a purl row.

To make Cable Twist:

Slip 1, Slip the next 5 stitches on a cable needle and hold behind the rest of your stitches
Knit the next 5 stitches from your original needles (not the ones on the cable)
Knit the 5 stitches from the cable needle
Knit the last stitch from your original needle.

For a picture tutorial on how to do the cable twist check out the original Knit 101 Headband pattern HERE

Slip 1, Purl to end
Slip 1, Knit to end
Repeat these two rows till measures 23 cm (9″) or to fit half way around your head when stretched out.

Bind off, leaving a long tail for seaming and seam ends together.

Note: Slip 1 as follows: On knit rows slip the stitch knitwise by inserting your needle as if you were knitting and transfer it to the other needle. On purl rows slip the stitch purlwise by inserting your needle as if you were purling and transfer it to the other needle.

Much like the first Knit 101 Headband project I think there are a few different ways to seam it together. One way will leave a less bulky seam but not as pretty a finish on the right side.  For this type of seam:
Insert needle through the cast off edge and the cast on edge straight through.

Pull through both, and change the direction of your needle to connect cast on to cast off. Keep weaving back and forth till you have connected all the stitches.

Or you can make a very pretty looking join with a more bulky underside like this:

Insert your needle under a stitch on one side of your headband.   Make sure you get both sides of the V shaped stitch.

 Insert your needle under a stitch on the other side of the seam . Move back and forth across the two pieces to join stitch to stitch.

When you are done it will look much like this!

…but as I mentioned, a little thick on the underside.  You can see the seam a little bit in this pic.
Seam it up however you like.  I hope you enjoy the pattern.

Craftily yours
Kristin