button for patreon
All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. You can also say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.
WindingCastOn.Square.BlogMain.jpg

This is a highly effective and quick cast-on. It’s most often used as a provisional cast-on, yet if worked with the main yarn as a permanent cast-on it hides right into the fabric. It is in fact the true opposite of a graft, which makes it very useful indeed.

This cast-on is worked over two same sized circular or interchangeable needles, held parallel. The cast-on can sometimes be a little loose, especially if one half of the stitches are held for a long time, so choose needles that are one or two sizes below those required for the main pattern. It’s also a good idea to have long circulars or cable length – this will stop the stitches bunching and let them sit comfortably without the risk of losing stitches.

This cast-on is similar to the Turkish Cast-on; a slightly different set up resulting in two sets of live stitches across two needles. It’s worth bearing in mind that this tutorial was written for the Lateralis collection where the patterns are worked flat, although the method could be adapted for working in the round.

Winding.1.jpg

1) Place a slip knot on the top needle and hold the yarn tail to the left, tucked out of the way.

Winding.2.jpg

2) Bring the yarn down across the front of both needles then underneath the bottom needle to come back up again behind.

Winding.3.jpg

3) Continue this process, winding in the same way. You can wrap the yarn the other way round to create the stitches but that means that the stitches will need re-orientating, or working into the back of, on the very first row.

Winding.4.jpg

4) Continue until you have the desired number of stitches. Remember that each full wrap creates two stitches – one on the top needle, one on the bottom. You are now ready to start working the stitches.

Winding.5.jpg

5) Gently pull the lower circular needle through, allowing it to hang out of the way. Ensure that the yarn goes underneath the cable as shown, as you’ll need it at the back to start the next stitch. If the yarn isn’t taken underneath the cable before you start knitting then it will reduce the number of wraps by one.

Winding.6.jpg

6) It’s important to remember to work directly with the same yarn and treat this first row of stitches worked as the first row in the pattern – do not work a plain row first! If you worked the cast-on with a smaller needle, now switch to the main needle and insert it into the first stitch as normal.

Winding.7.jpg

7) Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull the stitch through – the first stitch of the first row of the pattern is now worked.

Winding.8.jpg

8) Continue working the stitches in this first row as directed by the pattern. As you reach the end of the first set of stitches you will find the slip knot that you started with – where possible, slip this slip knot onto the lower needle cable and hold it there until the 2nd set of live stitches are ready to be worked. The slip knot isn’t to be treated as a stitch but as an anchor, and it will help make sure that the first stitch of the 2nd set of stitches doesn’t get lost.

Continue working the stitches as directed by your pattern – in some patterns you may be asked to work on one set of stitches only, to return to the 2nd set at a later point. In other patterns you will work both sets of stitches in one row, which will take careful management of the needles (either DPNs or magic loop).

If the 2nd set of stitches are held for a long time, then the stitches may get a little saggy – this is easily fixed by tightening up the stitches one by one with a tapestry needle, working towards the slip knot/yarn tail.

Support

If you’ve a question about this technique, pop it in a comment below or visit the forum! I’m unable to offer help with patterns or techniques via email.

Posted
AuthorWoolly Wormhead

Yup, I'm still here and still buried under admin and edits. I keep thinking that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel then it goes and moves...

This year I've accepted very few collaborations and commissions, yet there are some people I can't say no to! Carol feller's new book, Echoes of Heather and Stone, is now live and available and I've a Hat in the collection, named Trittico.

I wrote a little on Carol's blog about the design, it's inspiration and it's construction. Hint: it's knitted sideways with some unusual means to creating a vertical line! And slipped stitches and grafting. I rather enjoyed this piece as I had the chance to indulge my love of symbolism, which doesn't happen too often these days (unless it's going on my skin). And line - I love bringing line into design, it's so effective on a knitted fabric.

Find the blog post here.

Carol and her handy videocam also caught up with me at Woollinn, and I braved the camera to share about the Hat a little.

 
 

Follow the links above if you'd like to peruse and purchase the collection - I'm in great company and all together, it's a fabulous collection - I've no doubt you'll love it.

Back to my edits and admin I go, and I do believe this time that I've broken the back of it.

Posted
AuthorWoolly Wormhead

This coming monday we head to Estonia for two nights, to finalise the bank things and hopefully visit a (textile) museum to make the most of the travel costs. I've heard so many good things about Tallinn and I've no doubt it'll take the edge of travel and business anxiety.

Once this is done, the backend business changes will have all fallen into place and I can start the intense process of changing all the prices and currencies. I've already started making subtle little changes to this website - the company name and VAT number have been added, for instance. 

I've got to commend the Estonian system and my new accountants (LeapIn) for making it all so smooth and painless. I keep expecting something to hiccup but it doesn't. It's such a progressive digital system, quite an eye opener compared to what I know of the UK and Italian systems.

Nonetheless, it's a massive change and I'm anxious. I'm joining the numbers of SMEs and micro, nay, nano businesses that are leaving UK shores. My days of paying tax to the UK are numbered and it's both exciting and sad. I doubt I would have done all this if brexit wasn't a thing but it is and as much as we're at risk on the domestic front from the whole shit show, I've begrudgingly grateful for the nudge to make this change. The business will be better off, there's no doubt about that.

I keep bouncing between emotions and the only thing that's keeping me stable is the clear path ahead to do all the things that need doing. Applying for residency in Italy will not be smooth, and I'm expecting to come unstuck some time in October.  In the meantime, I'm coping (just).

Meanwhile, I'm working away on Lateralis, which I expect to be published in October some time. This collection hasn't been as smooth as Elemental in its development but I suspect that that's as much to do with everything else I'm trying to juggle than anything else.

It has though taken a positive turn these last few weeks. I've been chatting with a very talented indie dyer who wanted to sponsor the collection. I'm not normally keen to take yarn from indies but we've agreed on a collaboration that benefits us both in direct and indirect ways. One of the things that's been missing from the Lateralis collection is colour cohesion. And now it will have it. I won't reveal just yet who the dyer is as they've their own schedule to work too, but be assured you will spammed with the details once we're ready to share! 

upload.jpg

The next few weeks will be critical and you'll likely see me disappear from social media even more than usual. It's all fine and good for now, I just need a little breathing space. And possibly numerous massages and umpteen bottles of wine.

 See you on the other side!

Posted
AuthorWoolly Wormhead
2 CommentsPost a comment

That's a pretty self-explanatory title!

Finishing up the Lateralis collection before photoshoot and layout, and making all the big changes to the business are consuming every part of me. We fly to Estonia 13th to 15th August to finalise the very last few things and then it's all systems go on the business changes front.

From 16th August, Kat and I will be making the necessary changes, and that includes the changes in price and currency as well as adding VAT numbers and so on. Knowing that's just around the corner I figured I'd given everyone a chance to buy ePatterns and eBooks at current prices, with a sweetener thrown in.

 
July.Sale.2.jpg
 

This offer went exclusive to The Woolly Hat Society a week ago, and now I'm able to share it here - feel free to spread this far and wide!

Here's a reminder of those price and currency changes that will come into effect from August 16th:

ePatterns
€5.50 : $7 : £4.75 (currently €5.50 : $6 : £3.75)

eBooks
<4 patterns: €12 : $14 : £11
<10 patterns: €14 : $17 : £13
10 patterns: €16 : $20 : £14
>10 patterns: €20 : $24 : £18 

Posted
AuthorWoolly Wormhead
button for patreon
All of the free patterns and tutorials on this website are supported by my amazing Patreons! If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be able to continue to produce or host freebies. We'd love to have you join us and in return, you get exclusive behind-the-scenes material, member-only discounts and early access to new free content. Membership starts at $1 per month. If you'd like to, you can say thanks for the freebie via the Tip Jar.
Bibbob.Square.BlogMain.jpg

Description

BibBob is a classic beanie. The entire beanie is worked in garter stitch. It’s worked flat and seamed for an invisible finish, then topped with a yarn pompom.

Availability

My Patreon supporters and members of The Woolly Hat Society get exclusive early access to new free patterns and tutorials. Once the exclusive period is over it’s published here on the blog.

Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!

#WoollyWormhead

#WWBibBobHat


Yarn
100g/100yd/91m
chunky weight, single ply or plied yarn.

Needles & Notions
Pair 5.5mm/UK5/US9 straight needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample details
Malabrigo Chunky [100yd/91m per 100g; 100% Merino]

Shown in size 22in/56cm on model with 21in/53.25cm circumference head
Gauge

14sts x 28rows to 4in/10cm on 5.5mm needles over Garter St.

Sizes
To fit size: 18 [20, 22] in/ 45.75 [50.75, 56] cm
Finished size: 15.5 [17.25, 18.75] in/ 39.5 [43.75, 47.75] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills required
Garter stitch

Mattress Stitch for Garter Stitch

Crochet Cast-on

Increases & Decreases

Pompoms

Pattern notes

This pattern is deceptively simple and is ideal for beginner knitters keen to learn new techniques – decreasing, crochet cast-on and mattress stitch for garter stitch are featured techniques. The Hat is worked flat and seamed for an invisible finish.

How to

Using Crochet Provisional Cast-on method as a permanent cast on, cast on 54 [60, 66] sts.

Body

Row 1 (RS): Knit all the stitches

Row 2 (WS): Knit all the stitches

Repeat these 2 rows until work measures 3.5 [4.25, 5] in/9 [10.75, 12.75] cm from the cast on edge, ending after a Row 2 (WS), with the garter stitch relaxed.

Crown

18in size start at Row 5, 20in size start at Row 3, 22in size start at Row 1.

Row 1: *K9, k2tog; rpt from * to end [60 sts]

Row 2 & all WS rows: Knit all the stitches

Row 3: *K8, k2tog; rpt from * to end [54 sts]

Row 5: *K7, k2tog; rpt from * to end [48 sts]

Row 7: *K6, k2tog; rpt from * to end [42 sts]

Row 9: *K5, k2tog; rpt from * to end [36 sts]

Row 11: *K4, k2tog; rpt from * to end [30 sts]

Row 13: *K3, k2tog; rpt from * to end [24 sts]

Row 15: *K2, k2tog; rpt from * to end [18 sts]

Row 17: *K1, k2tog; rpt from * to end [12 sts]

Row 19: *k2tog; rpt from * to end [6 sts]

Break yarn and draw through remaining 6sts, tighten to close.

PomPom

Cut 2 circular pieces measuring 2.5in/6.25cm diameter from thin cardboard. The inner circle should be approximately 1.25in/3.25cm. Placing the two pieces of card together, wrap the yarn through the centre and around the outer circle, continuing in this manner until all the card is covered.

Continue wrapping the yarn until either the centre hole has closed or all the yarn has been used.

Carefully cut the yarn along the edge of the circle to reveal the covered card. Cut all of the yarn, then tie a knot between the two layers off card, effectively tying all the pieces of yarn together, before removing the card. Trim pompom before attaching securely to the Hat.

Finishing

Using the yarn tails, and using the mattress stitch method for garter stitch, close the back seam.

You may wish to either duplicate stitch or use the ends of the yarn to otherwise tidy up the bottom edge at the seam point.

Weave in all ends. A gentle wash and blocking is required to help the stitches settle and the crown lay flat. Attach pompom after blocking.

BibBob.LR.1.jpg
BibBob.LR.2.jpg
BibBob.LR.3.jpg
Posted
AuthorWoolly Wormhead
CategoriesFree Patterns