The Caffeinated Knitter

OCTETTA

2012-01-22T07:38:00.012-05:00

I am back from my hiatus and publishing again! First up: Octetta!

OCTETTA

This is a really versatile pattern that can be worked in a yarn weight of your choosing (lace, fingering, DK or worsted) and worn either with the ruffle at the top or at the bottom. It's one pattern you can use for eight different looks. Fall is a transition season, and you will find that you can pair this cowl with just a cardi or pullover just as well as you can with your favorite peacoat, trench or leather jacket. It's dressy enough to keep on inside the office at your workplace and is sure to draw lots of compliments. I chose my colorways inspired by the hues of autumn in New England, where I grew up. The vivid, clear-blue sky; the brilliant reds of the leaves; the yellow of corn ready for harvest; and of course, the muted green of grass ready to go to sleep in anticipation of the upcoming winter. You can brighten up a gray fall day by wearing one of these cozy cowls. The plush texture pattern will keep the chill away, and the ruffle will emphasize your girly side, whether you wear your cowl with the ruffle top or bottom. With this pattern offered in so many weights, fibers and colors, you'll never be at a loss for something fun to knit, whether or not the particular yarns I've chosen are available when you decide to start knitting this. Choose your yarn, find the appropriate version and treat yourself (or a lucky gift recipient) to a wonderful, new accessory.

Materials:
LACE VERSION:

Malabrigo Lace (470 yards/430 meters/50 grams; 100% Merino wool), 1 skein, or approximately 470 yards of the laceweight yarn of your choice. You will use much less than the full skein of Malabrigo Lace.
Needles: Size 2
Two 1-inch buttons

FINGERING VERSION

Frogtree Alpaca (215 yards/197 meters/50 grams; 100% alpaca), or approximately 215 yards of the fingering weight yarn of your choice
Needles: Size 4
Two 1-inch buttons

DK VERSION:

Skacel Kokon (50 g/175 meters/190 yards;35% Silk, 35% Cotton, 30% Microfiber) 2 skeins, or approximately 225 yards of the DK weight yarn of your choice.
Needles: Size 6
Two 1-inch buttons

WORSTED VERSION

Araucania Nature Wool (242 yards/221 meters/100 grams; 100% wool)1 skein, or 240 yards of the worsted weight yarn of your choice.
Needles: Size 8
Two 1-inch buttons

Pattern Price: $5.50

Thank you for purchasing my pattern. After your payment is processed, the pattern will be sent to you via email attachment within 24 hours, and most likely lots sooner. If for any reason you find an error (horrors!!) or have a question about it, please leave me a comment or hit the contact button up there on the right and I'll help.

If you're on Ravelry, you can get this even sooner by buying this pattern in my Ravelry shop. Just click the "Ravelry Designer" thingie up near the top right of this page and get the immediate .pdf download through Ravelry :)

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!Copyright © 2011The Caffeinated Knitterhttp://thecaffeineatedknitter.blogspot.comAll rights reserved. This pattern is protected by copyright. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form or by any means including but not limited to photocopying, email file attachment or posting on the internet. Completed projects may not be offered for sale.

Malalucie Slouch Hat

2010-01-16T17:14:00.002-05:00

MALALUCIE SLOUCH HAT

Whether you want to make fashion statement or keep yourself snuggly warm on a cold, windy day, this hat will do the job. It's a quick knit, and so comfy and plush that you'll want to make one in each of your favorite colors.

Pattern Price: $4.00

Size 8 needles

(16-inch circular, DPNs or long circular for magic loop; DPNs or long circular for small top decreases)

Tapestry needle

Malabrigo Worsted 1 skein Dark Earth, or 216 yards of any worsted weight yarn in color of your choice

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!Copyright © 2010The Caffeinated Knitterhttp://thecaffeineatedknitter.blogspot.comAll rights reserved. This pattern is protected by copyright. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form or by any means including but not limited to photocopying, email file attachment or posting on the internet. Completed projects may not be offered for sale.

Lucinesque

2010-01-16T16:36:00.006-05:00

LUCINESQUE

Whether you want to make fashion statement or keep yourself snuggly warm on a cold, windy day, this cowl will do the job. It's a quick knit, and so comfy and plush that you'll want to make one in each of your favorite colors.

Pattern Price: $4.00

Size 8 needles

(16-inch circular, DPNs or long circular for magic loop)

Tapestry needle

Malabrigo Worsted 1 skein Emerald, or 216 yards of any worsted weight yarn in color of your choice

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Baby Bunwarmers

2010-01-09T13:23:00.004-05:00

Nothing could be cozier for kiddos than a pair of these cute pants. These are so fast and fun to knit that you'll want to make a pair for all the little ones in your life. The self-patterning yarn makes them look deceptively impressive. They're comfy enough for play and cozy enough to use as jammies. Offered in 8 sizes from newborn to 4T.

Pattern Price $5.00

Materials

Size US 6 16-inch circular knitting needle (or long size 6 circular needle if you use the magic loop method of knitting in the round)

Size US 6 double-pointed knitting needles; set of 4

5 stitch markers (4 alike and 1 different)

Tapestry needle

*Crochet hook size D (optional; see finishing note)

45-inch shoelace in color which coordinates with your yarn choice

Bernat Baby Jacquards, 1 (1,1,1,2,2,2,2) skein(s) (100 g/346 yd) ***Easter Basket

(or yarn and color of your choice in to give gauge below)

Gauge: 23 stitches and 30 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch knit in the round.

Finished Sizes:

0-3 months

3-6 months

6-9 months

9-12 months

18-21 months

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Copyright © 2009The Caffeinated Knitterhttp://thecaffeineatedknitter.blogspot.comAll rights reserved. This pattern is protected by copyright. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form or by any means including but not limited to photocopying, email file attachment or posting on the internet. Completed projects may not be offered for sale.

F.i.n.a.l.l.y.

2010-01-03T08:05:00.004-05:00

So, you know I'm cheap as hell, right? I soften that truth my saying I'm not a yarn snob. And that I have coveted All The Stuff The Real Knitters Use, right? Now, don't get me wrong--I have a sweater on the needles at this very moment which is acrylic--and I will wear and and I will like it very much because in addition to being cheap, I'm also a tiny bit lazy when it comes to clothing that requires hand washing or dry cleaning, and I really, REALLY don't want to block a garment after each few wearings. I mean, come on! That's valuable knitting time gone to waste.
But....it's been bugging me a little. I mean--I'm 45 years old. I have a job. I am an obsessed knitter and yarnaholic, so why am still a Mmmmmmalabrigo virgin? That's ridiculous.
Well, not for much longer. Lookie, lookie!

this

and

this too

and if that wasn't enough,

even this!

That last one? I actually bought that colorway, but in the laceweight.

SO IN A COUPLE OF DAYS I WILL BE RICH WITH MALABRIGO. Yes. Me. ME. Woot!

What should I do? Design something? A shawl? A cowl? Fingerless gloves? OH, I almost forgot (I have Menopause Brain). I didn't think I should go on my first date with Mmmmmmalabrigo with any old tired needles, so I threw caution to the wind and gave in:

These are now mine mine mine.

They arrived yesterday and are patiently awaiting the arrival of the Mmmmalabrigo. It seemed apropos that I would keep myself occupied and anticipatory by spending yesterday listening to the Savvy Girls podcast episode entitled "Malabrigo Day!"

Also, I'm about ready to launch the pattern for the baby pants I've been working on. I have had to knit a bunch of different sizes, and I'm awaiting photos of them being worn by Actual Babies, but I might go ahead and publish the pattern prior to receiving those photos. Because you know--the sooner I start selling that pattern, the sooner I can get mmmmmore Mmmmmalabrigo. Simple logic.

If I fall off the face of the earth for a while, just assume I'm spending quality time with my yarn.

Frostbeat

2009-11-07T14:53:00.006-05:00

FROSTBEAT

Don't let icy ears keep you from enjoying the great outdoors when the temperature plummets. You can easily knit your Frostbeat in an evening. This is a truly unisex, reversible accessory. Offered in 4 sizes, it's great for kids and adults.

FROSTBEAT

Materials

Size US 7 16-inch circular knitting needle (or size 7 straight knitting needles if knitting flat)

1stitch marker (if knitting in the round)

Tapestry needle

Patons Classic Wool Merino, much less than 1 skein (100 g/226 yd)

(or yarn and color of your choice in to give gauge below)

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches

Finished Sizes:

Child 2-8 yrs. (head circumference up to 18.5 in.)

Adult Small (head circumference up to 20 in.)

Adult Medium (head circumference up to 22 in.)

Adult Large (head circumference up to 24 in.)

NOTE: This is a reversible accessory. The inside is not identical to the outside (see photos), but both are fine to use as the "public" side.

CO 78 (90, 96, 102)

To knit in the round:

Place marker and join to knit in the round. The first 6 and last 6 stitches of each round form the narrower portion that is worn at the nape of the neck.

Round 1: K6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) around to last 6 stitches; K6.

Round 2: K6, *(K1, P1, K4) around to last 6 stitches; K6

Round 3: P6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) around to last 6 stitches; P6.

Round 4: P6, *(K1, P1, K4) around to last 6 stitches; P6

Round 5: K6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) around to last 6 stitches; K6.

Round 6: K6, *(K1, P1, K4) around to last 6 stitches; K6

Round 7: P6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) around to last 6 stitches; P6.

Round 8: P6, *(K1, P1, K4) around to last 6 stitches; P6

Round 9: K6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) around to last 6 stitches; K6.

Round 10: K6, *(K1, P1, K4) around to last 6 stitches; K6

Round11: P6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) around to last 6 stitches; P6.

Round 12: P6, *(K1, P1, K4) around to last 6 stitches; P6

Repeat rounds 1-12 until piece measures 2 1/2 to 3 inches, or desired depth, ending with any even-numbered round.

Bind off as follows: *K2 tog. Place resulting stitch back on left needle. Repeat from * around. Weave in ends.

To knit Flat:

CO 78 (90, 96, 102)

The first 6 and last 6 stitches of each round form the narrower portion that is worn at the nape of the neck.

Row 1: (Right side) K6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) across to last 6 stitches; K6.

Row 2: P6, *(P4, K1, P1) across to last 6 stitches; P6

Row 3: P6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) across to last 6 stitches; P6.

Row 4: K6, *(P4, K1, P1) across to last 6 stitches; K6

Row 5: K6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) across to last 6 stitches; K6.

Row 6: P6, *(P4, K1, P1) across to last 6 stitches; P6

Row 7: P6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) across to last 6 stitches; P6.

Row 8: K6, *(P4, K1, P1) across to last 6 stitches; K6

Row 9: K6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) across to last 6 stitches; K6.

Row 10: P6, *(P4, K1, P1) across to last 6 stitches; P6

Row 11: P6, *(K1, P1, K1, P3) across to last 6 stitches; P6.

Row 12: K6, *(P4, K1, P1) across to last 6 stitches; K6

Repeat rows 1-12 until piece measures 2 1/2 to 3 inches, or desired depth, ending with any even-numbered row.

Bind off as follows: *K2 tog. Place resulting stitch back on left needle. Repeat from * across. Sew back center seam. Weave in ends.

The Caffeinated Knitter

http://thecaffeineatedknitter.blogspot.com

All rights reserved. This pattern is protected by copyright. No part of this pattern may be reproduced in any form or by any means including but not limited to photocopying, email file attachment or posting on the internet. Completed projects may not be offered for sale. If you find an errors in this pattern, or have any questions about it, please feel free to contact me via Ravelry or my contact link on the top right of this page.

My Poor Blog

2009-11-07T14:08:00.004-05:00

Oh, life! My poor blog feels like an orphan. Did you wonder if I just gave up knitting? Naaaaah! I could never! Did you think I won the lottery and ran off to some exotic island where I lounge around all day ordering drinks with umbrellas in them from cabana boys? I wish!

The truth is so much less glamorous. Like so many of you, the economic situation has forced me out of my little cave of comfort and sent me on getting myself educated for a different career, EVEN THOUGH I'M TOO OLD FOR THAT. So...my knitting time has sort been robbed from me. I have projects in actual hibernation that I haven't even had time to say are in hibernation on my Ravelry page. Bleh!

In the meantime, the younger generation of my family has been shooting out new babies like Pez dispensers. I have put my foot down in protest of my current state of no knitting time, and did knit some stuff for the babies. Thanks to these same babies forcing my hand (er...my needles), I got the itch back. I mean, a life without knitting and minimal podcast-listening-time is not for me. Yeah--I have to get up earlier and stay up later, but damn it! I gotta knit!

Armed with my usual overdose of caffeine and a little bit of machine-washable yarn (because we know that new parents are not exactly overloaded with spare time to hand wash and dry clean their kids' clothes), I made a couple of baby outfits.

This one is for Logan, my great-nephew.

Cute, right? See the pants? I designed those and am in the process of writing the pattern, making all the sizes (there will be sizes from newborn to 4T) and sending them to the people who currently have babies in the sizes I've made, for modeling/photographing purposes. And of course, they keep the pants, duh.
Here's another size, with accompanying outfit. This set went to another great-nephew, Jackson:

While I was at it, I made him this matching blanket, which is a super-easy and lovely FREE pattern I found on Ravelry. It's the Heart Blankie designed by Sue Falcone. What a fun and fast knit! I will definitely make it again.

I used Bernat Softee Baby Solids and Marls for this, and for Logan's outfit above I used Bernat Baby Jacquards. The pattern for the pants is going to be written for Bernat Baby Jacquards, but just because if I have to knit eleventy billion pairs, they have to give me some visual interest along the way.

Other than that, I've been working on a new free pattern for something I'll show you really soon. Like...in another blog post 10 minutes from now. :)
As usual, in order to leave a comment, please click on the title of this post; it won't work from this page for whatever reason.

Plugging Podcasts

2009-01-23T19:21:00.004-05:00

Do you love podcasts? I do--I love them. My quality of life would really take a steep downhill curve without my podcasts. I have a list of podcasts over there on the right side of the blog, cleverly listed under...um..."Podcasts."

Right now, I'm especially loving She-Knits, Never Not Knitting, and the good old standby, Stash and Burn the best. That's not to say I don't love all my knitting podcasts; I do--but there are times when I get on a bender of sticking with a certain few. I'm on jag of listening to these three a lot lately.

I spent a lovely late afternoon today listening to Never Not Knitting. This is a semi-newish podcast that I loved from my first listen. I was sitting on my bed this afternoon, workng on Mr. Greenjeans number two, listening to episode 9, totally entertained 100% of the time. I was totally identifying with Alana as she talked about her Shopping Curse, which I also have. I'm not just a carrier; I have a full-blown case of Shopping Curse myself. I regularly put items in my cart, only to over-think every aspect of the proposed purchase until I either
a) freeze with the inability to decide on a color/style/size or b) talk myself out of it entirely. I may even have a more serious case of this than Alana does, because I do this not only in brick and mortar stores of all types, but also in online store shopping carts. Yeah. Hmmm.

During episode 10, Alana gave a lovely tour through the winter issue of Twist Collective, a drool-worthy treasure trove of patterns designed by lots of the celebrities of the knitting world. Never Not Knitting, the blog in and of itself is a feast for the eyes and the mind with just the right balance of knitting-related prose, informative links, Alana's designs, STUNNING photography, and of course, the podcast. The podcast itself is very well done, with professional-grade sound effects, knitting stories sent in by listeners, contests and humor. Please, please make a point to listen to the ENTIRE theme song at the end of the podcast. If you're a knitter, you'll swear to God this song was written about you. This is absolutely the most clever theme song I've heard on any podcast of any genre. If you haven't listened to Never Not Knitting, you must! You MUST! Leave this blog and go there now!

She-Knits is another of my top faves right now when it comes to podcasts. Sharon Dreifuss is a WONDERFUL podcaster who treats the listeners as her own cyber knitting circle, warmly including us in her daily life as a wife and mother of seven children, as well as her burgeoning career as a successful knitting designer. If you've heard of the Dumpling Bag, that's one of Sharon's designs that was just published in Interweave Knits in the fall issue. This is just one of the designs Sharon has had published in major knitting venue's of late. In addition, Sharon also sells knitting kits for all of her lovely felted bag designs as well as the actual bags themselves as custom orders. Her bags are unique and beautiful. It's definitely worth your time to head over to her website and look for yourself.

Sharon's podcast reminds me with every listen just how much we all have in common as women, as knitters, as wives, as mothers, as....human beings! Like Sharon, I work out of my house and am also a designer who has dabbled in not only selling my own designs directly but also submitting to various knitting publications, experiencing both the dashed hopes of rejection and also the wild elation of acceptance. I LOVE She-Knits. I feel like I'm good friends with Sharon and I've never even met her. You'll feel the same as soon as you listen. I love listening to this one while I'm doing chores around the house, going for walks, cooking, etc. You will too. Go listen to Sharon at your first opportunity.

I know you already must know about Stash and Burn, but what can I say? I love Nicole and Jenny!!! Could there be a more entertaining pair of knitters? I wonder if they know what celebrities they've become in our knitting world? Jenny Nicole are singlehandedly (doublehanded....ly?) responsible for a HUGE amount of the enrichment in my knitting life. If you want a heads-up to be right on the cutting edge of anything and everything in the knitting world, both real and cyber, head over to Stash and Burn. You'll never look back!

Okay--that's enough blabbing for now. I'm at a crucial point in my Mr. Greenjeans and it's time for Ghost Whisperer to come on! Have a nice weekend, everybody :))

Autumn Lattice Beanie

2009-01-22T11:51:00.004-05:00

AUTUMN LATTICE BEANIE

When the first chill of fall fills the air, everyone in your family can reach for one of these woolly beanies, offered in four sizes here. Whether you want to pick apples, jump in a pile of leaves, chop wood, build a snowman, ski, or ice skate on a frosty pond, this beanie will keep you cozy and warm!

Pattern Price $4.50

Size US 8 16-inch circular knitting needle (alternately, this hat can be made on double-pointed needles)

Size US 8 double-pointed knitting needles; set of 4

Stitch marker

Tapestry needle

Patons SWS, 1 skein (80 g/110 yd) each of:

Color A: Natural Coal

Color B: Natural Earth

(***or two colors of your choice in worsted weight yarn to give gauge below)

Gauge: 20 stitches equal 4 inches in stockinette chart pattern knit in the round.

Finished Sizes:

18 months-4 years (head circumference 20 inches)

Child/Adult Small (head circumference 21 inches).

Adult Medium (head circumference 22 inches)

Adult Large (head circumference 23 inches)

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-21T22:53:00.003-05:00

So! I've been away from my blog for like....ten million years! Okay-six weeks? Something like that? The holidays were totally joyful and oh so busy for me--you too, I bet. But it's a new year with tons of knitting ahead, yarn to buy, patterns to browse, coffee to inhale....good times!

It's not that I haven't been knitting; I have. I have pictures to prove it. The first thing I have to tell you, though, is that I was given a new slurp machine/coffee maker for Christmas! It's a Bunn and it works like m-a-g-i-c. MAGIC, did you hear me? I swear on a full bag of Rowan Kidsilk Haze that it will make 10 cups in a minute and a half. :) Life is good.

I started and finished several goodies since I last posted here. Did I mention my friend who worked in a freezing cold office and wanted fingerless gloves? Yes--Yes I did, in the Violet Dahlia post. Well, I made them. The only thing is--she doesn't have that job anymore. Grrrr. Let's cross our un-gloved fingers that she will find a better job in an even colder office. Anyway, here they are:

I also made two of those Ribbed Lace Boleros for my daughters. I'll only post photos of one of them because let's face it--do you really want to see two identical black boleros? I didn't think so. I think I discovered something about Vanna's Choice Yarn from Lion Brand. Depending on where you buy it, it seems to be of different quality/softness. I bought this at Wal-Mart and it felt pretty okay, but I've seen touched that brand in Michael's and Joann's, and it felt markedly softer there. It seems that whatever Wal-Mart has is not as good. Maybe that's relative. Maybe this yarn just is not very good. For one thing, it's fatter than worsted weight yarn, which is how it's classified. It's at least aran and on the road heading to bulky if you ask me. Another thing--after wearing her shrug for half a day, my daughter's shrug grew and stretched by leaps and bounds. I washed it it make it go back to its original shape and IT PILLED. Yeah, people. Lint ball city. Ugh. I'll never use it again. The shrugs still look good from a distance:

What else....OH!!!! I made one of my daughters a Mr. Greenjeans. That's a sweater--a hugely popular pattern from Knitty. I did make some modifications. I made it longer, for one thing, and also gave it long sleeves. I guess teenagers aren't that much into the 3/4 length sleeve when it comes to cardigans. This had to be the fastest sweater I ever knit. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Mushroom and She.Loves.This.Sweater. So do I. In the photo, she is not the one wearing it because she's the photographer, so her sister is modeling it for us. It's a wee bit big on this model, but it fits the recipient to a teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee; like a glove, baby.

I have such a love for this sweater that I'm in the midst of making one for myself as we speak/read/write/knit. I'll show it to you pretty soon.

I made a black Scrunchable Scarf for a friend of my daughter's for Christmas, too. See the picture? You don't? Guess why? The Caffeinated Knitter got stooooopid and forgot to take a picture of it. Have you ever done that? And it's not like you can call the person and say...um...can you come back with that scarf I made you so I can maybe tie it to a tree or lay it on the grass to take a picture of it? No. They would think you were insane. So that one is picture-less. Bleh.

There's more, and new patterns coming too, but this is a novel already. Are you still reading all the way down here? Bless ya. :))

Ribbon Candy Hat

2008-11-17T20:20:00.006-05:00

Ribbon Candy Hat
People have been requesting a hat pattern that matches the Ribbon Candy Stocking. If you decide to make this hat in other than holiday colors (think brights, pastels or earth tones), it can be worn all winter long. With four sizes offered here, you can make one for everyone!

Pattern Price: $4.50

Thank you for purchasing my pattern. After your payment is processed, the pattern will be sent to you via email attachment within 24 hours, and most likely lots sooner. If for any reason you find an error (horrors!!) or have a question about it, please leave me a comment or hit the contact button up there on the right and I'll help. Happy Holidays!
If you're on Ravelry, you can get this even sooner by buying this pattern in my Ravelry shop. Just click the "Ravelry Designer" thingie up near the top right of this page and get the immediate .pdf download through Ravelry :)

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

The Violet Dahlia

2008-11-11T08:42:00.003-05:00

True to my promise to myself, I made a popular knitting design that I found on Ravelry. I'm actually going to make two of these, and this is the first one. The pattern is called Dahlia. The coolest part about this pattern is that the designer is a teenage girl. Isn't that incredible? This is one of the first times in my life that I made the garment in a color similar to the original, but that's just because it's the color my daughter chose for it. This was some of the yarn I bought from Knitting Warehouse during my most recent online S.E.X. (get your mind out of the gutter; that means Stash Enhancement Expedition!!!) session.

I know that using Caron Simply Soft for a major garment may seem cheap and ridiculous to some people, but you have to keep in mind that this is for a teenager who may someday move out (one can hope, right??) and who may one day do her own laundry (I'm a hell of a daydreamer) without my supervision. Whatever I make for other people must be washable, dryable and affordable for a prolific knitter such as myself to make for him/her. Once again, my aspirations to ever become a yarn snob are taking a back seat to my inherent thrift. The Violet Dahlia was finished when my daughter got home from school yesterday, and she squealed and put it on immediately. She could not have been any happier had I made it out of 100% cashmere.
...

Okay, that might be a lie. She might have been happier in that case.

If you're looking at the original pattern and then at my version, you'll see that at the request of my daughter I "depoofed" the sleeves and replaced the picot edging with four rows of 1 x 1 ribbing:

The next one is going to be magenta :))

The next project I'm going to complete will be the Ribbed Lace Bolero, of which I will also be making two, if not three. This is going to be in black. I've started the first one and am using Lion Brand Vanna's Choice yarn. This is the first time I've ever tried this yarn. For an acrylic, it's not bad. No squeaking to speak of (okay, I do realize that my low threshold for yarny goodness is showing again). I'm a little put off by the fatness of this supposed worsted-weight yarn. It seems more like an aran weight to me. Never in a million years would I substitute this for a worsted weight yarn in a pattern in which gauge is terribly crucial without making a very careful gauge swatch. I'm not a big huge fan of swatching (who is???) but diving into any project with this yarn without making one is a prescription for disappointment and possible impulsive impaling of someone/something with a knitting needle when you begin to seethe with rage. This bolero will be for my other daughter. The Violet Dahlia daughter also wants the exact same thing in the same color, depending on her critique of how Ribbed Lace Bolero #1 comes out.

A while back I made a black Scrunchable Scarf. The other day when the temperature plummeted to 60 degrees one of my kids wore it to school. This prompted a request for one exactly like it from one of her friends, and that scarf will be next in the queue. You know, that's one dark purple top followed by three black things. I better intersperse that lineup with something made with some yarn in a lighter color. Most of my knitting is done in the evening, and my aging eyes and black yarn don't get along so well under those circumstances. I find myself more and more often needing to knit with dark yarns in natural daylight. Hmmm. Hmmm. My friend just started a new job, and her office is chilly. She has asked if I would make her some fingerless gloves, so I'll make a pair of those. I have two skeins of ONline Supersocke Beach Colors that I don't want to really use to make socks because there is a high cotton content. I didn't realize that when I bought it, and I think that yarn would be perfect for some stripy fingerless gloves to wear in Florida, don't you? Not too hot, and the cotton content is less dangerous when you don't have to worry about socks falling down, right?

That's a lot of knitting projects lined up, isn't it? I'm hoping to write and post another pattern this month, as well. Bring on the Red Bull.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Purdy Purdy Socks

2008-11-07T10:30:00.004-05:00

So, I did finish those socks, and here's the proof:

Wonderful, mindless, self-striping, socky goodness. These are mental health socks. Knitting these was like going on vacation. Who invented self-striping sock yarn? It's done with computers, right? Whatever...it's genius. It makes me grateful to be living in this day and age. We've come so far since we bought yarn in the grocery store. Don't believe me? It's true--it was right next to the sneakers in the olden days. Yes--you could buy SNEAKERS (not skateboard shoes, not running shoes, not tennis shoes, not basketball shoes, sigh) the same place you could buy food, including white sugar. We didn't even wear bike helmets to ride there, either, and lived to tell about it and grow up to knit purdy socks with super-cool-computer-generated-self-striping-superwash-even-though-it's-actual-wool yarn.

Oh, I almost forgot; they match:

They aren't different lengths; that's a positional thing or a camera thing or the person wearing them didn't pull them on evenly. You know why these pictures were taken indoors instead of out in the yard in the light of the lovely Florida sun like some of my other stuff? Because I think the neighbors are starting to talk. I might be turning into the neighborhood Crazy Lady. Well...they do see me out in the yard taking photographs of socks and stuff; for instance, Christmas stockings stuck to the sides of palm trees. Then they catch glimpses of me walking around the neighborhood with my mp3 player, giggling to myself as I listen to my podcasts. Oh my God--what if they can't see that I'm using earbuds??? What if all they see is this nutty chick walking along in the wrong sneakers not intended for walking but for maybe jogging or running (God forbid!), laughing her head off all alone walking around the streets? Could this be the reason I never get trick-or-treaters???? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... ;))

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Ribbon Candy Stocking

2008-11-02T19:12:00.012-05:00

RIBBON CANDY STOCKING

Pattern Price: $5.00

Swirling stripes of red, green and cream reminiscent of festive holiday candy adorn this stocking. The hanging loop is knit in.

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Chili Weather

2008-10-28T09:07:00.005-05:00

An actual cold snap has come to Florida! The temperature plummeted to 53 degrees this morning. I almost had to close the windows!

A day like this is the kind that makes you want to wear socks--handknit socks of COURSE--and dash into the kitchen to get a nice hot pot of chili going. If I were still in the northeast, I'd say, "Today is a good day to make stew." I ought to bake something, too! I'm having the kind of morning I love: I'm wearing sweatpants, which is something I can only do a couple of times per year here in the Sweaty State; I had time to listen to an episode of She-Knits this morning; and I've started a new pair of socks, similar to the Laziest Socks Ever, but I think this yarn is so gorgeous:

I'm still crazy about self-striping sock yarn. Has it lost its appeal for you? I bought this about a year ago from Little Knits (My God what good sales they have!!! hurrygobuysomeyarntheresaidthesubliminalvoiceinyourhead). It's On Line Supersocke in one of the City colorways. It's superwash. So far, I have refused to make socks out of any yarn that has to be hand-washed. It just doesn't seem practical to me. Knowing me, I'd accidentally throw them in the washer and dryer and felt them to death. Then I'd have to cry, and I don't want to do that. Anyway, this is just a "plain vanilla" sock. No pattern, nothing exciting. Cast on 64 stitches, then turn your brain off till you look down and you're holding a finished sock. Rinse and repeat. The fun part is seeing the various color patterns emerge. I have one worry: While winding this ball, I found a knot. Yeah. A Dreaded Knot. You know what that means with self-striping yarn, right? The color sequence is going to be messed up right there. I'll have to briefly turn my brain back on at that point, to make sure I can make the correct color striping sequence continue. Unlike The Laziest Socks Ever, I'm going to try to make this pair match.

I have a new Christmas stocking blocking on the dining room table. I have to put the finishing touches on the pattern and take pictures, and then I'm going to show you that in the next few days. I was chomping at the bit to finish it because I have received this:

I bet you can't guess what's in there!!!!
Oh, you guessed yarn...am I really that transparent?

I haven't allowed myself to open that box yet. It's still sealed, in my closet. I put in an order at Knitting Warehouse, which is a great online place to buy yarn. I always go there when I am getting Lion Brand or Caron or Bernat yarns. They don't carry a ton of brands, but they have flat-rate shipping of $5.99 and they are always 100% accurate and incredibly fast. This is my first real yarn purchase since the Great Knitting Slump ended. It contains yarn to make some of the stuff that's in my unrealistically long Ravelry queue. I've optimistically planned to make five sweaters, among other things. I'll have to elaborate on that in another post. I also bought some of the new sock yarn from Red Heart, called Heart and Sole. You have to buy two skeins to make a pair of socks, but a skein is only $4.69 which appeals to my cheap side. Once again, I'm sadly reminded that I'll never be a yarn snob no matter how much I plan to start being one.

Well, enough prattling on! I have to get back outside in my fleece jacket/socks/sweatpants before it gets back up to 80 degrees.

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Sparkling Sleigh Bells Stocking

2008-10-23T14:00:00.005-05:00

Here's the solution to that holiday sparkly acrylic you bought on sale last year after the holidays were over :) Ho Ho Ho!!!

SPARKLING SLEIGH BELLS STOCKING

This is a generously-sized stocking to hold lots of goodies

Stocking

Size 7 16-inch circular needle

Size 7 double-pointed needles, set of four

Stitch Marker

Various holiday-themed craft charms and/or alphabet beads to make recipient’s name, and/or jingle bells

Small craft ring (wood or metal), holiday-themed ribbon, or metallic cord suitable for making hanging loop of your choice. Instructions for knitted hanger (not pictured) included.

Finished Size: Approximately 8 inches wide x 20 inches long

Yarn:

Red Heart Holiday, 3 skeins in colors A, B and C of your choice (Any worsted-weight yarn can be used). For stocking pictured, the following yarns were used:

A: Cream (Aran/Gold) 1 skein 3.5 oz/100 g/*251 yds/230 m

B: Red/Green variegated (Victorian/Gold) 1 skein 3.5 oz/100 g/ *214 yds/196 m

C: Green (Green/Silver) 1 skein 3.5 oz/100 g/ *251 yds/230 m

Gauge: Not crucial. Per label:

20 stitches/28 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch using size 7 needles

*Color B (Victorian/Gold) as above contains less yardage than A or C.

NOTE: When changing colors, pick up new color under strand of old color to avoid holes.

With A, cast 72 stitches onto 16-inch needle, place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Round 1: *(K2, P2) around.

Round 2: Knit.

Rounds 3-12: Repeat rounds 1 and 2 five times.

Do not cut color A; join color B.

Rounds 13-19: With B, knit.

Round 20: With A, knit.

Do not cut Color B; join color C.

Rounds 21-27: With C, knit.

Round 28: With A, knit.

Rounds 29-76: Repeat rounds 13-28 three more times. Cut B and C.

Heel Setup Rows

Row 1: With A, K 18, turn.

Row 2: P 36, turn. Leave remaining 36 (instep) stitches on stitch holder (or on one needle if using double-pointed needles).

Modified Band Heel

Row 1: *Slip 1, K 1. Repeat across.
Row 2: Slip 1, P to end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 three more times, ending by purling a row.

Begin turning heel:

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7: *Slip 1, K 1. Repeat across.

Row 2: Slip 1, P 10, P2tog, P 10, P2tog, P 11.

Row 4: Slip 1, P9, P2tog, P 10, P2tog, P10.
Row 6: Slip 1, P8, P2tog, P 10, P2tog, P9.

Row 8: Slip 1, P 7, P2tog, P 10, P2tog, P8.

28 stitches on the needle.

Row 9: Repeat Row 1.

Row 10: Slip 1, P 6, P2tog, P 10, P2tog.Turn.

Row 11: (Slip 1, K1) 6 times. Turn.

Row 12: Slip 1, P 10, P2tog. Turn.

Row 13: (Slip 1, K1) 5 times. Slip 1, K2tog. Turn.

Repeat rows 12 and 13 until all of the edge stitches on each side of the center 12 stitches have been consumed, ending with K2tog. There are 12 stitches on the needle. Turn.

Last row: Slip 1, P5. Turn. Place marker for beginning of round (center back heel). You will now begin to work in rounds again.

Foot

Round 1: Join color B. With B, K6. Pick up and knit 12 stitches evenly in the chain stitches along side of heel flap. Knit 36 instep stitches. Pick up and knit 12 stitches evenly in the chain stitches along the second side of heel flap. K6. Total of 72 stitches.

Rounds 2-7: With B, knit.

Round 8: With A, knit.

Rounds 9-15: Join Color C. With C, knit.

Round 16: With A, knit.

Rounds 17-46: Repeat rounds 13-28 (as in beginning of leg pattern above) twice. Cut B and C.

Toe

Note: Switch to double-pointed needles when too few stitches remain to continue using circular needle.

With color A:

Round 1: *K6, K2tog. Repeat around.

Round 2: Knit around.

Round 3: *K5, K2 tog. Repeat around.

Round 4: Knit around.

Round 5: *K4, K2tog. Repeat around.

Rounds 6: Knit around.

Round 7: *K3, K2tog. Repeat around.

Rounds 8: Knit around.

Round 9: *K2, K2tog. Repeat around.

Round 10: Knit around.

Round 11: *K1, K2tog. Repeat around.

Round 12: Knit around.

Round 13: *K2 tog. Repeat around. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail.

Finishing: Thread a tapestry needle with the yarn tail and run through remaining stitches twice. Pull tightly, then through to wrong side. Weave in ends. **Block.

Attach hanging loop and assorted charms/beads of your choice.

Hanging Loop: With color A and double-pointed needles, cast on 24 stitches, divide evenly among 3 needles, and place marker for beginning of round. Working in rounds, knit rounds 1 and 2 as for cuff four times. Bind off. Sew hanging loop firmly to cuff of stocking in desired position.

Finishing:

Adorn stocking with the holiday-themed craft charms of your choice.

**According to the instructions given by the yarn manufacturer

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Holiday Flurries Stocking

2008-10-22T10:29:00.008-05:00

Tis the season to make Christmas stockings!! I'm not making any guarantees, but I have a strong hunch that if you make this one for anyone, they might think twice before giving you fruitcake. Again.

HOLIDAY FLURRIES STOCKING
Price: $5.00

Okay, I know we don't have snow in Florida, but...

Thank you for purchasing my pattern. After your payment is processed, the pattern will be sent to you via email attachment within 24 hours, and most likely lots sooner. If for any reason you find an error (horrors!!) or have a question about it, please leave me a comment or hit the contact button up there on the right and I'll help. Happy Holidays!

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No Peeking! ! Well, Okay...a Little Peek

2008-10-21T12:13:00.004-05:00

Hey! Remember this?

I'm making you something, just like I promised!! Ho Ho HO!!!! I'll give it to you tomorrow or the next day. Want me to give you a hint?

Quit trying to scroll to the left and peek. Don't even TELL me you didn't just try that. Those strands of yarn definitely lead to a WIP, as proven by the needle tips sticking out of it. See? SEE???

Are you excited? I'll show it to you tomorrow...night. Muahahahaha!!!

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Funky Acrylic and Buyer's Remorse

2008-10-18T07:07:00.003-05:00

It happens every year, doesn't it? You can admit it; it's just us here now. You've knit for six months for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa and the holidays have finally come...and GONE. You resolve to lose weight, exercise more, and go on a yarn diet, too. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

One day last January while out and about, Determined to Not Buy Yarn, I bought this:

It was a sale. A SALE, okay? Immediate buyer's remorse set in. I was helpless against the force field of good yardage and the sale.I stashed it away, thinking I'd probably never use it, or would give it to a school for craft projects, maybe. It's kind of unwearable. It's scratchy to begin with, and then the addition of that gold or silver glitter-laden thread wrapping around the strand just makes it feel like steel wool.

I took it all out the other day and stared at it. I didn't even buy two skeins alike. Sigh. Did you do this, too? I'm working on a pattern we can knit to put some of this to good use. If you bought out the whole shelf of this last January, or something similar, don't lose hope. Come back in a few days, and maybe I'll have posted a free pattern that will help you justify that old purchase and sleep a little better. Plus, if you use up some of this yarn that's been taking up valuable stash space for almost a year, you know what that means, right? More stash space. Riiiiiiiiiight!!!!!

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The Blue and Orange Monstrosity, Revealed

2008-10-15T19:29:00.009-05:00

As God is my witness, I shall never crochet with navy and orange again in my life. You know how many miles of it passed through my hands to make this??

That's probably a lie; I no doubt WILL crochet with navy and orange again in my life. I have two kids attending the same high school with the same hideous-beyond-belief school colors, and only one of them has a school blankie....errr....do the math. Let's just say I'll be taking an orange and blue hiatus for a while--at least till my sight returns to quasi-normal. This afghan is for my oldest daughter.

So the name of the school has the letters "LBHS." She's in the class of 2010, is into music, and I....you know.... I heart her. Of COURSE I heart her!

You can do this yourself. Get giant gobs of acrylic (gotta be washable! and cheap!) in your kid's school colors, graph out the letters and numbers you want, add in a few squares that apply personally to YOUR kid, and there you go. I made four strips 40 stitches wide with 5 squares each 40 rows high, per strip. Also, I carried the color not in use inside of the row so it sort of peeks through. In other words, in a square that's predominantly navy, the orange yarn is running all through each row, and vice versa. This makes it thicker and warmer. I used a size J hook because of this. I didn't want it to be stiff like wood. After all, an afghan should be kinda bendy, right? She's going to cover up with it, not surf on it.

I almost forgot to tell you about the most important part, and why it tortured me! You already know from a few posts ago that this has taken a ridiculously long time to make. What I didn't mention was that on the final strip, the one with the "2"/"CLASS OF"/"L" is that I made a horrible, insane mistake. I finished the entire strip only to realize I made it in the WRONG COLORS. Yeah. Everything that was blue should have been orange, and vice versa.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Breathe. Okay.

I maaaaaay or may NOT have uttered several swear words when I discovered it. All I really remember is the slight pinprick from the needle when they gave me the sedative, and someone saying something about removing all the knives from the house...;)

So there you have it: The Blue and Orange Monstrosity in all of it's cheapo acrylic glory.

OH!!!! Speaking of cheapo acrylic, I have something I'll have to remember to show you tomorrow. For now, I have to just bask in the fact that I'll probably never touch this afghan again. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!

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Laziest. Socks. Ever.

2008-10-12T08:59:00.007-05:00

So one day last fall I was at a local flea market; it's an indoor venue with tons of essentially permanent booths set up by local vendors who sell their stuff on weekends. I was browsing around and found one that was an actual...yarn shop. You see, the lady who owned it had just closed her brick and mortar LYS. It was a store I'd always meant to stop by, but I never did get around to it, what with being a lazy procrastinator and all that. I was delighted to find her in the flea market, and I bought two skeins of S.R. Kertzer On Your Toes . I cast on the first sock pretty much right away and got past the heel and well into the foot when The Great Knitting Slump of 2007-08 AND Premature Second Sock Syndrome struck simultaneously. At that point, the unfinished sock, the ball of yarn and my size 2 DPNs went to live in my knitting basket.

Fast forward 11 months.

Voila!!

In keeping with maintaining my laziness where these socks are concerned, I didn't even bother trying to make them look like they matched. Normally, with self-striping/patterning yarn, I attempt to start sock #2 at the same place in the color sequence so the socks come out looking exactly the same. But I didn't do it for the Laziest. Socks. Ever. Did you notice they're also sans any sort of interesting stitch pattern whatsoever, too? Ultra-lazy. Yeah--and I didn't bother blocking them, either. However, I did have so much yarn left over that immediately upon grafting the toe of sock #2, I cast on and immediately finished these:

to attempt to assuage my guilt over taking almost a year to make one pair of socks, never mind The Unfinished Blue and Orange Monstrosity that has also been a UFO for almost a year.

By the way, I just finished that at midnight last night. Pictures coming soon! Probably not a year from now! :)

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Nearing the Crochet Finish Line

2008-10-09T19:02:00.010-05:00

If you've been following this blog, you've heard me refer to The Great Knitting Slump of 2007-2008. I've had an epiphany where that's concerned!

I know (partially, at least) what killed my knitting mojo. First, you need to know that I generally have three projects going at once: One knit project that's kind of time-consuming; one knit project that gives nearly instant gratification like this; (you won't be able to see the link for this cool hat unless you're on Ravelry) and one crochet project. Now don't go running away right off the bat if you're a purist knitter and I've just used the "C" word! Keep an open mind, now :)

Anyway, I digress. A little over a year ago, I promised my daughter I would crochet her a specific something. There were a couple of problems. I had to design it myself, which I like, but it wasn't really something I felt terribly enthused about. Mind you--I WANTED to want to do it, see? But I really sorta didn't. I got as far as designing it and even making all my color charts. I bought the yarn. Actually, that's pretty much where the kiss of death began. I didn't like the yarn. But I'm frugal; I'm thrifty (cheap cheap cheap) and needed a crapload of this yarn. Also, it had to be in two colors I happen to specifically kind of loathe. It was this and this.

I was able to start this project, but early on I got sick to death of it. I'm the type of person who feels sorry for my UFOs and feel disloyal if I really take on a new NEW project (beyond the 3 as above) with a lonely UFO sitting around, and I really couldn't go on with this big crochet project, so I stalled out.

I really think that deciding to get on Ravelry and listening to my favorite knitting podcasts again jump-started things. After not touching this thing for almost a year, I've now reached the home stretch! Woot! I'll show it to you in the next couple of days after I bribe the one person in the house who can take a decent picture to do so. Decent pictures are not my forte, as you can see by looking around here. That's a subject for a whole other day. See yas!

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I'm Missing Out

2008-10-07T10:03:00.005-05:00

I've spent a lot of time knitting and crocheting in my life. Haven't you? Since the dawn of the internet, online patterns, Ravelry, etc., the knitting world is at my fingertips, in its entirety! Hello? Dream come true!!!

However, with all the browsing, surfing, dreaming and drooling I do on a daily basis, I haven't made very many of the "wildfire" knits, as Jenny and Nicole on Stash and Burn call them. I'm talking about those wildly popular patterns like Clapotis, Monkey Socks, Branching Out, Irish Hiking Scarf, Wicked, Baby Surprise Jacket,etc. I made the Einstein Coat, but I used a yarn I got on ebay that nobody else will ever use. I always...do things so unconventionally.

I wonder why that is? Those are great patterns, and like I say--wildly popular. I do spend a lot of time designing my own stuff, but I have to start making sure I have lots of free time for personal sit-back-and-relax knitting. I'm going to head over to Ravelry and start queuing up some good, popular, tried-and-true patterns so I can be like the cool kids :)

By they way, remember when I posted yesterday about being flabbergasted that there were 7 pages of activity on my designs on Ravelry? Now it's up to 16. I love you, Ravelry. =)

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Holy cow!!!

2008-10-06T19:33:00.003-05:00

So let me tell you this! I waited way longer than most rabid knitters to get on Ravelry. I just got on it after the end of The Great Knitting Slump of 2007-2008, on September 18. A couple of years ago, like I mentioned earlier, I was writing patterns and selling patterns and all that. I took a few of those designs today and plunked them on Ravelry. My gosh!! Talk about being welcomed with open arms! If you aren't on Ravelry, get on it. That has to be the friendliest, warmest group of a quarter million strangers you'll ever come across.

I'm beyond flabbergasted. I've had patterns posted for only a few hours right now, and already there are 7 pages of "activity" on them, meaning people have favorited them, commented on them or queued them. I'm stunned, stunned, STUNNED. And happy! And flattered. If you're one of those people, and you're reading this post, then I like you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart :))
You guys are the coolest. Of course you are! You're knitters/crocheters, right? 'Nuff said. ;D

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Oh Lordy Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

2008-10-05T19:33:00.005-05:00

So...it's October. You know what that means, right? Halloween candy!!!! Have you seen the Candy Corn Hershey Kisses?!

Good God. I just got some and put them in my clear glass pumpkin-shaped candy dish. Oh, soooo yummy. They taste like white chocolate to me.

Go get some right away.

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Claire Lace Shawl

2008-09-30T20:19:00.012-05:00

"CLAIRE”

LACE SHAWL

Don’t be afraid of knitting lace. This is an excellent introduction to lace knitting. Can you believe it’s a simple four-row repeat?!

Stitch Detail

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Size: One size fits all. Finished measurements after blocking approximately 65 inches wide and 48 inches deep, not including border.

Materials: Laceweight yarn, 880 yards

(I used Knit Picks Shimmer in colorway Stained Glass, two 440-yard hanks)

Circular needle size 5, 29-inch or even longer. (Lots of border stitches!)

Gauge: 24 stitches x 32 rows = 4 inches. Gauge is not terribly crucial.

Cast on 3 st.

Row 1: K1, yo, K to end of row.

Row 2: K1, yo, K to end of row.

Row 3: K1, yo, K to end of row.

Row 4: K1, yo, K to end of row.

Row 5: K1, yo, K to end of row.

Row 6: K1, yo, K to end of row.

Row 7: K1, yo, K to end of row .

Row 8: K1, yo, K to end of row (11 stitches)

Row 9: K3 (border). K1,*(yo, K3, yo, K1) across to last 3 st.. End K3 (border)

Row 10: K3 (border). Purl across to last 3 st. K3.

Row 11: K3 (border). K1, *(K1, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K2) across to last 3 stitches. K3.

Row 12: K1 (yo, K1) twice. Purl across to last 3 st. K1, (yo, K1) twice.

Repeat Rows 9-12 54 times. On last repeat, work Row 12 as follows:

K1, (yo, K1) twice. K across to last 3 st. K1, (yo, K1) twice.

Bind off as follows: (K2 tog. Place resulting stitch back on left needle.) across. One stitch remains on the needle. DO NOT CUT YARN

Border: Pick up border stitches all around shawl edge as follows:

In the one remaining stitch on the needle, work k,p,k,p,k. (5 stitches on needle) With right side facing and left slanted side of shawl at top, find holes along side where row 12 increases were made. Insert right needle through first hole and pick up working yarn, pulling it through to the right side. Place this stitch on left needle. In this stitch, k,p,k,p,k. (10 stitches on needle). Repeat this step in each hole along side edge, working k,p,k,p,k in each stitch picked up. In bottom point of shawl, pick up 1 stitch in center stitch of original cast-on stitches and work k,p,k,p,k into it. Repeat the process along the right side edge, picking up one last stitch at top edge and working k,p,k,p,k into it. Now all the border stitches have been picked up.

Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: (K2, yo, K1, yo, K2) across.

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: (K3, yo, K1, yo, K3) across.

Row 5: Knit.

Row 6: (K4, yo, K1, yo, K4) across.

Row 7: Purl.

Row 8: (K5, yo, K1, yo, K5) across.

Row 9: Knit.

Row 10: (K6, yo, K1, yo, K6) across.

Row 11: Purl.

Row 12: (K7, yo, K1, yo, K7) across.

Row 13: Knit.

Row 14: (K8, yo, K1, yo, K8) across.

Row 15: Purl.

Row 16: (K9, yo, K1, yo, K9) across.

Row 17: Knit.

Row 18: (K10, yo, K1, yo, K10) across.

Row 19: Purl.

Row 20: (K11, yo, K1, yo, K11) across.

Row 21: Knit.

Row 22: (K12, yo, K1, yo, K12) across.

Row 23: Knit.

Bind off in same manner as noted above.

Block shawl to finished measurements, stretching well to open up lace pattern and pinning out border points.

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may not be sold without the express written consent of the author.
This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Copyright 2008 Yvonne Senecal.

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Amelia Lace Wrap

2008-09-30T20:14:00.006-05:00

“Amelia”

Lace Wrap

There isn’t a purl stitch to be found in this entire wrap! If you want to create a lacy heirloom wrap with only knit stitches, this is the pattern for you.

Stitch Detail

Size: One size fits all.

Finished measurements: Approximately 23 x 76 inches, after blocking.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches. Gauge is not terribly crucial.

Materials: 880 yards laceweight yarn. (I used Knit Picks 100% merino paint-your-own, one 100-gram hank, undyed.)

Size 10 knitting needles

Cast on 189 stitches.

Rows 1-15: Knit.

Row 16: K3 tog across row. 63 stitches.

Row 17: K3 (border). K1. (yo, K3, yo, K1) across to last three stitches. K3 (border).

Row 18: Knit.

Row 19: K3 (border). K1. (K1, slip 1, K 2 tog, psso, K2) across to last three stitches. K3 (border).

Row 20: K1 (yo, K1) twice. Knit across to last three stitches. K1. (yo, K1) twice.

Row 21: As Row 17.

Row 22: As Row 18.

Row 23: As Row 19.

Row 24: K1. (K2tog) twice. Knit across to last five stitches. (K2tog) twice. K1.

Repeat Rows 17-24, 41 more times.

Next Row: In each stitch across, knit in front, back, front of each stitch. 189 stitches.

Knit 15 rows.

Bind off LOOSELY.

Block shawl to finished measurements.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Mighty Miters Handbag

2008-09-30T20:08:00.007-05:00

MIGHTY MITERS HANDBAG

An attractive bag just large enough to hold your essentials

Size: Finished measurements are approximately 7 inches high x 11.5 inches wide at base , after felting.

Gauge: Not crucial

Materials: Approximately 400 yards fingering weight 100% wool yarn. (I used Knit Picks Memories, 2 hanks). Knitpicks has discontinued this particular yarn, but really you can make it out of any multicolored feltable (not superwash) wool you have, using the needles appropriate for your yarn, as gauge is not crucial on this bag. The finished bag would of course vary in size.

Size 5 knitting needles.

One spare knitting needle for 3-needle bind off.

One 1-inch button.

Two 7-inch metal craft rings (or different purse handles of your choice).

<-----------------------

*_28*	27	26	25
21	22	23	24
20	19	18	17
13	14	15	16
12	11	10	9
5	6	7	8
4	3	2	1

<-----------------------

Schematic

Square One:

Cast on 24 stitches.

Row 1: K 10, (K2tog) twice, K 10.

Row 2: Knit.

Row 3: K 9, (K2tog) twice, K 9.

Row 4: Knit.

Row 5: K8, (K2tog) twice, K 8.

Row 6: Knit.

Row 7: K7, (K2tog) twice, K 7.

Row 8: Knit.

Row 9: K6, (K2tog) twice, K6.

Row 10: Knit.

Row 11: K5, (K2tog) twice, K5.

Row 12: Knit.

Row 13: K4, (k2tog) twice, K4.

Row 14: Knit.

Row 15: K3, (K2tog) twice, K3.

Row 16: Knit.

Row 17: K2, (K2tog) twice, K2.

Row 18: Knit.

Row 19: K1, (K2tog) twice, K1.

Row 20: Knit.

Row 21: (K2tog) twice.

Row 22: Knit.

Row 23: K2tog.

Row 24: Knit 1.

Square Two:

Pick up and knit 11 stitches along side of square 1 (12 stitches on needle). Cast on 12 stitches (24 stitches on needle).

Repeat rows 1-24 as for first square.

Squares three and four: As for second square.

Square Five: Cast on 11 stitches (12 stitches on needle). Pick up and knit 12 stitches along side of Square Four. Complete Rows 1-24 as for first square.

Square Six: Pick up and knit 11 stitches along side of square five and 12 stitches along side of square three. Work Rows 1-24.

Square Seven: Pick up and knit 11 stitches along side of square six and 12 stitches along side of square two. Work Rows 1-24.

Square Eight: Pick up and knit 11 stitches along side of square seven and 12 stitches along side of square one. Work Rows 1-24.

Squares 9-28: Complete squares with method as above, picking up and casting on stitches as necessary according to order of schematic. At end of square 28, with one stitch left on needle, do not break yarn.

Side 1:

Turn work so that long side (7 squares) is on top. Pick up and knit 11 stitches along edge of first square, and pick up and knit 12 stitches in each remaining square across. 84 stitches on needle.

Row 1: Knit 45. Turn.

Row 2: Knit 6. Turn.

Row 3: Knit 9. Turn.

Row 4: Knit 12. Turn.

Row 5: Knit 15. Turn.

Row 6: Knit 18. Turn.

Row 7: Knit 21. Turn.

Row 8: Knit 24. Turn.

Row 9: Knit 27. Turn.

Row 10: Knit 30. Turn.

Row 11: Knit 33. Turn.

Row 12: Knit 36. Turn.

Row 13: Knit 39. Turn.

Row 14: Knit 42: Turn.

Row 15: Knit 45. Turn.

Row 16: Knit 48. Turn.

Row 17: Knit 51. Turn.

Row 18: Knit 54. Turn.

Row 19: Knit 57. Turn.

Row 20: Knit 60. Turn.

Row 21: Knit 63. Turn.

Row 22: Knit 66. Turn.

Row 23: Knit 69. Turn.

Row 24: Knit 72. Turn.

Row 25: Knit 75. Turn.

Row 26: Knit 78. Turn.

Row 27: Knit 81. Turn.

Row 28: Knit 84. Turn.

Row 29: Knit 42.

You now have 42 stitches on each needle. Arrange needles such that needle tips are parallel. Using spare needle, perform 3-needle bind off as follows: *(K the first stitch from each needle together as one) twice. Pass first of these resulting stitches over the second.* Repeat from * to * across until one stitch remains on right needle. Cut yarn, pull tail through stitch and fasten off.

Side 2:

Pick up 84 stitches along other long edge and complete as for first side.

Handle Tabs:

In top edge of bag, pick up and knit the center four stitches in edge of square closest to side of bag. Knit 16 rows. Bind off. Repeat three more times in squares at side edges (tabs will be on edge of squares 1, 5, 25 and 28).

Button Flap:

Pick up and knit 12 stitches in top center edge of bag, using the six centermost stitches of each of the two squares in the center of the top row of squares.

Knit 16 rows.

Row 17: K 4, bind off 4, Knit 4.

Row 18: K4, cast on 4, Knit 4. Buttonhole completed.

Rows 19-22: Knit.

Row 23: K2tog across. 6 stitches on needle.

Row 24: Knit.

Row 25: K 2 tog across. 3 stitches on needle.

Row 26: Knit.

Bind off.

Felt bag per your yarn instructions. Dry thoroughly.

Sew button on outside of bag to correspond with buttonhole in button flap.

Sew one craft ring to each side of bag, placing ring against ring tabs, folding ring tab over edge of ring, and sewing edge of ring tab to inside of bag.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Flowers and Frills Shawl

2008-09-30T19:59:00.006-05:00

FLOWERS AND FRILLS SHAWL

Try on some lace and make a fashion statement with this soft and lacy little shoulder shawl

Materials: Laceweight yarn, 440 yards (I used Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud)

Size 5 knitting needles

2 stitch markers

Size: Approximately 50 inches wide by 27 inches deep, including border.

Gauge: Approximately34 stitches x 40 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, unblocked, but exact gauge really isn’t crucial.

Note: Beginning with row 2, slip first stitch of each row as if to purl. This is an important step, as this will create a clearly-visible edge of chain stitches you’ll use when you pick up the border stitches.

Abbreviations:

Psoy = Pass knit st on right needle over YO.

PM = place marker

SM = slip marker

K2tog = knit two together

YO = yarn over

Kfb = Knit in front and back of stitch

M1 = Make one stitch by lifting horizontal strand between needles. Place on left needle and knit into the back of it.

Cast on 2 stitches.

Row 1: Knit into front and back of each stitch. (4 st)

Row 2: Sl 1, K3.

Row 3: Sl1, (Kfb next st)twice; K1. (6st)

Row 4: Sl 1, K1, purl across to last 2 st, K2.

Row 5: Sl1, Kfb next st, K2, Kfb next st, K1. (8 st)

Row 6: Sl 1, K1, purl across to last 2 st. K2..

Row 7: Sl1, Kfb next st, K4, Kfb next st, K1. (10 st)

Row 8: Sl 1, K1, purl across to last 2 st. K 2.

Row 9: Sl1, Kfb next st, K6, Kfb next st, K1. (12 st)

Row 10: Sl1, K1, purl across to last 2 st. K2.

Row 11: Sl1, Kfb next st,, K8, Kfb next st,, K1. (14 st)

Row 12: Sl1, K1, purl across to last 2 st, K2.

Row 13: Sl1, Kfb next st, K10, Kfb next st, K1. (16 st)

Row 14: Sl1, K1, purl across to last 2 st,, K2.

Row 15: (right side)Sl1, Kfb next st. PM. Knit across to last 2 st.. PM. Kfb next st. K1. (3 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 16: (wrong side)Sl 1, K1, P1. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P1,K2.

Row 17: Sl1, Kfb next st. K1. SM. (K2 tog)twice. (Yo, K1)four times. (K2tog) twice. SM. K1. Kfb next st, K1. (4 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 18: Sl 1, K1, P2.. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P2, K2.

Row 19: Sl1, Kfb next st. K2. SM. Knit across to marker. SM. K2. Kfb next st, K1. (5 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 20: Sl 1, K1, P3. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P3, K2.

Row 21: Sl1, Kfb next st. K3. SM. (K2 tog)twice. (Yo, K1)four times. (K2tog) twice. SM. K3. Kfb next st, K1. (6 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 22: Sl 1, K1, P4. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P4, K2.

Row 23: Sl1, Kfb next st. K4. SM. Knit across to next marker. SM. K4. Kfb next st, K1. (7 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 24: Sl 1, K1, P5. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P5, K2.

Row25: Sl1, Kfb next st. K5. SM. (K2 tog)twice. (Yo, K1)four times. (K2tog) twice. SM. K5. Kfb next st, K1. (8 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 26: Sl 1, K1, P6. Remove marker. Purl across to marker. Remove marker. P6, K2.

Row 27: (right side)Sl1, Kfb next st. PM. Knit across to last 2 st. PM. Kfb next st. K1. (3 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 28: (wrong side)Sl 1, K1, P1. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P1,K2.

Row 29: Sl1, Kfb next st. K1. SM. (K2 tog)twice. *(Yo, K1)four times. (K2tog) four times. * Repeat from * to * across to 4 st before marker. (K2tog) twice. SM. K1. Kfb next st, K1. (4 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 30: Sl 1, K1, P2.. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P2, K2.

Row 31: Sl1, Kfb next st. K2. SM. Knit across to marker. SM. K2. Kfb next st, K1. (5 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 32: Sl 1, K1, P3. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P3, K2.

Row 33: Sl1, Kfb next st. K3. SM. (K2 tog)twice. *(Yo, K1)four times. (K2tog) four times. * Repeat from * to * across to 4 st. before marker. (K2tog) twice. SM. K3. Kfb next st, K1. (6 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 34: Sl 1, K1, P4. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P4, K2.

Row 35: Sl1, Kfb next st. K4. SM. Knit across to next marker. SM. K4. Kfb next st, K1. (7 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 36: Sl 1, K1, P5. SM. Purl across to marker. SM. P5, K2.

Row37: Sl1, Kfb next st. K5. SM. (K2 tog)twice. *(Yo, K1)four times. (K2tog) four times. * Repeat from * to * across to 4 st before marker. (K2tog) twice. SM. K5. Kfb next st, K1. (8 stitches outside markers on each side)

Row 38: Sl 1, K1, P6. Remove marker. Purl across to marker. Remove marker. P6, K2.

Repeat rows 27-38 eight more times, then rows 27-37 once more. You will now have 148 stitches total.

Last row: (wrong side) Knit across, removing markers.

Bind off as follows: (K2 tog. Place resulting stitch back on left needle) across. When just one stitch remains on needle, do not cut yarn.

Border: Turn shawl such that right side is facing and left side of shawl is up. All along this edge, you will see a line of “chains.” Pick up border stitches as follows: Insert needle in front loop of first “chain”, pick up a stitch and knit it. Insert needle in back loop of same “chain”, pick up a stitch and knit it. In this manner, pick up a total of 146 stitches along left edge. (147 stitches now on needle). Pick up stitches in same manner moving upward along right edge of shawl, and pick up and knit 146 stitches along right edge. (293 stitches on needle). NOTE: Do NOT pick up stitches in any other manner. Do not knit in front and back of each chain, for instance; do not pick up one stitch, yo, etc. If you pick up the border stitches any other way, the border will fall apart when you work the bind off/unravel row.

Note: Now, do not slip first stitch each row any longer.

Row 1: (wrong side) Purl.

Row 2: (right side)K146, M1, K1, M1, K 146. (295 stitches).

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: Knit.

Row 5: Purl.

Row 6: Knit.

Row 7: Purl.

Row 8: Knit.

Row 9: Purl.

Row 10: Knit.

Row 11: Purl.

Row 12: Knit.

Row 13: Purl.

Row 14: Knit.

Row 15: (wrong side) KNIT.

Bind off as follows: *(K2 tog, place resulting stitch back on left needle) two times. K2 tog once more. Yo, psoy. Drop next st on left needle. Place st on right needle onto left needle.* Repeat from * to * across, ending with (K2 tog, place resulting stitch back on left needle) three times. Cut yarn and fasten off.

Here’s the magical fun part:

Where you dropped each st while working bind-off, unravel this stitch all the way down to the edge of the border.

Block shawl to finished measurements, pinning out scallops.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Garden Trellis Scarf

2008-09-30T19:54:00.005-05:00

GARDEN TRELLIS SCARF

Here’s a lacy, feminine scarf you can make with just one ball of fingering weight wool!

stitch detail

Materials: 231 yards fingering weight wool (I used Knitpicks Palette)

Size 6 knitting needles

Size: Finished size is approximately 5 x 58 inches, after blocking.

Gauge: 22 st x 29 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Note: Slip first stitch each row as if to purl.

Cast on 28 stitches

Rows 1-4: Slip 1, knit across.

Row 5: Slip 1, knit across.

Row 6: Slip 1, K1, Purl across to last 2 stitches, K2.

Row 7: Slip 1, K1. (K2tog)twice. (Yo, K1) 4 times. (K2tog) 4 times. (Yo, K1) 4 times. (K2tog) twice. K2.

Row 8: Repeat Row 6.

Rows 9-16: Repeat rows 5-8 two times.

Rows 17-20: Repeat rows 1-4 once.

Row 21: Sl 1, knit across.

Row 22: Sl 1, purl across to last 2 stitches. K2.

Row 23: Sl 1, K1. (Yo, K1) twice. (K2tog) four times. (Yo, K1) four times. (K2tog) four times. (Yo, K1) twice. K2.

Row 24: Repeat row 22.

Rows 25-32: Repeat rows 21-24 two times.

Rows 33-36: Sl 1, knit across. (As rows 1-4).

Repeat rows 5-36 eleven times.

Bind off.

Block scarf to combat the deadly, dreaded curl.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Seth's Blanket

2008-09-30T19:38:00.009-05:00

“Seth’s Blanket”

Do you know a baby for whom you want to knit something cute and useful? Try this blanket. The main body of the blanket is warm and squishy. The border is worked in the round with mitered corners, finishing off with a bright rolled edge. This one has the makings of becoming THE blankie a child will hold close and drag around for years! Personalize it by making it in the colors YOU choose, to match the nursery/gender of the special little one for whom you're knitting it.

Finished size: Approximately 36 inches square

Gauge: 19 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Materials:

Size 7 knitting needles, 29-inch and 40-inch circulars

Worsted weight yarn: 16 ounces color A, and 197 yards each of colors B and C

I used Lion Brand Pound of Love in Denim; Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman and Red Sprinkles; one skein of each.

Four stitch markers (one of a different color)

Blanket:

Note: For main body (blue center) of afghan, slip first stitch of each row as if to purl.

With Color A and 29-inch circular needle, cast on 132 stitches. Circular needle is used to accommodate large number of stitches; work back and forth in rows for main body of blanket.

Row 1: Slip 1, K across.

Row 2: Slip 1, K across.

Row 3: Slip 1, (K1, P1) to last stitch; K1.

Row 4: As row 3.

Repeat Row 1-4 47 more times.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 once.

Begin Border:

Do not cut color A. Pick up Color B.

Round 1 (RS): Kfb first st; K 130, Kfb last st; place marker. Do not turn. Along left edge, pick up 96 stitches, Kfb in first and last of these; place marker. Along cast-on edge, pick up and knit 132 stitches, Kfb in each of these. Place marker. Along right side edge, pick up and knit 96 stitches and Kfb in first and last of these. Place marker of another color to mark beginning of round and join.

Rnd 2: K around with color B, slipping markers.

Rnd 3: Drop color B. Pick up Color A. Kfb first stitch, (K across to stitch before marker, Kfb this stitch, slip marker, Kfb next st) around, ending with Kfb last stitch.

Rnd 4: K around with Color A, slipping markers.

Rnd 5: With Color B, K around increasing in stitches before and after each marker.

Rnd 6: With B, K around.

Rnd 7: With Color A, K around increasing in stitches before and after each marker.

Rnd 8: With A, K around.

Rnds 10-18: Continue as established, working two rows of each color and ending with two rows Color B. Cut color B.

Rnd 19: With Color A, knit around increasing in stitches before and after markers.

Rnd 20: Purl around, slipping markers.

Rnd 21: As Rnd 19.

Rnd 22: As Rnd 20.

Rnd 23: As Rnd 19.

Rnd 24: As Rnd 20.

Rnd 25: As Rnd 19.

Rnd 26: As Rnd 20.

Cut Color A.

Final Border: Attach Color C.

Rnd 1: With C, knit around increasing in each stitch before and after markers.

Rnd 2: With C, knit around.

Repeat Rnds 1 and 2 three more times. Bind off loosely.

Weave in ends.

Edge Detail

Corner Detail

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may not be sold without the express written consent of the author.
This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Copyright 2008 Yvonne Senecal.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Bed Peds

2008-09-30T19:29:00.008-05:00

“Bed Peds”

You can make a pair of these in a couple of evenings. They’re great for wearing to bed on a cold night, and there are no heels to fuss with. They make great gifts for just about anyone. You can make an everyday or kid-friendly version with a washable yarn or yarn blend. You can think about making a special, lavish pair with cashmere for someone special, too! Use up the oddments in your stash to make the cuffs and/or toes different colors. Let your imagination be your guide. These are intended to fit in a more "slouchy" way than socks. This pattern is offered in two versions: worked flat or worked in the round!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Size: Women’s S (5-6), M (7-8), L (9-10)

Directions written for size small. Instructions for larger sizes are in parentheses. If using different colors for cuffs and/or toes, change colors at row six and at beginning of toe shaping.

Materials: Worsted weight yarn, total 185 yards of the color(s) of your choice

Knitting needles sizes 5 and 7

Tapestry needle

1 stitch marker (2 stitch markers for circular version, in two different colors)

Gauge: On larger needles, 18 st and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

***NOTE!! Photo shows one version with an optional rolled cuff. See notes in flat and circular versions regarding this.

Abbreviations: SSK (slip one stitch as if to knit; slip next stitch as if to purl; insert tip of left needle through front of both stitches and knit together)

Note: Slip the first stitch of every row as if to purl. This will result in an edge of easily visible V-shaped chain stitches.

_____________________________________________________________________

***Optional Rolled Cuff: With larger needles, cast on 44(46, 48) stitches.

Row 1: Slip 1, K across.

Row 2: Slip 1, P across.

Rows 3-6: Repeat rows 1 and 2 twice more.

Row 7: Repeat row 1.

Change to smaller needles for ribbed portion of cuff (rows 1-5 below)

_____________________________________________________________________

FLAT VERSION (make two)

With smaller needles, cast on 44 (46, 48) stitches (or begin with optional rolled cuff as above).

Row 1-5: Slip 1, *K1, P1* across. End K1. ***Note: If you made the optional rolled cuff and are now changing colors to make the ribbed portion of the cuff, round 1 is to be knit only. Continue with rounds 2-5 in K1, P1 ribbing. This is to avoid seeing the two colors in the transition row.

Change to larger needles.

Row 6 (RS): Slip 1, K across.

Row 7: Slip 1, K across.

Row 8: Slip 1. *K1, P1* across. End K1.

Row 9: Repeat row 8.

Repeat rows 6-9 11 (13, 15) times. Repeat Rows 6 and 7 once, placing marker after stitch 22(23, 24).

Toe Shaping

Row 1 (RS): SSK. K to 2 stitches before marker, K 2 tog. Slip marker. SSK. K across to last 2 stitches. K 2 tog.

Row 2: Slip 1, purl to last stitch, slip last stitch.

Rows 3-6: Repeat rows 1 and 2 two more times.

Row 7: Repeat row 1.

Row 8: Slip 1. Purl to marker. Remove marker. Leave remaining stitches unworked.

Finishing

Fold in half with wrong sides together. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Graft toe stitches using kitchener stitch. Do not cut yarn. With same yarn, sew side seam invisibly. For the toe section, seam with mattress stitch. For the main body and cuff section, seam side to side, one stitch at a time as follows: Insert yarn needle from left to right through both strands of the first V-shaped stitch on the left side, then from right to left through both strands of the first V-shaped stitch on the right side. Continue in this manner, tightening the seam intermittently all the way to the last two cuff edge stitches. Take care not to pull so tightly that the seam puckers. This seam cannot be seen or felt on the inside or the outside. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circular Version (make two)

Note: The particular method for working in the round (double-pointed needles; two circular needles; magic loop method) is not given. This is left to your discretion/preference. Note that because there are no seams, there are 2 fewer stitches in this version (no selvedge).

_____________________________________________________________________

***Optional Rolled Cuff: With larger needles, cast on 42 (44, 46) stitches.

Rounds 1-7: Knit.

Change to smaller needles for ribbed portion of cuff (rounds 1-5 below)

_____________________________________________________________________

With smaller needles, cast on 42 (44, 46) stitches. Place marker and join for circular knitting (or begin with optional rolled cuff as above).

Rounds 1-5: K1, P1 around. ***Note: If you made the optional rolled cuff and are now changing colors to make the ribbed portion of the cuff, round 1 is to be knit only. Continue with rounds 2-5 in K1, P1 ribbing. This is to avoid seeing the two colors in the transition row.

Change to larger needles.

Round 6: Knit.

Round 7: Purl.

Round 8: K1, P1 around.

Round 9: Repeat round 8.

Round 10: Purl.

Round 11: Knit.

Repeat rounds 8-11, 11 (13, 15) times, placing marker after stitch 21 (22, 23).

Toe Shaping

Round 1 : SSK. K to 2 stitches before marker, K 2 tog. Slip marker. SSK. K across to last 2 stitches. K 2 tog.

Round 2: Purl, slipping markers.

Rounds 3-8: Repeat rounds 1 and 2 three more times. Leave remaining stitches unworked, with half of the stitches on each of two double-pointed needles.

Finishing

Using markers as a guide for indicating sides, graft toe stitches using kitchener stitch. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Note: Though only women’s sizes are given here, you can easily adapt this pattern for babies, smaller children and even men. For much smaller bed peds, cast on a fewer number of stitches; any even number that will result in the measurement you need in your gauge. Repeat the main body (the rows between the cuff and toe shaping) for fewer repeats. For men, cast on more stitches; any even number that will result in the measurement you need in your gauge, and work the main body for more repeats. Incidentally, this is a great pattern to use for thumbless mittens for babies, too! Just make a bed ped the size of the baby’s hand.

For longer bed socks, just make the section between the cuff and the toe shaping as long as desired (tube socks). Feel free to use your imagination. Make stripes. Hold a strand of mohair or eyelash yarn with your main yarn for fluffy bed peds, or make just the cuffs and/or toes furry. Have fun!

Swervy Scarf

2008-09-30T19:23:00.008-05:00

This is another free pattern for a totally simple scarf. You know that straight garter stitch scarf every one is obligated to make when they learn to knit? Well, this is that scarf, with a little of the usual boredom sucked out of it.

Swervy Scarf

Here's a good beginner scarf. It's all garter stitch, but with a little interest added. Use any textured or interesting yarn, and let the yarn do the work for you. Use your imagination! Mohair? Eyelash? Something slubby? Something metallic? Use several different yarns held together if you like. Each one you make can be unique, and this scarf makes a good and quick gift.

I used Lion Brand Homespun in Candy Apple because of the softness and texture.
Don't limit yourself by only using the yarn and needle size I have listed here. Use any yarn you wish, of course with its appropriate needle size. :))

Scarf:

Finished Size: Approximately 5 3/4 x 90 inches

Gauge: Not crucial

Materials:

Bulky yarn, 185 yards

Size 10 knitting needles

Abbreviations:

Kfb = Knit into front and back of the same stitch

K2tog = Knit two stitches together

Cast on 18 stitches

Rows 1-8: Knit.

Row 9: Kfb first st; K 15; K2tog.

Row 10: Knit.

Rows 11-16: Repeat rows 9 and 10 three times.

Rows 17-24: Knit.

Row 25: K2tog; K 15; Kfb last stitch.

Row 26: Knit.

Rows 27-32: Repeat rows 25 and 26 three more times.

Rows 33-40: Knit.

Repeat rows 9-40 until scarf is desired length, or you run out of yarn. You can stop at the end of row 24 or 40.
Bind off; weave in ends.

Toasty Twisty, revisited

2008-09-30T18:53:00.005-05:00

So, back before The Great Knitting Slump of 2007-2008, I was writing patterns and selling patterns and knitting up a storm. I even had a cruddy little website called Yvonne's Knitting Bag and had some of my original patterns posted there. Some were free and some weren't free, but I've decided that over the next few days/weeks/months/years (depending on how lazy I am) that I'm going to bring those patterns over here and make them free. Maybe somebody will want to make one of them? I saw one of the free ones on Ravelry and that's the first one I'm going to post here.

It's another reversible cables scarf, different than the one I designed for Lion Brand, but it looks cool, is super-easy, and wicked warm. I have to figure out how to post this on Ravelry as well, as somebody already linked to it (thank you :) and I don't want to make it a duplicate.

Anyway! Here is my pattern for Toasty Twisty, complete with The Worst Pictures Ever Taken (I suck at photography) for your knitting and hopefully wearing/gifting pleasure!

TOASTY TWISTY

Materials: 6-8 ounces worsted weight yarn (depending on length you want)
Size 10 knitting needles
Gauge: Not crucial

Note: Slip first stitch of every row as if to purl.

Stitch Explanation: RT (right twist). Knit next 2 stitches together, but do not slip off left needle. Knit into first stitch again, then slip both stitches off the needle.

Cast on 34 stitches.

Rows 1-4: Knit (see note above)

Row 5: Slip 1, K 1. (P2, K2) 8 times.

Row 6: Slip 1, K1. (RT, P2) 7 times. RT, K2.

Row 7: Slip 1, K1. (P2, RT) 7 times. P2, K2.

Row 8: Slip 1, K1. (K2, P2) 7 times. K4.

Repeat rows 5-8 until scarf is desired length.

Knit 4 rows. Bind off.

This pattern is offered for personal, non-commercial use only. Items made from this pattern may not be sold without the express written consent of the author.
This pattern and the text and photos contained within, may not be copied or reproduced for any purpose other than personal use. Copyright 2008 Yvonne Senecal.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

I'd Like to Be a Yarn Snob....

2008-09-30T10:48:00.004-05:00

... but I'm not.

I take that back, but in theory only. I'm generally a pretty prolific knitter, and also cheap, which pretty much precludes any hopes I had for yarn snobbery.

I will say this: I live vicariously innerwebs-style through OTHER yarn snobs. Oh, and disclaimer: I think of the term "yarn snob" as an endearment, not an insult! I don't want to go through my whole life without having pet Malabrigo, you know? But as yet, I've not bought any. When I shop for yarn, I look for different qualities depending on what project I'm intending to make, but despite my best intentions, yardage and price ultimately win out when it comes right down to it.

I also have an across the board rule when it comes to knitting for kids: WASHABLE. DRYABLE.

I love yardage so much that a few years ago I went on a chenille yarn bender via Ebay, and now have a literal warehouse of coned chenille yarn in my walk-in closet. I crochet, too, and despite the fact that I've made roughly one billion afghans from said chenille, its yardage has not decreased and the pile of cones has not shrunk in the least. That heap o'chenille has given birth to countless pillows, afghans and even three full-length bathrobes. Guess what? It's essentially useless for knitting. It twirls and twists and loops back on itself and becomes embroiled in an orgy of knots, all on its own. It doesn't matter if I turn the cone sideways, stand it up on the floor, or roll the yarn into balls--still it does this if I try to knit with it. Crocheting with it is fine, and all of the chenille I purchased is soft, lovely and colorful. It's just that--as usual---the dirt-cheap price and incredible mileage (yes, mileage, NOT yardage) got to me. I have a lifetime supply of the stuff. I could be a cat with nine lives and still never run out.

So, I have too much yarn. Does it keep me from wanting new yarn and BUYING new yarn? Nope. I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove yarn. I'm telling you, I want to be a yarn snob. I aspire to it. I've made a few forays into the dark world of fancy-schmancy yarns, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel great to put on a pair of hand-knit socks for which I paid $25.00 for the yarn. On the other hand, I also made socks out of a cone of Tamm machine knitting yarn, which I used for hand-knitting and which I bought at Goodwill for $1.99. Yeah, that's right: $1.99. This cone of machine knitting yarn is probably enough for 10 pairs of socks, if you don't mind them all being boring navy blue.

I like merino wool, silk, alpacaaaaaaaaaaa, mohair, angora, soy, bamboo, CASHMERE...

But if a baby is going to puke on it, I'm buying baby yarn in the craft department at Wal-Mart. That's all there is to it. I'm not rich and I HAVE to knit. It all boils down to logic, pretty much.

I'll spend half an hour filling my virtual shopping cart with luxury yarns only to empty it again with a click of my mouse.
I'm a sorry excuse of a yarn snob, but I'm really working on it. Send lottery tickets, please. :)

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you need to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!

Introduction

2008-09-22T18:02:00.002-05:00

Well, here I am. I'm in Blogland, a place I never thought I would find myself. But then I figured if I want to share my knitting passion/obsession/addiction (my family has long since stopped listening) then this would be a good way.

I said there was a cat, and here she is. It does actually get cold here in the Hurricane State occasionally, and what self-respecting knitter's cat has no coat or earmuffs?

So. The title of my blog has to do with caffeine and knitting. I love my bean juice. I'm not into the fancypants coffee you have to pay twenty-gajillion bucks for. Nope. Gimme the hard stuff! I developed a taste for coffee back in the day before CDs and mp3s and hybrid cars and cell phones. My Dad used to make the coffee in a metal percolator (look it up in the dictionary, young 'uns) and stew that brew for about 45 minutes. Then you just simply had to chew and swallow it. I started pounding it down when I was about 14 and I haven't stopped since. If you invite me over and mention coffee, I'm there!

The other thing is the knitting, which started even before the coffee. I've been knitting so long that it wasn't even cool when I started. When I started knitting, you walked down to Ben Franklin on Main Street and got yourself a skein of 100% acrylic for 59 cents. There was no novelty yarn, no light-up needles, no Fun? Fur.

Now that knitting is the New Zen, I FINALLY fit in.

Despite the fact that I have comments enabled, in order to comment you have to actually click on the title of this (or any other) post. Sorry!