Scaley Vase Cozy - Update!

Hey, I know it's been a while since I gave any love to my old patterns, so I've updated the Free Vase Cozy Pattern! It's much easier to read now, and includes more photos and a bonus additional pattern to make some pencil holders using worsted weight. I updated the original post with the new info pointing you here, and from here, check out it's new pattern page on Ravelry. Let me know in the comments (here, or on Ravelry, or both!) and let me know if you like it. Do you prefer the version made with thread, or worsted weight? Are there other sizes you'd like to see this in?

Owlet

Little Owlet

This little owl can keep you company on those lonely nights when you can't fall asleep. After all, she'll be up anyway.

Head & Body
Using the magic loop method, work 6 single crochet in the ring and pull it tight, and prepare to work in the round
Row 1: Work 2 sc in each stitch (12)
Row 2: Work *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch* around (18)
Row 3-9: Work 1 stitch in each stitch around
Row 10: Work  *1 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches* around(12)

If you want to add safety eyes, this is the point to do it. Also, it helps to add at least some stuffing here, as it gets a little harder once you've got the whole body made to get enough stuffing all the way down to the head.


Row 11-13: Work 1 stitch in each stitch around
Row 14: Work *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in each stitch* around (18)
Row 15: Work *1 sc in next 2 stitch, 2 sc in each stitch* around (24)
Row 16-20: Work 1 stitch in each stitch around
Cut thread  and stuff

Base of body
Using the magic loop method, work 6 single crochet in the ring and pull it tight , and prepare to work in the round
Row 1: Work 2 sc in each stitch (12)
Row 2: Work *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch* around (18)
Row 3: Work *1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next stitch* around (24)
Cut thread and attach to bottom of body.

Wings (make 2)
Using the magic loop method, work 6 single crochet in the ring and pull it tight , and prepare to work in the round
Row 1: Work 2 sc in each stitch (12)
Row 2: Work 6 stitches, chain 1, turn

Row 3:  Skip 1 stitch, work 5 stitches, chain 1, turn
Row 4:   Skip 1 stitch, work 4 stitches, chain 1, turn
Row 5:   Skip 1 stitch, work 3 stitches, chain 1, turn
Row 6:   Skip 1 stitch, work 2 stitches, chain 1, turn
Row 7: Skip 1 stitch, work 1 stitches, chain 1, turn
Cut thread and sew to body

Enjoy! :)

Midnight Top

This top is made in 2 pieces, but can be made in 1 if you don't mind the lace facing differently. There is some minimal seaming, but its just side seams, and some grafting if you want the lace facing the same way. This top offers a lot in the way of customization, so instead of line-by-line instruction, this is more of a guide to help you make a top that fits you.

Free Pattern - Spiral Pouch

Spiral Pouch

Purses. They always contain too much stuff. The thing you want is always at the bottom of the bag. It's a mess. I for one, am sick of it. If you're with me, let's make a pouch. Together, we can build a better future, where things are organized, and you don't have to dig through a huge pile of stuff. Just a small pile of stuff, which is conveniently in pouches.

Unless you're already an organized person. Then, you're already ahead of the game, but you're still welcome to make a pouch. :)

This is really more of a recipe, you can use any needles and any yarn to produce any size bag. The one pictured was made with worsted weight yarn, using size 7 double pointed needles (dpns). I also think these would make super cute gift bags, worked up on larger needles, or over more stitches. I'll probably try that on the holidays.

Summer Stripes

This summer tube top is the perfect way to use u leftovers from a big projects, and it's super cute, too! The instructions are for a size 36/38C chest, but after the instructions, I provide the formula I used to create it, so you can customize it to any size you need, theoretically from child to all sizes of adult.

This pattern makes use of short rows, and if you're unfamiliar with them, Knitty has a pretty good tutorial, though any other method or tutorial that you're comfortable using will do the trick, this isn't a very picky pattern, and doesn't require a specific method.

Cuppycake Potholder

Cuppycake Potholder

    This is a very simple pattern, and very open to adaptation. The following is to produce a potholder identical to mine, but feel free to adjust this pattern to suit your neds, or to use the chart for something else entirely.

    This pattern makes use of double knitting, which creates a reversable fabric with the added benefit of being twice as thick, to protect your hands from the heat. For safety, you MUST use a flame-resistant fiber if you intend to use this as a potholder. If you’ve ever done a burn test, you’ll know that synthetic fibers like (acrylic or nylon) or a plant fiber (like cotton or linen) will melt and burn, respectively. This is true even in a blend. I recommend 100% wool, but feel free to stash bust some other, more luxurious fibers, if you wish.

Gague: 5 stitches by 6 rows per inch

Finished Measurements: 4 inches by 5 inches

Needles: Size 7

Yarn: I used Worsted weight yarn, but maintain a similarly tight gauge when substituting

To begin, cast on 20 stitches, holding two strands as one. If doing a reversable design, the two strands will be different colors, but if the design is to be the same on both sides, it’s possible to use just one center-pull ball, using strand from the center and the outside. Then, knit the first 2 rows, seperating the individual loops to back a “back layer” and a “front layer”. The front layer faces you, and the back layer faces away from you, but both sides are stockinette on the outside. The wrong side of both layers are facing each other. Knit two rows plain, then begin the chart. After the chart, knit 2 more rows plain, then bind off all stitches.

If you don’t want to go to the trouble of double knitting, it is of course possible to knit this twice and seam it together in the end.

Valentine Hearts

Valentine Hearts

This pattern is for three different sized hearts. The smallest really needs no stuffing, though it is possible to do if you like it to have a more full appearance. The smallest ones, I designed to be part of a garland, but of course, you can do whatever you want with them.

These hearts are easy to make, easy to customize, and easy to love! Perfect for beginners who want t practice increasing and decreasing, they'll fly off your needle in no time. This is also a good proect for beginners, because tension is relatively unimportant, so you can take whatever yarn and needles you have, and start right away. The only guideline I'd offer is to use a relatively tight tension, to prevent the stuffing from showing through or leaking out; this is especially important if you're giving this as a gift for a small child, as the stuffing can be a choking hazard.

Bunny Hat Pattern

UPDATE JUNE 2017: I'm leaving this version up on the blog, seeing as how it's knit to a different gauge and creates a different size from the updated pattern, but this is NOT the same pattern as the one for sale in my store. In my opinion, this one is a lot worse, and creates a hat too small for most newborns. It might fit an older preemie, maybe, but I'm not guaranteeing it;  the proportions are not really right. However, this post is really popular (in particular with certain pattern distribution sites... ) so I'm just leaving it and you get what you pay for.


I promised this for a long time, and I'm finally able to post it: The Bunny Hat!

Here's what you'll need:
- Size 7 Double pointed needles, or circular needles for working magic loop
- A stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round
- A yarn/tapestry needle
- Scissors
- About 2 ounces of worsted weight wool
- Stitch holders for the ears
Gauge:
 Seven rows per inch, working stockenette in the round

Cast on 64 stitches and distribute for working in the round. Join the work, and be careful not to twist it.

Work four inches in stockenette, give or take 1/4 inch for the rolled brim.

Decrease pattern:
1. *K7, K2tog* around
2. *K6, K2tog* around
3. *K5, K2tog* around
4. *K4, K2tog* around
5. *K3, K2tog* around
6. *K2, K2tog* around
7. Knit 8, then place them on a holder. Knit 16 stitches, and place the last 8 on a holder. Knit 8 more stitches to finish the round.
8. *K1, K2tog* around
9. *k2tog* around
Cut yarn, draw through remaining stitches

Ears (Make 2)
1. take 8 stitches off the holder, and place on a double pointed needle. Work Icord for 1.5 inches
2. Decrease at the beginning of each row until only 2 stitches remain. Bind off and cut thread.

Tie the ears in a knot, weave in all ends, and enjoy!

Free Pattern - Vase Cozy

This is my first time uploading a pattern, and actually it's my first time having a pattern written up at all. I'm sorry that it's not that good, but the editor I used wasn't that good, so I was a bit limited. That said, I'm sure my skills will improve, so moving on.  EDIT June 2017: New link to the new, improved pattern! (old PDF link to the pattern removed) and I'm trying to get it put up on ravelry, so I can start putting up more and better patterns.

In other news, I've been making steady progress on my shawl. I'm set to finish it up today. I had a minor setback when I reached the last leaf repeat: I had dropped a stitch waaaaaaay back in the  previous repeat and had to rip back to there. TT_TT The photos are from when I finished ripping back, before I put it all back on the needles. I also seem to have less yarn than I thought, but it's working out that it will be of a workable size, and since that's the important part, I'm not all that concerned. The pattern is Frozen Leaves by  Anusla  (Rav Link and Anusla's Blog). It's a really charming pattern and even though I had some difficulties and had to start over once, and rip back and redo parts multiple times, it's been difficult to ignore and I just couldn't rest until I had worked on it at least a little bit each day. I've been knitting in class and on the bus, but that's not exactly different from normal. u.uU Still, I'm really excited to get this blocked and start using it.

In other, slightly off topic, but nonetheless interesting news, my cat has taken to just generally hanging out in the shower. Of course, he won't when wet, but the fact that he has walked into it multiple times and it was wet does not seem to dampen his interest in hanging out there when it isn't. He has never showed interest in the shower before now, and there was even some negative experiences with the shower for him. (It's not my fault. Sometimes, you just have to wash the cat. Not that he could ever understand that... ) So now we have to be careful not to turn the shower on while he's using it (!) because then he would be quite offended. Xp