toe up socks for the guys...

Dad's socks, knit in Paton's Kroy FX
 in Camo Colours

I just realized that I haven't blogged in a long while, so I'm going to make a point to blog a bit more this month.

Just a knitting update: I'm in love with knitting toe up socks. I know this pattern may be a little vanilla for some people's tastes, but vanilla works for me. I still don't get the logic behind knitting lacey socks, but give me a good skein of self stripping yarn, and this pattern looks awesome.

Both pairs of socks I have here, I finished last month. My dad's socks were for his birthday (yesterday) and DH's socks were made just for fun. Honestly, I wasn't planning on making DH any socks, but when he saw my dad's completed pair, he changed his mind and wanted some!

DH's socks, knit in Paton's Kroy Stripes
in Country Jaquard

(Not a problem!) 

Both were an easy knit - and my dad's I finished in record time, 9 days! It really helps knitting both socks at the same time, I've never been able to knit a pair of anything separately. Sleeves, mittens, socks - all done both at the same time. 

The only tweek I made to the toe up pattern, as you may be able to tell from these two pairs, is I added a little bit of ribbing to where the arch of the food would be, to make the sock more of a snug fit.

I've already cast on a pair for my FiL, his birthday is in June so they'll be gifted then. The yarn I'm using is similar to what I've used for DH's socks, but in a different colour. Pictures to come soon!

falling a little out of love ...

Well, this is my vintage love summer top so far. I've got the torso of it about 2/3's or 3/4's done, and the sleeves each about half done.

Quite frankly, I'm a little annoyed with this whole top - I've started this back in March, and was hoping to make both a blue one and a black one to wear at my brother's wedding in August.

My first issue is with the yarn - I ordered a bunch of Knit Picks Cotlin yarn, and it's already starting to pill on me. :(

Secondly, the actual structure of the pattern is so weirdly written that parts of it was difficult to decode and follow. I'm a bit torn in complaining about a pattern too much, because I know how much work goes in to designing and writing one out, plus I can see on ravelry that this has been test knit a few times. But, on the other hand, despite this being test knit, and the designer claiming to have been published in magazines, I've found mistakes that hadn't been corrected - small ones, mind you, but still - and there are glaring parts of the pattern that are very hard to understand because it's so awkwardly written, and am surprised that none of the test knitters had pointed these out to correct it.

Because of those confusing, weirdly written parts, I've had to put knitting the top on hold for as much as 2 weeks at a time to get replies from the designer to help me understand what I'm knitting. I must admit, that the designer has made an effort to help, but there were times that even the math in her helping was wrong, and it took a lot of back-and-forth to even decode some of what she explained. But she was nonetheless helpful.

I can honestly say that despite my intention of knitting 2 of this top (and I have bought the yarn with the intention of knitting this twice) I'm absolutely not going to bother making it again. I think, if I do ever get around to finishing this top - and at this point, I guess I may as well - the black yarn I bought will be used towards a different top. I'm not sure if it'll get done before the wedding, but I'll try. I think, had I not paid for the pattern or had the yarn start pilling on me mid-knitting, then I would've frogged the whole thing and started over with a completely different design.

Overall I do think it'll turn out alright, I'm just not in love with this pattern any more. But it will make a unique enough top to wear this summer, for sure.

(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

handspun scarf finished

The yarn I spun a while ago is now a scarf, finally! I've been meaning to post this pic a while back, when I actually did finish it, but better late than never. I'll be adding fringe to it eventually.

from handspun to scarf

A few months ago I finished spinning this ball of yarn and I finally cast on a seed stitch scarf with it.

The weather's starting to cool off, and I'm realizing I need some more wintery clothes! Not that I don't already have a zillion scarves, hats, and mittens, but one can never have too many.

This will be my very first project that I've knit with a handspun ball of yarn, and even better, a ball of yarn I've spun myself! Pictures to come soon!

stash busting - turtle style!

Ok, I know - lame Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reference. Had to be done.

I just finished knitting knitty's sheldon - I wound up using almost half a skein's worth of Red Heart Super Soft yarn, between 2 colours. My cousin's having a birthday party for her one year old son on Saturday, where this guy will be gifted.

Not a huge fan of the pattern, although the end result is adorable. It's just in way too many peices, and I hate sewing. But, done nonetheless, and a relatively quick knit.

more knitting done!

I finished another pair of fetching ... this pair is for my sister in law, for her birthday in August.  She's a runner, and had said that she frequetly runs early in the morning where it's sometimes cool or cold. Well, naturally not now in the summer, but these'll work well for when autumn rolls around.

I made a couple adjustments to the pattern: there's an extra cable repeat to the bottom and top part, plus I accidentally knit four more rows than required between the thumb and first cable... which is fine, I think, since that part of the pattern is short and her hands are long.

two mug cozies, finished

I just finished knitting this pair of mug cozies for my parents in law, who are avid tea drinkers. The pattern can be downloaded from ravelry here - where it also details how to adjust the pattern for a French press... but since my inlaws don't have one, the mug cozies will do just fine! I absolutely heart how these turned out, and I managed to eat through more of my huge stash of Elann Peruvian Wool! woo hoo! 

another pattern published!

Just got my keelhauled scarf published @ theanticraft.com ... :) woo hooo!

another sweater for charity

I knit this sweater for afghans for afghans youth campaign using a little over 2 skeins of Lamb's Pride Worsted yarn, in old sage. Pattern is from a book called Paton's Back to Basics 2. I used an aran weight yarn for a pattern that called for worsted, and followed the sizing for an 8 year old. Buttons were 5/8”.

As it turns out, instead of having a ‘standard’ 25.5-26.5” chest, I think what I wound up with is a 33” chest. So, the 8 year old who winds up with this will be swimming in it. Oh well, lesson learned for the next time I make this pattern. (Or, to look at this more “glass half full” - this was purposely made to be loose fitting, lol!)

The pattern in the book says that a size 8 would fit a 25.5” chest, and according to the craft yarn council's site for sizing for an 8 year old, a 26.5” chest. Anything 4-6” bigger is considrered loose fitting, and 6” or more is ‘oversized’… hm… well, hopefully it’s a garment that will nonetheless be put to good use, it should be warm enough.

Owl Coffee Cup Cozie pattern

materials:

- aran, dk or worsted yarn (18-20sts =4"),  13 grams

- dpn's (right size for yarn & tension) set of 4

- 10 sew-on eyes, 8mm-10mm

- cable needle, darning needle (to sew on eyes) and crochet hook (to weave in ends)

- optional: scrap yarn in a contrasting colour to sew on a beak

Finished size: mine ended up being 4" tall, and fits a large cup of take out coffee (approx 8-9" in diameter)

Terms used in this pattern:

C4F: put 2 sts on a cable needle, hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle
C4B: put 2 sts on a cable needle, hold in back, k2, then k2 from cable needle
C2F: put 1 st on a cable needle, hold in front, k1, then k1 from cable needle

C2B: put 1 st on a cable needle, hold in back, k1, then k1 from cable needle

K_tbl: Knit the stitch thru the back loop; in this case, knit two stitches each thru the back loop

how-to:

Cast on 48 sts. Divide between 3 dpn's, and join.
K2tbl, P2 rib for 4 rows.
Next row (5th row): continue doing k2tbl, p2 rib while increasing 2 stitches evenly around. 50 sts.

Work Owl Cable: (there are 5 owls around)

Rows 1 & 2: *k8, p2* around to end.
Row 3: *C4B, C4F, p2* around.
Rows 4-9: *k8, p2* around to end.

Row 10: *C4B, C4F, p2* around.

Rows 11-15: *k8, p2* around to end.

Row 16: *C4B, C4F, p2* around.
Row 17: *k8, p2* around to end. Or, to make pointy ears: *C2B, k4, C2F, p2* around to end. 

Next row: work k2tbl, p2 rib while decreasing 2 sts evenly around. (48 sts)
Work 4 rows of k2tbl, p2 rib.
Cast off loosely, weave in ends.

To finish: Sew on 2 eyes per owl, just under the third cable that was worked in row 16. Add a beak using duplicate stitch - a tuturial I like can be found here.

Sets of 10 SEW ON EYES available here in my zibbet shop - zibbet is free to sign on, and works just like etsy or ebay does!

© 2009 by Sabrina Thompson - original design and pictures. Please do not sell pattern or copy my pictures. Please use proper descretion with all finished objects, and respect local copyright & trademark laws. 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 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.!

dog sweater drive

I know that this is a crazy time, everyone's knitting and crocheting for the holidays... but, if you happen to have some time and yarn available, dog sweaters would be greatly appreciated!
I'm collecting sweaters of all sizes, preferably for dogs that are 60lbs or less. Here is what I'm looking for:

- the sweater must wrap around the dog's front legs at least, please stay away from 'cape' looking sweaters. Sweaters that cover the chest as well would be ideal.

- use a warm, machine washable yarn. If it's not machine dryable, that's ok, but at least machine washable. Many dogs are rescued in the winter and suffer from frostbite and hypothermia, so a warm fiber content would be needed for these dogs

I would like to be able to create a care package to donate for around the holidays or by the end of this year, if I can, at least 25 sweaters. These will be going to local shelters, in southern Ontario, Canada. Any colour(s) would be great.

If you could help, that would be wonderful. Please contact me for my mailing address, at purplespirit1 <at> hotmail <dot> com (title the email 'dog sweater donation').

I know, again, that it's late in the year and we're all busy, but this would make a great destashing project, if you have some extra yarn laying around the house and you're not sure how to use it up!

my Dude sweater, finally finished!

Well, after what seems like forever in working on this sweater project... it's done! This is the Big Lebowski-esque sweater I managed to design for my brother for his birthday, which was last week. It's a bit of a snugger fit than what's in the movie, but it fits nonetheless!

If you're coming across this post and want to check it out, my shop is http://www.knitsyoursknotmine.etsy.com/ - the pdf is available there!

Lance the Squid

I finished knitting & felting this squid a couple days ago, although I haven't had the chance to photograph it until yesterday.

It's for DH ... an inside joke, really. He's got weird words that mean nothing, one of which is "squidulence"... I don't know why he says it, but he's been saying it for a while. So, I've decided to give the word some meaning, sorta, by making a Squid Named Lance (which sounds sort of similar...)

Yes, I know... I've got little else to do ;) Bear with me!

The pattern for it is here - the only thing I would make note of is, when joining the tentacles, to join them at the top of the purled section of the bottom part of the torso. I stitched them @ the bottom, not really paying attention to how the bottom of the squid'll close up. But no mind, I knit a little extra peice and joined it in to fill in the gap.

cooking & knitting

I don't know why this idea has been stuck in my brain the last few days...

Wouldn't it be neat to have a knitting themed cook book? I, being the knitting dork that I am, thinks so. A few months ago I was watching Martha and saw a woman making knit-looking sweaters out of marzipan and thought that was simply brilliant. But what other knitting and crocheting themed items can be made with food? Is there a special knit-tini? Something involving crocheted spaghetti and meatball pompoms?

Have I completely fallen off my rocker with this idea, or what?

mittens for charity

I'm currently using this pattern for children's mitts to knit 10 pairs for charity, using the wool I have in my stash.

I bought, a while back, some variegated Patons Classic Wool Merino in different colours, most of which I've barely touched, and currently have no use for. I also received some 100% wool in different brands in the mail, from just random exchanges via ravelry.com, which have since just been sitting in my living room. All of this is being converted into kid's mitts.

Pictures will come soon. I currently have 6 pairs finished, and have started a 7th pair - the ribbing of which was done during tonight's bitch n stitch meeting when I went out.

Why ten pairs? No idea. Why not?

I was thinking of donating them for afghans for afghans - but I'd have to wait until they campaign for children's mittens again, and who knows when that'll be. They may get donated to a different charity in the meantime.

I've been on a knitting-for-charity kick lately. Maybe 2009 will be the year that I'll manage to get a crapload of knitted and crocheted donations out? 2007 I managed to donate nearly 80 items to the Dulaan project alone - or rather over the 2006/2007 winter season. Tons went out.

Ah, who knows. In any case, they'll be made and ready to donate for some kids that need warmer hands. Maybe it'll do some good?

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.

Transit Bookie book cozie

Materials needed:
- ½ skein Patons Classic Merino Wool (100% pure new wool; 223yds/204m, 100g/3.5oz skein); colour: Retro
- 1skeins Patons Classic Merino Wool (100% pure new wool; 223yds/204m, 100g/3.5oz skein); colour: Camel
(there's enough yarn in here to make this pattern and the matching transit bookie oddly ribbed hat)
4.5 mm/US 7 circular needles, 12”
- 4.5 mm/US 7 dpn’s, set of 4
- 1 7mm snap fastenerdarning needle or small crochet hook

Size: book cozie covers trade paperback

Start with ribbed book flap first, in Camel, CO 6 sts and k1, p1 every row using 2 dpns until piece measures 2”.

Switch piece to circulars, add 79 more sts and join. The flap will be the center of your book cozy. Continue in hat’s ribbing pattern (k1, p1, k2, p1) around for 1.5 inches.

Switch to Retro, continue in pattern for 1”.

Switch back to Camel, and continue in pattern until entire piece (excluding flap) measures 4.25”.

Next row: *k1, p1, k2tog, p1* around, 68 sts.
Next row: *k1, p1* around.
Next row: (k1, p1) seven times, k1, on left needle pass next knit st over purled st, p1, slide next 2 sts on right needle psso, put st back on left needle, place marker, k1, p1, k1, on left needle pass next knit st over purled st, p1, slide next 2 sts on right needle psso, put st back on left needle, place marker (64sts)

Rearrange sts so that the two yarn markers are on opposite ends, marking a new beginning and end, respectively. Place 32 sts on one dpn (front), 32 on a second dpn (back). Cut yarn, leaving a 1” tail. Retie yarn at one marker, and graft close like hat. When you get to the tail, tie together and continue graphting close. Break yarn, pass through last stitch, and weave in ends inside of the book cozie.

Separate the two halves of the snap fastener, sewing one half to the tail, and the other half to the book cozy to correspond.

© 2008 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

ghosty dishcloth

I was also unable to cut-and-paste the graphed version of the pattern into my blog, so I printed it, photographed it, and inserted it for anyone who prefers to follow a graph. I've done my best to write out this pattern, but if are any mistakes, please post it to my blog and I'll make the proper corrections! (Although I'm sure it's ok!)


Materials needed:
34 grams (1.25oz) Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, in Off White
1 pair 4.5mm (US 7) needles

Instructions:
CO 40 sts.
Seed stitch 4 rows. (k1, p1 across 1st row; every row afterwards, knit the purled stitches and purl the knit stitches)
For the next 42 rows, seed stitch the 1st and last 4 stitches of each row in pattern. Knit the middle 32 stitches as follows:
Row 1: knit across
Row 2: purl across
Row 3: knit across
Row 4: p2, k3, p6, k2 p6, k2, p6, k3, p2
Row 5: k2, p4, k4, p4 k4, p4, k4, p4, k2
Row 6: p2, k5, p2, k6 p2, k6, p2, k5, p2
Row 7: k2, p28, k2
Row 8: p2, k28, p2
Row 9: k3, p26, k3
Row 10: p3, k26, p3
Row 11: k4, p24, k4
Row 12: p4, k24, p4
Row 13: k4, p10, k2, p10, k4
Row 14: p4, k9, p4, k9, p4
Row 15: k4, p8, k6, p8, k4
Row 16: p4, k8, p6, k8, p4
Row 17: k4, p8, k6, p8, k4
Row 18: p4, k8, p6, k8, p4
Row 19: k3, p11, k4, p11, k3
Row 20: p3, k12, p2, k12, p3
Row 21: k3, p26, k3
Row 22: p2, k28, p2
Row 23: k2, p28, k2
Row 24: p2, k6, p4, k8, p4, k6, p2
Row 25: k2, p5, k6, p6, k6, p5, k2
Row 26: p2, k5, p2, k2, p3, k4, p3, k2, p2, k5, p2
Row 27: k2, p5, k2, p3, k2, p4, k2, p3, k2, p5, k2
Row 28: p2, k5, p2, k2, p3, k4, p3, k2, p2, k5, p2
Row 29: k4, p4, k6, p4, k6, p4, k4
Row 30: p4, k5, p4, k6, p4, k5, p4
Row 31: k5, p22, k5
Row 32: p6, k20, p6
Row 33: k7, p18, k7
Row 34: p8, k16, p8
Row 35: k9, p14, k9
Row 36: p10, k12, p10
Row 37: k11, p10, k11
Row 38: p12, k8, p12
Row 39: k14, p4, k14
Row 40: knit across
Row 41: purl across
Row 42: knit across
Seed stitch 4 more rows, then cast off in pattern.

© 2008 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

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.