Some Extreme Cuteness... Sewing Pattern Preview!

In a fit of creativity, I let loose recently and came up with my very own sewn design!  Meet Who the Taggy Owl!

Thanks to my two little ones, my job and this house, it takes me quite a while to accomplish anything extracirricular -- but in this case, it was a good thing.  It gave me the time to simmer on the details and let the elements come to me -- which they righteously did.

I love the tufts of yarn on the tips of his ears...

...his hand embroidered eyes, which can be sewn on or ironed on with fusible web.

...his wings with contrasting fabric, made heavier with fusible fleece and crinkly with cellophane lining.

...ribbon tags on the bottom, which Thomas always makes his way to after going to town on the ears.

I just love him!!!  And I hope you do, too.  The sewing pattern will be available here soon.  I just need to double check the instructions and edit and add all the step-by-step photos.  You know, because I have time for all that with these two adorable boys keeping me busy.  :)

Stay tuned!
 

Perfect-fit Newborn Socks

I promise to post some action shots as soon as I have a pair of tiny feet to model the socks.

These might not be the tiniest newborn socks ever, but they will fit!  I created this pattern to combat my personal pet peeve about commercially made newborn socks.  I've found that the feet of store-bought socks are too short and the heel doesn't line up with baby's heel.  (It's no wonder they get kicked off as soon as baby kicks those legs while demanding his midnight feeding!)  And I firmly believe that a pair of brand-new, adorably small feet deserve a pair perfectly fitting wool socks.  Wouldn't you agree?

So I started with a newborn-sized cuff and made the foot a bit on the long side to accommodate real-life baby feet.  I paired the added length with 2x2 ribbing that goes all the way to the toe for stretch and longer wearability.

Here's what I came up with. It's ribbed, it's cute and, best of all, it fits!  (And hopefully for longer than baby's first few weeks.)

 

 

 

Materials:

About 60 yards fingering weight wool (I used Knit Picks Stroll in Wonderland Heather)
Size 1 needles or size to get gauge

Gauge:

8.5 sts per inch in st st

Instructions: (make two)

Cuff:

CO 32 sts, distribute across 3 DPNs and join in the round without twisting. Work in 2x2 rib for 24 rounds.

 

Heel flap:

Work back and forth in st st on these 16 sts as follows:

 

Row 1 (RS): knit

Row 2: sl 1, purl to end

Row 3: sl 1, knit to end

 

Rep rows 2 and 3 six times (12 more rows worked), ending after a RS row.

 

Turn heel:

 

Row 1: (WS) sl 1, purl 8, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 2: (RS) sl 1, knit 3, k2tog, k1, turn

Repeat rows 1 and 2, decreasing across the gap, until all heel sts have been worked and 10 sts rem.

 

Gussett:

 

PU 7 sts along edge of heel flap, knit across instep sts cont in rib pattern, PU 7 sts along other edge of heel flap and knit 5 heel sts -- 40 sts.  The middle of the heel is now the beginning of the round.

Round 1: Knit one round plain (continuing rib pattern along instep sts)

Round 2: Knit to 3 sts before the end of needle 1, k2tog, k1; knit across instep sts in rib pattern; k1, ssk, k to end of round.

Rep rounds 1 and 2 until 32 sts rem.

Foot:

Continue knitting in the round, cont rib pattern, for 20 rounds.

Toe:

Stop working rib pattern on toe.

Round 1: k to 3 sts before end of needle 1, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to 3 sts before end of needle 2, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, k to end of round.

Round 2: knit

Rep rounds 1 and 2 until 12 sts rem, ending after round 1.

Graft toe closed with kitchener stitch and weave in ends.  Now slap 'em on the newest, freshest baby you can find!

A Boy and His Hat

I finished Nathan's hat recently, but he didn't really get the chance to wear it (with me and my camera around, anyway) until this weekend.  Here's an Instagram recap:

 

I designed the hat so it can (hopefully) be worn for more than one winter. The striping pattern is supposed to remain the same no matter where you fold up the brim, but I guess the hat is just a little too big for it to work out that way now (or maybe Nathan's head is too small?  Doubt that!)  I'm sure it'll look the way it's meant to next winter.  When I include it in my someday knitting book, I'll be sure to write it for three- to four-year olds instead of two-year olds with larger-than-average head sizes.  :) 

I really liked this Instagram, so I thought I'd add it in, even though it's completely unrelated.  Sometimes life is like that.

Pattern: Handome Men's Slipper Socks

I designed these worsted weight socks to be my brother's Christmas present, but I couldn't think of a name for them until he put them on.  And when he did, I nearly gasped.  They're really handsome.

Meant to be worn as slipper socks, perhaps over a pair of regular cotton socks, these toe-up socks knitted up quickly on U.S. Size 7 DPNs.  The diamond cable pattern on the front and the braided cable up the back are separated by smart ribbbing that's easy to work, easy to remember and makes a snug, stretchy, comfortable sock.  (Seriously, after I worked the charts once I didn't have to refer to them again -- the pattern is that easy to memorize, but still really fun to work.)

 The pattern calls for two 50-gram balls of worsted weight wool yarn -- I used Knit Picks' Swish Worsted for its machine washability.  (I don't expect a man to handwash socks...do you?)  You may want a small amount of a third ball if you're knitting for big feet or want to make really tall cuffs.

Happy Knitting!

New Pattern: Cherries and Champagne Scarf

My Cherries and Champagne Scarf pattern is now available for download! 

This sweet girls' scarf design was commissioned by a good friend for her daughter (although boys can wear it, too, ahem).  The cherries bounce around joyfully while little ones run, and the drapey, shiny goodness of Knit Picks Shine Worsted shows off the cartridge rib stitch pattern on the scarf and the juicy plumpness of the cherries.  Enjoy!

Free Knitting Pattern: Raindrop Socks

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The upside-down slipped stitches in my latest free knitting pattern resemble raindrops (to me, anyway) arranged in neat vertical (and colorful!) columns, kind of how they fall from our rooftop. 

My almost-two-year-old toddler loved it each time I tried these colorful socks-in-progress on his chubby toddler feet.  I've also written a size for the three-year-old foot.  Enjoy!  Please contact me with any questions or problems with the pattern.

Sizes: 2 years, shoe size 6½-7, foot circumference 5 ¾" (3 years, shoe size 8-8½, foot circumference 6 1/8").  Instructions for larger size are in parentheses.

Materials:

Knit Picks Stroll Handpainted in colorway Playtime

Size 2 DPNs or size to get gauge

Gauge: 8 sts/inch in st st

Leg

Cuff

Cast on 46(50) stitches and join in the round. Arrange sts so the first 23(25) sts are across needles 1 and 2 and the second 23(25) sts are across needles 3 and 4.  Needles 1 and 2 contain sole sts; needles 3 and 4 contain instep sts.

Work k1p1 rib for a half inch.  On the last round of ribbing:

-          For 2 year size, increase 1 st on needle 4 (doesn’t matter where)—47 sts

-          For 3 year size, decrease 1 st on needle 4 (doesn’t matter where)—49 sts

Knit one round.

Work in pattern as follows:

Round 1: Needles 1 & 2: knit across; Needles 3 & 4: * k 3, sl 1 repeat from * to end of round

Repeat round 1 two times more.

Round 2: Needles 1 & 2: knit across; Needles 3 & 4: k1 * sl 1, k 3 repeat from * to last 3 sts, sl 1, k 2

Repeat Round 2 two times more.

Work in pattern as set (3 rounds of round 1 then 3 rounds of round 2) repeating the pattern a total of 5 (6) times.

Heel

Heel Flap

Now you’ll be knitting back and forth on the 23(25) sts on needles 1 and 2 (the sole sts).

Row 1 (RS): slip first st, * knit 1, sl 1, repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2

Row 2 (WS): slip first st, purl across

Repeat two rows 8(9) times more.

Turn Heel

Row 1: sl 1, k14(15), ssk, k1, turn

Row 2: sl 1, p8(9), p2tog, p1, turn

Row 3: sl 1, k9(10), ssk, k1, turn

Row 4: sl 1, p10(11), p2tog, p1, turn

Row 5: sl 1, k11(12), ssk, k1, turn

Row 6: sl 1, p12(13), p2tog, p1

Row 7: sl 1, k13(14), ssk, turn

Row 8: sl 1, p13(14), p2tog, turn—15(17) sts

Row 9: knit

Gussett

Pick up and knit 11(12) sts along the right side of the heel flap.  Knit across instep sts in pattern.  Pick up 11(12) sts along the right side of the heel and knit 8(9) of the heel sts—61(65) sts

The beginning of your round now starts here.  You now have 18(20) sts on new needle 1, 24(24) sts across needles 2 and 3, and 19(21) sts on needle 4.

Round 1 (decrease round):

On needle #1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

On needles 2 and 3: knit across in pattern

On needle #4: k1, ssk, k to end of round

Round 2: work in pattern without decreases

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 47(49) sts remain.

Foot

Work in pattern until length is about 1 1/4" shorter than the intended toddler’s foot.

Knit one row, working 1 decrease on needle 2 for two-year size (46 sts) or working 1 increase on needle 4 for three-year size (50 sts).

Toe

Round 1 (decrease round):

On needle #1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

On needle #2: k1, ssk, k to last three sts, k2tog, k1

On needle #3: k1, ssk, k to end of round

Round 2: knit

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 two(three)times more—34(34)

Then work row 1 five(five) times—14(14) sts.

Knit the sts on needle 1.

Graft the toe closed and weave in yarn ends.  Then find your rambunctious toddler and put the socks on him or her, right away, no matter how much he or she squirms or how hot it is outside.

Treasure Pouch Knitting Pattern

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My latest pattern, a sweet little knitted pouch, is now available!  Click the Buy Now button below for immediate download, download it from Ravelry or purchase it in my Etsy shop.

I hope you enjoy knitting up these little treasure pouches as much as I have.  Nathan’s having so much fun with his, and now I’m starting to think I’d like one to carry as a little purse for ducking in the farm stand or taking a quick shopping trip when I don’t want to carry around a big diaper bag.  Nathan’s been collecting acorns and walnuts in his treasure pouch, and he also likes stuffing his play silks inside and pulling them back out again.

The pattern is written for both Sport and DK gauges with U.S. size 4 and size 6 DPNs respectively, giving you options for two different sized pouches.  The Sport pouch is 6 ¼” wide by 7 ½” high, and the DK pouch is 7 ¼” wide by 8 ¾” high (excluding handle) when empty.

Sturdy but soft cotton was my fiber of choice for its strength and lack of stretchiness.  The pattern takes almost the entire skein of DK yarn (123 yards)—I used Knit Picks CotLin in Cashew, and less than one skein of Sport yarn (164 yds)—I used Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport in Green Tea Heather.

The short icord handle and useful twisted cord drawstring make this little but roomy pouch functional. Picot edging and heart or Xs and Ox motif add whimsy and charm—and extra interest while knitting.  Both motifs work at both gauges.

It’s a fast and easy knit. Please enjoy!

Zig Zag Market Bag is Finally Here!

As I promised in last week’s Yarn Along post, my Zig Zag Market Bag pattern is finally available!  You can get it here by clicking the buy now button below (for just $2.99!), downloading it from Ravelry or visiting my Etsy shop.

Zig Zag Market Bag is knitted in worsted weight cotton at a gauge of 4.5 stitches per inch on size 7 needles -- you'll need a circular needle and DPNs.  I used Knit Picks Dishie in Azure.

I know I’ve said more than once how much I was looking forward to telling you why this bag so great and different than other market bag patterns.  So, in no particular order, here goes!

1. This is a sturdy, sturdy bag.  Lace “zigs” and “zags” add horizontal stretch and visibility (and fresh air for your produce!) but stockinette panels give the bag stability and shape and keep it from stretching too much.  The uniquely constructed and reinforced bottom gives the bag even more stability from the bottom up and helps the bag keep its shape—I can guarantee you’ve never knitted a bag like this one before.

2.  My unique solution for a sturdy, non-stretchy handle tops off all the sturdiness.  It doesn’t stretch like garter stitch or roll like stockinette—win!  Just one handle makes it easy to get items in and out of the bag with one hand, leaving your other hand free to guide your little one(s) through the farmer’s market.

3.  Unlike other market bag patterns I’ve seen out there (yes, I did a little research first!) it features a twisted cord drawstring to keep produce and other goodies in and little hands out.  A closure is a necessity if you ever have to put the bag down while it’s full.

4.  And finally, it’s pretty (of course!).  I find the zigs and zags to be more interesting than mesh lace all slanted in the same direction, and I like the look of the eyelets for the drawstring.  And the picots!  I love them.

I hope you enjoy knitting this bag—and using it—as much as I have.  If you knit it, please let me know what you think!

Yarn Along

Today I’m joining Ginny’s Yarn Along on Small Things.

I finally cast on my June socks last night—with just 10 days left in the month!  Gah!!  It’s doubtful I’ll finish them in time, but maybe I’ll come in close.  With so few days left in June, I decided to bag my own design inspired by my Indian Cigar Tree in summer and knit a pattern with leaves on it that would work with my yarn.  The pattern is Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the yarn is Knit Picks’ Stroll Tonal in colorway Canopy.

Let me tell you about the colors in this yarn. 

Overall, I’d say it’s emerald green, which is my favorite shade of green, but each of the seven tones in the ball is beautiful and striking on its own.  As my husband helped me wind the hank into a ball (he begrudgingly serves as a really good—and free—swift), I was transfixed by each color as it passed me on its way to the ball winder, shiny-pebble style.  WOW.  I could not wait to cast on.  I took these photos out on the front porch in hopes of accurately showing this yarn’s true colors.  The photo came close, but they're much better in person.

My market bag is coming along well, too, and I’m almost done designing and, by default, knitting it.  I came up with an interesting and useful way to make the handle so it’s not made of too-stretchy garter stitch but doesn’t have any roll to it—stay tuned!  I hope to release the pattern within the next week or so.

The bit I’m most excited about is today I submitted my Birds in Flight sock pattern to Knit Picks’ Independent Designer Partnership program.  If they accept my pattern, Knit Picks will sell it on their website and possibly in their catalog.  I have no clue how many catalogs they print for each run, but my pattern it would get in front of a lot of knitters’ eyes.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I’m still reading EZ’s Knitting Without Tears, and I find myself reading it whenever I get a minute here or there, so I’m making better-than-usual progress.  I’m chuckling over some of her word choices—some of them completely unfamiliar to me—and I’m still savoring the experience.  I’m already dreaming up what Nathan’s winter sweater will be like—even though I haven’t even cast on his fall sweater yet.  It’ll definitely be a seamless raglan.  Now to figure out the colors and the details.  Intarsia?  Fair isle?  Cables?  This is the most fun part.

Good knitting,

Kelly