Lamb Beanie Knitting Pattern

My class are currently writing and performing their own Pantomime plays- hence the pea beanie and now the lamb beanie. This one turned out really cute.

I used a chenille yarn. It was cheap as chips, and gives a great look for the sheep wool effect.



You will need:
Size 5mm needles
Size 7mm needles
White fluffy wool
Pink dk wool


Cast on 70 stitches in green on 5mm needles.
Stst 4 rows
Rib 2 rows

Change to 7mm needles.
Knit 20 rows

K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl

Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten





Ears - outer ear - make 2
Cast on 10 stitches in white chenille on size 7mm needles
Knit 10 rows
K2 tog, knit to last 2, k2tog. Repeat until only 2 stitches remain. K2 tog, cut yarn, thread through the last stitch and pull tight.



Inner ear - make 2
On size 5mm needles, cast on 10 stitches in pink.
Stst 12 rows
K2 tog, knit 6, k2 tog
Purl
K2 tog, knit 4, k2 tog
P2 tog, p2, p2 tog
K2 tog, k2 tog
P2 tog, cut thread, slip through remaining stitch and pull tight.

Sew the inside to the outside, because the outer ear is larger, it will curve round the front. Stitch ears to the lower part of the hat.

Stitch up the seam.


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Roasted Butternut Pumpkin Soup

Well, I did it again. It turns out that when it comes to soup, I am a genius. And I have no shame in saying it aloud. Or singing about it.... Much to the chagrin of my dogs.



Roasted Butternut Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients
1 whole butternut pumpkin
3 carrots
2 red onions
1/2 leek
1 litre vegetable stock
1 clove garlic
2 sprigs rosemary
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garam masala
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Knob of butter


1. Slice the pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Place on a roasting tray. Sprinkle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Crush the garlic glove, and place half in each hole of the pumpkin. Place rosemary in the hole too, and roast at 180 degrees for about an hour. I like to do this while roasting something else.




2. After 30 minutes, throw the carrots into the roasting dish with the pumpkin. Just wash the carrots, I like leaving the skins on.



3. Roughly dice the onions and leek. Sauté in a soup pot with the butter.






4. Remove the skins from the pumpkin, and chop into large pieces. Add the carrot and pumpkin to the pot with the vegetable stock, cayenne pepper and garam masala. Discard the garlic and rosemary.



5. Allow to boil on a low heat for about 20 minutes. Blend with a stick blender. Add salt and pepper to taste.



6. Serve with sour cream and Parmesan cheese. Okay, this is optional, but I loooooove sour cream and Parmesan!



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Pea Slouch Beanie

Alright, this one is a little silly I know. But, it is made for a school production of "The Princess and the Pea" where the pea comes to life to keep the princess awake all night.



You will need
4mm needles
6mm needles
Pipe cleaner


Cast on 80 stitches in green on 4mm needles.
Rib 8 rows

Change to 6mm needles.
Knit 10, inc 1 over whole row, resulting in 88 stitches

Stst 19 more rows.

K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row (there should be 5 stitches remaining.

Stem
Slip the first stitch of each row, and stst 16 rows.

Leaf
K1, k1 front and back, p1, k1 front and back, k1
P3, k1, p3
K2, k1 front and back, p1, k1 front and back, k
P4, k1, p4
K4, p1, k4
P4, k1, p4
K4, p1, k4
P4, k1, p4
K2tog, k2 tog, p1, k2 tog, k2 tog
P2, k1, p2
S1, k2 tog, psso

Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten
Insert a pipe cleaner in the stem, stitch firmly around it.

Stitch up the seam.




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Princess Beanie Knitting Pattern

Anyone who has met my niece knows she is a Princess, so she needed a hat.





You will need:
4mm needles
5mm needles
Gold wool
Pink wool
Gold thread
Beads
Cast on 70 stitches in yellow/gold on size 4mm needles. Carry a gold thread with the yarn for added shine.
Rib 8 rows
K1 row
P1 row

Change to pink yarn and 5mm needles.
Stst 20 rows
K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten
Using a crochet hook, pick up 70 stitches from the 8th row of ribbing in yellow.
Rib 4 rows

Treating each 10 stitches separately across the crown portion.
For each point:
Slip one, knit the next stitch in the pattern, psso, continue rib for the rest of the row.
Continue each row the same until 3 stitches remain; slip one, k2 tog, psso, cut yarn, thread through the remaining stitch and pull tight.
Sew up the back, and attach beads to the crown.


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"Tea for Two" Teacup Beanie Knitting Pattern

This hat was designed with Ale in mind, and knitted with teacups into the design.



You will need:
4mm needles
5mm needles
3 colours of yarn (I used blue, grey and white)

On size 4mm needles, cast on 80 stitches in blue.
Rib 10 rows.

Change to 5mm needles.
Knit 2 rows.
Change to white wool. Knit 2 rows.

Change to grey wool.
Knit 1 row.
K1, (yarn to the front, knit 2 together) repeat () to end.
Knit the whole row, treating the yarn over needle bits as stitches.
K1, (yarn to the front, knit 2 together) repeat () to end.
Knit the whole row, treating the yarn over needle bits as stitches.
K1, (yarn to the front, knit 2 together) repeat () to end.

Change to blue wool. Knit 2 rows.
Change to white wool.
Knit the tea cups as per the chart. 4 charts per row (20 stitches in each chart)
I used blue and grey alternating for the teacups.



Change to grey
Knit 2 rows.

Change to blue wool.
K1 row
P1 row
K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten.

Stitch up the side. Sew tassels or a pom-pom upon the top.
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Genius Tomato Soup

I am completely shameless about my prowess at making soup.  I am a genius.  And obviously not humble about it in any way.  I also loooooove soup.  A lot.  Usually I don't like tomatoes, but it was time to break the mold and create the perfect tomato soup.  And I did.

Tomato Soup

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 red onion
1/2 leek
700gm tomatoes (approx.  I had a baggie of them)
Olive oil
Fresh basil
1 clove garlic
1 pinch ground chili
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Bay leaf
50mls cream
Salt and pepper
2 cups vegetable stock

1.  In an oven proof dish, roast the tomatoes whole.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, crushed garlic clove, and a sprig of basil at 180 degrees until the skins split and the tomatoes are soft.  Allow to cool a little, then remove the skins. 

Tomatoes all ready for roasting

2.  Roughly chop the onion and leek.  In a soup pan, melt butter, then cook the onion and leek on a low heat until they are clear.  Add the tomatoes and the juices from the roasting.  Throw away the garlic clove.

Roasted tomatoes ready to join the leeks and onion

3.  Add chilli, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper and the bay leaf to the pot.  Throw in a handful of basil leaves.  Allow to cook until fragrant and the basil wilted. 

4.  Add the stock and boil.  Taste.  Season with salt and pepper to your desire.  Remove the bay leaf.

All in the pot, doing its thing.

5.  Blitz the soup with a blender.  I love my stick blender, its like the greatest thing ever.

6.  When smooth and boiling, turn the heat off.  Add the cream and stir.

Serve with Parmesan cheese.  I love cheese.

Knitted Tulip Pattern

Another flower- I swear I will knit a whole weed-free garden!



These are simple.
I used double knit wool and 4mm needles

Inner petals - make 2
Cast on 2.
K1f and k1back on both stitches
Purl
K1, K1f and k1back, K1f and k1back, k1
Purl
K2, K1f and k1back, K1f and k1back, k2
Purl
Knit
Purl
Knit
Purl
K2tog over whole row
K2 tog, cut yarn, thread and pull to tighten.

Outer petals - make 2, leave both on the needle
Cast on 3
Knit
Purl
K1f and k1back, k1, K1f and k1back
Purl
K1, K1f and k1back, k1, K1f and k1back, k1
Purl
K1, K1f and k1back, k3, K1f and k1back, k1
Knit
Purl
Knit
Purl
Knit
Purl
K2 tog over whole row
P2 tog over whole row (3 stitches remain)

With both petals on the needle, push together and knit the 6 stitches as one row.
Change to green
Knit
Purl
Knit
Purl
Knit
Purl
Cast off.



Sew inner petals together at the bottom (the cast off bit) leaving the tops open like petals.
Place inside outer petals with stem. Stitch in. Sew up outer petals to half way up e petal securing the inner petals inside.
Stitch up the side of the stem.
Sew on a pin back.





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Striped Beanie - Easy Knitting Pattern

Seriously, this has to be the easiest pattern in the world.




Cast on 80 stitches on size 4mm needles.
Rib 10 rows

Literally the rest involves just knit stitches, alternating colours every second row.
Change to 6mm needles.
Knit 30 rows, alternating colours between each 2 rows.

Continuing the colour pattern every 2 rows, complete the following:
K3, k2tog over the row
Knit row
K2, k2 tog over the row
Knit row
K1, k2 tog over the row
Knit row
K2 tog over the row
Knit row
K2 tog over the row
Knit row
Cut yarn with about 30cm remaining. Slip all stitches on the yarn, pull to tighten. Stitch up with this tail, darn in the others. Sew tassels on the top.

And you are done!

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Lunch... a recurring theme

Well, lunch has been soup for AGES now. And I loves it.

The food tech teacher has been making mass loads of soup for everyone, which is not only incredibly sweet, but delicious! And I have taken to making a load of soup. In particular, the Kumara (sweet potato) and Leek soup has been a genius moment.

Today was more Kumara and Leek soup, with a bread roll, gingerbread muffin (recipe to follow at some point), mandarin, kiwi fruit, nuts and dried bananas. The soup in a flask is barely visible... But delicious.


And here is the basket of cups returning o school after being washed in preparation for the next soup day.

Wordless Wednesday: Nothing Like a Good Cuppa

Penguin Beanie Knitting Pattern

This is just so super cute! I've changed the beak from the picture, making it more 3D, and in dk wool.



Cast on 80 stitches in orange on 5.5mm needles
Stst 8 rows
Rib 4 rows (this makes the rolled up bit, and also stops the rolling going further.

Change to black wool.
Knit knit 25 black, change to white, knit 30 white, knit 25 black. Using 2 black balls of wool is the key here.
Purl 25 black, 30 white, 25 black.
Repeat this knit and purl pattern for 14 rows.
Knit 26 black, 28 white, 26 black.
Purl 27 black, 26 white, 27 black
Knit 28 black, 24 white, 28 black
Purl 29 black, 22 white, 29 black
Knit 30 black, 20 white, 30 black.
Purl in just black.
Stst 10 rows
K3, k2 tog over whole row
Purl
K2, k2 tog over whole row
Purl
K1, k2 tog over whole row
Purl
K2 tog over whole row
Purl
K2 tog over whole row
Cut off yarn, slip stitches onto yarn, pull to tighten. Use this to stitch up the side.

Beak in orange
Cast on 1 stitch.
Knit 1 front, yo,knit 1 back (making 3 stitches)
Purl
Knit 1 front - knit 1 back, k1, knit 1 front-1in back (making 5 stitches)
Purl
Knit 1 front - knit 1 back, k3, knit 1 front-1in back (making 7 stitches)
Purl
Knit 1 front - knit 1 back, k5, knit 1 front-1in back (making 9 stitches)
Purl
Knit 1 front - knit 1 back, k7, knit 1 front-1in back (making 11 stitches)
Purl
Knit
Purl
K2 tog, k2 tog, k3, k2 tog, k2 tog
Cast off.
Sew onto the face and stuff with a little stuffing for 3 dimension

Add 2 large eyes





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Try this soup!

Seriously, if you have not yet made the leek and Kumara soup- you need to. I've made in twice in 3 days. Tomorrow I have to make it again for my study group because they decreed how awesome it is.

Do it.

Leek and Kumara Soup

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Pokemon Pokeball beanie knitting pattern

Well, I bought red wool. Okay, I admit it, I bout more than just red.... But it was a sale, alright.... And then I made this pokeball beanie for Murphy.



You will need
Red, white and black dk wool
Size 4mm needles
Size 6mm needles

Cast on 70 stitches on 4mm needles using red wool.
Rib 12 rows.

Change to 6mm needles.
Stst 9 rows

On the following row, it is a purl row, purl 33 red, change to black, purl 4 black, purl to the end in red.
Knit 32 red, knit 6 black, knit rest in red.
Purl 31 red, 3 black, 2 white, 3 black, rest in red.
Knit 33 black, 4 white, 33 black
Purl 32 black, 6 white, rest in black
Knit 32 black, 6 white, rest in black
Purl 33 black, 4 white, 33 black
Knit 31 white, 3 black, 4 white, 3 black, rest in white.
Purl 32 white, 6 black, rest in white
Knit 33 white, 4 black, rest in white.



The rest of the hat is made in white.
Stst 5 rows
Knit 3, k2 together - repeat to end of row.
Purl whole row.
K2, k2 together - repeat to end of row.
Purl whole row
K1, k2 together - repeat to end of row.
Purl whole row
K2 together - repeat to end of row.
Purl whole row
K2 together - repeat to end of row.
Cut yarn with about 30cm of tail, thread remaining stitches onto this, pull to tighten.

Stitch up the side seam, darn in the tails.

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Apple and Berry Crumble

This weekend Dad came over to help the husband install some sound system. Yes, I bribed with food. And praise. And beer. Shamelessly. Long time readers will be aware of all the berries we grew over summer, and how after washing them briefly, they got frozen. Now it was time for a comeback.



Ingredients
4 apples
1 cup mixed berries
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup flour
1 knob butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup (honey or golden syrup can be used)
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Peel and slice all the apples, and place in an oven proof dish. Sprinkle the frozen berries over the apples, stir in a little. Sprinkle the cinnamon on top of the fruit.


In a separate bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, maple syrup and brown sugar. Rub in the butter. When combined, spread over the fruit.



Bake for around 20-30 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Serve with custard or whipped cream.






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Kumara (Sweet Potato) and Leek Soup

My normal superpower is knitting.... But today I made the greatest soup of all time, creamy, delicious, amazing, and all gone. So this will be made again. Tomorrow.



Ingredients
3 Kumara (sweet potatoes)
1/3 leek
1 onion
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cups water
Salt
Pepper
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon coriander

Peel the Kumara or sweet potatoes roughly. I like leaving some of the flesh. Cop into rings about half a cm wide. Waiting for soup isn't my strong suit. Dice the onion and chop the leek. Toss it all in a pot with the butter. Stir on a low heat until the onion is all soft and delicious looking.


Add in the spices. I go for a lot of pepper because its amazing. But, salt and pepper to taste.



Toss in the water and stock. Chicken stock would be great if you are a meat eater. But I am not, so I stick firmly to vegetable stock.



Boil. Keep the heat low and keep stirring. When the Kumara is soft, blitz with a hand blender.




Prepare to serve and be amazed. The leeks make it all creamy and amazing. I was all ready to add cream, and then stopped myself because the soup was perfection.




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"Where the Wild Things Are" inspired Max Beanie - Knitting Pattern

This is a knitting pattern I've created for my nephew, based on Max from "Where the Wild Things Are". I may yet change how the ears are attached, I have a bit of time until I make a Princess beanie for his sister to think about it.





Cast on 80 stitches in yellow/gold on size 4mm needles.
Rib 12 rows
Stst 2 rows in yellow.
Change to white yarn.
Stst 28 rows
K3, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K1, k2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Purl
K2 together over the whole row
Cut yarn, leaving 30cm, thread all stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten
Using a crochet hook, pick up 80 stitches from the 12th row of ribbing in yellow.



Rib 4 rows
Treating each 10 stitches separately across the crown portion.
For each point:
Slip one, knit the next stitch in the pattern, psso, continue rib for the rest of the row.
Continue each row the same until 3 stitches remain; slip one, k2 tog, psso, cut yarn, thread through the remaining stitch and pull tight.



Ears
Cast on 20 stitches in white.
Stst 22 rows, slipping the first and last stitches of each knit row.
With each knit row after the 22, slip the first stitch, k2 tog, knit to the last 3 stitches, k2 tog, slip one.
Purl alternate rows.
Continue until only 4 stitches remain.
Purl 1, purl 2 together, purl one.
Slip one, knit 2 together, psso, cut yarn, thread through the remaining stitch.
Stitch ears to the hat, sew in the tails, stitch up the back.
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