Kristen Shanna

Materials

2 skeins Lamb’s Pride Bulky (85% wool/15% mohair), shown in Blue Skyways M-230 (3 skeins total if making gloves)

5 US size 10 ½ double pointed needles

Stitch markers, if desired


Gauge

4 ½ stitches per inch; 4 rows per inch




Knit Hat Pattern

Cast on 68 stitches. Knit 30 rounds in single rib stitch. Continue knitting in single rib. Begin decreasing:
K7, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k7, skspk2tog, k6 skspk2tog, k7, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k7, skspk2tog, k6, skspk2tog (60 stitches)*K6, k2tog, k5, k2tog* (52 stitches)*K5, k2tog, k4, k2tog* (44 stitches)*K4, k3tog, k3, k2tog* (36 stitches)*K3, k2tog, k2, k2tog* (28 stitches)*K2, k2tog, k1, k3tog* (20 stitches)*K1, k2tog, k2tog* (12 stitches)K2tog, knitting between needles as necessary (3 stitches)K2tog until 1 stitch remains

Cut yarn and draw through the loop to secure. Sew in loose ends.


* * These signs are used to designate areas to be repeated. Repeat the stitches from * to * until the end of the round.


Scarf Knitting Pattern

Cast on 16 stitches. Co…

I love using these small knit washcloths!  They fit right in the palm of my hand.  The cloths work great as coasters, since they absorb condensation from iced drinks.  They also make cute gift sets when tied up in a bundle.


Materials
100% cotton yarn
US size 2 needles





Small Washcloth Knitting Pattern
Cast on 30 stitches.Knit in garter stitch for 6 rows.Begin knitting in stockinette stitch: Knit one row, Purl one row with a 4 stitch border on each edge (K4, purl until 4 remain, K4).Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for a total of 35 rows.Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.Bind off.
Explanations

Garter stitch: knit every rowStockinette stitch: knit one row, purl the next, repeatK = knit, P = purl

When I first found out about Sophia's conception, I knew the pregnancy was going to require a serious prayer battle. Karla, who had a history of miscarriage, was already spotting. My heart ached. I'd had four miscarriages myself, and I didn't want Karla to have to go through another one.
I knew this baby was worth the battle, but I had no idea how hard we would have to fight. When precious Sophia was finally born, her doctors discovered she had a serious heart malformation (tetralogy of fallot). She had to have open-heart surgery as a newborn, and she faced two more in her lifetime.
As she and her parents spent many weeks in the hospital, I prayed over them daily. One night, it dawned on me that I HAD to knit Sophia a blanket, and I HAD to have it done by the time she came home. I went to the knitting store and found the softest, prettiest yarn and an intensely soft backing material. It was an overly…