Back to it...hopefully!

Here is a picture of some thrum mittens I made from a pattern at the Knit Cafe.

Blended Baby Blanket

Below is a baby blanket I knit for my second niece, Constance (I'm getting a third one soon!). I tried out a blend of cotton and merino wool to get both softness and warmth. The results were interesting as the colours I selected here were a perfect blend, however going forward I will probably try to blend colours that more closely match. I used a wheat colour in a worsted weight cotton, and a mint green sport weight baby merino wool blend. The heavier weighted yarn is definitely at the dominant colour, but the hint of mint green adds a nice touch. I'll be posting some other blending experiments in the near future.

The pattern I used was an interrupted rib 3X3.

CO in a multiple of three

Row 1: Knit all stitches
Row 2: *Purl 3, Knit 3* repeat from *to* until the end of the row

Continue with rows 1 and 2

New Home Throw

My blog posts have been slow and far between for two main reasons. Firstly, I have been knitting less, and I have been knitting a lot of repeats. The following is a throw for our newly renovated main floor. I gave it to my husband for Christmas this past year. It is also a repeat of my favourite baby blanket from my Stitch'n'Bitch book, only larger. I used Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn, which was mostly trouble. The yarn is hollow, chunky and made out of nylon and cotton, thus making it impossible to weave and hide ends even on the end. I tried so many different methods and still am not completely satisfied with the look when changing balls of yarn. I used 6 balls for this giant blanket on size 8mm needles and casted on 180.

Classic Baby Blanket for a Classy Kid

Just wanted to share this baby blanket pic of Oliver in my favourite pattern from Stitch'n'Bitch "Bad Baby Blanket". I love this easy pattern and I'm currently knitting up a new project for my 'new house' in the same pattern.

Dan's Sweater

It has been some time since I posted, but things have been busy and I have been working on large projects this past year.

This sweater was a modified version of this pattern I found on ravelry:

http://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=5306&cid=15

I created it for my brother-in-law, Dan! It was an enjoyable project and opened up my mindset to knitting sweaters.

Using a bulkier yarn than required I modified the pattern to fit the gauge and to attempt a more custom fit, I casted on 151- my gauge was 14stitches=10cm (horizontal) and 18stitches=10cm (vertical)

5mm circular needles- for a sweater  (I bought some cool cubic ones which were a dream to knit with)

Bernat Chunky Yarn- 5 large balls in the blue (http://www.yarnspirations.com/yarn/bernat-chunky-1.html)

Bernat Chunky Yarn- 1 small ball in the multi-colour (http://www.yarnspirations.com/yarn/softee-chunky.html)

Lightning Add On:

I used a pixel creator to add the lightening to the back of the sweater.

Some issues:

For the collar and lapel its important to pick up every stitch when beginning. I don't think I did this properly and had a very bunchy collar and lapel. The fix was some serious wet blocking.

Thanks to Alexandra(my sister) and Dan (my bro-in-law) for the photos!

Baby Bibs

It's been a while since I posted and I really wanted to share a baby bib pattern I found and loved in honour of the Knitter's Frolic today in Toronto!

Here is Arya sporting a new bib at Easter.

This is another one I made for a baby expected this summer.

Here is the ravelry link:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-love-stockinette-baby-bib 

Patter notes:

1. Wrap and turn- I found these to cause big gaps in this part of the bib so instead of wrap and turn I knit or purl then turned (It might be the Bernat cotton I am using OR the fact that I just can wrap and turn properly).

2. When it says to do a purl pick up, I just purled the stitches across the row.  

Phone Pocket

After breaking the screen on my phone twice and seeing how fas the battery dies in the cold I made a phone pocket for my iphone 5c. Yes! I have an old phone, but this phone pocket works for other old phones as well; iphone 5s and iphone 4s.

Here's how to make it:

Materials
- less than 50g of worsted weight yarn (I used Madeline Tosh vintage scraps I had from a hat)
- 4mm dpns (5)

Pattern
1. CO 32 stitches on to one dpn
2. divide as follows: 2, 14, 2, 14 (it might be awkward to knit with two on one needle- but I felt this kept the shape) and join
3. K1 P1 for 1 inch
4. Pattern
Round 1: K12, P4, K12 P4
Round 2: P12, K4, P12, K4 (knit every stitch in the manner it presents)
Round 3: K4, Cable 8 front (4 and 4) P4,  K4, Cable 8 front (4 and 4), P4
Round 4: Same as round 2
Round 5: Same as round 1
Round 6: Same as round 2
Round 7: Cable 8 back, K4, P4, Cable 8 back, K4, P4
Round 8: Same as round 2
5. Repeat pattern until entire piece is 5.5 inches or desired length
6. 3 needle bind off

Fingerless Mittens for my Hubby

I knit up these fingerless mittens for my hubby shortly after Christmas. They fit perfectly and couldn't have turned out better. I found this pattern on ravelry (free download) by Snapper Knits.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fingerless-or-not-gloves

Some notes about the pattern.

1. Yarn- I used cascade sock yarn- such a dream to work with.
2.  After thumb gusset is created the pattern requests 18 rounds until pinky which is about 1.5 inches- I only did 15 rounds which was a bit more than 1.5 inches.
3. Ring finger issues- I ended up doing the ring finger as follows: Knit 11, put 25 and 25 stitches on stitch holders (knitting as you do so) then knit 7 (the knit 7 stitches is missing I believe).
4. Middle finger issues- I would use 10 stitches from first stitch holder and 10 from 2nd closest to the ring finger.

Chunk Knit Hats

The hat on the right was made with TWO strands of worsted weight yarn, and the hat on the right was made with chunky weight yarn. Both fit the same and both were made with the same pattern.

Materials

- yarn of you choice (see note above- 2 strands worsted or chinky) 1 skein

- Size 5mm needles- short circular and dpns

- darning needle

Pattern:

CO 72 and join in the round

K1P1 for 2 inches

Then begin knitting in the round (you can add some increases on your last row of K1P1 every 8 stitches do a K1thfb if you want your hat to be a bit wider inside)

Knit for 8-10 inches

Begin Hat Decrease (I use the 78 method)

NB: 7/8 decrease method instruction
Round 1: Knit 6, K2tog (entire round) - except for last 5 stitches
Round 2: K5, K2tog (entire round) - except for last 5 stitches
Round 3: K4, K2tog (entire round)- except for last 5 stitches
Round 4: K3, K2tog (entire round)- include last 5 stitches
Round 5: K2, K2tog (entire round)
Round 6: K1, K2tog (entire round)
Round 7: K2tog (entire round)
Continue with round 7 until you have 4-6 stitches left
8. Use darning needle to pick up last stitches and pull tight and weave in all loose ends

Arya's Stocking

I knit my first stocking for my menina. 

I used the pattern for the shape of the stocking here:

http://thecaffeineatedknitter.blogspot.ca/2008/10/sparkling-sleigh-bells-stocking.html

Using the pattern I added a few parts of my own:

1. The hook/hanger- crocheted on after the stocking was complete in a double crochet stitch similar to what I used for my dishtowels

2. The top part of the stocking- I casted on and knit for 4 rows, then purled for 4 rows, then knit for 4 rows and then purled for 4 rows

3. Name- I used my pixel app on my iPad to see where to knit in the letters using a bit of fairisle techniques

4. I use some moss stitches to make some snow under the name

5. I added 3 cables in the front of the stocking 

6. The foot part came out a bit large for me and in the future I would try to decrease my stitches after completing the heel

Stocking Stuffers for Arya- Leg Warmers

Baby Leg Warmers 

Pattern Adapted from One More Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit

by: Leigh Radford

These leg warmers are a bit big for my niece now, but by spring they should fit her chubby legs.

Materials:

4mm dpns (different from pattern in book)

worsted weight yarn

Pattern Adaptations:

CO 42 stitches

Join in the round

KKP for 2 inches

K until desired length (I knit 8 inches)

Stocking Stuffers for Arya- Baby Hat

Baby Hat

Appropriate for a baby about 1 year old.

Materials:

dpns 3mm

DK or sport weight yarn

darning needle

stitch marker

gauge: 22 stitches in stockinette stitch = 4 inches

Pattern:

1. CO 128 Stitches on one dpn

2. Divide evenly among 3 dpns

3. Join for knitting in the round

4. Place stitch marker at the beginning of the round

5. Knit in a 2X2 rib for 1.5 inches

6. Knit next rounds until hat is 5inches or desired length

7. Use 78 decrease method 

NB: 7/8 decrease method instruction
Round 1: Knit 6, K2tog (entire round) - except for last 5 stitches
Round 2: K5, K2tog (entire round) - except for last 5 stitches
Round 3: K4, K2tog (entire round)- except for last 5 stitches
Round 4: K3, K2tog (entire round)- include last 5 stitches
Round 5: K2, K2tog (entire round)
Round 6: K1, K2tog (entire round)
Round 7: K2tog (entire round)
Continue with round 7 until you have 4-6 stitches left
8. Use darning needle to pick up last stitches and pull tight and weave in all loose ends

Mom and Dad's Christmas Stocking Stuffers

Dad's Hat

Materials:
Cascade 220 Superwash (I used grey as my master colour and brown for striping)- I had less than one skein of both
4mm dpns
Darning needle
Stitch marker

Pattern:
1. Using 1 dpn Cast on 93 stitches
2. Divide stitches onto 3 dpns (31 on each needle)
3. Join in the round (I use the switch the first and last stitch method) and mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker
4. 1X1 rib stitch for 2 inches
5. Stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 3 inches
6. Add random stripes of your secondary colour as you go along.
7. Once the hat measures 8 inches decrease using the 7/8 decrease method starting at the beginning of the round (stitch marker)
NB: 7/8 decrease method instruction
Round 1: Knit 6, K2tog (entire round) - except for last 5 stitches
Round 2: K5, K2tog (entire round) - except for last 5 stitches
Round 3: K4, K2tog (entire round)- except for last 5 stitches
Round 4: K3, K2tog (entire round)- include last 5 stitches
Round 5: K2, K2tog (entire round)
Round 6: K1, K2tog (entire round)
Round 7: K2tog (entire round)
Continue with round 7 until you have 4-6 stitches left
8. Use darning needle to pick up last stitches and pull tight and weave in all loose ends


Mom's Neckwarmer 

Materials:
Madeline Tosh Vintage Superwash- 1 skein
5mm dpns
darning needle

Pattern:
1. CO 94 onto 1 needle
2. Divide evenly among 3 needles (31, 31, 32)
3. Join Round (I use the switch the first and last stitch method) and mark the beginning of the round with a stitch marker
4. *K2 P2* repeat for each round until piece measures 8 inches
5. Next row: *K1 M1 K1 P2* repeat for one round (for M1 use pick up method where you pick up a piece of yarn in between the stitches)
6. *K3 P2* repeat for each round until piece measures 13 inches
7. Cast off loosely (starting at the stitch marker)
8. Weave in all loose ends.

Here is Dan's neckwarmer!

Getting my hat on... another hat and scarf set

Above I have made another cable scarf and knitting hat matching set. I have been taking time to perfect my hat knitting skills. I found this hat to be a tad small for an adult, thus working well for someone will a smaller head. Below is the pattern for the hat:

Hat

Materials:
4mm dpns
Cascade 220 superwash yarn or a worsted weight yarn
darning needle

Pattern
CO 84 stitches (in the future I am going to try Co more stitches)
Divide evenly on three needles
Join
Round 1: *K2 P1* repeat from * to * for entire round
Repeat round 1 until piece measures 3 inches
Round 2: *K1 Ktfb P1 K2 P1* repeat from *to * for entire round
Round 3: K entire round
Repeat round 3 until piece measures 10 inches

Decrease using 7 8 method

Sew thru last 4 stitches

Weave in all loose ends

Pillow Talk

I really wanted a nice pillow to complement my couch and the first two I created weren't quite what I was looking for. But now I think I go it. Who says you can't have shades of grey on your couch- I can't help it if it is my favourite colour.

There are four pillows on my couch right now and I made 3 out of the four. The small one you see in front was knitted and the two floral pillows were sewn by me with invisible zippers. I learned how to use a sewing machine this past summer. 

I created the knitted pillow with cotton on a size 5mm needle. The cotton yarn created that dotted texture. 

Pattern:

CO will depend on the size of your pillow- I created a gauge of 5 stitches per inch.

I knitted stockinette stitch until I could wrap my fabric around the pillow and then I casted off.

Next, I mattress stitched the sides and bottom. 

Rayon Tank Top

I purchased some of this vintage colour rayon yarn at the Knitter's Frolic this year and this is what I made: A Tank Top- it's a bit late for summer but it will do for end of season. 

Size: Small

Materials:

2 Skeins of light Rayon- 100 grams- (the one I bought was found in a bin- no brand- no weight)- I would say its DK weight

3.75mm needles (round or straight- round will be more comfortable)

Sewing Needle

Gauge: (in stockinette stitch):

1 inch horizontal= 7 stitches

1 inch vertical= 7 stitches

Abbreviations:

CO- cast on

BO- bind off

Pattern Back:

CO100

2 cm of rib stitch

Knit even until piece measures 33cm total- finish with a purl row

Arm Shaping Rows:

Row 1: BO 2 at the beginning of the row- Knit

Row 2: BO 2 at the beginning of the row- Purl

Row 3: Same as Row 1

Row 4: Same as Row 2

Row 5: BO 1 at the beginning of the row- Knit

Row 6: BO 1 at the beginning of the row- Purl

Row 7: Same as Row 5

Row 8: Same as Row 6

(8 stitches decreased total)

Knit 22 rows even

Back Neckline Shaping:

Row 1: K34 BO24  K34

You will either need to add another skein or do each shoulder separately.

(adding another skein) Shoulders:

Row 1:  (1 shoulder) P26 P2tog P2tog P2tog P2tog (4times total) drop yarn and pick up second skein of yarn (2 shoulder) P2tog P2tog P2tog P2tog P26

Make sure to knit each shoulder with separate yarn

Row 2: (2 shoulder) K22 K2tog K2tog K2tog K2tog  (1 shoulder) K2tog K2tog K2tog K2tog K22

Row 3:  (1 shoulder) P22 P2tog P2tog (2 shoulder) P2tog P2tog P22

Row 4:  (2 shoulder) K20 K2tog K2tog  (1 shoulder) K2tog K2tog K20

Row 5:(1 shoulder) P18 P2tog P2tog (2 shoulder) P2tog P2tog P18

Row 6: (2 shoulder) K16 K2tog K2tog  (1 shoulder) K2tog K2tog K16

Row 7:(1 shoulder) P16 P2tog (2 shoulder) P2tog P16

Knit even until piece measures 55cm or longer if desired 

BO- each shoulder should have 17 stitches

Pattern Front:

CO 100

2 cm of rib stitch

Knit even until piece measures 33cm total- finish with a purl row

Arm Shaping Rows:

Row 1: BO 2 at the beginning of the row- Knit

Row 2: BO 2 at the beginning of the row- Purl

Row 3: Same as Row 1

Row 4: Same as Row 2

Row 5: BO 1 at the beginning of the row- Knit

Row 6: BO 1 at the beginning of the row- Purl

Row 7: Same as Row 5

Row 8: Same as Row 6

(8 stitches decreased total)

Knit even until entire piece measures 51.5cm-finish with a purl row

Neckline Shaping Row:

Row 1: K22 BO48 K22

You will either need to add another skein or do each shoulder separately.

(adding another skein) Shoulders:

Row 1:  (1 shoulder) P20 P2tog drop yarn and pick up second skein of yarn (2 shoulder)  P2tog P20

Make sure to knit each shoulder with separate yarn

Row 2: (2 shoulder) K19 K2tog (1 shoulder) K2tog K19

Row 3: (1 shoulder) P18 P2tog (2 shoulder) P2tog P18

Knit 3 rows even (each shoulder should have 17 stitches)

Knit even until piece measures 55cm or is even to back

Sew together at the tops of shoulders and along sides of body.

The Double Part II

I really loved the double scarf I knit a few Christmas' ago for my sister-in-law and decided to give it another go. Then, it all came rushing back to me, this scarf needs time and lots of it.

A few notes about the double this time around

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash- almost 4 balls of yarn (you could get away with 3- this one is a bit long)
Needles: 6mm (4 dpns)

Pattern:
1. CO 70 stitches
2. Divide stitches between 3 dpns
3. Knit in the round until scarf has reached desired length
4. 3 needle bind off- last time I posted a video- this is a great site that has instructions with pictures: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/FEATfall06TT.html
4. Weave in all end (in the inside of the scarf)
5. Mattress stitch the open end

Happy Birthday Joe!

Mariner Mother's Day Scarf

After visiting the Toronto Knitter's Frolic in late April I was determined to begin one of the projects as a Mother's Day present.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mariner

Here is the first one:

Below is the container the yarn comes in- one kit does the whole scarf- AMAZING!

First Ever Knitting Party

First off I would like to thank everyone who came out to the first ever knitting party on Brock! It was an amazing night for me.
A few things to note
1. Ashley became the queen of knitting for a night with the first finished purse
2. Laura Kelly and Stephanie S my ballerina were knitting up a storm- congrats to the new knitters and welcome to a wonderful hobby
*Secret knitting lessons with Stephanie really paid off!
*Laura, I think you knit better than your finacee now!
3. Stephanie K only knits in rectangles, and had the best color yarn which matched her measuring tape
4. Nadia stuck to the zig zag pattern with me even after having to rip it out...
5. Alex knows red is best and takes beauty shots with me
6. Arya slept through the "rowdy" knitting party just fine
7. Laura MZ was a motivator of all things knit worthy
8. AND I finally had a dream knitting party with my lovelies!

I hope we can do it again soon.

We all bought knit kits on the Wool and the Gang website. 

http://www.woolandthegang.com/host-a-party 

http://www.woolandthegang.com/t/knit-kits 

Arya and her Needle

Ladies busy knitting

Alex and I

Group Shot

Ashley's Masterpiece

Ashley's Masterpiece Part II

My masterpiece.

#woolandthegang

#madeunique

Knit and Learn

I made this fabulous top, finally! It worked out great, but I learned a lot. I learned that there is a reason Purl Bee used the Straight Lattice Stitch in a similar top instead of the Diagonal one I used here. I was able to block and sew up the top and it looks great, but next time I would use a different Lattice stitch to avoid any extra fabrics.

This shirt fits like a Medium and knits up very easily and in one piece!
Below I have written the original pattern and the woulda shoulda coulda pattern... for next time.

Materials:
Madeline Tosh Merino Light Wool or Comparable Weight (the colour above is Silver Leaf)
Size 4mm 24inch circular needles
Darning needle

Gauge in original pattern and 4mm needles:
5 stitches per 1inch

Gauge on Label in 2.74mm needles:
6-7 stitches per 1 inch
Pattern:

CO 84 stitches
Knit one Row
Continue in either Original Pattern stitch or Next Time Stitch until piece measures 24 inches (or desired length- the one in the picture is a bit long next time I would make it shorter)

Original Pattern Stitch:
Row 1: K1 *YO K2tog* repeat from *to* until end of the row
Row 2: Purl all stitches
Row 3: K2 *YO K2tog* repeat from *to* until end of the row
Row 4: Purl all stitches

Next Time Stitch:
Row 1: K1 *YO K2tog* repeat from *to* until end of the row
Row 2: Knit all stitches
Row 3: K2 *YO K2tog* repeat from *to* until end of the row
Row 4: Knit all stitches

Next Row: Once your piece has measured 24 inches or desired length continue in Pattern 18 stitches and then Cast Off 52 stitches (wide boat neck) and then continue in Pattern 18 more stitches.

Next Row: Knit 18 stitches in pattern and cable cast on 52 stitches and knit remaining 18 stitches in pattern.

Continue knitting the front of the shirt until piece measures 24 inches from neckline.
Bind off loosely.

You will have one piece which needs to be sewn up the  on the sides. If you have uneven fabric don't worry! Match up the bottoms of your piece and measure 7 inches (or desired length) for arm holes from the neck line. You may need to even it out by skipping a few stitches on the longer part of the fabric.

Arya has a matching one!