(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

Twisted Ladder Scarf

(pattern free for a limited time)

Materials: 3 skeins of KnitPicks Wool of Andes Bulky, in 'bare'

6mm (US10) straight needles, 2 pairs

a crochet hook, any size

Tension: yarn label shows 12-15sts =4" in stockinette

Size of scarf: approx 67" long after blocking excluding fringe, approx 5.5" wide (I made this length repeating the cable a total of 17 times, but it can be made longer with 3 skeins of this yarn.)

How-to:
Cast on 27sts.
1st Row: K4, p2, k5, p5, k5, p2, k3, slip last stitch.
2nd Row: P4, k2, p5, k5, p5, k2, p3, slip last stitch.
repeat these two rows until 10 rows have been completed.

Pattern for body of scarf:

Row 1: K4, p2, using another ball of yarn and a seperate pair of needles, k5, turn, p5. Work another 12 rows on these 5 sts in stockinette stitch. Place on a stitch holder. Slip next 5 sts on a cable needle & hold back of work. Using another ball of yarn, k5, turn, p5, work another 12 rows in stockinette stitch, then place on a stitch holder. Knot these two strips on stitch holders as follows: put 2nd strip under the 1st then over the 1st. 

K5 stitches from the second strip (which is now the first strip) p5 sts from the cable needle, k5 sts from the next strip, then continue pattern to end of scarf.

Row 2: p4, k2, p5, k5, make 5, k2, p3, slip last stitch.
Rows 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13,: k4, p2, k5, p5, k5, p2, k3, slip last stitch.
Rows 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14,: p4, k2, p5, k5, p5, k2, p3, slip last stitch.

Repeat these 14rows until desired length, then rows 1-11 only. Bind off in pattern.

Cut yarn into fringe strands 14-15" long. I used 18 on each end. Fold in half, and use crochet hook to pass through each end of the scarf, and tie securely. Block as needed.

© 2010 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. This pattern is FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other of my patterns, please contact me by posting your questions in the comments, I'll address them a.s.a.p.!

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.

in the midst of working on...

... designing a sweater. For my brother.

I've been itching to design *something* ... anything, really. And I've been lagging terribly. I finally decided to throw caution to the wind and take my chances at designing a sweater.

I've already made a few sweaters with much success, but this will be my first zip-up sweater. And also my first intarsia sweater. Has been a bit of a challenge, but despite it all, fun.

So far I've got the bulk of the torso designed, and I need to knit up the sleeves! Here's hoping I've a bit of luck, since sleeves have always been a bit of a challenge for me!

Pictures and (hopefully) a pdf version of the pattern coming to my etsy shop soon!

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.