Rattling On...

Micro mittens

I decided to make some tree decorations this year and these are what I came up with after a bit of tinkering around.

Why micro?

Because they are, on average, only 6cm long. They are made with DK yarn and only take tiny amounts, especially if they are striped, which also means they are incredibly quick to make.

They are real mittens with a proper little thumb as well!

The Pattern:

Using DK yarn and 3.25mm needles

Cast on 20 sts and rib 4 rows (K1,P1)

Work 4 rows in stocking st

Thumb: K12 and cast on 2 sts, turn and P6. Work 2 rows stocking st on these 6 sts. Next row: K2tog 3 times. Next row:P2tog,P1. Next row: K2tog and pull yarn through to secure. Sew up thumb seam and turn right side out.

With right side facing pick up and knit 4 sts from across bottom of thumb, knit across remaining sts to end.

On all sts work 5 rows

Next row (RS facing): K2tog, K6, K2tog, S1K1psso (slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped st over), K6, K2tog

Purl one row

next row: K2tog, K4, K2tog, S1K1psso, K4, K2tog

Purl one row, then cast off knitwise. Sew up side seam. Job done. Make a second and join with ribbon or, as I did, a crocheted chain.

If you decide on stripes make it a 2 row pattern and this falls well when doing the thumb.

For the heart: start the pattern on the first full purl row after the thumb has been worked. For the first mitt P5 then P1 in contrast colour, purl to end in main. On the knit row do 3 sts in contrast using the first as a centre guide. Next row 5 contrast, next row 2 contrast, 1 main (which is in line with the first centre purl in contrast), 2 contrast immediately above the previous row. Continue in main. 

For the second mitt, ie the opposite hand start the pattern on the 16th stitch- purl 15 in main, 1 in contrast....etc. This way the pattern appears on the back of each mitt. I hope the instructions aren't too garbled!

 

String-a-long Monday.

Here it is! The first string bag hot off the needles. I have to say it's a lot smaller than I imagined, though of course it stretches quite a bit.

The really big issue I have with it is the top opening, which is really small, and would limit what you could put inside the bag, although potatoes went in okay...

As the String-a-long is on for the whole of March I couldn't just leave it there, could I? So I started this one...

This is one of the patterns Sue sent me recently. I couldn't get the original weight yarn, so used 4ply cotton and a 2.5mm hook.

I've never come across this stitch before, but then I'm not really a very experienced crocheter...

As you can see from the pattern cover, this is much more tubular in shape, but is quite roomy all the same. It was very quick to do and didn't use much yarn so would be great to use up oddments. I reckon 50g would make two.

I think the pattern must be well out of copyright by now so here it is if anyone fancies having a go. Clicking on the picture should enlarge it.

 

Oh, and by the way, it really is no bigger than a powder puff!!

Only three weeks left. How many bags will I have by then!

Don't forget to check out what everyone else has been up to-they're all there in the sidabar. If you click on the String-a-long button you can also go to the Flickr page and see how the bags are turning out.

Breakfast set.

As Easter nears, the desire to make egg cosies usually creeps up on me. This year I decided to make a co-ordinating tea cosy as well. My current tea cosy is looking a bit tatty to say the least.

Even if you don't eat boiled eggs, the cosies are good for Easter presents with a chocolate egg in a cup.

Last year I posted an egg cosy pattern to match a tea cosy I'd made from a bought pattern, these are a variation on that, and the tea cosy pattern is a new one.

Tea cosy pattern:

 

This will cover an average sized teapot with a bit of room to spare, It could be inter-lined if you want.

Using DK yarn and 4mm needles cast on 70 stitches.

Row1. Knit1, Purl1 to end

Row2. Purl1, Knit1 to end

Repeat 1 & 2 twice more (6 rows)

Change colour if required (and do this every 6 rows) and work 36 rows (in my version this takes you to the end of the second yellow stripe). Height of cosy can be adjusted at this point.

Knit 2 together at each end of next and following 5 alternate rows (58 stitches) purl one row. In my version this brings you to the end of the second green stripe.

Decrease 1 stitch at each end of next 5 rows. Cast off knitwise. Make opposite side in same way.

Turn wrong sides together and sew edges. weave in loose ends. Turn right side out. Add fanciful decoration...pom poms, tassels (see link for pattern for tiny flowers) etc. I made the top knot using crochet. 4mm hook chain 12 and turn. Double crochet into 3rd chain space from end and double crochet in every following chain space to the end. Tie off, fold into loop and attach to centre top of cosy.

Egg cosy pattern:

Using DK yarn and 4mm needles cast on 32 stitches.

Row1. Knit1, Purl1

Row2. Purl1, Knit1

Repeat 1 & 2 once more (4 rows)

Complete 22 rows of stocking stitch. Next row should be a knit row, begin top shaping:

Row1. Knit 1 (Knit 2 together, Knit3) to last stitch Knit1

Row2 and each alternate row. Purl

Row3. (Knit 2 together, Knit2) to last 2 stitches, Knit2 together

Row5. Knit2 (Knit2 together, Knit1) to last 2 stitches, Knit2 together

Row7. Knit1 (Knit2 together) to end

Row9. (Knit2 together) 3 times, Knit1

Row10. Purl2 together twice

Row11. Knit2 together and fasten off.

Sew back seam, turn right side out and decorate!

Variation on a theme.

Do you remember this post?

Well, I haven't been busy making another one...someone else has. I got an e-mail from Rachel at slow lane life. She's returning to knitting and decided to make one for a friend's birthday, using the pattern I posted.

I'm so happy she sent the picture, and I love the colours she chose (the yarn is Rowan 100% cotton), which were tailored to her friend.

The friend I gave my version to was very pleased, she loves the soap as well, and doesn't knit or crochet herself so enjoys receiving handmade gifts.

Don't forget the giveaway, on yesterday's post, if you haven't already left a comment...and thank you for the lovely, positive ones left so far.

Scrub-a-dub-dub.

 I made this wash mitt for a friend whose birthday is in a couple of days. Last year I made her some socks.

It's made using Sirdar Freedom Organic 100% cotton DK in shade 609, a sort of eau de nil and very subtle.

Pattern:

Using 4mm/US 6  cast on 26 stitches with the thumb method.

Knit in garter stitch (plain knitting) for 40cm/16inches (picture 1). Cast off.

Fold in half and join side seams. Turn right side out.

Crochet round top edge in single crochet and add picot if required (picture 2).

To add picot (picture 3) join single crochet round with a slip stitch to form a complete round. I used a 2.5mm/size 12 crochet hook here, tiny I know but it gave the best and neatest edge. Chain 5, miss one chain space on first round, slip stitch in next chain space. Chain five, slip stitch into next-but-one chain space, repeat to end. To form hanging loop chain 20, fold and join with a slip stitch. Fasten off firmly and sew in all loose ends.

Present with suitable soap or shower gel!

This Roger and Gallet soap, green tea fragrance, smells divine. I also like the magnolia. The colours also look good together here, which is always good for a gift I think.

Here's a similar one I made for the upcoming swap. This isn't a mitt, it's more of a facecloth (or flannel as we call them). This was made using Sirdar Luxury soft 100% cotton DK in shade 671, a light blue. It's incredibly soft.

Pattern:

Using 4mm/US6 cast on 40 stitches.

Proceed in moss stitch, Knit 1 Purl 1, turn and Purl 1, Knit 1. So, you should then be knitting a purl and purling a knit- the opposite of ribbing!

Continue until desired length is achieved. I made it square and just kept folding diagonally until the sides were equal. This way no measuring is required.

Cast off, but do not break yarn...change to a 4mm/size 8 crochet hook and continuing with same yarn crochet one round, I did single crochet but a picot would look good here as well. Do 3 stitches into each corner to prevent curling. Join round with a slip stitch and fasten off firmly. sew in ends.

These are quick to make and I think are really great for presents. If you have lots of cotton oddments they could be stripy, or have a contrasting edging. They're great for kids as well. I prefer 100% cotton, or 100% bamboo (natural, in other words) as they wash well and keep their shape.

As always please feel free to ask if my instructions aren't up to par...

Edited to add: please also see this post for one Rachel made (and sent in a photo). And edited again! to add: see this post for Emily's version.

Ripples.

Yes, it's another scarf...I probably shouldn't be showing this yet as the recipient may be reading. But it's come out so well I couldn't resist. The circles remind me of ripples in water so I'm calling it the Ripple Scarf.

The yarn is Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino DK as always, it really is so lovely and soft. I made three sizes of circles in single colours and combinations. The whole is edged with one row of double crochet.

I've put the pattern for the circle at the bottom, I made 18 large, 12 medium and 12 small, but how many you need would all depend on the finished shape and design. The circles are very easy to do, only basic crochet skill is required, and they are relatively quick as well. The sewing-up took several hours though...

Circle: All instructions are in standard UK terminology

With DK and 4.5mm hook make a chain of 6 stitches, join ends with a slip stitch to form base loop.

Chain 3 (this forms equivalent of first treble), do 15 more trebles into the loop, 16 in all, join last to top of first chain 3 with a slip stitch. Fasten off here for small circles.

2nd round:Change colour if desired. Chain 3 and do a treble in the same space, then do 2 trebles in each following chain space to the end, join last with slip stitch. Fasten off here for medium circles.

3rd round:Change colour if desired. Chain 3 and do treble in same space, in next space do 1 treble, then 2 in next space...continue to alternate 1/2/1/2 all around. Fasten off.

Leave nice long tails as these can be used for the sewing up part.

I did one row of Double crochet all around the sewn up circles to neaten it.

Also see my Ravelry page for more info/pictures and add your project there!

A Tippet-at the double.

I made this little tippet last night, it took about three hours to do whilst watching a film. Once again it's Debbie Bliss cashmerino DK. I started to follow a pattern from a book, but it was so confusing I gave up and made up my own. I think the pattern must be printed incorrectly, as there is no way the instructions, as given, could be made to do what the 'making up' section advised. See, I read the whole thing before starting...That's one of the great things about crochet, you can shape as you go and sometimes just following a picture, or the outline of another garment is enough of a pattern.
I haven't decided how it will fasten yet, but as it's for No2 I don't think a brooch would be any good. Maybe a couple of poppers and a nice big button on the outside, or I may crochet a covered button. Have to think about that one. I used DK yarn and a 4.5mm hook. I chained 98-this is the short side of the tippet and is adjustable- just hold it up to your neck and add stitches as necessary. Using double crochet (dc) all through, I did 1 foundation row missing the first chain stitch of the row.
At the beginning of each new row do one chain stitch as the turning stitch and begin dc again, missing one chain loop before inserting the hook.To get the shaping I increased 1 stitch at the beginning and end of each row by doing 2dc into the first and last stitch on each row. Make up the stripes or go plain, and continue until it's the size you fancy. I did 13 rows, then one row of single crochet all round to neaten it off.

I'm no pattern writer, as you may have discerned...

Where did you get that hat?

 

I've finished another little Christmas present, or at least a part of one. This is a hat and scarf combo for my nephew, who's almost five.

It's knit in Sirdar Supersoft Aran colour 022 (a bit denimy), and it really is incredibly soft- perfect for small children. 

 
I made up the patterns, both knit on 5mm needles. The hat had 72 stitches and some shaping at the top, but next time I think I'd go straight up, cast off, sew along the top and add a pom-pom to each corner.

The scarf is just an impromptu basket weave using knit and pearl in a distorted rib, a bit like very large moss stitch.

Cast on in multiples of 2. Row 1. k2,P2.   Row 2. K & P as you see the stitches (as you would when doing a bog standard 2X2 rib pattern). Row 3. P2,K2.   Row 4. K & P as you see again. Another eally easy textured pattern.

Typepad is playing up again, so I'm stuck with full sized photos, I don't know if this looks good or not.  Very full on. I have been on a forum, a very masculine domain, and see that many people are having this problem, and worse. I do like technical things to run smoothly, there's enough to stress about-the blog is meant to be relaxing...

Quick and easy.

 

This is the throatwarmer I've just finished knitting. 

The yarn is Kaffe Fassett Colourscape Chunky produced by Rowan. It's just one skein, and came with a free pattern for a scarf, which I did start to knit. I didn't feel the lacy pattern was showing off the lovely variegated colours to their best effect, so I undid it and went for a much plainer double moss stitch.

 

The scarf-ring thingy is a piece of elastic with a giant mother of pearl button sewn onto it. I used the same yarn to sew through the button first, then used thread to attach it to the elastic. When the throatwarmer is being worn, the fabric surrounds the elastic so it's not visible. I think a brooch would also look good, or a corsage.

The yarn is basically a chunky weight. I used 7.5mm/Old Uk1 needles (Strangely there's no US equivalent...) and had 39 stitches on the go. I knitted until the yarn was used up, which only took a few hours. A word of warning, the yarn is quite fragile if pulled, so take care when fastening off to avoid snapping it.

 
 

A really quick and easy idea if you're ever stuck for a present. Of course you could use any yarn, or combination of yarns for different effects. Two strands of DK used together are roughly Chunky in equivalent.

Double moss stitch :

1. Using an odd number of stitches...K1, P1 to end
2. P1, K1 to end
3. P1, K1 to end
4. K1, P1 to end

Repeat these four rows. Easy...

If you make your own and are on Ravelry why not add it to the project page? (My link is at the top of the sidebar)

 

Cosy Up.

Here's another project from the Winter gifts book.

 

This was so easy to do and would be a great way of using up leftover yarn, I think a stripey version would be great. In the book the tea cosy is styled with ribbon on top but I made these really easy flowers. Pom poms would look good, or small pom poms on the end of ribbons. Endless options.

As Easter is coming up I also thought an egg cosy would make a fun present and I made up this pattern...

Using DK and 4mm needles cast on 32 stitches.

K1,P1 to end

P1,K1 to end   Then, moss stitch another 20 rows.

(Note: When the pattern says Moss1, it's just doing a knit into a purl, or a purl into a knit- the opposite of doing a ribbing!)

Shaping:

Row 1. Moss1,(K2tog,Moss 3)to last st, Moss1

Row 2. Moss1,(P1,Moss2) to last st, Moss1

Row 3. Moss1,(K1,Moss2) to last st, Moss1

Row 4. As row 2

Row 5. (K2tog,Moss1) to last st, Moss1

Row 6. (Moss1,P1) to last st, Moss1

Row 7. K1, (K2tog) to last st, K1 (9sts)

Row 8. (P2tog) 4 times, P1

Row 9. Cast off

Sew up seam.

 

The little flowers are made as follows:

Using DK & 4mm needles Cast on 5sts

1. Sl1,K3,turn

2. P3,turn

3. K3,turn

4. P3,turn

5. K4

6. P2tog,P1,P2tog (3sts)

7. K1,K2tog,pass 1st st over, cast on 4 (5sts)

Repeat to give required number of petals (3,4,5 etc) then cast off. Draw up petals and secure.

Add embroidered centres or a bead, button etc...

The shaping resembles that on the tea cosy so they make a good set, I think. It would be fun to give with a chocolate egg!