Posts tagged knitting
usy spring already! I keep promising myself that I’m going to sit down and start doing my blog again but I just haven’t had the time. Also, my camera is having some memory card issues that I need to figure out, so lately I’ve had to take all my pictures with my cell phone. Anyway, here’s a list of some of the things I’ve been up to. I plan to post more regularly again soon.
- Been knitting lots of socks out of this book on my commute to work.
- Kombucha making. I’m on my second batch already, the first turned out a little too sweet for my taste so this time less sugar and more fermentation.
- I got a new bike!
- Participated in Zine Fest a couple weekends ago and had a blast.
- Starting to work in a nearby community garden once a week in exchange for some of the common produce and a possible future plot. Super excited to get my hands dirty but also have some time for reflection and contemplation in nature.
- Still working through lots of health issues but staying positive, changing perspectives, finding peace, and pushing through the things that are hard.
What have you been up to so far this spring?
ino Hoodie that I knit for my nephew. This was supposed to be a Christmas gift but I had a surprisingly hard time with it. I was worried he was going to grow out of it faster than I could finish it. But in the end I love the way it turned out and am SO HAPPY to have it done and sent to Montana. Along with this hoodie I sent the book Dinosaur vs. the Library so he can read and play along.
omeone on Ravelry saw this square pillow friend that I made for my niece and asked for the directions. Originally this pattern was made by Jess Hutchinson and was found on Ravelry here. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem that a written pattern exists anymore, so I just did my best to make it up as I went, and it turned out great! I thought I’d attempt writing a pattern for it. WARNING: I wrote this from memory and have not tested it. If you have any problems or concerns write me on Ravelry, username peaceloveveggies. Have fun!
Squarey Knitting Pattern
(originally by Jess Hutchinson, written by Kristen Althoff)
Supplies:
3 skeins of worsted weight yarn in 3 different colors
1 pair #8 straight or circular needles
1 set #8 double pointed needles
2 15mm black safety eyes
12-inch pillow form
polyester fiberfill for stuffing arms and legs
yarn needle
Gauge:
This is the part you’ll have to take some time to figure out. Since we need this guy to fit over a 12-inch pillow form we need to make 2 12-inch squares. I figured out how many stitches across I would need by figuring out how many stitches it took to get me one inch of knitting in stockinette stitch (make sure to do a few rows to get an accurate measurement). I like to stretch the fabric just a little bit when measuring so that the final product will be snug on the pillow form. Once you have 1 inch of knitting take that number of stitches and multiply it by 12. This is your final cast-on number.
Directions:
FRONT & BACK (make 2)
Cast on the number of stitches you determined from your gauge in the main color.
Knit in stockinette for about 3 inches.
Switch to your second color and knit in stockinette for 3 inches.
Switch to your third color and knit in stockinette for 3 inches.
Switch to your second color again and knit in stockinette for 3 inches.
Switch back to your main color and knit in stockinette until the entire piece measures 12 inches. Bind off loosely.
ARMS (make 2)
Using third color, cast on 9 stitches evenly across 3 double pointed needles (3 stitches on each needle). Join for knitting in the round.
Knit in the round until you have a tube that measures 4 inches.
Decrease next round: *Knit 2 together, knit 1* repeat from * to * 2 more times (6 stitches)
Decrease next round: *Knit 2 together* repeat from * to * 2 more times (3 stitches)
Break yarn and draw through remaining 3 stitches. Cinch and sew in loose end.
LEGS (make 2)
Using main color, cast on 9 stitches evenly across 3 double pointed needles (3 stitches on each needle). Join for knitting in the round.
Knit in the round until you have a tube that measures 5 inches.
Decrease next round: *Knit 2 together, knit 1* repeat from * to * 2 more times (6 stitches)
Decrease next round: *Knit 2 together* repeat from * to * 2 more times (3 stitches)
Break yarn and draw through remaining 3 stitches. Cinch and sew in loose end.
FACE
Using a yarn needle and the second or third color (your choice) embroider a smile into the fabric just above the stripes. I made one embroidery stitch for every 1 knit.
Place the safety eyes about 2 inches from each side and about an inch above the stripes.
STUFFING
Stuff the arms and legs with fiberfill and sew the ends of each shut
FINISHING
Starting at the top of the 2 squares begin sewing the pieces together. When you reach the stripes you may want to switch thread color so it matches. Before sewing the stripe with the third color, place the flat end of an arm in between the 2 layers of fabric and sew it in as you go. Do this for both sides but leave the bottom open.
Put the pillow form inside and start sewing up the bottom, making sure to put the legs in the same way you did the arms as you go.
Sew in any loose ends. Hug and enjoy!
nitted sweater for Bill. I’m trying to figure out the collar, I need to find an extra 10 stitches to pick up. This first attempt made it a little too small to fit over his head (I’m sure the needle being in the knitting probably isn’t helping either). It did make for a pretty funny picture, though, so my hour of work was not in vain.
hese are some make believe outfits that I made for my nieces. I knitted them and Bill picked out books to go along with them. The first is Little Red Riding Hood and the second is Rapunzel. I’m the worst at finishing gifts on time so these just went out to Tennessee today. My sister says it’s fine because it extends Christmas. I guess that’s true—but seriously—one of my main goals this year is to be more on time with gifts! I always need to start working on them long before I think I do. Anyway, I hope you enjoy these, I had fun with them!
