Edna Rose

It is my Gran's 94th birthday on Friday. I am sure she wouldn't mind me saying that. Once you get past 90 I think every birthday is a trophy! So what do you give a 94 year old for her birthday? I mean, really, if you don't have everything you need and want by 94 when are you ever going to have it?

So I decided to honour Gran's birthday by designing something especially for her. May I present "Edna Rose", not-so-skillfully-modeled by me.


The pattern if you are interested.....

Materials

110 metres / 120 yds 8ply (DK) yarn. I used Bendigo Woolen Mills Classic

4mm 40cm circular

4mm DPNs

Stitch marker

Darning Needle

Glossary

p2tog: purl 2 stitches together

yf: bring the yarn forward to the front of the work

ssk: slip one stitch onto the right needle, slip another, knit through the back loop

k2tog: knit 2 stitches together

gauge : 22cms /10sts

The beginning

CO 120 sts

Join to work in the round (be careful not to twist your stitches)

Work 10 rounds of 2 x 2 rib

The pattern (Lily of the Valley)

Round 1: *k5, p2tog, k2, yf, k5, yf, k2, p2tog, k2* repeat to end of round

Round 2: knit all stitches

Round 3: *k4, p2tog, k2, yf, k1, yf, k2, p2tog, k7* repeat to end of round

Round 4: knit all stitches

Round 5: *k3, p2tog, k2, yf, k3, yf, k2, p2tog, k6* repeat to end of round

Round 6: knit all stitches

Round 7: *k2, p2tog, k2, yf, k5, yf, k2, p2tog, k5* repeat to end of round

Round 8: knit all stitches

Round 9: *k7, p2tog, k2, yf, k1, yf, k2, p2tog, k4* repeat to end of round

Round 10: knit all stitches

Round 11: *k6, p2tog, k2, yf, k3, yf, k2, p2tog, k3* repeat to end of round

Round 12: knit all stitches

Repeat rounds 1-12 three times or until work measures approximately 15 cm from beginning

Decrease Rounds

Round 1: *k2tog, k3, p2tog, k2, yf, k5, yf, k2, p2tog, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 2: *k2tog, k14, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 3: *k2tog, p2tog, k2, yf, k1, yf, k2, p2tog, k3, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 4: *k2tog, k10, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 5: *k2tog, k1, yf, k3, yf, k2, p2tog, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 6: *k2tog, k7, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 7: *k2tog, k4, yf, k1, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 8: *k2tog, k4, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 9: *k2tog, k2, ssk* repeat to end of round

Round 10: *k2tog, ssk* repeat to end of round

Thread end through remaining stitches and secure.

This pattern is provided free for your own personal use. You may knit it for yourself, as a gift, a swap or for charity. This pattern is not intended for commercial use. Any intended commercial use requires permission in writing.

Reliving your childhood.

Sitting out the window on Puffing Billy. You Melbourne folk know just what I mean....

Hat Week

And it was the week to knit hats....

Really this is about avoiding working on the laptop-bag-from-hell that I love in a strange "don't want to touch the damn thing" sort of way. It is has just become such a large thing that I think I will make some major mods and just finish the damn thing. I am convinced that it is the 2m of handle that is really putting me off. So what is a girl to do faced with such a dilemma?

INSTANT GRATIFICATION! And what is the best instant gratification (apart from dishcloths)? HATS!

First I knit a Jacques Cousteau Hat for Jason from 100purewool merino worsted. Such a lovely, smooshy yarn. Jason was less than enamoured with the last hat I knit him (can't blame him really, it was hideous) so I thought I would try this one for him. He seems to quite like this one. I did the turn up 5cm shorter than the pattern suggested and it has turned out very practical in that you can wear it well turned and then if the weather turns more feral pull it down right over the ears.

Next I completed a Dizzy for myself in lime green Cotton Fleece. This was my first experience of this yarn and I really like it. It has been sitting in my stash for some time and I just couldn't think what to do with it. This has turned out to be a lovely project for it. I may even knit some matching wrist warmers from it. The pattern worked out nicely but took quite a lot of guess work to get there.

In my patterns I like to err on the side of mind-numbing detail rather than risk someone not getting my intent. I know this isn't everyone's way but sometimes I wish it was....

Thirdly Duncan requested a hat "juts like Daddy's but flat like yours". I took that to mean a JC without the turn up and he seems happy enough. His is knit in Country Silk like his hoodie that he loves and wears to death.

Sadly there might be one last hat before the week is out. It is Gran's birthday and a quickie, lace hat might be just the thing....

The Seamless Kimono Sweater

Firstly, let me philosophically point out that to me this is a jumper, certainly not a sweater. I am however pragmatic at heart and realise that many more people in the Internet world use the term "sweater" than they do "jumper" for such a garment. I know that the Aussies and Canoadians will cope! Flexible folk we colonists.

Anyways, back to the post at hand. I got halfway through a seamless baby kimono and ran out of yarn. Given the current baby boom that seems to be on I thought I might start another whilst I waited for more yarn to arrive from Jolly Jumbuck. I got a little ways into it and decided to formalise a mod that I had been thinking about for a little while - the Seamless Kimono Sweater - so here it is!

I have only written it in one size (approximately 3 -6 months) but there may be more sizes to come as people get back to me regarding the resizing I have done on the kimono pattern. This version is knit in Moda Vera Merinos Fine 100% and some very cheap Sullivan's baby yarn.

If you are interested.....

Seamless Kimono Sweater

Requirements:

100g (230 – 250 m) 8 ply yarn
4 stitch markers
4mm 80cm circular
4mm 40cm circular
4mm DPNs
Waste yarn
Stitch holder
Darning needle

For embellishments (if required)

Approximately 10 g (much less than a ball) of 4ply yarn
2.75 mm DPN’s
OR
1m of Ribbon

Gauge: 22sts / 10cm

Size: 3 – 6 months

For additional sizes click here

Glossary

pm – place marker

kfb – knit front and back

slm – slip marker

yo – yarn over

Body

CO 34 stitches using the 80cm circular needle.

Row 1: kfb, pm, kfb, k4, kfb, pm, kfb, k18, kfb, pm, kfb, k4, kfb, pm, kfb

You have now created the right front, right sleeve, back, left sleeve and left front between the markers.

Row 2: purl across
Row 3: k1, yo, kfb, slm, kfb, k6, kfb, slm, kfb, k20, kfb, slm, kfb, k6, kfb, slm, kfb, yo, k1
Row 4: purl across
Row 5: k1, yo, knit to stitch before next marker, kfb, slm , kfb, knit to stitch before next marker, kfb, slm, , kfb, knit to stitch before next marker, kfb, slm, , kfb, knit to stitch before next marker, kfb, slm, kfb, knit to second last stitch, yo, k1.
Row 6: purl across.

Continue repeating rows 5 and 6 until there are 50 stitches between the2nd and 3rd markers (across the back)

Create the sleeves: k1, yo, k to first marker, place the sleeve stitches onto waste yarn, pm, knit back stitches, place the other sleeve stitches onto waste yarn, pm, knit to last stitch, yo, k1

Next row: purl across

The body:

Row 1: k1, yo, knit to second last stitch, yo, k1
Row 2: purl across
Continue repeating rows 1 and 2 until there are 32 stitches on both front panels (the sections outside of the markers).

Using the 40cm circular begin knitting the next row stopping 14 stitches from the end of the row. Bring the other end of the 40cm circular in front of the remaining 14 sts on the 80cm circular, knit one stitch from either needle together until all stitches are joined in the round. Knit to the left hand side marker. This is now designated the start of the round

Next round: knit all stitches

Eyelet round (if desired): *k2, yo, k2tog* repeat for entire round

Knit a further 27 rounds.

Body Bottom

Round 1: knit to 4 stitches before second marker, p4

Round 2: p4, knit to 4 stitches before marker, p8, knit remaining stitches

Round 3: knit to 4 stitches before second marker, p4

Round 4: p4, knit to 4 stitches before marker, p8, knit remaining stitches

Round 5: knit to first marker, turn

Next row: knit back to marker, turn

From this point both the front and the back are worked back and forth.

Knit 4 rows of front, BO loosely

With right side facing, rejoin yarn to back, knit 6 rows, BO loosely.

Sleeves

Evenly space the sleeve stitches on 3 DPNs.

With the right side facing, locate the centre bottom of the sleeve opening. Pick up two stitches from the left of the opening and continue knitting the round, picking up two additional stitches onto needle 3

Knit 35 more rounds

Alternate purl one round, knit the next for next 4 rounds.

BO loosely

Finishing

Weave in ends.

To end up with a sweater exactly as shown you need to create two flowers as follows:

CO 36sts.

k1, BO4, [k2, BO4] repeat until 1 st remains, K1 and thread yarn through remaining 12 stitches and pull tight. Thanks to Kath at http://kathok-knitting.blogspot.com/ for the flower instructions.

The larger flower is worked with the 4ply double stranded on 4mm needles, the smaller flower uses the 4 ply and the 2.75 mm needles.

Knit at least 70cm of I-cord using the 4ply and the 2.75mm needles and thread it through the eyelets. Alternatively you could use ribbon or nothing.

Block finished item.

This pattern is provided free for your own personal use. You may knit it for yourself, as a gift, a swap or for charity. This pattern is not intended for commercial use. Any intended commercial use requires permission in writing.

Could a mother be more proud.

The grade one assignment....

My Duncan's reponse.....

That's my boy!

I admit that I have avoided it....

Rach has tagged me to share 7 things about myself, after being put on the spot herself ;).

Firstly ..Here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I was once the manager of a Timezone Centre (you know, video games and stuff). It was a sucky job but at least I was the boss and they paid me (all be it a pittance). I also got pretty good at pinball. And I did win a video game comp at a nightclub in Bendigo. I might have forgotten to tell the organisers what I did for a living....

2. I once dressed up as a dead prostitute for a party. It was slightly less classy than the party I went to as a condom and possibly a step up from the AIDS infected prostitute I dressed up as for the same party the year before (do you see the pattern).

3. My favourite subjects at Uni (apart from Psychology which is a bit obvious) were History and Philosophy of Science and Linguistics. Deep down I think I am a scientist harbouring an arts student.

4. I am not a huge fan of the water. A near drowning as a child kind of sealed that for me.

5. I own my own phrenology head. Doesn't everyone?

6. My "my God I am 30" crisis took the form of ballet and singing lessons. The singing I have since dropped but the ballet (and now jazz) I still do. I was clearly the only little girl who didn't do classical ballet. I only did the tap and jazz thing.

7. I had a post-partum hemorrhage after the birth of my second child. Not funny in itself but I was doing Kindergym with my eldest at the time so I was at the YMCA. I still go to that YMCA, I still use the bathroom there and I still refer to that cubicle as "the scene of the carnage". Several hours after I got to hospital I hit a flat panic and insisted that the nurse call the Y to make sure that someone had cleaned up. It just didn't occur to me to say anything as I rushed from the building.

Well that's all I got people (or at least all I am sharing). I am now taking a leaf out of Sam's book and leaving the tagging well alone!

When you have beautiful yarn....

You want to use every last inch! With that in mind (and the need to whip up a quick birthday gift) I created a little bookmark to use the last little bit of Zenstring Bliss Aran that I had in my stash and, cheerfully, a yarn that the birthday gal particularly likes. Okay, so a bookmark is hardly a sweater, but it is at least functional and handcrafted always says "I love you".

In case you are interested....

Zen Bookmark

Materials

Approximately 20m of worsted weight yarn.
4.5mm needles
Darning needle

Abbreviations
yf - yarn forward
psso - pass slipped stitch over
sl1kw - slip 1 stitch knitwise
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together

Pattern

Cast on 15 stitches
Knit 3 rows
Row 4: (RS) k3, yf, k2tog, k5, sl1kw, k1, psso, yf, k3
Row 5 (and every odd row) : k1, p to last stitch, k1
Row 6: repeat row 4.
Row 8: repeat row 4
Row 10: k3, yf, k3, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, k3, yf, k3
Row 12: k4, yf, k2, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, k2, yf, k4
Row 14: k5, yf, k1, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, k1, yf, k5
Row 16: k6, yf, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, yf, k6
Rows 18 - 31: Repeat rows 4 to 17
Rows 32 - 39: Repeat rows 4 to 11
Row 40: k2, sl1kw, k1, psso, yf, k2, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, k2, yf, k2tog, k2
Row 42: k2, sl1kw, k1, psso, yf, k1, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, k1, yf, k2tog, k2
Row 44: k2, sl1kw, k1, psso, yf, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, yf, k2tog, k2
Row 46: k2, sl1kw, k1, psso, sl1kw, k2tog, psso, k2tog, k2
Row 48: k2, sl1kw, k1, psso, k2
Row 50: k1, k2tog, k1

Pass yarn through remaining stitches.

Finishing

Weave in cast on tail. Make tassel at decreased end using the tail in the tassel. Block finished piece.



This pattern is provided free for your own personal use. You may knit it for yourself, as a gift, a swap or for charity. This pattern is not intended for commercial use. Any intended commercial use requires permission in writing.

Cabled loop Scarf

With thanks to my lovely model Beth. The things some people will do for a free scarf.....

Materials:
100g Super Bulky (16ply). I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Mystique in Opal. Equally you could double strand 2 50g balls of 8ply.
8mm circular
Cable needle
Darning needle
Waste yarn or second circular for provisional cast on.

Gauge:
Not really important (it's a scarf for goodness sake)

Glossary:

C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P: slip 1 stitch onto the cable needle, hold it to the back, knit 2 stitches and then purl the stitch from the cable needle

C2 OVER 1 LEFT P: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle, hold them to the front, purl on stitch then knit two stitches from the cable needle.

C4B: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle, hold them behind the work, knit 2 stitches, then the 2 from the cable needle.

C4F: slip 2 stitches onto the cable needle, hold them in front of the work, knit 2 stitches, then the 2 from the cable needle.

Pattern:

Using a provisional cast-on CO 22 stitches with the yarn double stranded (both balls at once).

Row 1: K2, *P2, K2* repeat from * to * to end
Row 2: P2, *K2, P2* repeat from * to * to end

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the work is approximately 16 cm long (it should be about 1 ½ times the width of your scarf)

At this point, following the row 1, knit or purl together corresponding stitches from the provisional cast on and stitches from your working end to create the looped end of the scarf.

Continue working the pattern until the scarf is 50-55cm long (the illustrated scarf was 55cm, take the finished length of it and adjust as you see fit).

Cabled Section

Row 1: K2, P2, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, P2, K2

Row 2: P2, K3, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K3, P2

Row 3: K2, P3, K2, P1. C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, P1, K2, P3, K2

Row 4: P2, K3, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K3, P2

Row 5: K2, P3, K2, P2, C4F, P2, K2, P3, K2

Row 6: P2, K3, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K3, P2

Row 7: K2, P3, K2, P1, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, P1, K2, P3, K2

Row 8: P2, K3, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K3, P2

Row 9: K2, P3, K2, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, P2, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, K2, P3, K2

Row 10: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 11: K2, P3, C4B, P4, C4F, P3, K2

Row 12: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 13: K2, P3, K4, P4, K4, P3, K2

Row 14: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 15: K2, P3, K4, P4, K4, P3, K2

Row 16: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 17: K2, P3, C4B, P4, C4F, P3, K2

Row 18: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 19: K2, P3, K4, P4, K4, P3, K2

Row 20: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 21: K2, P3, K4, P4, K4, P3, K2

Row 22: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 23: K2, P3, C4B, P4, C4F, P3, K2

Row 24: P2, K3, P4, K4, P4, K3, P2

Row 25: K2, P3, K2, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, P2, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, K2, P3, K2

Row 26: P2, K3, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K3, P2

Row 27: K2, P3, K2, P1, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, P1, K2, P3, K2

Row 28: P2, K3, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K3, P2

Row 29: K2, P3, K2, P2, C4F, P2, K2, P3, K2

Row 30: P2, K3, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K3, P2

Row 31: K2, P3, K2, P1, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, P1, K2, P3, K2

Row 32: P2, K3, P2, K1, P2, K2, P2, K1, P2, K3, P2

Row 33: K2, P2, C2 OVER 1 LEFT P, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, C2 OVER 1 RIGHT P, P2, K2

Row 34: P2, *K2, P2* repeat from * to * to end

Work 4 or so more rows of rib and bind off.

Add a fringe if desired and sew in ends.

This pattern is provided free for your own personal use. You may knit it for yourself, as a gift, a swap or for charity. This pattern is not intended for commercial use. Any intended commercial use requires permission in writing.

My eternal gratitude to Jacquie for her magnificent charting Java application that you can find here. How I wish I could program......

This pattern is provided free for your own personal use. You may knit it for yourself, as a gift, a swap or for charity. This pattern is not intended for commercial use. Any intended commercial use requires permission in writing.