Here I'll likely mostly dwell upon knits and purls; and, probably on my recent Lupus diagnosis - I'm still adjusting to that.
You might witness a bit of boring average-life kind of stuff, mild contemplations of new ideas, wordy observations of nearby earthlings, and quite possibly evidence of genuine thought - I am not promising much.
Strong opinion, incendiary statements, profanity, and that kind of stuff are very unlikely to find space amid these syllabic accumulations.
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate - a variety of stitches and techniques are used, shaping and finishing, unique cast on variation.
NEEDLE SIZE: 4mm (US 6)
MATERIALS:
Scrap amounts (2-3 yards) of worsted weight yarn. (Example in pictures were made with scraps of Red Heart Super Saver: Purple - ball band details missing)
GAUGE:
Not essential for this project. Blocking optional.
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
On 4mm needles: about 1 & 1/2 inches to 2 inches wide.
ABBREVIATIONS:
C/O - cast on; RS - right side; WS - wrong side; P - purl; S1L - slip one leftward; T - turn;
and, special techniques:
CDd - centred double decrease, on the right side of work: with yarn back, slip two stitches together knit wise, knit one and pass the slipped stitches over;
PDd - purlside double decrease, on the wrong side of work: with yarn front, slip one as if to knit, slip the next as if to knit, slip both back to the left needle together knitwise, and purl 3 together.
Long tail cast on with tips, written:
Cast on 5 stitches and turn work, slip two stitches together knit wise, knit one and pass the slipped stitches over, slip stitch just knit back to left hand needle; turn work and continue cast on with the next 8 and turn again for the next star point's centred double decrease.
(sts)x# - Stitch sets shown inside brackets followed by an x symbol and numeral indicate what is to be repeated and how many times.
PATTERN:
Worked from the outer edge to the centre.
Using long tail method C/O 29 stitches like this:
C/O 5, T-CDd-S1L-T, (C/O 8, T-CDd-S1L-T)x4, C/O2.
RS: P1, (CDd, s1, P2tog)x4, CDd, P1. = 15
WS: (PDd)x5. = 5
FINISHING:
Cut yarn and draw end through remaining stitches twice and weave ends in. Hold centre of star and tweak tips.
Needle size in millimetres is indicated on this sleeve with
bobbles and eyelets: whole numbers by bobbles and quarter numbers by eyelets;
the number of indicators required will determine the number of cast on stitches
(meaning the width of the work; and as such, the length of the sleeve). This
pattern is originally designed for four DPNs; a tighter seam or a row more (or
less) may better accommodate your needs.
Based on my available scrap yarn colours, I’ve colour coded
my needle sleeves to my needle sizes (My 3.0, 3.25, 3.5 &, 3.75 sleeves are
blue).
Requirements: Use whatever needle sizes the needle
sleeves are meant for; Darning needle; Scissors; Worsted weight in a small
amount (use a lighter weight for needles smaller than 3mm and hold yarn double
for needles larger than 6mm).
Gauge: is not essential for this pattern, though use
of DK weight may also accommodate your needs.
Abbreviations:
B/O - Bind Off.
C/O - Cast On.
K - Knit.
K/b - Knit below. Knit into stitch below which raises and
widens eyelet.
K2tog - Knit two together.
Kfbf - Knit front, back, front. Create three stitches from one.
P - Purl.
sl1 - Slip one.
sl3L - Slip three stitches leftward.
ssK - Slip, Slip, Knit.
W/E - Weave Ends.
YO - Yarn over.
3-Stitch Bobble:
worked from one stitch
1) Kfbf
2) sl3L, K3.
3) sl3L, K2tog, sl1, pass the knit stitch over.
Second RowEyelet:
YO, ssK.
Sixth RowEyelet: K2tog, YO.
4.50mm Needle Sleeve Instructions:
4.50mm will
require four bobbles and two eyelets; the eyelets in pairs need 3 stitches, the
bobbles in pairs will need 6 stitches, +2 for the left edge. C/O 11st.
1) P.
2) K2, Eyelet, K2, bobble, K2, bobble, K2.
3) P2, sl1, P2, sl1, P5.
4) K2, K/b, K8.
5) P.
6) K1, Eyelet, K2, bobble, K2,
bobble, K2.
7) P2, sl1, P2, sl1, P5.
8) K2, K/b, K8.
B/O, seam long edges together. W/E.
Notes:
- I used 2-strand (or 2-tail cast on). Use whatever works for you.
- To express a ½ mm the third stitch becomes the eyelets in row #2 and
row #6
- To express a ¾ mm the third & sixth stitches become eyelets in row
#2 and the sixth stitch becomes an eyelet in row #6.
- The eyelets are slanted opposite so they don’t render each other.
- The 3-Stitch Bobbles are the same throughout the pattern.
3.75mm Needle Sleeve Instructions:
3.75mm: three
bobbles and three eyelets; eyelets 6 stitches, bobbles 6 stitches, +2 for left
edge. C/O 14st.
SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate - a variety of stitches and techniques are used, colour changes, shaping and finishing.
NEEDLE SIZE:
Use whichever size is used in the project this snout is intended to be attached to. I-cords can be worked on straight needles, but double pointed needles eliminate the need to transfer stitches leftward. (Example in pictures were worked on 4.5mm DPNs)
MATERIALS:
Scrap amounts of yarn in three colours in whatever weight used in the project to which this will be attached tooth-colour, face-colour, and nose-colour. (Example in pictures were made with scraps of Red Heart Super Saver: White, Beige, Pink - ball band details missing)
GAUGE:
Yarn weight and needle size to match project, gauge will be as set in project.
FINISHED DIMENSIONS:
On 4.5mm needles: 1 & 9/16ths inches wide x 1 & 1/2 inches top to bottom
ABBREVIATIONS: C/O - cast on; rnds - rounds; sts - stitches; (RS) - right side; K - knit; K2tog - knit two together; P - purl; YB - yarn back; S1 - slip one; YF - yarn front; LLI - left lift increase; RLI - right left increase; S2kp - Slip two together, knit one, pass slipped stitches over. (sts)x# - Stitch sets shown inside brackets followed by an x symbol and numeral indicate what is to be repeated and how many times.
KNITTING:
Worked bottom up, and finishes as a flat piece to be shaped with sewn in stitches using strands left long at colour changes.
C/O 3 in tooth-colour, leave long ends.
I-cord 2 rnds, leave on needle, snip and make second tooth
Position both teeth, front facing, on one needle - 6sts
Switch to face-colour to make cheeks, leaving a long ends:
(RS) K2, K2tog, K2. - 5sts
P2, YB, S1, YF, P2.
(K1, LLI)x2, YF, S1, YB, (RLI, K1)x2. - 9sts
P4, YB, S1, YF, P4.
(K2, LLI)x2, YF, S1, YB, (RLI, K2)x2. - 13sts
P
K6, YF, S1, YB, K6.
P6, YB, S1, YF, P6.
K2tog, (S2kp)x3, SSk. - 5sts
P2, YB, S1, YF, P2.
Switch to nose-colour, leaving long ends:
K1, S2kp, K1 - 3sts
I-cord 4 rows, snip end and draw through remaining stitches.
SHAPING:
Fold nose in half and sew top edge of nose to the bottom edge of nose behind work (knot strands together, do not trim yet).
Baste-stitch down center of cheeks using face strand closest to nose, pull to gather and knot behind with a nose strand, these two strands may now be trimmed, leave one long nose strand for attaching to face.
The uppermost tooth-strands can each be woven in so as to draw the tooth tops firmly closed behind, trim after making a small knot.
You now have four long strands left.
ATTACHING:
Weave in ends as you go. Begin by holding appliqué centred in position on face.
Secure each tooth with a small neat stitch at corners using the tooth-strand.
Secure edges of cheeks using face-strand making sure to keep nose centred. Tuck a small pinch of stuffing into first cheek as it is done and second cheek just before last stitches are placed.
Secure nose using nose strand.
TAIL SIZED TO MATCH:
Of all the pompom instructional videos on YouTube I like Bernat Yarns: "How To: Make A Pompom with a Fork" and I share it with you here with a few minor modifications.
I draped the 12" centre tie-strand through the center prior to beginning to wrap (loosely secured in a bow on the handle so I was able to undo it effortlessly).
I made my pompom the same worsted weight beige as the face-colour above.
70 wraps, rather than 50.
I knotted the centre strand more than once, first while on the fork, then I slipped the wraps to the fork tip threaded strand to opposite side and knotted again. I positioned the tie-strands through to the original side before sliding wraps off; after sliding off and before snipping loops, I knotted a third time - even tighter. (Probably overkill, but I wanted to ensure that it didn't come apart in tufts because my pompom was meant for a child's toy.)
My Bunny Snout design was inspired by a test knit I did for a fellow Ravelry member. She will be publishing her pattern in a magazine coming out in November this year (until then: no finished project pictures can be posted). If you are on Ravelry, check out gabrielle009 and her designs: Gabrielle Vézina
I made a couple of test knit hats for a designer named Gabrielle Vezina, her design is fun and easy. Including pompoms, I-cord and nice comfy ribbing.
I love this pattern, and I got a kick out of testing it for Gabrielle prior to it's publication.
The first one came out snug and I decided to give it to my niece: project page. Ravelry
The second hat I kept for myself: project page. Ravelry
It got a lot of attention the other night when I wore it to community meeting.
I've also made a white version which I haven't photographed yet, it was my second attempt and I'd used larger needles in an attempt to create a fabric that was not so stiff as I'd made in my first attempt. Talk about one extreme to the other, it wound up quite loose and baggy - which has appeal as well. I need to make pompoms for it and decide who gets it.
Recently I cast on a plain and simple neck warmer in brown, and I plan on making fingerless mitts and possibly another Cheering Hat in the same colour. I have them in mind for my daughter, who wears a leather jacket I suspect the shade of brown might complement nicely. We'll see. I also promised her a totoro, which I haven't even added to my queue of upcoming projects.
I'm nearly done the blanket I promised in exchange for the moccasins for my niece:
Its been a lot of work. Each star cost me more than 7 hours, Hexagons more than an hour and then attaching each star was around an hour's work including weaving ends. I'm still working on the boarder, which in time means 1/2 hr for corners and 8" an hour for sides so far.
I had the honour of test knitting this amazing blanket for an inspirational designer. She permitted me the use of worsted weight yarn as well as an alternate boarder to what she instructs in her pattern. All these details are on my project page, so I will spare you. Another 20-30 hrs to go.
The moccasins.
(I blogged about in early June, powwow, vendor, trade, blanket.) My niece is getting some good use out of them. I'd forgotten to mention that the two girls traded, the older niece wearing the moccasins that were painfully tight tried on the 'new-to-you' pair and the smaller set fit the younger sister nicely. Both were happy.
Since then our community hosted our annual fall powwow. My nieces arrived in more beads and feathers than they originally had, they've been working on their regalia with their friends and still continue. Gramma videod some of their dancing on her phone. They took their infant sister out on the dance floor as well. I'm most proud of them when they are dancing to our traditional hand drum songs.
I'm glad to see my nieces smiling. I'm glad to have been able to get the moccasins for them, there is never a small price on that kind of work. Having no money isn't any fun; and, being able to do this for my loved ones makes my knitting skills very precious to me. I may be broke, stuck home and sickly, but I can still add value.
My sister has a cat named Gypsy. She is a young girl-cat.
Gypsy needed a temporary home so as not to be underfoot as her owner heals from knee surgery. We didn't hesitate to help. Thus began a short adventure in cat sitting.
In the end, we only had Gypsy a few days. Upon arrival she seemed to adjust quickly; but, I think the noises and number of people overwhelmed her (there are three of us, we are home a lot). The laundry machines are on frequently and the water goes and goes (with dishes, shower, cooking, cleaning, etc.) and there's also the noise of the fan, the tv, the turtle tank, and our neighbourhood in general.
I'm sure all the new unidentified smells were stressful in a kitty cat way. Most especially the wafting scent of local boy-kitties... an odor beyond human perception, thankfully, but torturous to poor young Gypsy. Poor, poor Gypsy.
Poor, poor Gypsy.
We were witness to the Gypsy dance of carnal anguish: chin up, belly to the floor, hind paws shuffling. Screeeeaaaam!
Balancing emotions at such a time is strange. Pity? Horror? Amusement? Embarassment? Helplessness? Disgust?
She'd be fine one moment then suddenly she is overcome with the bestial need to...reverse-squat; overrun by some ruthless unpredictable internal schedule; or, perhaps the random wafts of neighborhood breeze - bringing the musky promise of howling hissing tooth & claw battle.
What else wafts around my neighborhood? How far do odors go that leave my house? How much do our four legged neighbors know about humans in this way?
The poor cat's stay with us was stressful to her, she squirted a roommate's shirt and made a litter box of one bed. Maybe she could have eventually become happy to visit, but after catching my sister up on the goings on, Gypsy made the trip back home, taking with her the Jeckle/Hyde performance of fluffy kitty/fuzzy banshee.
I've never before had such a strange house guest; I've never had cause to wonder about neighborhood wafting either (waft, wood smoke, waft, bbq, waft laundry softener, waft, turkey dinner, waft, pollen, achoo! Waft, waft, how far does it all go?).
Deep sleep is so rare. I was enjoying rest last night until, first thing in the morning, a woodpecker woke me by banging on my roof. Groggy and uncoordinated, I got up and raided my recycle bin for ammunition, waddled out onto the balcony and chucked a tin can in the general direction of the banging noise. The can was satisfyingly loud and the ricochet landed it somewhere in the front yard. The woodpecker was huge, it swooped into the nearest clump of trees - a blur of grey with a glimpse of wings, almost too quick to focus on.
I had a glass of water and headed back to bed, but I couldn't sleep again till I was finished being resentful of being woken by holes being drilled into my house.
The can will remain hidden in my unkempt scraggly yard until next spring thaw reveals it, to be picked up if I happen to have a good day that I am willing to spend on such a chore.
Spending a good day is a greater challenge than achieving restful sleep. Anticipating a good day, is near impossible. I wonder if today would have been a good day -after deep restful sleep- had the woodpecker not disturbed me.
