My 'Beanie' Pattern

I thought I'd already this posted this pattern but I see I have variations of it so here is my most basic pattern.

I like to use double knit/8 ply 100% wool that I buy at Spotlight for around $3 for 50 grams....I weighed this green hat and it's under 60 gms so you will need to buy 2 balls for a plain hat or add some stripes to use up scraps...

So you'll need

approx 60 gms 8 ply yarn
a pair of 4mm/UK 8 needles
a 4mm/UK 8 circular needle or you could use the set of 4mm double pointed needles(DPNs)

Two sizes large and medium

Using straight needles cast on 90(80) stitches and work 14 rows in garter stitch(all knit sts)

Change to circular needle/DP needles and knit round and round until work measure around 6 inches or 15 cms.

Decrease
K8, K2tog for one whole round
Knit one round

K7, K2tog for one whole round
Knit one round

K6, K2tog for one round
Knit one round

If using a circ. needle you'll need to switch to DPNs now

Now, leaving out the straight rounds(the ones with no decreases) continue to work the decrease pattern until you have 2sts left , cast them off.

this photo shows the back of the hat where I have sewn up the garter stitch band, weave in the end at the top too...

2 finished hats plus one on the circular needle...

I hope this helps you Pauline at The Happy Retirees Kitchen Blog

For a child you could try 70 or even 60 stitches ...it gets very cool in them thar hills where your family are ;)

It Ain't Pretty But It's Done!

Although we're only a month into Winter the passionfruit vine is sending out lots of new shoots. It needs to be pruned each year as it's the new growth that produces the fruit and we want lots of that!

Before...this fence is 6ft high...

After...

our local council have just supplied green waste bins, I've filled 2 with all my pruning, the waste will be mulched and used on city gardens...the roses are next!

It is Winter and we I am trying not to use the gas heater as it gets rather costly. Joe feels the cold but is willing to rug up in hand knits...he couldn't find his scarf this morning so he's grabbed my newly made shawlette to wear at the computer...cutie!
I used a 'cake' of Lincraft yarn, 200gms, cast on 5 sts and increased at beginning of each alternate row until I had around 63 sts and then I decreased the same way to the last 5sts and cast off. On 5mm needles it was a quick and very easy knit...

I've also finished several hats this month, here are a couple,

Discovered a lovely new recipe of half a mashed cauliflower, a beaten egg, 2T brown flour or breadcrumbs and half a cup of grated cheese mixed together and shallow fried...they can be re-heated and are still delicious...we had them 3 days in a row lol...We also had our first taste of turnip leaves, quite bitter but quite delicious when well fried and crispy, a nice free meal.

Rhonda has got me well and truly hooked on Bear cam again this year...it's like a soap opera as we watch the families at work and play. There are web cams all over the world featuring a variety of wildlife.

I've been reading, knitting and watching lots of tennis on telly, looking forward to Wimbledon next week. One book I really enjoyed was The Rain Queen by Katherine Scholes I also have a couple of Amanda Hampson's books from the library to relish very soon. Yesterday I went to the op-shop and bought 4 near new pillow cases, 2 thick coffee mugs, 2 French glass plates and a set of double pointed needles all for $6.20, why shop any where else without trying the op-shops first?

So that's where I have been and some of what I've been up to, have enjoyed reading your blogs too, lots of lovely recipes for Winter food from Aussie blogging friends..I love the inspiration.

Hope you are keeping well,
Love from Sue
xx