Orange Blaze Hunting Toque: Free Knit Pattern

It has come to my attention that the pattern for the Orange Blaze Hunting toque has gone AWOL from the blog!!  So, since Christmas is rapidly approaching and the Hunting Toque pattern makes a quick-knit gift, here is the re-post of the old pattern!

Thankfully I still had an old photo and a copy of the toque pattern on my computer!

This hat ended up not being the hit I had planned for hubby Hoss.  He still insists on wearing the old lifeless hat that I made for him the year we were married.  I have a small suspicion that it's pure sentimentality at this point!!!

Check out the picks of the sentimental hat below ⇩

Ain't it just an old thing of exasperating beauty?  There is nothing really, legitimately wrong with  the thing.  Well, perhaps the smell at this point.  What is it with hunters and the need for that fresh from the mud and "please don't wash it!" scent?!  

But that's not what really bugs me.  It's the fact that it fails to show off my extreme talent as a hand-maker (yes, yes, I am definitely that conceited! It's a deadly sin you know . . . I'm working on it!).  The thing looks flawed to my eyes . . . I dunno . . .

Anyway, follow THIS link over to allfreeknitting.com to check out the pattern I used to make Hoss' sentimental hat from years gone by.  While you're there, check out the other great patterns allfreeknitting.com always has available!!!







Despite not being a hit with Hoss, the Orange Blaze pattern use to be one of this blogs most popular patterns!  And I have made it several times in various colours for charity.  I have not made it recently and don't have any new photo's so this post is for those looking for a quick Christmas Gift Knit or Quick Charity knit.

Speaking of Charity Knitting, are you a charity knitter or charity knitting group and need yarn?  I received a request from Yarn Canada to help get the word out about their Yarn for a Good Cause Contest.  They are giving away $2000 worth of yarn to 12 individuals or groups who are making for Charity!!

Do you want to submit an entry?   Click HERE

(this is not an affiliated link, just a great opportunity for charity knitters from a Canadian organization looking to help out!)

This toque is extremely stretchy and therefore fits a very wide variety of sizes.  The larger size hat can accommodate a head upwards of 26 inch (however, not even Hoss' head is THAT big).  If you prefer a tighter fitting hat, I would suggest the smaller size.  Although, it will still stretch pretty large too!

If you find the length of the toque is too long, omit a repeat of the "main body pattern."  Find it too short?  Just add an extra rep of the "main body pattern."  Like any pattern, customize it to your preferred specifications!

Scroll on down (past the commercial break, see THIS post for why this site uses commercial breaks!

Orange Blaze Hunting Toque

skill level
beginner

size
adult small (adult large)
20 - 22 inch (22-24 inch)
please do keep in mind that this pattern is designed to have A LOT of stretch

needles & notions
4 mm 16" circular needle
4.5mm 16" circular needle
4.5 mm set of double pointed needles
stich marker

suggested yarn
Bernat Premium orange

gauge
18 sts = 4 inch in rib stitch using smaller needles


pattern
with 4mm circular needles cast on 90 (100) sts using a stretchy cast on (long tail tubular cast on recommended)

Complete tubular cast on rows then place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.

Proceed in K1. P1 rib for 1.5 (1.75) inches.

Change to 4.5mm circular needles and continue in K1. P1 rib til piece from cast on edge is 1.75 (2) inches.  Then begin main body pattern section as below








MAIN BODY PATTERN SECTION
garter stitch section
Rnd 1:   knit
Rnd 2:   purl

rep rnds 1 & 2 til garter stitch section is approx. 1.25 inches.  End section on a rnd 1


rib stitch section
Rnd 1:   K1. P1

rep rnd 1 til rib section is approx 0.5 (0.75) inch


repeat main body pattern section 2 more times.  The piece will measure approximately 7 (8) inches from cast on edge.

DECREASES

The decreases are completed the same for both sizes of toques.  
change to double pointed needles when you find it becomes necessary.

Rnd 1:   *K8.  K2tog. rep from * around [81 (90) sts]

Rnd 2 & even til rnd 12:   purl around

Rnd 3:   *K7.  K2tog.  rep from * around [72 (80) sts]

Rnd 5:   *K6.  K2tog.  rep from * around [63 (70) sts]

Rnd 7:   *K5.  K2tog.  rep from * around [54 (60) sts]

Rnd 9:   *K4.  K2tog.  rep from * around [45 (50) sts]

Rnd 11:   *K3.  K2tog.  rep from * around [36 (40) sts]

Rnd 13:   *K2.  K2tog.  rep from * around [27 (30) sts]

Rnd 14:   *K1.  K2tog.  rep from * around [18 (20) sts]

Rnd 15:   *K2tog around [9 (10) sts]

Cut yarn and weave through remaining live sts.  Draw up.  Secure and weave in ends


Due to the fact that this pattern tends to primarily be used for charity I have not made it a paid ads-free pattern but instead have included the original downloadable pattern HERE for your convenience.  Happy Crafting!!

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit.  It's the nice, morally responsible thing to do! DO NOT claim this pattern as your own. Why not try writing one of your own? You can do it! I know you can!!  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Rustic Stars: Free Crochet Pattern

With Halloween behind us and November beginning, it's time to start making Christmas decor!!

Mother Nature got a jump on winter this year and it snowed here the other night.  I know, snow!!  Don't believe me?  Check out the pic!!!

Hey, yes, it's grainy.  It's like looking at the Lock-Ness Monster or Big Foot or something.  It's showing you something you don't really want to believe was ever actually there!

Once the storm cleared out of the atmosphere, the stars in the heavens seemed to pop out of the black velvet (yes, I was up really late - or was it early - after the storm.  Kids you know!).  Living in the country, with no street lights or security lights in sight, the stars always seem to shine just a little bit brighter and seem just a little bit closer.  When that happens it's so much easier to believe that God truly is near!!

Winter Snowball: Free Knit Pattern

It's only the beginning of November and the snow has been falling steadily on southern Ontario for most of the weekend!!  We already have almost 5 centimeters of accumulation and the big fluffy flakes are falling even now as I type.

After a weekend of being out and about in the snow with our young family, it feels like a great night to stay in, snuggled up under my blanket while the fire crackles romantically beside me and work on finishing up this fun pattern for my little blog.  

It's on nights like tonight that I am ever thankful that Hoss has switched industries and now works a more stable work-hour schedule and no longer has to go out at all hours to plow snow as an operator!

And since he is home today he graciously agreed to be my hand model for some of my pictures.  The snowballs seem to look a wee bit tiny in his gigantic hands!  But the flannel shirt adds a nice, beginning-of-the-festive-season, touch.

If you are a handcrafter that sells at local markets, or especially at any upcoming Christmas markets, this finished project seems to always be a huge hit.  You are of course welcome to use this pattern to make your items, but please do check out my clause at the bottom of this pattern posting.  Thanks!

{ want an ad free version of this pattern?  BUY NOW!! }

skill level
easy

size
approximately 3 x 3 inches

needles & notions
5mm double pointed
tapestry or yarn sewing needle

polyester fiberfill (stuffing)

yarn
Bernat Pipsqueak, whitey white

{ want an ad free version of this pattern?  BUY NOW!! }

pattern
cast on 6 sts.  Place marker and join to work in the round

Rnd 1:  KFB all sts around (12sts)

Rnd 2 & all even rounds until Rnd 10:  knit

Rnd 3:  *KFB.  K1.  rep from * around (18sts)

Rnd 5:  *KFB.  K2.  rep from * around (24sts)

Rnd 7:  *KFB.  K3.  rep from * around (30sts)

Rnd 9:  *KFB.  K4.  rep from * around (36sts)

Rnd 11:  *KFB.  K5.  rep from * around (42sts)

weave in starting tail and ensure it is secure

Rnd 12 - 14:  Knit around (42sts)

Rnd 15:  *K2tog.  K5.  rep from * around (36sts)

Rnd 16 & all even rounds until Rnd 22:  Knit

Rnd 17:  *K2tog.  K4.  rep from * around (30sts)

Rnd 19:  *K2tog.  K3.  rep from * around (24sts)

Rnd 21:  *K2tog.  K2.  rep from * around (18sts)

Rnd 23:  *K2tog.  K1.  rep from * around (12sts)

stuff the snowball plumply at this stage

Rnd 24:  *K2tog around (6sts)

Cut yarn & pull tail through remaining live sts.  Pull tight and secure.  Weave in end

Finished your snowball?  Or did you make a whole bucket full?  Share a picture or video online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit to the designer: Red Mitten Designs.  DO NOT claim this pattern as your own and please do not give printed versions of the pattern without permission from the designer. Please consider purchasing copies for friends or family if you liked this pattern and want to give it to others  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!

Deep Rooted Cable Headband: Free Knitting Pattern

Doesn't everyone just love a good headband?  One that stays in place, keeps your ears warm and that also looks incredibly stylish and expensive?

I find headbands are such a great alternative to a messy bun toque.  With a messy bun toque I always find I have to do something with my hair in order to make the toque look right.  With a headband, I can just throw it on and go!

The other day I was browsing the mall (and by "mall" I mean the virtual on-line variety) when I came across a headband that I thought looked absolutely lovely!!!  And it would have be especially lovely if I wouldn't have had to pay the almost $40 price tag to get it.  I will leave you to conjecture the store in question based on the title of the post!!!





Instead, I managed to make this headband for the grand total of FREE, thanks to the use of various stash yarn!  If I had to purchase the yarn again, the ladies size headband would cost approximately $3

And it only took me a couple of hours (even including the million plus one interruptions from the children and husband alike!)

Once I made one for myself, I then made several to sell on consignment at my local store "Little Treasures Kid's Store."  If you are a local, check them out!!  A new batch of Red Mitten Designs items will be delivered late next month!

And NOW . . . .



On to the pattern!!!

Fall Pumpkins: Free Crochet Pattern

Hello Everyone!!!  Looooooong time, no posts!!  I have been super busy with the little ones and canning this years harvest.  How busy is your fall routine?

This post is a re-writing of my Fall Pumpkins pattern.  You can find the original "formula" I created HERE if you would like.  The Fall Pumpkins have been my number one selling commission and custom order this past month.

This pattern creates a consistently plump and adorable pumpkin!  Why not try making one in each of the sizes, or re-size by chaining more start stitches to make a larger pumpkin that would look create as a couch cushion!!!  Isn't crafting thy BEST way to be express your individual creativity?!!


Fall Pumpkins

skill level
easy

size
small, medium, tall

needles & notions
4mm hook
tapestry needle
polyester fiberfill (stuffing)
beads, bows or gems (optional)

yarns
MC     Vanna's Choice Rust or Terracora 
            or Fisherman
CC      small amount of brown worsted
            weight yarn


pattern
starting with MC, ch 21 (29, 31) sts.  Turn

Row 1:   HDC in 2nd ch from hook and HDC across.  Turn [20 (28, 30) sts]

Row 2:   Ch 1 (does not count as a st).  in back loops only HDC in each st across.  Turn [20 (26, 30) sts]

Repeat row 2 for a total of 16 (18, 16) rows

Fold rectangle in half, start end to finished end.  Slip stitch seam together.  Leave a long tail for finishing and bind off

Use the tail and a running stitch to close the bottom of the pumpkin.  Turn pumpkin right side out and stuff to desired plumpness.  Use a small length of yarn and a running stitch to close the top of the pumpkin (don't worry if it is a little "messy: as it will be covered by the stem)


stem
in a magic loop, 3 sc.  Continue in rounds

Rnd 1:    2sc in each st around

Rnd 2:    sc around in back loops only

Rnd 3:    sc around

Rnd 4:    in front loops only *2sc in sc.  sc in next.  repeat from * to end of round (9 sts)

Rnd 5:    *2sc in st.  sc in next 2 sts.  repeat from * to end of round (12 sts)

Rnd 6:    *2sc in st.  sc in next 3 sts.  repeat from * to end of round (15 sts)

Continue increases as above until desired circumference.  Bind off


finishing
sew stem to top of pumpkin using an over-stitch.  Attach a curl if desired.

Finished your pumpkin?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit.  It's the nice, morally responsible thing to do! DO NOT claim this pattern as your own. Why not try writing one of your own? You can do it! I know you can!!  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!