Dr Who's Tardis Spotted on Caerphilly Castle

No, you're eyes do not deceive you; The Tardis is indeed parked on top of Caerphilly Castle. You can imagine my surprise when spotting this as I was strolling past, minding my own business. I've done a spot of 'googleing' this morning, but alas; no information as to what the dear Doctor is doing in my hometown. Still, it made a great shot - even if I did risk my gear as I stood there praying that the heavens would put off bucketting down on me. Lets just hope that's all he's brought here mind; I've had one hell of a year and right now I would prefer not to be caught up in some inter-dimentional battle between a bunch of planet stealing, other-world nutters... Mr Who - You may have survived all manner of nasties and made it to a whopping 903 years old, but if you want to see you 904th birthday I suggest you make sure I get a peaceful christmas.

Kitty-Kat's Kitty Hat!!

It was always going to happen; a Kitty-Kat needs a kitty hat! I think this may be the last of the hats, but then I said that last time.... Once again, it's the same pattern for the basic hat shape, which can be found here: http://photokat22.blogspot.com/2009/11/kats-two-sticks-ear-flap-ski-hat.html Only this time I've added some cunning kitty ears!

You could also put on some eyes and a nose if you felt so inclined; I've decided to leave it as it is for now until I'm bored and then I may add more bits and pieces. I think it' super cute as it is :-)

For the ears you'll need to follow this simple pattern.

EARS (Make 2, unless you're a freak cat!)

Cast on 14 sts in your main colour - in my case black.

St-st 10 rows

Ssk, k10, k2tog - 12

Purl row

Ssk, k8, K2tog - 10

Purl row

Ssk, k6, k2tog - 8

Purl row

Ssk, k4, k2tog 6

Purl row

Ssk, k2, k2tog -4

Purl row

Ssk, k2tog -2

B&T tightly

Now with a groovy pink for the inner ear make 2 of the following:

Cast on 10

St-st 8 rows

Ssk, k6, k2tog -8

Purl row

Ssk, k4, k2tog -6

Purl row

Ssk, k2, k2tog -4

Purl row

Ssk, k2tog -2

B&T Tightly.

Now you have to sew one black piece to one pink.

Place a pink section on top of a black one with the right sides facing each other and oversew around the row edges making sure that the cast on edges stay in line and do not get oversewn - this is where we shall add stuffing. You will find that when you turn this inside out you will have the excess black around the edge of the pink creating a border around the top and sides of the ear.

Add a little stuffing and then place where you'd like on the hat. I put mine quite far back as they seemed to sit better, but it's really up to you. You're best bet is to put the hat on and look in a mirror; try holding the ears in different positions until you like what you see and then pin them down carefuly. Remove the hat and sew the ears down permanently.

Now... doesn't that look the cat's whiskers?! MEOW!!!

Wounded!

A knitters worst nightmare...

Yesterday, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to try and hack off my index finger whilst doing the washing up. Had I remembered that I'd wanted to finish a hat project today, I would have tried for a less inconvenient appendage; such as a toe or an ear.

It didn't feel like much at the time. I felt a rough pain as I washed out what I've since discovered to be a cracked mug, however; I thought I'd failed to mutilate myself. It was only the spurting that followed as I grasped a plate from the bowl (the finger curling action opening the gash, forcing blood to pour out like ketchup) that had me grabbing for a tea-towel.

So now I sit here forced to play Bejewelled Blitz on Facebook for hours; I just can't help it - is it not the most addictive thing ever? Oh no... sorry; that would be crack.

Kat's Devilish Ear Flap Ski Hat "Two Sticks"

For you little devils out there, I've added some groovy horns to my ear flap hat - If you wanna make a statement then this works! I must confess I rather enjoyed the smiles I got whilst wandering around the supermarket with this on my noggin!

So how's it done? Well, follow my pattern for the basic hat: http://photokat22.blogspot.com/2009/11/kats-two-sticks-ear-flap-ski-hat.html - this is done with just 2 straight needles; no DPNs and no circulars (I know.... I'm good to you.)

You'll need a gorgeous red chunky (bulky) wool, and a bit of stuffing for the horns to make them stay nice and upright.
Once you've made your hat, it's time to make the horns!

Cast on 3 sts
Row 1: Increase all stitches (Kf&b to end) - 6
Row 2: Purl row
Row 3:Increase all stitches (Kf&b to end) - 12
Row 4: Purl row
Row 5: Increase 1st and last st of row - 14
Beginning with a purl row, st-st 6 rows
Cast off
Repeat for your second horn.

Now sew down row edges to make the horn shape and stuff firmly. Placing your ski hat on your head, have great fun working out the best placement for your horns! You can have them sticking out of the top like mine, or they also look nifty coming from your forehead; it's up to you though! Once you've decided, pin them down (being careful not to skewer your scalp) then remove your hat and sew the horns onto the hat.

Voila! One horny ear flap hat! Great fun :-)

For the record, I have no idea what is going on with my eye in this photo; it must be that hat....... it's evil!!!

Kat's Kiddies "Two-Sticks" Ear Flap Ski Hat

My goodness, what a mouthful!

But that's what it is; a mini version of the Ear Flap Ski Hat, but this one is just for kids!!

Again, this little beauty only needs 2 needles, no Circular needles and definately no dreaded DPNs!!

I've put the size as 1-2 years old, but it's quite stretchy so it is a rough guide. The picture gives you an idea - my gorgeous little model is Tom; a big thanks to him and to his parents for allowing me to publish this picture of him showing off his new hat!!

SIZE: Child 1-2 years Finished Circumference approx 18 inches.

MATERIALS
5MM Needles
Aran/Chunky Wool. I prefer chunky (Bulky) because the hat comes out thicker and therefore warmer!

GAUGE:
16 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches

ABBREVIATIONS:

k = knit
p = purl
beg = begin
k2tog = knit 2 together
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
sl = slip
St st = Stockinette
sts = stitch(es)WS = wrong side

YOU WILL NEED:
5mm Needles. Yup, that's it; just 1 pair of 5mm needles - can you believe it?!!!Chunky wool in whatever colour you would like.
The pattern is written as if it's all one colour - just change wool wherever you would like to add stripes of colour. The design also works in Aran with no need to change size, though it makes a thinner hat.

Earflaps (make 2)
Cast on 3 sts. Work in k1, p1 rib until you have a 7 inch length for the tie.

******K1, p1 rib is just knitting one then purling one then knitting one again, then purling one again and so on until you reach the end, then doing the same on the wrong side.***********

Row 1: inc1, K1, inc1 – 5 sts.

Row 2: Knit row

Row 3: inc1, K3, inc1 – 7 sts.

Row 4: Knit row

Row 5: inc1, K5, inc1 – 9 sts.

Row 6: Knit row

Row 7: inc1, K7, inc1 – 11 sts.

Row 8: Knit row

Continue as established, increasing 2 sts of each row until there are 23 sts; ending on a WS row.Slip stitches onto a spare needle or holder. Make a second Earflap the same, adding this to the spare needle/stitch holder.

Joining it all up:

Cast on 5 sts then knit across 23 earflap sts. Then cast on another 16 sts, knit across 23 stitches of second earflap and then cast on another 5 sts – 72 sts.Work even in St st until piece measures 4.5 inches above joining row, end with a RS row.

Next Row: P16, P2tog, P36, P2tog, P16 - 70 sts

Decrease for hat top:

Row 1: *K5, k2tog; rep from * across row – 60 sts.

Row 2: Purl row

Row 3: *K4, k2tog; rep from * across row – 50 sts.

Row 4: Purl row

Row 5: *K3, k2tog; rep from * across row – 40 sts.

Row 6: Purl row

Row 7: *K2, k2tog; rep from * across row – 30 sts.

Row 8: Purl row

Row 9: *K1, k2tog; rep from * across row – 20 sts.

Row 11: K2tog across – 10 sts.

Row 13: K2tog across - 5 sts.

And finally:
Cut the wool, leaving a good length tail; enough to sew down the seam. Thread the tail through remaining sts and pull tightly together to secure.
And there you have it; a cute and cuddly ski hat for the little one :-)

Kat xx

Kat's "Two-Sticks" Ear Flap Ski Hat

At last!!!!! If like me, you have spent ages trawling the net for a hat pattern that does not require circular needles or the dreaded DPNs (yanking out clumps of your hair in the process) then you have come to the right place!

I have taken all the best bits from the patterns I have found and made the ultimate - only two sticks required - hat complete with ear flaps! It seems only fair to share it and hope that it saves others like me any further hair loss.

Well what are you waiting for?! Get on with it.......
ABBREVIATIONS:
k = knit

p = purl

beg = begin

k2tog = knit 2 together

RS = right side

WS = wrong side

sl = slip

St st = Stockinette

sts = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side

SIZE: Small, Medium, Large.

Finished Circumference 19¼ (20¼, 22¼) inches.

Note: The numbers in brackets are for the bigger sizes! Where you see one number, it applies to all sizes.

YOU WILL NEED:

5mm Needles. Yup, that's it; just 1 pair of 5mm needles - can you believe it?!!!
Chunky wool in whatever colour you would like. The pattern is written as if it's all one colour - just change wool wherever you would like to add stripes of colour.

The design also works in Aran with no need to change size, though it makes a thinner hat.

Earflaps (make 2)
Cast on 3 sts. Work in k1, p1 rib until you have an 8 inch length for the tie.

******K1, p1 rib is just knitting one then purling one then knitting one again, then purling one again and so on until you reach the end, then doing the same on the wrong side.***********

Row 1: inc1, K1, inc1 – 5 sts.
Row 2: Knit row
Row 3: inc1, K3, inc1 – 7 sts.
Row 4: Knit row
Row 5: inc1, K5, inc1 – 9 sts.
Row 6: Knit row
Row 7: inc1, K7, inc1 – 11 sts.
Row 8: Knit row

Continue as established, increasing 2 sts of each row until there are 23 sts; ending on a WS row.
Slip stitches onto a spare needle or holder.
Make a second Earflap the same, adding this to the spare needle/stitch holder.

Joining it all up:
Cast on 6 (8, 10) sts then knit across 23 earflap sts. Then cast on another 19 (19, 23) sts, knit across 23 stitches of second earflap and then cast on 6 (8, 10) sts – 77 (81, 89) sts.
Work even in St st until piece measures 5 (5½, 6) inches above joining row, end with a RS row.

Next Row: Purl, decrease 5 (1, 1) sts evenly across row – 72 (80, 88) sts.

Decrease for top:
Row 1 (RS): *K6, k2tog; rep from * across row – 63 (70, 77) sts.
Row 2 and WS rows: Purl.
Row 3: *K5, k2tog; rep from * across row – 54 (60, 66) sts.
Row 5: *K4, k2tog; rep from * across row – 45 (50, 55) sts.
Row 7: *K3, k2tog; rep from * across row – 36 (40, 44) sts.
Row 9: *K2, k2tog; rep from * across row – 27 (30, 33) sts.
Row 11: *K1, k2tog; rep from * across row – 18 (20, 22) sts.
Row 13: K2tog across – 9 (10, 11) sts.
Row 15: K2tog across, end k1 (0, 1) – 5 (5, 6) sts.

And finally:

Cut the wool, leaving a good length tail; enough to sew down the seam. Thread the tail through remaining sts and pull tightly together to secure.

Sew him up and slap him on yer head!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful.

Kat xx

Light Painting Photography - A quick 'How-to'.

It's extremely fun and you can be as creative as you like; everyone should do this at least once!

This is how it's done:

Wait till it gets dark. Put your camera on a tripod and set it for a long exposure. You don't need your flash if you just want the writing to show up. Press the shutter release and then, standing in front of the camera, draw something in the air with a small LED torch or a sparkler.

*****Remember: if you are writing words, you'll need to do it backwards so that it's the right way around in the shot!*****

Ok, up till now it's been dark so the only thing that will show on the image so far is the light writing/drawing, nothing of you moving around -unless you've shone your light onto yourself at any point or happen to be doing this near a street light. I prefer to do it in total darkness so I have more control over the light. To get myself in the shot and consequently some of the background also, I do everything as I have described above, but then before the shutter closes I pose and fire the flash to put myself onto the image.

That's it!!! Experimentation is key - make loads and just enjoy it :-)

Kat xx