Cross-Stitch from the UK

Here is another example of the P-value cross-stitch guide.  These images come to us from Ned in the United Kingdom.  His girlfriend, Sara, stitched up the piece for their friend  - a Lecturer in Psychology - at the University of Oxford. 

Thanks to Ned for the pictures.  And hope your friend enjoys!

A Hat for Keagan

My aunt bought my daughter her first winter coat. Its mint green and lilac. And I've been meaning to knit a new hat for the little girl, too. What a great time to do so. And I don't have to decide the colors.

It also works out that I don't have to choose a pattern. Before she was born, my husband and I created a little hat for her, a little bug hat. But she has the curse of a large head (from me) and outgrew it in about 4 days.


So, her new hat is like her old hat, but bigger and different colors. I decided to write up the pattern as I went and share it with the world. It is my first time writting a knitting pattern, so hopefully its understandable. I'd love comments or pictures if you make it!

Keagan's Bug Hat

Fits about size 6-9 months. Finished size: 7.25" by 6" tall , when laid flat.

Uses less than half a skein each of 2 colors of yarn. I used I love this Cotton in a light purple and a light green.

Worked on size 6 DPNs.

Cast on 64 stitches with the long tail method. Distribute evenly among 3 dpns.

Rows 1-5: Work in 2x2 ribbing around in one color.
Row 6-35ish: Work in stockinette stitch around. Change colors after every 5 rows.

Bind off using your favorite method.

With seam line (where color changes occurred) at the middle back, stitch the top of the hat together, except for the last 5 stitches in each corner. I don't know what the name of the stitch I used is, and you may know of a neater way to do it. But I basically used a mattress stitch to join the two sides.

In one corner, pick up the last 5 stitches and use it to make I-cord. I changed the color every 5 rows again. My I-cords are about 8" long each. When you're done with the first corner, cut the yarn and go to the second.

Weave in all your ends and that's it! A hat with little bug antenna.

Notes:

• My daughter likes to chew on the cords, so I'm glad I made them long.
• You can make your color change at any point you'd like. If you want smaller or larger rows, or a mix, go for it!
• I also made her a scarf to go with it. I just cast on 16 stitches and did 2x2 ribbing for about 33 inches,changing color every 10 rows. Oh, I also slipped the first stitch of each row.
  

New Cross Stitch Pattern

I've got a great idea for a new cross-stitch pattern. But it's proving to be quite difficult. I don't want to spoil the surprise yet. But here is a hint.

To Revise or Not to Revise

Recently, each time I make a t-distribution plushie I am not quite 100% satisfied. I am just not really that happy with it's shape and size.

I tell my statistics students that as n increased the t-distribution approaches the standard normal distribution. But if you look at my plushies, this is not the case.

The green standard normal plushie is considerably shorter than the t-distribution plushie. I don't agree with this.


I know what the problem is. I used R to create my patterns. Both pdfs go from -4 to 4 on the x-axis. But, when I copied over the images to a image editing software, to clean them up and size them, I didn't keep the heights the same, I should have.

So, even though both are correct, my t-distribution is taller than my z-distribution by about 2 inches. I just need to trim that pattern back. Or make the z-distribution taller. I just don't know which one to do. But I do believe I should do something. These two distributions should look more like each other (when df=200 for t) than they currently do.

Pillows, Magnets, and Patterns

The request for a normal plushie pillow has been met. After creating a large pattern and setting some details with the customer, I finished and shipped the pillow to the other side of the world!


I'm quite pleased with how he came out. I made and shipped just the pillow case (with a zippered opening) to save on shipping. The picture above just has him partly stuffed. Just enough to hold his shape.

Working huge brought up the idea of working tiny. Enter little 3" long magnets!


And, a while ago I listed a p-value cross-stitch piece. It's complete, accurate, and ready to go. But a returning customer who happens to enjoy cross-stitching herself has requested the pattern. So, now you can also buy the pattern for the piece!



I would also like to say, if you have any ideas or suggestions, or if you are reading this after you've stuffed your pillow case or cross-stitched your piece, I'd love to hear about it!