Date: Tue, 18 Nov 97 20:38:14 PST From: Joan Scoggin To: knit@bolis.com Subject: Fw: KNIT:knit gift pattern for children ICOSH: Knit gift pattern for children Hi, Knitlisters! [...] Here's a pattern of mine (unpublished copyright, but I would appreciate it if you would give credit where credit is due if you choose to share it with others) that keeps moms and kids happy in winter weather. It's a hood with mantle, all worked in one piece on two needles (excellent for beginners) for kids. CHILD'S HOOD WITH MANTLE This is worked from the bottom up, has two seams. It leaves the face open, covers the head, and the mantle tucks under the shoulders of the child's coat, keeping it on, reducing neck and zipper chill. Materials: sizes 7 and 8 US needles 2 markers (if you don't own any, just use extra loops of contrasting yarn) 8 oz worsted weight 4-ply yarn (kids seem to prefer acrylics, and they wash well) tapestry or darning needle Directions: MANTLE: Using size 8 needles, CAST ON 114 stitches. Knit in garter stitch for 6 rows. (For beginners- this helps the bottom edge lie flat.) Begin shoulder shaping as follows: switching to stockinette stitch, work as follows: K29, insert marker, k3, k2tog, k51, insert marker, k3, k2tog, k24. (112 sts) Next row: Purl to marker, sl marker, p3, p2tog, p to next marker, sl marker, p3, p2tog, p to end. Next row: Knit to marker, sl marker, k3, k2 tog, k to next marker, sl marker, k3, k2tog, k to end. (Note to beginners - you should begin to see a "saddle" forming over the shoulders, this is correct. If you have problems here, contact me and we'll work through it together.) Repeat these last two rows until 58 stitches remain on needles. NECK: Switch to size 7 needles and work 18 rows in k1p1 ribbing. It looks like too much, but it's right. HOOD: Switch back to size 8 needles. Work 5 stitches garter stitch, 48 stitches stockinette stitch, 5 stitches garter. Work 45 more rows in this manner or desired length to top of chld's head. (For beginners -- the garter stitches will be ribbing around the child's face.) BIND OFF. FINISHING: Fold in half vertically, with wrong sides out. Sew top of head sides together evenly, break yarn. Sew down the k1p1 ribbing and mantle, ending at the first row worked (in garter). ______ You're done! back-> | : <-front | : \||||||||||||||/ <-neck ribbing *SIDE VIEW* / \ / \ <-mantle portion @@@@@ (Hope that little diagram comes through properly...) EXTRAS: FYI, this is an especially good hat for children prone to ear infections, since their ears don't get exposed. For extra warmth, duplicate stitch a large design on the sides of the head (to cover the ears with an extra layer of warmth). Can practice your new stitches, intarsia, fair isle, etc. on the HOOD portion, just remember to keep those 5 stitches in garter on each end for the ribbing. There will be an elfin peak at the back of the head, which is just begging for tassels, I-cord fun, pompoms, whatever. This works up VERY fast in worsted weight. If you want to make it smaller, use smaller needles and thinner yarn, but keep stitch count essentially the same, as the mantle portion can go cockamamy if you try to change it too much.. Hope I got it all typed in right. Let me know if you start working it and it looks like your yarn's been attacked by badgers, and I'll review and fix. Happy Knitting! Joan Scoggin Morris, IL (where the wind comes sweeping 'cross the prairie and the temps are brutal from Dec. to April!) scoggin@rscinet.com --- This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium http://www.woolworks.org/