(knit) Pet Rock pattern

Materials needed: a very small amount of any worsted, dk or aran weight yarn in grey, plus double pointed needles one size smaller than what's recommended on the label for a tight knit; a small amount of stuffing or batting to fill the pet rock           * note: I used Red Heart Soft Touch in a dark grey, and 4mm dpn's for the rock photographed

Tension: not really important for this project

Finished Size: fits in the palm of your hand :)

terms used:
k - knit
m - make
k2tog - knit two together
st(s) - stitch(es)

Cast on 4sts.
k1, m1 in each stitch (8 sts)
Divide between 3 dpn's, join & place marker.

increase rows:
Row 1: (and all odd numbered rows) knit across
Row 2: (k1, m1) in each stitch (16 sts)
Row 4: *k1, (k1, m1) in the next st* repeat between * around (24 sts)
Row 6: k5, (k1, m1) in the next st, k11, (k1, m1) in the next st, k6
Row 8: k4, (k1, m1) in the next st, k1, (k1, m1) in the next st, k11, (k1, m1) in the next st, k1, (k1, m1) in the next st, k5 (30 sts)
Row 10: k4, (k1, m1) in the next st, k1, (k1, m1) in the next st, k1, (k1, m1) in the next st, k11, (k1, m1) in the next st, k1, (k1, m1) in the next st, k1, (k1, m1) in the next st, k5 (36 sts)

Stockinette stitch (knit every row) for 1 inch.

decrease rows: Add stuffing progressively as you go in this step, ensuring that the rock is completely full (but not overstretched) before finishing.
Row 1: k5, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k5 (30 sts)
Row 2: knit all sts
Row 3: k5, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k5 (26 sts)
Row 4: knit all stsRow 5: k6, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k6 (24 sts)
Row 6: knit all stsRow 7: *k1, k2tog* repeat between * around to end (16 sts)
Row 8: knit all stsRow 9: k2tog around to end (8 sts)
Row 10: k2tog around to end (4 sts)

Cut yarn, weave through remaining stitches & pull tightly, tie knot and weave in ends. Some shapping may be needed to be done; pattern allows the rock to be slightly flatter on one side than the other.


© 2011 by Sabrina Thompson - original design and pictures. Please do not sell pattern or copy my pictures. Pattern cannot be distributed for sale, or as a 'free pattern' promotional tool for selling yarn or knitting supplies. If posting Finished Items on personal blogs, please link back to this blog and pattern, thanks. :D

free pattern from patons

I love this felted tote pattern - I saw something similar to it in a book, and didn't buy it at the time, but I loved it regardless. The pattern's only free until about mid April, and it's only 1 page to print out. So print it and knit it and felt it already. I have.

Speaking of felting - I'm in the midst of making a bunch of knitted felted sheep! I'm hoping to get these done by the end of the week. Pictures and info to follow soon.

SALE on ETSY

I have a shop on etsy - which you may or may not know - and I'm having a promo for all of June! It's posted in my shop announcement but I'll repost here:

FREE SHIPPING to ANYWHERE on all orders $25+, and there's a 2 item minimum. Some items already have free shipping as it is, so check those out too!

www.knitsyoursknotmine.etsy.com

PLUS mention 'My Knitting Basket' somewhere on the receipt and get FREE SHIPPING to ANYWHERE ON ALL VINTAGE PATTERN PURCHASES - no minimum.

This is going to be on for all of June, so take advantage of it! Check back to my shop often, I'll be adding new items to it when I can!

wrapped gift dishcloth

IMO, an 8" square dishcloth or bigger was always a bit too big for my own use, so I wanted to create a size a bit more comfortable. Plus, I can more comfortably make 2 or 3 dishcloths from 1 skein of yarn, since it's a smaller size.


needed: 1 pair 4.5mm knitting needles, 0.6oz/19grams red cotton
(I used Lily Sugar n Cream in 'red' - 3 dishcloths can be made with 1 skein with a bit left over)


finished size: 7" x 7", blocked, 6.5"x6.5" unblocked


CO 32 sts.

Make 4 rows of seed (or moss) stitch: Row 1 - K1, P1 across; Row 2 - Knit the purled sts, Purl the knit sts.

Follow the chart for the next 31 rows, by knitting the white squares and purling the red squares on RS, and purling the white squares and knitting the red squares on WS.

Continue the seed (or moss) stitch on 4 sts of both sides of the dishcloth.

Finish by making 4 more rows of seed stitch, and BO in pattern.

Carboy Cozy

I grew up with my dad always making wine, and now my husband brewing beer at home. In either case, the carboy needs to stay relatively and consistantly warm, which is sometimes
hard in the winter (despite having the heat on) and durning the summer (with the air conditioning). So, I rounded up my partial skeins of Red Heart Super Saver yarn and decided to whip up a cozy for my husband's beer carboy, to warm it up.

In case you want to make your own, here's the pattern:

Materials: Red Heart Super Saver, any colour - scraps and partial skeins encouraged
5mm (US 8) circular needles, in at least 24" long plus one 12" long
5mm (US 8) dpn's
yarn marker
a crochet hook to weave in ends

Tension: 17sts = 4" (10cm)

Pattern: *to fit a carboy with an approx circumfrence of 90cm (39"), which is a standard 5 gallon (23 litre) carboy

1.) CO 152 sts on longest circular needles. Join and place marker.
2.) K2, P2 around for 2 inches.
3.) Switch to St st (knit around) until entire peice measures approx 36 cm (14 inches).

Decrease rounds:
Odd number rows: knit
Even number rows: decrease as follows, switiching to smaller circular needles then dpn's when needed:
Row 2: *K12, k2tog* around
Row 4: *K11, k2tog* around
Row 6: *K10, k2tog* around
Row 8: *K9, k2tog* around
Row 10: *K8, k2tog* around
Row 12: *K7, k2tog* around
Row 14: *K6, k2tog* around
Row 16: *K5, k2tog* around
Row 18: *K4, k2tog* around
Row 20: *K3, k2tog* around
Row 22: *K2, k2tog* around, 30 sts
Rows 23: K around
BO next row, and weave in ends.

Offset Cables Ombre Scarf

I lost the label of the yarn part way through knitting it, so bare with me while I note what I remember from the label:

The yarn was called 'Tosca'; 55% wool, 45% acrylic. Tension: 12 sts, 17 rows =4" (10cm) with US7 (4.5mm) needles. 50 grams, and around 95 or so yards to it.

What makes this scarf interesting is that the cables are slightly offset from each other, which is a nice detail. Nearly 4" wide (9.5cm) and 28" (71.75cm) long, it's ideal to keep your neck warm in the cold weather.

Pattern: (over 8 rows)

rows 1, 3, 5, & 7: p2, k2, p6, k2, p2, k2, p6, k2, p2

rows 2 & 6: k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2

row 4: k2, p2, place 2 sts on cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, place 2 sts on cable needle and hold behind, k2, k2 sts from cable needle, p2, k2

row 8: k2, p2, k2, place 2 sts on cable needle and hold behind, k2, k2 sts from cable needle, p2, k2, p2, place 2 sts on cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle, k2, p2, k2

Repeat these 8 rows until your entire skein is used, but leave enough to cast (or bind) off.

© 2007 by Sabrina Thompson - original design and pictures. Please do not sell pattern or materials made thereof, or copy my pictures. Pattern cannot be distributed for sale, or as a 'free pattern' promotional tool for selling yarn or knitting supplies. If posting Finished Items on personal blogs, please link back to this blog and pattern, thanks. :D

I <3 free stuff, especially when it comes to knitting!

In case you haven't discovered this on your own or via ravelry, this survey from Bernat takes up only a few minutes of your time, and you receive a pdf file in return of one of their pattern books. You get the choice of one of three. Part 1 of the survey is for the knitting patterns, part 2 is for the crochet patterns.