Carefree Cover Up as seen in Creative Knitting Spring 2013

To Enter: Comment on this blog entry between 4/8/13 and 4/19/13.  Tell us your first name with last initial, your favorite Plymouth Yarn retailer along with their city and state.  Winner will be picked at random and notified by email or message.

Visit Plymouth Yarn’s Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest or Youtube Channel today.

Susan has won 10 balls of Encore Worsted color 389!

Thanks so much for all of your responses.  Here is a nice, quick little project for you to try. You can make one in every shade!

Pattern F142

GALWAY- CHUNKY or WORSTED
Felted Bracelet

F142 PDF Download
MATERIALS: 1 -100g ball of Galway Chunky or Worsted, set of double pointed needles size US 13, beads, needle & strong thread for sewing on beads.
GAUGE: 3 sts = 1 inch.
I-cord:  Cast on 5 sts.  Knit 1 row.  Without turning, slide sts to other end of needle, wrap yarn around back and knit the 5 sts again.  Slide sts to other end, and repeat wrapping of yarn, knitting, and sliding.

With either a single strand of Chunky, or a double strand of Worsted, cast on 5 sts.
Knit an I-Cord 11½” – 12” long (this will fit and average sized wrist of  7” to 7½”). Work to 12½” for an 8” wrist.

Cut yarn and thread end through a blunt point needle. Run needle through  the five sts on knitting needle. Slide the 5 sts off the needle but do not pull them together yet.

I-Cord produces a hollow tube much like fingers in a glove.  Place the beginning end of the I-Cord into the finishing end and gently tighten by pulling on the yarn threaded on blunt point needle.  Sew together trying not to make the join  too bulky as excessive bulk will cause a bump after felting.

Felt by hand as follows:
Wet bracelet thoroughly with hot water and dish detergent.  Gently roll around in palms like a ball for several minutes adding hot water as needed.  Unfold and refold bracelet to felt evenly several times during this process. Begin to felt more firmly rearranging the bracelet often and  adding hot water and soap as needed.  Turn on cold water and rinse bracelet for a minute.
Open bracelet and place over fingers with your palm facing you (like you are beginning to put in on to wear)  Using hot water and detergent.  Roll the bracelet back and forth on your fingers to felt in a different direction.  Felt around the whole bracelet.

Continue this process until the desired firmness and size is achieved.  Bracelet can be stretched while still wet to make larger.  Felt is very strong and you will not hurt it.
Squeeze out excess water with a towel and allow to air dry.  Sew on beads or whatever you wish. DO NOT sew beads on the inside of the bracelet (the part that touches you wrist) it will make the bracelet smaller.

Designed by Diana Shannon  ©2005 102105jbt

Covington

Up for grabs, we have a Covington Jacket.  It’s short sleeved, 100% mercerized cotton and perfect for summer.  Not only will you get the garment, already made,  but you’ll also receive the pattern and enough yarn to make another.

Pattern 1974 This is the garment you will receive.

Pattern also includes instructions for longer length

Visit and follow us on one or all of our hot spots,  Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.  When you come by, say hi, post a project photo, follow, retweet, repin us or subscribe to our blog.  Just let me know your out there, as I love to hear from you!

We will contact the winner on or about July 6th via direct/inbox message.

I wanted to share some of the links I found about kids knitting camps all over the country.  I’m trying to talk the boss into letting me review each one in person, individually.  I don’t think he’s going for it! After the links, check out a free pattern for a one ball purse in Boku.  A popular pattern for workshops and classes.

The Whole Nine Yarns, Woodstock, GA

Baskets of Yarn, Charlotte, NC

Kids Knitwork, CA

Stitch House, Dorchester, MA

Knit Picky, Winston-Salem, NC

Pattern F184 PDF Download

Pattern F184 Boku 1 Ball Purse

BOKU
Small 1-Ball Felted Purse

Size: Approx. Finished Measurements (after felting): 6” wide x 7” tall
Materials: Boku (shown in color 2): 1 – 50g ball
Gauge:  14 sts = 4” on a US 10 needle over stockinette st before felting.
Needles: US 10, or size necessary to obtain given gauge.  Small amount of Galway for sewing needed.
Note: Use a flat wool yarn such as Galway to sew purse together.

With size 10 needles, cast on 30 sts.
Rows 1-8:  Knit 8 rows.
Row 9:  K7, bind off 16 sts, K7.
Row 10:  K7, turn and using cable cast on technique, cast on 16 sts, turn back and finish knitting the row: 30 sts.
Row 11-16: Knit 6 rows.

Begin working in stockinette st: work 15½-16” in st st, leaving enough yarn to finish the handle at the other end.  End st st section with a purl row.

Second handle:
Rows 1-6:  Knit 6 rows.
Row 7:  K7, bind off 16 sts, K7.
Row 8: K7, turn and using cable cast on technique, cast on 16 sts, turn back and finish knitting the row: 30 sts.
Row 9-16:  Knit 8 rows.

Bind off.

Fold in half & sew up side seams using a flat wool yarn. (Use the Galway Worsted).  Felt.

Felting:
Set the washer to hot wash, cold rinse, and lowest water level.  Add a small bit of soap.  Place purse flat in mesh lingerie bag.  Do not put anything else in the machine.  Check on the purse every 5 minutes.  Felting could take 20-25 minutes or so.  Keep setting back the timer to make the wash cycle longer.  When desired felting is achieved, rinse and lightly spin.  Excessive spinning can set in creases.  Remove purse, lay flat and block out to a nice finished shape.  Straighten handle section.  Let dry.  With scissors or a razor remove any excess fuzz.

©2006 Plymouth Yarn Company.  Design by JoAnne Turcotte. All rights reserved.

We have a fantastic crew who gets to pick these fabulous yarns.  It takes a village you know.  They travel to Italy, Turkey, and Peru, just to name a few, to find the highest quality fibers so Plymouth Yarn can offer these to your favorite yarn shops.  We have a team of designers who get to play, I mean work, with all of the contenders.  They are always hard at work visiting trade and fashion shows to see the latest styles.  I consider myself a pretty good knitter but they never cease to amaze me when they demonstrate to us just what these yarns are capable of.

Without further ado…..fall yarns!

Soft and cuddly

Adore Color Card

Adore Pattern 2462

The beauty of Angora with a hint of sparkle

Angora Glitz Color Card

Angora Glitz Pattern 2383

Soft and lightweight Alpaca goodness

Baby Alpaca Aire Color Card

Baby Alpaca Aire Pattern 2353

Check out the video on youtube that features Bi-Use from Adriafil

Bi-Use Color Card
F437 Bi-Use Free Scarf Pattern PDF

Bi-Use Pattern 2354

Light and soft with a hint of glitz

De Aire Glow Color Card
F424 De Aire Glow Free Scarf Pattern PDF

De Aire Glow Pattern 2451

Fun, wild and unique.

Dakota Color Card
F423 Free Dakota Scarf Pattern

Dakota Pattern 2356

You can dye this with Kool Aid!

Great Hand Dying basics here

Roving style tweed, perfect for her or him!

Europa Tweed Color Card

Europa Tweed Pattern 2412

Europa Tweed Pattern 2407

Deep, saturated color. Let the yarn do the work! Customer favorite!

Gina Color Card
F430 Gina Free Cowl Pattern PDF

Gina Pattern 2415

Bulky and fabulous. Rich colors.

Grandiosa Color Card

F431 Grandiosa Free Hat Pattern PDF

Grandiosa Pattern 2421

A long time favorite in a new put up-in all of the best colors!

Jelli Beenz Color Card

Jelli Beenz Pattern 2452

Unbelievable colors, great Alpaca and Wool blend

Pasea Color Card

Pasea Pattern 2455

Your feet will thank you for making socks with this beauty. So many possibilities!

Sakkie Color Card

F447 Sakkie Socks Free Pattern PDF

Sakkie Pattern 2426

Soft and super bulky, I need a cowl!

Wilde Color Card

F429 Wilde Triangular Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Wilde Pattern 2429

Gorgeous colors and endless possibilities! Use with all your Worsted Merino Superwash patterns!

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Color Card

Worsted Merino Superwash Hand Dyed Pattern 2432

Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles! Make a one ball scarf in no time!

Joy Ruffle Color Card
F448 Joy Ruffle Scarf Pattern PDF

Big, bold and makes a statement

Joy Supreme Color Card

F444 Joy Supreme Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Ruffles and sparkles, you can't go wrong! One ball makes a scarf

Passion Ice Color Card
F445 Passion Ice Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Passion Nette Color Card
F443 Passion Nette Scarf Free Pattern PDF

Customers are having a blast with this one

Scandalicious Color Card

F415 Scandalicious Free Scarf Pattern PDF

Now that you have seen them all, get to your favorite yarn shop and get some! Color cards are available at plymouthyarn.com. Share your projects with us on Facebook and Twitter. Pin them on Pinterest! Have fun!

I have two prizes available.  You will receive a copy of pattern P417

Encore Worsted Sock Pattern P417

and two balls of Encore Worsted in color 1009,  Old Glory.

Old Glory, #1009

Your tootsies will love these socks, and think how great it will be to slip these on after a long day at the pool or beach! We know so many of you take part in charity knitting.  How about making these for your local veterans’ association?

Winners will be picked at random on Tuesday, May 29th.  Winners will be notified via email for blog submissions and inbox message on facebook.  Tweeters will be notified by direct message. So be sure to keep your eye out on Tuesday! Have a great Memorial Day weekend.

Camino Alpaca

I know many of you love it already because we are sending orders for it left and right!  This 98% Alpaca, 2% Nylon blend is a soft and wonderful yarn.  The color palate includes both brights and neutral shades that have been dyed using a tricolor injection method.  Our customers are telling me it’s the perfect Alpaca to use in projects for men because of the colors and composition of the yarn.  Check out our color card here.

So I asked some of our facebook fans what they most wanted to see a free pattern for today and Camino Alpaca was the clear winner.  Give your favorite yarn shop a call and get started this weekend! You can also try F412 PDF Download for easy printing.

Pattern F412

CAMINO ALPACA
Berry Stitch Hat
To Fit: Adult
Circumference: 21”
Materials: Camino Alpaca: 3—50G skeins, color 102
Gauge:  16 sts, 21 rows = 4” in st st on size 8 needles, 4.75 sts= 1” in Berry Stitch on size 8 needles.
Needles: US Size 8-16” circular, size 8 double points, stitch marker

Berry Stitch (Multiple of 4 sts)
Rounds 1 and 3: Purl
Round 2: *(k1, p1, k1) into next stitch, k3tog; rep from *
Round 4: *k3tog, (k1, p1, k1) into next stitch; rep from *
Repeat these 4 rounds for pattern.

HAT: With size 8 circular, loosely cast on 96 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds, increasing 4 sts evenly across last round. 100 sts.
Begin working in Berry Stitch.
When hat measures 8” from cast on edge, purl across next round, decreasing 16 sts evenly. 84 sts.
Round 1:  *(p5, p2tog); repeat from * (72 sts).
Round 2: purl
Round 3:  *(p4, p2tog); repeat from * (60 sts).
Round 4: purl
Round 5:  *(p3, p2tog); repeat from * (48 sts).
Round 6:  *(p2, p2tog); repeat from * (36 sts).
Round 7:  *(p1, p2tog); repeat from * (24 sts).
Round 8:  *(p2tog); repeat from * (12 sts).
Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

©2011 Plymouth Yarn Company. 093011vle

Just a few of our many Galway felted patterns

Enjoy this free pattern for a small felted bag.  I like to use these as gift card and cash gift holders.  I also have made a couple for my niece for Easter, and a wedding.  It’s very versatile and quick.

Pattern F319, Galway 2 Color Felted Bag

Before Felting

After Felting

Gauge: 10 sts = 4” in stockinette stitch before felting, done on a size US 13 needle; yarn used double stranded.
Materials:  2 skeins Galway—1 MC, 1CC.  Before starting- double strand each color by dividing balls in half.
Needles: 24”-Size 13 needles, double pointed needles- size 11 or 13.
Finished Size:  Approx. &” wide, 4” deep, 6” tall, not including handles.

NOTE:  Make handles first and set aside.  Use remaining yarn for the purse.
NOTE:  Use double strand of yarn throughout.

Handles:  With CC
Using double points- cast on 6 sts, leaving a long tail.  Work in I- cord on the 6 sts.  Work I cord until total length from beginning is 14”.  Bind off leaving a long tail.  Make second handle the same.  Set aside.

Body of Purse:
With the circular needle and CC, loosely cast on 20 sts.  Knit 22 rows.  Bind off loosely.  Change to MC, and pick up 21 sts along each long side and 11 sts along each short side: 64 sts.  Place marker.  Begin working in st st in the round (knit every round) for 8 rounds, ending at the marker.  **Change to CC and knit 4 rounds.  Next round: Change to MC and knit, picking up the back of the sts 4 rows below (first row of CC), and knitting them together with the st on the needle to make a large lump.  Work 8 rounds total in MC, repeat from ** 2 times more (3 CC ridges total).  Continue with the MC working: purl 1 round, knit 1 round, purl 1 round.  Bind off loosely knitwise.  Weave in all ends.

Sew the 2 handles along each long side- centered, with the ends about 5” apart.  FELT THE BAG AND LET DRY.
After felting:  Stretch over a box which is just slightly larger than purse to stretch the purse as it dries.
I-cord:
Work I- cord on the 6 sts as follows: **Knit across the 6 sts, then without turning needle, slide stitches to other end of the double pointed needle, wrap yarn around back of stitches and continue knitting from **.  Repeat this process until desired length is reached.

Felting:
Set the washer to hot wash, cold rinse, and lowest water level.  Add a small bit of laundry soap, not detergent.  Do not put anything else in the machine with the purse- things can get tangled in the handles and can distort them.  Check on the purse every 5 minutes.  Felting could take 20-25 minutes or so.  Keep setting back the timer to make the wash cycle longer.  When desired felting is achieved, rinse and spin lightly.  Spinning can set in creases.  Remove purse, stretch it over a sturdy box slightly larger than the purse.  Straighten handles.  Brush to remove excess lint or shave with a disposable razor.  Let dry, which may take up to 2 days.

©2010 Plymouth Yarn Company.  052510jbt

We would love to see pictures of your Galway felted creations.  You can post them on our Facebook page, contact us or email them to me, allisonp@plymouthyarn.com.

If you can dream it, you can felt it……..