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Utahime Beanie

歌姫 (Utahime)
Diva /ˈdēvə/

1. a famous female singer of popular music

2. a self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please (typically used of a woman)

3. Italian for a female deity, or goddess, and closely associated with prima donna

It is cold here. You would think someplace where summers can be up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, we’d have milder winters. No, it seems to be just the opposite.

I believe I started this pattern during the summer, and it’s just now ready for its spring debut. It took me a few tries to get right, and I think it was worth it.

Those familiar with my knitting backstory may know my frustration with finding the perfect hat. I collected a literal drawerful of store bought beanies and still never managed to find the perfect one–the one from the magazines, or the advertisements of shiny, happy Hollywood people. The one they wore on their ski trip to Vail, Colorado, or to Times Square on New Years Eve.

The quest for this particular hair accessory led me on my crochet journey, and after making another two drawerfuls of hats, I switched to knitting. Now, this is nothing against crochet (and I still pick up a hook from time to time), but it just wasn’t right for what I wanted.

Knit ribbing — Can you feel the squish through your screen?

The Utahime beanie is the perfect cold weather accessory. Knit with thick, chunky yarn, it can be worked in just a few hours. This is a great pattern for beginner knitters working on their techniques, and it skips a complicated bind-off that other ribbed hats may have. It also looks great topped with a faux fur or handmade pom. I used acrylic wool for my beanies, but it would look just fabulous in merino wool.

It’s also warm. Really, seriously warm. Make yours in fall so you’re ready for winter. Otherwise, you may overheat!

Person wearing beanie — I added a few safety pins to mine

If you knit your own Utahime Beanie, we’d love to see your work. Tag us on Instagram with #UtahimeBeanie @rakugaki.knitwear.

Purchase Pattern on Ribblr

Kyōshū Scrunchie

郷愁 (Kyōshū)
Nostalgia /näˈstaljə/

1. a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

2. something done or presented in order to evoke feelings of nostalgia.

I love knitting, I love neon, and I love retro inspired clothing–and I have a lot of hair. It was only natural to combine all of the above into the perfect throwback accessory. Enter the Kyōshū Scrunchie.

Each scrunchie uses only a few ounces of yarn, so it’s the perfect project to use up your loose ends. If you use a full skein, you should be able to make at least 10, depending on the material you use. This is a beginner project and can be worked quickly while watching television or reading.

This pattern was created with soft acrylic yarn, which adds the extra benefit of a strong, slip-resistant grip on your hair. For me personally, it doesn’t need to be adjusted during the day in my naturally wavy hair, even when flat-ironed. You may choose to use another fiber type in the same gauge which should create similar results.

If you knit your own Kyōshū Scrunchie, we’d love to see your work. Tag us on Instagram with #KyoshuScrunchie @rakugaki.knitwear.

Purchase Pattern on Ribblr

Mizutamari Snood

水たまり (Mizutamari)
Puddle /ˈpədl/ 
1 : a small pool of liquid, especially of rainwater on the ground
2 : wet or cover (a surface) with water, especially rainwater

A snood is similar to a cowl, but with extra length. In extra cold weather, you can lift it over your head to form a hood.

Knitting has always been a calming activity for me. It keeps my hands busy and my thoughts from wandering. It seems many others also look to crafts like these to soothe the mind and ward away negative thoughts.

I started this project during a difficult time last year and whether you believe in self-therapy or not, I hope this project brings peace and calm to your life. Worked in a simple rib pattern with an elegant infinity edge, it’s an easy project to make while you let your mind wander.

Mizutamari Snood Pattern

Materials

2 skeins worsted weight yarn (approximately 510 g). Example used in image is Caron Simply Soft Yarn in Robins Egg Blue

Size 9 (5.5mm) circular needles, 24 inch recommended

Stitch markers (2)

Pattern Details

Gauge: 28 stitches and 24 rows equal 4×4 inches (10 cm) when lying flat, un-stretched. Don’t worry if your gauge is off by a few stitches–this pattern is very forgiving.

Finished snood measures approximately 16 inches tall by 38 inches around, un-stretched. When worn, it can stretch to triple the circumference.

K: Knit

P: Purl

1×1 Ribbing: Alternate 1 knit and 1 purl to create a textured rib

Instructions

This pattern uses the Tubular Cast On method for a neat, stretchy edge that holds its shape. If you do not feel confident working the Tubular Cast On, you can substitute a regular cast on (however, your edge will not appear as neat).

Cast on 266 stitches with tubular cast on. Join for knitting in the round, and place marker to designate beginning of row.

Row 1 (as part of cast on): Knit 1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front. Repeat to marker at end of round.

Row 2 (as part of cast on): Slip 1 knitwise with yarn behind, purl 1. Repeat to end of round.

The first two rows will replicate double knitting and create the infinity edge.

Row 3-90: Knit 1, purl 1 to end of round.

Row 91 (as part of cast off): Knit 1, slip 1 purlwise. Repeat to end of round.

Row 92 (as part of cast off): slip 1 purlwise, knit 1. Repeat to end of round.

With needle, cast off stitches with Tubular Bind Off. If you are not comfortable with a Tubular Bind Off, you can substitute a regular cast off.**

Weave in ends.

**If you are not comfortable with the Tubular Bind On/Off, do not mix cast on/off techniques. For example, do not start your project with a Tubular Bind On and finish with a regular cast off. You should instead use a regular cast on and regular bind off.

We’d love to see your work. Tag us on Instagram with #MizutamariSnood @rakugaki.knitwear.

Sokudo Headband

速度 (Sokudo)
Velocity /vəˈlɑsət̮i/
1 : the speed of something in a particular direction
2 : high speed

Is it a sign of getting old when the dorky clothes of your childhood come back to haunt you as the “newest” fashion trends? High waisted jeans, baggy sweaters, and oversized hair clips are trickling back in.

I’m sure it happened with the 80’s rehash (that seemingly started in 1991). Were adults in 2003 annoyed with the return of neon accessories and polyester zip ups?

But in the last 20 years of 1987, something has been missing: the wide banded, 80’s style headband. Remember those?

I can almost feel the simple, thick band keeping my ears warm on ski trips and walks to school, allowing my ponytail to peek through, and I’m instantly taken back to my childhood.

There’s just something about it that’s inexplicably tied to my childhood, so I’m creating this pattern to do my part to bring it back. Why should leg warmers have all the fun?

Here’s a simple pattern to make your own, in just a few hours (allowing generous time for those who may knit a little slower than others). This is also a marvelous stash-buster, so feel free to make multiples and tie up those loose ends, so to speak.

Bonus points if you use 80’s neon colors.

I know you’ll love it.

Sokudo Headband Pattern

Materials

32-40 grams worsted weight yarn (approximately 65-80 yards). You should be able to make several headbands with one skein. Example image uses We Are Knitters Pima Cotton, Caron Simply Soft, and Lion Brand Hometown.

Size 8 double pointed or circular needles (16” cord recommended)

Stitch marker

Pattern Details

Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows equal 4×4 inches (10 cm)

Finished headband measures 18” (S/M), 21” (L/XL), 14” (children’s)

Pattern is worked in one piece, then folded along the seam.

Instructions

Cast on 78 (90,60) using traditional cast on method.

Place marker and join for knitting in the round.

Rows 1-14: Knit all stitches

If creating a double sided headband, switch colors. Otherwise continue with same yarn.

Row 15: Purl all stitches

Rows 16-30: Knit all stitches

Cast off: Fold your headband in half crosswise with knit stitches facing outwards. Use the purl row as the halfway point. If you switched colors, tie your ends together tightly and trim (they will be sewn into the inside of the headband and you do not need to weave them in).

Pick up your first knit stitch and the first stitch from your first row and knit them together. Continue along the seam until all stitches are cast off.

Once folded, pick up stitches around the edge to cast off. Example image is We Are Knitters Pima Cotton.

Weave in the remaining end.

***Please note, your headband will only stretch as far as your cast-off edge. Cast off loosely to avoid a tight, rigid band.

We’d love to see your work. Tag us on Instagram with #sokudoheadband @rakugaki.knitwear.

Sekiun Baby Blanket

積雲 (Sekiun)
Cumulus /ˈkyo͞omyələs/ 
1 : heap, accumulation. 
2 : a dense puffy cloud form having a flat base and rounded outlines often piled up like a mountain

I’ll admit it—I slept with my baby blanket until I was seven or eight years old. I still have it at my home, packed safely away in a box, lest it disintegrate and blow away like dandelion seeds in the wind. It is (or was) a soft white with satin edges and kept me warm and safe, or hidden in a makeshift fort.

Earlier last year, a good friend announced his wife’s pregnancy to the office. I had never made a blanket before, nor anything else that large, but I had a vacation scheduled a week later, it was the perfect time to start something from scratch.

Thus, this blanket pattern was born.

Reminiscent of the blanket I had growing up, the textured edges provide a nice contrast to this ultra soft yarn. It’s so easy to work, you can knit it on a long car ride, or between other projects. Whether for your own baby, or created as a gift to welcome new life into the world, this cloud-soft blanket is made for swaddling.

Sekiun Blanket Pattern

Materials

3 skeins worsted weight yarn (approximately 510 g). Example used in image is Caron Simply Soft Yarn in Soft Pink

Size 8 (5mm) circular needles, 60 inch recommended

Stitch markers (2)

Pattern Details

Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows equal 4×4 inches (10 cm)

Finished blanket measures approximately 42×36 inches

K: Knit

P: Purl

Seed Stitch: After your first row, knit stitches should be purled and purl stitches should be knit, creating an alternating pattern of bumps and divots

Instructions

Cast on 188 stitches.

Work rows 1-10 in seed stitch. K1, P1 to end of row.

Row11: k1,P1, repeat 5 times (10 stitches total).

Place marker. Knit 168 (until 10 stitches remain). Place marker. P1K1 to end of row.

Repeat to row 206 (approximately 33 inches).

Work 10 rows in seed stitch (if the previous row starts with a knit stitch, start your row with a purl; if the previous row starts with a purl stitch, start your row with a knit).

Cast off and weave in ends.

We’d love to see your work. Tag us on Instagram with #sekiunbabyblanket @rakugaki.knitwear.