Tag: knit

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Winter In Summer Blog Post

Iris Rose

Okay, it is ridiculously cold here right now and has been for the last couple of days. Minus one degree Celsius at ten in the morning, really, on September 13th? I haven’t even started my winter knitting! My blog is not late this week because of the cold but I have just been too busy with family stuff. Anyway, here it is now.

Speaking of the cold, I have a super easy, super warm couch blanket pattern on Ravelry that uses Bernat Blanket or any super chunky yarn. You could even double some worsted weight that you have too much of or don’t know what to do with and make a pretty and warm addition to your living room, den, bedroom, you get the picture.

If you don’t have access to Ravelry, here is the pattern for you. I know that this is a cop out this week but, you know, we all have those days where you realize that writer’s block is a real thing!

I had four balls of Bernat Blanket yarn (you can use any worsted weight doubled) that I had bought with cowls in mind but found that the yarn just did not have enough bounce to create the look that I imagined. So what to do with it? Why not a Blanket blanket? Okay, I got my joke out of the way and here is how I went ahead and made a 115cm x 155cm (45” x 60”) cozy blanket.

The blanket 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. As I said above, you can use 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!

 

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Off To The Mountains, Rerun It Is!

Iris Rose

I am off to Jasper National Park for the weekend, lucky me!  I will have photos next week but in the meantime, here is a rerun of a post from last January.  The subject is appropriate for this time of year with the big W looming.  I just can’t bring myself to say the word yet!

I know that I have written about hat patterns before this and have published one in my blog only, along with the couple that I have in my Ravelry store. I find that knitting or crocheting a hat is a very soothing and rewarding process. The project is completed in a short period of time so that the repetition does not become tiresome and the resulting hat is both functional and shows off lovely yarns. Hats are a good way to try out new techniques and stitches without a huge investment of time and money.


Hat making is for crafters as a romance novel is for a serious reader; a way to keep your mind active without any stress because you know that the major characters are always going to live happily ever after and your hat will always fit and look great on somebody.


I cleaned out my stash in November when I was looking for a yarn for a specific project (and I was appalled at the mess my stash was in) and found a box of odd acrylic, wool and wool blend skeins, all washable, that I had forgotten about. I have made a commitment this year to more charity crafting and here was the perfect yarn for that goal.

Since I like to knit hats the best for the reasons above, I started with hat projects. I have knitted six in the last week! I plan to keep on going but do need to switch up the type of project. I am thinking mitts next or maybe scarfs are more practical. I also need to switch to crochet as I have a horde of hat patterns in that craft that are crying to be used.
We will see what the next week brings but in the meantime, I thought that I would share my hat formula with you. It is adaptable to any worsted or heavier yarn and customizable if you want to try different stitches. I can make one of these hats in about three to three and half hours depending on how distracted I am.


Basic Adult Winter Toque:
Yarn: Worsted weight 130m (143yds) 5.5mm or 6mm (US 9 or 10), 40cm circular needle
Aran or Chunky 110m (121yds) 6.5mm (US 10.5), 40cm (16”) circular needle
Bulky 95m (105yds) 8mm (US11), 40cm (16”) circular needle

You will need DPN’s in the same size to shape the crown or a same size longer circular needle for Magic Loop. You will also need a stitch marker and a tapestry needle for weaving in the ends.

The first cast on number of stitches is for worsted, the second for chunky, and the third is for bulky yarn.

Cast on 84, (78, 72) stitches and join to work in the round. Place a marker at the join.

Work 18, (16, 14) rounds of ribbing. My favourite is K2, P1 as this makes a nice stretchy ribbing like a 1 x 1 but is still a little different looking. It also lets you twist the knit stitches for a faux cable look.

Continue knitting in rounds until 30, (28, 26) rounds of stocking stitch have been worked. Start decreases for the crown. Divide your working stitches by six so 84 stitches will result in decreasing by K12, K2together six times.

You will decrease 78 stitches by K11, K2together six times and with 72 stitches you will work K10, K2together six times.

Next round, knit all stitches. Continue decreasing every second round by working one stitch less between the K2togethers each consecutive decrease round. Switch to DPN’s or Magic Loop when the stitches are too taut on the needle.

End at K1, K2together (12 stitches remaining) and, cutting a 15cm or 6” end, thread the end through the remaining stitches and gather them up off of the needles(s). I like to thread the tail through to the wrong side and fasten it off securely inside. Weave your beginning end and any ends from colour changes etc., and you are done.

Add a pompom for an up to date look or tassels to make it vintage looking. Make it in stripes, a good way to use up part skeins, or with a self-striping yarn. You can modify this pattern with a fancy stitch, but you will have to figure out how to work that into the decreases. You can also adapt the pattern for finer yarn by increasing the number of cast on stitches, decreasing the needle size to suit, and keep your stitch count always divisible by six to keep the crown decrease in a nice shape.


I use this same formula for kid’s hats, decreasing the number of cast on stitches by six for 5 to 9 year olds and 12 for younger. Even smaller for babies is possible with another six less stitches.


Have fun and keep those charities in mind if you want to practice.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Old UFO Now An FO

Iris Rose

What is the oldest UFO that you actually picked up and finished? I finally, finally finished a cardigan that I started in 2001. Only seventeen years from start to finish, not bad, eh? I actually have completed projects older than this one before but this is the latest.

I made the crocheted border squares and then, because the yarn was fine 4ply, got overwhelmed at the thought of all of that knitting plain stocking stitch and hid it in a yarn bin. Who was I hiding it from? I have no idea as I am the only one who ever looks through my stash, so I guess I was hiding it from myself and that UFO guilt. I had forgotten about it until I was looking for yarn for another brilliant idea that popped into my brain one night. Voila, I found the yarn that I was looking for and my deserted cardigan.

It seriously took me about two weeks to pick up the cone of yarn and finished motifs and then I put it down again for another week. I finished the knitting and then I put it down again for another month. What is it about some projects that you have to be dragged kicking and screaming to finish them? I really liked the colour of this yarn, I really liked the design that I made up, and I really felt compelled to finish it but not quickly obviously!

Two weeks ago I told myself that it was finish or frog time. I always like to crochet the bands on my sweaters if practical because it just seems to be a more professional finish than knitted bands. Maybe this is because I suck at knitted bands, I don’t know. Anyway, I took a big breath, not holding it because the bands would take a few hours and got to work. The only thing I don’t like is the top buttonhole placement. I didn’t take the neck band into consideration when I calculated the button placement but, you know, I rarely button up my cardi’s so I think I can live with it. I am happy, happy, happy with the finished cardigan and I am not really looking forward to winter even though I will get to wear it.

I don’t have any other projects this old but I do have a crocheted lace sweater that is about half done that I started about ten years ago and a couple of felted pieces to make bags that are riding past the six year line. Will I finish them? Who knows, maybe I will be inspired now that the ancient cardigan is done but I wouldn’t bet on it. There is too much new and lovely yarn calling me!

On a closing note, I follow another blogger who crochets, very well too. She commented a blog this week, disparaging herself about her weight. I felt sad for her that society makes such a point that we all must fit the same mold. You are who you are and, even though sometimes it is hard to remember, true and real beauty shines from within regardless of the outside dressing.

Have a happy week and be kind to yourself first and foremost. Kindness to others comes from a happy heart.

Yarn, Knitting and Crochet

Topsy Turvy Dolls

Iris Rose

I almost forgot to post today! For some reason, who the heck knows why, I was convinced that today is Wednesday but no, it is not so here we go.

This week was fun craft wise. I wrote, last week, about knitting up a couple of topsy turvy dolls on my midgauge machine to speed up the process of creating toys for craft markets. I made the basic pieces for this Jean Greenhowe’s pattern on the machine and then finished them up by hand with knit and crochet accessories.


I am really happy with how they turned out and will be making some more of these. There is a teddy pattern in the same book that I think that I will tackle soon too.

I think that any pattern that is knit flat without extreme shaping can be adapted for the machine. It speeds up the process for sure but, and this is important for most of us, the pleasure of hand knitting is lost. I am working at building up stock which is why I chose this method to create my toys.

Speaking of which, hand knitting that is, a while back I posted a hand knit pattern for an easy bunny. I have made a bear with the same pattern by modifying the ears. I think that it is pretty darn cute too! I am working on a crochet pattern for this toy that I should have ready in a couple of weeks to share with you.  And, yes, that is the bottom of my LK150 that I store up against the wall at the back of my table in my craft cave.

I forgot to mention last week that I received my order from the new online store Hobbii. I do not have any affiliation with this merchant, but I highly recommend them for quality of yarn and price. Shipping was four days from Denmark to Western Canada and no messing with customs.

Well, I think that’s all that I have for this week so have a great one. Happy crafting which ever art you practice, and I hope that your life is filled with yarny goodness.

 

Knitting

How Summer Flies By and Part 5, The End

Iris Rose

Seems like I just posted yesterday and already it is Thursday again. Summer is just too fleeting! I wonder why I always comment about the weather. Could it be that I am a true Canadian? All kidding aside, I do love the seasons and the wonderful ideas and opportunities to create that they bring. Fall means shawls to me and that is what I have tunnel vision about right now.


I am still chugging away at the next shawl pattern as well as retesting the current one, this time in solid colours rather than a gradient. I am making the colour changes at each section but am running out of enough different shades in the stash yarn that I am using so may make it every two sections. Because I have more yardage, I may increase the number of repeats in the last two pattern designs as well to make the shawl a little larger. I will post photos and my modifications when it is complete. I am on section three and so far so good on the writing. I will keep you up to date on any corrections in the next few sections although I am confident that the directions are right.

Changing the subject, I have a shining example of the importance of maintaining gauge. I am knitting some topsy turvy dolls and thought that my midgauge machine might handle a Jean Greenhowes pattern. It worked out beautifully with a few mods for avoiding garter stitch. Except, and this is a big one, I made one side of the doll at tension dial 2 and the other at tension 2.5 as tension 2 seemed a little tight in the dk yarn I am using. Did I think about the size difference that .5 might make? Nope. Now I have to try and fix the skirt, the only obvious part, and I have already sewn it all up. I think it is time to break out the crochet hooks, trim the bottom edge with a pretty edging and call it a day. I really wanted to throw the whole mess against the wall but told my inner child to behave. I hope to finish them up this weekend and will show you my solution.

Big note to self: ALWAYS check your gauge whether machine knit, hand knit or crochet. ALWAYS!!!

Here is the final part of my latest shawl design, the edging. In this part you will still keep increasing at the border edges as before but you will remove the markers at the spine and keep going straight across.  Here you can see how much yarn I had left over.


Row 1: (right side) Work border stitches as before, slip marker, YO, P all stitches across to the last marker removing the centre spine markers as you go, YO, slip marker, work border stitches as before.
Row 2: (wrong side) Work border stitches, slip marker, K all stitches to last marker, slip marker, work border stitches as before.

Now we start the lace pattern which is version of Old Shale or Feather and Fan.
Row 1: Work border stitches as before, slip marker, YO, K2tog twice, YO, K1 four times, (K2tog four times, YO, K1 four times), repeat the stitches between the ( ) across to the last four stitches, K2tog twice, YO, slip marker, work border stitches as before.
Row 2: Work border stitches as before, slip marker, P all stitches across, slip marker, Work border stitches as before.
Repeat these two rows three more times. You will have extra stitches at each end before the border stitches from your YO increases. Just work these stitches as knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side.

For the final edge:
Row 1: (right side) Work border stitches as before, slip marker, YO, P all stitches across to the last marker, YO, slip marker, work border stitches as before.
Row 2: (wrong side) Work border stitches as before, slip marker, K all stitches to last marker, slip marker, work border stitches as before.
Row 3: repeat row 1.

Cast off: Working from the wrong side, K2, slip these stitches back onto the left needle and knit them together. Knit the next stitch, slip the two stitches back onto the left needle and knit them together across to the end. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last stitch to fasten off.  Weave in your ends and block yarn shawl to open up the lace.

I hope that you like my latest pattern and please contact me if you have any questions on this or any of my other patterns or if you just want to chat.

Have a great week and enjoy the remainder of summer with some crochet or knitting!