Spring Twist Cowl

Just like our ever changing Spring weather, the Spring Twist Cowl comes with a twist! Once the stitches are cast on, carefully set down the work, give the stitches a good sturdy twist, and join together by knitting the first stitch. Then enjoy working-in-the- round to create this Spring Twist Cowl.

Finished size:

Cowl: 40”(50", 60") circumference,  
height 8”

Gauge: 2sts = 1” The stitches are loose creating openness and stretch.

Materials:

Yarn: Main Color yarn in a bamboo or cotton blend, and novelty yarn; about 150 yards of each

Photo:Main Color: Universal Yarn Bamboo Blooms; 48%Rayon made from Bamboo, 44% Wool, 8%Acrylic; 154 yards, 3.5 oz; color #303 Precious Jade

Novelty yarn: Schmaltz; 100%Polyester; 284yds, 1.76 oz; color #05 (about ½ skein)

Needles: Size US#15, 16” or 24” circular needles

Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle

Special Stitches: These 3 rounds make the Spring Ridges pattern.

Rounds 1, 2: Knit

Round 3: Purl     

This is a modification of “Stocking Stitch with Garter Ridges”, 400Knitting Stitches, by Potter Craft, p 20.

The directions are for a shorter cowl. If you'd like a longer cowl, cast on more stitches.

(Notes written in italic.)

Directions: With size US#15, 16” or 24”circular needles, hold Main Color and novelty strands of yarn together, use the long-tail (about 3, 4, 5 yards), cast on 80 (100, 120) stitches. 

Set down the work, “being careful not to twist”. Then, at the slip-knot, give the stitches a good sturdy twist, place marker & join together by knitting the first stitch.  Work novelty yarn held with Main Color through-out the cowl. (If using 16" circular needles, the work will be bunched up, making this a bit of a surprise cowl, too!)

Cowl: 
Rounds 1, 2: Knit

Round 3: Purl

Repeat rounds 1-3 until nearing end of Main Color or novelty yarn.     (about 6, 7 ,8 yards)

Finishing: Bind off loosely. Tie off, and weave in tails.

This pattern is available at MarilynnsGardenKnitDesign.blogspot.com

Spring Twist Cowl pattern pdf is available at Ravelry.com (login needed)

Copyright 2015, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 3/20/15

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com 

Pi Ripples Hat 3/14/15 9:26:53a.m. & p.m.

I found inspiration for this hat while reading AARP, Feb/March 2015, p11, STAND BY FOR PIE,  “After a 100-year wait! March 14 offers math geeks - and pastry lovers – a once-in-a-century pleasure. On 3/14/15 at 9:26:53a.m. (and p.m.!) the date and time will reflect the first 10 digits of the mathematical constant pi (π). Many bakeries and pizza shops will have specials to make the day. Princeton University will hold an Albert Einstein look-alike contest.”

Pi Ripples Hat will start in the top with an I-cord, in honor of Albert Einstein, and work through (2)radius x pi to give the desired circumference. You'll be creating a circular crown by making 10 increases every other round, then you'll be ready for the 10 stitch repeats of the modified lace pattern Ripples, 400 Knitting Stitches, by Potter Craft, p205.

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1” Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Size: Infant: brim 12”, hat 14” circumference, height 7”

Child: brim 14”, hat 17” circumference, height 9”

Adult: brim 18”, 20”, hat 20”, 22” circumference, height 10”,11”

Materials: Wool or cotton blend in Worsted weight.

Yarn: Infant: 90 yards/ 1.5oz; ; Child: 125 yards/ 2oz; ; Adult: 150 yards/ 2.5oz;

Photo: Pi Ripples Hats are knit in Plymouth Encore; 75%acrylic, 25% wool; color #473;

                                         Adriafil Stella Jacq; 100%superwash wool; color#80;  
                                        Berroco Comfort; 50%super fine nylon, 50%super fine acrylic; color #9810 

Needles: Size US#7, US#8, 12” or 16” circular needles, set size US#7 double pointed needles

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: k = knit      p= purl      Rnd/s=round/s       yo= yarn over       k2tog=knit 2 together k2togbl=knit 2 together through the back loop       st/s=stitch/es       CO=cast on      
M1= make one stitch     (Helpful hint: I prefer the M1 (m1tbp): place point of working (right-hand) needle behind other needle, inserting needle from the top through the purl stitch below next stitch, and knit, then knit the stitch above.)

Special Stitches: 

These 10 stitches and 16 rows make the Ripples pattern:

Rnds 1-5: Knit 9, purl 1 

Rnd 6: K3, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, p

Rnd 7: K2, k2tog, k3, yo, k2, p1

Rnd 8: K1, k2tog, k3, yo, k3, p1

Rnds 9-13: Knit 9, purl 1

Rnd 14: K1, yo, k3, k2togbl, k3, p1

Rnd 15: K2, yo, k3, k2togbl, k2, p1

Rnd 16: K3, yo, k3, k2togbl, k1, p1

Directions: Have fun! The pattern is written as a mathematical and knitting challenge.

(Not really, but it was a challenge for me to start, work, and write directions for a top-down hat! Notes are in italic. Have fun!) 

With US#7 double pointed needles CO 3stitches work I-cord for 3.14”. 
(Finishing: Tie I-cord into a knot, or fold down and stitch as a loop for a finial.)

Crown increases:

Rnd 1: pm, M1, k1, M1, k1, k1 5sts

Rnd 2 and all even rounds: Knit

Rnd 3: * M1, k1; repeat from * to end 10sts

Rnd 5: * M1, k1; repeat from * to end 20sts

Rnd 6: Knit work to US#8 needles. (If using 2 circular needles, 11 and 9 stitches per needle)

Rnd 7: * K2, yo; repeat from * to end 30sts

Rnd 9: * K3, yo; repeat from * to end 40sts

Rnd 11: * K4, yo; repeat from * to end 50sts

Rnd 13: * K5, yo; repeat from * to end 60sts

After Rnd 14: measure the 2(radius), and multiply by pi (3.14) to determine if hat circumference is suitable for an infant. (I measured and calculated: 2(2.25”) x 3.14= 14.13” circumference for an infant.) If desired, continue working increases as established (measure and calculate after the even/knit round) for a child or adult sized hat. 

Rnd 15: * K6, yo; repeat from * to end 70sts 2(2.5”) x 3.14 = 15.7”circumference; toddler

Rnd 17: * K7, yo; repeat from * to end 80sts 2(2.75”) x 3.14 = 17.27” circumference; child

Rnd 19: * K8, yo; repeat from * to end 90sts 2(3.25”) x 3.14 = 20” circumference; teen/adult

Rnd 21: * K9, yo; repeat from * to end 100sts 2(3.5”) x 3.14 = 22” circumference; adult

Hat: With US#8 circular needles, set up Rnd 1: * knit 9, purl 1, pm; repeat from * to end

Rnds 1-5: * Knit 9, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 6: * K3, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 7: * K2, k2tog, k3, yo, k2, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 8: * K1, k2tog, k3, yo, k3, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnds 9-13: * Knit 9, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 14: * K1, yo, k3, k2togbl, k3, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 15: * K2, yo, k3, k2togbl, k2, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 16: * K3, yo, k3, k2togbl, k1, p1; repeat from * to end

Follow Ripples pattern/chart: infant 5”,6”;  child 7”;  adult 8”,9”;  ending on rnd 3, or rnd 11. 
For a taller hat, or fold-up brim work extra rounds of pattern before starting the brim.

Brim: With US#7 needles,

Rnds 1-10: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end

Bind off loosely in pattern. Weave in tail.

Finishing: Tie I-cord into a knot, or fold down and stitch as a loop for a finial.

This pattern is available at MarilynnsGardenKnitDesign.bolgspot.com

Pattern pdf available on Ravelry.com (login needed)

Copyright 2015, Marilynn Blacketer. All rights reserved. 3/1/15

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

Apple pie recipe available at  MarilynnsGardenKnitDesign.blogspot.com

Pi π     Cutie Pie!

Pi Apple Pie 3/14/15, 9:26:5a.m. & p.m.

Pi π            I found inspiration for this pie while reading AARP, Feb/March 2015, p11,

STAND BY FOR PIE “After a 100-year wait! March 14 offers math geeks - and pastry lovers – a once-in-a-century pleasure. On 3/14/15 at 9:26:53a.m. (and p.m.!) the date and time will reflect the first 10 digits of the mathematical constant pi (π). Many bakeries and pizza shops will have specials to make the day. Princeton University will hold an Albert Einstein look-alike contest.”

This apple pie recipe is a companion to the Pi Ripples Hat. I'd give you a ripple recipe, if I knew one.  I'm sure it would be delightfully delicious, but apple, berry, and pumpkin pies are as exciting/delicious as we get!  Preheat oven to 375F.  Let's start with the crust. 

Beth's no mess Pie Crust

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup oil

scant 1/2 cup cold milk

Mix salt & flour.  Add milk to oil & stir into flour all at once.  

Roll out crust between 2 pieces of wax paper.  

Fruit Crumble            Today it's apple!     8 to 12 pieces of fruit, or 6 pints of berries

8 apples

1 Tbs cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

Wash, peel, slice apples. In a large bowl, place apples, add cinnamon & nutmeg.  Toss.
(Wash berries, place in a large bowl, add cinnamon & nutmeg.  Toss.)
Crumble
1 cup almond flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup oats
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1Tbs cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup oil
In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Add oil & stir.

Place crust into pie plate.  Add fruit mixture, and crumble the top with crumble.
Today, I reserved some "crust" to create the π embellishment for the top of the pie.

Cover with foil, and bake 375F for 45 minutes.  Uncover, bake 15 minutes more. 
  
Let me share photos of the process: 

I assembled the supplies and ingredients.  I didn't use the vanilla or honey.  I also needed 3 bowls and foil.

 2 cup flour, 1/2cup oil & 1/2 cup milk, salt;  mixed.

I folded the wax paper, marking the center and "radius".  I also folded up the extra bit on the end.  

I rolled out the dough, removed the top waxed paper, and placed the pie plate upside-down on top.

I carefully lifted an edge, and flipped the plate and crust over.

I remove the waxed paper and crimped the edge of the crust.  No mess!

8 apples, 1Tbs cinnamon, 1tsp nutmeg; tossed

1 cup almond flour,1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup oats,1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar, 1Tbs cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup oil
In a large bowl, mixed the dry ingredients. Added oil & stirred.

I placed apple filling in crust.

I crumbled the crumble on top.

I rolled out the reserved dough, clicked Google images, found, and printed the "π".

I rolled out the dough, trimmed the paper, set the "π" in place, and trimmed the dough. 

I trimmed "π" in a couple passes.

I removed the waxed paper, and placed the "π" embellishment on top of the crumble.  Covered the pie with foil, and baked in a 375F oven for 45 minutes. When I checked the pie, the crust and crumble were brown so I left the foil in place, and baked at 375F another 15 minutes.

The pie cooled.

Apple Crumble Pie π, and Pi π Ripple Hats.  Pattern available at marilynnsgardenknitdesign.blogspot.com and Ravelry.com (login needed)