Chevron Blanket (knit version)

Here is another baby blanket pattern. I have made several chevron blankets (crocheted) since I was little but had never made a knit version. I couldn't find any patterns that were knit and baby size, so this is what I came up with. I hope you like it.

Materials:

Needles: US Size 13 (9mm) 24-inch circular
needle .

Yarn:
Color A
2 - Encore Worsted (Color 029)
Color B
2 -Encore Worsted (Color 1201)

1 - Yarn Needle

Gauge: 8 stitches to 12 rows for 4 inches (in pat-tern).
Measurements: 37 inches in width and 34 inches in length

Tip:
Instead of changing color to achieve striping you could hold a solid and a variegated yarn (Encore Colorspun) together for a more subtle striping.

Abbreviations:
K - Knit K2tog - Knit 2 together SL– Slip stitch
PSSO -Pass slip stitch over - You will be passing the previous slip stitch over the knit stitch as if to bind off. This achieves a right slanted decrease.

Holding yarn doubled, with color A, cast on 98.
Row 1: purl row.
Row 2: K1,*(K1, YO, K5, SL- K1- PSSO, K2tog, K5, YO, K1)*, repeat from * to * 6 times, K1.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 with Color A a total of 7 times.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 with Color B 7 times.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 with Color A 7 times.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 with Color B 7 times.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 with Color A 7 times.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 with Color B 6 times
Last row: Bind off.

Finishing: Using your yarn needle hide your ends, wash and block. When blocking lay the blanket out (while still damp), pin the points and allow the blanket to dry. If you crochet you may want to single crochet across each end or around the entire blanket to help the Chevron pattern to lay flat.

If giving this as a gift; be sure to include washing instructions and a little extra yarn just in case the blanket needs mending.

Copyright 2006, Knittingnonstop. This pattern and pictures are the property of Knittingnonstop. All right reserved. No unauthorized reproduction of this pattern is allowed. No commercial reproduction of this blanket is allowed without prior written permission.

Night on the Town Bag

I needed a small bag to take with me to a wedding. Nothing too big but big enough to hold my id, lipstick, powder, money etc... You could make this bag with a variety of different yarns. You don't have to use sequins if your not a flashy girl. Plain Berroco Suede makes a really cute bag. You could also change out the handles to get a different look. If you make this pattern please send me pictures.

Materials: I used approximately 60—80 yards.

Sequin & Suede Version:
US size 9 straight needles
1 Berroco Mirror FX (Color 9004)
1 Berroco Suede Deluxe (Color 3999)

Variegated Purple Bag:
US Size 10 straight needles
2 Plymouth Magnum (Color 2110)

1 Yarn needle
1 Pair of handles—Handles shown can be beaded if desired.
Stitch holder.

Abbreviations:
K - Knit K2tog KFB- Knit in the front and back
P –Purl RS –Right Side
SSK - Slip slip knit WS-Wrong Side

Stitch How To:
KFB - knit into the front and back of the same stitch (1 stitch increased)
SSK -slip 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, insert left needle into both stitches and knit together (1 stitch decreased)
K2tog –Insert needle into next two stitches and knit them together. (1 stitch decreased)

Please Note: If you are making the sequin and suede version hold both yarns doubled throughout.

(Make 2, 1 for the front and 1 for the back of the bag)

Cast on 11 stitches.
Row 1: Purl row.
Row 2: *K1, KFB*, repeat from * to * 5 times, K1. (16 stitches)
Row 3: Purl row.
Row 4: *K1, KFB*, repeat from * to * 7 times. (24 stitches)
Row 5: Purl Row.
Row 6: *K1,KFB*, epeat from * to * 11 times. (36 stitches)
Row 7: Purl Row.
Row 8: *K5, KFB*, repeat from * to * 5 times. (42 stitches)
Row 9: Purl row.
Row 10: Knit row.
Row 11: Purl row.
Row 12: Knit row.
Row 13: Purl row.
Row 14: Knit row.
Row 15: Purl row.
Row 16: *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * 5 times. (36 stitches)
Row 17: Purl row.
Row 18: Knit row.
Row 19: Purl row.
Row 20: *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * 11 times. (24 stitches)
Row 21: Purl Row.
Row 22: Knit row.
Row 23: Purl row.
Row 24: Knit row.
Row 25: Purl row.
Row 26: K1, K2tog, K5, bind off 8, K4, K2tog, K1. (14 stitches)
Tie a scrap of yarn or place a marker at each end of this row.

Working on the first 7 stitches only.
Row 27: Purl 7, place remaining stitches on stitch holder.
Row 28: SSK, K3, K2tog. (5 stitches)
Row 29: Purl 5.
Row 30: SSK, K1, K2tog. (3 stitches)
Row 31: Purl row.
Row 32: Knit row.
Row 33: Purl row.
Row 34: Bind off.

Place remaining 7 stitches on holder back on needle and repeat rows 27-34.

Finishing:
Place front and back together with right sides facing. Whip stitch front and back together beginning at row 26 marker. The top of the bag will be used to attach the handles.

Handles: If you plan on beading your handles do so first before sewing the handles on the bag. You will not be able to bead them after they are sewn on.

Front: To attach the handles fold the top of each side over the handle and whip stitch it down. Repeat this for the back of the bag.

Lining your bag: Lay out your fabric. I folded mine in half with the fold at the bottom of the bag. Lay your bag on top of the fabric. Cut the fabric an inch and a half bigger than your bag following the shape of the bag. Sew the sides together or if you don’t like to sew use Therm O Web to fuse the sides of the bag together. Once that is complete fold over the top of the lining and with a needle and thread attach your lining to the inside of your bag. If you desire you may also sew in a small snap to help keep your bag closed.

Your bag is now ready for a Night on the Town.

Chevron Blanket (crocheted version)

As I have mentioned before I have crocheted since I was five. This is a pattern that I created to make a fast crib size blanket. It is crocheted on a big hook with the yarn held doubled. This blanket makes me think of my great grandmother. I still have some of the blankets she made. I hope you enjoy the pattern.

Materials:

Size M crochet hook
3 skeins - Encore Worsted (Color 793)
3 skeins - Encore Worsted Colorspun (Color 7744)
1 - Yarn Needle

The striping in the blanket is achieved by holding a solid and variegated yarn together.

Gauge: 8 stitches to 5 rows for 4 inches (in pattern).

Measurements: 33.5 inches in width and 38 inches in length

Abbreviations:
ch –chain sk –skip
hdc –half double crochet st(s) –stitch(es)
sc –single crochet

Holding yarn doubled chain 84.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of next 6 st, 3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 sts, sk next 2 sts, * sc in each of next 7 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 sts, sk next 2 sts *, (repeat from * to * 2 times), sc in each of next 7 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 7 sts, ch 2 and turn.

Row 2: (Ch 2 from previous row counts as first hdc). Sk 1st sc, hdc in next 6 sts, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in next 7 sts, sk next 2 st, *hdc in next 7 sts, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in next 7 sts, sk next 2 sts*, (repeat from * to * 2 more times), hdc in next 7 sts, 3 hdc in next st, hdc in next 6 sts, hdc in top of ch 2 st from previous row. (85 hdc, including the ch 2 st you started your row with.) Ch 2 and turn.

All following rows: Repeat Row 2 until you run out of yarn or blanket is desired length and width.

Finishing: Using your yarn needle hide your ends, wash and block your blanket. If giving this as a gift; be sure to include washing instructions and a little extra yarn just in case the blanket ever needs mending.

Copyright 2006, Knittingnonstop. This pattern and pictures are the property
of Knittingnonstop and are shared for individual personal use only. No commercial
reproduction of this blanket is allowed without prior written permission.

PA Knit & Crochet Festival

Yesterday my friend Debbie and I went to the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. The ride was nice, a little over two hours. The Garmen Streetpilot 550 got us there without a hitch. There were 40+ vendors. One of them even had Angora bunnies for sale. No I did not come home with a bunny, but that doesn't mean that I didn't think about it. Now onto the stash enhancements. What's inside the bag you ask?

First up is some malabrigo (color 135 Emerald) that I purchased from Uncommon Threads. I think that I may use it to make another Cherie Amour. I really love the color. I also bought a single hank of malabrigo (color 20 Cypress) to make Koolhaas.

Next, I bought some Alpaca with a Twist Baby Twist (colors 1008 & 0100) from Fiberworks (Dayton Ohio). I will be using it to make the Deep V Argyle Vest. This yarn is soooo soft and each hank is 549 yards. The color of the blue in the picture is not accurate. It's more of a gray blue.

My next purchase was from Brooks Farm. They had so many beautiful yarns it was hard to choose. I decided to purchase two hanks of Acero (color Maritime -I think) and the Magic Shawl pattern. I'm going to make this for my grandmother for Christmas.

Next, I stopped at Bloomin Yarns and I decided I needed to purchase a bag to carry my purchases. I could not resist the Sweet Life bag by Amy Butler (Ashbury - Pewter). The ladies working the booth were a lot of fun. I would like to take a road trip out to there shop some time.














Victoria's House of Needlework was my next stop. I purchased two colors of pace sock yarn. I'm going to use this to make Eunny's Endpaper Mitts. I'm excited, I can't wait to start these.

Finally I stopped at Cultured Purl. I bought a pattern to make four different types of animals. There is an elephant, lion, zebra and a giraffe. You can use almost any yarn but the samples they had made up were out of Noro blossom. I have some in my stash and I had no idea what I was going to use it for until now. Also, I purchased a knit kit to make a sirdar baby sweater. The yarn is Sirdar Snuggly baby bamboo (color 133). I don't know if it was the yarn or the baby on the pattern that convinced me to buy it.

Debbie also made some really nice purchases. She bought a lace blocking kit and some yarn for a shawl from Knitting Notions. They had some beautiful shawls knit up with their yarn. All in all it was a very nice trip and I'm now officially cut off from making any more yarn purchases. I'm glad that we went yesterday because this is what it looks like outside today.

On the Road

Tomorrow is the big day. I am going with my friend Debbie to the 4th Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. I am hoping to get some yarn to make Eunny's Deep V Argyle Vest, Endpaper Mitts and the Cables and Lace Kimono Wrap Cardigan by Sweater Babe. Sorry no knitting content again. I was on Ravelry for 3 hours adding my projects, stash, queue etc... If you haven't joined you have to. For awhile it was taking a long time to get your invite once you registered but now it's only taking a little over a week. I didn't think I was going to like it but I am having a lot of fun. I have met quite a few knitters in my area. You can never had too many knit buddies.

Newly acquired stash from the Knit and Crochet Festival to follow......

Rough Night

No knitting content today because I have had a couple of rough nights. It has been raining with thunder and lightening for the last couple of nights. Not that rain is a problem it doesn't bother me, usually makes good sleeping weather. The only problem is my almost 80 lb dog that is afraid of the thunder and lightening. I woke up multiple times with him trying to sleep between the DF and I rolled up in a ball on our pillows. He doesn't seem to care that he is laying on our heads. Once I made him move in between us, off of our heads, we could at least try to get back to sleep. Then a loud crack of thunder and a lot of lightening and he starts shaking. I had flash backs to when my grandparents use to take my brother and I on vacation. We went out west and my grandfather would always stop at these hotels that looked liked the Bates Motel. The best part was they had the little coin box on the wall that allowed you to put a quarter in and the bed would shake for two minutes. My grandparents use to have to limit us to one quarter a piece. Ahh... the good old days.

So as I said no knitting content today but I did buy some knitting inspired fabric. I first saw this on Alison's blog. She made some adorable knitting bags for her buddies. I haven't sewn much in the past 10 years but how hard can it be to make a bag. (I am knocking on wood right now).











I love these skulls with knitting needles. Sometimes I feel like the guy on the right when I have a knitting deadline and it's a project that I just don't want to work on. I also purchased some coordinating fabric to line the bags.

Here is a final picture of all the fabric that I bought. I might use this pattern here. I love it. Hopefully it's easy enough for me.

The Anthrologie Inspired Capelet

As I promised here is a finished picture of the capelet. I am really pleased with the way this turned out. When I was knitting it I thought it was going to be small but it fits perfect.

Pattern: Anthropologie inspired capelet

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca, sport weight 100% alpaca (held doubled)
Color: Natural Dark Gray (509), 3 hanks
Size: Pattern is written for one size but it could
be easily modified by casting on more stitches.
Modifications: After I split the sleeves and body
the pattern says to knit 4 rows in reverse stockinette.
I knit for two inches because I was afraid that the top
would be too short. I'm glad I decided to make it longer.

I know that I said I was going to cut myself off from any future yarn purchases. Well, I might have to allow some exceptions at least for this weekend. Saturday Debbie and I are going to the 4th Annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. It should be a good time, Annie Modesitt is going to be there. Well, it has been a long day I'm off to bed.

Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun

I had my knitting buddies over last week. We ate a lot, laughed a lot and caught up on knitting projects. There was even a little wine drinking but that was limited because wine and knitting can turn into knitting disasters. Two of our buddies were unable to join us (Christine & Karen). We missed them very much. I met all of these lovely ladies at the Knitting Garden in Westlake Ohio when I taught knitting and crochet classes. The shop has closed but we have all decided that we will have a get together each month. So I decided to have the first party at my place.

(Left to right: Debbie, Robin, Christy and Jackie)

As you can see in the picture Jackie is wearing the Sunrise Circle Jacket that she made. She used Cascade 220. I think she used color (9453). Here is another picture that shows the detail better.

I promised I would post about what projects each of the ladies were working on. Debbie (Ravelry link) was working on the Lace Leaf Scarf. Jackie was working on a Blue Sky Alpaca baby blanket. Robin was working on a Suss Shawl and Christy was working on Drive-Thru from Knit and Tonic. I finished up the capelet that I was working on. The night went by so fast. Too bad we have to wait another month to get together. I will leave you will some pictures of the party favors that I gave each of the ladies. The pink ones are end of row markers.