We've just released our Bracklinn Sweater pattern and had a little extra yarn left over. The mornings have been a little bit chilly here in Glasgow so I decided to knit up a new hat. This took less than two days to knit up and that's while working and looking after a toddler - so super speedy! 

I knitted that Bracklinn Sweater pattern while the wee one was just a new born (I actually started it when I was nine months pregnant) and now she's nearly 18 months. It just goes to show how busy new mums are, not much time for pattern writing!! Although now that her sleep's settled down I'm getting a bit more done in the evenings, that first year sleep deprived year just went past in a blur! The Bracklinn Sweater buttons up the sides for easy breastfeeding (or medical device access), although we give instructions for a button free version too. It's available in nine sizes to fit bust 30" to 62", it's top down and totally seamless and knits up super quickly in gorgeous Illimani Yarns Amelie. It's inspired by our Bracklinn Crop - which might be a better option for those in a climate warmer than Scotland!

But that's enough shameless promotion of the paid -for sweater pattern!! Here's the instructions for the free hat pattern:

Suggested Yarn: Illimani Yarns Amelie
Colourway Grey (56% silk, 40% alpaca, 4% merino) 150 m/164 yds per 50 g skein:
One skein required 150 m/164 yds
 
Dimensions 
Size S (M, L)
Circumference: 51 cm/20.5" (58 cm/23", 64 cm/25.5")
Height before decreases 17.5 cm/7" (20 cm/8", 22.5 cm/9") 
 
Needles: 6 mm/US 10 dpns/75 cm/30” circular needle for magic loop or as required to achieve correct gauge, 5.5 mm/US 9 dpns/75 cm/30” circular needle for magic loop.
 
Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 10 cm/4” in stocking stitch with 6 mm/US 10 needles after blocking.
 
Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, one stitch marker for end of rnd.

Notation
k: knit
p: purl
st(s): stitches
rnd: round
CO: ​cast on
pm: place marker
k2tog:  knit the next two stitches together
yo: bring yarn over needle
3-3 gather: k3tog without slipping them off the left needle, then yo, k3tog into the same three sts. Slip the 3 sts off the left needle

Lace Pattern
Rnd 1: *k1, yo* to end of rnd.
Rnd 2: *k1, drop yo from previous rnd* to end of rnd
Rnd 3: *3-3 gather* to end of rnd*
Rnd 4: *k1, yo* to end of rnd
Rnd 5: *k1, drop yo from previous rnd* to end of rnd

CO 72 (81, 90) sts using a knitted cast on or your preferred method. Join in the rnd ensuring sts are not twisted and pm for beginning of rnd.
Rnd 1: k1, p1 *k2, p1* to last st, k1.
Repeat rnd 1 13 (15, 17) more times for 14 (16, 18) rnds of ribbing.

Now knit every rnd for 5 (6, 7) rnds.
Work lace pattern for 5 rnds.
Knit for 3 (4, 5) rnds.
Work lace pattern for 5 rnds.
Knit for 5 (6, 7) rnds.
Hat should measure 17.5 cm/7" (20 cm/8", 22.5 cm/9")  from cast on edge. If you prefer a longer, slouchier hat then just knit every rnd until desired length is achieved.
​Now work decreases as follows:
Rnd 1: *k7, k2tog* to end of rnd.
Rnd 2: knit
Rnd 3: *k6, k2tog* to end of rnd
Rnd 4: knit
Rnd 5: *k5, k2tog* to end of rnd
Rnd 6: knit
​Rnd 7: *k4, k2tog* to end of rnd
Rnd 8: knit
Rnd 9: *k3, k2tog* to end of rnd
Rnd 10: knit
Rnd 11: *k2, k2tog* to end of rnd
Rnd 12: *k1, k2tog* to end of rnd
Rnd 13: *k2tog* to end of rnd.

Cut working yarn leaving a 25 cm/10" tail, thread this through all the remaining sts to secure them, pull tight and sew firmly into the inside of the hat. I like to sew over the little hole at the top a couple of times before weaving in the loose end on the inside of the hat.

​Block if desired and you're ready to go!

Here's one last picture of  our Bracklinn Crop pattern that inspired it all!!

We’ve just released our Glen Shiel Cardigan knitting pattern! It’s classic cardigan with a pretty lace pattern and a cosy shawl front. The lace pattern is simple and straightforward, and it knits up fast with DK yarn and larger needles. This is a perfect winter warmer – one you’ll want to snuggle up in every day! Available in eight sizes to fit bust from 30 – 60”.
 
This cardigan is worked in one piece from the hem up to the underarms, then stitches are divided and we work the two fronts and the back separately, then we rejoin fronts and back with a three needle bind off at the shoulder. Pick up stitches round the armhole for sleeves which are worked flat and seamed, and to finish off pick up stitches round the front of the cardigan for a shawl collar. Shown in size 85-90 cm/34-36” on a model with 34” bust.

Here's the nitty gritty details:
Yarn: Wool and the Gang Sugar Baby Alpaca (100% Baby Alpaca 116 m/127 yds per 50g) DK weight
Colourway: Margaux Red
Meterage 850 (950, 1125, 1290, 1500, 1690, 1930, 2150) m
Yardage 935 (1045, 1240, 1420, 1650, 1860, 2130, 2365) yds
 
Dimensions (Metric)
To fit bust: 75-80 (85-90, 95-100, 105-110, 115-120, 125-130, 135-140, 145-150) cm
Across Back: 40 (45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75) cm
Length Armpit to hem:46 (46, 49, 49, 52, 52, 55, 55) cm
Upper Arm Circumference: 30 (35, 35, 40, 40, 45, 45, 50) cm
Sleeve Length 48 (48, 51, 51, 54, 54, 57, 57) cm
 
Dimensions: (Imperial)
To fit bust: 30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48, 50-52, 54-56, 58-60)”
Across Back: 16 (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30)”
Length Armpit to hem:18.5 (18.5, 19.75, 19.75, 22, 22, 23.25, 23.25)”
Upper Arm Circumference: 12 (14, 14, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20)”
Sleeve Length 19 (19, 20, 20, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 23)”
 
Needles: 5 mm/US 8, 100 cm/40” circular needle, set of 5 mm/US 8 DPNs or spare 5 mm/US 8 circular needle
 
Gauge: 16 sts and 26 rows = 4”/10 cm in main lace pattern after blocking.
 
Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, holder or waste yarn for holding live stitches.
 
It’s available on Etsy, Ravelry and here on our website.

We’ve also got a fab test knitting opportunity!

Dip in the Lily Pond is a pretty hat pattern in an unusual stitch pattern. A versatile knit with a wide range of sizes from newborn to adult large, and three colourwork options letting you create beautiful and unique hats for every occasion. Perfect for using mini skeins or leftover odds and ends of sock yarn too! The pattern uses dipped stitches which look just like waterlilies, hence the name of this pattern.
 
To find out more, visit our group on Ravelry. If you’d like to test knit but you’re avoiding Ravelry due to their ongoing issues with accessibility, please get in touch via email. Go to our homepage and click “contact” at the bottom of the screen.
 
For current test knitters, here’s the tutorial video:

We're looking for test knitters for two new patterns!

The first is our Steall Shawl.  
A gorgeous shawl with a beautifully simple lace design that’s so much fun to knit. We love how quick this is to knit in mainly garter stitch, with a stunning lace section that’s much easier than it looks! This scarf makes the most of a spectrum of mini skeins from River Knits yarns, but it would be a perfect way to use up odds and ends of 4 ply yarn too! The pattern is similar to our Bracklinn Crop so I named it after another Scottish waterfall. The Steall Waterfall is found in Glen Nevis, a stunning beauty spot near Scotland’s highest mountain. The colours match with a waterfall theme too!
 
Please note that we value inclusivity at Littletheorem Knits. We welcome all test knitters regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or yarn budget – knitting is for everyone!
 
If you’re interested, head over to our Ravelry Group to find out more! If you can't access Ravelry at the moment due to its new format, drop us an email by clicking the mail icon at the bottom of our homepage.

For current test knitters, here's a video showing how to work that one tricky stitch!

 Our second pattern up for testing is our Kingsbarns Baby Blanket.

A simple but addictive mosaic pattern that makes a beautiful heirloom baby blanket. If you’ve never made a mosaic knitting pattern before, you’ll soon find out how straightforward and satisfying it is.
Kingsbarns is a little coastal town near where I grew up. I spent hours as a child playing in the rockpools there. The blue green and white pattern reminds me of waves breaking on the rocky shore. But maybe I’m just getting nostalgic with a baby of my own on the way!

Again, if you’re interested, head over to our Ravelry Group to find out more! It's available to test in three different sizes. If you can't access Ravelry at the moment due to its new format, drop us an email by clicking the mail icon at the bottom of our homepage.