knitting pattern – Katie Fustich

Free Knitting Pattern: 21st Century Austen Heroine
INTRO

May this bonnet be a testament to the fact that necessity breeds innovation. After I was struck with a powerful urge to knit a chapeau of this style, a search led me to the realization that no such pattern exists (for adults anyway…per usual, my desired mode of dress is reserved for humans under 2 years old).

Well, I thought, time to brush off my patternmaking skills and put together the hat of my dreams. After a few attempts, I developed “21st Century Austen Heroine” so named after the fact that it is both romantic and a little odd – just like my favorite characters.

The bonnet can be worn fastened for an elegant look, or untied for an effortlessly cool vibe. While I chose a neutral shade to match my winter wear, I think this would look equally incredible in a vibrant shade.

However you decide to rock your bonnet, may your chilly days be filled with wit, warmth, and love! ♡

MATERIALS
- Size 3 circular needles
- Size 3 straight needles
- Approximately 275 yards of fingering weight yarn
  - I used Diamond Laine Elmer in the colorway “Cashew”
  - Shout out to “The Lamb & Kid” on Bainbridge Island, WA, where I purchased this yarn. It’s one of the most beautiful fiber shops I’ve ever been to!
GAUGE + FINISHED DIMENSIONS

1” wide = 5 ½ stitches

1” tall = 8 stitches

THE PATTERN

BACK OF THE HEAD

Cast on 33 stitches.

Row 1: Slip 1 stitch, knit 32 stitches.

Row 2: Slip 1 stitch, purl 32 stitches.

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 until your piece measures roughly 9” long, unstretched.

Cut the working yarn.

SHAPING THE HEAD

You will now begin shaping the crown of the head. To do this, you will pick up and knit the sides of your piece, and continue knitting back and forth. If you have ever knit a sock, this stage is going to look very similar to picking up the heel flap. If you haven’t knit a sock, ignore me and forge on!

With the right side of the fabric facing you, use one of your straight needles to pick up 33 stitches alongside the left edge of your piece.

Then, use another straight needle to pick up 33 stitches along the right edge of your piece.

You should now have a total of 99 stitches across your three needles. You can continue working across three needles, or move all stitches back to the circular needle (it might be a little tight at first, so you may want to work a few rows across three needles before transferring).

Row 1: With the RS of the fabric facing you, knit across all 99 stitches.

Row 2: With the WS of the fabric facing you, purl across all 99 stitches.

Gradually, you will see the crown of the head begin to take shape.

Continue knitting Rows 1 & 2 until the piece measures approximately 9.5 inches tall, and – when laid flat and folded in half – 7.5 inches across at its widest point.

End on a RS row.

For a larger, deeper bonnet, you can continue knitting, but you will want to stop approximately 1 inch less than your desired length.

FINISHING THE HEAD

You will now create the garter stitch edging on the front of the bonnet.

Row 1: With WS of the fabric facing, knit all stitches.

Row 2: With RS of the fabric facing, knit all stitches.

Rows 3, 5, 7, 9: Repeat Row 1.

Rows 4, 6, 8: Repeat Row 2.

Row 10: Cast off using your preferred method. I used the “Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off” method, but any bind-off will do.

Cut the working yarn.

ADDING THE TIES

You will now add the bottom brim of the hat and the ties in one fell swoop!

Row 1: Using your circular needle, cast on 75 stitches.

Then, with the RS of the hat facing you, pick up the bottom edge of the hat. The size of the hat will dictate just how many stitches you pick up. Using my gauge and dimensions, I picked up a total of 78 stitches. The most important thing here is to ensure you pick up an even number of stitches on both sides of the hat, with the back of the hat as the midpoint.

After you have picked up the bottom edge of the hat, cast on an additional 75 stitches.

Your circular needle should now have a total of 228 stitches ready to knit.

Row 2: With WS of the fabric facing, knit all stitches.

Row 3: With RS of the fabric facing, knit all stitches.

Rows 4, 6, 8, 10: With WS of the fabric facing, knit all stitches.

Rows 5, 7, 9: With RS of the fabric facing, knit all stitches.

Row 11: Cast off using your preferred method. I used the “Jenny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off” method, but any bind-off will do.

Cut yarn and weave in all ends.

Go forth and be fabulous!
Jan 23, 2024

knitting

free pattern, free-knitting-pattern, knit, knitting, knitting pattern, knitting patterns, pattern

. . .
Free Pattern: Mithril Beanie
It’s no secret that I am absolutely, without a doubt, a Lord of the Rings fanatic. I own the books in multiple languages and recently got a Leaf of Lohrien tattoo (sorry mom!). The story and its lore inspires so much of my work and it was really just a matter of time before I created a knitting pattern dedicated to the Fellowship.

Mithril–the namesake of this project–is an elven metal that is lighter than a feather, but stronger than steel. Bilbo Baggins is gifted a shirt of Mithril armor in The Hobbit, and he passes it down to his nephew Frodo in the later trilogy.

Just like Mithril, this beanie is lightweight yet cozy. It’s made using the honeycomb stitch which is an awesome texture to add to your knitting repertoire. The free pattern starts just below. Let me know what you think and, as always, contact me with any and all questions!

THE PATTERN

Materials:
- 1 skein of Araucania Huasco Botany Lace in Indigo OR approximately 350 yards of any fingering weight yarn.
- #6/4.0mm circular needles
- #6/4.0mm double-pointed needles
- Stitch marker, measuring tape, scissors, needle
Abbreviations Used:
- k: knit
- p: purl
- k2og: knit two stitches together
- p2tog: purl two stitches together
- sl: slip stitch purl-wise
Casting On:

Using your circular needles, cast on 104 stitches. Place a stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round. Join your stitches for working in the round.

Ribbing:

k2, p2 across the row.

Repeat until ribbing measures 3″.

Body:

The body of the hat is worked using the Honeycomb Stitch. It can be a bit complicated and I recommend testing it out with some extra yarn first so you can get a feel for how the pattern works. Even if you’ve worked the Honeycomb Stitch flat before, working it in the round is slightly different. It goes like this:

Set-Up Round: [purl 1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, yarn over], repeat brackets to end.

Round 1: [knit 2, slip yarn over purlwise with yarn in back], repeat brackets to end.

Round 2: [slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, yarn over, purl 2 together], repeat brackets to end.

Round 3: [knit 1, slip yarn over purlwise with yarn in back, knit 1], repeat brackets to end.

Round 4: [purl 2 together, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front, yarn over], repeat brackets to end.

Repeat rows 1-4 until the hat measures 8″ from your cast-on edge.

Crown:

The crown is worked in garter stitch. This is a bit annoying since we’re working in the round, but I promise it’s cool! Work your decreases as follows:

Round 1: [k13, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 2 (and all even rows): P across to end of round.

Round 3: [k12, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 5: [k11, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 7: [k10, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 9: [k9, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 11: [k8, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 13: [k7, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 15: [k6, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 17: [k5, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 19: [k4, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 21: [k3, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 23: [k2, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 25: [k1, k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Round 27: [k2tog] Repeat brackets to end of round.

Finishing:

You should have 16 stitches remaining on your needles. Cut your yarn and pull through the remaining stitches. Sew in ends.

For a slouchy look (as pictured) you’ll want to block. It really opens the honeycomb stitch and makes for a much looser fit. But you can leave it as is for a tighter, more close-fitting beanie.

Happy knitting!

xoxo
Sep 27, 2015

knitting

araucania, fingering weight yarn, free pattern, knitting pattern, lord of the rings, mithril

. . .
New Pattern: Peach Slice Socks

Peach Slice is a pair of squishy, stripe-y socks that are perfect for pairing with summer sandals. I made the leg slightly shorter than normal socks to give them a sportier look.

The socks are knit from the top down, which can be a bit of a confusing method if you’ve never done it before. If you’re a first-time sock knitter, I would recommend the wonderful Susan B. Anderson tutorial “How I Make My Socks.”

Tosh Merino Light is a really fun yarn with just a hint of variegation and texture. One skein is a little more than enough for a pair of socks.

The pattern is currently available for download on Ravelry! So head on over!

xoxo,

Hare & Anser

Jun 24, 2015

d-i-y-, knitting

knitting pattern, madelinetosh, sock pattern, socks

. . .
Free Pattern: Pussy Riot Ski Mask

INTRO:

For those of you unfamiliar, Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist performance artist collective/punk rock band. They’re known for performing when and wherever they want and railing against the Russian government. Two members of the group recently served 21 months in a gulag after being arrested during a performance. For lack of a better term, Pussy Riot goes hard as hell.

I created this ski mask as a tribute to these awesome women. I hope you knit one and feel powerful and badass!

MATERIALS:

·      Approx. 300 yards of any worsted weight yarn

·      Size #8 (5.0mm) circular needles

·      Size #8 (5.0mm) double-pointed needles

·      Stitch marker, measuring tape, scissors, needle

ABBREVIATIONS USED:

·      k: knit

·      p: purl

·      k2tog: knit two stitches together

THE PATTERN:

Casting On:

Cast 72 stitches onto size #8 circular needles. I used the long-tail cast on method for a nice even edge.

Join your stitches to work in the round. Make sure your stitches aren’t twisted! Place a marker to indicate the start of the round.

Neck:

K1, P1 for 18 rounds.

The piece should measure approx. 3.5” at this point.

Head:

Following the 18 rows of ribbing, knit 1 row of purl.

Then, continue knitting in stockinette stitch for 4”. The entire piece should measure approx. 7.5” at this point.

Eye Hole:

To create the eye hole, you will briefly work back and forth before re-joining in the round to finish the crown of the head.

Row 1: First, cast off 24 stitches at the beginning of the round. Then knit to the end of the row. Now, turn the work so the wrong side is facing you.

Row 2: Purl

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: Knit

Row 6: Purl

Row 7: Begin the row by casting on 24 stitches. Then finish the row knitting as normal. When you reach the end of the row, join the work and resume working in the round.

Crown:

Stockinette stitch for 12 rounds. It’s a good idea to try on the ski mask at this point and assess the fit. Depending on how the eye hole sits, you may want to add or subtract a few rounds at this point.

Begin decreases.

Row 1: {k2tog, k4} Repeat to end of round

Row 2: k

Row 3: {k2tog, k3} Repeat to end of round

Row 4: k

Row 5: {k2tog, k2} Repeat to end of round

Row 6: k

Row 7: {k2tog, k} Repeat to end of round

Row 8: k

Row 9: {k2tog} Repeat to end of round

Row 10: k

Cut yarn and weave through remaining stitches. Pull to close.

Eye Hole Band:

Pick up and knit 60 stitches around the circumference of the eye hole. Knit in stockinette stitch for three rounds. Bind off in purl.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends and wear!

Apr 28, 2015

d-i-y-, knitting

feminism, free pattern, knitting pattern, pattern, punk, pussy riot, ski mask

. . .
New Pattern: Bettie High-Waisted Shorts

It’s here! The pattern for the Bettie High-Waisted Shorts is now available for download! In case you haven’t heard, this underwear/shorts hybrid is the cutest thing since this puppy in a cup holder. And now that you’ve seen that…go knit some undies!

You can download Bettie on Ravelry or in the Hare & Anser shop. Let me know if you have any questions or run into any issues while knitting this pattern. I am more than happy to help.

I can’t wait to see all of your cute lil’ butts!

xoxo

Kate

Feb 6, 2015

d-i-y-, knitting

bettie, crafting, d-i-y-, knitting, knitting pattern, underwear

. . .