Sparkly Socks

Basic Sock Pattern
........ you cant see the sparkle very easily, but the yarn is really pretty.

unfortunately I cant find the yarn label anywhere :(

FREE PATTERN - knitted small bag and fingerless gloves

This little bag is knitted from 2 diagonal-knit squares (changing colour halfway)

Using Sock Yarn and approx. 3.25 needles
You can, of course, use Double Knitting yarn, with larger sized needles - to make a larger bag. 

Diagonal-Knit Square:

Cast on 3 stitches.

K. one row.

Knit all rows -  increasing in the last stitch on each row until you have half-triangle shape to the size you want.

Begin your decreases - again at the end of each row - K2tog. until  you have completed your square and have 3 stitches left.  
Cast off 2 sts. and thread yarn through last loop, pull gently.  

You should then have a diagonally knitted square.

On each Square, I then picked up all stitches on one edge, Stocking Stitch a few rows, so that the piece curls over.  I stitched this to the 1st row thus making a tube for the (knitted) cord to pass through.

Link for Mitts

Ribbed Fingerless Mitts - free knitting pattern

Ribbed Mitts – small/medium hand size.

Materials:

4ply sock yarn

4 dp needles (plus 1 extra for thumb stitches**) - size. 10’s (2.75 or 3mm)

Beginning:  Cast on 53 stitches – join up - using last stitch and first stitch K2tog and pull yarn to tighten. (52 sts.)

K2tbl, P2 rib for 4”

Increase for thumb gusset - every alternate round

Continuing in twisted rib, keeping the thumb gusset in Stocking Stitch - (knitting each round)

Using the first two knit stitches of your rib, pick up* 1 st before and 1 st after ..... (one stitch increase on each side of the 2 knit stitches.  

*When picking up the new stitches, pick up loop from previous row, place back on LH needle and knit into the back of stitch.  **I place these stitches on a separate needle, so it’s easy to know where the thumb increases are going to be.

Continue as above, knitting in twisted rib for main part of glove, and stocking stitch for the thumb, with increases on alternate rounds, until you have 18 stitches on the Thumb Needle.  Place these stitches on a longish piece of spare yarn and pull together – I tie a bow so that it’s easy to undo when trying the glove on.

Continue in the twisted rib for the top half of the mitt and knit to desired length – approx.  another 4” (total length 8”).  Cast off in rib.

THUMB RIB: Place the stitches on spare thread on your needles,  adding stitches across the ‘gap’ (approx.4).

You should have 22 sts.

When joining up the thumb stitches, knit 2 tog. on 2 rounds, so as to tighten the gap.

Knit approx. 9 or 10 rows in twisted rib (to thumb height wanted).  Cast off in rib.

Sew in loose ends.

These mitts are very comfortable, and easy to make.

PS: hope there are no awful errors - please let me know if you find any :) Ta.

Baby Bunting Little Sweetheart Knitting Pattern

This Little Sweetheart is a Pattern from Etsy designer ToyShelf.
I knitted this one to match a baby cardi.
- would also be cute matching a baby blanket.

Knitting - neat 'rolled edge' Scarf

This edging isn't exactly a rolled edge, but gives the appearance of one ............

Edging:

Right Side row: 

Sl1 kw, K1tbl, P1 - continue in your chosen pattern until 3 sts before end of row - P1, K1tbl, K1 tbl

Wrong Side row:

P1, P1, K1tbl - knit chosen pattern to 3 sts before end of this row - K1, P1, K1tbl

Abbreviations:

S = slip

KW = knitwise

K = knit

P = purl 

tbl = through back of loop

Note for Scarf Pattern:
For the above scarf, I used double knitting yarn, and cast on 30 sts. and used alternate bands of garter and moss stitch (plus the single ribbing at the beginning).

Shibui Sock Yarn (and basic sock pattern)

Shibui Sock Yarn - looks beautiful -

Basic Sock Pattern

Granny Square Lap Blanket - easy peasy

In the evening, I love watching telly to relax, but love to do something at the same time.  Making a huge crochet Granny Square just fits the bill at the moment.  I had some oddments of yarn, but as it grew I had to buy some more! ....  Naturally, I found the extra yarn I needed while having a clear-out :(  ............  Anyway here is my basic Granny Square Pattern:

Basic Granny Square: -

I haven't changed colours in the instructions - you can do this however you choose.

Abbreviations:

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

tr = treble



Make 4 ch. and join, with a slip st., into a circle.

Ch. 3 (which counts as the first Treble), 2 more trebles then 2 ch.

3 trebles in the ring and 2 ch., 3 times more (see pic below) - join into 3rd chain of beginning 3 chains.

(check centre of square pic. below)

Slip stitch to the nearest 2 ch. space and in each space make

3 trebles, 2 ch and 3 trebles : 1 ch. 

On following rounds:

Slip stitch to each corner space and make 3 trs.,2ch.,3 trs.

The spaces between the corners are made up of  3 trebles and 1 chain.

By repeating the above, the Square will grow as big as you make it - change colours as you fancy.

I also found the shape became distorted, but I think when the whole thing is finished you can pull it into shape.





For the final edging you could make a row of double crochet. 

If you turn your work and make this final row from the back (going in the opposite direction from before) - it makes a pretty edging.

This probably sounds more complicated than it is! - but is very relaxing ----- and useful!

PS: If I've made any errors - please let me know.

Childs Raglan Cardi and Little Dolly - Knitted

 

Link for Knitted Dolly
The raglan cardi was from an ancient edition of Mon Tricot "Baby-Knitting"-
If you would like a copy of the pattern please email me or 'comment'
and I'll be happy to forward you a copy.  (The little flower brooch isn't included in the pattern).
I used: Bergere de France - Caline (50g balls) - Colour 'Hochet'
Needle Size used: UK10s : 3.25mm
The pattern is for a 4yr old (aprox.) - plus one size larger.

Free Knitting Pattern - Fingerless Mitts

 I'm into knitting Mitts at the mo - they're really similar to knitting socks - (almost!)
small bag pattern given here

FINGERLESS MITTS 
Instructions

Basic Pattern - - using sock yarn (fine)

Needle size: 3.25 mm (double pointed set + 1)

Size: small to medium sized hand 

Using the thumb method - cast on 56+1**sts. on 1 needle.

For the first row: knitting the correct amount of stitches on to each separate needle.  Join up into your 'round' using the extra stitch: (k2tog.) thus joining up the 'round'. (Using last stitch and first stitch.)


I find this a lot less faffing about, than trying to sort out twisted needles and which is the right side.  (The Purists wont like it - but hey .............. ! :) )

Stitches on needles as follows:

28 sts (1st needle) :  14sts. : 14sts.  

RIB/CUFF: (knit stitches through back of loop for cuff and thumb rib only).

K1 (tbl), P1, rib for 3.5 inches, then

K 10 rounds** (knitting through back of the loops) - *or to your own length.  

**You can also continue to knit in Rib - I find the gloves fit very nicely when all Rib'd.

Once your Rib and (10)* rows have been knitted, commence the 

Thumb Gusset increases:

1. K 27, make 1 (pick up loop - between stitches - from previous round, place on left needle and K thru back of the loop, replace on right needle),  k1, make 1, K to end of row.

I tend to keep my thumb gusset stitches on a separate needle, which is a little fiddly, but saves using stitch markers - which I find a bit annoying.  I think this also makes the increasing easier to see.

2. K 1 row.

3. Repeat these 2 rows, making 1 extra stitch (at beginning and end = 2 sts) on each alternate row until you have 17 stitches as your thumb gusset - thread these onto a spare bit of waste yarn - knot yarn so the stitches dont fall off !

4. Continue knitting in the round, carefully joining up again - (pull working yarn taught when joining up on thumb edge).  

Knit until the glove approx. reaches the base of your fingers.

Rib however many rows you fancy, and cast off in rib.

Thumb: 

Rejoin yarn to stitches on waste yarn, picking up  4 stitches in the 'thumb valley'.  
Again, pull thread slightly taught so as not to get too large a hole :).  (If you do get a hole, you can carefully stitch this up afterwards!) 
Knit a few rows then Rib for a few rows (of choice) and cast off in rib.

Sew all ends in neatly.

2nd Mitt - repeat as above.

The instructions always look more complicated than they are, but once you've got the hang of it, it's pretty straightforward.  If you're used to knitting socks ..... this will be a doddle.

(I dont think I've made any errors in the pattern instructions, but if you find anything - please let me know.)

FREE Knitting/Crochet Pattern - Cushions - very easy

 

close-up of back seams

These were really easy to make (while watching telly) - using up some odd balls of double knitting yarn and some old cushions.

Needles and Hook - according to yarn used.

The central squares on the fronts are knitted, then the rest of the cushion is crocheted around the square, using single crochets - - with 3 single crochets in each corner on each round.  

At the beginning of each round, slip st. into the centre of the first 3 single crochets to make the next three.

I made each cover large enough to fit my cushion pads, when folded into 1/4s (diagonally) - see above shape in pic.

The seam edges are on the outside and are just sewn together with a straight stitch, using matching yarn colour.

Stitch 3 seams, push the cushion inside then sew up the 4th seam. 

Centre Squares:

Cast on 3 stitches.

K. one row.

Knit all rows -  increasing in the last stitch on each row until you have half-triangle shape to the size you want.

Begin your decreases - again at the end of each row - K2tog. until  you have completed your square and have 3 stitches left.  Cast off 2 sts. and thread yarn through last loop, pull gently.  

You should then have a diagonally knitted square.

That's it really.

Knitted Haloween Beanie

I found this pattern on Whodunnknit - it's a really simple knitted beanie and you can decorate it how you want - they give you some good ideas too.

Free Knitting Pattern - Needle/Pincushion!

I really just winged this!  I was watching tv and fancied doing some knitting - and ended up with this!  Whenever I'm knitting and put a needle down on the sofa ...... I invariably lose it down the cushions - or somewhere they disappear to!  So it occurred to me that if I have a large needlecushion and just poke the needles into it,  I would know where they were!!   I know I should probably get out more, but if you've got an oddment of yarn and have itchy fingers .....  try this!

I used Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino with nos. 11 (UK) needles.

Begin by casting on 30 stitches, knit approx 6 - 7" (2 pieces) or 12 - 14" if knitting in one piece.

Stitch seams leaving a gap at the top, stuff, sew up, embroider edges if wanted, add button - that's more or less it!  Measurements are not really crucial at all.

This needlecushion measures approx. 6.5"x 5.5" (x 2 pieces or 1 long piece). 
The front is Garter and Stocking Stitch, and the back is just plain Stocking Stitch.
I knitted a heart motif into the centre - but you could knit in anything of course, and I added a large decorative button. (Click on photo to see larger image.)
You could also knit it all in stocking stitch and embroider initials on the front too.
I stitched the seams, leaving a gap at the top and stuffed it with wadding and  also embroidered a line of chain stitch on each of the long sides to make the edges look neater.

Gothic Knits - knitting punk dolls!

This is a wonderful quirky book - knitting punk dolls.  

There are 9 patterns - male and female ones - definitely worth buying if you love knitting dolls.

Hobbycraft

These lovely buttons are from Hobbycraft ..... (a new store has opened at Staples Corner, Cricklewood,  NW London) - they have a huge selection of craft stuff - 
Aladdin's Cave!

Knitted Beanie and Thingy

These two things dont really go together, as such, ...... (except maybe by colour).  I'd seen a super animated film called Despicable Me and the idea for the little knitted toy came out of this. I'd been practising the toe-up method of casting on for sock making and ended up with a toy .... ah well :)  ........ The beenie - was a bit of theraputic knitting while watching the telly.
(If you'd like the patterns - do let me know)

Vintage Knitting

Three lovely vintage patterns


Free Vintage Pattern website

Clangers!

Yay Clangers! My kids loved the Clangers - and this pattern comes from a group of terrific patterns from Patons, including Wallace & Gromit, Feathers McGraw, Shaun and of course the Clangers .......... I did tweak the finishing a little.

............. must get on and knit Feathers McGraw!

PS: Dont tell Patons but I used Spud & Chloe yarn ...... (shhhhh)

These are another couple of knitted toys - lovely way to use up odd balls of leftover wool.

Kristin Knits - colourful sox

Kristin Knits is a fantastically inspirational knitting book - especially if you love colour. I knitted these from one of her many super patterns.
....... definitely worth buying.

The Natural Dye Studio

Lovely dyed yarn from The Natural Dye Studio

What makes you think I like Green?!

These were all knitted while watching some boring tv (!) - theraputic knitting! I used some chunky plain green yarn (from stash) and some lovely Regia sock yarn that I couldn't wait to use.I had intended to make a baby cardi with it - (watch this space :) )

- rough free pattern instructions .........

Green Bag -
this could be knitted in the round,
but I made it as a flat piece and stitched up the seams.

Cast on approx. 96 stitches.
Knitting in Moss Stitch (1 plain, 1 purl - then reverse the next row) for approx. 5 rows.
Then rib (2 plain and 2 purl) for 3 rows.
Make eyelets evenly around next row (yarn forward and K2tog.)
Next row - continue in pattern - Continue in rib for another 7 rows.
Knit straight in Stocking Stitch for approx. 12 ins.Then repeat the ribbing and moss stitch.
Fold in half and stitch up the seams.
Make an i-cord long enough to thread through eyelets and tie into a bow.

Spectacles Case

Yarn: Regia 4-fadig Square Color (50g) (Col: 01132 : Partie: 47799)
Firstly, I made a flat i-cord using 8 stitches, measuring approx. 5.1/2 ins. in length.
I then cast on approx. 46 stitch onto the edge of the i-cord.
Knit in 2 plain, 2 purl rib for approx 12 rows, then continue in stocking stitch for about 5".
Stitch up seams, (making the seam centre back), and make a very small i-cord as a loop and find an appropriate matching button to yarn. (sheer luck! I had one just the right colour!!)
I also lined the inside of the specs case with a fine cotton, otherwise your specs will keep poking through the knitting!

PS: Please accept apology in advance if there's the odd inaccuracy - it's always difficult to remember exactly what you've done when you wing it! Please let me know if you have any probs.

(PPS: The beadwork was made a while ago.)
2nd link