Knitting

Yarn Along with Tasha

The past few mornings, I have been reading through one of my favorite books over coffee.  Like so many, I have been fascinated with Tasha Tudor since childhood.   Something about her homespun quality – her eccentricity – is comforting and always familiar.

Continuing the theme from last week, this morning the shawlette is being blocked.  It was finished on Saturday, but I have been under the weather, and just now am pinning it out on the guest bed.

This pattern is exactly what I needed – simple, quick, well-designed and a relaxing knit (it would also make a good first shawl for a new knitter).

I am tall, with broad shoulders, so deciding to do the larger version (178 sts before beginning the lace section) was a wise choice.  The fit is perfect, and only a small ball is leftover from the two skeins of Peace Fleece worsted.

I am already a few inches into another Handspun Delight Shawlette.  Having gone through the “stash dresser” upstairs, I found three skeins of a heavenly alpaca I was sure had long been used up.  The joy of being unorganized is that when you rediscover something lost, it’s like a gift to yourself – a pleasant surprise.

This time, most KFBs in the pattern are replaced with YOs (along the spine, etc), and the lace section will be extended.  It will make a soft embrace of a shawl and a warm Christmas gift for a loved one.

And now to join up with Ginny’s Yarn Along, but first a wintry quote from Tasha:

Sometimes when I’ve been throwing hay around, it smells like summer in the barn, and the sun comes through the windows and the cracks in the boards and makes shafts of light in the dusty air.  But I never long for summer in the winter.  What is that lovely quote from Shakespeare – “At Christmas I no more desire a rose/ Than wish a snow in May’s newfangled mirth.” That’s the idea.  For everything there is a season.

Yarn Along – The Dolls’ Christmas

Taking a break from three days of sewing projects this morning.  The three younger kids were up early, so I’ve been reading to them from The Dolls’ Christmas, by Tasha Tudor, while I work on some knitting.

For the first time all year, I am not knitting from my stash.  On Saturday, a surprise package showed up on my doorstep.  A friend had sent me yarn!  What a wonderful and unexpected gift! It’s Peace Fleece, the yarn I learned to knit on way back in college.  I immediately cast on this shawlette (the extended version).

I’m almost ready to start the lace section, and hope to finish it off today or tomorrow, since we have a new stack of library Christmas books to read through today, and I knit while the kids turn the pages.

And now the children have finished breakfast, gotten dressed, and are asking me to get off the computer and finish The Dolls’ Christmas.  So, that’s what we’ll do.  Looking forward to checking out the other knitters in the Yarn Along tonight when little ones are in bed.)

Yarn Along – Upstairs

Every knitting project I have started in the last week has been an exercise in frustration.  Last week’s socks got frogged, so I started knitting a Christmas pebble vest for George, and then decided I hated the shade of green (from my stash), so it, too, got frogged.  A second pair of socks, in blue tweed and pale purple-grey handspun merino got frogged as well.

I eventually settled on two handspun stash yarns for stripey socks (above).  (This grey Jacob-sheep yarn looks very handsome paired with red.  I’ve made socks and baby garments with the combo before.  It is one of my favorite yarns with which to knit.)

I am doing my best to only knit and spin from my stash for a whole year and not purchase any yarn or fiber, even  from the thrift store.  There is a small oak dresser upstairs packed with yarn (most lovely handspun from an estate sale of a fiber artist in the rural community where we used to live).  Trying to “knit with what I have” is frequently vexing for a whole host of reasons, but at the same time, I love opening those drawers to varied colors and textures – all those hanks of possibility.

…it is pure potential. Every ball or skein of yarn holds something inside it, and the great mystery of what that might be can be almost spiritual.
― Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Yarn Along – Rhythm of the Home

I have a piece in the new issue of Rhythm of the Home .  It just came out today!   Hope you get a chance to read and try out the recipe – it is a family favorite.

The entire issue is packed with beautiful, thoughtful and instructive articles from such talented women.  From felted sweater garlands to meditations on homeschooling in the winter months to Waldorf doll shoe instructions..Rhythm of the Home always puts out a great edition!

Obviously, for the reading portion of Ginny’s Yarn Along, this morning I’m reading through the new issue of Rhythm of the Home.  For the “yarny” portion, and for Nicole’s KCCO, I’m starting a pair of socks (yarn on the right), out of Brown sheep sock yarn seconds I purchased several years ago (still de-stashing!).

Also in the works is wrapping up some spindle spinning.  The fiber is Brown Sheep mill end bits and pieces, 85% wool, 15% mohair.  I am doing my best to spin worsted weight singles, but I find it very difficult, since I have been spinning for a number of years, and my hands want to spin fingering weight.  I am hoping to turn the yarn into a little knitted panda toy for George, although, part of me is tempted to make another vest…

We have company coming this morning, and then the kids and I are in full Christmas-crafting mode today.  We’re hoping to finish up our lessons before lunch, so we can play with some needle felting (making ornaments!) before Girl Scouts this afternoon.

Blessings on your day!

Yarn Along

 Anyone else starting to feel the Christmas-knitting pressure?

Finished a simple scarf (white mohair stash yarn I bought in college), and about to cast on some socks.  The yarn is a heathered grey 100% undyed Jacob sheep yarn handspun by a friend, from her own sheep.  I have knitted many projects with this yarn – it is  beautifully spun and well-balanced, and garments made from it have a fantastic drape. The socks will get some red patterning (100% wool thrifted sock yarn), as of yet to be determined, on the cuff.

We are re-reading The Hobbit aloud as a family in preparation for the movie.  It has been a year and half since we’ve read it, and we need to brush up before the film is released.  We’re also planning to have a movie marathon over Thanksgiving weekend and watch all three Lord of Rings. (I’m hoping to accomplish a significant portion of my Christmas gift-making during this time.)

Looking forward to visiting the other knitters in Ginny’s Yarn Along  during some down-time this afternoon. (I’ve promised the big kids they can take out modeling beeswax while we continue listening to The Dark is Rising sequence on book CD during George’s nap.  Hopefully that guarantees a peaceful afternoon.)

Yarn Along

Joining with Ginny and Nicole this morning.   Working through a stack of magazines and finishing up another Georgie vest with leftover Lamb’s pride and some merino spindle-spun.  I’m thinking of making an I-cord tie instead of buttons if I have enough handspun.

Today is a very busy day.  Beatrix, our vivacious second child, turns eight today.  After carving pumpkins and finishing costumes, we have a day of celebration ahead of us!

Happy Halloween and Happy Reformation Day!

FREE Baby/Toddler Vest Pattern

There is something about babies in snuggly wooly vests…

Last week’s project is finally finished, along with a smaller version (top photo).  I had originally worked up a 12-18 month sized pattern to fit tricky kiddo #4 (above), but thought a 3-6 month size would be great for baby shower gifts and such, too.

I’d love to share the pattern with you.  It’s free, a quick knit, fits great, and I hope to post larger sizes in the coming weeks.  If you use my pattern, please give me credit and link back to this page.   This pattern is intended for personal, charity and gift use only, not pieces sold for profit. Thank you!

The vest is worked from the bottom up on straights, then the front two panels and the back are worked individually.  The shoulders are worked on double-points at the very end.

The pattern is really conducive to using up leftover bits of worsted-weight yarn from other projects.  The 3-6 month size uses one color of Cascade 220 for the body and shoulders, and another for the ribbed chest.

In the toddler size, I simply added stripes in the body up to, but not including, the ribbed chest.  Then the blue yarn is repeated in the shoulders.

The pattern only uses two buttons for several reasons, which may sound alternately silly or practical:

1)I am chasing four kids, my life is crazy hectic, and I don’t want to corral a very squirmy toddler and attempt to get 6 or 8 buttons done.

2)Thrift-stores are great places to find just a few lovely old buttons, but rarely a large matched set.

3) If a pattern only requires two buttons, one might be more inclined to spring for a pair of beautiful handmade ones from some talented crafty mamas.

4) A swing sweater adds greater flexibility of movement for an active little one.

Hope you enjoy, and please please please, if you give my pattern a try, and have questions, comments, or want to share your project,  drop me a comment (with your URL).  Thank you, and many blessings on the little one warmed by your hand-knitted vest.

Georgie Vest

Copyright 2012, Angela Baker

Size: 3-6 months (12-18months)

Yarn: Cascade 220, or Lamb’s Pride Worsted, or other worsted weight wool:

less than one skein each color

Needles: Size 6 US straight, size 8 US straight, size 6 US dpns

Directions:

With Size 6 US needles, CO 90 (106) sts.  This will be 24 (28) for right front, 42 (50) for back, and 24(28) for left front.  You may place stitch markers at these points if desired, but it isn’t necessary.

Bottom edge: Rows 1-8: work (K2, P2) rib (last two stitches will be K2/ half a repeat)

Body (swing section): Change to size 8 US needles.  For remainder of garment, the first four and last four stitches will be worked in garter (K every row) stitch.  Maintaining this garter edge, work rest of piece in stockinette, until entire length (including bottom ribbed edge) equals 5 1/2 (7 1/2) inches in length.

(Note: if you choose to work in even rows of stripes in this section, use MC for first four garter sts, knit across with CC, and use a piece of scrap MC to knit the last four garter stitches.  Be sure to wrap the colors of yarn where they meet to avoid gaps.  This will give you a nice clean garter edge in the MC.  See white and blue sweater above for example).

Ribbed chest:  change back to US 6 needles.  If you wish to work ribbed chest in  CC, cut MC, and begin CC here.

Work 8 rows in (K2, P2) rib, maintaining the garter border on first and last four sts. You will now continue in this rib with garter border unless otherwise noted.

Work 20 (24) sts in pattern, BO 8 (8) sts, work 36 (42) in rib, BO 8 (8) sts, work 20 (24) sts in pattern (don’t forget to end with 4 sts of garter).

You will now work the front panel and back separately, still using size 6s. You can either work one section at a time, leaving the other two on the back end of one needle, or if you find this cumbersome, you can transfer two unworked sections to stitch holders.

Front left of cardigan: work 10 (12) rows in pattern (beginning with the garter border).  BO the 12 (14) sts on the inside of the garment (starting with the four garter stitches).  You will now have 8 (10) sts to work for the shoulder.  Knit remaining stitches in (K2, P2) rib for 8 rows (10).  BO.

Right cardigan panel: Attaching a new length of yarn, work as for left panel, but in reverse, binding off  at the garter edge again, and working the shoulder, but this time add two button holes as you go on rows 2 and 8 (10)  In the garter edge, K1, K2tog, YO, K1 to form the button hole.

Back: Reattach yarn, and work in (K2, P2) rib (no garter border!) until piece is same length as front panels (including shoulder.  BO.

Seam shoulder sts to back.

Shoulder bands:  Using size 6US dpns, evenly PU and K 40 (48) sts around arm hole.  Be sure to twist picked up stitches as you knit them to avoid gaps/holes around the edge.  Work 4 (6) additional rounds in (K2, P2) rib.  BO loosely. Repeat with other arm hole.

Block sweater and sew on buttons.  You’re finished!

(Oh, yes, joining with Small Things and Frontier Dreams and Tami’s Amis for this post.)

Yarn Along

Many thanks to Ginny for hosting the Yarn Along every week.   Each week I find new patterns to add to my queue and new books to order from the library thanks to all the men and women who participate.

I’m just about done test-knitting the first three sizes of a baby/toddler vest pattern I am working up.  If you might be interested in test-knitting a 2T or 3T for me, please let me know and I’ll e-mail you the pattern.   I hope to have the three smaller sizes of the pattern up on Ravelry in a week, since all the kinks seemed to be worked out.

The yarn is vintage Bernat (1960s?) picked up at the thrift store for 25 cents/skein.  It is 90 percent virgin wool and 10% mohair, with a fluffy halo and plenty of loft.  Really enjoying knitting with it. (The other sizes are in Cascade 220 and Lamb’s Pride Worsted, from my stash).

Each morning and evening, little by little, I’m continuing to work through the Benedictine book, The Divine Hours.

Sowing Seeds in the Desert, by the thinker-turned-farmer, Masanobu Fukuoka, just came from the library.  I find Fukuoka’s idealism almost intoxicating – he dreams of restoration, and works for a verdant earth in which people are in perfect communion with each other and the ecosystem.  His writing is full of unquenchable hope, and it is quite uplifting.

We must realize that both in the past and today, there is only one “sustainable” course available to us.  We must find our way back to true nature.  We must set ourselves to the task of revitalizing the earth.  Regreening the earth, sowing seeds in the desert – that is the path society must follow. – Masaonobu Fukuoka

Test Knitting

The house is full of company at present, and the rains have returned to Oregon, bringing with them the constant grey that so typifies autumn in the Pacific Northwest.  You’ve never seen such miserable looking chickens as ours, huddled under the picnic table in the driving rain.  Definitely a good time to hide out inside, catch up on school projects, watch a documentary, make a hot lunch.

First, can I show off some recent thrift store finds?  The weaving (on the sofa seat) fits perfectly over our beat-up sofa upholstery.  The old, old quilt on the back  was $5,with a perfect palette for fall.  The weaving is cotton and I put it through the washer and dryer with no problem, but the quilt had to be hand-washed in the bathtub to preserve the delicate fabrics (some are silk).

The children finished their school work quickly this morning, so while George plays on the floor and the big kids are watching a NOVA on Viking swords, I’ve been test knitting a vest pattern I worked up last week.  Vests are so quick to knit, and so versatile for small children. Also, young kids so quickly stain and snag sweater sleeves, I find precious handknit vests hold up better than full long-sleeved sweaters.

I’m just about finished with the 12-18 mo size and have the 6 month half-way done.  Only one little error so far, and I have corrected it.  The pattern will be up on Ravelry by the middle of next week, if all goes well.  The pattern will include sizes 3-6 mo, 6-12 mo, 12-18 mo, 2T and 3T.

Lots going on with my folks visiting, garlic needing to be planted, science projects to conduct, so I may not be back to this spot until Ginny’s Yarn Along on Wednesday.  See you then!

Yarn Along – Baktus

The Baktus scarf is nearing completion. It was originally going to be a gift for my mother, but I am thinking the geometric quality of the scarf and it’s very simple, clean lines, would make it a better gift for a dear friend from college.  My mom will be getting a pattern more suited to her taste (as soon as I can finish it!).

It has been a very easy knit, but I kept putting it down to pick up more interesting WIPs, or I would have had it finished ages ago.  Quite pleased with it, though, and am thinking of making one for myself in grey and cream stripes, instead of the vibrant Noro.

A few of our homeschooling books this week.  We’re reading bits out of this book each day for a portion of our nature study.  We’re also beginning to delve into Dickens again (seems we always do when the weather turns) with a few children’s books on his life, before starting Oliver Twist later this month.

Ruth is just beginning Cornelia Funke‘s new book (well, it was just translated from German, so it’s new in the US), Ghost Knight.  Fingers crossed it’s as good as some of her other books we’ve adored (… Igraine the Brave, Dragon Rider and Inkheart.) 

This book is based on the Benedictine Rule of fixed-hour prayer from the sixth century.  It has specific prayers for different times of day, and I have mostly been utilizing the evening ones after I put George down for the night, while Casey is reading bedtime stories to the big kids.  The sections are concise, meditative, and uplifting.

Once again joining with Ginny for her Yarn Along today.

Autumn Yarn Along

Joining with Ginny again this week for the Yarn Along.  I’m finally getting around to finishing a book Kortney loaned me ages ago.  It has many lessons I need to learn, and am glad to have picked it up again (and she’ll be glad to have it back soon – didn’t mean to have it so very long!).

Finishing up the Pickles Vest this morning.  Only the buttons left to sew on.  It’s made from leftover bits of Lamb’s Pride.  The pattern had been on my Ravelry queue for a very long time, and last week there were several folks in the Yarn Along working on it – seemed like a good time to make one.

It knitted up quite dense and a bit small for George, so the next try will be on 10s instead of 9s.

Also enjoying thumbing through these that just came from the library, especially this one.

Looking forward to catching up on what the other participants are knitting (which will have to happen after the kiddos are in bed).

Herringbone

Finished this easy project just in time for fall.  While it was simple and quick to knit (on 11s!), the actual herringbone stitch is a drudgery, and I was glad to wrap up the neck warmer and get it off the needles.

The overall look of the herringbone stitch is textural and fantastic, so once the memory of how tedious this project was has faded a bit, I’ll be casting on a pair of these beauties.

See?  Warm, functional and stays put.  This button cowl is definitely going to get a lot of wear as the weather cools off.

This destash yarn is Lamb’s Pride Bulky mill-end purchased 4 or 5 years ago.  The color was called something like “Prairie Fire”, and if I ever see it again at that price, I will be ordering more.  Love love love the pale mohair halo and the depth of color – bits of gold and brown blended with a rusty hue.   (Although it worked for me for this pattern, please keep in mind that Lamb’s Pride can be a bit scratchy, and those with sensitive skin may not want to use it for something like a neck warmer.)

There is a portion of this skein leftover, and it may become part of another vest for George in the near future.  For now, it is back to working on this week’s Yarn Along project.

Noro Yarn Along

Last week’s Yarn Along project is finished, so it’s on to something new for this week’s reading and knitting link-up with Ginny.

Most of my knitting gets done in the early morning, or after lunch while the kids are doing their read-aloud.  I’m between novels, and have enjoyed thumbing through craft books first thing in the morning, before the coffee has kicked in.

During read-aloud this week, Ruth has been reading to us from one of our favorites, Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady.  The kids have a renewed interest in Arthurian Legend, and we’re going to be starting The Dark is Rising series for our family chapter books. (It happens to be my absolute favorite series from when I was around Ruth’s age, and I’m excited to share it with my children.)

Bea is reading from level 2 Readers now, with some help.  She is working hard every single day, and we’re quite proud of her dedication to improving her reading skills.

Once again, I am finally casting on another easy project that has been in my Ravelry queue forever – the Baktus scarf.  After reading through the comments/advice of other knitters who have made this, I’ve decided to do the increases at the end of the row, instead of the beginning, since it is supposed to make the stranding of two colors a bit easier.  So far, so good.

The yarn is a few balls of garage-sale-find Noro I originally bought to make a larger shawl.   There is just enough left for this project.  It will be a belated birthday gift for my mother.

Looking forward to reading up on the other knitting projects in the link-up after the kiddos are in bed tonight…

Off the Needles – George’s Vest

Finished this vest for George, who is almost 15 months.  Just in time, too, as it is chilly today, and we are trying hold off switchng on the heat at night as long as possible.

I’m very happy with how it turned out, especially the nubbly, homespun texture of the yarn, and the long-fit for my long boy.

I used some thrift-store buttons, and the boys had great fun dumping over my button jars and making a big mess of buttons on the driveway while I finished making up the vest in the sunshine.

I followed Thrifty Knitter’s simple pattern, but used Soule Mama’s advice and knit it on size 9s with heavy worsted to fit a toddler.  And fit it does – just perfectly.

Loved this pattern so much, I already have another CO in oatmeal Lamb’s Pride.

More farm work to share here tomorrow.  Have a blessed weekend.

Yarn Along

Up before the big kids, trying to get our lessons organized for the rest of the week.  Obligatory coffee and knitting with a side of peanut butter toast help get me through the early morning planning.

I’m currently working on yet another quick, easy piece.  It’s Amanda’s larger version of this vest for George.  George has a long torso, and the scaled-up pattern is quite long, so no need to add extra rows.  If I knit another for a gift, I would probably take out 4 rows in the stockinette section.

I have a self-imposed ban on buying new yarn until the “stash dresser” is depleted, so this is two balls of tweedy goodness my brother got me in Ireland years ago.  I could never find the right project for it before, but it is just enough for a toddler-sized vest, and the color (grey with white, black and brown flecks) is perfect for fall.

This semester I am teaching an Intro to Anatomy class for kids 9-12, which is based on a book I loved as a child, Blood and Guts: A Working Guide to Your Insides, by Linda Allison.  Our first class this coming Friday will cover The Scientific Method and basic cell structure, and this morning was a good time to review upcoming the activities for the first few weeks.

Linking up to Ginny’s Yarn Along for this post.  Always good to see what other folks are knitting and reading and draw inspiration from both.

While G is napping

Went to make an afternoon pot of tea, and got distracted by how incredibly dusty and precariously stacked everything was in the china cupboard.  Ended up dusting and reorganizing for a solid hour while George napped and the big kids ran around in the sunshine.  (Had I ever dusted in there?  Spider webs galore on the top shelf.  Ugh).

Also found some time to finish up some baby shower gifts before the herd of elephants came stomping in from outdoors and woke the baby.

 

Little projects seem the easier to complete these days.  Quick and mindless is best.  The last complicated lace shawl I attempted was frogged pretty quickly, because knitting off charts while chasing 4 kids inevitably ends in too many mistakes.

Baby socks in hand-dyed spindle-spun.  Pattern here.

Never did get around to that pot of tea.  Maybe tomorrow…

Stripey Socks, off the needles

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A new pair of socks off the needles.  I have an addiction to stripes, both for looks and simplicity.   I used to like more complicated color work, but knitting with 4 kiddos running around means it’s hard to stick to a chart and actually make progress on more involved patterns.

The yarn is Brown Sheep Nature Spun sport purchased in college (eek!) and finally got around to using.  I’m doing my best to work through my yarn dresser upstairs and completely de-stash before I buy more yarn or do any extensive spinning.

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I finished the blue stripeys just in time, since this week I wore a big hole in my favorite pair of striped socks, and I haven’t had time to finish darning them yet.  (For a great darning instructions, check out Wool and Chocolate’s darning tutorial.)

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A view from the inside while I’m sewing in tails.  Even simple color work should have its own loveliness on the wrong side.

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Good ol’ slip-stitch stripe heel.  I like using it because (obviously from my picture earlier), my Birkies wear hard on the back of my socks and I like a double-reinforced heel for more infrequent darning.

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Glad my toes will be toasty warm at the Trackers pirate potluck tonight!

Mason Jar Cozy Giveaway!

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Well, somewhere I’m going to have to find some time to knit this, because I’m going to give one away via the Salt of the Earth Urban Farm Facebook page! When we hit 100 likes, I will randomly select one of those 100 folks to win a mason jar cozy in their choice of colors.  Only 7 spots left, so click on the sidebar link, and like us on FB for a chance to win!  Thanks!

(For those inclined to knit their own, here’s the free pattern!)

Mason Jar Cozy – Free Pattern

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The mason jar – gotta love it for carrying coffee, tea, ice-water – you name it.   Since it’s glass, a mason jar is non-reactive (unlike plastic water bottles).   The screw-top lid keeps drinks from spilling in the car/in my backpack.  And they’re super convenient (I’ve got stacks of them in my cupboards).

I used to tie a dishtowel around my jar to catch condensation (on iced drinks) or help insulate (hot drinks).  I figured a knitted cozy would work much better than a towel, and, yes,  there are knitted jar cozies you can purchase online.   But buying one would take all the fun out of working out a pattern myself and doing some stash-busting/saving some pennies at the same time!

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I wanted the cozy to 1) be made of wool to wick water and insulate well, 2) fit snugly, so it wouldn’t slouch and slump down, and 3)have a handle for carrying or attaching to a carabiner.

So, here’s the finished pattern to share with you (In two sizes – quart wide-mouth, and pint wide-mouth)!  You know the drill -please, don’t reproduce the pattern or use it for profit without my express permission, but feel free to knit oodles for yourself and as gifts (they are quick to make, taking less than a day!).

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Larksong’s MASON JAR COZY PATTERN

copyright 2010 by Angela Baker

For the Quart Jar: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, content: 85% wool, 15% mohair; 190yd/173m per 113g skein; Color: Aqua Waves; #: half a skein or less

Set of US #6/4.0mm double-point needles

Quart wide-mouthed canning jar

Tapestry needle

2 stitch holders

Gauge

19 sts/30 rows = 4 inches stockinette stitch before blocking

Pattern

For the Quart Jar (with optional handle)

CO 8 sts  Divide amongst 3 needles

Join sts, being careful not to twist.

Base –

Round 1- (k1, kfb) repeat around.  You will have 12 sts.
Round 2- (knit 2, kfb) repeat around.  16 sts.

Round 3 and all subsequent odd rounds – k around.
Round 4- (knit 3, kfb) repeat- 20 sts.
Round 6- (knit 4, kfb) repeat- 24 sts.
Round 8- (knit 5, kfb) repeat- 28 sts.
Round 10 (knit 6, kfb) repeat- 32 sts.
Round 12 (knit 7, kfb) repeat- 36 sts.
Round 14 (knit 8, kfb) repeat- 40 sts.
Round 16: (knit 9, kfb) repeat.  44 sts

Round 18: (knit 10, kfb) repeat, 48 sts

Round 20: (knit 11, kfb) repeat, 52 sts

Body and Neck–

knit around for 30 rounds

[If you want to add a handle – Divide for handle starting here  –

work in (k2,p2) rib all around, on sts 21-26 k1fb of each st, placing each increased st (the one knit into the back) on a stitch holder to the inside of the work.  (You will have 6 sts on a stitch holder).

Continue in k2, p2 pattern, repeating the increase/stitch holder portion for sts 47-52 (putting 6 more sts on a 2nd stitch holder.).

You should now have the original 52 sts on double points, and 6 sts on each of two stitch holders.

(k2, p2) repeat for 7 more rounds (8 rounds total)]

(If you do NOT want a handle, simply (k2,p2) repeat for 8 rounds instead.)

K around for 4 rounds

Loosely BO.

Optional Handles –

With two dpns, work 6 stitches (from one holder) in I-cord for ten inches.

K1, k2tog, k2 tog, k1 (4 sts)

CO and weave in ends.

Repeat with 6 sts on other holder.

Finishing

If making a handle – tie ends of I-cords together in a knot to form the handle.

Block finished cozy on the jar (taking care, Lamb’s Pride felts easily.)

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Materials:

For the Pint Jar:  Scraps of any heavy worsted weight wool yarn – a great way to showcase small skeins of handspun! – about 70 yds total.

MC: Lamb’s Pride Worsted.  Content: 85% wool, 15% mohair; 190yd/173m per 113g skein; Color: Winter Blue

CC: any handspun or remnants of any (Pint shows some spindle-spun 100% merino)

# set(s) US #6/4.0mm double-point needles

Pint wide-mouthed canning jar

Tapestry needle

2 stitch holders

Gauge

19 sts/30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch before blocking

Pattern

For the Pint Jar (with optional handle)

With MC, CO 8 sts  Divide amongst 3 needles

Join sts, being careful not to twist.

Base –

Round 1- (k1, kfb) repeat around.  You will have12 sts.
Round 2- (knit 2, kfb) repeat around.  16 sts.

Round 3 and all subsequent odd rounds – k around.
Round 4- (knit 3, kfb) repeat- 20 sts.
Round 6- (knit 4, kfb) repeat- 24 sts.
Round 8- (knit 5, kfb) repeat- 28 sts.
Round 10 (knit 6, kfb) repeat- 32 sts.
Round 12 (knit 7, kfb) repeat- 36 sts.
Round 14 (knit 8, kfb) repeat- 40 sts.
Round 16: (knit 9, kfb) repeat.  44 sts

Round 18: (knit 10, kfb) repeat, 48 sts

Body and Neck–

knit around for 12 rounds

[If you want to add a handle – Divide for handle starting here  –

With CC, work in (k2,p2) rib all around, on st 21-26 k1fb of each st, placing each increased st (the one knit into the back) on a stitch holder to the inside of the work.  (You will have 6 sts on a stitch holder).

Continue in k2, p2 pattern, repeating the increase/stitch holder portion for st 47-52 (putting 6 more sts on a 2nd stitch holder.).

You should now have the original 48 sts on double points, and 6 sts on each of two stitch holders.

(k2, p2) repeat for 7 more rounds (8 rounds total of ribbing)]

(If you do NOT want a handle, simply (k2,p2) repeat for 8 rounds instead.)

K around for 4 rounds

Loosely BO.

Optional Handles –

With two dpns in CC, work 6 stitches (from one holder) in I-cord for ten inches.

K1, k2tog, k2 tog, k1 (4 sts)

CO and weave in ends.

Repeat with 6 sts on other holder.

Finishing

If making a handle – tie ends of I-cords together in a knot to form the handle.

Block finished cozy on the jar  (taking care, Lamb’s Pride felts easily.)

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Simple Baby Socks (No Grafting!)

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Another baby wave!  Lots of friends are having babies in the next several weeks, so every spare moment, it’s knitting, knitting, knitting (I’ve even been knitting in church on Sundays!  I actually absorb the sermon better – multitasking prevents the mind from wandering!)!

My knitting tends to go in a seasonal rhythm – winter babies always get hats (usually a pixie or a Debbie Blisspattern with little earflaps) and spring/fall babies usually get booties.  But what to make for summer babies?  SOCKS!

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I found that a lot of baby sock and bootie patterns (you know, the teensy ones) never fit my kids’ feet, even as newborns.  As a result, I took what I like best about some of my favorite adult sock patterns, and adapted it to a bit larger baby sock.  It should fit a size 6-12 months.  If you’d like a larger sock, simply make it a bit longer in the foot, or for a smaller sock, go down a needle size.

Here’s the pattern :

PDF Format

Larksong’s Baby Socks

Size – 6-12 months (for size 3-6 months, use a smaller needle (1 or 0))

Needles – Set of 4 double-pointed needles,  US  size 2

Yarn – any sock or fingering weight yarn, leftovers from adult socks work great!  (about 100 yds, to be safe)

CO 40 sts, divide over three needles as follows: 20 sts on ndle 1, and 10 sts each on ndles 2 and 3.

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For the cuff:

Join (careful not to twist) and knit in K2, P2 rib for 24 rounds (optional – 40 rounds for a folded cuff)

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For the heel flap:

Using only the 20 st on ndle 1, knit back and forth as follows –

Row 1 (outside of sock):  (Sl one knitwise, K1) repeat these two stitches to end of row

Row  2 (inside/wrongside): Sl 1 purlwise, P to end

Repeat rows one and two a total of 18 times (you will count 9 sts on the slip rows on the knit side) ), ending after a (Sl1, K1) row.

Turn of the heel:

Row 1: Sl first st Purl wise, P to two sts beyond center (12 sts total), P2tog, P1, turn

Row 2: Sl 1, K5, K2tog, K1, turn

Row 3: Sl 1, P to one st before the gap (also known as “within 1 st of last turn”), P2 tog, P1, turn

Row 4: Sl 1, K to one st before the gap, K2 tog, K1, turn

Continue in this manner until 12 sts remain (you will end with K2togs w/o a K1 following).

You will have just completed a K row.

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For the gusset:

With needle on, pick up (PU) and K 10 sts on the left side of the heel flap (continuing in the knit direction).  (To avoid gaps, twist stitches as you pick them up, or K into the back of the stitch).

Knit across needle two (option – continue to in ribbing K2, P2 pattern on ndle 2 only until beginning of toe decrease.  This will make for a more snug-fitting sock.)

PU and K (again, twisting sts) 10 sts along the other side of the heel flap and then K6  from ndle 1 to the end of ndle 3.  (The begging of your round will now be halfway across the back of the heel, and ndle 1 will be the needle on the left side of the heel, ndle 2 will be the 20 sts across the top of the sock, and ndle 3 will be the 2nd half of the heel.

For the decrease portion of gusset:

Round 1: K around (if doing optional pattern, remember to (K2, P2) repeat across ndle 2 only)

Round 2:  Ndle 1 – K to last three, K2tog, K1.  Ndle 2 – K across (or, for option, (K2, P2) repeat across ndle).  Ndle 3 – K1, SSK, K to end

Repeat these two rounds until you have decreased to the original 40 sts

For the body of the foot:

K for 18 rounds (my kids have long feet, and I did 20-22 rounds for them.  If using smaller needles for a smaller sock, you may wish to do 14-16 rounds, depending on foot size of the infant.)

(Remember, if doing optional ribbing – continue (K2,P2) rib on ndle 2 – stopping the rib at the end of this section.

For the toe (No grafting here!! Woo-hoo!):

Round 1:  Ndle 1 – K to last two sts, K2 tog.  Ndle 2 – K8, K2 tog, K8, K2 tog.  Ndle 3 – K to last two sts, k2tog.

Round 2: K around.

Round 3:   Ndle 1 – K to last two sts, K2 tog.  Ndle 2 – K7, K2 tog, K7, K2 tog.  Ndle 3 – K to last two sts, k2tog.

Round 4: K around.

Round 5: Ndle 1 – K to last two sts, K2 tog.  Ndle 2 – K6, K2 tog, K6, K2 tog.  Ndle 3 – K to last two sts, k2tog.

Round 6: K around.

Round 7: Ndle 1 – K to last two sts, K2 tog.  Ndle 2 – K5, K2 tog, K5, K2 tog.  Ndle 3 – K to last two sts, k2tog.

Round 8 – end : Continue decreasing in the manner above, but every row instead of every other.  Decrease until 8 or 4 sts remain (your preference, 4 will give a bit pointier toe).

Cut a tail (6 or 8 inches), thread with a darning needle, and sew through the remaining stitches.  Pull tight and sew in ends.

Block if you desire.

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(Note – a baby who fits these socks may be pulling up and/or walking, so please remember that wool socks are VERY slippery on wood or tile floors – if your baby is going to wear these socks without shoes, you may wish to add some puffy paint designs to the bottom for traction.)

This pattern is copyright 2010 by Angela Baker.  Please feel free to use this pattern for personal, gift or charity knitting only – not to be used for socks made for sale without approval of the designer.    Do not copy this pattern/distribute it without permission.  Thank you.

Making the most of our time

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We are feeling a bit like hermits, cooped-up in the house for days and days – the little ones are still wrestling with sickness, and we had to miss church again this week.  Little Hen, still healthy, escaped to Grandma’s house for the weekend (a BIG thank-you to Grandma for inviting her up!).

After homemade pecan-chocolate pie for breakfast (hey, we’re sick!), Daddy read to us from The Lightning Thief, which is turning out to be an excellent choice for Firecracker, who is captivated by Greek mythology.

Another good thing is that I’ve been able to get quite a bit of Christmas-gift knitting done (and give the dog a hair cut, and mop the floors…).

We are trying to make the best of our isolation, and finding we are blessed by the quietness today.  Firecracker is getting up from a rest, so I’d best go, so Daddy can read a few more chapters to us out of The Lightning Thief.

Some Greek Mythology Resources we love :

D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Greek Myths (although, the stories are re-imagined a bit)

Classic Myths to Read Aloud

Greek Myths for Young Children

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (well, it has a smidgen of Greek Mythology in it, with Hephaestus and Aphrodite, and we like it)

By Jove, a board game

and we’d love to find this board game and try it out.


Addicted to Candleflame

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Sigh… I’m getting a bit repetitive in my blogging and my knitting both, but I can’t stop knitting candleflame shawls!!  I think this pattern is this fall what Toasty was for me last winter (and I’m still cranking those out for Christmas gifts again this year).  It’s easy to memorize, easy to knit while doing other things, and I love the results.

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This time, I’m going to keep the shawl for myself.  Pink is not a favorite color of mine, but the shawl is so warm and big and cozy, I can’t part with it.  It’s knit in Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky, Victorian Rose (and that does go nicely with brown, which IS my favorite color).

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It was very economical to knit (less than $12 worth of wool), because I used seconds .  There is a slight color variation throughout (not sure if it shows up in the pictures), so the yarn was very inexpensive, despite taking nearly 4 skeins.  Knit on size 11’s, the whole shawl took less than two weeks including blocking, with several other knitting projects going in the background.

I hate to say it, but I’ve already begun another shawl, in gold 50% mohair 50% wool ( I picked up a 2 lb cone at an estate sale a few years ago for $2).  I already know who it’s going to when I’m finished.  It will be interesteding to see the contrast between the heavy pink shawl and the airy, lacy mohair version when it’s finished.

Do you have a knitting pattern you love to knit up over and over?  ( Please share!  I’m NWKnitterMama on Ravelry.)

Little Knitter

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Look who’s knitting on two needles!

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We are all recovering from a pretty awful family-wide bug, so the past two days we’ve taken things very easy.  Sunday afternoon, Little Hen said she wanted to get some knitting done and set to work on her first real “project” -  a little wool cape for her beloved Waldorf doll, Princess Rooth.  It’s going to be a simple garter stitch rectangle made from purple heather worsted-weight wool (from my stash) on size 8s.   We’ll lace a purple velvet ribbon through one side when she’s done to make it into a cape for her doll.

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Firecracker had fun sitting next to her big sister, pretending to knit for a while, but eventually moved to the dining table to doodle monsters and princesses and such.

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Even the baby took an interest – attempting to disassemble the shawl I’m working on.  🙂

My ambitious girl has said next she’d like to make a scarf for her sister.   Just like her mama, she’s already thinking ahead to the next project.  I think we’ve got another knitting addict in the family!