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This week’s Meet and Make designer is Heather Tucker. Heather is as much of a knitter as she is a mathematician.  Because she thinks mathematically, all of her designs have elements of shape, angle, texture and symmetry; everything, in other words, that should appeal to a logical mind. She has always l0ved experimenting and creating, but has only recently developed an interest in writing her patterns down. You can find more of her knitting patterns on her blog, Mama’s Stitchery Projects.

Let’s meet Heather!

10 Fun Facts about Heather:

1.  I have an amateur radio license and emergency tags for my car.
2.  I was an actuary for 17 years before retiring to be a stay-at-home mom.
3.  As a child I liked to make my own toys.
4.  I have been knitting and crocheting since I was four years old.
5.  The only trophy I have ever won was for math.
6.  I ran a computer bulletin board for several years.
7.  I have 12 computers and devices in my house named after M*A*S*H characters.
8.  In my high school I held the record for solving a Rubik’s cube in 30 seconds.
9.  I’m known for my salad making skills.
10.  I got married after being engaged for eight days.

Here’s Heather’s Project:

Faceted Lace and Cables Baby Hat

This is a very textured and ornate baby hat. The example is in toddler size.

Sizes:
Small preemie – 8″ circumference, 3.5″ high
Preemie – 10″ circumference, 5″ high
Newborn – 12″ circumference, 5.5″ high
6 month – 14″ circumference, 6.5″ high
12 month – 16″ circumference, 7″ high
Toddler – 18″ circumference, 7.5″ high

Abbreviations:

k = knit
p = purl
c4f = cable 4 forward – Slip the next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front of work. Knit the next 2 stitches from left-hand needle, knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
k2tog = knit two together
sk2p = slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slip stitch over the knit 2 together; 2 stitches have been decreased
p3tog = purl three together

Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Materials:

• 0.5 to 1.5 oz (40 to 120 yards) of DK weight baby yarn
• U.S. Size 6 (4 mm) 40″ circular needle (for magic loop) or set of size 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles
• Yarn needle
• Cable needle

Instructions:

Small preemie – Cast on 44
Preemie – Cast on 55
Newborn – Cast on 66
6 month – Cast on 77
12 month – Cast on 88
Toddler – Cast on 99

Join to knit in the round. Divide stitches between double pointed needles or needles for a magic loop. Divide with multiples of 11 on each needle.

Repeat each instruction across the round:

Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: p
Rnd 3: k4, yo, k7, yo (this will increase your stitches for the remainder of the body of the hat to a multiple of 13)
Rnd 4: k4, p1, k7, p1
Rnd 5: c4f, p1, yo, k2, sk2p, k2, yo, p1
Rnd 6: k4, p2, k5, p2
Rnd 7: k4, p2, yo, k1, sk2p, k1, yo, p2
Rnd 8: k4, p3, k3, p3
Rnd 9: c4f, p3, yo, sk2p, yo, p3
Rnd 10: k4, p4, k1, p4
Rnd 11: k4, yo, k3, sk2p, k3, yo

Repeat rounds 4 to 11 (end with a round 4) until the hat measures the desired height for size:

Small preemie – 2.25″ high
Preemie – 3.5″ high
Newborn – 4″ high
6 month – 5″ high
12 month – 5.5″ high
Toddler – 6″ high

Crown:
Repeat across the round

Rnd 1: c4f, p1, k2, sk2p, k2, p1
Rnd 2: k4, p1, k5, p1
Rnd 3: k4, p1, k1, sk2p, k1, p1
Rnd 4: k4, p1, k3, p1
Rnd 5: c4f, p1, sk2p, p1
Rnd 6: k4, p1, k1, p1
Rnd 7: k4, p3tog
Rnd 8: k4, p1
Rnd 9: k1, sk2p, p1
Rnd 10: k2, p1
Rnd 11: k2tog, p1

Cut the yarn with several inches to work with. With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.