Cowl For Christmas

Last year you might remember that I knit nine H20 hats for my great Christmas give-away.  This year I decided the give-away would be cowls.  Back from the north, with a grand daughter in tow and limited knitting time, it was a perfect opportunity  to start cowl number one.

Knit with one ball of Riot by King Cole, a chunky weight, 70/30,  acrylic/wool blend, with 134 metres, it is a design of my own making.  I cast on 125 stitches, working both the  cast on then 3 rows of K1 P1 ribbing with a 8 mm circular needle. 

After the ribbing, I switched to a  6.5 mm needle and worked a sequence of 5 rows of knitting, 5 rows of purling like so:  Knit 5 rows, Purl 5 rows, Knit 5 rows, Purl 5 rows, Knit 5 rows.

Following that, I  reverted to the 8 mm needle and finished with three rows of K1 P1 ribbing before casting off.


Earliest start to Christmas - Ever!

Sucker? Or KNITTER

A couple of weeks ago, while at a community event, a friend    -no not really - an acquaintance approached me with  her a ratty, old, worn out hood/snood in hand.

"Could you knit me a new one of these?"
"Well, actually two."
 "I used to knit but haven't knit for years."
 "It won't take you long."
" I guess I will have to buy some yarn - or maybe you have some."

There was no pre-amble.  No - "Are you busy?"
"Do you ever knit for others?"
"How much would you charge to..."
 There is no hurry but ..."

Call me a sucker if you like but more aptly you could call  me stunned into acquiescing silence.  By
 the time she suggested I might have some yarn, I was recovered enough to tell her I have lots of yarn but being a fibre snob, they are all natural fibres.  Silks, Mohairs, Wools, Linens etc and I was sure she didn't want the laundry hassles dictated by those fibres.
No, she agreed she didn't.  So I suggested she buy some acrylic yarn in a Knitting Worsted weight and that I would knit them on the machine.

At noon, at the close of the event, she returned to my chair to ask for my address.  "I will head  over to the yarn store  right now."  Sure enough, Fred and I were still at the table eating lunch when the door bell rang.

My initial reaction was to get them knit up and returned to her ASAP to get them out of my hair    knitting basket.  But Fred suggested a delayed delivery might be a better idea.  No use letting her think I can whip these up PDQ.

Today, almost 2 weeks have passed and I am definitely ready to get them back to her.  This one is knit with  Life by Stylecraft in grey and  Patons Decor in maroon.

 

The multi-coloured one,

 

fresh off the machine and not yet blocked or seamed is knit with Schachenmayr Bravo Jacquard Color.  It is a few inches shorter than the grey one, despite using all of  3x 133 metre balls.

Her old, ratty snood is 13 inches across (26" around) and 14 inches long.  She asked to have these knit a bit longer so as to completely cover the back of her head when she pulls them up like a wimple.

 

The non-pattern pattern, if you are interested in knitting one of these by hand  would read like this:

With a circular needle of the approriate size for your yarn,  cast on enough stitches to equal 26 inches.
      If your gauge is 5 sts per inch, like my multi coloured snood, you will cast on 26 x 5 =130 sts.
Work K2, P2 ribbing or a hem, whichever you prefer,  for one inch.
Switch to Stockinet stitch and knit for 17 inches.
Finish off as you began - with  one inch of K2,  P2 ribbing or a hem.
 Cast off.

Then - don't tell anyone that you knit.

But He's worth It

Working on Fred's scarf for the last few weeks, it was the on-the-go project I took with me for  Knitters Night Out.   During  'show & tell',   I mentioned that I had first thought to use my ball of Quiviut   for Fred's scarf but after knitting a few rows, realized it was much too delicate to risk in the hands of a   man   Fred.

Instead, as I showed  the knitters, I  used Patons, Kroy sock yarn.  Two label-less balls I had purchased from my Southapton, 'crankin' friend Elena a couple of years ago.  Elena had scored a large quantity of  Kroy at Paton's Annual Tent Sale in Listowel at a very good price.  She charged me $1.00 per ball.  Fred's scarf took 2 balls.  The original plan to knit a scarf for Fred with $90.00 of Quiviut  changed to the reality of a $2, sock-yarn scarf.   "But,"   I  told the assembled knitters,  "He's worth it."

 'But He's Worth It' Scarf  for Fred.

Pattern:  Mine - I call it Garter Rib. 

Yarn:  Patons Kroy Sock Yarn

Needles:  3.50mm

 

 The pattern precisely is -
Cast on 44 stitches,  or any number of stitches divisible by 4 and which gives you an odd number of groups of 4.  EX: My 44 stitches gave me 11 groups of 4.  The odd number is necessary so that both side edges of the scarf are identical.
Knit 8 rows.  (4 Garter Ridges)
Row 1:  *K4, P4.  Repeat from * to last 4 stitches. k4.
Row 2:  Knit.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 until - as Elizabeth Zimmermann might say -   ' you get sick of knitting or run out of yarn, whichever comes first.'

Finish by knitting 8 more rows, then cast off.

I used my own version of a stretchy bind off.  I do it like this - *Cast off  5 stitches, then create a stitch by picking up the purl bump from behind the next stitch.  Knit it,  cast it off,  then repeat the process from * across the row.  This gives about 20% more stitches for the cast off  and kept mine nice and loose.

Colour suits, looks good with the jacket, matches the beard.  Should keep him warm this winter and as I said   "He is so totally worth it."

A Thing Of Beauty

This is a thing of beauty.

With the skein of yarn I purchased from Islandsweet at Toronto's One Of A Kind show last week, I made this little shawlette. The pattern, you might recall me mentioning, I quickly memorized when the vendor explained how she made the scarfettes she had on display.

She began by saying that she had started with the typical 'dishcloth' triangle - increasing one stitch at the beginning of every row. This, of course, makes a triangle that has 45' angled sides. Which she didn't like. So she began again by casting on three stitches. Then, on every row, increased ONE stitch at the beginning of the row, and TWO stitches at the end of the row. (I did my increases by 'knit front and back'.) This is really three increases at each end of every row. I'm not sure why she did it in two steps, - two stitches, turn, then one stitch - but since that is what the artist did, that is what I did. I copy well. And look at the lovely shaping it gave the scarf.

Knitting often makes me wish I had more mathematical knowledge. Then I would know why this shaping occurred. Why I don't know, but it looks lovely.

Each of her skeins had different yardage. Mine had 70 metres and my finished shawlette took all but a few inches of the yarn on 10 mm needles. This would work nicely with any bulky, thick and thin yarn. Colinette comes to mind.

The finished shawlette is not large, but is the perfect 'splash of colour' on the blank canvas of a dark winter coat.

I love it.

To: Blog Readers From: Brenda

I present to you, the re-written hat pattern. Brenda's Top Down Hat Pattern

It was re-written when I made the Tam

and discovered a

" I can't believe I missed that" error.

But re-writing, by me anyway, doesn't guarantee error-free. So - if your excellent editing skills produce any other errors, please let me know and I will be delighted to re-write the re-write.

The pattern is meant to be printed on legal size (8 1/2 x 14) paper and then folded to create a little booklet. Because of that format, it might appear 'funny' on your screen.

As with most of my patterns, I copied from other, far more creative knitters. All credit has been given to those to whom it is due.

Have fun with it. Happy Knitting and Christmas blessings to you all. I'll be back in the New Year.

The Ganomy Hat For Non Gnomes

Subtitled: The Ear Flap Surprise Hat.

All credit to Elizabeth Zimmermann.

I've written this pattern for DK weight yarn That is 22 stitches to 4 inches. Instructions for Knitting Worsted ( 20 sts t0 4 ") and Chunky (14-16 sts to 4 ") in brackets.

Use needles appropriate to the yarn you are using.

You will also need markers. 4 of one colour (A), two of colour B, two of colour C The colour thing is anal. I day dream when I knit and need the colour 'alarm' to keep on track. If you don't have that problem, any colour will do.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cast on 106 (96, 76) sts.

2. Join in the round and work 4 ridges in garter stitch. That is 8 rounds of knit one round, purl one round.

3. Shaping Set Up - but first a little theory.

The ear flaps are shaped by two decreases at each side of the hat. To prevent the hat from getting smaller and smaller because of these decreases, an equal number of increases are made at the front and back of the hat.

The shaping is a two-round repeat. Round one will be two decreases at the right ear, two increases at the front, two decreases at the left ear, two increases at the back.

Round two will be knit even - no decreases, no increases.

SET UP

Round One: Mark the beginning of the round with a marker ( colour C)

** Knit one. Place marker (PM) (Colour A).

Increase one by knitting into the front and back of the next stitch ( K f&b)

Knit 15 (13, 10) sts. K 2 tog, PM ( Colour B) SSK

Knit 30 (27, 20) sts. K f&b of next stitch. PM (Colour A) Knit one. You are at the centre front.

Repeat from ** across second half of hat.

Round Two: Knit even.

4. Repeat rounds one and two until hat is about 4 1/2 inches high.

5. Now, change the front and back increase stitches to decrease stitches as follows: Place a marker (Colour C) between the two stitches that are presently between the two front markers. Remove the current front & back markers.

You now have 4 markers. One at each ear, and one at the front and one at the back.

Round One. Beginning at centre back ** slip marker, SSK, Knit to two stitches before the next marker, K 2TOG. Repeat from ** around hat.

Round Two: Work even. No decreases.

Repeat Rounds one and two until hat measures about 7 inches.

6. K2tog. Repeat around.

7. Work one round even.

8. K 2 tog. Repeat around.

9 Repeat step 8 until there are about 8 - 10 stitches remaining.

10. Cut yarn. Thread thru stitches. Pull tight.

For those of you with minds that yearn for a little more design info, there is about 14% of total stitches between centre back and each ear and about 28% between each ear and centre front. There you go. I've given away the secret to my genius. I simply took EZ's pattern numbers and worked out the percentages. I copy well. All credit to Elizabeth Zimmermann.

The 'Dress That Called My Name' Shrug/Shawl

This little shawl is another of my famous - or maybe infamous - Easy Peasy patterns. It can be any size you want. Longer and/or wider than mine. Or not. The world's your oyster on this one.


INSTRUCTIONS

Choose yarns in colours that you like. Again, an odd number probably works best. Include some 'fancy' yarns. An eyelash and a sparkle really 'kick it up a notch'.

Yarns don't have to be the same gauge or fibre. In fact the more pronounceable the differences in the yarns, the more interesting your piece.

Use a relatively large needle. I used 8mm

The shawl is done - or at least mine was - in garter stitch. That is, knit every row. The benefit of garter stitch is that both sides are the same. There is no right or wrong side. Of course, you can knit yours in any stitch you want. The principle remains the same whatever stitch you use.

This piece, unlike the other Easy Peasy Shawl pattern, is done with vertical stripes. And the yarn is used for more than one row at a time. The decision to use a particular yarn and to make the stripes a particular width is TOTALLY RANDOM. Don't try to over think it. Have a little faith and just knit.

Also unlike the other Easy Peasy Shawl pattern, this one is not fringed. In the 0ther pattern, the ends became the fringe and didn't require being sewn in. Sorry, but in this shawl, you do have to sew in the ends.

SO.
Cast on sufficient stitches to make the topper as long ( ie deep) as you want it to be. Remember, you are working side-to-side so you are casting on for the depth of the shawl.

Knit a few rows in your cast on colour. When you think you have enough for that colour, change colours.

Knit a few rows - not the same number of rows as the first colour - of colour number two.

Continue in this manner until the piece is as long as you want it to be.

Cast off. Sew in the ends. (Sorry)

To make it into a shrug, at each end, sew the front to the back for a few inches.

Voila! En Easy Peasy, 'Done Before Dinner' Shawl. Enjoy.

Comfort Dolls

Look who I found in my closet today.

I was introduced to this little doll at a Church bazaar last Christmas season. It was love at first sight.

The ladies behind the counter told me that they make the dolls to use as packing material for medical supplies their Church sends to Africa. Once the supplies are unpacked, the dolls become gifts - and a comfort, the ladies hoped - for the village children. Where would the world be without Church ladies! I marvel at all they do.

I purchased three dolls to give to my grandchildren for Christmas. Once home, I studied them more closely. They appeared to be simple to make. Out came my needles and scraps of yarn. In no time, I had figured out the pattern and made a couple of dolls of my own.

And for your knitting pleasure - here is the pattern.

COMFORT DOLLS

YARN - Use any thickness of yarn you like. The thicker the yarn, the bigger the doll. You will need at least 4 colours per doll.

NEEDLES – Use needles about ½ size smaller than normally used for the yarn chosen.

INSTRUCTIONS

BASE – Cast on 32 stitches and work 6 rows of garter stitch ( knit every row).

SKIRT/PANTS - Change colour. Work 14 rows of stockinet stitch ( knit one row, purl one row)

SHIRT - Change colour and work 12 rows stockinet stitch.

HEAD - Change colour and work 8 rows stockinet stitch

HAT – Hat Brim -Using the colour of either the shirt or the pants, knit one row. Then, change colour and begin to decrease for the top as follows

Row 1. - and all odd numbered rows, Purl.

Row 2. Knit 1, *K2tog, k4. repeat from * to last stitch. Knit 1.

Row 4. Knit 1, *k2tog, K3. repeat from * to last stitch, Knit 1.

Row 6, Knit 1, *K2tog, K2. repeat from * to last stitch, Knit 1.

Row 8, Knit 1, *K2tog, K1. repeat from * to last stitch, Knit 1

Row 10, Knit 1, *k2tog , repeat to last stitch, Knit 1.
Pull yarn through stitches to close. 

FINISHING

Embroider eyes and mouth on centre front.

Sew across base. 

Sew up back, leaving an opening so you can stuff.

Stuff with fill, then close opening.

Thread a darning needle with matching coloured yarn and draw  through stitches at base of head and pull tight to gather in.

For arms, pinch a few rows of knitting and stuffing between your fingers at the side of the doll, and starting where pants meet the shirt, baste up to just a few rows before the head. 

GENDER IDENTIFICATION - If you want a girl doll, you are done. Boys take a little more work. For a boy doll, stitch up from base, through pants section, stopping a few rows below the shirt. This divides the body for the legs.

The dolls are a great project to use up small amounts of yarn. Leftovers from other projects perhaps. Thick yarn and needles make large dolls. Fine yarn and needles make small dolls.

A comfort to the recipient for sure. But a comfort to the knitter too, I think.

Easy Peasy Self Fringing Wrap

As the 'Sexy Grandma' Tee nears it's end (About 25 rows to go, but with fewer and fewer stitches as it nears the top) I ask myself "What's next?" For the trip to Vancouver Island, I pulled lots of different creams and ivories from my stash for a summer shawl.

An 'easy peasy' shawl. More a concept than a pattern. Stolen,as usual, from a friend and fellow knitter. Remember - I am not so creative, but I copy well.

Easy-Peasy Self-Fringing Shawl/Stole

Use lots of different yarns, with lots of different textures and weights, that look good together.
Include some 'eyelash' type yarns for good texture.
Use a big fat needle - about 9mm to make the stitches lacey and open.
Cast on enough stitches to make the shawl/stole as long as you want it. My guide? A beach towel.
Work in garter stitch.
Work each row in a different yarn
When starting and ending each row, leave a long tail - about 6 - 8 inches.
Once you have two tails side by side, tie them together. There's the fringe.
Change colours completely at random. Because colours are changed each row, the effect is one of creating fabric. Individual rows disappear in the randomness of the changes.

The effect is stunning. I have one of these shawls in sparkly, Christmas colours with an extravagantly long fringe - about 15 inches - that is nothing short of spectacular. Heads turn and compliments come every time I wear it. Feels great.

So it could be the shawl next. Or maybe another summer top. With this yarn from Mad About Ewe in Nanaimo BC,

Cotton. The orange has a small blue fleck in it, so looks great with the plain blue.

But, then there is the Pattern-Free, Top-Down, Raglan, , Summer Sweater KAL with my friend Nicki.

As my friend Shirl would say "You have options."

Options. Maybe the answer will come to me as I finish those last few rows of Sexy Grandma.