3.07.2011

The Birds and The Bees


A few months ago, I started designing some knitted headbands for my daughter. 
You undoubtedly already saw the Roses Are Red headband that I designed for the latest issue of Knitcircus magazine, but now I have 2 new headband designs to add to my personal pattern collection 
just in time for Spring!

Introducing..  The Birds



and..The Bees

(Modeled by my five year old daughter and her little friend. These girls are so sweet together.)

 

I had so much fun designing these!
This pattern comes in sizes to fit a baby, toddler, or child. 
The band is knit in garter stitch which makes for a nice stretchy fabric that stays in place.
They are super fast to knit up and a GREAT solution for leftover sock yarn.

I chose Louet Gems Fingering weight yarn for these headbands, but really any sock weight yarn would do.

Here is the pattern information for those of you interested in knitting up these headbands for the little one in your life:


SIZE
Baby (Toddler, Child)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Headband: 12 (14, 16)” long, 1.25” wide.
Stretches to fit 15.5 (17.5, 19.5)” head circumference.

MATERIALS
MC Louet Gems fingering weight 100% Merino Wool; 185 yd/169m per 50g skein 1 skein of each color or approx 35 (40, 45) yds of a fingering weight wool or wool blend.

For the Bird Pattern
CC1 color: Aqua #48 or Mustard #1352; 1 skein or 10 yds.
CC2 color: Pewter #43; 1 skein or 10 yds.
CC3 color: Fern Green #39; 1 skein or 5 yds.

For the Bee Pattern
CC1 color: Pewter #43; 1 skein or 10 yds.
CC2 color: Mustard #1352; 1 skein or 10 yds.
CC3 color: Cream #30; 1 skein or 10 yds.

Alternate Yarns: Malabrigo Sock, Spud and Chloe Fine

2 US1 / 2.25mm double pointed needles
Tapestry needle
Small amounts of black embroidery floss for bumblebee’s eyes, bird's eye and legs, and orange for bird's beak
Sewing needle for embroidery
Straight pins



But wait.. there is more! These are not your everyday knitting patterns. No.. not at all. 
These are super special.

As a mother of a little girl, I am always looking for ways to include her in the knitting process. So with this pattern I wanted to do something extra special for kids. Thanks to my awesome graphic designer, Jill, these patterns are beautifully and colorfully illustrated with a hidden picture game just for kids. While you are knitting these up, your little one will have fun trying to find all of the birds and bees in the pattern pages! There is also a fun little riddle for them to figure out. The game instructions are on the cover of each pattern and the answers are found inside. It's super fun! My daughter loved it!

Both "The Birds" and "The Bees" headband patterns are available as individual pdf downloads below.. but I highly suggest that you get the beautiful print version through your local yarn shop!
The printed version is a flip and turn pattern! With one pattern on each side. 2 patterns in 1.

Below you can see 2 copies of the same pattern.  (One is just flipped over.)



Here are some of the fun illustrations that you will find. I love how the inside middle of the printed pattern is a whimsical multi-directional tree, with birds on one side and bees on the other.
Its so fun. I know that the little ones in your life will love it!


I hope you and your family will enjoy this pattern as much as my daughter and I have together. 
It really is a special treat. So much more than just a simple set of instructions.

If you would like to see this pattern in print, please have your local yarn shop owner contact me at nevernotknitting@gmail.com for wholesale information.

Enjoy!






25 comments:

Nic said...

Wow! Now THAT's what I call taking self publishing to the max...and beyond!

Congratulations. And brace yourself. The blog followers and Rav people are gonna go WILD!

Kathryn said...

I love these, what a wonderful idea for using up those last bits!

Suzanne said...

Very cute, Alana.

Bonnie said...

These head bands are adorable! Love them.

Catalina said...

These are sooo cute!

Anonymous said...

I bought these adorable patterns at Stitches -- can't wait to knit them up. I hope you'll design more headbands!

GynnaB said...

too cute!!!! Love em!

Cakewalk Yarns said...

Adorable! I just love the design. Its cute, but not cutesy. Well done, Alana.

Anonymous said...

I saw the pattern and knits at Stitches. They are super cute.

And I'm glad you explained the baby... I thought I'd missed something for awhile!

Ashley said...

I love these headbands! So adorable! Also cute gals, cute pictures, cute pattern approach! Love, love love.

Unknown said...

Can these handbands get any cuter? And the game? How creative are you gals?

Cinnamon said...

Alana these are wonderful! I'm continually impressed with your patterns, and your attention to the small details. Love it.

CeRae said...

Brilliant, as always! There must be an award out there for the prettiest patterns ever :)

Monica de Moss said...

Adorable! Love these and I think they will look so sharp on my granddaughters!

Jodie said...

These are just AWESOME Alana - you truely are so clever...

Hugs - Jodie :)

Anonymous said...

Adorable!!! My little girl is due in late May, I can't wait! I have to make a headband for her.

Julie said...

oh wow, these are so super adorable!! And I love how they would be perfect for destashing the odds and ends.

Tinkie Bean said...

These are awesome...very original!

Poethead said...

Very adorable! Sweet baby too.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea to involve your little one. Such sweetness and I think even with my limited knitting skills I could manage this pattern.

Kate said...

SO precious!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Truly adorable and such a brilliant presentation - love them both!

One Planet said...

Too cute. I almost makes me wish my upcoming grand nephew was a niece!

Anonymous said...

I thought these were the sweetest headbands for spring and then I saw the patterns themselves! Kudos!!!

buttons and beeswax said...

These are just adorable, and the patterns look fantastic, well done!