Now that my Easter ham is gone and the jelly beans have been eaten, it’s time for me to get set for the next Spring celebration. Wouldn’t mom love a homemade gift this Mother’s day that doesn’t involve elbow macaroni and glitter?
Since I’ve become a mother, I love all the things my son glues and glitters up for Mother’s day. Those paintings and attempts at pottery will be cherished forever. However, my mother and mother-in-law most likely would not appreciate it if I made them a plastic beaded bracelet. But homemade gifts are still cherished, this I know from the great Christmas cowl knit-a-thon I endured just a few months ago. So this year, I have started on new pattern in a favorite yarn and wanted to share it with you.
If you’ve read my blogs before, you might know that I love felting. It’s been a while since I’ve felted anything so I am excited to see how my new washer will do(I guess that means I get the test mitt!). I also came across a couple of charms at a craft fair that I want to sew in at the end. This oven mitt made in Galway is going to be adorable. I love the wide range of colors, it’s perfect to match everyone’s kitchen. Check out the free pattern below.
Materials: 2 balls Galway Worsted
Needles: US #11 (8.0 mm) double pointed needles, Stitch markers
Gauge: Not important on this project –
about 2.5-3 sts =1”.
NOTE: Galway used double stranded throughout.
Loosely cast on 46 sts and divide onto 3 DPN’s. Join, taking care not to twist and work 1 ridge of garter st as follows: knit 1 round, purl 1 round.
Continue in st st – knitting every round for 15 rounds.
Next round: With a piece of waste cotton, knit next 5 sts. Slide the 5 sts just worked back to the LH needle and picking up the MC yarn, Knit them again. Continue working in st st for 24 additional rounds.
Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round and between sts 23 & 24. Work decreases at the top of the mitten as follows:
Round 1: * (SSK, knit until 2 sts remain before marker, K2tog), repeat from * once more for second side of mitt.
Round 2: Knit all sts.
Repeat these 2 rounds until a total of 20 sts remain.
Divide sts onto 2 needles and work Kitchener st to join at top of mitt. Weave in ends.
Thumb
Remove the waste cotton and place the 5 sts at the bottom of the opening onto one DPN and put the 5 sts at the
top of the opening on another DPN. Knit 5 sts from first needle, pick up and knit 3 sts on side between needles, k5 from second needle, pick up and knit 3 sts between needles. Distribute the 16 sts between the 3 needles. Work 10 rounds in st st.
Begin decreases at top of thumb as follows:
Round 1: (K2, k2tog) 4 times.
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: (K1, k2tog) 4 times.
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: (K2tog) 4 times.
Cut yarn and thread onto tapestry needle. Pull yarn through all sts on the needles and pull top of thumb
together. Weave in ends.
Felting Instructions
Place the mitt in a zippered bag and put in washing machine with a small amount of soap and a pair of old jeans.
Use lowest water level and hottest water temperature possible. All machines work differently so check the progress about halfway through the first wash cycle. Check to make sure that the thumb has not felted to itself.
Depending on machine, and water chemistry and temperatures, two or three cycles may be required to fully felt the mitt. Once felted to desired level, rinse and spin lightly so as to remove excess water, but not create creases. Pull into shape and air dry over a tall bottle.
Peter Cottontail is about to embark on his bunny trail. This time of year, I like to create smaller or lighter projects that I can throw in my bag and take to my son’s baseball games. This little bear was my project last weekend.
The pattern calls for Fantasy Naturale, and I used the same colors listed. There is a huge color selection with Fantasy Naturale so the possibilities are endless and it’s so easy to customize. I found that because of the mercerized cotton , the bear was soft, smooth and cuddly. I know my little guy will love it (he’s 6 so don’t dare tell his friends he still likes to sleep with a bear!)
There is just enough time to knit a keepsake gift for that special little boy or girl in your life. You can tuck it right in their Easter basket after the bunny puts all those sweets in!
Finished Size (Approx): 5” x 9”
Materials: 1- 100g hank of Fantasy Naturale (MC) and (CC), small pieces of black yarn for face. Shown in colors 7360 (MC) and 5398 (CC).
Gauge: 18 sts = 4” on a US 7 needle over garter st.
Needles: US 7, double pointed and straights. Crochet hook size E. Polyfill stuffing, stitch holder.
Beginning at head: Use double pointed needles & MC.
With MC, cast on 25 sts. Work in the round. Knit for 2½”.
Next row: *(K3, k2tog); repeat from * around: 20 sts. Knit 2 rounds even.
Next round: *(K4, M1); repeat from * around: 25 sts. Knit 1 round even.
Next round: (K8, M1); 3 times, end k1: 28 sts.
Knit even in the round for 3”.
Next round: K14, place remaining sts onto a stitch holder, or spare needle.
Leg: Working on 1 set of 14 sts only in the round: knit for 2½”. Next round: (k2tog) around. Cut yarn, pull through remaining 7 sts. Pull up tight and fasten. Reattach yarn to remaining sts, repeat as for 1st leg. Sew up crotch area.
Stuff Bear legs. Sew a seam across top of legs to allow them to bend. Stuff Body. Sew up across head.
Ears (Make 2): Using straight needles, & MC, cast on 4 sts. Knit 1 row. Next row: P1 M1, p2, M1, p1: 6 sts. Work in st st for 1½”, ending with a purl row. Next row: K1, k2tog, k2tog, k1: 4 sts. Purl 1 row. Bind off. Fold ear in half with purl side out. Sew in place. With small bits of black yarn sew on eyes, nose, mouth.
Arms (Make 2): With double pointed needles & MC, cast on 10 sts. Work in the round for 2”. Next row: (K2tog) around: 5 sts. Cut yarn, pull through remaining 5 sts. Pull up tight and fasten. Stuff Arm. Sew up cast on edge and sew that edge to side of bear. Repeat for other arm. Wrap yarn around neck area to accentuate neck.
Vest: With straight needles & CC, cast on 30 sts. Work in garter st for 1½”, ending with a WS row. Next row: Divide: Knit 7 sts, BO 1 st, Knit 14, BO 1 st, K7 sts. Working on last set of sts only, knit 2 rows. Decrease 1 st at beginning of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts. Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”. Bind off. With WS facing, reattach yarn to center back sts Work even until total length is same as front. Bind off. With WS facing, reattach yarn to remaining 7 sts. Knit 2 rows. Decrease 1 st at end of next row and every following alternate row 4 times total: 3 sts. Continue even until length from underarm is 1½”, same as other front. Bind off. Sew up shoulder seams. Make 2 chains with crochet hook for ties in front, sew in place.
Bow tie: With straight needles & CC, cast on 8 sts. Knit for 7 rows. Bind off. Wrap a strand of yarn several times around the center to draw it in. Tie off. Run a strand of yarn behind the bow, through the wraps. Use this to tie around back of neck. Weave in all ends.
Stitching for America is an event for all to participate. It’s a collaboration of thoughts from Tarie Williams, www.yarnheaven.com, a person near and dear to Charity Knitting and The Plymouth Yarn Company. It is to help our neighbors who have been affected by the recent devastation of the floods, tornadoes, etc. If we all unite together, we can help.
The following Local Yarn Shops have been generous to offer their services for receiving donations and distributing to those affect by the recent tragedies.
Yarn Heaven, www.yarnheaven.com W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington, TX, 76013, Tel # 817-226-9276
Of course, there are many other areas in the USA that have been affected. This list is not limited to the above. All are welcome to participate. This is an event to help those in need.
Graphics donated by:www.Heatherink.com
The following patterns have been donated from Plymouth Yarn:
Are you still wearing your scarves and trusty cowl when you leave for the office in the morning? I did take the fingerless gloves out of my pockets. We are ready for Spring! I will finish up my last warm and fuzzy WIP this weekend then I will count all the little sprouts in my garden, maybe even buy some mulch. Of course, I’ll be waiting at least a couple of weeks until my husband gets all my gardening tools out from behind the snow blower and shovels in the shed. So since I know I’ll be waiting, I have a little project in mind and wanted to share with you.
Let’s talk about Whitney, which is new this spring. Whitney is an aran weight 91% cotton, 9% nylon blend and available in 16 rich colors that are just perfect for so many projects. Whether you are using it for babies, kids, adults or home accessories, you will not be disappointed.
Here is a great project to get you started. I’ll be making a bunch of these bibs as there is always a baby coming and mom can never have enough. What a special gift this bib will make. That’s why you need to make at least two, one to use and one to cherish! Visit your favorite yarn shop and ask for Whitney today!
F386
WHITNEY
Baby Bib F386 Whitney Baby Bib PDF Download
Size: 1 size
Materials: 1- 50g ball Whitney; size 7 needles,
1 button.
Gauge: 4.5 sts =1” over garter st.
Bib:
Loosely cast on 4 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K2, yo, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat Row 2 until you have 45 sts.
Begin decreasing as follows: K1, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit to the end of the row.
Repeat this last row until you have 26 sts left.
Next row: Bind off 20 sts, knit to the end of the row: 6 sts left.
Make Strap:
On the 6 remaining sts, knit every row for 7”.
Make buttonhole: Next row: K1, k2tog, yo twice, k2tog, k1.
Knit 7 more rows even.
Work buttonhole row, followed by the 7 plain knit rows- twice more for 3 buttonholes in all. You will be ending with 7 knit rows. Bind off on next row. Sew on a 1” button as shown in photo. You have 3 length adjustments possible with the 3 buttonholes. Weave in all ends.
Our company is located in Bristol, Pennsylvania. We are local sports fans and show our pride throughout our offices and warehouse. On January 22, Penn State University lost their ” winningest coach” Joe Paterno to lung cancer. In honor of “JoePa’s” career, that spanned 61 years at the school, we wanted to share this pattern with you as it was originally designed with Penn State in mind.
Actual Finished Measurements: Scarf 8 X 50 , Hat 23 X 8 inches
Materials: Encore Worsted (50g) Color A/Color B Scarf 1/1 , Hat 1/1 balls
Gauge: 12 sts = 4” in garter stitch on a US 11 needle, or size needed to achieve gauge.
Needles: 24” circular size US 11 for the scarf, 16” circular size US 10½, and size US 10 or US 10½ double pointed needles for the hat.
.
Team Scarf:
With 1 strand of color A, very loosely cast on 150 stitches, leaving an 8” tail. Cut yarn, leaving another 8” tail. Attach a strand of color B, leaving an 8” tail. Knit 1 row. Cut yarn leaving another 8” tail. Attach a strand of color A, leaving an 8” tail. Knit 1 row. Cut yarn, leaving another 8” tail. Continue in this manner, knitting only 1 row with a color before changing to the other color. Leave an 8” tail at each end of every row. Continue until almost out of yarn, or until desired width, ending by knitting last row with color B. Bind off very loosely with color A. Knot tails together in such a way as to give you 5 groups of fringe on each end. Trim fringe as desired.
Team hat:
With 16” size 10½ needle and color A, loosely cast on 70 sts. Join. **Drop color A, attach color B, knit 1 round. Drop B and purl 1 round with color A. Repeat from ** until total length is 8”, ending with a purl round.
Begin decreasing, changing to double pointed needles when necessary:
With B, *(knit 8, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 7, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 6, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 5, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 4, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 3, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 2, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(knit 1, k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Purl 1 round with color A.
With B, *(k2tog), repeat from * to end of round. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts. Draw up tight and fasten. Weave in all ends.
Most people will make a New Year’s Resolution for 2012. We want to lose a few pounds, save more money, drink less coffee and be more organized. But what are your New Year’s Knitting Resolutions? I’d like to share a few of ours with you, along with the resources to help you accomplish them!
1. Knit for yourself! Now that you have the feeling back in your fingers from the last-minute-holiday-crunch knits, sit down and find a pattern that you want for you. Even if it’s as simple as a new scarf. Think of the time you will have to fit in knitting for yourself. If you only have an hour or two a week, think of a spring or summer shawl so when you are done your project, it will be the right season to use it. Here are a few to consider….
2. Make a gauge swatch. I am notorious for not following my own advice on this one. I often go blindly into a project. I learned my lesson just a few weeks ago while making a Christmas gift for my niece. I switched a yarn in a pattern for a slouchy hat. There were very few differences between the two yarns, fiber content and put-up were the only things that jumped out at me. My slouchy hat ended not fitting my niece but fitting my husband and I can’t talk him into wearing a purple hat with a touch of glitz. Check out this article from knitty.com on the importance of and how to knit a gauge swatch.
3. Use your stash! I tried to use my stash this year for all of my holiday knitting and will try to continue to do so. I ran out of masculine colors and only had to purchase a few balls! I am left with mostly baby yarns so I am hoping for a very long, cold winter so I will get news in the spring that I have some babies to knit for. I am going to use some for charity but I will get to that later in this post. There are some wonderful things you can do with those one or two skeins you picked up. If you have 100% wool, felt, felt, felt! Small coin purses, small bags, small bowls and headbands. Have a baby or wedding shower to attend? If you have cotton, consider washcloths. I have one that a friend made me almost 10 years ago. It was in my wishing well at my bridal shower and it may be the only linen that hasn’t needed to be replaced! Hats are a great way to use up the stash too. Here are some pattern ideas you can try.
4. Finish the projects you start. I’ll admit it, I have 3 wips in my inventory for about a year now BUT I also started and finished at least 20 others this year. Will I ever finish those other 3? Hopefully, maybe, well, I can’t answer that question. There are some great reasons why this should be a resolution you keep. First is if you get to the end and realize you need just 20 more yards, it may be impossible to track down the dye lot. Second is while I always try to have a couple pairs of needles in each size, they do me no good if they are tied up in a project I’ve been procrastinating on, then I am off to buy another set or borrow from one of my many knitting buddies. Which isn’t so bad I guess as I get to see all the new arrivals at my LYS. Third is the most obvious, that baby will grow right out of that sweater you started. I am going to choose my projects more carefully and think ahead to make sure I have the time and supplies I need to complete them. Try looking up your patterns on Ravelry and get real world tips, advice, materials lists and pictures of finished products.
5. Knit for Charity. I know so many of you are already doing this and it’s such a wonderful opportunity to use your talents. I send scarves to a local homeless shelter. I can get them done in one or two nights while I’m watching t.v. and it’s a great way to use your stash. Check with your local yarn shop, they will likely have a program set up for donations of all sorts. Here is a list of just a few organizations we have had contact with….
6. Use your technology! Did you know there’s an app for that? Use your smartphone for more than Angry Birds! I use my iPhone for everything. There is a free app (called Needles) for cataloging your needles so you know what you’ve got on hand. It can also direct you to the nearest yarn shop when you are on the go! Vogue Knitting and Knitting Daily are available too. YouTube is a great resource for how to videos on just about everything. I’ve used it to learn a new stitch and how to knit with the new ruffle yarns. You can also find yarn reviews there. I can’t talk about technology without mentioning Ravelry. If you haven’t joined yet, get on it! It’s a fantastic resource for everything yarn, patterns and the people who love them.
I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday and the gang here at Plymouth Yarn wish you a very Happy New Year.
There are so many amazing charities out there doing wonderful things for those who truly need it. There are thousands of busy hands that are right now knitting a chemo cap, gloves, blankets for babies in the hospital, prayers shawls and the list goes on. I am proud to say that I get to work in an industry where so many people are willing to give up their time and their stash to help others.
I recently got an email regarding an organization, Hair Flair For Hope. I loved their site and what they do is a bit different than some of the other charities. Here’s what they have to say “HairFlair for Hope is a creative non-profit project which utilizes the community to craft colorful, one-of-a-kind wigs (wearable art) for women and children who have experienced hair-loss due to medical illness or treatments.” Here is just one of their many creations….
Kate Pierson of the B-52's
To learn more about HairFlair for hope check out their website
They also host “make a wig” workshops, accept wig applications and you can donate at their website.
Check out their facebook page for tons of great wig photos.
You can tell the holidays are right around the corner. The phones are ringing off the hook in the office, the fax machine is practically smoking and email boxes are bursting at the seams. I am more excited this year then ever before. Why, do you ask? Well, it’s the new Joy collection of yarns we have been shipping to our shops. I finally was able to get a ball of each and I whipped the scarves up in no time this weekend. I wanted to share the yarns and patterns with you. Call your favorite local yarn shop TODAY because everyone is telling me it’s flying off the shelves.
First we have Joy Metallic. It’s a super quick knit full of ruffles and sparkly goodness. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve out on the town or with a pair of blue jeans.
Materials: 1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size: 4” x 48”
Needles: Size US 10.
Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the glitter effect is at the bottom. Cast on 8 sts across the top edge using a size US 10 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening per stitch. Knit every row.
Next up we haveJoy Prism with it’s sweet ruffles and delicate loops of sparkle. The color palette will go with everything in your wardrobe.
Materials: 1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size: 4” x 55”
Needles: Size US 9.
Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the prism effect is at the bottom. Cast on 7 sts across the top edge using a size US 9 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening for the first stitch of every row, then skip a track hole each time for the other stitches of the row. Knit every row.
2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 092711jbt
Last but not least, we have Joy Rainbow. Lots of beautiful ruffles in feminine color combinations without the sparkle.
Materials: 1 hank.
Approx. Finished Size: 3” x 48”
Needles: Size US 10.
Knitting Instructions: Spread open the mesh. Turn sideways so that the rainbow effect is at the bottom. Cast on 6 sts across the top edge using a size US 10 needle. Knit through the top edge openings – one opening for the first stitch of every row, then skip a track hole each time for the other stitches of the row. Knit every row.
2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 092711jbt
If you would like a little guidance on how to knit with ruffle yarn, you can check out Plymouth Yarn‘s YouTube page and view the “How to knit with Joie de Vie” video as the instructions are similar. Always knit through the top edge with the effect at the bottom.
I hope you have as much fun as I am with our Joy collection of yarns, keep your eyes peeled for new additions to the line. Have you made scarf already with one of these yarns? Come visit our facebook page, post a picture and tell us all about it.
I subscribe to just about every knitting magazine or at least get a chance to peek at them here in the office(don’t tell the boss). This week, I found a real gem and wanted to share it with you.
One of my favorite yarns, DeAire, a super bulky, soft, luxurious, fine merino wool is featured in Vogue Knitting‘s Holiday issue on newsstands November 6th. Check out their special Collector’s Issue featuring an A to Z guide of the latest knitting styles. P is for Poncho! Designer Marcia Cleary, sizes small/medium(15 hanks), large/X-large(16 hanks), 2X/3X(17 hanks). Using DeAire white, color 100. You can see the entire collection on VK360°
Vogue Knitting Holiday 2011, photo by Paul Amato
On another note, did you know that Plymouth Yarn is now the exclusive North American distributor for Grignasco yarns? We carry 9 varieties of this gorgeous yarn and 3 of their beautiful books. Ravelry is chocked full of fabulous patterns for these yarns. I couldn’t just pick one to share so click here for the link to all of them! Find a shop in your area to purchase any of the items mentioned.
