Idea #8 This is the first good looking holly that I’ve found. This would make a good ornament or adornment on sweaters, bags, hats, pillows or any Christmasy project. I love the berries and the detail in the holly leaves.
http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/free_knitting_patterns/2007/11/knitted-holly.html
Gift Idea #7 Knitted Nativity Scene
This is for the especially religious or for those knitters who have an inordinate amount of time on their hands. I’m sure who ever receives this gift will be astonished and grateful at the amount of detail in these knitted figurines. There is mini Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Kings, Shepherd and even Sheep. I’m not quite sure that I’ll be jumping on this idea myself, but it certainly is unique and worthy of looking at.
Gift Idea #6 – Cabled Knit Stocking
I don’t know if anyone had noticed, but I love cables. Love, love, love cables. I may not love following intricate patterns and getting lost among the twist 3 back purl 1 fronts of patterns and losing my place but I love the look and texture of patterns. I was looking for a knit stocking pattern because a list of Christmas gift ideas is not complete without at least one stocking and found this. It is so simple and yet elegant. The pattern is a bit more difficult than the previous ones I’ve picked but it looks to be well worth the time and effort.
http://pickinandthrowin.blogspot.com/2006/09/cabled-christmas-stocking.html
My fifth Christmas gift idea is an adorable santa hat that is relatively simple but will be cherished by whoever wears it. It looks like it would be convertible to any worsted weight yarn but I selected this version in particular because I liked the way the chenille yarn looked in the picture. I especially liked the bright white rim and bobble at the end of the hat. Make it as a gift or do it for yourself and show off.
My fourth Christmas gift idea is a bit more complicated than the previous three. This is found on the about.com website. It is a great gift for a tea drinker who likes to pull out the tea pot. It is a tea cozy with candy canes sewn on. This is very cute and will be adored by whoever receives it.
http://knitting.about.com/od/christmaspatterns/ss/christmas-tea-cozy.htm
Gift idea #3.
This is a nicely knit up holiday ornament. This is done in fair isle or stranded knitting with two or more different colors. If you are looking for a more traditional ornament, this is it. Directions are given in both chart form as well written out. I think it would be great with a styrofoam ball in the middle, knitting the two halves separately and then sewing them together. I haven’t tried this yet, but that would be my idea.
http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns2/accessories/Merino5-Ornament.html
I’m going to try an idea. On TV, they are having the twenty-five days of Christmas and are playing special movies in celebration. I am going to try to post a Christmas gift idea every day until Christmas day. These will be free patterns available on the internet that can be made for yourself or for someone else. Some will be things that I’ve already made, but most will not be.
I have to begin with the Toy Box Snowman by Jean Greenhowe. It’s a quick knit stuffed animal that has gotten a lot of praise at work. There are plenty of variations that can be made using the base pattern. I made this with Caron Simply Soft but any worsted weight yarn will do.
http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/patterns.html
Thanksgiving is a day of showing gratitude, of family and of eating. It is also a day of reflecting on the past. We celebrate two cultures coming together and sharing a bountiful harvest. America is built on that ideal of plenty. Many will gather whether in front of the family table or in restaurants through out the country but so many are less fortunate, especially recently. Be grateful for what you have and remember those who have less.
Aside from that, Thanksgiving is about the past and I was just flipping through the latest Interweave Knits magazine, I came across an article Taking Flight by Bethany Lyttle. The article remarks on a mill in New England. It is about Pam Allen who created a yarn company, Quince & Co. The article was intriguing but it made me think about the history of knitting and how much we’ve changed.
Knitting is about creation, now and then. Most knitters know that it is actually less expensive and time-consuming to run into the local Wal-mart and pick up a $1 pair of gloves then to put the hours, the attention and the more pricey yarn into a pair of homemade gloves. Yet, once upon a time, this was a necessity. Can you imagine the pilgrim’s knitting socks and gloves to keep warm in the cold Northeast winter? Did they have sheep around so that they could create their own yarn to make into protective clothing? Of course. My closet would be a lot smaller if I was required to hand make everything for my family!!
On that note, I am going to watch a movie and knit a pillow for my Grandmother. Happy Thanksgiving.
Grandma’s Christmas present is finished. I wanted to make a felted pair of slippers but didn’t find anything I really wanted to make online. I saw different patterns that were similar and decided to try this on my own. I am working off of a simpler pattern that didn’t include the band across the top of the slipper and was knit in garter stitch.
The finished slipper are a bit too small for me because while my Grandmother’s feet are about a size 7, mine are at least an 8 1/2. If done correctly, these shouldn’t be quite so stretched.
I used size 3 needles with a 4 ply fingering yarn (Sidar Snuggly 4 ply) which is 55% nylon and 45% acrylic.
8 stitches x 8 rows = 1 inch
Foot
Cast on 44 stitches in A
Row 1: With A, S1,K1 to end (Slip all stitches purl wise)
Row 2: With A, Purl
Row 3: With B, K1,S1 to end
Row 4: With B Purl
Continue this pattern about length of foot. Slipper will stretch so make it shorter than foot.
End with an A row
Next Row: K2 Tog, repeat till end
Next Row: P2 Tog, repeat till end
Pull needle through remaining stitches and keep this tight. This will be the toe section and if loose, the toes will stick through the front.
With right sides together, seam together both ends for about an inch and a half. Reinforce toe area.
With right sides together, seam together heel area.
Band
Cast on 16 stitches with color A
Continue rows 1-4 for approximately 2 inches
Bind off.
With right sides together, sew the band to the edge of slipper as in picture. It should be about 1 ½ inches from toe seam edge.
Flip slipper so that the right side is on the outside.
Sew other edge of band to other side of foot, about 1/4 inch from edge.
These were made for my grandmother who has size 7 feet and I have size 8.5. They are purposely made small and are tight on my feet in the pictures.
I am asking that if you enjoy this pattern or use it, please donate to me on Ravelry. I have this listed for sale for $0.50. I have been and will continue to share my original patterns through my website but would appreciate a small contribution.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2010-10-birds-eye-slippers
Thank you,
Tracy
I love cables and decided to make a few little things with yarn I already have in stock. These pillows make great gifts and are a lovely simple adornment to any home.
I used Caron Simply Soft yarn and size 5 needles. The gauge is 5 stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch, creating a pillow that is about 10 x 10 inches in size stuffed.
Front:
Cast on 50 stitches
Row1 Knit
Row 2 Purl
Row 3 K4 P4 P5 (C4F P2)twice C4F P5 P6 K10
Row 4 P10 K6 K5 (P4 K2)twice P4 K5 P4 K4
Row 5 K4 P4 P4 (T3B T3F)3 times P4 P6 K10
Row 6 P10 K6 K4 P2 (K2 P4)twice K2 P2 K4 P4 K4
Row 7 K4 P4 P3 T3B (P2 C4B)twice P2 T3F P3 P6 K10
Row 8 P10 K6 K3 P2 K3 P4 K2 P4 K3 P2 K3 P4 K4
Row 9 K4 P4 P2 (T3B T3F)twice P2 T3F P2 P6 K10
Row 10 P10 K6 K2 P2 K3 P2 K2 P4 K2 P2 K3 P2 K2 P4 K4
Row 11 K4 P4 P1 (T3B P2)twice C4F (P2 T3F)twice P1 P6 K10
Row 12 P10 K6 K1 (P2 K3)twice P4 (K3 P2)twice K1 P4 K4
Row 13 K4 P4 (T3B P2)twice T3B (T3F P2)twice T3F P6 K10
Row 14 P10 K6 (P2 K3)twice P2 K2 (P2 K3)twice P2 P4 K4
Row 15 K4 P4 (K2 P3)twice K2 P2 (K2 P3)twice K2 P6 K10
Row 16 as Row 14
Row 17 K4 P4 (T3F P2)twice T3F (T3B P2)twice T3B P6 K10
Row 18 as Row 12
Row 19 K4 P4 P1 (T3F P2)twice C4F (P2 T3B)twice P1 P6 K10
Row 20 As Row 10
Row 21 K4 P4 (P2 T3F)twice T3B T3F (T3B P2)twice P6 K10
Row 22 As Row 8
Row 23 K4 P4 P3 T3F (P2 C4B)twice P2 T3B P3 P6 K10
Row 24 As Row 6
Row 25 K4 P4 P4 (T3F T3B)3 times P4 P6 K10
Row 26 As Row 4
Repeat Rows 3-26 again
Row 51 Knit
Row 52 Purl
Bind off
Back:
Cast on 48 stitches
Row 1-26: K24 P24
Row 27-52: P24 K24
Bind off
With right sides together, sew together the edges of the pillow. Leave about a 2-3 inch opening. Turn pillow so that right sides are facing out, stuff with fiber fill of your choice and seam together 2-3 inch opening. Using Caron Simply Soft yarn and size five needles, this creates a 10×10 inch pillow.
C4B : Cable 4 Back Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle, hold to back of work. Knit next 2 stitches from left needle. Knit 2 stitches from cable.
C4F: Cable 4 Forward Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle, hold to front of work. Knit 2 stitches from left needle, knit 2 stitches from cable needle.
T3B: Twist 3 Back Slip 1 stitch onto cable needle, hold to back of work. Knit 2 stitches from left needle, purl stitch from cable needle.
T3F: Twist 3 Forward Slip 2 stitch onto cable needle, hold to front of work. Purl 1 stitches from left needle, knit 2 stitches from cable needle.
Well, two weeks ago I set up my Etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/knitwerks After checking it two, three, four, nine times a day, I’ve fallen into a slump. I’ve accomplished nothing after getting everything set up and posted on there. I currently have, half a carrot knit, a too too small wedding garter, another wedding garter ripped several times over, and three rows of a pillow. I’m lost and brain dead. Work has been crazy, school is time consuming, and my mind has gone to that place where the static on tv is soothing. Christmas is coming and I really need to get moving. I need original ideas but how do you get them when your brain is on autopilot? I’d really love to know. . .
About two weeks ago I discovered a book at my local library and I’ve been working on small projects ever since. First of all, Amigurumi is:
The book Amigurumi Knits by Hansi Singh includes everything from fruits and vegetables to sea creatures to backyard bugs. The first pattern is of an aubergine (eggplant) which is good for beginners. The patterns are complex, but I didn’t have a problem following them as long as no one around began a complicated conversation while I was counting (two. . . three. . . four. . . five . . . what did you say?)
The beginning of the book has good step by step instructions for the different styles of increases and decreases, the wrap and turn that the author describes as a way of creating short rows without leaving wholes, and other knitting techniques used in the patterns. It’s a great way to learn more about knitting, creating fun and adorable objects that everyone will coo over. Don’t be surprised if you get a few requests as well.
I finished the spider and keep in by my desk at work. I get at least one comment a day on it. The tomato came out great and I’m working on the carrot now. I can’t wait to make myself a Jelly Fish with the tentacles hanging down. I think it would even make a good baby mobile. Anyone else agree?
I also use Caron Simply Soft yarn because it is inexpensive and comes in so many colors. I look forward to eventually using Cascade 220 or another fancier yarn, but for now acrylic it is!
This weekend was the seventh annual Florida Fiber In which took place in Orlando this year. It began Friday night with knitting, spinning, crocheting and socializing. We arrived Saturday at around eleven am and sadly I got there just after the spindling demo had already begun. I had two main objectives for the weekend.
1- I was determined to learn how to use a spindle. A spindle is generally a long thin cylindrical object that looks similar to a top. It is used to create yarn from fibers such as wool, alpaca, linen or if you are really talented silk. A website that I like to visit is http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/HowToDropspin.shtml
2- Find someone who would let me use their spinning wheel.
Both missions were accomplished. I practiced with the drop spindle. I was warned that it takes a lot of practice before you can create anything resembling yarn. I did enjoy using the spinning wheel, although I couldn’t really control the twist. I hope to be able to practice more at some point in my life, with my own wheel of course. It is not as easy as it looks though.
All in all, it was great to go and hang out with people who like the same things. There were many people, women especially, knitting, crocheting, spinning and spindling. I got to see a lot of different devices, fibers and people. It’s always great to learn new things and to meet new friends.
With so many babies around, expected, and imagined, I’ve decided to adventure into knitting toys. I’ve had the book Knitted Toys by Zoe Mellor for quite some time, but never tried to knit anything from there. I love the book because it is bright, colorful and has great ideas. The directions are easy to follow and it doesn’t look like any of the projects are above an intermediate knitting level. There are charts for some of the projects included.
I knit up the Flat Ted (see picture above). I used Lion Brand Baby Soft which was a mistake. I probably would have been better off doubling up the yarn or using a smaller needle. The size six needle created two large of a gauge. It still is cute but could have looked much better and was hard to embroider. After two attempts at creating the face, I gave up and decided to create icords out of Caron Simply Soft Orange and Black that I had lying around. I think it looks okay, but it could certainly look better.
Many of the patterns included in the book call for Jaeger Baby Merino. One such pattern was the Squeaky Pig which I desperately want to make if I can find the right yarn. I have searched online but can’t find this yarn anywhere. I have a feeling it either no longer exists or is only available in Germany.
This is a fun book with great ideas. Maybe I’ll use scrap yarn to make the snake next. I need more stuffing!
I love cables and decided to make a few little things with yarn I already have in stock. These pillows make great gifts and are a lovely simple adornment to any home. This is Pillow #2 of 3 original designs I am sharing.
I used Caron Simply Soft yarn and size 5 needles. The gauge is 5 stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch in stockinette stitch, creating a pillow that is about 8 x 10 inches in size stuffed.
Front:
Row 1: Knit
Row 2 Purl
Row 3: K2 P6 C4R T4L P4 P14 K14
Row 4: P14 K18 P3 K1 P4 K6 P2
Row 5: K2 P5 C4R P1 K1 T4L P17 K14
Row 6: P14 K17 P3 K1 P1 K1 P4 K5 P2
Row 7: K2 P4 C4R (P1 K1) twice T4L P16 K14
Row 8: P14 K16 P3 K1 (P1 K1) twice P4 K4 P2
Row 9: K2 P3 C4R (P1 K1) 3 times T4L P15 K14
Row 10: P14 K15 P3 K1 (P1 K1) 3 times P4 K3 P2
Row 11: K2 P2 C4R (P1 K1) 4 times T4L P14 K14
Row 12: P14 K14 P3 K1 (P1 K1) 4 times P4 K2 P2
Row 13: K2 P2 T4L (K1 P1) 4 times T4R P14 K14
Row 14: As 10th row
Row 15: K2 P3 T4L (K1 P1) 3 times T4R P15 K14
Row 16: As 8th row
Row 17: K2 P4 T4L (K1 P1) twice T4R P16 K14
Row 18: As 6th row
Row 19: K2 P5 T4L K1 P1 T4R P17 K14
Row 20: As 4th row
Row 21: K2 P6 T4L T4R P18 K14
Row 22: P14 K19 P6 K7 P2
Row 23: K2 P7 C6B P19 K14
Row 24: P14 K19 P6 K7 P2
Repeat Rows 3-24 twice then:
Knit 1 row
Purl 1 row
Bind off.
Back:
Cast on 48 stitches
K24, P24
Continue for 23 rows then
P24, K24
Continue for 23 rows
Bind off
With right sides together, sew together the edges of the pillow. Leave about a 2-3 inch opening. Turn pillow so that right sides are facing out, stuff with fiber fill of your choice and seam together 2-3 inch opening. Using Caron Simply Soft yarn and size five needles, this creates a 8×10 inch pillow.
C4R: Cable 4 Right Slip 1 stitch onto cable needle, hold at back of work. Knit 3 stitches from left needle. Knit stitch from cable needle.
T4L: Twist 4 Left Slip 3 stitches onto cable, hold at front of work. Purl next stitch from left needle. Knit 3 stitches from cable.
T4R: Twist 4 Right Slip 1 stitch onto cable, hold at back of work. Knit next 3 stitches from left needle. Purl 1 stitch from cable.
C6B: Cable 6 Back Slip 3 stitches onto cable needle, hold at back of work. Knit 3 stitches from left needle. Knit 3 stitches from cable needle.
Knitwerks 
