Knitting with hemp

Hemp is an amazingly versatile fiber and just one of the many uses for it is yarn. It makes for a great hat because it keeps your head warm and it's super strong and durable (perfect for my husband who works outdoors and needs a hat that is rugged). And you can throw it in the washer and dryer--the more you wash it, the more soft and worn in it will become. It doesn't have much elasticity to it though, which is why in this pattern I made a nice wide-ribbed brim.

I bought the yarn on lanaknits.com; they have all sorts of hemp and hemp-blend yarns, patterns, and information about hemp. If you don't know much about hemp, I recommend checking out the site and learning more!


Click the download button for a PDF version of this pattern

Hemp Beanie
by: the brown stitch

Supplies:
- Yarn: 3 skeins of hemp for knitting "all hemp6" DK weight from lanaknits.com (I used #015 Marble, #020 Avocado, and #012 Classic)
- Size 3, 18” circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- Size 3, double-pointed needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- small crochet hook & tapestry needle (to weave in ends)

Gauge:
- 5 stitches = 1” on size 3 needles in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations:- CO = cast on
- pm = place marker
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit two stitches together
- stockinette = when knitting in the round, knit all rounds

Size:
Medium (Large)

Directions:
- With color A, CO 90 (100) stitches loosely, pm and join in the round (being careful not to twist stitches)
- *K2,P2; repeat from * to end.
- Repeat this round (slipping marker at the beginning of each round) until the piece measures 4” from CO edge (will be folded over for a 2” brim)
- Continue in stockinette for 4”, switching from color A to color B and C to create stripe pattern as you desire

Begin Decreasing (as with previous stockinette rounds, change colors as you desire to continue stripe pattern. Also, when it becomes too uncomfortable on the circular needles, switch to the double-pointed needles):

- *K7(8), K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 3 rounds in stockinette
- *K6(7), K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 3 rounds in stockinette
- *K5(6), K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 3 rounds in stockinette
- *K4(5), K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 3 rounds
- *K3(4), K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 2 rounds
- *K2(3), K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 1 round
- *K1(2),K2tog; repeat from * to end
- K 1 round
- *K0(1),K2tog
- *K2tog; repeat from * to end
- Cut yarn, pull to close, and weave in loose ends

Wicked Easy...

Wicked Easy Scarf Pattern
by: the brown stitch

The name says it all—a wicked easy-to-make scarf!

Supplies:
- Yarn: 2 skeins of Malabrigo worsted merino (you can buy it at The Knitting Experience online store)

- Needles: Size 7 straight needles

Pattern:
-Cast on 24 stitches
-*K1P1; repeat from * across row
-Repeat the above ribbing until the scarf is at desired length (I worked until my measured 80” long)
-Bind off, in pattern (i.e, bind off continuing the K1P1 pattern)

Helpful Hint: In order to have a nice neat edge, some people slip the 1st stitch of every row. However, this is what I do: Knit the 1st stitch, put the needle into the 2nd stitch and give it a good tug. Then work the 2nd stitch. Do the same to the 3rd stitch. Tugging the 2nd and 3rd stitch before you work it, I have found, keeps your edge looking tidy.

Making it your own…

I love following knitting patterns—but sometimes it’s nice to add your own unique detail to someone else’s pattern. You don’t have to be an advance designer to tweak a pattern to make it your own. Just a little embellishment can really make a huge difference.

A couple of month’s ago I knit a baby sweater for a friend using Carole Barenys Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater. I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in red which I bought at The Knitting Experience in Brunswick, ME

To give it my own little touch, I simply added little hand-made stitches at the raglan increase, using left over orange yarn that was in my stash. I used the orange yarn to sew the brown buttons on as well. The buttons I found at Purl Diva in Brunswick, ME.

A very simple and easy embellishment that made all the difference and gave the sweater an even more unique hand-made feel.

Another way to make it your own is how you present your gift. For this sweater, instead of using tissue paper or a box, I created my own wrapping paper by using fabric, sewed together at the top with the same orange yarn.

I had so much fun putting this whole present together!

Inspiration...

This blog is all about brown stitches...and blue ones, yellow ones, green ones, and every color in between. Mostly knitting stitches, but sometimes crochet stitches, and sometimes sewing stitches.

I've started this blog to journal my knitting and craft adventures and to have a venue to share my own designs. I'll also share projects in progress and all kinds of "stitch inspiration."

Knitting inspires me not just because its creative. It inspires me because you can't help but slow down when you are knitting and appreciate how each little stitch helps to create something beautiful. With how busy and hectic our lives can be, we often pass over the details. But with knitting and other hand crafts, you can't help but appreciate all the details and the simple act of working one stitch after another. I hope you too can be inspired by what you can make with your own two hands!