Mock Cable Booties

Size: prem, 0, 3mo

Materials:

4ply yarn 25g

size 3.25mm needles

Abbreviations:

TW2: knit into front of 2nd st on left hand needle then knit into front of the first st, slipping both st off the needle at the same time

Method:

Make 2 - begin at the ankle.

Using 3.25mm needles cast on 46, 50, 50 sts and begin pattern

1st row: P2, *K2, P2, repeat from * to end

2nd row: K2, *P2, K2, repeat from * to end

3rd row: P2, *TW2, P2, repeat from * to end

4th row: as 2nd row

these 4 rows form the "mock" cable pattern

Work a further 20, 20, 24 rows pattern (decrease 14, 16, 14 sts evenly along last row) 32, 34, 36 sts

Shape instep:

Work in stocking stitch for remainder of bootie (knit one row, purl one row)

Next row: K20, 21, 22 turn

P8

turn

Continue on center 8 stitches for 14, 16, 18 rows stocking stitch (There should be 12, 13, 14 stitches on either side)

Turn, break yarn and leave these 8 sts on left hand needle

Shape sides:

With right side facing, rejoin yarn to the first group of 12, 13, 14 sts at right edge. Knit up 10, 13, 13 sts evenly along first side of instep, knit across 8 sts of instep then knit 10, 13, 13 sts evenly along other side of instep, then knit across remaining 12, 13, 14 sts to end.

Work 7, 9, 9 rows stocking stitch beginning with a purl row

Shape heel and toe:

1st row: K2 tog, K 22, 26, 27, K2 tog, K2 tog, K 22, 26, 27, K2 tog

2nd and alt rows: Purl

3rd row: K2 tog, K 20, 24, 25, K2 tog, K2 tog, K 20, 24, 25, K2 tog

5th row: K2 tog, K18, 22, 23, K2 tog, K2 tog, K 18, 22, 23, K2 tog

6th row: Purl

Cast off loosely and join seams.

Chevron Crochet Afghan (zig zag stitch)

Zig Zag Crochet also known as chevron crochet produces an awesome result. You need at least 3 different colours for the zigs and zags to look effective and you can crochet in your favourite stitch! I prefer double crochet for this afghan. Single crochet is just too teensy and the result is quite tight. Half double crochet is also nice and thats what I used for my Grandbaby's Cot Blanket - the mint/white and lemon one above.

The beauty of this is that you can use whatever ply yarn that takes your fancy and whatever hook size you want to use. I usually use 8 ply yarn and a size 5.5 hook. Play with your stripes. One of my favourite rugs is the blue one pictured. It has 6 rows of Colour 1, 3 rows of Colour 2, 6 rows of Colour 3,  3 rows of Colour 2 then back to Colour 1 ....

Here is a basic pattern:

The only stitch you need to know how to do is double crochet (dc)

Note: V stitch is: one double crochet into the hole of the row below, then 2 chain, then another double crochet into the same hole.
...
Materials: I usually use 8ply wool and a size 5.5 hook, 4 x 100gm balls of 3 different colours - total 12 balls

Make a chain as wide as you want your blanket. For example 160 chain. Increase or decrease in multiples of 24
Row 1: dc into the second chain from the hook - continue in dc  to the end of the row, last chain - 1 dc ,1 chain, 1 dc
TURN
Row 2: 4 chain, 1 dc into the first hole in the row below, **7 dc into the following next 7 holes, SKIP 2, 7 dc into the next 7 holes, V STITCH into the next hole** repeat to the last hole ... 1 dc, 1 chain, 1 dc into the last hole.
TURN
Row 3: 4 chain, 1 dc into the first hole in the row below, **7 dc into the following next 7 holes, SKIP 1, 7 dc into the next 7 holes, V STITCH into the next hole** repeat to the last hole ... 1 dc, 1 chain, 1 dc into the last hole.

Row 3 is the pattern, repeat until your rug is as long as you want.

The V stitch is the peak of the zig zag and the skip is the trough.


have fun!

Knitted Hotwater Bottle Cover

This is a hottie cover I usually knit on circular needles but I broke the wire on my size 8mm and decided to try knitting it up on the flat. You'll end up with a side seam but because you use fluffy wool the seam isnt obvious AND you can always knit it on circular needles - the principle is the same. I absolutely love knitting these up because they grow so fast, I whip one of these up in about 3 hours. They are lovely and thick so you wont burn yourself and the fluffy yarn makes them snuggleable.

Ingredients:

2 x 50g balls of ostrich, eyelash, feathers or any of that lovely cheap fluffy yarn you can get these days

1 x 100gm ball of a matching 8 ply yarn
size 8mm needles and size 6mm needles

Method:

You are using one strand of the fluffy yarn and one strand of 8 ply knitted together as one strand.

On size 8mm needles cast on 52 stitches.

Knit in stocking stitch (knit 1 row, Purl 1 row) until your work measures 10 inches (25cm)

Shape the "shoulders"

Knit 2 tog, knit 24, knit 2 tog, knit 24

Purl 2 tog, Purl 23, Purl 2 tog, Purl 23

Knit 2 tog, knit 22, knit 2 tog, knit 22

Purl 2 tog, Purl 21, Purl 2 tog, purl 21

Knit 2 tog, *knit 6, knit 2 tog* to end of row

Change to size 6mm needles and using 2 strands of 8 ply knitted together as one knit 1, Purl 1 to end of row

Continue in rib until work measures 8 inches (20cm)

Cast off leaving a long tail to sew your side seam and bottom seam.

Turn right side out. "Squish" your empty hottie into it's cover, fill with hot water and ENJOY!

For circular knitting you just KNIT around and around and around until your work measures the required length. Do the "shoulder" shaping thus: Knit 2 tog, knit 24, knit 2 tog, knit 24, knit 2 tog, knit 23, knit 2 tog, knit 23, knit 2 tog, knit 22, knit 2 tog, knit 22, knit 2 tog, knit 21, knit 2 tog, knit 21. Work the extra decrease row: knit 2 tog, *knit 6, knit 2 tog* to end. Change to your size 6mm needles and work in rib for the required length. Cast off. Sew the bottom seam and turn right side out.

Still working on my Africa Flower Afghan

Just thought I'd post this so y'all know why I havent posted anything recently. I still have a few hexagons to make AND all those half hexagons but I decided to sew some together just to satisfy my curiousity about what the heck it would look like completed.

Not bad huh?

Knitting pattern: 8 ply "London" Beanie ... now known as Hamish's TeenieBeanie

My teenage son Hamish asked me to make him a beanie but "not one of those chunky hats with that stupid fold up" Hey, no problem! Actually it turned into a drama of googling and googling and resorting to an old 70's hat book my mother-in-law gave me years ago. I loved the LONDON beanie http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt16.htm because it's exactly what Hamish wanted but it's knitted up on worsted weight (Aran weight) wool on size 4.5mm circular needles (which I have but wasnt in the mood to use). The first line said to cast on 72 stitches .... hmmm, that's not right I thought. I'd just finished making a beanie for myself with 12 ply on size 6.5mm needles and had cast on 70 stitches to get a fabulous result - there was no way 72 stitches on size 4.5mm needles would work.


Ugh! American knitting patterns drive me crazy!

Here is Hamish's TEENIE BEANIE

Recipe

Ingredients: 

               1 x 100gm ball of 8ply wool

                size 4mm needles

Method:

Cast on 92 stitches

1st row: *knit 2, purl 2*, Repeat ** to end

Repeat 1st row until work measures 6cm

Next row: knit to end

Next row: purl to end

Repeat last two rows until work measure 14cm

Next row: *knit 7, knit 2 tog,* repeat ** to end (NB: you WONT have 7 stitches at the end. Just knit whatever is left to complete the row. Don't fret - it looks great when it's finished and whoever gets close enough to count your decrease rows needs shot)

Next row: Purl to end

Next row: *knit 6, knit 2 tog*, Repeat ** to end 

Next row: Purl to end

Next row:  *knit 5, knit 2 tog*, Repeat ** to end

Next row: Purl to end

Next row:  *knit 4, knit 2 tog*, Repeat ** to end

Next row: Purl to end

Next row:  *knit 3, knit 2 tog*, Repeat ** to end

Next row: Purl to end

Next row: *knit 2, knit 2 tog*, Repeat ** to end

Next row: Purl to end

Next row:  *knit 1, knit 2 tog*, Repeat ** to end

Next row: Purl to end

Next row: *knit 2tog*, Repeat ** to end

Break wool leaving a long tail. Thread tail through the remaining 10 stiches on the needle and pull tight.

Sew your seam neatly.

                                                                                 Thanks Mum!

Crocheted Can Cap

So many projects, so little time!

I've been busy this past week working and also my daughter Lisa and grandson Jayden came to visit from Northcliffe so I haven't had much time to crochet or knit. Lisa noticed my pile of can labels sitting on the microwave and couldn't picture a Can Cap so I whipped one up for her.

Isnt she a cute model?

There are heaps of different tutorials on the internet for making these. I liked the concept of recycling something and making it into something so totally, radically different.
I am seriously considering combining PLARN and cans and having a hat that is made fully from trash. If I ever make it I will post a photo of it.

Send me your cans!

Plarn - recycle your supermarket bags!

CREATING A BALL OF PLASTIC YARN:
Straighten the plastic bag and lay it flat on the table or ironing board which is where I cut mine.  
Smooth to remove any trapped air.

           
Start by cutting off the bottom and handles/top of the grocery bag.  
      


            1) 
These are fastened together with a half hitch knot.  1) Lay out 2 loops, laying 1 loop on top of the other.  2) Pull  the top loop under and through the bottom loop.  3) This will form a half hitch.
  2) 3) 4)
4) Be really careful when you pull the knots as flat as possible without stretching the plastic - it WILL break.
     
After all loops are fastened together--roll into a ball.  
This can be crocheted like 'yarn'.
This ball is your 'yarn'. from which bags, mats and etc can be crocheted. 
NOTE: You cannot stretch the yarn tightly over your fingers as it will stretch the yarn and break it. As you crochet, hold it firmly but not tightly.
This link will take you to a fabulous website with free patterns to use your plarn for.

http://www.myrecycledbags.com/

Enjoy!