Tag: free pattern

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Simple Summer Wraps

Iris Rose

This time of year I am always, as I am sure most of us that live with at least four months of winter are, ready to ditch the heavy jackets and scarfs. It is time to break out the light and lovely things of spring. We have snow in the forecast again, but I am going to ignore that.

I have been looking through my designs to see if anything that I have written for winter could be double purposed as a summer wrap. I have a couple that, I think, will do very well in a lighter colour and a cotton blend or bamboo yarn.

The first one is a paid pattern, Simple Stripes Wrap, that is an easy knit with a touch of simple blossom lace for the border. The main wrap is knit lengthwise which is my favourite way to work a long piece. I get so bored working side to side that I usually end up with a wrap that is too short to drape properly.

I think that this pattern will look lovely knit up in a light colour with pastel stripes, maybe cream with peach to light blue or white with dark yellow to mauve. A gradient for the stripes will be very pretty too.

My next choice for a light summer wrap is my Latte Scarf (free pattern, even better). Even though I called it a scarf, with a couple of pattern repeats, it will work very well as a shawl. This one is made with one Caron Cake but, I think, will look lovely made with a single colour bamboo, cotton blend, or acrylic. Any yarn that will give you a nice drape when blocked will work great. You will need to increase the amount of yarn that you use to about 400m from the 350m that are included in the Cake.

I hope that you are inspired to get out the needles and give either of these a try. Both are worked with larger than normal needles, 6mm and 6.5mm respectively so are a little bit faster to work up than your average lace shawl.

Thanks for reading and have a happy week filled with yarny, crafty goodness.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Curved Shoulder Scarf for Spring

Iris Rose

I know that I have been missing for the last couple of weeks, my apologies. Sometimes life just takes over and leaves little time for the fun stuff.

I have a free pattern on Ravelry that has been very popular and deserves another feature here for you. It is a very easy shoulder scarf that is perfect to keep the chill off when you are wearing your pretty sundress or tank top.

I have knit this up in worsted weight, both light and heavy, in a couple of colours and like each one. I rated this one as easy to make and it is actually a pretty quick knit as well. I think that it would look lovely in a soft and fuzzy yarn as well.

Change up the lace for a different look. There are a ton of antique lace patterns out there that could easily be substituted for the one I used.

This curved shoulder scarf is shaped with short rows and decreases and edged with old fashioned garter lace which is knit first. I used a diamond edging but any 12 row garter lace edging up to about 15 stitches wide could be substituted. Please note there are now two different garter edges at the top of the scarf; one is straight and the alternate curved to cover the ends of the lace.

Needles: 6.5mm (US 10.5), 80cm (32”) circular needle, two stitch markers.

Yarn: any worsted weight yarn. I have used DK to the heavy worsted pictured above.

Abbreviations:
K = knit P = purl

K2Tog = knit 2 stitches together

K3Tog = knit 3 stitches together

YO = yarn over

W&T = wrap and turn, turn work, slip the last unworked stitch onto the left hand needle, bring the yarn to front, slip the stitch back to the right needle and bring the yarn to the back, reverse front to back on purl rows.

Diamond Garter Lace Edging:
Cast on 9 stitches
R1: K3, (K2Tog, YO) x 2, K1, YO, K1
R2: (K1, P1) x 3, K4
R3: K2, (K2Tog, YO) x 2, K3, YO, K1
R4: K1, P1, K3, P1, K1, P1, K3
R5: K1, (K2Tog, YO) x 2, K5, YO, K1
R6: K1, P1, K5, P1, K1, P1, K2
R7: K3, (YO, K2Tog) x 2, K1, K2Tog, YO, K2Tog
R8: K1, P1, K3, P1, K1, P1, K3
R9: K4, YO, K2Tog, YO, K3Tog, YO, K2Tog
R10: (K1, P1) x 3, K4
R11: K5, YO, K3Tog, YO, K2Tog
R12: (K1, P1) x2, K5

Work 21 repeats of the edging, cast off with row 12 of final repeat and leave the last stitch on the needle.

Body of scarf:
Pick up and knit 125 stitches along top edge of diamond lace (126 stitches total including the one on your needle to start). If you pick up one stitch between each knot at edging row ends, you will have a smooth join. If you pick up in the knots, you will have a seam.

R1: Wrong side of work, purl all stitches.
R2: K1, (YO, K2Tog) to last stitch, K1.
R3: Purl all stitches, placing a marker after 42 and 84 stitches, dividing the work into 3 equal sections. This is where you will decrease to shape the shoulders.
R4: Knit to 1st marker, slip marker and work a left leaning decrease by slipping the two stitches after the marker knitwise, slipping them back to the left needle and knitting them together. Knit to 2 stitches before the next marker, knit these 2 stitches together for a right leaning decrease and slip marker. You will work every right side row this way until 22 stitches remain between the markers. Knit to 37 stitches after the last marker, wrap and turn (W&T).
R5: Purl across working 37 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R6: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 32 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R7: Purl across working 32 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R8: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 27 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R9: Purl across working 27 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R10: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 22 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R11: Purl across working 22 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R12: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 17 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R13: Purl across working 17 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R14: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 12 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R15: Purl across working 12 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R16: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 7 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R17: Purl across working 7 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R18: Knit to 1st marker, decreasing between the markers as described in R4, knit 2 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R19: Purl across working 2 stitches after the last marker, W&T.
R20: Knit to end picking up the wraps at W&T and decreasing at the markers.
R21: Purl across to end picking up the wraps at W&T. If you are going to knit the Alternate Edge, cut your yarn here, leaving all of your stitches on the needle and go to the Alternate Edge Instructions at the end of the pattern.
R22: Knit across, decreasing between the markers and removing the markers as you go. 106 stitches remain on your needle.
R23: Knit (wrong side).
R24: (K8, K2Tog) x 10, K6. (96 stitches remain)
R25-27: Knit.
Cast off loosely, weave in ends and block. I always give my knitting a good tug in all directions before blocking to even out the stitches, a throw back to when I learned to machine knit.

Alternate Edge: See note below
R22: With the right side of your scarf facing you, start at the bottom edge of the lace and pick up and knit 12 stitches along the side (9 on the lace and 3 on the body of the scarf). Continue knitting the stitches that are on your needle, decreasing between the markers and removing the markers as you work. Pick up and knit 12 stitches across the end of the scarf (3 on the body and 9 on the lace). (130 stitches)
R23: Knit all stitches.
R24: K19, K2 Tog, (K8, K2Tog) x 9, K19 (120 stitches).
R25-27: Knit.
Cast off loosely, weave in ends and block.
Note: If you are using a yarn without much stretch, you should increase 1 stitch on R24 between stitches 11 and 12 and in the same place at the other end to allow your edge to curve when blocked without pulling.

Knitting

New Babies

Iris Rose

I was very flattered a couple of weeks ago when I was invited to participate in a spring craft sale being held by the Okotoks library as a fund raiser. This, of course, made me take stock of what I have on hand and immediately panic.

I didn’t really panic but I did take stock and decided that I need to increase my toy and sweater supply. I started in on toys first as they are my favourite make. I had knit six little babies and the same number of little rabbits while on vacation in December and had promptly put them in the later pile when I got home.

 

I worked last weekend and this week on finishing the babies and have started on the bunnies. I am quite happy with them and I think that that will fulfill my baby stock shortage. The bunnies are still a work in progress but, as long as I don’t procrastinate too much, I should have those finished up this weekend.

This brings me to my favourite toy designer, Pat Alinejad.  Known as Gypsycream, Pat is one of the most talented toy designers offering patterns today, in my opinion. Her patterns are very well written, with very detailed instructions on assembly of the finished pieces. She makes every step clear enough that a beginner is able to follow her designs to completion. Here is a link to her Ravelry store. I have made several of these designs and own even more. They are just so darn cute and great value.

I am currently working on a couple of dolls from her newest pattern, My First Cuddly, and hope to show you the finished baby in the next post.

I have still been tootling with my knitting machines and put together these little clothes for DGD2’s baby whose favourite colour is rainbow. Yes, I love her enough to sew in all of those ends, and even more than that.

Have a lovely week ahead. For those still stuck in the cold, the weather will get warmer, I promise. Kindness and happy thoughts to you all.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

It’s Cold!

Iris Rose

In many parts of central and eastern North America it is very cold right now. Our turn here in Alberta is coming in the next couple of days. While we will not be experiencing the deep cold that has held our neighbor provinces to the east in its thrall, minus 25 celsius is cold enough for me thank you very much.

It will be good time to stay home and knit or crochet to increase your internal heat generated by your motions. That is my theory anyway and I am sticking to that logic.

It is also a great time to work on a blanket. Having all of that weight and yarn on your lap is so cozy and you can fool everyone around you into thinking that you are a superwoman or man in that you are not cold at all!

I have free pattern for a blanket in my Ravelry store that works up quickly and is nice and cuddly. I made the original in Bernat Blanket yarn, but it can easily made with any worsted weight held double. Try combing two colours for a really pretty speckled look. I am repeating the pattern here for you but, if you want to work from a pdf, click on the link above to take you to a free download.


The blanket, 115cm x 155cm (45” x 60”), is knit with garter stitch in the Shetland style with a centre rectangle and then subsequent rows worked around that. You will need 800 metres (885 yards) of bulky weight yarn. You can use Bernat Blanket as I did or any worsted weight yarn held double which will double the amount of yarn that you need of course.

You will need 10 or 12mm circular needles. Use one to start then two or a very long one as the size of the blanket grows. I used an interchangeable with a cable connector and used two 100 cm (40”) cables.

With a 10 or 12mm circular needle, cast on 18 stitches and knit 60 rows, bind off.

Pick up and knit 18 stitches across the short side of the rectangle, place a marker, 30 stitches along the long side, place a marker, then 18 stitches at the other short side, place a marker and finally another 30 stitches along the last long side, placing a final marker. (To garter stitch in the round, you will knit the first row and purl the next. These two rows will be worked throughout.) Purl the next row.

Increase in each corner on each knit row by making a stitch before the marker, slip the marker, knit one and make another stitch. Make a stitch by lifting the bar between two stitches onto the left needle and knit through the back loop.

I changed colours every 14 rows, then 18, 18 and 12 rows to make the stripes around the centre piece. You can alternate colours as often as you like or make it all in one colour. Just have fun with it!

Enjoy the pattern (great for TV knitting) and have a great (and warm) week ahead.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Still Away But Crafting

Iris Rose

Lucky, lucky me, I am still vacationing in paradise! Just because I am away from home though doesn’t mean that I don’t still have the bug to create. I lasted about three days before I brought out the knitting.

I always try to bring small projects when I am away. Knitting or crocheting something large in the heat is just not my cup of tea. I packed a few, okay six, balls of cotton blend yarn that I had purchased to make soft dollies for my craft store. I am working on number five of the expected six that I hoped to make and may be able to squeeze a couple of more out of the yarn that I brought to fill in the few days that we have left.

I will happily craft anywhere. As long as there is enough light and a clean bag to hold the yarn, I am content. I was knitting on the beach a couple of days ago and was getting some looks from the lady a short space over. She got up and left her lounger returning ten minutes later with a bag from which she pulled out her knitting! We didn’t speak the same language, but I believe that crafting is universal and we share the same need to create. She was knitting a beautiful aran sweater with a honeycomb and cable pattern. The yarn she was using looked like alpaca or a similar blend, just lovely but it must have been hot to work with in the 29C heat.

I wrote a few posts ago about a cake of Twister from Hobbii that I was crocheting into a poncho and how unhappy I was with the abrupt colour changes that were happening instead of the gradient that I expected. I put the project aside until I stopped being mad at it and went ahead and finished a child size poncho without using the whole cake in order to minimize the striped effect. Here is what I ended up with and, although I still don’t like the colour changes, it looks better than I expected.

This is a free pattern that I found on Ravelry called 123 Shawl and Poncho.  It is really hard to follow if you have never worked with C2C but Youtube came to the rescue for me. I used a 3.5mm hook to accommodate the finer yarn that I used and added a button and buttonhole band. I would like to try this one again in a thick and fuzzy yarn as it really is an easy and pretty make.

Have restful week and may all of your Christmas knitting and crocheting be done before the big day!