So for the good…The Apres Surf Hoodie is totally adorable. I also liked the Wallis Cardigan and I kind of like the Roped Shell, but I wouldn’t make that for myself.

“This unique book features 30 patterns that celebrate popular Harry Potter characters and places. Knitters can create initial sweaters for Harry, Ron, Fred, and George; sweaters, scarves, mittens, hats, and socks in the house colors of Hogwarts; themed items such as cloaks, robes, stuffed toys, and a blanket; and more.”

http://knitandtonic.typepad.com/knitandtonic/2006/07/sizzle.html

yarn: 2 skeins of Patons Merino Classic Wool. Hold 2 strands together throughout (I like thick hats). If you want a thinner hat you can use a single strand but see the note at the bottom for adjusting the pattern.
Color A – borders (green)
Color B – blocks (multi)

Hold 2 stands together throughout
needles: size 10.5 circulars 16” or 20” (I prefer 16”)

Note: While working the Main Pattern don’t cut your yarn when you switch colors.

Cast on 72 with A. Place a stitch marker to mark the start/end point.

Main Pattern

Round 1 & 2: knit with A.
Round 3: *k5, sl wyib* with B
Round 4: *p5, sl wyib* with B
Round 5: repeat round 4
Round 6 & 7: knit with A
Round 8: k2, sl wyib. *k5, sl1 wyb* k3 with B
Round 9: p2, sl wyib. *p5, sl wyib* p3 with B
Round 10: repeat Round 9 with B

Repeat the Main Pattern 3 times (Rounds 1 through 10). Then repeat just Round 1 through 5.

Shaping the Crown

Note: You can switch to double point needles and keep decreasing on the top. I was able to get to Round 23 on my 16” circulars.

SH Round 1: *k10, k2tog* (66 stitches)
SH Round 2: knit
SH Round 3: *k9, k2tog* (60 stitches)
SH Round 4: knit
SH Round 5: *k8, k2tog* (54 stitches)
SH Round 6: knit
SH Round 7: *k7, k2tog* (48 stitches)
SH Round 8: knit
SH Round 9: *k6, k2tog* (42 stitches)
SH Round 10: knit
SH Round 11: *k5, k2tog* (36 stitches)
SH Round 12: *k4, k2tog* (30 stitches)
SH Round 13: *k3, k2tog* (24 stitches)

…and so on if you like

Cut the yarn leaving a long tail, and thread onto a yarn needle. Thread needle through all of the loops on the knitting needles and pull tight to close the top. Sew end in.

Add a pompom if desired and sew the ends in.

MODIFYING: This is a really easy pattern to adapt to any yarn or needle size. The only thing you really need to do is figure out how many blocks there will be in each row. To do this you need to make a test swatch. Cast on 18 stitches and do 2 repeats of the Main Pattern (Rounds 1-10). Then measure how wide each block is (6 stitches). The divide that into the circumference of the hat you are making. You need to have a multiple of 6 stitches, so you may need to add or subtract a few stitches. Then you will repeat rounds 1-10 until your hat is about 5 inches high. Then start the decreases. You will have to fudge this a bit, but since we started out with a multiple of 6 stitches its should be pretty easy. Just divide your total number of stitches by 6 (N). Then start the crown shaping section replacing the k12 in SH Round 1 with kN and decreasing N for each subsequent round.

I hope this all makes sense to you! Let me know if you catch any problems with this pattern as I’m writing it after I made the hat. I would love to see photos if anyone knits one, too.

UPDATES: Thanks for pointing out some mistakes I made in this pattern. Mainly that my asterik in rounds 8 and 9 was misplaced and also that I failed to mention I double stranded my yarn. I’ve updated this in the main text.

She said they don’t know if its a boy or a girl, but the doctor wrote it on a card in case they decide they want to know. I hate the pastel crap anyway so it won’t affect my color decisions.

Oh and I got back on the Tempting II bandwagon. So far I’ve done 2 rows!

 UPDATE: I’m finding some patterns

http://www.coatsandclark.com/fun_and_free/yarn/lw11606.htm
http://www.artoftangle.com/snowflake.htm
http://www.maggiescrochet.com/pages/Afghans/PA679_Snow_%20Afghan_pattern_main.htm

This is a really easy and cute cabled beanie. I made it in 2 skeins of Knit Picks merino style and it looks fab.

This is so cute. Going on my to knit list…

This stitch looks awesome. I read in someone else’s blog that they slipped the first stitch of each row and that made the edges look better.