Tag: crochet

Knitting

Back to Reality and a Gift For You.

Iris Rose

Is everyone back to normal after the midwinter Christmas and New Year’s break?  It takes some doing doesn’t it, to get back into the routine of everyday living.

I was away for much of December on a (for me) trip of a life time.  I spent three weeks travelling New Zealand and Southeast Australia, a bucket list destination.  We had a wonderful time and had to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to the airport to come home!

It is now time for reality again and back to cold winter and awesome crocheted and knit accessories and sweaters.  As promised, I have been working my tail off to finish (or rather refinish) the poncho that I started in the fall.  I am happy to say that it came off the needles yesterday and I completed the sewing up last night ready to block.  I am really, really happy with the resulting garment and will be posting the pattern in the next week.  In the meantime, here is a glimpse of the detail on the front and back and a picture of the yarn that I used, purchased at Stash Lounge in Calgary.

                            

I need to get to work next on that crocheted wrap that I promised you as well.  I had almost completed a sample in October but was unhappy with the look; it just wasn’t what I envisioned.  Too bad that you can’t take a picture from your brain and make it real.  Anyway, I have rethought the process and I think that I now have an idea of how I want to put it together.  Hopefully it will be a reality before the end of the month!

Crocheting was my first love and, even though knitting seems to have taken over, I enjoy the more three-dimensional process of hook and yarn.  I am using an ordinary acrylic (Loops and Threads) from Michaels to create something that, if my vision doesn’t get ahead of my craft again, will be extraordinary.  I am excited about this project!

This crocheted little kid’s cardigan is a paid pattern in my Ravelry store but, as it has been such a long time since I published my last new free pattern, here is gift for you:

Worked top down, this little cardigan is light and lacey.  It looks great on its own or with a long sleeved T underneath.  Pair it with leggings or jeans to make your little princess look dressed up while you know that she is comfortable.

Sizes: 12 months, 18/24 months, 2/3 years

Materials:

Red Heart Soft or equivalent worsted weight yarn: 175 m/195 yds white, 225 m/250 yds contrasting colour, 5mm crochet hook, four small buttons to match, large eyed needle for sewing in ends.

Abbreviations:    sc = single crochet               dc = double crochet

tc = treble crochet

 

Gauge: (Blocked) 4 sc or 4 dc = 2.5 cm or 1 inch, 2rows dc = 2.5 cm or 1 inch

Custer Stitch: wrap yarn around hook once to begin a double crochet, work into stitch below and draw up a loop, wrap yarn and pull through first two loops only.  Wrap yarn again and draw a loop through the same stitch, wrap yarn and pull through first two loops. Repeat this again and then wrap yarn and pull through all four loops on hook.

Begin cardigan at neck edge:

With white, ch 49, (61, 73)

Row 1: sc in each ch starting at 2nd ch from hook. 48, (60, 72) sc

Row 2: sc 7, (9, 11), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 6, (8, 10), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 16, (18, 20), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 6, (8, 10), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 7, (9, 11), ch 1 and turn. 56, (68, 80) sc

Row 3: sc in each sc, ch 1 and turn. Repeat this row for 2nd and 3rd size.

Row 4: sc 8, (10, 13), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 8, (10, 12), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 18, (20, 22), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 8, (10, 12), 2 sc in next sc twice, sc 8, (10, 12), ch 2 and turn. 64, (76, 88) sc

Row 5: dc 9, (11, 13), 2 dc in next sc twice, dc 10, (12, 14), 2 dc in next sc twice, dc 20, (22, 24), 2 dc in next sc twice, dc 10, (12, 14), 2 dc in next sc twice, dc 9, (11, 13), ch 2 and turn. 72, (84, 96) dc

Row 6: dc 10, (12, 14), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 12, (14, 16), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 20, (24, 26), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 12, (14, 16), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 10, (12, 14), ch 2 and turn. 80, (92, 104) dc

Row 7: dc 11, (13, 15), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 14, (16, 18), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 24, (26, 28), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 14, (16, 18), 2 dc in next dc twice, dc 11, (13, 15), ch 2 and turn. 88, (100, 112) dc

Row 8: Change to contrast colour, dc in 1st dc, * skip next dc, cluster st in next dc, ch 1*, repeat * to * working cluster and ch 1 in extra dc at sleeve increases to last 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc. 42, (50, 58) clusters

Row 9: Change to white, ch3, slip st in 1st chain 1 space, (ch3, slip st) in each ch1 space to end, ch3 and slip st to last dc, ch 2 and turn.

Row 10: dc 2 in each ch 3 space to end, dc in slip st, fasten off.  Bodice is complete.

Row 11: Change to contrast colour, ch 2, dc in each dc across front to sleeve corner = 16, (18, 20) dc, ch 5, dc in each dc across back to sleeve corner = 28, (30, 32) dc, ch 5, dc in each dc across front = 16, (18, 20) dc, ch 2 and turn.

Row 12: dc in each dc across front, dc in each of 5 ch, dc in each dc across back, dc in each of 5 ch, dc in each dc across front, ch 2 and turn.

Row 13: dc 18, (20, 22), 3 dc in next dc, centre dc of ch 5, dc 32, (34, 36), 3 dc in ext dc, centre dc of ch 5, dc 18, (20, 22), ch 2 and turn.

Row 14: dc in each dc across, ch 2 and turn.

Row 15: dc 19, (21, 23) 3 dc in next dc, centre dc of 3 dc in 1, dc 34, (36, 38), 3 dc in next dc, centre dc of 3 dc in 1, dc 19, (21, 23) ch2 and turn.

Row 16: dc in each dc across, ch 2 and turn.

Row 17: dc 20, (22, 24), 3 dc in next dc, centre dc of 3 dc in 1, dc 36, (38, 40), 3 dc in next dc, centre dc of 3 dc in 1, dc 20, (22, 24), ch2 and turn.

Row 18: (2nd and 3rd size only) dc in each dc across, ch 2 and turn.

Row 19: (2nd and 3rd size only) dc in each dc across, ch 2 and turn.

Row 20: Change to white, dc in 1st dc, * skip next dc, cluster st in next dc, ch 1*, repeat * to * to last 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc.

Row 21: ch 3, sc in next ch 1 space, ch 3 repeat * to * to last st, sc, ch 2 and turn.

Row 22: dc in 1st dc, * cluster st in next ch3 space, ch 1*, repeat * to * to last 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc.

Row 23: Change to contrast colour, ch 2 and dc in 1st st, 3 dc in each ch 1 space across to last 2 dc, dc in each st, ch 3 and turn.

Row 24: tc in next dc, 2 tc in next dc repeat from * to * to end, ch3 and turn.

Row 25: tc in each tc across, ch 1 and turn.

Row 26: sc in 1st st, skip next 2 tc, (dc, ch 1 four times, dc into next tc), skip next 2 tc, sc in next tc, repeat * to * to end, sc in last st. Do not fasten off.

Right front edge:

Row 1: sc 44 evenly along right front edge, ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: sc in first sc, *ch 2, skip 1 sc, sc in next 5 sc *, repeat * to * 3 times more, (this makes your buttonholes) sc in each remaining sc, ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: sc in each sc working 1 sc in each ch 2 space. Fasten off.

Left front edge:

Row 1: join contrast colour at neck edge of right side and work 44 sc evenly along edge, ch1 and turn.

Row 2: sc in each sc, ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: sc in each sc, fasten off.

Neck edge:

Row 1: join white at edge of front band, ch 1 and sc in first st, sc in each sc to sleeve start, skip 1 sc and sc across sleeve to corner, skip 1 sc and continue across, skipping 1 sc at each edge of second sleeve, ch 1 but do not turn.

Row 2: crab st or backwards sc across, skipping 1 sc at sleeve corners, fasten off.

Sleeve edge:

Row 1: join white at right side edge of white, sc across, ch1 but do not turn.

Row 2: crab st or backwards sc across, fasten off.

Repeat these two rows on second sleeve edge.

Weave in ends and block lightly.

Sew buttons to left front edge to match buttonholes on right.

Knitting

Down Under and Yarn Heaven

Iris Rose

Today, instead of crafting or cooking, I am writing about travel. DH and I normally take a trip this time of the year, both to escape some of the cold of the Canadian prairie winter but also it is a condition of my day job. I work for a company that is busy in the summer but very slow in the winter, an ideal time to take a break.

Visiting New Zealand has been a life long dream of mine. We decided that now was the time.  Our trip started in Auckland which is a very beautiful city and we are travelling south from there on a cruise. Auckland is very clean, very pretty and very friendly. We had only an overnight there but really enjoyed the harbour area where we stayed. On our next stop we took a tour to Te Puia to visit the Maori cultural centre. We were treated to a welcoming ceremony and a show that included the Haka. It was a fabulous experience.

We have moved on since and have seen how really beautiful this country is; clean, lovely scenery and very friendly people. So far it has been a perfect vacation.

Now we all know the real reason that I felt compelled to visit this part of the world, wool (or wool and possum which is gorgeous)! DH is a great enabler and has asked at each stop for a wool shop for me. Most downtown areas, like cities at home, don’t have such a thing and our tours have taken us out of the port to the countryside. I find that cities are much the same all over the world so the country tours seem to tell a better story of the local culture.

We have been holed up in Dunedin for two nights to wait out a storm that rolled in off of the Antarctic so had a little extra shopping time. Low and behold there is a yarn shop downtown here. Knit World is just that! They had a great selection of the merino, possum blend that I have been lusting for and the lady in the store was so friendly and welcoming. I was only going to buy a couple of souvenir hanks but, DH, the lovely man, insisted that I buy “enough to make something nice” and I ended up with more than I intended, lucky me!

This yarn is truly beautiful. The fibre is soft and has a lovely halo, perfect for warm clothing for the winter. I learned that possum is an extremely warm and light fibre with hollow core which allows it to be such a great insulator. I am in crafters heaven! Now which one do I work with first?

Knitting

Last Minute Gifts to Knit

Iris Rose

I have kind of hit a blank on what to blog about this week.  I have been working on new patterns and did promise them for the end of November but, I can tell you right now, that ain’t gonna happen.

I have been designing a poncho in a really pretty gradient yarn and, having reached the point where both the front and back pieces were finished, I sewed one side together so that I could knit the neck piece.  A look in the mirror had me laughing my tush off!  It was the most ridiculous looking piece of work that I have ever created.  The cable is beautiful and the yarn shading is very, very pretty but the style, not so much.  Fortunately, I do have a sense of humour or I would have been either in tears or throwing the darn thing through the window.  I will have the pattern ready for January; Christmas season is interfering with my spare time. 

I have also been working on a crocheted shawl that I am excited about.  I am just not excited enough about it to finish it.  I really don’t like the yarn that I chose and want to restart in something that I enjoy working with.  I am going to put my work ethic (huh!) in gear and get that done first so, tada, there will now be two new patterns in January instead of November.  Good things are worth waiting for though, right?

While I procrastinate and you are waiting for me to reveal these patterns, how is your gift knitting or crocheting coming along?  I have a number of free patterns on Ravelry that are speedy knits with very little investment in yarn required.  Cheap and fast, what more can you ask for?  Seriously though, if you are short on time and need an inexpensive handmade gift, have a look at my store.

My favourites are first, the Simple Shawl which you can whip up in about four hours on big needles with 150m of a fancy textured or self striping bulky yarn.  Next is the Quick and Easy Garter Stitch Cowl which, again, you can whip up in a couple of hours and, using a thick, pretty yarn, makes a great gift.  Third choice would be the Latte Scarf.  It takes a little longer to make but, using one cake only of Caron Cakes, is a fancier gift that won’t break the bank.  Use a second cake and make this one wider for a pretty wrap.

If you can both knit and crochet, the Combo Hat pattern is very pretty and doable in an evening.

Make your simple gifts with fancy textured, striping or fuzzy yarn and let the yarn be the star.  I have a few other patterns that you might like; have a look and make this a handmade holiday!  You still have plenty of time.

Knitting

Hat Display aka Pothead

Iris Rose

This weekend I am going to be a vendor at one of our local Christmas Markets.  If you happen to live in Calgary and want to see what I and other crafters have been making, drop by the Blessed Cardinal Newman High School at 16201 McKenzie Lake Blvd SE and browse the Christmas Market between 10AM and 3PM.  All of us appreciate the support.

I normally use a few of those styrofoam wig heads for displaying hats.  However, and this is a big however, they are smaller than an adult head, very easily damaged, and love to tip over unless they are perfectly balanced and/or taped (this is my preference) onto the table top.  I needed a solution to all of these problems.  There is a video circulating on facebook that shows a styrofoam ball wrapped in yarn with lips, crocheted and glued on, that is meant for hat display.  The “head” sits on a dowel and is based on a chunk of wood.  It is very cute but I anticipated a problem with the yarn sticking to the hat when someone pulls it off to try it on.  Plonk, over goes the display and likely the next one to it.

          

A very talented crafter, Lynn, came up with a brilliant solution by placing the dowel inside an overturned clay pot through the drainage hole.  She commented that the dowel was still a little unstable.  My DH came up with the really great idea of cutting rounds of wood just smaller than the pot opening and sitting the dowel in that.  It is really perfect blend of both ideas that works great for me!

The ball is drilled and then glued onto a dowel which is pushed through the drainage hole of the pot into the wood base but not glued so that I can dismantle the display for storage.  I made three different heights so that they can be grouped closer together than the wig heads and still be visible.  The styrofoam is quite slick so putting hats on and taking them off should be a breeze.  The finished product was dubbed a “pothead” and has been the topic of jokes all week.  I don’t have time to decorate the pots this year but have plans to get creative and sponge paint or paint flowers on them or knits or whatever.  I will let you know how that works out.

This is our second sale this fall.  The first was kind of a dud due to location but, you know, I always enjoy being at these sales just to meet people, so it really wasn’t a waste of time.

Have a crafty week and I will let you know next Thursday if our “potheads” worked out.

Knitting

Foray into Machine Knitting

Iris Rose

This week, I thought that I would write about my third craft love, machine knitting.  I know that I have written about this in the past and I know that machine knitting is regarded by many as cheating or not requiring much skill, but nothing could be further from the truth.

I have caught up with my WIPs (actually ignoring the pile is more accurate) and decided to give the old standard gauge a whirl.  I have a couple of knitting machines, okay four, all of them Singers from the eighties, three are standard gauge and one is a bulky machine.  Three have matching ribbers.  My first machine was a gift and the others were just too tempting a price to refuse once I caught the bug.

Silk Noil Tank Top With Hand Crocheted Edging

I am self taught and learned before the era of Youtube and other helpful online resources.  I thought that using a machine would be breeze and, although I was already an accomplished crocheter and knitter at the time, I soon found out that this craft was a whole new ball game.  The instruction books that come with the machines are good but there is no substitute for hands on help with this type of knitting.  I joined a machine knitting group and that really helped to keep me going.  I have learned so much more these last few years through facebook groups and Youtube that I am light years ahead of where I was when I packed up my machines thirteen years ago.

A standard gauge knitting machine will handle yarn from very fine to about sport weight.  3ply and 4ply (sock) are the perfect weight in my opinion.  You can knit DK but it is a struggle and requires using only every other needle so is limiting in what you can make.  My favourite machine is my Singer 560 (I have two in case one dies on me) and has built in electronic patterning which was state of the art in 1984, the year it was made.

This last couple of weeks of been a fun test of all of the knowledge that I have acquired but not used recently.  I had rehabbed my machines a few months ago with new retainer bars and needles and, wow, what a difference!  I cast on without dropping everything on my toes and I was off.

    

Cashmere, Silk and Merino Wrap, the photo doesn’t do it justice!

The first thing that I made was a wrap for myself.  I collect yarn, did you know that?  I have a few, okay some, okay a lot, of luxury yarn on cones that I buy online from Colourmart in the UK.  I had a 150g cone of cashmere, silk, merino blend in a charcoal grey.  Perfect, I thought.  I played with some swatches (yes, you have to swatch for machine knitting too!) and settled on a simple tuck stitch pattern that gives the work some interest but allows the sheen of the yarn to come through.  Thirteen hundred rows later I had a gorgeous wrap that only required some crochet around the edge to stop the curl.  Three thousand single crochet stitches later and my wrap was done.  It is really lovely, soft and drapey, and is my new favourite wrap.

Bunny Hop Cardigan

Well, the simple work was done, and I ventured on to something more challenging.  I didn’t keep the patterns that I had written long ago but remembered enough to work out a simple girl’s cardigan.  Having a lot of sewing experience in garment construction really can make a difference in success or failure when designing for another craft.  A border of bunnies across the bottom above the ribbing made the sweater.  I still needed to block everything and sew it together but, when that was done, it is really cute and I am proud of the way it turned out.

Cable Sweater Back, Unblocked

Next up is a more complicated pullover with hand manipulated cables and raglan sleeves.  I had no trouble with the back but, of course, thinking that this would be a breeze, I needed to reknit the front a few times.  All in the learning curve I guess but whew, I was glad when it was done.  I have completed a sleeve and am working on the second.  I should be done this weekend, yay!

    

Wrap Knit from a Youtube Video, this took some patience but was fun!

If you think that machine knitting might be for you, I highly, highly recommend that you join a group in your area if you can find one.  I did that when I first started and it really does make a big difference in continuing or quitting in frustration.  Youtube is your friend and an active facebook group will keep you inspired and encourage you to keep going.