FREE EU beanie pattern

Introducing the EU beanie!

This beanie was designed as a political statement following the Brexit vote in the EU Referendum. But you can knit it and wear it for any reason at all.

The pattern is written for DK/8 ply yarn and fits the average adolescent to medium adult head.
The pattern is written to knit in the round on double-pointed needles, but it can also be used knitting in the flat. (Just add two extra stitches for edge stitches to allow for the seam.
You need to be able to use the colour stranding technique (using two colours at the same time, running the second along the back). If you are not familiar with this technique, there are different tutorials on the Internet. It may take a little practice to get the tension right.
I am very happy to receive questions, comments or suggestion.

The FREE pattern is available as a download on my Ravelry page. I would really appreciate it is you could share the pattern far and wide. KNIT IT, WEAR IT, SHARE IT!

Happy knitting and KEEP THE EU FLAG FLYING!

"I love NHS" beanies

I have done no Easter knitting whatsoever this year.
The main reason is that I have been inundated with orders for my "I love NHS" beanies.I must have knitted a dozen or so, including one extra large one and one with earflaps.

I designed the beanie because I am passionate about our National Health System which provides free health care at the point of delivery to whoever you are!
The thought of it being gradually dismantled and sold of to private companies for their personal gain is abhorrent and flies in the face of what the welfare state is about. But I won't bore you with details. You can read more about my passion for the NHS here is you want.

My ethos for the NHS beanie has always been that I want to make no personal profit from it. I try to cover the cost of material and posting, and any remaining profit goes towards the fight against the privatisation of the NHS.

Similarly the Ravelry pattern for the beanie is FREE and available here.
It is knitted flat and is designed for a head circumference of 22-24” or 56-61cm, but you could easily add/reduce some stitches/rows if needed.
You need to be able to use the colour stranding technique (using two colours at the same time, running the second yarn along the back). If you are not familiar with this technique, there are different tutorials on the Internet. Remember to cross the colours over at the back to avoid holes appearing.

Please share the pattern far and wide. I am not precious about it. 
What matters is that we save our NHS!

Prayer shawl

The son of a good church friend of mine spent three months in Uganda recently. Having returned, he asked me whether I could knit a prayer shawl for his host mother there.
He found this pattern from the Prayer Shawl Ministry for me.

The free pattern can also be found on Ravelry.

Unless I hear otherwise from my friend and her son, here is the yarn I have put aside for this project. It is DK rather than Chunky - but I figure that in Uganda a thick shawl might be a little misplaced ...

Liv's teddy (again) - FREE RAVELRY PATTERN

Liv's teddy is now available as a FREE PATTERN in my RAVELRY store.

It is written to be knitted on a set of double-pointed needles, so it essentially makes a tube (that’s because I am lazy and try to avoid as much sewing as possible!).
The legs are stitched through.
All that is required is knowing how to cast and and off and how to increase and decrease.
It get s a tiny bit more tricky at the top, when the middle 4 stitches are cast off and the ears are completed separately.

Being a simple pattern it is ideal for charity knitting - so please feel free to copy and share in your groups.

Colour Blocks Baby Blanket - free pattern

This free Lionbrand pattern has just gone on my list-of-things-to-do. I love the different-coloured squares!

Colour Blocks Baby Blanket

Lion Brand® Cotton-Ease® (new)

GAUGE:
18 sts + 34 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in Garter st (k every row). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

NOTES:
Blanket is made up of 30 individual Squares. All Squares are knit following instructions for Garter Square, with specific color(s) noted for each Square.

GARTER SQUARE
Increase Half
Cast on 5 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K2, yo, knit to end.
Rows 3 and 4: Rep Row 2.
Rep Row 2 until there are 37 sts on needle.
Decrease Half
Next Row: K2, yo, k2tog twice, knit to end.
Rep last row until 5 sts remain.
Bind off.

SQUARE 1 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square) With A, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With B, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of A and B to work Increase Half.
Change to A and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 2 (solid color square)
With C, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 3 (diagonal stripe square)
With D, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With E, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of D and E to work Increase and Decrease Halves.

SQUARE 4 (2 color square)
With A, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 5 (2 color square)
With D, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 6 (diagonal stripe square)
With E, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With G, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of E and G to work Increase and Decrease Halves.

SQUARE 7 (2 color square)
With H, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to I and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 8 (solid color square)
With F, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 9 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With H, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With J, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of H and J to work Increase Half.
Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 10 (solid color square)
With B, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 11 (2 color square)
With B, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 12 (solid color square)
With J, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 13 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With E, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With F, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of E and F to work Increase Half.
Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 14 (solid color square)
With K, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 15 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With A, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With E, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of A and E for Increase Half. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 16 (2 color square)
With C, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 17 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With H, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With I, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of H and I to work Increase Half.
Change to H and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 18 (2 color square)
With C, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 19 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With A, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With G, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of A and G to work Increase Half.
Change to G and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 20 (solid color square)
With I, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 21 (2 color square)
With A, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 22 (solid color square)
With G, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 23 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With D, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With K, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of D and K to work Increase Half.
Change to K and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 24 (2 color square)
With C, cast on and work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to F and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 25 (half diagonal stripe/half solid square)
With C, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With E, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of C and E to work Increase Half.
Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 26 (2 color square)
With D, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to E and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 27 (diagonal stripe square)
With E, cast on and work Rows 1 and 2 of Increase Half of Garter Square. With K, work Rows 3 and 4. Continue to alternate 2 rows each of E and K to work Increase and Decrease Halves.

SQUARE 28 (2 color square)
With F, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to I and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

SQUARE 29 (solid color square)
With A, work Garter Square.

SQUARE 30 (2 color square)
With G, work Increase Half of Garter Square. Change to J and work Decrease Half of Garter Square.

FINISHING
Following Assembly Diagram, sew Squares into 5 strips of 6 squares each. Sew strips together to make Blanket.
Weave in ends.