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Holly's Jacket

It is finished and it is even cuter with the button than I could have imagined! Gee that sound immodest didn't it? I didn't mean it too, I am just so excited that it has turned out just as I envisaged it and that is always just a smidgen surprising.

The Pattern

300g worsted weight yarn for a generous size 1 jacket (I used Cleckheaton Merino Supreme for the prototype which is now out of production, chose any of the gorgeous worsted weights around)

4 stitch markers

5mm 80cm circular

5mm DPNs

5mm crochet hook

Waste yarn

Button

Darning needle

Gauge: 16 sts / 10cm

Glossary

pm – place marker

kfb – knit front and back

slm – slip marker

yo – yarn over

Finished Size

Length minus ruffle - 26cm
Chest - 30cm
Underarm - 10cm

Body

CO 36 stitches using the circular needle.

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

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

Row 2: knit across

Row 3: kfb, k2, kfb, slm, kfb, k6, kfb, slm, kfb, k20, kfb, slm, kfb, k6, kfb, slm, kfb, k2, kfb

Row 4: knit across

Row 5: 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 stitch before next marker, kfb, slm, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb.

Row 6: k4, purl to 4 stitches before end, k4

Continue repeating rows 5 and 6 until the two front sections each have 18 stitches

Row 7: 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 end

Row 8: k4, purl to 4 stitches before end, k4

Repeat rows 7 and 8 until there are 52 stitches between the middle two markers (the back of the jacket).

Create the sleeves: k to first marker, place the sleeve stitches onto waste yarn, knit back stitches, place the other sleeve stitches onto waste yarn, knit to end

Next row: k4, purl to 4 stitches before end, k4

The body:

Row 1: knit all stitches

Row 2: k4, purl to 4 stitches before end, k4

Continue repeating rows 1 and 2 until you have reached your desired length (12cm from underarm or so).

Bottom Ruffle:

Ruffle increase row: kfb on every stitch

Purl next row

Repeat ruffle increase row

Purl next row

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 (42 stitches total)

Knit 2 more rounds

Decrease Round: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1

Decrease every 4^th round a further 5 times (30 sts)

Knit next round

Ruffle increase round: kfb on every stitch

Knit next round

If you want a fuller ruffle like the bottom of the jacket:

Repeat ruffle increase round

Knit 2 rounds

BO loosely

Finishing

Crochet a button loop on the right front of the jacket and attach a button to the left.

Sew in ends.

About the Stripes.....

The stripes are merely an artifact of not having enough of either coloured yarn. For the record they are 20 row repeats on this one.

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.

Just waiting for a button

Over the last few weeks I have been working on a little jacket for my nearly-one-year-old friend Holly. It is the kick arse time of the year isn't it? I could have had this finished weeks ago but for a poor choice of yarn first time round and a seemingly never-ending stream of social engagements and obligations. Not that I am complaining - it beats the hell out of having no one to socialise with and nothing to do - but it sure is eating into my crafting time!

Anyways, let me introduce Holly's Jacket, knit in worsted weight yarn (I am sure the Americans are excited and the Aussies are cursing me) in a size 1. Top down, no seams - all the things I like in a pattern. It is just waiting for a button then I will publish the final photos and the pattern for anyone who is interested.


The stripe is an artifact of having not enough of either colour to finish the project. Curse using a discontinued, even if delectable, yarn like Merino Supreme. In fact without the help of the lovely Tania we wouldn't have even gotten this far.

I love babies!

Okay I admit it, I love crafting for babies and ipso facto I love babies. I expecially love babies that you can cuddle for a minute and then give back. My desire-for-a-newborn days are well behind me. I loved all of my babies but I also love that now they are growing up and becoming more independent. Every phase has its charms when it comes to kids.

Back to the original purpose of this post.....

There seems to be a rash of pregnancy within my friends at the moment. If you recall I have been madly knitting kimonos for all of the impending births and now two of them are here! Two little boys one born on Friday and the other on Saturday. Everyone healthy and well even though on of the little guys was a few weeks early (still nearly as big as my smallest full termer though).

So here are the baby gifts, I sincerely doubt that either Mum reads my blog but if they do........sorry Tania and Lindy.......surprise spoilt!

For the freshly popped Ryan:


And for the high-anticipated Zachary:


I made Zachary's stuff first and there was no way that "Zachary" was going to fit on a bib, hence the giant "Z". After I had done his set I was so taken by the big "Z" that I chose to continue the trend and even though "Ryan" would have fit, he got a big "R" for his. Hopefully their Mum's like their little gifts from me.

I've said it once and I will say it again. I love crafting for babies!

The Joy of a Gift

Some time ago Sam tossed me a ball of sock yarn and said "Here make something out of this" (or words to that effect. It was 50g of Clekheaton Cocoon that she had dyed with a second ball and inexplicably both had come out different colourways (I say inexplicably because as far as I can tell Sam is flawless, just like Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way). Anyways, I got one and Tania got the other.

Tania whipped up some socks for her gorgeous daughte Matilda but having no little girls here at testosterone central, I figured I had to make something for myself. Besides, the yarn was gifted to me and so it should be made into something for me in my eyes.

This is where having size 6 feet comes into it's own. I found this pattern on Ravelry and it seemed just perfect for my little ball of yarn. So now my feet are wrapped in the warmth of a gift that I had fun turning into something for me. That is the joy of a yarn gift!


Oh and the astute amongst you would see that my Ravelry t-shirt has arrived! Woohoo. And now just so you can see the side of my socks and I can embarass Jason....

SOLITARY CONFINEMENT!

That's it. I have had ENOUGH! I am sick of my Jo Sharp Dessert Garden tangling and unravelling and then tangling some more and then unravelling some more. I have had it! The only answer is solitary confinement.

I have reballed the rampant little buggers and stuck them all in there own individual zip-lock bags. If that doesn't stop them there will be 500g of Jo Sharp DG free to good home.

Bulky Seamless Baby Kimono

I think this may have become obsessive. I cast this one on pretty much as soon as I finished the 8ply version. This one is knit in 12 ply bulky with a different sleeve profile inspired by the traditional shape of a Japanese kimono.

The Pattern

Size: approximately 6 - 9 months (size 00)

150g (approximately 170 m) 12 ply (bulky) yarn

4 stitch markers

6mm 80cm circular

6mm DPNs

Waste yarn

Stitch holder

Darning needle

A button

Gauge: 16sts / 10cm

Glossary

pm – place marker

kfb – knit front and back

slm – slip marker

yo – yarn over

m1 – make one stitch

Body

CO 28 stitches using the circular needle.

Row 1: kfb, pm, kfb, k3, kfb, pm, kfb, k14, kfb, pm, kfb, k3, 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, k5, kfb, slm, kfb, k16, kfb, slm, kfb, k5, 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 last stitch, yo, k1.

Row 6: purl across.

Continue repeating rows 5 and 6 until there are 40 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 lower 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 35 stitches on both front panels (the sections outside of the markers).

Next row: knit across

Make side tie:

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Knit to first marker, slm, kfb, slip first stitch on right needle back to the left, place the next stitch on the right needle on a stitch holder placing the holder to the right side of the work, slip the first stitch back onto the right needle, knit to end

Row 3: Knit to stitch before second marker, kfb, slip first stitch on right needle back to the left, place the next stitch on the right needle on a stitch holder placing the holder to the right side of the work, slip the first stitch back onto the right needle, slm, knit to end

Row 4: Knit

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 one stitch from the left of the opening and continue knitting the round, picking up one additional stitch onto needle 3 (31 stitches total)

Knit 12 rounds

Increase Round: k1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1

Increase every 3rd round a further 3 times (39 sts)

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

BO loosely

Ties

Side tie: Join yarn to the two stitches on the stitch holder.
*Knit 20cm of garter stitch.

Last row: k2tog, thread yarn through remaining stitch.*

Front tie: pick up 2 stitches from the edge of the garter stitch section of the right front section. Repeat from * to *

Finishing

Weave in ends. Sew the button on the inside of the right hand flap to use the bottom eyelet of the left flap as a button hole.

Want one in a lighter yarn? Click here for the 8ply version.

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.