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Friday, March 1, 2019

Free Easy Pom Pom Hat Knitting Pattern






This hat was made using Stylecraft Chunky Yarn 100% acrylic in Denim and Spice available from Deramores. Bamboo needles 6mm and a pom pom maker made using recycled cardboard from a cereal box.

To knit this cosy colourful hat you will need:

100g of chunky yarn or you can mix and match colours (as above) to your own taste just be sure you have sufficient to complete the hat.
1 pair 6mm straight single pointed knitting needles. 
PomPom maker 



Abbreviations: K - knit:  P - Purl:  K2tog - knit two stitches together knit wise:  P2tog  - purl two stitches together purl wise:  st or sts - stitch/stitches:  tog - together:  mm - millimetres:  * pattern instructions *  - repeat/follow the instructions within the asterisks as directed in the pattern.

Cast on 86 stitches using your preferred method. I've used the thumb method because I like the neat result.

1st row:  K1 P1 to end
2nd row: P1 K1 to end 
These two rows form rib. Repeat rows 1 and 2 three times.

Rows 9 to 11 Knit

Continue in broken rib as follows:
Row 12 (right side): K2 P1 repeat to end
Row 13: Purl
These two rows create the broken rib pattern. Using this pattern continue until knitting measures just over 7 inches ending with a Purl row.

To shape the crown decrease as follows:
Decrease row 1 Right side: *K1, P1, K1, P2tog, K2tog, P1, K1 P1, K2tog, P2tog, repeat from * to last 2 sts, K2tog. = 61 stitches.
Row 2: Purl
Decrease row 3: *K1, P1, K2tog, P2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, K1. = 41 sts.
Row 4: Purl
Decrease row 5: *K2tog, P2tog, repeat from * to last st, K1 = 21 sts.
Repeat rows 4 and 5 once = 11 sts.

Leaving a long tail for sewing up, carefully thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and gently slide the stitches from the needle. 

If you find it difficult threading the yarn through the stitches use a craft/wool needle: slide the needle through the loops at the bottom of each loop until all loops have yarn passed through them then slide off needle. 

Tip: I always slide through the first loop twice, at the beginning and then again at the end to help make an ultra secure fastening. 

Pull the loops firmly together. You will see how the hat starts to take shape, then secure the top opening. Continue to sew the side seam being sure you are working on what is going to be the inside of the hat. Fasten off tightly and neatly. Work any ends into the knitting so they don't show.   
  
Congratulations! You've finished knitting a fabulous hat. 



Now for the Pom Pom. You can buy pom poms ready made, purchase a kit or make your own using cardboard. The photograph shows two circular pieces of cardboard just over 3 inches (7.62cm) in diameter with small access cut-outs so the yarn can be put through easier, although some people prefer to use complete circles but you will always need the inner circle cutting out. The pink pom pom was made using the cardboard pieces shown in the photograph.

Cut some long lengths of yarn, in-between the two pieces of card place another length of yarn. You will use this to tighten the pom pom and stitch it onto the hat so be sure not to inadvertently wrap it into the pom pom as you proceed. 

Now, start wrapping your lengths of yarn around the cardboard working from one side to the other. Wrap the yarn evenly as you work from side to side (or around your circle), don't make yarn mountains or leave empty spaces, and don't wrap too tightly as you will need to get scissors into the yarn to cut it. When the pom pom is ready take a pair of sharp scissors and, holding it firmly, cut round the outer edge. Ask someone to hold the pom pom for you if necessary. Then take the two ends of  the piece of yarn you placed in-between the card and pull them as tight together as you can. Fasten securely. Remove the card. Trim the pom pom into a good shape cutting off any long ends and sew it into place on your hat.




Thanks for dropping by. We hope you enjoy making lots of wonderful hats. If you feel like sharing your creations then we'd love to see them. Please send us an image and any comments, if you'd like to share your creation with everyone. And, if you'd like to ask any questions please do get in touch.

Happy Crafting!






DISCLAIMER: This blog contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There will be no cost to you. You don't have to buy the exact items shown in the advert. You can buy anything, the link is a doorway. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to allow you to read for free. Thank you for the support J

Thursday, February 28, 2019

CRAFTIVISM IN ACTION - Green Hearts

After reading our CRAFTIVISM blog were you inspired to think about how you could help one of your favourite causes? 

If, like many people around the world, you are concerned about climate change and the effects it's having on our planet you may be interested in and like to support The Climate Coalition's Show the Love campaign. Every February since 2015 thousands of people have supported this campaign. 




This year, 2019, during February people will have been crafting green hearts showing their support of protecting the things they love and treasure on our planet from the effects of climate change. Green hearts will be used to covey their messages of concern. Green hearts will have been popping up everywhere between 4th to 25th February. 





What if you didn't take an active part this year but wish you had? That's okay. Give yourself a head start planning for next year now.

Craft your own green heart/s in any medium you wish. Use an old favourite or try something new. Free knitting and crochet patterns can be found on-line but remember the choice of mediums is endless.

Thank you for dropping by and Happy Crafting. See you next time.


You can do amazing things with Wooden Hearts 💚


                    











DISCLAIMER: This blog contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There will be no cost to you. You don't have to buy the exact items shown in the advert. You can buy anything, the link is a doorway. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to allow you to read for free. Thank you for the support J

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

CRAFTIVISM

What is CRAFTIVISM?

Wikipedia tells us this term was coined in 2003 by writer Betsy Greer who joined the words 'craft' and 'activism' together.

The word activism sounds fierce, but in this instance it's activism with a heart. People helping people through their crafting. Using craft in unique ways to make a point, to help other people, to lend support, to start the wave of change. To help without stamping feet, raising voices or creating a fuss. 


Sarah Corbett, in her book How to be a Craftivist - The art of gentle protest writes about how she has become a gentle craftivist.  


                                                     



Thank you for dropping by.
Happy crafting.

DISCLAIMER: This blog contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There will be no cost to you. You don't have to buy the exact items shown in the advert. You can buy anything, the link is a doorway. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to allow you to read for free. Thank you for the support J

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Knitting Needle Conversion Chart

Wouldn't it be lovely if knitting needle sizes were universal? 

As this is not the case here is a helpful list of knitting needle sizes. 

You'll notice for every metric size there isn't always an alternative USA or UK size as indicated by a long dash. For example: Metric 2.5mm needles have neither a USA or UK equivalent hence the long dashes in both USA and UK columns.

      US       Metric         UK

  • 0          2 mm          14
  • 1          2.25mm      13
  • —         2.5mm        —
  • 2          2.75mm      12
  • —         3 mm          11
  • 3          3.25mm      10
  • 4          3.5mm        —
  • 5          3.75mm       9
  • 6          4 mm           8
  • 7          4.5mm         7
  • 8          5 mm           6
  • 9          5.5mm         5
  • 10         6 mm          4
  • 10½      6.5mm        3
  • —          7 mm          2
  • —          7.5mm        1
  • 11         8 mm          0
  • 13         9 mm          00
  • 15         10 mm       000
  • 17         12 mm        —
  • 19         15 mm        —
  • 36         20 mm        —
  • 50         25mm         —
                       


Thank you for reading - come back soon.

DISCLAIMER: This blog contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There will be no cost to you. You don't have to buy the exact items shown in the advert. You can buy anything, the link is a doorway. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to allow you to read for free. Thank you for the support J