garter stitch baby hats!

On our upcoming YarnTalk holiday special (jazz hands!), I'll show you what I am working on for gifts this holiday season-- many many tiny hats for adorable tiny humans!

Want to make some? Yeah!

yeah baby marmoset!

Step 1: Make a gauge swatch

As usual, step 1 is make a swatch with your chosen yarn and needles. If you're working with multiple kinds of leftover yarns, just try to make sure they're in the same weight class. When in doubt, go bigger/thicker! Making something for a growing kid, always err on the side of too big.

Step 2: Pick a size and style

My favorite way (and the simplest) is to make rectangular hats that end up having adorable "ears" because of the extra fabric on each side of the head. You can always decrease like a regular hat, shaping the top of the crown by decreasing stitches towards the top (here's a good pattern for knitting flat, shaped baby hats), and then seaming up the fringed (or plain) edges as you would with the rectangular hats.

Once you have your gauge swatch, you can figure out your cast-on number. Multiply your stitch gauge (how many stitches you get in an inch) by either the total head circumference (in inches) if you're making the rectangle the width of the head, or HALF the circumference if you're doing a folded-down version.

Step 3: Knit it!

If you want a fringed hat, just cut the yarn after each row (leaving a 5" tail or so), knot a new yarn onto the cut yarn, and knit the next row. Keep doing that and you get a fringe on each side of the piece.

Go crazy! Have fun!! Happy Holidays.
xxoo

Styling Cape Vertigo

Have you been tempted by all the amazing cape styles out there this season? I know I have. Capes are a warm, stylish, practical way to stay warm when dressing up or down. They are very versatile and it can be a little intimidating to know how to wear them. 

In honor of the Holla Knits Selfish Knitting pattern sale, let's take a look at three different ways of wearing my Cape Vertigo pattern, shall we?

The first thing you should know is that Boots are a Cape's best friend. Got some boots? You're more than halfway there to creating an awesome #capelyfe look.

   

Look 1 - Like a Boss: Cape + Jeans, Jacket, Boots

Can't touch this.

  

Wear your bad-assest boots, leather jacket and snug jeans. Wrap the cape loosely around your neck starting with one end and fling the other end over your shoulder.

...Or center the cape on your neck, gathering the length into some cozy ripples. Let it hang.

Look 2 - Sweet n Cozy: Cape + Dress or Skirt, Boots, Legwarmers or Tights

Wear a sweet skirt or dress, legwarmers or tights, and your favorite boots. Wrap the cape flat and tight around your neck, keeping the rolled collar exposed, for a smooth shoulder warmer.

  

Look 3 - 70s Office Glam (just go with me here): Cape + Dress Pants, Blouse, Gold Belt, Gold Bracelet, Gold hoop earrings, Attitude

Just drape it on top, casual-like. Yeeaaah girl. Now swagger.

Let's continue to pretend I've photoshopped the remote shutter out of my hand.

Look 4 - On Your Lap: Cape + Sitting Down

The coziest lap blanket of all time.

Get in there.

Cape Vertigo is on sale for $4 this week! Head over to the Holla Knits site to get the pattern at a discount this week only.

Hat patterns on sale!

Hey fiber friends, don't miss my 30% off pattern sale on all the hats in my Ravelry shop!

Use coupon code HATSHATSHATS at checkout to apply the discount, or click here to start shopping.

Get your holiday gifts done with these sweet, quick hat and headband patterns. Pictured L to R, top to bottom: Stegosaurus Cap (baby version), Melt Slouch, Gitana, Quick Fancy Headbands, Urchin Shell, and Pincushion.