With our blistery fall in full swing, it is a nice time to cozy up to your knitting! –Vanessa

Baby Alpaca Aire Shrug and Hat

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Hat Circumference: 21 ½”, (22 ½)
Shrug to Fit Ladies: S/M, (L/XL)
Shrug from sleeve to sleeve: 46”, (50)

Materials:
Baby Alpaca Aire:
2, (2)—100G balls, color 5011 for Hat
6, (7)—100G balls, color 5011 for Shrug
Gauge:  16 sts, 24 rows= 4” in st st on size 9, 3.75 sts= 1” in brioche stitch on size 9.
Needles: US size 9 straight needles and long circular (for collar of shrug) and short circular (for hat rib), 4 stitch markers.

Brioche Stitch (Multiple of 2 sts)
Note: Work slip sts with yarn in back.
Row 1 (WS): *k1, yo, sl1; rep from * across.
Row 2: k1, *sl the yo st, k2; rep from *, ending with sl yo st, k1.
Row 3: *yo, sl1, k2tog, (the yo st and the next st); rep from * across.
Row 4: *k2, sl the yo st; rep from * across.
Row 5: *k2tog (the yo st and the next st), yo, sl1; rep from * across.
Row 6: k1, *sl the yo st, k2; rep from *, ending with sl yo st, k1.
Repeat rows 3-6 for pattern.

Pattern is written for smallest size, with larger size in parenthesis. If only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Hat
Cast on 80, (84) sts.
Work in Brioche stitch for 7”, (7½), end having worked a WS Row.
(There will actually be 120, (126) strands of yarn on top of the needle in brioche stitch; this is ok!)
Next Row (RS): *k1, k2tog; rep from * across.  80, (84) sts.
Row 1: pf&b, p to end of row. 81, (85) sts.
Row 2: k1, *k2 sts, k2tog; rep from * across. 61, (64) sts.
Row 3 and all WS Rows: purl all sts.
Row 4: k1, *k1 sts, k2tog; rep from * across. 41, (43) sts.
Row 6: k1, *k2tog; rep from * across. 21, (22) sts.
Row 8: k1, (2), *k2tog; rep from * across.  11, (12) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a tail for seaming, and draw through remaining sts. Sew the side seam of the hat.
Rib band: With size 9 short circular, pick up and knit 72, (76) sts along the cast on edge of the hat. Pm and join in the round.
Rib Round: *k1tbl, p1; rep from * around. Repeat this round 6 times more. Bind off all sts in rib.
Weave in all ends.

Shrug
Cast on 74 sts. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 2 ½”, end having worked a RS Row.
(WS) Cast on 12, (22) sts, k across 74 sts, decreasing 4 sts evenly across ribbing. 82, (92) sts.
(RS) Cast on 12, (22) sts, purl to end of row.
94, (114) sts.
Begin working in Brioche stitch.
(There will actually be 141, 171) strands of yarn on top of the needle in brioche stitch, this is ok!)
When Brioche stitch measures 41”, (45), end having worked a WS Row.
(RS): *k1, k2tog; rep from * across. 94, (114) sts on needle.
(WS): Bind off 12, (22) sts, knit to end of row.
(RS): Bind off 12, (22) sts, purl to end of row. 70 sts.
Work in 2×2 ribbing for 2 ½”, increasing 4 sts evenly across first row. Bind off all sts.

Fold the shrug in half and sew the 12, (22) stitch cast on edges of the shrug together with the side edge of the 2 ½” garter band. Repeat this for the other side, where the bind off edges are.
Collar: With RS facing and long circular, start at one of the sleeve seams and pick up and knit 164, (180) sts along the side edge of the shrug to the other sleeve seam, pm for side seam, pick up and knit 164, (180) sts along the other side edge of the shrug, placing a marker on both sides of the center 44 sts (this will mark the back neck), PM to mark beginning of round/side seam. 328, (360) sts.
Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds.
Next Round: Rib to third marker, turn.
Next Round: Rib to next marker, turn.
Next 2 Rounds: Rib to next marker, remove marker, rib 3 sts, replace marker, turn.
Repeat the last 2 rounds until you reach the side seam markers. Then, work across all sts as before in the round, removing the back neck markers.
Work 7 more rounds in ribbing.
Bind off Round: k2, slip these 2 sts back onto the left hand needle and *k2tog through the back loop, slip the new stitch back onto the left hand needle; rep from * around. Cut yarn and weave in all ends.
Block lightly.

©2012 Plymouth Yarn Company.  100112vle

ABBREVIATIONS: dec = decrease, inc = increase, k = knit, k2tog = knit two together,  m1= make one, pf&b= purl into the front and back of stitch, pm= place marker, psso = pass slip stitch over,  p = purl, RS= right side, sl = slip,  SSK =  slip 1 st as if to knit, slip a second st as if to knit, knit them together through the back loop, st(s) = stitch(es), st st = stockinette st,  tbl = through back loop,  tog = together,  WS = Wrong Side, yo = yarn over, wyif = with yarn in front, wyib = with yarn in back

Camino Alpaca

I know many of you love it already because we are sending orders for it left and right!  This 98% Alpaca, 2% Nylon blend is a soft and wonderful yarn.  The color palate includes both brights and neutral shades that have been dyed using a tricolor injection method.  Our customers are telling me it’s the perfect Alpaca to use in projects for men because of the colors and composition of the yarn.  Check out our color card here.

So I asked some of our facebook fans what they most wanted to see a free pattern for today and Camino Alpaca was the clear winner.  Give your favorite yarn shop a call and get started this weekend! You can also try F412 PDF Download for easy printing.

Pattern F412

CAMINO ALPACA
Berry Stitch Hat
To Fit: Adult
Circumference: 21”
Materials: Camino Alpaca: 3—50G skeins, color 102
Gauge:  16 sts, 21 rows = 4” in st st on size 8 needles, 4.75 sts= 1” in Berry Stitch on size 8 needles.
Needles: US Size 8-16” circular, size 8 double points, stitch marker

Berry Stitch (Multiple of 4 sts)
Rounds 1 and 3: Purl
Round 2: *(k1, p1, k1) into next stitch, k3tog; rep from *
Round 4: *k3tog, (k1, p1, k1) into next stitch; rep from *
Repeat these 4 rounds for pattern.

HAT: With size 8 circular, loosely cast on 96 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds, increasing 4 sts evenly across last round. 100 sts.
Begin working in Berry Stitch.
When hat measures 8” from cast on edge, purl across next round, decreasing 16 sts evenly. 84 sts.
Round 1:  *(p5, p2tog); repeat from * (72 sts).
Round 2: purl
Round 3:  *(p4, p2tog); repeat from * (60 sts).
Round 4: purl
Round 5:  *(p3, p2tog); repeat from * (48 sts).
Round 6:  *(p2, p2tog); repeat from * (36 sts).
Round 7:  *(p1, p2tog); repeat from * (24 sts).
Round 8:  *(p2tog); repeat from * (12 sts).
Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

©2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 093011vle