Bricks Without Straw Enterprises

Like Peanuts for Elephants...

2010-04-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

So, I was on my Spring Break last week... trying to focus on finishing Sam's Cotton Tomten (more on that Zimmermann fun later)...

However, these adorable Elephants so many ladies at the Knit Nook have been making needed something upon which to snack.

My LYS has several bowls of end o' skein "sketching" yarn & the orange-yellow was just the right shade for a circus peanut.
I could not resist improvising with the crochet hook which just "appeared" in my hand.
A DISCLAIMER: I am a self-taught crocheter, so my instructions may be a little unorthodox. This is so simple, I'm sure an experienced hooker would not even need to read any to reproduce the shape.

Amigurumi Circus Peanut!
Hook: Size 0 or A
Yarn: Dale Baby Ull (sport weight cotton blend)
Notions: Stuffing, yarn needle, a split-ring marker
(a piece of scrap black yarn for eyes & mouth embroidery is cute, but optional)

This could be sized up or down easily... just alter hook & yarn size.
(If using worsted weight, I'd go for a size G)
Just keep in mind it must have a tight “weave” to hold in the stuffing.
** Stuff lightly as you stitch!

INC = SC2 in each st
DEC = Skip over 1 st & SC

Instructions:
Row 1: SC7 on “Magic Ring” & Pull Closed
Row 2: SC7, place marker at beg. of round
Row 3: INC 7X =14 sts
Row 4: (SC1, INC) 7X =21sts
Row 5: (SC1, SC1,) 7X =28sts
Rows 6-8: SC28
Row 9: (DEC, SC2)7X =21 sts
Row 10 & 11: SC21
Row 12: (DEC, SC1)7X =14sts
Row 13-15: SC14
Row 16: INC 14X =28sts
Row 17-20: SC28
Row 21: (DEC, SC1) 7X =14 sts
Row22: DEC 7X = 7sts
Break Yarn & Sew through outer chain loops. Pull tight to close & bury yarn end.

Embroider on eyes & mouth with scrap black thread, if you wish...
Embellish at will!

Viva La Zimmermann!

2009-12-30T10:32:00.000-08:00

I have been inspired to get to know the work of the great Elizabeth Zimmermann.

I started my adventure by making the original "Baby Sweater on Two Needles" (which is just a small fraction of the knits La Zimmermann had on her slate for that short month...)

I do not know who will get this. Perhaps the new daughter of my friends Kelly & Marco...
I made this little sweater in dishcloth cotton. It IS worsted... Plus, I wanted to see if it would work. I already had my sights on the adult sized project & I knew I could not afford a decent quality wool or other worsted for that.

So... Two cones of varigated Onward to the February LADY sweater!
I really appreciate this adaptation of a Zimmermann Classic.

I really enjoyed watching how the space-dyed color repeats & patterns played out through the sweater. I was forced to use two different dye lots on this project, but it worked out that I was able to do the body of the sweater with one ~800 yd. cone (It took EXACTLY one) & the sleeves with the other. It was luck which made it work, I know. But, I'm quite grateful for it just the same.

The Gull Lace pattern is just simple enough for meditative knitting, but just complicated enough to keep you motivated to finish each step of the 4 row repeat. It is super fast to complete when knitting in the round for the sleeves on the adult sweater.
Any errors are quickly spotted & fairly easy to repair if you catch it in the return row. This is NOT usually the case for lace patterns, simple or otherwise.

It is the subtle elegance of such things that is the root of my deep regard for Elizabeth Zimmermann. She was clearly not into wasted motion, yarn, or even thought. At first sight, her work might look dated, or even clunky... If that's what you think, then I invite you to look more closely. Yep. Knit your way through her "non-patterns" & you'll be astonished by the unassuming brilliance.

Even if the Baby Surprise Jacket is not to your taste (& there's no accounting for taste, nowadays) the elegance of the concept is enough to make an architect applaud.

Check out this designer's blog to see her Zimmermann research & subsequent inspirations & designs! Very snazzy stuff, no?

The February Lady Sweater pattern by Pamela Wynne (from Flint Knits) is available as a free ravelry download. It is a justifiably celebrated rite of passage for anyone who wants to really know what the "big deal" is about knitting your way through the Almanac.

Originally, I thought I was going to knit this for myself. I really did!
Well... as I got underway, I knew it was not for me, really.
This ended up a perfect Christmas present for my own sweet Mother!
She has spent years making sweater upon sweater for everyone else. It is more than her turn!
I think I'm going to start a tradition where each Christmas I make a new sweater just for her...
Last year was the Nantucket Jacket by Norah Gaughan from the fabulous Interweave Knits Winter 2006 (If you are observant, you can see it folded on the back of the chair)... I wonder what next year will be?

Who Ya Gonna Call? Stash Busters!

2009-12-29T13:39:00.000-08:00

Here's the best little stash buster I've seen in the longest!

I'm so happy to share it...

Here is the original cozie pattern:

http://myknittingbasket.blogspot.com/2009/11/owl-coffee-cup-cozie.html

I had a bunch of 30-40 yd. remainders from all my Koolhaas Hats, etc.… & Christmas was COMING!!! I needed to make some seriously QUICK gifts... which could be taken seriously.

I love the classic Cable Owl Motif & I really enjoy this knitter's take on it.

There's even a wonderful free pattern which adapts it for a hat :

http://penguinpurls.blogspot.com/2008/12/who.html

There's even more to find using this simple, yet fabulous, cable on Ravelry...

Does anyone know where it began? I remember seeing it in my Mother's old pattern books, but I just can't remember which one... It was a pattern for a little girl's sweater. Hmm...

I worked up another version which tweaks the ribbing sequence to match up perfectly with the Owl Motifs. The subsequent decreases also allow for a k2tog on the right “ear” & a SSK on the left to finish it off well before the ribbing resumes.

Awwww… GEEK OUT! I suppose I can't help it. Hope my compulsive tics help y'all:

To make the Owl Cable Motifs & the ribbing sync up, I changed the count to 50 on the cast-on with a (P2, K2, P2, K4) repeat.

Using smaller DPNs (size 5), I increased thus: (P2, M1, K2, M1, P2, K4) =60 sts

I switched to the larger DPNs (size 7) & did the Owl Cables as written.

Using smaller DPNs, I decreased thus: (K2tog, K4, SSK, K4) = 50sts

I finished with 5 rows of (P2, K2, P2, K4) & BO in patt.

I still don’t know where I’ll find those funky googly eyes the designer used...

I really wanted to use buttons for the eyes.

In the end, I decided to embroider eyes. It’s a little fussy & labor intensive… But, I prefer the look to what eye-options were available to me.

Look out Stash!

These make great gifts & the wool really DOES work better than the little disposable sleeves you get & then toss away.

Sorry, I've been stitching... just not posting!

2009-12-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Between Sam & teaching, I've just not had any time to post anything about what little stitching I've been able to accomplish!

So here's a little update:

Amigurumi MADNESS!!!!

Yep... It is still no secret I'm not fond of the crochet process.
However, the product is so irresistibly cute, I cannot help it!

I've been making & adapting pattern basics from this imaginative but basic book:

Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts Amigugmi by Tomoko Takamori

Non-crochet & visual learners will love the icons which are used instead of initial abbreviations in her design instructions.

The first was the Duck:
I did not care for the legs in the pattern, so I designed some "flipper feet" (an easy pattern will follow, but I've mislaid the post-it I used for notes).

I showed it to my Art Class at school to gauge interest for an after school crochet workshop (Short answer: YES!). One of my sweetest students requested a Puppy. I would have made one myself just for her. The real heart-warming thing was that she said she'd never ask for one for herself... She wanted it to give to her mother for her birthday & she knew she couldn't learn how to do it in time! SQUISH!

I've moved on to the most complex design of the book to make butterflies for my Niece 's Christmas present.
(I also used a little stash cotton to cover one of Sam's favorite, but somewhat chewed-upon rubber balls.)

Again, I made a few little stylistic changes to the pattern (ex. Butterflies are insects, ergo six legs & I wanted a girl-y butterfly… hence the bikini top.)

Yes. I know, there are no mammary glands on insects...

There is a Pink & Blue version in the works, too!

Over the past months, I've also made the February Baby Sweater (shown here in progress) & am almost done with the adult version!
Not being a wealthy knitter, I've substituted dishcloth cotton for the worsted wool for which the pattern calls. I'm pretty happy with it so far... but cotton can stretch in unattractive ways. So, only time will tell.

I've also made some little quick dishcloth cotton finger puppets:
if anyone wants me to post a pattern, it's very simple & fast if you are proficient with DPNs....

I also have figured a seamless version of a cute sleeveless shell pattern (W by Kristi Porter) from knitty.com Spring 2005.
I LOVED working with my stash of Katia Jamaica cotton!

It even looks good when I wear it. Too cold to model it now... Sigh.

As is this lovely camisole made from a yummy sock yarn (Razor Cami by Katie Marcus... it's a free pattern on her blog!) made as part of the Knit Girls KAL August 2009:
Detail of the stitch pattern:
So... I've been working... Just not documenting.

When Christmas Break comes, perhaps I can post a pattern & pictures of my Dangly Tiger made for Sam's birthday. That was some adorable fun.

One of these days... Sigh.

The Knit Nook "Beer Summit" 2009

2009-07-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Every knitter loves their LYS (Local Yarn Store). I am no exception.
The Knit Nook is quite the yarn haven! You should definitely make a visit if & when you find yourself in Louisville, KY.

Please note fabulous tshirt design by SteigerBeat

I am rarely able to get to the Thursday S & B (Stitch & Bitch) during the school year. Yesterday was the last I'll be able to attend for a while... especially when I resume teaching after school art classes. The owners & patrons are a wonderful group of people who kindly indulge my geeky quirks & foibles... knitterly & otherwise.

I got a wild hair yesterday to celebrate the occurrence of the most wonderfully sensible-yet-ridiculous "Beer Summit" by having our own at the S & B.

(Apparently, Professor Gates' choice was changed from Red Stripe to Sam Adams Light... we were working with the best info we had at the time. Both of the professor's choices were considered the best options by all us knitterly types.)
More pictures of actual knitters, knitted items, adorable babies & toddlers are posted on the Knit Nook Forum on ravelry...

The BuckyBag!... A Fulled Tribute to Fuller!

2009-07-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

This Summer has been far more hectic than I had hoped.

I told myself I just needed a simple, mindless knit-until-you’re-done stressbuster... I swear!

This is mindless once you understand the concept... (If you have two sets of dpns so you don't have to count at all, really.)

I actually wrote down the pattern notes as I went.
I was just playing with the Celestine idea of seamlessly connected geometric shapes with a Fuller inspired set of pentagons & hexagons.

At first, I was not sure if it would felt as a sphere or a star...

Buckminster Fuller, I LUUURVE you!

The BuckyBag!... A Fulled Tribute to Fuller!

Yarn:
~2 skeins Black Cascade 22o
~3 skeins Lion Wool prints

Needles:
~2 sets size 9 dpns
(You can do it on one set, but it gets overly fiddly & a pain to count without at least 7 dpns)
~1 size 9 circular (24" or 32" is fine)

Notions:
~yarn needle
~a knowledge of basic felting (fulling, really)

Pattern for a Pentagon:

CO 17 sts each on 5 dpns (pick up 17 sts from a CO edge when needed)

Knit 5 rounds (3 black, 2 in print wool)

Begin decreases:

Each dpn, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk.

Knit 2 rounds

When you have 3 sts on each dpn:

Knit 2 rounds, then sl1, k2tog, Psso.

Break yarn, use yarn needle to run yarn through loops, pull tight & tie off.

(Just like finishing a beanie hat!)

Pattern for a Hexagon:

CO 17 sts each on 6 dpns (pick up 17 sts from a CO edge when needed)

Knit 5 rounds (3 black, 2 in print wool)

Begin decreases:

Each dpn, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk.

Knit 2 rounds

When you have 3 sts on each dpn:

Knit 2 rounds, then sl1, k2tog, Psso.

Break yarn, use yarn needle to run yarn through loops, pull tight & tie off.

Pattern for a Half-Hexagon:

Pick up 18 sts on pentagon edge, 17 sts on hexagon edge, 18 sts on adjoining pentagon edge

(This will be knit in flat stockinette!... Don't forget to purl back.)

K 5 rows, sl 1st st of every row, knit or purl (3 rows black, 2 rows in print wool)

Begin Decreases: (Some will be done on the purl side!)

Knit side decreases:

Sl1, K2tog, K to last 2 sts, ssk./K2tog, K to last 2 sts, ssk./K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, K1.

Purl side decreases:

Sl1, P2tog, P to last 2 sts, ssp./P2tog, P to last 2 sts, ssp./P2tog, P to last 3 sts, ssp, P1

*Always have 2 rows between decrease rows*

When there are 3 sts on each dpn, work 2 more rows flat.

The RS, or Knit side should be facing you.

(Sl1, K2 tog, psso)* each dpn, 3sts total remain

Turn to WS, Sl1, K2 tog, psso to BO.

Method of Assembly:
1. Begin with a black pentagon...
2. Cast on five sides of a hexagon & pick up the last side on the cast on edge of one side of the original pentagon.
3. For the next three Hexagons, cast on four sides, pick up one side from the last hexagon & pick up one side from the abutting side of the original pentagon.
4. For the fifth hexagon, cast on three sides, pick up one side from the last hexagon, pick up one side from the abutting side of the original pentagon & pick up one side (the only available edge) of your first hexagon.
It will look a bit like this:

5. Make five pentagons, one between each set of touching hexagons by casting on three sides and picking up the last two to connect the shapes.

6. Add five half-hexagons, one between each set of touching pentagons & hexagons to make a "finished" half sphere.

7. Pick up 240 sts in black, place marker at beginning of round & knit for 6 rounds.

8. Switch to the print & knit for 8-10 rounds, or until your yarn is gone.

9. Switch back to black & knit 3 rounds

10. (K10, K2tog)* = 220 sts.

11. Knit 2 rounds

12. (K9, K2tog)* = 200 sts.

13. Knit 2 rounds

14. (K8, K2tog)* = 180 sts.

15. Knit 2 rounds

16. (K7, K2tog)* = 160 sts.

17. Knit 6 rounds

18. Knit 20 sts on one dpn, BO 20 sts. Repeat 3X for 4 handle bases.

19. Each handle:

Knit 20 rows in stockinette using dpns, slipping the 1st stitch of each row.

Sl 1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, ssk, k1 = 18 sts.

Purl all sts

Repeat until 14 sts remain.

Knit 10 rows in stockinette.

Repeat this on all 4 handle bases.

Graft handles together using Kirchner stitch (instructions abound online).

Full your bag using your favorite method. I used my washing machine for 14 min on permanent press cycle.

It’s Felt-tastic!

I then went ape and made Sammy a soccer ball using the same ideas:

I had a brain pop to turn it into a hat... I'll actually write that up as a real pattern & post it, too.

Summer Weight Cotton Worsted Chullos!

2009-07-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

(this is the photo from the online pattern)
Well. I saw this pattern online & fell totally in love!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/ozyarn-archived

What a gorgeous & super quick knit! Who knew?

However, the wool chullo was VERY warm.

I’ve now used up some worsted cotton stash & scrap to make a summer weight chullo for my bad Spring & Summer hair!

Well. Yes. That hat was lovely.
However, I soon found out it was not the hat for me. Now it graces the lovely noggin’ of my friend Mary... before it got STOLEN!!!

I’ll make another for myself... and another for her.
They go quickly…

I have long since left the original pattern behind.

I'll post a version of the Fleur de Lys when I have it written up.

I also need to work up a pattern or video tutorial for 2-color i-cord. I want to share my “discovery” with the world.
I am in LOVE with the look of it!

Has anyone seen it done elsewhere?

Can anyone help me make a tutorial video & post it?

Bubbles!

2009-03-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well. I am quite proud.

Earlier this month I completed a present for Sam which I've had on the needles for quite a while. It's been really something to get things finished, lately. I'm looking to summer

Sheldon, by Ruth Homrighaus is an adorable, affordable (free pattern & done with inexpensive cotton sportweight) project!

As you can see Sam loves it:
He even named it! He took one look at it & hugged it... Happily crying "Bubbles!"

I thought it was just one of those language flukes toddlers often have... But, later when the Godfatha' asked him where "Bubbles" was... HE WENT TO THE STUFFED ANIMAL SHELF!!!
As most knitting -oriented people may know, Sheldon has a bit of a cult following. The original designer, as well as other ravelry types have made other "shell" costumes for him to wear. There's even a Spiderman outfit! How cute is that?

I will have to make one, too. I can feel it.
I'm just waiting for inspiration to hit.

I will say this... I am a little concerned with what may come from teaching Sam that (knitted?) turtles can come out of/change their shells. Hmmmm....

Birthday Mittens

2009-02-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

I know. I'm an intermittent blogger at best.

I have no desire to document my life in knitting
...I merely wish to make a few records to share of the knitting in my life... & there's been precious little of that!

The most recent project in my busy life (teaching & a toddler doesn't allow for much time to create anything other than a living...) has been some simple mittens.

The Godfatha' has a birthday in February. I'm broke like everybody else, so I asked him if I could make anything for him.
The first request was for a pie.
Done!
(n.b. that is not burny-ness... the dark parts are chocolate that has bubbled up from the bottom. This will happen when one uses an entire bag of chips in an "I-can't-believe-it's-not-Derby-Pie"...)
Come on, there has to be something more for the man who makes sure my Sam is never gonna suffer single-mamma's-son issues.
All he wanted was mittens. So, mittens it was.

Who knew designing mittens could be tricky?
Well, it's not like I was really designing. I was merely adapting the things I had done to adapt the Cigar-Style Fingerless Gloves into mitten form.
I chose a Fair-Isle Style, because it gives a double thickness & warmth to the final mitty.
I know that twisting the yarn & balls can be fussy, but so worth it in the end.

The first one ended up a ladies medium/large, despite gauge & swatch & tracing measures.
(Some lady in my life is going to end up with a present of mittens soon...)
The first attempt is on the top of the photo.
I measured some more & ended up with the mittens you see in the bottom of the photo.
I like the darker tone to them... much more suited to the Godfatha' anyway.

Here is a potentially buggy free pattern transposed from my notes:

Birthday Mittens by Ruth H. Bennett

Yarn:
MC: 1 skein Black Cascade 220 (I would have preferred another ball of LP, sigh.)
CC: 1 skein Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted, Prairie Fire (a heathered red)
(Your favorite worsted weight yarn would be a suitable substitution...)

Needles & Notions:
Size 5(us) DPNs
Yarn needle

Gauge:
6 sts & 7 rows = 1”

Cuff:
CO 44 sts.
Work in the round in 2x2 rib for 28 rounds for cuff.

Gusset:
1: K one round.
2: K1 in MC, Switch to CC & M1, (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 20, K2 in MC, K20 in CC, M1 in CC, K1 in MC=46sts.
3: K one round in MC.
4: K1 in MC, Switch to CC & M1, (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 21, K2 in MC, K21 in CC, M1 in CC, K1 in MC=48sts.
5: K one round in MC.
6: K1 in MC, M1, K 22 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K22 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=50sts.
7: K1 in MC, K23 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K23 alternating MC & CC.
8: K1 in MC, M1, K 23 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K23 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=52sts.
9: K1 in MC, K24 alternating CC & MC, K2 in MC, K24 alternating CC & MC.
10: K1 in MC, M1, K 24 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K24 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=54sts.
11: K1 in MC, K25 alternating CC & MC , K2 in MC, K25 alternating CC & MC, K1 in MC.
12: K1 in MC, M1, K 25 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K25 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=56sts.
13: K one round in MC
14: K1 in MC, Switch to CC (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 26, K2 in MC, K26 in CC, K1 in MC.
15: K one round in MC
16: K1 in MC, Switch to CC & M1, (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 26, K2 in MC, K26 in CC, M1 in CC, K1 in MC=58sts.
17: K one round in MC
18: K1 in MC, K27 alternating CC & MC , K2 in MC, K27 alternating CC & MC, K1 in MC.
19: K1 in MC, K27 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K27 alternating MC & CC, K1 MC.
20: K1 in MC, M1, K 27 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K27 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=60sts.
21: K1 in MC, K28 alternating CC & MC , K2 in MC, K27 alternating CC & MC, K1 in MC.
22: K1 in MC, K28 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K28 alternating MC & CC, K1 MC.
23: K1 in MC, K28 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K28 alternating MC & CC, K1 MC.
24: K1 in MC, M1, K 28 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K28 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=62sts.
25: K one round in MC
26: K1 in MC, Switch to CC (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 29, K2 in MC, K29 in CC, K1 in MC.

(This is where we take off the 12 sts for the thumb!)
27: K one round in MC, stop 6 sts before end, place on holder or spare DPN, put 1st 6 sts of next round on same holder.
Pull tight when starting next round.
28: K1 in MC, Switch to CC & M1, (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 23, K2 in MC, K23 in CC, M1 in CC, K1 in MC=52sts.
29: K one round in MC
30: K1 in MC, M1, K 24 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K24 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=54sts.
31: K1 in MC, K25 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K25 alternating MC & CC, K1 MC.
32: K1 in MC, M1, K 25 alternating MC & CC, K2 in MC, K25 alternating MC & CC, M1, K1 in MC=56sts.
33-36: K1 in MC, K26 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K26 alternating MC & CC, K1 MC.
37: K one round in MC.
38: K1 in MC, Switch to CC (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 26, K2 in MC, K26 in CC, K1 in MC.
39: K one round in MC.
40: K1 in MC, Switch to CC (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 26, K2 in MC, K26 in CC, K1 in MC.
41: K one round in MC.
42-48: K1 in MC, K26 alternating MC & CC (the opposite of the last row), K2 in MC, K26 alternating MC & CC, K1 MC.
49: K one round in MC.
50: K1 in MC, Switch to CC (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 26, K2 in MC, K26 in CC, K1 in MC.
51: K one round in MC.
52: K1 in MC, Switch to CC (carry & "twist in" black as you go...)K 26, K2 in MC, K26 in CC, K1 in MC.

Begin “finger cap” Decreases:
53: Break CC yarn. K one round in MC.
54-5: Knit MC. (This is where you could add more rounds if a longer finger length is needed.)
56: (K5, K2tog)* = 48 sts.
57: K3, PSSO, (K4, PSSO)* 5 times, K4, PSSO using 1st st of next row =40sts.
58: (K3, K2tog)* =32 sts.
59: K1, PSSO, (K2, PSSO)* 5 times, K2, PSSO using 1st st of next row =24sts.
60: (K1, K2tog)* =16 sts.
61: (K2tog)* =8sts.
Break Yarn. Sew end through 8 loops & pull snug.
Weave in loose ends.

Thumb:
On 3 DPNs, Place 3 sts, 6sts, 3 sts.
1: Using MC, Knit one round, Pick up 2 sts on last DPN using loose yarn edge from that side of the thumb hole = 14 sts. (**Leave a long tail when beginning row.)
2: Pick up 2 sts from the loose yarn edge from that side of the thumb hole. Knit rest of round. Sts should now be 16= 5/6/5, on 3 DPNs.
3-14: Knit.
15: (K2, K2tog)* =12sts.
16: Knit.
17: (K1, K2tog)* =8sts.
Break Yarn. Sew end through 8 loops & pull snug.
Weave in loose ends.

Finishing:
Use long tail to sew gap from thumb base together snugly. I used a blanket stitch to give it a neat finish.
Weave in all remaining loose ends.

Andean Hats

2009-02-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

I am taking a moment from my sick day at home to (finally) post about some knitting.
Concentrating on yummy color work sure does beat focusing on stomach cramps & even nastier symptoms of a stomach flu...

Here is a vision of knitting bliss: A basket full of neatly balled wool on the big red knitting chair... Sigh.

I usually NEVER fall for kits, but this kit from Knit Picks was too fabulous to resist!
These are the perfect gifts for my Colorado nephews…

Here is the one for the younger neph:

Here is the one for the older neph:

Well, it’s Llama Chullo II: Electric Boogaloo! The color work looks complex, but is really rather straightforward... In fact, this is an ideal project to combat Seasonal Affective Depression.

This time I’m added 16 sts to the circumference so it will fit my oldest Neph’s giant cranium.

I can’t wait to start changing the charts to have other motifs aside from the LLLLLLLLAMAS!

After this adaptation, I think I’m going to adapt the pattern to make it for old Atari system lovers… Can you say “Space Invaders Chullo”? I hope I won't run into copyright problems...

Pattern Notes:

To achieve gauge, I had to use size 4 needles. a 16' circular was fine for the body of the hat (especially on the 24" hat), but I had to switch to dpns for the crown decreases.

I ended up adding 32 sts to the crown cast on=192 sts.
My reasoning is this: the small pattern bands are based on an (8 to) 16 repeat, but the wave pattern I wanted to use instead of the alpaca motif is based on 10s. I just decreased 2 on the solid color rows before the wave motif & increased 2 again for the remaining small bands & crown decreases.
Yes, this does give you 12 instead of 10 decrease units, but the transition to 3 st. i-cord is much smoother.

So… voila! a 24” crown & an men’s large sizing!

note: If you use the large alpaca motif for your pattern (instead of the wave/ripples), you do not need to change any counts while knitting the crown.

The Seamless Dangly...

2008-12-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

The Brown Monkey
(a.k.a. the seamless mr. dangly)
by Ruth H. Bennett

My mother is a shameless addict. Yep. It’s true. Thankfully, she has a good sense of humor about it all. Alcohol? Nope. Prescription Pain Pills? Nope.
She’s a junkie for high quality dark chocolate. She can’t start her day or her body in the morning without a small piece of it.
So, my sister Anne has euphemized her addiction as “the visit from the Brown Monkey”... Yes. Brown Monkey... as in “monkey on her back”.
This reference to the “Brown Monkey” pops up everywhere in our daily conversations... it’s a bona fide family inside joke at this point. I was inspired to make an actual monkey to be hidden around & pop up for a visit whenever my sister wanted or needed a laugh.
He also hangs quite nicely over your shoulders by his long arms... on your back!
(Come to think of it... I probably should have stuffed him with old Dove “Promise” wrappers instead of Fiber-fil...)

I have made several monkeys modeled after this fine pattern ( Mr. Dangly) I found on ravelry. I think his styling is beyond adorable.
Yep. I took a look at the pattern & said, these Brits sure are great knitters, but DAMN they love to knit everything in pieces & seam it all. I have a compulsion to go seamless when I am able, so I took the basic dimensions of the Dangly & worked it over as seamless pieces that are only sewn together at their joints.

Here is the address for the inspiration: http://electricbiscuitonline.blogspot.com/2005/06/clone-mr-dangly.html

Gentle Reader,

Please remember general free pattern etiquette.

Which means: This is a free pattern & you get what you pay for. Management is not responsible for honest typos & missed counts. Please do not sell or pass this pattern off for your own.
All of my patterns are meant for personal, educational use, not for profit! If you wish to use it for a class, please ask first... I will most likely say YES!

If you wish to share it, please link directly to my blog or my Ravelry page. This is not copyrighted, but misuse of it will generally be found out, mocked by other knitters & punished with bad knitting karma.

Thank You. -Ru.

The Pattern for THE BROWN MONKEY:

Yarn: Lily Sugar & Cream Solids Cotton
(just use any worsted weight yarn you like, really...)
CC: 1 skein Jute (less than 120 yds)
MC: 2 skeins Warm Brown (280 yds)

Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm DPNs

Gauge: Not important, but 4.5 sts & 6 rows = 1”
Just keep the gauge kinda tight to hold in the stuffing

Supplies:
~Size F crochet hook
~Yarn Needle
~Poly Fiber-Fil
~Scissors
~12” of Saran Wrap
~Safety Eyes or buttons (I used bare wooden ones) in your chosen color
Optional: Little bean bags (you can use old nylons & plastic pellets!) for “feet & hands”

Head:

Row 1: Long Tail CO 6 sts over 3 DPNs using CC (Jute)
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: (M1, K1, M1, K1)* = 12 sts
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: (K1, M1, K2, M1, K1)* = 18 sts
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 24 sts
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: (K1, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K1)* = 36 sts
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K2, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 48 sts
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K2, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 60 sts
Rows 14-19: Knit
Row 20: (K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K1)* =48 sts
Rows 21-24: Knit
Break Yarn, Switch to MC (Warm Brown)
Rows 25-48: Knit

(if you are using safety eyes, place them now before you start closure...)

Begin Decreases:
Row 49: (K4, K2tog)* = 40 sts
Row 50: Knit
Row 51: (K3, K2tog)* = 32 sts
Row 52: Knit
Row 53: (K2, K2tog)* = 24 sts
Row 54: Knit
(this is the time to sew the opening hole shut & stuff the head with fiber-fil...)
Row 55: (K1, K2tog)* = 16 sts
Row 56: Knit
Row 57: (K2tog)* = 8 sts
Break yarn, run tail through the 8 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.

Body:

Row 1: Long Tail CO 12 sts over 4 DPNs using MC (Warm Brown)
Rows 2-5: Knit
Row 6: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 16 sts
Rows 7-10: Knit
Row 11: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 20 sts
Rows 12-15: Knit
Row 16: (K1, M1, K8, M1, K1)* = 24 sts
Rows 17-20: Knit
Row 21: (K1, M1, K10, M1, K1)* = 28 sts
Rows 22-25: Knit
Row 26: (K1, M1, K12, M1, K1)* = 32 sts
Rows 27-30: Knit
Row 31: (K1, M1, K14, M1, K1)* = 36 sts
Rows 32-35: Knit
Row 36: (K1, M1, K16, M1, K1)* = 40 sts
Rows 37-40: Knit
Row 41: (K1, M1, K18, M1, K1)* = 44 sts
Rows 42-45: Knit
Row 46: (K1, M1, K20, M1, K1)* = 48 sts
Rows 47-50: Knit
Row 51: (K1, M1, K22, M1, K1)* = 52 sts
Rows 52-55: Knit
Row 56: (K1, M1, K24, M1, K1)* = 56 sts
Rows 57-60: Knit
Row 61: (K1, M1, K26, M1, K1)* = 60 sts
Rows 62-85: Knit

Begin Decreases:
Row 86: (K4, K2tog)* = 50 sts
Row 87: Knit
Row 88: (K3, K2tog)* = 40 sts
Row 89: Knit
Row 90: (K2, K2tog)* = 30 sts
Row 91: Knit
(this is the time to sew the opening hole shut & stuff the head with fiber-fil...)
Row 92: (K1, K2tog)* = 20 sts
Row 93: Knit
Row 94: (K2tog)* = 10 sts
Break yarn, run tail through the 10 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.

Arms (make 2):

Be sure to keep stuffing as you go... These thin limbs are hard to stuff evenly after the fact.)
Row 1: Long Tail CO 12 sts over 3 DPNs using MC (Warm Brown)
Rows 2-5: Knit
Row 6: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 16 sts
Rows 7-36: Knit
Row 37: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 20 sts
Rows 38-57: Knit
Row 58: (K1, M1, K1)* = 30 sts
Rows 59-60: Knit
Break Yarn, Switch to CC (Jute)
Rows 61-70: Knit

Begin Decreases:
Row 71: (K3, K2tog)* = 24 sts
Row 72: Knit
Row 73: (K2, K2tog)* = 18 sts
Row 74: Knit
Row 75: (K1, K2tog)* = 12 sts
Row 76: Knit
Row 77: (K2tog)* = 6 sts
Finish stuffing or place bean bags in the “hands” (I hope you remembered to stuff as you go)
Break yarn, run tail through the 6 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.

Legs (make 2):

Be sure to keep stuffing as you go... These thin limbs are hard to stuff evenly after the fact.)
Row 1: Long Tail CO 12 sts over 3 DPNs using MC (Warm Brown)
Rows 2-5: Knit
Row 6: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 16 sts
Rows 7-16: Knit
Row 17: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 20 sts
Rows 18-37: Knit
Row 38: (K1, M1, K1)* = 30 sts
Rows 39-40: Knit
Break Yarn, Switch to CC (Jute)
Rows 41-50: Knit

Begin Decreases:
Row 51: (K3, K2tog)* = 24 sts
Row 52: Knit
Row 53: (K2, K2tog)* = 18 sts
Row 54: Knit
Row 55: (K1, K2tog)* = 12 sts
Row 56: Knit
Row 57: (K2tog)* = 6 sts
Finish stuffing or place bean bags in the “footpads” (I hope you remembered to stuff as you go)
Break yarn, run tail through the 6 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.

Tail:

Long Tail CO 12 sts, Knit in the round for 10 “.
Use crochet hook to pull Saran Wrap through tube to stuff & trim to measure.
To close: (K2tog)* = 6 sts
Pull yarn trough loops to close.

Ears (make 2):

Row 1: Longtail CO 8 sts
Row 2: Sl1 Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1 = 10 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1 = 12 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, Knit
Row 8: Sl1, Purl
Row 9: Sl1, Knit
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, Knit
Row 12: Sl1, Purl
Row 13: Sl1, K10, P1
Row 14: Sl1 K wise, K10, P1
Break yarn & switch to CC (Jute)
Row 15: Sl1, Knit
Row 16: Sl1, Purl
Row 17: Sl1, Knit
Row 18: Sl1, Purl
Row 19: Sl1, Knit
Row 20: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, Knit
Row 22: Sl1, Purl
Row 23: Sl1, K2tog, K6, PSSO, K1 = 10 sts
Row 24: Sl1, Purl
Row 25: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1 = 8 sts
Row 26: Sl1, Purl
Row 27: BO in Knit

Weave in ends. Fold ear in half along center line of purl sts, knit side out. Align slipped stitch edges & join the 2 sides with a line of single crochet using MC (Warm Brown).
(If you are uncomfortable with even single crochet, you can use a whip stitch or even a back stitch to join the two sides of the ear, but it won't have as finished a look.)
Use the "tail" of the crochet to whip stitch the ear to the side of the head using purl bump guides, CC color facing front as shown.

Finishing:
I sewed this guy up as I went along, but you can please yourself...
I sewed the neck closed & sewed on the head near the bottom/rear...
The arms were sewed on just below the neck, as shown. The legs were sewed on along the bottom edges of the body , aligned with the increase “seams”. I sewed the ears on the sides of the head, I just eyed them in & counted knit stitches on the head to make them as even as I could.
You can now sew on buttons for eyes (if you did not use safety eyes...)or embroider nostrils or any other embellishment you like!
I gave the Brown Monkey six strands of crochet chain “hair” at the crown of his head for added character, but the customize-able possibilities are endless.

Oh... just because I haven't posted any Sam knitting photos recently...
Please note the "Brown Monkey" shoes!

All Hail Prince Horsie-Pony!

2008-12-29T14:38:00.000-08:00

My fabulous friend Terry’s daughter named a stray pet this, the BEST NAME EVER:

“Prince Horsie-Pony”.

I have used this amazing name as my inspiration for a very girlie stuffie modeled after this fine pattern ( Mr. Dangly ) I found on ravelry.
I took a look at the pattern & said, "Those Brits sure are great knitters, but DAMN they love to knit everything in pieces & seam it all!" I have an American compulsion to go seamless when I am able, so I took the basic dimensions of the Dangly & worked it over as seamless pieces that are only sewn together at their joints. I made many alterations for character & increased horsie-ness, but it is clear this stuffie is inspired by the noble "House of Dangly"
So... This prince is seamless… just like the Brown Monkey & the Ballerina Dangle-ina (Seen here in a group shot).

I will post the seamless limbs & the elefante style ears for my “seamless” dangly in my next post. I promise.

Gentle Reader,

Please remember general free pattern etiquette.

Which means: This is a free pattern & you get what you pay for. Management is not responsible for honest typos & missed counts.

Please do not sell or pass this pattern off for your own. All of my patterns are meant for personal, educational use, not for profit!
If you wish to use it for a class, please ask first... I will most likely say YES! If you wish to share it, please link directly to this blog or my Ravelry page.
This is not copyrighted, but misuse of it will generally be found out, mocked by other knitters & punished with bad knitting karma.

Thank You.
-Ru.

The Pattern for the PRINCE HORSIE-PONY:

Yarn: Lily Sugar & Cream Ombres & Solids Cotton
(just use any worsted weight yarn you like, really...)
CC: 1 skein Ecru (less than 120 yds)
MC: 2 skeins Jewel (190 yds)

Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm DPN

Gauge: Not important, but 4.5 sts & 6 rows = 1”

Supplies:
~Size F crochet hook
~Yarn Needle
~Poly Fiber-Fil
~Scissors
~Safety Eyes or buttons in your chosen color
Optional: Little bean bags (you can use old nylons & plastic pellets!) for “hooves”

Head:

Row 1: Long Tail CO 6 sts over 3 DPNs using CC (ecru)
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: (M1, K1, M1, K1)* = 12 sts
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: (K1, M1, K2, M1, K1)* = 18 sts
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 24 sts
Row 8: Knit
Row 9: (K1, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K1)* = 36 sts
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K2, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 48 sts
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K2, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 60 sts
Rows 14-19: Knit
Row 20: (K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K1)* =48 sts
Rows 21-24: Knit
Break Yarn, Switch to MC (Jewel)
Rows 25-48: Knit

(if you are using safety eyes, place them now before you start closure...)
Begin Decreases:
Row 49: (K4, K2tog)* = 40 sts
Row 50: Knit
Row 51: (K3, K2tog)* = 32 sts
Row 52: Knit
Row 53: (K2, K2tog)* = 24 sts
Row 54: Knit
(this is the time to sew the opening hole shut & stuff the head with fiber-fil...)
Row 55: (K1, K2tog)* = 16 sts
Row 56: Knit
Row 57: (K2tog)* = 8 sts
Break yarn, run tail through the 8 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.

Body:

Row 1: Long Tail CO 12 sts over 4 DPNs using MC (Jewel)
Rows 2-5: Knit
Row 6: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 16 sts
Rows 7-10: Knit
Row 11: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 20 sts
Rows 12-15: Knit
Row 16: (K1, M1, K8, M1, K1)* = 24 sts
Rows 17-20: Knit
Row 21: (K1, M1, K10, M1, K1)* = 28 sts
Rows 22-25: Knit
Row 26: (K1, M1, K12, M1, K1)* = 32 sts
Rows 27-30: Knit
Row 31: (K1, M1, K14, M1, K1)* = 36 sts
Rows 32-35: Knit
Row 36: (K1, M1, K16, M1, K1)* = 40 sts
Rows 37-40: Knit
Row 41: (K1, M1, K18, M1, K1)* = 44 sts
Rows 42-45: Knit
Row 46: (K1, M1, K20, M1, K1)* = 48 sts
Rows 47-50: Knit
Row 51: (K1, M1, K22, M1, K1)* = 52 sts
Rows 52-55: Knit
Row 56: (K1, M1, K24, M1, K1)* = 56 sts
Rows 57-60: Knit
Row 61: (K1, M1, K26, M1, K1)* = 60 sts
Rows 62-85: Knit

Begin Decreases:
Row 86: (K4, K2tog)* = 50 sts
Row 87: Knit
Row 88: (K3, K2tog)* = 40 sts
Row 89: Knit
Row 90: (K2, K2tog)* = 30 sts
Row 91: Knit
(this is the time to sew the opening hole shut & stuff the head with fiber-fil...)
Row 92: (K1, K2tog)* = 20 sts
Row 93: Knit
Row 94: (K2tog)* = 10 sts
Break yarn, run tail through the 10 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.

Arms & Legs (make 4):

(Be sure to keep stuffing as you go... These thin limbs are hard to stuff even ly after the fact.)
Row 1: Long Tail CO 12 sts over 3 DPNs using MC (Jewel)
Rows 2-5: Knit
Row 6: (K1, M1, K4, M1, K1)* = 16 sts
Rows 7-46: Knit
Row 47: (K1, M1, K6, M1, K1)* = 20 sts
Rows 48-51: Knit
Row 52: (K1, M1, K1)* = 30 sts
Rows 53-54: Knit
Break Yarn, Switch to CC (Ecru)
Rows 55-64: Knit

Begin Decreases:
Row 65: (K3, K2tog)* = 24 sts
Row 66: Knit
Row 51: (K2, K2tog)* = 18 sts
Row 52: Knit
Row 53: (K1, K2tog)* = 12 sts
Row 54: Knit
Row 57: (K2tog)* = 6 sts
Finish stuffing or place bean bags in the “hooves” (I hope you remembered to stuff as you go)
Break yarn, run tail through the 6 loops, pull tight & tie off as if finishing a beanie hat.
EARS:

Row 1: Using MC yarn, Long Tail CO 4sts
Row 2: Sl1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, Knit
Row 4: Sl1. Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K2, M1, K1= 6 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, M1, K4, M1, K1= 8 sts
Row 8: Sl1, Purl
Row 9: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1= 10 sts
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1= 12 sts
Row 12: Sl1, Purl
Row 13: Sl1, Knit
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K10, P1
Row 16: Sl1, K10, P1
~Break yarn, switch to CC (Ecru)
Row 17: Sl1, Knit
Row 18: Sl1, Purl
Row 19: Sl1, Knit
Row 20: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, K2Tog, K6, PSSO, K1 = 10 sts
Row 22: Sl1, Purl
Row 23: Sl1, K2Tog, K4, PSSO, K1 = 8 sts
Row 24: Sl1, Purl
Row 25: Sl1, K2Tog, K2, PSSO, K1 = 6 sts
Row 26: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, K2Tog, , PSSO, K1 = 4 sts
Row 22: Sl1, Purl
Row 23: Sl1, Knit
Row 24: BO in Purl

~Fold at Middle RS out
~Single crochet together using slipped stitches as guide with MC (Jewel). Leave long tail for finishing (tail will sew on ears to purl bump guides, CC color facing front as shown.)

Finishing:
I sewed this guy up as I went along, but you can please yourself...

I sewed the neck closed & sewed on the head near the bottom/rear...
The arms were sewed on just below the neck, as shown.
The legs were sewed on along the bottom edges of the body , aligned with the increase “seams”.
I sewed the ears on the top of the head, I just eyed them in & counted knit stitches on the head to make them as even as I could.
You can now sew on buttons for eyes or embroider nostrils or any other embellishment you like!

Tail:
I made a 4”tassel out of the CC over a piece of cardboard & sewed it on...

Mane:
I cut about 60 3 “ pieces of the CC yarn & attached them onto the head using an over hand hitch stitch (as if you were adding fringe onto a scarf) with the crochet hook through the “vees” of the knit stitches.
You can make the mane as fringy or as full as you want.

A Pig of Fortune!

2008-12-13T09:39:00.000-08:00

Here is Sam’s Christmas Stuffie 2008!

It is truly seamless except for the ears, lip & tail!

I made him on dpns with extra yarn I had remaining from his Boob-a-hedron… so this little piggy really did use less than half of a skein of the light pink.

Sigh. Why can’t we all make art for a living & still have insurance?

The Pattern for the PIG

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in pink, magenta & black
(Negligible stash-y amounts of magenta & black, about 175 yds of pink, or main color)

Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm DPN

Gauge: Not important, but 4.5 sts & 6 rows = 1”

Supplies:
~Size F crochet hook
~Yarn Needle
~Poly Fiber-Fil
~Scissors

HEAD & BODY:
Row 1: Using MC yarn, Long Tail CO 8sts
Row 2: Sl1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K6,M1, K1=10 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1=12 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, Knit (at this time, work the intarsia for the nostrils: Sl1, K2 pink, K2 black, K2 pink, K2 black,K3 pink)
Row 8: Sl1, Purl (Sl1, P1 pink, P3 black, P2 pink, P3 black, P2 pink)
Row 9: Sl1, Knit (Sl1, K1 pink, K3 black, K2 pink, K3 black, K2 pink)
Row 10: Sl1, Purl (Sl1, P1 pink, P3 black, P2 pink, P3 black, P2 pink)
Row 11: Sl1, Knit (Sl1, K2 pink, K2 black, K2 pink, K2 black,K3 pink Break black yarn & weave in ends later.)
Row 13: Sl1, Purl
Row 14: Sl1, K2tog, K6, PSSO, K1=10 sts
Row 15: Sl1, Purl
Row 16: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1=8 sts
Row 17: Sl1, Purl
Row 18: Sl1, K7

While keeping the live sts on one dpn, Pick up 22 sts in slipped edge stitches for a total of 28 sts.
Row 19: Place marker at the beginning of row & knit 8 rows

Muzzle Increases:

Row 26: Knit to last 4 sts , Purl last 4 sts (this is the row of sts you'll use to sew on lip!)
Row 27: Purl 4sts, K to end of round
Row 28: Knit
Row 29: K1, M1, (K2, M1)*, K1= 44 sts
Row 30: Knit
Row 31: K9, M1, K2, M1, K3, (M1, K1, M1, K2)*six times, K1, M1, K2, M1, K9= 60 sts
Row 32: Knit
Row 33: K10, M1, K2, M1, K7, (M1, K2, M1, K3)*five times, K4, M1, K2, M1, K10= 74 sts
Row 34: Knit
Row 35: K11, M1, K2, M1, K23, M1, K2, M1, K23, M1, K2, M1, K11= 80 sts
Row 36: Knit
Row 37: K12, M1, K2, M1, K50, M1, K2, M1, K12= 84 sts
Row 38-40: Knit
Row 41: K12, PSSO, K2, K2Tog, K to 18 sts before marker, PSSO, K2, K2Tog, K12= 80 sts
Row 42: Knit (I placed some Purl stitches on top of his head where I wanted guides to sew on ears at this point, but please yourself...)
Row 43: K11, PSSO, K2, K2Tog, K to 17 sts before marker, PSSO, K2, K2Tog, K11= 76 sts
Row 44: Knit
Row 45: K10, PSSO, K2, K2Tog, K to 16 sts before marker, PSSO, K2, K2Tog, K10= 72 sts
Row 46-48: Knit
Row 49: K4 with MC, K8 with waste yarn (Just like placing an "afterthought thumb in a mitten!), Knit to 12 sts before marker, K8 with waste yarn, K4 with MC.
Row 50-57: Knit
Row 58: K4 with MC, K8 with waste yarn, Knit to 12 sts before marker, K8 with waste yarn, K4 with MC.
Row 59-61: Knit
Row 62: (K7, K2Tog)* = 64 sts
Row 63: Knit
Row 64: (K6, K2Tog)* = 56 sts
Row 65: Knit
Row 66: (K5, K2Tog)* = 48 sts
Row 67: Knit
Row 68: (K4, K2Tog)* = 40 sts
Row 69: Knit
Row 70: (K3, K2Tog)* = 32 sts
Row 71: Knit (I stuffed the body at this point...)
Row 72: (K2, K2Tog)* = 24 sts
Row 73: Knit
Row 74: (K1, K2Tog)* = 16 sts
Row 75: Knit
Row 76: (K2Tog)* = 8sts
~Break yarn & run through loops with a yarn needle, pull tight, stitch closed & bury end.

TAIL:
Row 1: Using MC, Long Tail CO 10.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Sl1, (M1, K1)* to end.
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Sl1, (M1, K1)* to end.
Row 6 BO in Purl
~Use cast on or Bound off tail to sew onto body. I sewed mine onto the 8 st closure of body...)

LIP:
Row 1: Using MC yarn, Long Tail CO 8sts
Row 2: Sl1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K6,M1, K1=10 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1=12 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, K10, P1
Row 8: Sl1, K10, P1
Break yarn, switch to CC (magenta)
Row 9: Sl1, Knit
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, K2Tog, K6, PSSO, K1 =10 sts
Row 12: Sl1, Purl
Row 13: Sl1, K2Tog, K4, PSSO, K1 =8 sts
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: BO in Knit

~Fold at Middle RS out
~Single crochet together using slipped stitches as guide using MC yarn (pink). Leave long tail for finishing (tail will sew on lip using purl bump sts as a guide.)

EARS:

Row 1: Using MC yarn, Long Tail CO 4sts
Row 2: Sl1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, Knit
Row 4: Sl1. Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K2, M1, K1= 6 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, M1, K4, M1, K1= 8 sts
Row 8: Sl1, Purl
Row 9: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1= 10 sts
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1= 12 sts
Row 12: Sl1, Purl
Row 13: Sl1, Knit
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K10, P1
Row 16: Sl1, K10, P1
~Break yarn, switch to CC (magenta)
Row 17: Sl1, Knit
Row 18: Sl1, Purl
Row 19: Sl1, Knit
Row 20: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, K2Tog, K6, PSSO, K1 = 10 sts
Row 22: Sl1, Purl
Row 23: Sl1, K2Tog, K4, PSSO, K1 = 8 sts
Row 24: Sl1, Purl
Row 25: Sl1, K2Tog, K2, PSSO, K1 = 6 sts
Row 26: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, K2Tog, , PSSO, K1 = 4 sts
Row 22: Sl1, Purl
Row 23: Sl1, Knit
Row 24: BO in Purl

~Fold at Middle RS out
~Single crochet together using slipped stitches as guide with MC (pink). Leave long tail for finishing (tail will sew on ears to purl bump guides, CC color facing front as shown.)

LEGS:

~Work legs one at a time as you would an afterthought thumb to a mitten. Leave a long tail to close up the inevitable gaps which happen at the "corners" of the pick up.

~Carefully remove waste yarn & Place 4 sts each on 4 dpns. =16 sts
Row 1: Pick up 1 sts on body on each dpn to tighten =20 sts
Row 2-9: knit in the round
Row 10: Break MC yarn & switch to black, Knit 1 round
~Divide sts 10/10 to create split hoof

First Half of Hoof:
Row 1: K10, CO6, divide over 3 dpns (5/6/5)
Row 2: K 1 round
Row 3: (K2, K2Tog)* = 12 sts
Row 4: K1 round
Row 5: (K1, K2Tog)* = 8 sts
Break yarn & pull end through loop to close, pull tight, tie off & bury end

Second Half of Hoof:
Row 1: Leave a long tail, K10, CO6, divide over 3 dpns (5/6/5)
Row 2: K 1 round
Row 3: (K2, K2Tog)* = 12 sts
Row 4: K1 round
Row 5: (K1, K2Tog)* = 8 sts
Break yarn & pull end through loop to close, pull tight, tie off & bury end

~ Stuff Leg & use tail to stitch Co edges together to create cloven hoofies!

Tig-Cadio!

2008-12-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

Sooo... I had a brain pop to make a tiger version of my Lafcadio back in August!

I’m thinking a sort of Bengal tiger coloring:

A muzzle in white which then switches to orange & black stripes… Ears in B&W… Body that begins in a belly in white, then switches to the tiger stripes… Feet that are white pawed with striped legs & a stripy i-cord tail.

I am jazzed!
I had the acrylic stuff here as stash (Caron Simply Soft), so how could I resist? I’m WEAK, I tell ‘ya!

Well, I finally got it done back in November & am only now getting it together to have some instructions (mostly because there is a nice lady in Australia who asked me for them...).

However… If I ever do it again, I will use a better quality of yarn. Acrylic is fine for things meant to be destroyed (Um, I mean well used). I kinda fell in love with this guy. He deserved better from me.

So, here in my sadly neglected blog is a pattern for the “booties” which are his paws! Squee!
Who knew a little intarsia could add such cuteness?

FEET: (Make 4)

Pads of Feet (can be done in a contrasting color!)
Row 1: Long Tail CO 8 sts
Row 2: Sl 1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1 = 10 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1 = 12 sts
Rows 6-12: Sl 1st st Stockinette
Row 13: Sl1, K2tog, K6, PSSO, K1 = 10 sts
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1 = 8 sts
Row 16: Sl1, Purl
Row 17: Sl1, K7, While keeping live sts on one dpn, Pick Up 20 sts along slipped edge of Foot Pad for Foot (use main color) = 28 sts
Rows 18-23: Place marker at beginning of round & Knit in Round
Toe Decreases:
Row 23: K6, (PSSO, K2tog) four times, K6 = 20 sts
Rows 25-33: Knit in round
Row 34: BO in Knit (Leave long tail for finishing (tail will sew on feet!))

Chart for intarsia paw pads goes a little something like this:

XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX

I made the soles of the paws in black & white (obviously?)

The "Feet" of the paws are done in white & change to orange 1 row after the toe decreases.

Knit 4 rows orange, 2 rows black, 3 rows orange & BO in knit.

I stuffed the legs (little bean bags for the feet are a nice touch...) & sewed them shut before sewing them to the sides of the body.

Really, all you need to do is follow the basice of the Lafcadio Lion pattern I posted earlier with these changes:

Head:

Cast on & work muzzle in white.

Switch to orange & work a 4 rows orange/2 rows black pattern until the end of the pattern for head.

Body:

Cast on in white for belly & continue until 1 row after increases end before switching to orange & black stripes.

I sewed the head onto the body with seam sides together to hide the stripe "jog". However, there are ways to fussy for me to want to use to have a "jog-less" in-the-round seam.

Tail:

CO a 5 stitch i-cord in orange. (Leave a long tai to sew tail onto body.)

work a 4 row orange 2 row black stripe pattern for 4 repeats & end with 4 more rows of orange before switching to 6 rows of white for the tip of the tail.

BO the i-cord & sew end together.

Ears:

CO in black.

Work just as for the lion ears, except for changing to white yarn for row 13.

Crochet the two halves together with black yarn. (Leave a long tail for sewing on the ears.)

I sewed the ears together at the bottom with black yarn before sewing them onto the top of the head.

Eyes:

I made crochet eyes for the Tig, but safety eyes or embroidered eyes would be just fine, too.
(Just be sure if using safety-snap-on eyes to apply them before stuffing or closing the head!)

With White yarn, Ch 4 & close into a loop with a slip stitch.
Make 12 HDC (Half-Double Crochet Stitch) into hole.
Close circle with a slip stitch. (Leave a long tail for sewing on eyes.)

I used black yarn to embroider on pupils once eyes had been sewed onto head.

I make no claims about the accuracy of this pattern.
It is free, so you get what you pay for...

However, I bet even if you or I made a mistake...
The toy would still be loved.

Here he is with his "family":

Yep. Soon I'll write up the pattern for the Pig of Fortune"...
Ah, when will I have the time?
Sam just woke up.

Soylent Koolhaas!

2008-11-23T15:22:00.000-08:00

"It's People! PEEEEOPLE!!! Tell EVERYONE!!"

Sooo. I realized that 3 pair of endpaper mitts by Christmas was an unrealistic goal… sigh.

(I should be putting grades together instead of writing this! I should be house cleaning! I should be doing a lot of other things, but here I am writing about my knitting...)

So, I back up & punt with some stash (Thanks for the de-stashing gift, Colleen!).

Looking yummy so far… The end product is very thick & snuggly!
Well worth the fussiness of the cabling!

I have to say the crown decreases are simply perfect! They are elegant like a math equation… Sometimes I am simply awed by what is possible in knitting.

The actual yardage is something like 140-5 yds, so there are yarn-y leftovers for wrist cuffs or mini mitts…
I will have to experiment with making little tubes of the pattern… I'll print up a little pattern when I finish. The only trick bit will be placing a thumb... Perhaps a little afterthought thumb should poke out of one of the diamonds. We'll see. I can only find out by knitting them up...

Ah well... Back to grading the Art Folders... Bleah.

Strike While the Iron is Hot!

2008-11-08T13:10:00.000-08:00

I must post as fast as I can while the Sam sleeps!

More on my flirtation with crochet:

Ok… I know.

I usually hate crochet.

Why am I doing this?

One answer? LOVE.
(Plus… I think I’m developing a guilty pleasure in amigurumi-style crochet. Sigh. How could anyone fight the cuteness? I’m sooo weak!)

My friend Mary loves all thing Studio Ghibli & especially this kami-wood-spirit-sprite, Totoro.
How could I resist hooking her up for her birthday?

I found a darlin' pattern, that even though it is crochet, is the best version of this character I've found:

http://heavens-hellcat.livejournal.com/420.html

It was a bit tedious through the body, but that is simply because I personally find the crochet process itself tedious... I recommend the pattern to anyone who enjoys it.

However, I now know enough that I’ll probably knit one the next time.
Yeah… this guy is soo cute… There has to be a next time so Sam can have one.

Now I just have to crochet a leaf for his sweet little head (I just improvised a leaf using the ear pattern & then stitching it together to flatten it)…

There. Soooper Cute!

I hope Mary loves it.

Abuse & Neglect...

2008-11-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

Oh, my sadly neglected blog...

I have so much to post I don't even know where to start!

I guess I'll start with some back tracking:

I first designed these gloves a a serious modification of the cigar smoking glove from knitty. (other than a few of the counts, it is now quite different… But, you have to start somewhere!)

Foolishly, I made them for a lover who took about as good a care of my heart as he did the gloves. He lost them in the first month of having them as a Christmas gift.
Well, I know much better now…

The version(s) you see here are lady-sized or men’s small of the same lost project made in colors I like far better. After doing the first versions, I learned that if you have a set of 2 sts of black along the gusset edge, the intarsia “jumps” do not show at all & an i-cord style raised edge is created.

That innovation pleased me far better than that man ever did…

In other news... I have lifted my "crochet ban" due to some pumpkin cuteness I found on "them internets"...

Normally, I am not fond of crochet. However, these amigurumi style patty-pan pumpkins are too scrumptious! Sam NEEDED one… Then, my Mother NEEDED one…

Ah… seasonal craft mission creep.

Thankfully, these can be quickly knocked out in an evening (Two (or so) hours at the most, I swear… ).
They use a negligible amount of worsted wt. stash yarn. Great for last-minute gifting!

(There is a useful crochet tutorial on the “video crochet” forum on ravelry... check it out if you are so inclined.)

Other images of Pumpkin related cuteness?

See what a difference a year makes:

This hat was a part of the great pregnant knitathon of 2007…

The hat is a simple 70 st stem hat (see the dred-ly pattern in a previous post if you want the walk-through...) with duplicate stitch jack o’ lantern embellishments.

Sam wasn’t so wild about the pumpkin suit, but he was accepting of the hat a year later…

Man, has that noggin GROWN!

Lacy Bears?

2008-10-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to make lace, lately.

I must be nuts, 'cause lace takes concentration & between teaching my hellions & wrangling my Sam... I've only been able to make the simplest of things work for me.
I have Firmament Pi Shawl & Luna Moth dreams... The gorgeous fiber is even in my stash... However, my reality is much more mundane right now.
With the time & concentration I currently have at my disposal, I've really enjoyed making several hempathy versions of the fabulous & free 'Branching Out' scarf pattern from knitty.com

So, I got involved in the Amazing Lace Swap on ravelry (see previous post) & I hope I did as well spoiling my swap partner as my spoiler did for me:

I included a sure-fire lace maker's pleaser of a skein (800 yds or so) of Zephyr Merino-Silk in a heathered forest green. I also included enough of my beloved Hempathy (in chocolate brown) & the pattern to make a Clementine Shawlette. She mentioned an interest in Bargello & the Clementine has that sort of motif in lace throughout.

I made some beaded items for her: a lace suncatcher & a dichroic glass row counter bracelet (which can be seen in the "group" picture).
I also made up a recipe of dark chocolate mint brownies in honor of her love of York Peppermint Brownies (Not in the picture, but I may post on that later, if anyone's interested...).

In honor of her love of Zuni Bears, I included a hematite Athabascan bear for dream guidance, drew a Zuni bear on a canvas project tote & wrapped her brownies' tupperware in a cotton dishcloth knitted in a Zuni Bear design I charted for her.

Now, I've heard that a smart girl can adapt any chart to lace with yarn overs outlining the image & appropriately placed directional decreases.
So... here's a request for any lace expert out there to help me in my quest for lacy bears!

Anyway. It's a quick, easy & free pattern for those who like to make dishcloths...

In other news... Sam turned one year old on the 8th! Pictures are up on my Flickr if you wanna see. What a year! Everything changed & it was about damn time.
Ah. Love, at last. I'm one lucky Mamma!

I made him a peach-banana muffin with cream cheese icing! (I can post that recipe, too...)
& gave him his Mr. Dangly (I adapted the pattern to be seamless... So, there's another free pattern to come when I get the time to transcribe it from my notes...)

Thanks to All for the Love & Support! You know Sam & I love y'all!

Amazing Lace Swap Bliss!!!

2008-09-20T13:44:00.000-07:00

Bliss!!!

Thank you so much for my splendiferous box o’ lacy treasure!

Note face upon opening box:

The whole of the box is really more than the sum of its parts, but here’s a manifest anyhoo:

-A package of stitch markers Jennifer made her very own self (in the ideal size & style for lace…)
-Copies of two patterns I have in my queue, Firmaments Lace Shawl & Luna Shawl & a dry erase marker to keep my ADD self in the right place
-Charming handmade note cards which are perfect for any & all correspondence to knitting peeps
-Soothing yet invigorating tea to keep me focused as contemplate which project I need to start first.
-6 skeins of my beloved Hempathy in my favorite-est color ever (more than enough to make a Saffron Luna!)
-A ginormous cone of scrumptious Alpaca Silk Ambrosia in a perfect shade of Spicy Burnt Sienna! Ack! SQUEEE! Ack Again!
(I am so happy I did not wake up the sleeping Sam as I did my “Interpretive Dance of Ack & Squee” through my living room… Because that allowed me plenty of time to fondle all that incredibly perfect fiber!)

I am BEYOND happy! Check this goofy mug:

My cheeks are hurtin’ from the smile this box has been giving me since I’ve opened it!
…& it’s a shame hyperbole reads poorly in the virtual world of bloggage, ‘cause I have to say:

Queenmamajen, you put the AMAZING in the Amazing Lace Swap!

You really looked at my wants & needs & used great prudence & discernment in your choices. You have more than renewed my faith in the swap process. (I also have Ania & Mariesa to thank for that, as well...) I feel loved from a distance & spoiled up close & personal!

My needles are sooo ready to click into a serious lace project!

I can only hope to bliss out my own Amazing Lace Swapee as much as you have me.

The Dred-ly Hat... A ravelry rehash & super easy free patterns

2008-09-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Dred-ly Baby Hat by Ruth H. Bennett

So easy, it’s almost a “non-pattern”…

CO 6o sts of worsted dishcloth cotton on size 7 DPNs
Place marker at beginning of round

knit in the round for 6”

Decrease sequence:
(K4, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 50 sts
K one round
(K3, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 40 sts
K one round
(K2, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 30 sts
K one round
(K1, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 20 sts
(place (10) markers on all K2tog)
K one round
(K2tog)repeat to end of round= 5 sts
K one round (Switch to 2 DPNs to work as i-cord)
K1, K2tog, K2= 4 sts
K one round
K1, K2tog, K1= 3 sts
Work as i-cord to desired length (~5”)

Dreds:
(this is easier than it looks…)
pick up 3 sts vertically from one marker along decreases
Work as i-cord to desired length (~5”)
Repeat this step for all 10 markers.
Weave in ends (just feed them back into the i-cord!)

Voila!

These make great baby gifts when paired with your favorite bootie pattern:

Want a Child's/Young Teen's Size?

CO 80 sts of worsted dishcloth cotton on size 7 DPNs
Place marker at beginning of round

Knit in the round for 7-8”

Decrease sequence:
(K6, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 70 sts
K one round
(K5, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 60 sts
K one round
(K4, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 50 sts
K one round
(K3, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 40 sts
K one round
(K2, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 30 sts
K one round
(K1, K2tog)repeat to end of round= 20 sts
(place (10) markers on all K2tog)
K one round
(K2tog)repeat to end of round= 5 sts
K one round (Switch to 2 DPNs to work as i-cord)
K1, K2tog, K2= 4 sts
K one round
K1, K2tog, K1= 3 sts
Work as i-cord to desired length (~5”)

Repeat instructions for baby hat dreds...

Want a Hip Mamma Version?
Here's the pattern for the Bad Hair Hat #3:

Why make people look at my bad hair or a lame-o soccermom baseball cap when I can knit something that people might actually want to see?

I will be the first to admit: I am a Bad Haired Mamma! I try to keep clean/showered. However, it never seems to be enough & my messy/flyaway hair has always been an issue anyway.

So, here is the latest in a series of bad hair hats. This one is almost a non-pattern: CO 80 Knit for 12” Make a series of eyelets (I can lace in the i-cords for some interesting (to me) effects…) Knit one more round & do a 3 needle BO. I picked up 2 stitches of the BO edge w/ a #8 dpn… Increase to 3 sts by a F/B inc in the first stitch & i-corded for 5” (I did 20 i-cords on this hat).

Ta-da!!! Instantly presentable to the outside world...

Sneaky Snake!!! A Free Pattern

2008-09-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

Gentle Reader,
Please remember general free pattern etiquette.

Which means:
This is a free pattern & you get what you pay for.
Management is not responsible for honest typos & missed counts.

Please do not sell or pass this pattern off for your own.
All of my patterns are meant for personal, educational use, not for profit!
If you wish to use it for a class, please ask first... I will most likely say YES!
If you wish to share it, please link directly to this blog or my Ravelry page.

This is not copyrighted, but misuse of it will generally be found out, mocked by other knitters & punished with bad knitting karma.

Thank You.
-Ru.

Sneaky Snake! by Ruth H. Bennett

Hang on to your root beer!
(Get to know about Tom T. Hall’s childrens’ songs if’n you don’t get it!)

Sneaky snake will be a slitherin’ & a prancin’!

I hope Sam loves him.
I am following an early morning pattern vision for a snake that actually “slithers” rather than just layin’ there.

Super Simple & IMHO, Super Cute.

Yarn: DK wt variegated yarn (plus some stash yarn for eyes, tongue or optional fangs)
The snake shown is 3’ long & used about 150 yds of yarn.
Thank you Colleen for the gift of your stash bounty to design/make Sneaky for Sam!

Needles: set of 5 #4 dpns

Other Materials/Notions:
Size H/8 crochet hook
Size F/5 crochet hook
Poly Fiber-fil or stuffing of choice
Yarn needle
(optional: "safety snap-on"eyes or cute buttons if that’s the look you’re going for... A safety squeaker or rattle capsule to stuff inside if you want to go for maximum cuteness!)

Gauge: Not important, but in this case, 6 sts = 1”
(You could easily change the size of the snake by altering yarn & needle size. However, be careful to use a smaller size needle than the ball band calls for so your stuffing does not poof out)
With a looser gauge, this could be a cute felting project if you are into felting/fulling projects.

Head:

Round 1: Long Tail CO 8 sts on 4 dpns
Round 2: Join (place marker if needed) Knit
Round 3: K1, M1, K1 on each needle = 12 sts
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: dpn1)K1,M1,K2 dpn2)K2, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K2 dpn4)K2, M1, K1=16sts
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: dpn1)K1,M1,K3 dpn2)K3, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K3 dpn4)K3, M1, K1=20sts
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: dpn1)K1,M1,K4 dpn2)K4, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K4 dpn4)K4, M1, K1=24sts
Round 10: Knit
Round 11: dpn1)K1,M1,K5 dpn2)K5, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K5 dpn4)K5, M1, K1=28sts
Round 12: Knit
Round 13: dpn1)K1,M1,K6 dpn2)K6, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K6 dpn4)K6, M1, K1=32sts
Round 14: Knit
Round 15: dpn1)K1,M1,K7 dpn2)K7, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K7 dpn4)K7, M1, K1=36sts
Round 16: Knit
Round 17: dpn1)K1,M1,K8 dpn2)K8, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K8 dpn4)K8, M1, K1=40sts
Round 18: Knit
Round 19: dpn1)K1,M1,K9 dpn2)K9, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K9 dpn4)K9, M1, K1=44sts
Round 20: Knit
Round 21: dpn1)K1,M1,K10 dpn2)K10, M1, K1 dpn3)K1, M1, K10 dpn4)K10, M1, K1=48sts
Round 22-32: Knit
Round 33: (K2, K2tog)* =36 sts
Round 34: Knit
Round 35: (K1, K2tog)* =24 sts
Round 30-42: Knit (be sure to distribute 6 sts on each dpn & maintain marker for beg of round)

~Add Safety Eyes now (if that’ s what you had in mind for eyes) & begin to stuff with poly fiber-fil or roving as you go.

The Body:

Now, it is just a matter of making Sneaky Snake slither....

The body is basically a set of right-leaning or left-leaning slants interspersed with sections of plain knitting in the round!
During these slants, it is helpful to jog stitches back & forth between the needles to keep them evenly distributed, 6 on each needle. Believe me, it will make sense once you start.

Right Leaning Slant:
Round 1: dpn1) K1, M1, K4 dpn2) K4, PSSO dpn3) K2tog, K4 dpn4) K4, M1, K1
Round 2: Knit

Repeat these 2 rounds for 14 rounds, or 7 slants total. Be sure to maintain 24 sts for each round at all times.

Knit in the round for 7 rounds.

Left Leaning Slant:
Round 1: dpn1) K2tog, K4 dpn2) K4, M1, K1 dpn3) K1, M1, K4 dpn4) K4, PSSO
Round 2: Knit

Repeat these 2 rounds for 14 rounds, or 7 slants total. Be sure to maintain 24 sts for each round at all times.

Knit in the round for 7 rounds.

Continue to 8” before you want your snake to end.
(Snake shown has 5 left/right slants for 10 big kinks & 9 knit in the round sections total)

Remember to stuff the body as you go...

Now, make 2 smaller kinks:

Small Right Leaning Slant:
Round 1: dpn1) K1, M1, K4 dpn2) K4, PSSO dpn3) K2tog, K4 dpn4) K4, M1, K1
Round 2: Knit

Repeat these 2 rounds for 6 rounds, or 3 slants total. Be sure to maintain 24 sts for each round at all times.

Remember to stuff the body as you go...

Knit in the round for 5 rounds.

Small Left Leaning Slant:
Round 1: dpn1) K2tog, K4 dpn2) K4, M1, K1 dpn3) K1, M1, K4 dpn4) K4, PSSO
Round 2: Knit

Repeat these 2 rounds for 6 rounds, or 3 slants total. Be sure to maintain 24 sts for each round at all times.

Remember to stuff the body as you go...

Knit in the round for 5 rounds.

Tail Decreases:
Step 1: dpn1) K2tog, K4 dpn2) K4, PSSO dpn3) K2tog, K4 dpn4) K4, PSSO = 20sts
Step 2: Knit in round for 3 rounds
Step 3: dpn1) K2tog, K3 dpn2) K3, PSSO dpn3) K2tog, K3 dpn4) K3, PSSO = 16sts
Step 4: Knit in round for 5 rounds
Step 5: dpn1) K2tog, K2 dpn2) K2, PSSO dpn3) K2tog, K2 dpn4) K2, PSSO = 12sts
Step 6: Knit in round for 7 rounds
Step 7: dpn1) K2tog, K1 dpn2) K1, PSSO dpn3) K2tog, K1 dpn4) K1, PSSO = 8sts
Step 8: Knit in round for 9 rounds
Step 9: dpn1) K2tog dpn2)PSSO dpn3) K2tog dpn4) PSSO = 4sts
Step 10: Knit as i-cord on 2 dpns for 5 rounds
Step 11: BO & weave in ends.

A nice optional detail on the tail tip could be to stop decreases at 8 sts & begin working in garter stitch to create a “rattle” effect for the tail tip. (As Sneaky Snake subsists primarily on scavenged/unattended root beer such protective adaptations as fangs & rattles are unnecessary... Even counter-adaptative!) Continue for 3”, break yarn, pull yarn through the 8 loops, tie closed & weave in ends.

Forked Tongue:

Measure 1 yd. of stash yarn in desired color. Fold in half & use crochet hook to “hitch” tongue onto mouth (as you would add a fringe to a scarf).
( I gave an extra knot or two to reinforce the join. The tongue will get a lot of punishment if this is mean to be a toy for a child)
Use larger crochet hook (size H) to chain 12 (use both strands of yarn to do so).
Pull yarn through last loop to secure chain.
Switch to smaller crochet hook to individually ch 3 on each of the yarns used for the tongue to create a fork. I started the chain using the last loop available from the end of the tongue.
Tie off each end & trim. Be sure to leave a little bit of yarn showing so the knot will stay tied.

Optional Fangs:

Pick up 3 sts in white stash yarn along bottom front of mouth increase line.
Work as i-cord for desired length.
K2tog, k1.
B0. Weave in ends
Repeat on same place on the other side of the mouth.

Embroidered Eyes:
(CAUTION: You might want to have embroidery experience for this... Otherwise you will be extremely frustrated with these instructions!)

Mark out 2 9 st squares (3x3) evenly on desired area on top of head.
Use worsted weight white yarn to tie onto bottom right corner of marked square.
Leave 3” or 4” inches of tail dangling
Satin stitch for 6 stitches (2 passes for each knit row)
From right side of “square”, work 8 buttonhole stitches with the button hole “ridges” facing front. This will create a “scallop shell” looking eye white.
Tie both ends of white yarn together to pull scallop into a circle” facing front.
Weave in ends.

To make a pupil, tie black worsted yarn in 3 half-hitches (or overhand knots) over the bottom ‘join’ of the white yarn.
Weave in ends.

Repeat on the same place on the other side of the head.

Really, sew on felt eyes...
Or, buttons if your intended recipient is over 3.
Whatever moves you.
Just remember, if you are adding "safety snap-on" eyes, you need to put those in before you stuff the head & move on the the body.

Embellish at will!
Be creative!

...Add beads as you knit him (or her, if you like)!

...Make flames come out of its mouth!

...Make a little Basilisk!

Or, add neck feathers & make your own knit Quetzalcoatl!

Please share pictures of your creations/adaptations with me... I’d love to see it!

Illusion Knitting!

2008-09-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

So now that the schools are out, I can catch up with some knitting posts!

I am having a little party here with Sam as we enjoy being some of the lucky Louisvillians with utilities & a stocked pantry.

We're also going to celebrate Sept 19th, National Talk Like a Pirate Day!!!
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

Last weekend I saw this pattern by the fascinating Isolde Teague linked to Ravelry
http://ysolda.com//wordpress/skull-illusion-knit-scarf/

Illusion knitting is quite cool…
However, it does have it's down side.

To me, when you do not see the illusion, it just looks like shoddy knitting. I was trained into knitting by a strict artisan approach. My Mother always felt (just as her Grandmother who taught her & all the ladies before her...) that if it could be done better, don't fret, frog it out & do it better.
Yeah, I had a hard time watching the frogging as a child, but I was always better pleased with what I made in the end. Pride is a great teaching tool, when harnessed correctly.

I like to think I have a more relaxed idea about that... I try to focus on the beauty of the "Persian Flaw" (The legend behind the phrase "Persian flaw" goes that in ancient times, Persian rug makers were deeply religious and believed that only God could make something perfect. They would deliberately drop in a small faulty stitch, a flaw, into each Persian rug. In doing so, a “Persian Flaw” revealed the rug maker’s devotion to God.) or the artist's tradition of the "happy accident".

I have a friend who has such a code of quality she will never hesitate to frog an entire project rather than slack on her craftsmanship (Sonya, you KNOW I mean you...). I have fiber artist friends who scrumble without a net & actively encourage the improv-ed & unrepeatable in the webs they create.
I'd like to find myself somewhere in the middle... However, my early training makes me hesitate before plunging into this style of knitting. Artist friends, I know you LIVE to break down barriers like this, but I cannot help myself!

There are many free charts out there to be found on them internets, but if you are a book sort, I recommend Shadow Knitting by Vivian Hoxbro, which is still in print & available all over the US. Hoxbro uses shadow knitting to create some very artistic effects which consciously side step the pitfall of the "poorly knit" look those super fun charts out there like the irresistibly subversive Alien Illusion Scarf from Shetha Nolke (which an be found it in the classic Stitch 'n Bitch:the Knitter's Handbook) can't help but have.

I would love to use Isolde Teague's skull chart for a sweater pattern for Sam or something.
So, stay tuned for further developments.

2008-09-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

This was the eeriest & greyest of days here in Louisville…

60% of the Metro area without power as we recover from the windstorm the aftermath of Hurricane Ike brought us yesterday… Schools are closed… Open gas stations are few & far between… Businesses are open where they are able.
I am one of the lucky ones. I have power. (In fact, some of my family & neighbors have already come by to shower & charge their cellphones)

Grey though it may be on the outside, Inside my house is lovely & bright. (Yes, any free day I get to spend with Sam is a good one… But, there’s another reason…)
The mailman brought me a package of Sunshine & Butterflies from Texas.

How could I tell it was a box of butterflies? I saw the cocoon when I opened it!

There was a note from Mariesa telling me to unwind the cocoon to find her too-thoughtful-to-be-random acts of angel kindness inside!!!
(…Plus, a mysterious envelope meant to be opened when the cocoon was completely unwound!)

Okay… I’m smiling…

I swear the room got brighter & the sun came out as I unwrapped! Sam stood up & chewed on the edge of his pack’n’play as he watched with more than prurient interest… I think he KNEW something in that wondrous blue cocoon had to be for him.

As I unwound, treasures were revealed:
~Soft Acrylic Worsted for my Art Kids!
~Sweetie Sweet Pea soap!
~Sammy-style bath crayons (though ya know Mamma’s gonna be using them with him!)& a Clifford (ALWAYS a love of mine!) washcloth to clean our art away
~ Natural Chamomile Baby Shampoo for his sweet head!
~2 brew packs of Cafe Ole Coffee from Houston (yum!)
~A bounty of fine Fiesta Seasonings from Bolner’s (Fajita Rub, Primo Chili Powder & Whole Anise… my mind is reeling with the possibilities for these!)

It seemed as if this cocoon would not stop dropping goodies!

Each sweeter & more perfect than the last… Each wrapped in a note explaining the depths of Mariesa’s good intentions (& careful research!). Sam started laughing with me! Then, demanded out to play with what he knew was his stuff!

Next, a hand knit skinny scarf in the most perfect color of red for me (I even had to put a towel underneath it for the photo… it matches my knitting photo chair so exactly!).

Then, as I finally reached the end of the winding…

100 grams of gorgeous taupe Skacel laceweight merino!!!

…enough to make either of the patterns in the mystery envelope!!! (In the Pink by Izzy (which is in my favorites & was waiting the indulgence of a good yarn… Or, now I am diverted from my original plan by the elegance of Queen Anne’s Lace!)

I made a point NOT to ask for an angel package. This swap was not about the things for me. I wanted to find love, caring & understanding. Now I have 2 boxes that are far more than the treasures they contain.

I cannot believe my luck to have found such a community of such caring, graceful, gentle ladies!
Check the smile, Mariesa! Spoilage accomplished!!!

I have sooo much good Karma to spread around! Watch out SOAB!!!
Who’s next!! My needles are itchin’ to spread some LOVE!!!

SOAB II...

2008-09-14T08:57:00.000-07:00

Check this out!!!
Guess what came in the mail yesterday?
I have an adorable blessing of a Knitting Fairy courtesy of Ania!
I've got to find out if she knitted the scarflette on #oo dpns or on the toothpicks themselves! Perhaps if I leave her out on my stash with a bunch of toothpicks she & her friends will knit me something in an impossible tiny gauge!
This little Knitting Fairy will watch over me while I knit up a baby jester hat from a wonderfully whimsical (& seamless!!!) pattern she sent along.
Plus, she sent me a copy of a book I've wanted to read for the longest... The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini! Bliss!!!

So it's no big secret: I took part in a swap this summer with mixed results. Overall, it was a good experience, however I have learned a lot about human nature.

You can’t fix other people, or make them care, but you can make others feel better than you do when you’ve been “burned”.

As I’ve been reflecting on my experience, all of this is a lot like love.
You do your best to give & meet your responsibilities.
But, that is NO guarantee your partner will do the same.

…and just like love ( as it truly seems in your own experience…), eventually you will meet an “angel” (or dancing fairy...) who will redeem your faith in the process!

This is the 1st project in a series to spread warm fuzzies through the kind ladies I (virtually) met in the process. Ania did it for me (A dragon finger puppet in a tutu is on it's way to her, too...) So I thought I'd do for someone else, as well. I DOES make you feel better!

There is another lady who has been strung along until the end. I’m sure her package will come/has come already by now. I just had an inspiration to make her something to make the waiting easier…
I found that the true fruit of the swapping experience is to find (or be) a stranger out there who wants to take the time & effort to spoil someone out of the blue for no other reason than the joy of the giving.

Sooo… Here is a kitty for the joy of giving’s sake…
Pppppbbbt!

I used the pattern for a mug & French press pot cozy which is beautiful & free from the Ravelry downloads as a basis for my dimensions. My target is a hot chocolate & tea drinker, so I sized it for a 20 oz. tall latte mug. I put some pretty standard cables on the sides to pull in the edges to the contours of the mug & added intarsia eyes. I knitted two triangles to serve as ears, embroidered on nose, whiskers & mouth... but it didn't seem complete without a raspberry-giving alpaca-silk tounge!

Here is a basic chart for the eyes: (Knit over 36 sts)

XXXXOBBBOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOBBBOXXXX
XXXOOBBBOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOBBBOOXXX
XXOOOBBBOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOBBBOOOXX
XXOOOBBBOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOBBBOOOXX
XOOOOBBBOOOOOOXXXXXXXXOOOOOOBBBOOOOX
OOOOOBBBOOOOOOOXXXXXXOOOOOOOBBBOOOOO
XOOOOOBBOOOOOOXXXXXXXXOOOOOOBBOOOOOX
XXXOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOXXX
XXXXOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOXXXX
XXXXXOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOXXXXX

Sam's 1st Birthday approaches!

2008-09-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sam's 1st birthday present is Finished & Fabulous!!!

This Pattern (http://electricbiscuitonline.blogspot.com/2005/06/clone-mr-dangly.html) is super cute, but I adapted it to be seamless just ‘cause I can’t help myself when I know it can be done.
I will also post that mostly seamless version here on my blog (once I’ve got my grading done & Sam allows me more computer time…).

I hope the use of Stashed Magic Stripey Stuff (Thank you, Colleen!) will not bring shame upon the “House of Dangly”!

I’m really pleased with the results (which will be Sam’s 1st Birthday present!!!). However, I am still uncertain how to finish it with eyes.
The buttons that the pattern calls for are unsuitable for the under 3 set…
I ended up stitching closed eyes with cotton crewel thread… but I’ll change to buttons when Sam is old enough.

There is another toy in process for the birthday: Sneaky Snake!

Hang on to your root beer!
(Get to know about Tom T. Hall’s childrens’ songs if’n you don’t get it!)

Sneaky snake will be a slitherin’ & a prancin’!

I hope Sam loves it, too.
I am following an early morning pattern vision for a snake that actually “slithers” rather than just layin’ there. (Yes, a free pattern is soon to follow...)

Cupcakes!

2008-08-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Amigurumi fun of crochet is almost enough to make me pick up a hook.

However, my first love for fiber manipulation is knitting… And I am nothing if not loyal.

I got my inspiration to make these (for some upcoming birthdays) from the super cool FO (A freeform scrumble of a cannibal meat pie from Sweeney Todd! Complete with Rats, Roaches & severed fingers!! SQUEEE!!!) made by a girl who knits at my LYS.

I know there are patterns out there for cupcakes & cake slices galore. I just have a stubborn streak in me that likes to make up my own… Even if I might just be “reinventing the wheel.”

The principle is basic.
The product is fun.

Be warned: knitting cupcakes are addictive.
There is ALWAYS someone you love who needs one!

***(Seamless Disclaimer: the icing embellishments are sewn on for ease & individuation of each little cupcake. However, this is fun sewing (embroidery) not tedious seaming, so I think that doesn’t really count.)

Baker X’s Cupcakes

Yarn: Cheapo Dishcloth cotton (Pigsah’s Peaches & Cream, here) in appropriate colors
(I used yellow, white & assorted ombres)

Needles: US Size #5 dpns

Other Materials:
Poly-Fill
Yarn Needle
Cardboard or cut-able plastic for base
(Optional:beads & other embellishments)

Base of Cupcake:
With yellow yarn,
Row 1: Long Tail CO 8 sts
Row 2: Sl1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K6,M1, K1=10 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1=12 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, M1, K10, M1, K1=14 sts
Row 8: Sl1, Purl
Row 9: Sl1, Knit
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, Knit
Row 12: Sl1, Purl
Row 13: Sl1, Knit
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K2tog, K8, PSSO, K1=12 sts
Row 16: Sl1, Purl
Row 17: Sl1, K2tog, K6, PSSO, K1=10 sts
Row 18: Sl1, Purl
Row 19: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1=8 sts
Row 20: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, Knit

While keeping the live sts on one dpn, Pick up 22 sts in slipped edge stitches for a total of 30 sts.

Place marker ar beginning of round.

Work in the round using a K2, P1 rib until wrapper, or sides of cupcake please you.

Cut cardboard or plastic into a ~2” circle to create/reinforce base. Press into place, add a little stuffing to hold in place

Break Yarn. Switch to white & knit 2 rows.

Break Yarn & switch to Ombre or color of choice.

Knit one round.

Increase round: (K3, M1)* = 40 sts

Knit 4 rounds.

Begin Decreases:

Row 1: (K3, K2tog)* =32 sts
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: (K2, K2tog)* =24 sts
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: (K1, K2tog)* =16 sts
Row 6: Knit
(At this Point, stuff your cupcake!)
Row 7: (K2tog)* =8 sts
Row 8: Purl
Row 9: (P2tog)* =4 sts

Candle:

Break Yarn. Switch to White Yarn.
Work as 4-stitch i-cord for 2”. Bind Off. Seal closed & tie in end.

Flame:

~With yellow yarn, pick up one stitch & knit into it with one stitch.
~Knit into that one stitch front & back.
~Knit those two stitches.
~K1, M1, K1
~K1, K2 tog
~PSSO
Tie in end. I made my flame stand up by using my yarn needle to half-hitch knot the wick into stability.

EMBELLISH AT WILL!!!!

I used a two foot length of i-cord (stitched into a spiral over my icing) to imply piping on the cup cakes shown, but really the possibilities are endless.

*** Note the blue-ish cup cake shown has double the increases... so I guess I know how to make a mushroom now, as well!

Not Knitting Related! However...

2008-08-24T12:56:00.000-07:00

I found this on my friend Sonya's blog & I thought it a very cool thing to think about:

The Big Read is an NEA program designed to encourage community reading initiatives and of their top 100 books, they estimate the average adult has read only six.
*Look at the list and bold those we have read.
*Italicize those we intend to read.
*Underline the books we LOVE .
That is just too much work, I will put a star by those I love...
Share this list in your blog, too, if you like.

1 *Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 *The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 *Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 *Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 *To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 *Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
(I've read MOST of them... just not ALL of them...)
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 *Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 *Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 *Emma - Jane Austen
35 *Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 *The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 *Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 *Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 *Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 *Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 *Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 *The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
(...though I didn't really understand EVERYTHING...)
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 *Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 *A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 *Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 *Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 *The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 *Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 ***A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 *Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Well, I used to read a lot. I love to read, but it seems I never have the time or waking energy.
It seems I've got the "average" American beat...
I could say something catty about how I spend all the time I saved NOT watching NASCAR to become fairly well-read... But, I don't think that's our issue.

I wonder how many Americans would double or triple their stats on this survey if they could answer that they had seen the movies made from the books. I can almost hear my students asking if that would count.

What's more important? The act of reading the book or having the story in your psyche & taking your place at the table of the collective consciousness of Western Culture?

Books-on-Tape while knitting & tending a pre-verbal Sprout most definitely DOES count as reading to me!

Anyway, I still have far more to read... Far more to Learn... Far more to Know... Far more to Dream.

Test Knitters II: The Lion Edition...

2008-08-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Lafcadio The-Lion-Who-Shot-Back By Ruth H. Bennett

Yarn: Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Ombres

1 skein Safari for Mane (110 yda.)

Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc Peaches & Creme Solids
2 skeins Yellow (110 yds ea.)

Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm DPN

Gauge: Not important, but 4.5 sts & 6 rows = 1”

Supplies:
~Black Embroidery Floss or Crewel Cotton for eyes & claws
~Yarn Needle
~Poly Fiber-Fil
~Scissors

Why is it that tweaking one pattern leads you design another? Well, Elefante is super cute, but I had to change a lot before I could knit it the way I liked. In doing so, I had an inspiration to design a pattern (using the basic 2 Balls/4Tubes) for a Lion. Right now I’m making i-cord for the mane…
But, the next time I make this, I might use curlicue ruffles instead. Or, a chain stitch crochet mane would be easily made, but even more easily unravelled & destroyed. I’m thinking that a child might put too big a balding punishment on it in the process of play. Oh well, I’ll see what I think when I follow this design idea to the end…
The rest of the Quills Group is knitting Elefante as our Summer KAL.
This pattern I am designing is loosely based on what I have learned from making 3 of those, plus all the rewriting I had to do to make sense of the LouLou UGH.

I hope Lafcadio doesn’t end up on a shelf just for show. Stuffies are made to be loved.
Hug him while reading the Shel Silverstein book!!!

FEET: (Make 4)
Pads of Feet (can be done in a contrasting color!)
Row 1: Long Tail CO 6 sts
Row 2: Sl 1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K4, M1, K1 = 8 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1 = 10 sts
Rows 6-12: Sl 1st st Stockinette
Row 13: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1 = 8 sts
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K2tog, K2, PSSO, K1 = 6 sts
Row 16: Sl1, Purl
Row 17: Sl1, K6, While keeping live sts on one dpn, Pick Up 20 sts along slipped edge of Foot Pad for Foot (use main color) = 26 sts
Rows 18-23: Place marker at beginning of round & knit in the round

Toe Decreases:
Row 23: K5, (PSSO, K2tog) four times, K5 = 18 sts
Rows 25-31: Knit in round
Row 32: BO in Knit (Leave long tail for finishing (tail will sew on feet!))

MANE:
Make as many 6” long 3-stitch I-cords as you think you’ll need for the mane you had in mind...
Leave tails for stitching on later when you are assembling & embellishing. (I made 48)

EARS:
Row 1: Longtail CO 6 sts
Row 2: Sl1 Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K4, M1, K1 = 8 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1 = 10 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, Knit
Row 8: Sl1, Purl
Row 9: Sl1, Knit
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, K8, P1
Row 12: Sl1 K wise, K8, P1
Row 13: Sl1, Knit
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, Knit
Row 16: Sl1, Purl
Row 17: Sl1, Knit
Row 18: Sl1, Purl
Row 19: Sl1, Knit
Row 20: Sl1, Purl
Row 21: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1 = 8 sts
Row 22: Sl1, Purl
Row 23: Sl1, K2tog, K2, PSSO, K1 = 6 sts
Row 24: Sl1, Purl
Row 25: BO in Knit

~Fold at Middle RS out
~Single crochet together using slipped stitches as guide. Leave long tail for finishing (tail will sew on ear!)

BODY: Just a Ball!
Row 1: Lontail CO 9 sts, distrubute 3 sts per DPN
Row 2: KFB each stitch = 18 sts, 6 on each DPN
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: (K2, M1)* = 27 sts, 9 each DPN
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: (K3, M1)* = 36 sts, 12 each DPN
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: (K4, M1)* = 45 sts, 15 each DPN
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: (K5, M1)* = 54 sts, 16 each DPN
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: (K6, M1)* = 63 sts, 21 each DPN

Knit in the round for 4” ( about 24 rows)

Begin Decreases:
Row 1: (K5, K2tog)* = 54 sts, 16 each DPN
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: (K4, K2tog)* = 45 sts, 15 each DPN
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: (K3, K2tog)* = 36 sts, 12 each DPN
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: (K2, K2tog)* = 27 sts, 9 each DPN
Row 8: Knit (At this point, stuff the body with fiber-fil & continue to knit to close...)
Row 9: (K1, K2tog)* = 18 sts, 6 each DPN
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: (K2tog)* = 9 sts
~Pull yarn through knit loops to close & weave in ends.
HEAD:
Row 1: Long Tail CO 6 sts
Row 2: Sl1, Purl
Row 3: Sl1, M1, K4,M1, K1=8 sts
Row 4: Sl1, Purl
Row 5: Sl1, M1, K6, M1, K1=10 sts
Row 6: Sl1, Purl
Row 7: Sl1, M1, K8, M1, K1=12 sts
Row 8: Sl1, Purl
Row 9: Sl1, Knit
Row 10: Sl1, Purl
Row 11: Sl1, Knit
Row 12: Sl1, Purl
Row 13: Sl1, Knit
Row 14: Sl1, Purl
Row 15: Sl1, K2tog, K6, PSSO, K1=10 sts
Row 16: Sl1, Purl
Row 17: Sl1, K2tog, K4, PSSO, K1=8 sts
Row 18: Sl1, Purl
Row 19: Sl1, K2tog, K2, PSSO, K1=6 sts

While keeping the live sts on one dpn, Pick up 22 sts in slipped edge stitches for a total of 28 sts.
I distributed mine in a 6/8/8/6 proportion over 4 needles (it will make sense later...).
Row 20-1: Place marker at the beginning of row & knit 2 rows

Muzzle Increases:
Row 22:
dpn 1: K1, M1, K4, M1, K1=8 sts
dpn 2: K1, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K1=12 sts
dpn 3: K1, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K1=12 sts
dpn 4: K1, M1, K4, M1, K1=8 sts (Total of 40 sts)
Row 23: Knit
Row 24:
dpn 1: K1, M1, K6, M1, K1=10 sts
dpn 2: K1, M1, K4, M1, K2, M1, K4, M1, K1=16 sts
dpn 3: K1, M1, K4, M1, K2, M1, K4, M1, K1=16 sts
dpn 4: K1, M1, K6, M1, K1=10 sts (Total of 52 sts)
Row 25: Knit
Row 26:
dpn 1: K10 sts
dpn 2: K1, M1, K6, M1, K2, M1, K6, M1, K1=20 sts
dpn 3: K1, M1, K6, M1, K2, M1, K6, M1, K1=20 sts
dpn 4: K10 sts (Total of 60 sts)
Row 27-44: Knit (Optional: Switch to Safari on Row 35 for back of head)

Head Decreases:
Row 45: (K4, K2tog)* =50 sts
Row 46: Knit
Row 47: (K3, K2tog)* =40 sts
Row 48: Knit
Row 49: (K2, K2tog)* =30 sts
Row 50: Knit (At this point, stuff the body with fiber-fil & continue to knit to close...)
Row 51: (K1, K2tog)* =20 sts
Row 52: Knit
Row 53: (K2tog)* =10 sts
~Pull yarn through knit loops to close & weave in ends.

Tail:
Work a 3-stitch i-cord for 6 inches. Leave a long tail for later sewing.
Bind off & weave in end.
Use scraps of Safari to create a fringe on the tip of tail.

Finishing:

Stuff feet with Poly Pellets or just Poly-Fill stuffing (Or any other washable stuffing of your choice...)
Use tail of cast on to whip stitch onto bottom of body (use finished image or your own taste for a guide).

Sew head onto body using whip stitch (use finished image or your own taste for a guide).
Be sure to do this well... double stitch it, if necessary.

Use crochet edge tail to whip stitch ears onto top of head (use finished image or your own taste for a guide).
Sew on tail using cast on end.

Use tails of i-cord to firmly knot each end into scalp of head to create a mane
(use finished image or your own taste for a guide).
Sew on tail.

Embroider eyes & mouth using your favorite stitches. I used back stitch for mouth & satin stitch for nose. I used a combination of satin stitch (pupils), button hole stitch (whites), & back stitch for outlines.
Be Creative! If you are making this for an older child, apply snap on saftey eyes before stuffing. Or blanket stitch on felt eyes... Or, embroider on a wink... That’s what I’m gonna do for my next one!

I’d love to see your finished Stuffie! Please send comments & pictures here to my blog!!!

Copyright Pending!!!
This test pattern is intended for personal use.
Please do not take this & claim it for your own or sell.
Knitting Geeks make up a small community. You will be found out!

Test Knitters Wanted!!!

2008-08-06T08:40:00.001-07:00

Clement Dragon Gauntlets by Ruth H. Bennett

These gauntlets were designed for a swap on ravelry. I had been knitting the Clementine Shawlette (Interweave Knits, Spring 2007) & had a brain pop for how to adapt the basics of that lovely lace pattern to a simple, yet elegant, gauntlet. Depending on your color & fiber choice, they could have either a Victorian or Fantasy look to them. These could be super glam with an addition of beads in the Purls of the single stitch garter column between the YOs (ala Eunny Jang method)
... Of course, the cuffs may be knitted longer or shorter to modify the look as well.

Yarn: Patons Grace, 100% cotton (136 yds per skein. Pattern uses about 200 yds)
Needles: Size 4 Dpns, or size needed to obtain gauge
Size: Ladies Medium (I would use size 5 or 6 Dpns with same counts to make a Large or size 2 or 3 Dpns to make a Small)
Gauge: For Medium, 24 sts & 32 rows in lace pattern= 4” after blocking

Basic Lace Pattern: (These are knit in the round! If you are knitting flat for a gauge swatch, reverse Purls for Knits on even rows. As with any swatch, adding garter borders helps, too! Please refer to the pattern for the Clement Lace Scarf from my July 2008 posts if you want a stitch by stitch for knitting a flat version of this lace for a swatch.)

Row 1 & 3: (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*,K1 [repeat ( ) 5X= 41 sts]
Row 2: (P1, K7)*, P1 [repeat ( ) 5X= 41 sts]
Row 4: (P1, K1, P5, K1)*, P1 [repeat ( ) 5X= 41 sts]

Gauntlets: (make 2)

Row 1: Longtail CO 41 sts
join yarn, place marker, & work in round
Row 2: Purl all sts
Row 3: Knit all sts
Row 4: Purl all sts
Row 5- 32: Work in lace pattern *(P2SSO = pass 2 Kwise slipped sts over 1 knit stitch)

Begin Thumb Gusset: (CAUTION! This part may yet be buggy & in need of correction!)

Row 33: Kfb 1st & last stitch of patt.= 43 sts
Row 34: P1, (P1, K7)*, P2 [repeat ( ) 5X= 43 sts]
Row 35: K1, M1, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 45 sts]
Row 36: P2, (P1, K1, P5, K1)*, P3 [repeat ( ) 5X= 45 sts]
Row 37: K1, M1, K1, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, K2, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 47 sts]
Row 38: P3, (P1, K7)*, P4 [repeat ( ) 5X= 47 sts]
Row 39: K1, M1, K2, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, K3, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 49 sts]
Row 40: P4, (P1, K1, P5, K1)*, P5 [repeat ( ) 5X= 49 sts]
Row 41: K1, M1, K3, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, K4, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 51 sts]
Row 42: P5, (P1, K7)*, P6 [repeat ( ) 5X= 51 sts]
Row 43: K1, M1, K4, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, K5, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 53 sts]
Row 44: P6, (P1, K1, P5, K1)*, P7 [repeat ( ) 5X= 53 sts]
Row 45: K1, M1, K5, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, K6, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 55 sts]
Row 46: P7, (P1, K1, P5, K1)*, P8 [repeat ( ) 5X= 55 sts]
Row 47: K1, M1, K6, (K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO)*, K7, M1,K1
[repeat ( ) 5X= 57 sts]
Row 48: P8, (P1, K1, P5, K1)*, P9 [repeat ( ) 5X= 57 sts]
Move 8 sts each end of work to waste yarn & tie or place on another Dpn to be made into the thumb later....
Row 49-68: Work in lace pattern.
Row 69-71: Work palm edge in garter. After last knit row, BO* in knit.

Thumb:

Distribute the 16 reserved sts onto 3 Dpns. Pick up 2 sts to close thumb/palm gap = 18 sts. Leave a long tail to sew up gap, Knit 4 rows in garter stitch. After last knit row, BO* in knit. Weave in all loose ends & Voila`!
*(To avoid the common problem of a super tight cotton bound edge, I followed this technique:
(BO4, M1, BO) until all sts are bound off. It is not necessary, but it does make it more comfortable.
*** Big Thanks to DragonKnits for test knitting this pattern & pointing out some GLARING MATH ERRATA in my transcribing!!! Don’t worry. It’s been fixed... mostly....

*** Thanks to Tonya, aka "The Shizknit", for modeling these gauntlets! Fabulous!!!

So, anyone want to do some test knitting? I'd love to hear the feedback!
Please feel free to share any & all corrections & suggestions so I can write the best pattern possible.

There is one specific "design feature" of which I am NOT fond: as the thumb & gusset of these are worked in garter stitch (which I do feel looks best as it matches the cuffs...) there is 1/2 a row of knit stitches which doubles on opposing sides of each thumb.
It is a minor thing. Barely noticeable to anyone who doesn't knit... But, it bugs the bejeebees out of me! Any suggestions?
I know. It would never show if the thumb & gusset were done in stockinette as is routine...

Finger Fun!

2008-08-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

Dueling Dragon Finger Puppets

By Ruth H. Bennett

A pattern for daring intermediate or patient experienced knitters

These cuties were designed for a Swap on Ravelry. My “spoilee” is a young lady who loves dragons & Amigurumi.... So, here’s the fruit of my inspiration!
I had picked up a little ‘Kanga& Roo’ finger puppet for Sam at the Reggae Festival here in Louisville at the Water Tower. (It was more than worth the two dollars I paid for it! Sometimes I have to go “Un”Fair Trade... darn the Bad Karma... But, those 3rd World Knitters Rule!) I saw that this ingenious little piece was basically a mini-sock (NOT a ‘finger’) with clever embellishments & strategic stuffing. Once I had reverse engineered that, I now see the possibilities are endless. I’m sure that once you knit this up, your own mind will have already worked out how you would make your own favorite beastie puppet!

WARNING: Fudge Factor here is HIGH! I wrote exactly what I did for these puppets. You might have to go off book & ad lib what works for you in the gauge & yarn you choose. Don’t feel bound by what is written here. Just keep the concept of mini-sock & the power of picked-up stitch i-cord in mind & you will find this pretty easy & fun to make. If you have a favorite mini-sock pattern use that for the basis of the puppet. You might find it easier to follow what you know to be familiar rather than my crazy train...

Yarn: Patons Grace 100% cotton 136 yds per skein (1 skein each Viola & Black, pattern uses far less than a whole skein. Any sport/fingering weight stash will do. This is a fine sock yarn stash buster!)

Needles: US Size 3 Double Pointed Needles ( 5 “sock pin” style dpns are nice for this project)

Other Supplies:
~Yarn needle
~Stuffing fluff or extra roving
~Beads, etc. for eyes (optional)
~A Fun-Loving Imagination!

Gauge: Not very important, but I have sts & 6 rows = 1” in stockinette

Size: One Size Fits All...

Dragon Body: (use main color)

~CO 20 sts& distribute 6/8/6 on 3 dpns (I leave a tail to serve as my beg. of row marker...)
~Join & knit in the round for 3 rounds
~Begin garter ridges for belly ‘scales’: Alternate 1Knit row with 1 rowK6, P8, K6
Repeat those 2 rows until you have 10 garter bumps for the belly
~Then, “shape” neck by making K7, P6, K7 on next chance for the 11th garter bump.
~Knit 1 round
~K8, P4, K8

Back of Head: (This is really a heel flap!)
~Separate 1st & last 5 sts of round to work flat =10 sts (leave front 10 sts for later pickup)
~The Beg. of round should be in the middle of these 10 sts... just like a basic sock.
~Work in sl 1st stitch stockinette for 1 1/4” (8 rows) ending on a purl row.

Warning: The short rows for the “Heel Turn” are not standard here, but it works!
~P5, P2tog, Turn, Then start sequence:
1: sl1, K to 1 st before gap, K2 tog, Turn
2: sl 1, P to 1 st before gap. P2tog, Turn
~Repeat 1 & 2 until only 2 sts remain.
(This makes a sort of ‘saggital crest’ instead of a ‘heel cup’... So leave sockish thoughts aside here.)

Cheek Gusset: (Distribute on dpns as you see best... But, this will help you mark your place!)

Needle 1: K1, Pick up 6 sts along slipped stitch edge of “heel flap”.
Needle 2: K5 of your set aside sts
Needle 3: K5 of your set aside sts
Needle 4: Pick up 6 sts along other slipped stitch edge of “heel flap”, K1.
~Knit 1 round (be sure to maintain garter bumps on bottom of “chin” as you go...)=24 sts
~K5, PSSO, K10, K2tog, K5= 22
~K 1 round
~K4, PSSO, K10, K2tog, K4= 20
~K3 rounds
~Shape forehead: K2tog 3 times, K 8, PSSO 3 times= 14 sts
Knit 1 round
~Begin mouth decreases (very much like to decreases...)
K2, PSSO, K2 tog, K2, PSSO, K2tog, K2 = 10 sts
~K 1 round
~K1, PSSO, K2 tog, K1, PSSO, K2tog, K1 = 6 sts
~K 1 round
~Pull yarn through knit loops to close & weave in ends.

Dragon Ears: Make 2 (use main color, reverse shaping for 2nd ear)

~Pick up 4 sts along “heel” edge on top/side of head
~Do slip 1st stitch stockinette for 7 rows.
~Then decrease: sl1, P2tog, P1. Turn, sl1, K2 tog Turn, BO.
~Weave in ends.

Dragon Tail: (use main color)

Pick up 8 sts on either side of bottom/back= 16 sts
~Divide onto 3 dpns with 4 sts on the bottom to be your garter ‘scales’
~K 2 rounds
~Begin garter ridges on bottom 4 sts & K 8 more rounds
~Begin Decreases by alternating a PSSO & K2tog on either side of the top of the tail with a plain relief row.
~Continue until 4 sts remain.
~Pull yarn through knit loops to close & weave in ends.

Arms: Make 2 (Use main color)

~Pick up 5 sts on side of body (I used ridge 10 from the belly ‘scales as my guide for top of arm.)
~Knit as i-cord for 7 rows
~Pull yarn through knit loops to close & weave in ends.

Back Ridge: (use contrast color)

~Pick up 54 sts (Fudge Factor here is HIGH! Just PU a multiple of 4 + 2 extra...) Along spine, top of head to tip of tail.
~BO 1 stitch, Knit back along PU sts = 53
(From here on out, the concept is “Garterlac” triangles. If you are more comfortable with crochet, I’m sure you’ve already started doing a basic picot edge instead of this...)
~BO 1 st, K1
(Turn, K1, Turn, K2, Turn, K2, Turn, K3, Turn, K3, Turn BO5 sts)*
~Use last st to begin sequence. Repeat until all sts are used up & BO!
~Weave in ends.

Finishing:
Stuff the head lightly & use main color yarn to sew neck closed.

Use whatever you’ve got around to embellish at will!
Bead up the eyes! Bling up the scales & claws! En Garde!
(You have some littles? Worry (k)not! Embroidery basics like Bullion stitch & French Knots stand in nicely if you want to make these safe for young children.)
These are photos of the original finger puppet upon which I modeled these dragons...

If you make any of your own, I'd love to see them!

Colleen's Stash Cosy!

2008-07-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

Okay… It’s almost embarrassing how generous & kind the ladies I knit with are.

I have spoken (I try not to complain!) about my “Yarn Diet”. I am spoiled with the largess of their STASH!

There is a super sweet lady named Colleen who frequents the Knit Nook here in Louisville who has been doing just that: spoiling me rotten.
So, I thought I’d pay a little back by knitting her something out of the snazzy stuff she’d shared with me.

It’s kind of a “non-pattern” but but is super simple.

Measure a teapot at its widest circumference. Figure out your gauge (Super Bulky is usually 2-2.5 sts per inch, but this can be done in other yarn weights... just be sure to add a row or two between decreases if you are using a lighter yarn...)) & cast on a few more stitches than that count (in this case, 48 sts) on the appropriate size DPNS or two circulars(I used size 13 DPNS).

Work in the round in stockinette for 2.5-3 “.
Divide your stitches in half in the middle & work each side flat for the same # of stitches for at least 4”, making sure to slip the 1st stitch of each row for a smooth, finished looking edge).
Rejoin your stitches & knit in the round for an inch or so…
Then, begin a basic hat-style set of decreases that match your counts basic common unit (I used 8 as my divisor, so I began with (K6, K2 tog), Knit a relief row of plain knit, then, (K5, K2tog) etc. until I only had 4 sts, which I made into I-cord as a handle
Bind Off, weave in ends & Voila`!

Thank You, Colleen.
(However, I fear it may get used more as a winter hat for your dog, Vanilla. The holes for the teaspout & handle just might be holes for EARS!!)

…Come to think of it… This might just be a pigtail hat in disguise…

The Clement Lace Scarf

2008-07-24T10:20:00.000-07:00

Along with an intense 2 weeks of an Arts & Humanities Teacher's Professional Development Seminar this month, I have been knitting up a storm for the Ravelry Summer "Swap on a Budget"...
I have been doing a bit of designing & pattern writing during my "staycation" from teaching!

So, I have three patterns written to post!

Right now, My "spoilee" package is in transit, so I cannot reveal two of these patterns... Lest I blow the surprise...
Which is killin' me, 'cause these projects have really inspired me to make a serious effort to write down & share what I design.

Before now, with the exception of a bootie pattern available as a pdf on ravelry (Thanks, Holly!) or the Knit Nook, I'd just sort of winged projects on an as-inspired basis & not written much of anything down...
Why would anyone want to follow MY crazy lemming path of knitting? Apparently, there are a few! Who Knew? Perhaps, someday, I'll be a "Real-Live" Knitwear Designer.
For now, it's all FREE... But, you get what you pay for...

Here's the 1st of the Free Summer Baker X Patterns:

The Clement Lace Scarf

I am sooo in Love! Hempathy is brilliant! I broke my “Yarn Diet” to indulge a little in the 10-75% off sale at the LYS. This treasure of a yarn was 50% off… 2 skeins in my favorite color was too much to resist (“Just a wafer-thin mint….”) I just had to figure out what to do with it!

Well. I do love a challenge. I put my little bit of lace knowledge to work & worked up a pattern inspired by the Clementine Shawlette by Michele Rose Orne & have been astounded how far just a skein of yarn can go when you work a narrow band of it! (About 3 feet!)

Just as in the Shawlette, I am working the scarf in halves & grafting it together. Why halves? The lace decreases create a lovely scalloped edge on each end of the scarf.
Super Simple & Yummy!

Yarn: Hempathy by Elsebeth Lavold DK/8 ply 40% Cotton, 40% Hemp, 20% Modal
50 grams, 153 yds (140 m), 2 skeins (ANY DK or sport weight will do, though...)

Needles: Size 4 circular or straight
(You’ll also need some spare Size 4 dpns or a stitch holder & a yarn needle.)

Size: A 6 foot “skinny” scarf (5" wide)

Gauge: Not important, but 24 sts & 32 rows in lace pattern= 4” after blocking

Instructions:
~Longtail CO 29 sts. Work in Garter Stitch for 4 rows
Begin Lace Pattern: (Repeat, repeat, repeat...)
Rows 1 & 3: K3, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, P2SSO, K2, YO, K3
Row 2: K3, P7, K1, P7, K1, P7, K3
Row 4: K3, P1, K5, P1, K1, P1, K5, P1, K1, P1, K5, P1, K3

P2SSO= Pass 2 stitches (slipped knitwise!) over next knit stitch

~Continue until skein s almost gone. Be sure to end on row 4! Do 2 more garter rows.
(Be sure to end on a row with Purls showing on RS.)
~Set aside this half (Place on a size 4 dpn if you have one, use a stitch holder if you don’t...)

~Make a second identical half & use last bits of remaining yarn to graft the 2 halves WS together using Kitchner Stitch*.

Block & Enjoy!

Kitchner Stitch Grafting:

Place Wrong Sides Together (um, which really means Both Right Sides Showing) on two needles.

Using tail yarn from one side, graft together thus:

Step 1: Bring threaded needle through 1st front stitch as if to purl & leave stitch on needle.

Step 2: Bring threaded needle through 1st back stitch as if to knit & leave on needle.

Step 3: Bring threaded needle through 1st front stitch as if to knit & slip this stitch off needle. Bring threaded needle through next front stitch as if to purl & leave stitch on needle.

Step 4: Bring threaded needle through 1st back stitch as if to purl& slip this stitch off needle. Bring needle through next back stitch as if to knit & leave stitch on needle.

Repeat Steps 3 & 4 until no stitches remain. Tie off yarn & weave in ends.

Look here if you need to know more on this style of grafting:
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer04/FEATtheresasum04.html

These Needles for Hire!

2008-06-27T10:39:00.001-07:00

Everyone who knits anywhere near me has had an earful of me & my “Yarn Diet”.

I might should oughta cool off about it, right?

Well… I will eventually, but last night I received a “squeaky wheel” boon from the yarn gods.

My fingers have been yearning to work some lacework with (Blue Sky) alpaca silk ever since it came into the shop! Would I REALLY ever actually WEAR the gorgeous product of such an experience? Probably not. If my cat or coffee mug didn’t do something horrible to it, Sam would.

A wonderful Lady who intermittently comes into the KN has commissioned me to knit this project for her! (Clementine Shawlette by Michelle Rose Orne, which was published in Interweave Knits Magazine, Spring 2007)

Get paid for indulging my yarn lust? How does this happen?

Why am I writing this now? I should log off & get back to it tout de suite!

Later in July...Here is the Finished Product!!!

I hope my patroness wears it in happiness & good health!

Knitting as Therapy???

2008-06-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

"I'll take "The Rapists" for $200, Trebek!"
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrity_Jeopardy!_(Saturday_Night_Live)]

I've only had a successful brush with therapy ONCE. I've tried many times. I run into the basic problems. (i.e. My therapist is not as smart/creative/well educated as I would hope... They do not trust that I will not harm myself when I admit to thinking about it but say I refuse to indulge in my thoughts (aka "ideations")... Or, worst of all, I am able to charm them into talking about something else other than my issues for the hour I am with them...)

I know I SAID I'd avoid my personal issues in this blog. However, there is a disclaimer in the 1st post.

So, considering I have not had much success in my search for what society calls therapy to combat the stresses, depressions, & evil intrusive thoughts... Why am I still here? Art. Quite Simply, I have not made all the things I want to yet.

Summer Vacation (which is really a "Staycation") often results in a depression for me. I am overjoyed to have my Sam, but there is still a lot on my mind & weighing down my heart from the rough break-up with his deadbeat father (Hence-forth referred to as "The Sperm Donor")... Plus myriad other bugaboos from my squirming toad of a maladjusted psyche.

I have some "Capital A" Art ambitions, but it is difficult to follow up on those when you are completely broke & devoting the best of your energies to an adorable little Sprout.

Even though I have been knitting since an early age, it seems to be the go to Art/Craft, lately.

Expensive? Heck, yeah! Right now I am on what knitters call a “Yarn Diet” (since I pay more for my son’s day care than I do for my mortgage). As I have to work only with the yarn I already have… I’m finding that it forces me to be a bit more creative in my stitching choices & emphasize getting my thrill from designing my own stuff!

The Knitting Groups (Quills Knitters & The Knit Nook... even ravelry.com online) I go to keep me from "isolating" & giving in to the indulgence of a depression.

Recently, I've been making EVERYTHING out of dishcloth yarn & scrap. For the cotton, I can thank a wonderful woman at my LYS who gave me a big bag of it! (Thank You Liz!) Anyway, Peaches & Creme or Sugar & Spice is a colorful, washable, comfy & indestructible knitting medium! (Once again, ask Liz, whose man cleaned a grill with one of her dishcloths… ostensibly to show how “useful” it was… She did say it was a pink one he never liked…)

I've been designing a Lion Stuffie out of the aforementioned cotton to be my part in the Quills Knitters Summer KAL.

I will finally finish the many little projects I have started & put on hiatus this year.

I'm gonna make a dreamy version of the Mr. Greenjeans Cardigan out of stashed Malabrigo I had even forgotten I still had. Fellow knitters, IMAGINE my delight when I discovered THAT hidden in an unassuming plastic grocery bag during my latest yarn closet reorganization! Sigh.
[http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTgreenjeans.html]

I wish I felt this way about a FOOD diet!

Yes. Yarn addiction is a sock monkey on my back.

But, I will say this: Knitting is cheaper & more effective than psychotherapy!

Jesus' Seamless Garment... Raglan?

2008-06-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I’m not trying to start a religious discussion here (because , apparently, “the seamless robe of Jesus” is a code phrase for some pretty hot button issues I don’t want to argue with anyone) , but isn’t this cool?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seamless_robe_of_Jesus

Some sources even say (though most historians say it cannot be supported by fact) Mary was a knitter! Apparently a seamless knitter, at that!

There is a famous painting of Mary working some dpns! Now, Renaissance painting is notoriously historically inaccurate... usually each artist made a point of putting the historical figures in the latest of European fashion/architecture & engaged in daily European activities... So, don't be mislead here...

Apparently, according to textile historians, crochet came first.

Then, a hybrid of the two called “Nalbinding”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A5lebinding

When I say textile historians say crochet must have come first, they are citing examples of ancient fishing nets, which are made by something that looks a whole lot like a thick & manly wooden crochet hook or else a sort of proto-macrame technique.

Most crocheters hold that the craft as practiced today started in the 1800's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crochet

When I research the topic one thing keeps coming up: textile experts seem to be a highly specialized bunch. (Mark Twain said “To a man with a hammer, every problem is a nail.” Weavers see everything as weaving, etc.)
Anyway, nothing conclusive seems to be able to be determined by the scant surviving textile examples. Knitted/tatted/crochet items were loved & used unto rags… then reclaimed by nature. It seems you have to find something buried with the dead to get a sample of anything…

Plus, stitchers are very clever. Every time I come to Ravelry, I see an inspired innovation to overcome knitting/fiber technique limitations. I love the thread about adapting patterns to seamless versions!

One thing I will say… Nalbinding seems like a total pain in the rump! It seems a backward way of doing anything to pass the whole of the thread/yarn through each loop. I can’t imagine that any busy stitcher would settle for it, especially for all those thousands of years those experts say they did. I’d love to ask an expert if they weren’t just trying to unravel that sock backward. A toe-up pattern makes so much sense for people who wanted to use the least thread/yarn possible for the job… Or, did not know if they had enough for the project on hand.

I’ve tried to frog something from the wrong end by accident (I was reclaiming some wool from a thrift shop cashmere) & because I didn’t know any better at the time, I thought it was strange that I had to pick out every stitch (... as if the entire length of thread had been passed through the loops!).
Oh well, I guess I’ll have to do more research & start stalking textile experts…

What I have found so far (controversial Dura-Europos Fragment, notwithstanding...): the earliest documented example of what we call knitting is a sock (See? Seamless!) from Egypt 1000 A.D. It's pretty complex, so it's safe to infer that knitting has been around for much longer than that... sorta like thinking that Egyptians or Sumerians started out their civilization making pyramids & Ziggurats!

Here is an excellent article about knitting history:

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEAThistory101.html

It even has a link to the Folk Socks version of the Coptic Sock pattern!

I started a thread in the Seamless Knits group on Ravelry & have gotten some pretty astute discussion from some pretty sharp stitchers. However, I don't have permission to post their writing, so if you want to be privvy to their comments, then check it out there! Apparently, Jesus was one stylin' rabbi... wearing the latest in fashion!

"I used to be an Intellectual..."

2008-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

“I used to be an Intellectual… Then I had children!” -Bill Cosby

I will be the first to admit something happens to your mind when you spend most of your conscious time with a non-verbal, breast obsessed male… Lately, I’ve been fascinated by Norah Gaughan’s Celestine pattern for Polyhedrons (as you can see in my other projects). I hope she (or Buckminster Fuller r.i.p.) is not too taken aback by my Fiber Art homage to Motherhood, Breastfeeding & Baby Boys.

Any hoo… I have taken Celestine as a starting point & then went off the rails with the “Boob-a-Hedron”! This is the first piece of art I've felt COMPELLED to make since Sam's birth. I mean the kind of driven, stay-up-late-and-not-care kind of art I love to make. The kind of art that causes you to have an internal dialogue like a child making mud-pies... when time has no meaning & you only love your present moment kind of thing... Sigh.

I changed the increases to make for more rounded breasts & modified the closures to shape out the nipples.

Yes. I know it's absurd.

If you’re not laughing… Then you just don’t get it.

There are stars in the structure!!!

I also think it rather odd & beautiful that the unstuffed Boob-a-hedron looks a little bit like a Lotus Flower!

Sam really enjoys the piece. I waited to unveil it at my Tuesday night knitting group (Quills Knitters)... Not only did I want to show off the piece, I wanted the ladies to get the full enjoyment of watching Sam's first impression. Thankfully, our fearless leader, Sonya, was there with her camera. I adore the sequence of Sam's reactions: Astonishment, Infatuation, then... Frustration with Artifice ("Hey! These things don't work!").

I did do a "serious" art piece on the multi-breast theme two years ago, when I still had some ambitions to capital "A" Ahrrrt! (Those ambitions are currently dormant... not dead!)

It was well received as a performance art costume/performance & I was really proud to have it hang here in Louisville at the Zephyr Gallery for a few months as part of a show the performances curator/coordinator Michelle Kellond Amos was having... I'm sure more than a few of the visitors that came there thought she did every piece in the show... I was just thrilled to be out there showing at all!

I don't know if the Artist's Statement is readable here... During the Performances, MKA read our words & there was incredible improvised jazz by Ut Gret while we danced around in our costumes. It was probably ridiculously pretentious. I don't care. I had a blast!

I'd love to do more Art. Each Summer I swear I'm gonna get enough stuff together for a gallery show of my own... Perhaps this is the year...

You knowwhat? Why is knitting never given gallery space? I see tons of things on Ravelry that would definitely qualify as Art rather than Craft (I'll write an entry about Art vs. Craft later, I suppose...). So... Why no knitting?

In Thee Beginning...

2008-06-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

So... I'm taking the leap.

At the urging of friends I'm putting together a blog.

I have no intention of tiring anyone with my personal noodlings or anguish (Though I am sure they will creep in no matter what...). I want to share the products of my creative process.

Perhaps the "pressure to publish" & the external validation that a blog provides will spur me to create when I would rather be lazy. Who can know?