crafting. recipes. life.
We played Secret Santa at work this year. I drew a colleague who had recently taken off six months to hike the Appalachian Trail. (2200 miles!) For one of his gifts, I designed a koozie with the Appalachian Trail symbol.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 2 Movies
Overall Experience: Excellent
I decided to knit a Multiplicity purse for my sister since I loved mine so much. (See my posts about Multiplicity 1 and Multiplicity 2 for the others I made.) I chose a royal purple and mustard yellow, a play on her school colors of purple and gold. The only thing I didn’t like about mine is that it didn’t close. I knit button holes into the main pocket this time and loved the product!
Difficulty: Moderate
Time Required: 12 Movies
Overall Experience: Excellent
I haven’t written a blog post in forever. A lot of that is that it takes a lot of effort to figure out a pattern I improvised from pictures after I already gave away the actual product. I’ve been lazy. I decided to play catch up just sharing what I’ve been making. If someone wants the pattern, I am more than willing to share!
First up: a Dallas Cowboys mason jar koozie. I actually did not love how this turned out. I was knitting at a friends’ child’s birthday party and their neighbor asked if I could make them a mason jar koozie with the Cowboys logo. I said sure. I figured out a pattern for the letters, but it was really wide. Knitting with number 2 needles and worsted weight yarn (which is ridiculously tight if you know knitting) the letters went more than halfway around the jar. The only way I was going to get the letters on the front was to use super fine yarn. That would have been a crazy number of stitches, and I would have to buy new yarn instead of using stash yarn. Considering I had already spent a lot of time ripping out my work to even get the letters mostly on the front half of the jar, I really didn’t want to go through any more effort. Next I tried several different crochet star patterns, none of which were pointy enough. Lastly, the letters ended up too low. I’m a perfectionist. Here is how it turn out. Not my best work.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 6 Movies (Due to a lot of ripping out)
Overall Experience: Meh
I had been wanting to try a technique where one knits an object using 100% wool then washes it to create felt. I found an adorable house slipper pattern and decided my friend needed them for her birthday. I knew that the slippers would shrink during the felting process, but I couldn’t believe how big they were knitting up! They ended up shrinking down to the perfect size. Here they are next to a pair of my Toms pre-felting. Huge, right!?!
The pattern called for straps to simply be sewn on the toes; however, the stitching was quite obvious. I used the needle felting techniques I used for my soap and pumpkin to make the seam nearly invisible.
Lastly, I added vintage-looking buttons. I love them and need to make some for myself!
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 3 Movies
Overall Experience: Good
I asked for Vogue Knitting for Christmas and loved a pattern that showed up in the very first issue I received. I like to make complicated things, but I tend to wear simple garments in mostly solid colors. I like it when they are a little different from what you see everyday. While not something I would love making, this hoodie was definitely something I would love wearing. It knit up pretty quickly on No 8 needles. I love the end product. This is probably going to be my new favorite garment this fall.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: Many Movies
Overall Experience: Good
Note: I have created a second version of this hat with a simpler eyes and nose pattern (that I think looks a little better) and no mouth. Check it out here.
To continue my summer of baby hats (see Chappy Newsboy Caps and Lacey Summer Baby Cap), one of my coworkers had a baby (or rather his wife did). They also have a toddler at home that loves Elmo. I decided to rework my Oscar the Grouch hat for a newborn size and make an Elmo hat for their toddler. I was rewarded with adorable pictures and videos of both babies the next day. The Elmo hat was a huge hit! I love that he liked it so much. Usually when I make things, I don’t know if the item just sits in a drawer (meaning I wasted hours of my life) or is loved by the recipient. The later makes me happy. 🙂
Disclaimer: Feel free to make this pattern for your personal use, for your platypus, for charity, or to sell. The only thing I ask is that you please do not sell it on Etsy. If you are interested in purchasing a hat from my Etsy store, you may do so here.
Gauge: 9 stitches x 13 rows = 2 in Stockinette
This hat was about 16 inches in circumference when finished. It is quite stretchy and will stretch several inches.
Materials:
Stitches Used:
Instructions:
Cast on 72 with R and distribute evenly on four needles
R1-R7: Knitting in round, KR 72
R8: KR 28, KB 16, KR 28
R9: KR 26, KB 20, KR 26
R10: KR 25, KB 22, KR 25
R11-R12: KR 24, KB 24, KR 24
R13: KR 23, KB26, KR 23
Continuing only in R:
R14-R34: K 72
R35: (K4, k2tog, ssk, K4) six times
R36: K60
R37: (K3, k2tog, ssk, K3) six times
R38: K48
R39: (K2, k2tog, ssk, K2) six times
R40: K36
R41: (K, k2tog, ssk, K) six times
R42: K24
R43: (k2tog, ssk) six times
Cut the yarn with several spare inches. Thread a tapestry needle and pull yarn through all 12 stitches on needles. Work in ends.
Note: For alternative eye and nose pattern that has a more even eye iris, check out this post.
Eyes (make 2):
R1: With B use magic ring technique to start round, ch 1, sc 8, sl st to first sc. Cut yarn and work in ends. (8 stitches)
Continue with W
R2: 2 sc in first stitch from R1 and in each sc around, sl st to first sc (16 stitches)
R3: Ch 1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next stitch * 2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * 2 more times, 2 sc in last stitch, sl st to first sc (20 stitches)
R4-R6: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, sl st to first sc (20 stitches)
R7: Ch 1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next stitch * sc2tog, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * 2 more times, sc2tog, sl st to first sc (16 stitches)
R8: Ch 1, sc2tog around, sl st to first sc (8 stitches)
R9: Ch 1, sc four together by slipping hook under the stitch from the row below, wrapping the yarn, and pulling a loop through, slip hook under next stitch and pull another loop, repeat until you have done this four times and there are five loops on your hook, yarn over and pull loop through all five loops, sc last four stitches together using the same method, sl st to first stitch (2 stitches)
Cut yarn and work in ends.
Nose:
R1: With O use magic ring technique to start round, ch 1, sc 8, sl st to first sc (8 stitches)
R2: 2 sc in first stitch from R1 and in each sc around, sl st to first sc (16 stitches)
R3: Ch 1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next stitch * 2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * 2 more times, 2 sc in last stitch, sl st to first sc (20 stitches)
R4-R10: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, sl st to first sc (20 stitches)
R11: Ch 1, sc in same stitch as sl st, sc in next stitch * sc2tog, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, repeat from * 2 more times, sc2tog, sl st to first sc (16 stitches)
R12: Ch 1, sc2tog around, sl st to first sc (8 stitches)
R13: Ch 1, sc four together by slipping hook under the stitch from the row below, wrapping the yarn, and pulling a loop through, slip hook under next stitch and pull another loop, repeat until you have done this four times and there are five loops on your hook, yarn over and pull loop through all five loops, sc last four stitches together using the same method, sl st to first stitch (2 stitches)
Cut yarn and work in ends.
Using a picture of Elmo as inspiration, tack the eyes and nose onto the hat using a tapestry needle and yarn. I would also suggest tacking the eyes and nose to each other.
Difficulty: Moderate
Time Required: 2 Movies
Overall Experience: Excellent
I created a Superman inspired koozie pattern. The main design is achieved through fair isle stranding. The crisp, raised border is cabled. Enjoy! You can also buy the koozie here.
Disclaimer: Feel free to make this pattern for your personal use, for your platypus, for charity, or to sell. The only thing I ask is that you please do not sell it on Etsy. If you are interested in purchasing a koozie from my Etsy store, you may do so here.
Materials:
Stitches Used:
Gauge:
10 stitches and 15 rows = 2″ Stockinette Stitch
Instructions:
Cast on 48 stitches with B. Distribute stitches evenly on four of the double pointed needles.
R1: Knitting in round being careful not to twist the cast on stitches, (kB 2, pB 2) 12 times.
R2-R5: (kB 2, pB 2) 12 times
R6-R11: kB 48
R12: kB 15, kR 18, kB 15
R13: kB 14, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kR16, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kB 14
R14: kB 13, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kY 2, kR 12, kY 2, kR 2, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kB 13
R15: kB 12, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kY 2, kR 5, kY 6, kR 3, kY 1, kR 2, kY 1, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kB 12
R16: kB 11, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kY 2, kR 4, kY 10, kR 4, kY 2, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kB 11
R17: kB 10, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kY 2, kR 5, kY 10, kR 4, kY 3, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kR 1, knit held stitch with R, kB 10
R18: kB 10, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in FRONT, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 1, kY 1, kR 7, kY 14, kR 1, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in BACK, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 10
R19: kB 11, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 17, kY 4, kR 1, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 11
R20: kB 12, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 18, kY 1, kR 1, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 12
R21: kB 13, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 1, kY 1, kR 16, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 13
R22: kB 14, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 1, kY 2, kR 13, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 14
R23: kB 15, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 1, kY 7, kR 6, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 15
R24: kB 16, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 5, kY 5, kR 2, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 16
R25: kB 17, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 10, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 17
R26: kB 18, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 8, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 18
R27: kB 19, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 1, kY 4, kR 1, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 19
R28: kB 20, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 1, kY 2, kR 1, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 20
R29: kB 21, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, kR 2, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 21
R30: kB 22, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in front, kB 1, knit held stitch with R, slip next stitch on cable needle and hold in back, kR 1, knit held stitch with B, kB 22
R32: kB 22, kfb of next stitch with B, k2tog with R, kB 23
Continue with B only
R33-R36: k48
R37: (k2, k2tog) 12 times
R38: (k2, k2tog) 9 times
R39: (k1, k2tog) 9 times
R40: (k2tog) 9 times
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 2 Movies
Overall Experience: Excellent
After carrying my Multiplicity for a couple of days, a friend asked me to make one in purple and off-white. I really love how it turned out!
Difficulty: Moderate
Time Required: 12 Movies
Overall Experience: Excellent
My friend Cassie bought me a knitting pattern book, Knitting 24/7, for my birthday last year. It is full of fun, modern patterns. She pointed out that there was a really cool pillow. I took note and decided she was getting the pillow for her birthday. While the pillow looks nice, I really hated making it. I started it at the beginning of October on the car ride back from our wedding and just finished it two weeks ago!
Why I didn’t like the pillow:
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Time Required: Many Movies
Overall Experience: Poor
I’ve found a knitting buddy in Houston (that’s really exciting since all of the rest of my knitting buddies are online friends that live far away)! She swears by ballband dishclothes, so I whipped one up. The project was quick and the colors and design were fun. I love the texture. I’m excited to try it…even if that does mean I have to do dishes.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 2 Movies
Overall Experience: Excellent
