Hat
Using worsted weight yarn and U.S. size 6 (4 mm) needles, cast on 28
sts. (If you can knit with double pointed needles, you should do so, however
directions are given assuming you are using regular needles.)
Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 8 rows.
Change to stockinette stitch and work for 14 rows.
Decrease as follows:
Row 1: (K2 tog) across (or 4 times if knitting in the round) 14 sts.
Row 2: Work even.
Row 3: Same as Row 1. 7 sts.
Row 4: Work even.
Row 5: (K2 tog) 3 times, end K 1. 4 sts.
Pull yarn through all 4 sts. Sew seam.
Add small (1") pom-pom, a small tassel, or a jingle bell.
Pattern Ideas for Hat:
Do the ribbing and pom-pom in a different color (CC) than the main color (MC).
Pattern 1: (2 color fair-isle hat)
After the ribbing, work 1 row MC.
Row 2: 1 MC, 1 CC across.
Rows 3 and 4: MC.
Row 5: 1 CC, 1 MC across.
Rows 6 and 7: MC.
Repeat Rows 2 through 7 once.
Repeat Row 2.
Work decreases as above in MC.
Pattern 2: (2 color slip stitch hat)
After the ribbing, work 2 rows MC.
Row 3: CC.
Row 4: With MC, (K1, slip 1) across.
Rows 5 and 6: MC.
Row 7: CC.
Row 8: With MC, (slip 1, K1) across.
Rows 9 and 10: MC.
Row 11: CC.
Row 12: Same as Row 4.
Rows 13 and 14: MC.
Pattern 3: (Striped hat)
After the ribbing, simply work single or double row alternating stripes.
Pattern 4: (Santa Claus hat)
Using white for the ribbing and red for MC, make a plain hat until
you get to the decreases, then work decreases as follows:
Row 1: (K 5, K2 tog), across. 24 sts.
Row 2 and all even rows: Work even.
Row 3: (K 4, K2 tog), across. 20 sts.
Row 5: (K 3, K2 tog), across. 16 sts.
Row 7: (K 2, K2 tog), across. 12 sts.
Row 9: (K 1, K2 tog), across. 8 sts.
Row 11: (K2 tog), across. 4 sts.
Pattern 5: (Irish knit hat).
Work ribbing in twisted rib (K 1 in back of st, P 1). Inc 2 sts on
last row (30 sts.)
Seed St: Row 1: K 1, P 1. Row 2: P 1, K 1. Repeat these 2 rows for
pattern.
Twist St: Row 1: Knit into 2nd st on needle. Do not remove. Knit into
1st st on needle. Remove both sts. Rows 2 and 4: Purl. Row 3: Knit. Repeat
these 4 rows for pattern.
Pattern is: P 1, seed st on 6 sts, P 1, twist st on 2 sts. Repeat 3
times. (K 1 the P 1 on reverse side.)
Pattern 6: Knit or duplicate stitch any easy graph pattern, such as a Christmas tree. Work one graph pattern, or work 3 graph patterns by decreasing 1 st so there are 27 sts, and work 3 panels of 9 sts each.
The Soup Mix
The Beans
Mix together ten (10) different kinds of dried beans (a nice variety
of different colored beans) in a large bowl. Fill ten clean juice bottles
(the kind with a large mouth, approx. 16 oz., such as Nantucket Nectars)
with the beans, and replace the cap. It will be easier if you make a funnel
out of paper to help you fill the bottles.
The Label
Make a nice label on the computer for the bottles. It can be printed
on regular paper and cut to fit. The measurements should be the same as
the original label for height and 1/4” more than the circumference of the
bottle. You will just tape or glue the 1/4” overlap; the whole label does
not have to be glued to the bottle. On half the label (the front of the
bottle), put the name of the soup (such as “After The Holiday Ham Bean
Soup from the kitchen of ______”), some nice graphics, and list the ingredients
which will be needed to make the soup. This is the list:
1 bottle beans
holiday ham bone w/meat*
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 15 oz. can tomatoes
1 tbs. lemon juice
Seasoning packet (op-tion-al - soup will be spicy!)
*1½ lb. smoked sausage may be used if you don’t have a ham bone.
Chop it and add with remaining ingredients.
On the other half of the label (the back of the bottle), put the directions on how to make the soup and also the contents of the seasoning packet:
Soak the beans in a large pot of water overnight. Drain. Add ham bone and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 1 hour. Remove ham bone and let cool while adding remaining ingredients. Chop up and add all the ham meat. Cook for an hour or more until onion is tender and soup is of desired thickness.
Seasoning packet contains: Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Cayenne Pepper
NOTE: If you want to put all the label information on a little card and tie it around the neck of the bottle, that is a good idea also. Then, instead of mixing all the beans together, layer them in the bottle for a nice effect.
The Seasoning Packet
Mix together the following:
4 Tbs. paprika
2 Tbs. salt
2 Tbs. black pepper
2 Tbs. chili powder
1½ Tbs. garlic powder
1 Tbs. red pepper (cayenne)
Take 5 plastic sandwich bags and cut off the edges so you have 10 squares of plastic. Put 1 Tablespoon of the spice mix in the center of each square. Pull up the corners and the sides and secure with a twist-tie (or tie with a ribbon, but you may need a helper to do that!)
Final Assembly
Once the hats have been knit, the beans are in the bottles, the labels
have been affixed, and the seasoning packets have been made, put a seasoning
packet inside each hat, and place a hat on each bottle.
You have just made 10 cute, useful, and appreciated gifts!!