Unisex Scarf

Hi everyone! I have finally completed another one of my knitting projects. My boyfriend asked me to make him a plain black scarf. I searched the internet and came across the Montana Scarf from LoopKnits.

Here is the link to their website for the free pattern
http://www.loopknits.com/2008/10/09/montana-scarf/

For this pattern I used size 4 worsted weight yarn about 300 yards.
- size 10.5 knitting needles
- I knit this scarf straight using circular needles... just remember to turn your work over for every row!! :)

The pattern:
1. Begin by casting on 42 stitches... or any multiple of 6 to achieve your desired width
2. Row 1 is k1 p1 (repeat until the end)
3. Row 2 is k3 p3 (repeat until the end)
4. Bind off in a normal k1 p1 and weave in ends!

** Measurements**
- Using my pattern, the scarf is 7 inches width by 58 inches length. Since the scarf has ribbing, the width stretches up to 14 inches.

I love this pattern, it is so beautiful and after I was done making it, I decided I really liked it!! I would definitely recommend this scarf for boys and girls! :)

 

the scarf worn long around the neck went past my waist for a reference of how long it was!

Cute for boys and girls!! 

Happy knitting!! Xoxo

Update!! I made this scarf again using size 4 worsted weight yarn and I cast on more stitches to make the scarf wider. The scarf wasn't as long as before but I used leftover yarn that I had! Just showing you guys how pretty this pattern truly is!!

Xoxo

FAVORITE Men's Beanie!!

Knitting, knitting, knitting!! As I was eagerly awaiting the return of my boyfriend from overseas, I wanted to knit him a beanie. My previous post of a men's beanie wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. My boyfriend wore it but since it was all knit stitch (the only stitch I knew at the time), the rim folded up and made the hat too short :(

I came up with my own pattern that had some inspiration from other patterns I had seen online. I wanted a more relaxed fit but a true beanie shape with a decreased crown. I have never used double pointed needles so I like to do my decreases on my circular needles.

This is my own pattern!! If you want to use it, feel free to pin it on pinterest or use it but please reference my blog :) It was tough for me to find a good pattern online so I know a lot of people are probably looking for a great beanie too!

The yarn I used was one of my favorites - Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky: it is a size 5 chunky weight yarn and it is very soft!

You only need ONE SKEIN to knit this beanie - you might even have enough for a small beanie for a child as well!

The pattern: 1. Start by casting on 68 stitches on 12 inch circular knitting needles (size 8)

2. The first round is k2b, p2

3. The second round is k2, p2

4. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 once (4 rows total) on size 8 needles --> using the smaller needle helps keep the beanie more fitted around the head

5. After 4 rows, switch to size 11 needles and continue in round 1 (k2b, p2) and round 2 (k2,p2) for around 8 inches

** For the decrease, it may be a little confusing. I tried to keep in pattern as much as possible. Again, I am fairly new to knitting and this is the way I handled it. I'm sure there is an easier (and prettier) way of doing this **

1. Keep in pattern - k6, k2tog (repeat)

^^ by keeping in pattern, I tried to knit 2 together that were similar and follow along with the pattern created so I didn't ruin the ribbing

*** When I say k6, what I did was kept in pattern ie. k2b, p2, k2b, knit together the 2 stitches I would have purled, k6 etc...

2. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

3. K5, k2tog (repeat)

4. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

5. K4, k2tog (repeat)

6. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

7. K3, k2tog (repeat)

8. Knit/purl all stitches in pattern

9. K2, K2tog (repeat)

10. K1, k2tog (repeat)

11. K2tog

I had a few stitches left that I just used a needle and sewed all the stitches through the beanie.

^^ My sister was my hat model, thanks sis :)

Hope you guys like this!! 

Xoxo, Jessica

Seed Stitch Cowl

Hello everyone! So another post about my knitting adventures. Ever since I bought my first infinity scarf from forever21, I was obsessed! I love the infinity scarf (cowl) because it is so versatile to wear. The one I purchased could be wrapped around your neck 3 times, which made it perfect for cold nights or you can wrap it twice for a loose, sophisticated look.

At the time I was ready to finally make a cowl, it was almost time to start Christmas shopping. With my new love of knitting, I decided it is a great, cheap, and personalized gift to knit something for someone. My lovely sister said she would like a purple scarf for Christmas. The picture below is the yarn I used for this project. It is a size 5 chunky weight yarn and it is SUPER SUPER SOFT!! I would absolutely recommend this yarn to anyone who is looking for a fast knit that is super soft and warm! I choose the color Highland and it is a great, rich purple! You can knit this scarf with less than 2 skeins depending on your length desired!

Again, I used my perfect knitting channel on youtube, iKnits, for inspiration on a pattern. I found her video of GAP Cowl Knit-Along and decided to give it a try!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCgtDM0EOwg

This pattern called for size 13 needles with a 24 inch circular needle cable. I used my Boye needlemaster kit to create the needle size and length :) You need to CO 131 stitches (or any odd number).

Round 1: k1, p1

Round 2: p1, k1

*** This pattern will create a seed stitch - see my pictures below! It is SOOO gorgeous!!

In the iKnits video on youtube, she says to repeat rounds 1 and 2 for 15 inches. That big of a cowl is not my preference. I like mine on the smaller side so it can be wrapped more than twice. In the future, I think I would cast on more stitches to make the scarf longer. I did not repeat for 15 inches, I finished mine around 10 inches. I did the bind off in a k1, p1 bind off and then just weave in the ends!

The end product looked like this:

The seed stitch is absolutely beautiful.  I will definitely be making another scarf with this yarn and probably adding more stitches and shortening the length some.

Happy knitting!! xoxo, Jessica

Men's knit beanie

Hey everyone, I have been knitting like crazy and I've created some wonderful pieces. 

I was determined to knit my boyfriend a beanie that is somewhat similar to the kind you would find in PacSun. I started with a pattern I found through iKnits - you can watch her video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlJSLDtZzLo

In this video, she did repeats of one row: k1b, p1 and the second row: k1 p1 for the main pattern. I did make a beanie according to her pattern, with the whip stitch, and ended up with this:

 this is with the brim of the hat folded up to try and minimize the "bunny ear" look at the back of the hat from the whip stitch. ** Shout out to my little sister for being my hat model :)

 here is a view from the back. The pattern in her video called for a 3 needle bind off and a whip stitch of the ends at the top of the beanie. I do like how the 3 needle bind off created a straight line at the top instead of forming the crown. However, the more I looked at my beanie, the more I didn't like the bunny ear look :( So sad because I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Chunky yarn for this hat. The beanie can be knit using only one skein!

http://www.lionbrand.com/yarns/wooleaseChunky.html

Above is the link for the yarn. It is a size 5 weight yarn and it is so soft! I love Lion Brand yarn and you can find it at Joann Fabric, Michael's, AC Moore, and even Walmart!!

I can say that the beanie is absolutely the perfect length if you follow along with her video. I also did the middle size as she suggested (CO 68 stitches) and it fits perfectly. The pictures do not do the pattern justice. This pattern is very masculine yet so beautiful I am going to make one for myself. Lion Brand yarn is super soft and warm as well!! I live in Western New York and I can say this will keep your ears warm from the wind and snow!!

I would also like to suggest if you are new to knitting (as I was/still am) and you want to try a lot of different projects, to buy the Boye Needlemaster Kit

** I have attached the link where I bought mine from off Ebay. This seller has the entire thing for $39.99 which is way cheaper than at Joann Fabric or anywhere else that I could find. 

The kit includes

- interchangeable needles size 2-15

- interchangeable circular needle cables 12', 16', 21', and 24 inches (I'm pretty sure... the kit comes with a sheet of sizes of everything included)

- You can also combine the cables to make basically any length circular cable you will need!!

Most of the beanies I make, you start with a smaller needle to make the beanie tighter around the head so it won't slip off, then go up a few sizes to make the body of the beanie aka this is a PERFECT KIT for knitting!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boye-NEEDLEMASTER-SET-Interchangeable-Needle-Master-System-Zip-Case-40-pieces-/130808305652?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e74c857f4

Keep checking back because I will be adding a new knitting project that I made - I have 2 beanies, a cowl, and a scarf still to add to the blog :)

Xoxo, Jessica :)

Wavy hair!!

Hey everyone! I had a busy past few months and I finally have time to update my blog. My hair has been pin straight since I was born. It does not hold curls very well even when hairspray and product are used. Even when I try to scrunch it, nothing!!

Sooo I searched the internet to find some good products. I ended up buying:

1. Got2b guardian angel: this is a heat protectant spray that can protect your hair from damage of straightening, curling, anything! plus, it smells AMAZING!!
2. RedKen spray starch 15: I bought this from Ulta and it is a basic hairspray but it doesn't make your hair "hard and crunchy". It holds the hair while making your hair look natural.
3. got2b texture powder: Honestly, this doesn't work for me. I read online that it is supposed to make your hair have more volume and texture... I didn't see any difference.
4. Bed Head wave artist - this is an AMAZING product. I cannot say enough about this! It is a crimper but it has small waves within the big ridge so it makes natural looking waves - not the crimper from the 80's with tiny crimps!! This is amazing and heats up within 30 seconds. The heat setting is a dial and I didn't even have it on the highest heat setting and my hair held the crimp for an entire day and then some!!
*** If you want a more detailed review of the product, I watched several videos on youtube about the product to be sure it would work for my hair.

And my hair turned out awesome!!

I basically sectioned my hair in layers starting with the bottom - sprayed the heat protectant on and some of the starch spray BEFORE crimping and then crimped my hair! I held the crimper on probably 5-10 seconds because I was nervous it wasn't going to hold. I tried the texture powder but it didn't work for me. I sprayed a little starch spray after I was all done to be sure the wave would stay and it did!!

I would advise you to hold the crimper at least 1 inch away from the base of your hair. I accidentally burned my neck because I got too close. The crimper is kind of large so it can be difficult to maneuver but it is pretty light-weight.

All-in-all, I am one happy girl!! This look only took me 20-25 minutes even with my hair being so long! Anyone could recreate this!

Xoxo, Jessica