Hat Trick

Over the last few days, I've made three hats. Love winter break.

Flat Four Coaster Set

Coasters worthy of holding any of your favorite beverages, such as a Half Cycle IPA from local Indy brewery Flat 12 Bierwerks.  The pattern stitch forms a firm, dense fabric that holds its shape well and lies flat.

Materials:

• Size 3 straight or circular needles or size to obtain gauge
• About two ounces fingering weight yarn such as Koigu KPPM (for a set of 4). Sample shown is worked in madelinetosh tosh sock in the Filigree color. 
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Note: Yarn is held double throughout. You can pull one end from inside and outside of a center pull ball of yarn, or hold two separate strands together.  

Gauge: 22 stitches per 4 inches in pattern stitch with yarn held double

Pattern:

Holding yarn double and using long tail cast on, cast on 22.

Row 1 (WS): Knit to last stitch, slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front

Row 2 (RS): Knit 1, *slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in back,  knit 1*, repeat from * to last stitch, slip 1 as if to purl with yarn in front

Repeat rows 1 and 2 nineteen more times for a total of 40 rows, or until piece is just shy of square, ending with row 2. 

Bind off all stitches loosely. Weave in ends.  Make three to four more.

Variations: 

• Stripe by alternating between two colors, changing on the right side and carrying yarn not in use up the side. 
•  Cast on 66 and work as written until piece is 16 inches long to create placemat

Small Tiles

Took a break from mini socks to finish this pair of adult socks. Pattern is Small Tiles from More Sensational Knitted Socks. Need to get them mailed before Christmas.

Peppermint KAL

Clay Purl, a yarn store on Nashville, Indiana, is having a holiday knitalong of my Peppermint Stick socks. Visit their site at http://claypurl.com/ for more information about the shop. There is also a group on Ravelry where the KAL is being discussed. Pattern is available on Ravelry as well.