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Archive for November, 2011

The Raspberry Beret Pattern Revealed….

Posted in Knitting, Uncategorized on November 22, 2011 | 2 Comments »

A month or so ago, Cari posted a picture of her granddaughter adorned in Simply Soft designs.  Some of you have asked about the pattern for the beret Hazel was wearing.  Turns out, this pattern never made it to our website like we thought.  So here is the pattern for those of you who would like to knit up this adorable hat, made in Simply Soft Party. 

RASPBERRY BERET

designed by Andrea Graciarena

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Intermediate

 

YARN: Caron International’s Simply Soft Party (99% Acrylic/1% Polyester; 3oz/85g, 164yds/150m):   

Shown in: #0002  Fuchsia Sparkle 3oz/85g

 

NEEDLES:

One circularU.S.size 8 (5 mm) needle, 20″/51cm long or size to obtain gauge

One set double-pointedU.S.size 8 (5 mm) needles

One circularU.S.size 6 (4 mm) needle, 20″/51cm long

 

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Yarn needle, Eight stitch markers

 

SIZES: X-Small/Small (Medium/Large)

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Approximately 28 (32)”/71 (81) cm in circumference by 9”/ 23 cm tall

 

GAUGE: In Lace patt, 15 sts  and 24 rows = 4”/10 cm

 

ABBREVIATIONS:

k1-f/b: Knit next st, then knit it through the back loop.

k2tog : Knit 2 tog through front loops.

s2kp2: Slip 2 tog knitwise to right-hand needle, k1, pass 2 slipped sts over.

ssk: Slip 2 sts, one at a time knitwise to right-hand needle, return sts back to left-hand needle in turned position, knit sts tog through back loops.

 

STITCHES USED:

1×1 Rib Stitch (multiple of 2 sts)

Round 1: * K1, p1; repeat from * around.

Repeat Round 1 for 1×1 rib.

 

NOTES:

Change to double pointed needle to shape crown as needed.

Place a marker (pm) at beginning of round, and move up each round.

 

HAT:

Using smaller needles, CO 78 (88) sts. Join, being careful not to twist sts; place marker (pm) for beg of round.

Work in 1×1 rib for 8 rounds. Change to larger needles.

For size XS/S only:

Round 9: * [K3, k1-f/b] 2 times, k2**, k1-f/b, pm; rep from * around, ending last rep at **, k2- – 98 sts.

For size M/L only:

Round 9: * [K3, k1-f/b] 2 times, k2, k1-f/b, pm; rep from * around – 112 sts.

For all sizes:

Round 10: *K1, k1-f/b, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2, sm (slip marker); rep from * around – 105 (120) sts.

Round 11 and all odd numbered rounds: Knit the knit sts and yo’s, and purl the purl sts as they face you.

Round 12: *K1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k1, sm; rep from * around.

Round 14: *P1, k1, p1, k4, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, sm; rep from * around.

Round 16: *K1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, s2kp2, yo, k4, sm; rep from * around.

Round 18: *P1, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, sm; rep from * around.

Round 20: *K3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k2, p1, sm; rep from * around.

Round 22: *P1, k4, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, p1, k1, sm; rep from * around.

Round 24: *K3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, s2kp2, yo, k5, p1, sm; rep from * around.

Round 26: *K2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k1, sm; rep from * around.

Round 28: *K1, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k2, sm; rep from * around.

 

Shape Crown

Round 30: *K3, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k5, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 98 (112) sts

Round 32: *K1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, s2kp2, yo, k5, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 91 (104) sts

Round 34: *K2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 84 (96) sts

Round 36: *Yo, ssk, k4, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 77 (88) sts

Round 38: *K1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 70 (80) sts

Round 40: *K2, yo, s2kp2, yo, k3, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 63 (72) sts

Round 42: *K3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 56 (64) sts

Round 44: *K2, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 49 (56) sts

Round 46: *K1, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 42 (48) sts

Round 48: *Yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 35 (40) sts

Round 50: *K3, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 28 (32) sts

Round 52: *K2, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 21 (24) sts

Round 54: *K1, k2tog, sm; rep from * around — 14 (16) sts

Round 56: *K2tog, sm; rep from * around — 7 (8) sts

Cut yarn and pull tail end through remaining sts. Fasten off.

 

FINISHING: Using yarn needle, weave in ends and block slightly to measurements.

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Bananas about Bananas!!!!!!

Posted in Amigurumis!, Crochet on November 18, 2011 | 1 Comment »

What happens when you give two different people some yarn and tell them to crochet a banana?  You wind up with two absolutely adorable banana amigurumis!  Mary Pueschner designed little Hannah Banana and Tracie Barrett created the big sister, Savannah.  Choose your favorite or make both. I vote for both!

“Hannah” and “Savannah” Banana

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Hannah is approximately 3 ½ tall. Savannah is approximately 5” tall

YARN: Caron International’s Simply Soft:

For Hannah: #0017 Lemon (A);  #0001 Vanilla (B);and Rubine Red (C)

For Savanah: #0017 Lemon (A); #0001 Vanilla (B); and #9727 Black (C)

CROCHET HOOKS: 

For Hannah: One size US B-1 (2.25mm) and one size US C-2 (2.75mm).

For Savannah: One size US F-5 (3.75 mm)

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: Yarn needle, Fiberfill stuffing, 6mm wiggle eyes or safety eyes, Stitch marker

GAUGE: Exact gauge is not critical for this project, stitching should be tight.

STITCHES USED: Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc);  single crochet (sc), slip stitch (slip st)

SPECIAL TERMS:  sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together—Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.

NOTES:  Place a marker in the last stitch of round and move up as rounds progress.

To Change Color:

Work sc until 2 loops remain on hook, drop first color, yarn over with 2nd color, draw through last 2 loops on hook.

 

HANNAH BANANA – designed by Mary Pueschner

Note:  Yarn used for Hannah was split into 2 strands of 2 plies each. Use 2 plies of yarn throughout OR to eliminate the need to split the yarn, you can substitute Simply Soft Light in #0003 Honey, #0002 Heavy Cream and #0013 Real Red.

Peel

Cut 2 1/2 yds of A and split. With A, leaving a long tail, ch 4, join with a slip st to form a ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring and over tail, do not join, pull tail to close center ring—6 sc. Place marker in last stitch.

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around—12 sc.

Round 3: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around—15 sc.

Round 4-18: Sc in each st around.

Round 19: Working in front loops only, *sc in next st, ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, skip next st in current round, sc in next st; repeat from * around—5 peels. Fasten off. Stuff the amigurumi and continue to stuff as work progresses.

Banana

Cut 2 1/2 yds of B and split.

Round 1: Join B with a sc in any st in round 18 of peel, working in remaining back loops of sts, sc in each st and around—15 sc, join with sl st in first sc. Place marker in last stitch.

Rounds 2-7: Sc in each st around.

Round 8: *Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts; repeat from * around—12 sc.

Round 9: *Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts; repeat from * around—9 sc.

Round 10: [Sc2tog over next 2 sts] 4 times, join with a sl st in next st—4 sts. Fasten off leaving a long sewing length. With yarn needle and sewing length, weave through final rnd of sts, pull tight and secure.

FINISHING

Glue or sew on eyes. With yarn needle and C, back st a smile on banana as pictured.

* * * * *

SAVANNAH BANANA- designed by Tracie Barrett

Peel

With A, Ch 2.

Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join—6 sc. Place marker in last stitch.

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around—12 sc.

Round 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around—18 sc.

Rounds 4-10: Sc in each sc around.

Rounds 11-12: Sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next st.

Rounds 13-14: Sc in each sc around.

Round 15: Sc in each sc around. Drop A, join B.

Banana

Round 16: Working in back loops of sts, sc in each sc around.

Rounds 17-23: Working in both loops of sts, sc in each sc around. Place eyes on banana. With yarn needle and C, back st mouth on banana as pictured. Stuff the amigurumi and continue to stuff as work progresses.

Round 24: *Sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next sc; repeat from * around—12 sc.

Round 25: [Sc2tog over next 2 sts] around—6 sc.

Fasten off leaving a long sewing length. With yarn needle and sewing length, weave through final rnd of sts, pull tight and secure.

First Peel

With RS facing, join B in any unused loop in Round 15 of Banana.

Row 1: Ch 1, starting in same st, sc in next 6 sts, turn, leaving remaining stitches unworked.

Rows 2-7: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn.

Row 8: Ch 1, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, turn—4 sc.

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.

Row 10: Ch 1, [sc2tog over next 2 sts] twice, turn—2 sc.

Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Fasten off.

 Second and Third Peels

With RS facing, join yarn with sl st in next unworked st in Round 15.

Rows 1-11: Rep Rows 1-11 of first peel. Fasten off.

FINISHING: Weave in ends. Roll in hands to evenly distribute stuffing.

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New Sheep(ish) Pattern: Zig-zag Sticking on About.com!

Posted in Knitting, Vickie Howell, tagged , , , on November 18, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

About.com
…the (knitted) stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Knitolas soon would be there.
Ok, that was obnoxious. My point being though, that if you’re planning to knit holiday stockings this year then now’s the time. Wouldn’t you know it, I have just the pattern for you! Type on over to Kntting.About.com to nab the instructions for this Zig-zag Christmas Stocking.
Knitting.About.com Stocking
Shown in colors: Red(ish) & Turquoise(ish)
Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

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Snow creative…

Posted in Crochet, Uncategorized on November 18, 2011 | 4 Comments »

OK, it’s a warm day in early October.  We have to shoot projects for the 12 Days of Christmas.  We have snow but no way to make it come down as if it were really snowing.  Sooo….grab 3 wire bins, a long broom handle, some big clips, Greg (our amazing hair/make-up person) and Rob (studio assistant), pile in the “snow,” raise up the bins and, with just a bit of a shake, it’s snowing!!  Just thought you might like to see there’s more than crochet and knit that goes into the creative part of this business!

Here’s the pattern for these hat-scarf duos.

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ETSY: How-to Tuesday

Posted in Knitting, Vickie Howell, tagged on November 16, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

etsy how-to Tuesday
Stop on by the Etsy blog to see yesterday’s How-to Tuesday post, by moi. In it, I show you (via video) how to do the pattern stitch for my Wrist Factor wrist warmers. Make a pair for yourself, then whip out a few more for the guys and gals in your life.Enjoy!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

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Vase Cozies for Fall Decor

Posted in Knitting, Vickie Howell, tagged , , on November 16, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Fall Decor

I love it when I get to reuse a project for more than one season–it makes the time put into knitting it, even more worth it! This month I busted out the Chevron Vase Cozies I designed for Craftzine.com in September, and worked them in to the Fall decor at our home. I love how the be-cozied vases look with the stemmed pumpkins inside of them. I’m thinking one of these would make a great host or teacher gift, filled with fall-colored flowers.

P1010744

P1010743

The pattern is still available for free here, and as always, Sheep(ish) yarn can be purchased at Buy.Caron.com or select Michaels and JoAnn stores.
Happy Thanksgiving!,
Vickie

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Sweaters for Penguins

Posted in Amigurumis!, Crochet, Uncategorized on November 11, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Recently there has been another call-out for sweaters for penguins. Response to this was so tremendous, that the demand has already been met, and actually, there is quite a large surplus of penguin sweaters!  So if you are still in the penguin spirit, how about making Peter the Penguin, who stands just barely over 3 inches high?  You might just have enough scrap yarn lying around to make this guy.  If not, buy one skein of each of the three colors needed to make Peter the Penguin, and you will be able to whip up an entire penguin family! 

“Peter” Penguin

designed by Mary C. Pueschner

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Amigurumi measures approximately 3 1/4”/8.5cm tall

YARN:  Caron International’s Simply Soft: #0001 Vanilla (A); #9727 Black (B); #9605 Mango (C).

CROCHET HOOK: One size US C-2 (2.75mm).

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: Yarn needle, Fiberfill stuffing, 5mm wiggle eyes or safety eyes, Stitch marker

GAUGE: Exact gauge is not critical for this project, stitching should be tight.

STITCHES USED: Chain (ch), Single crochet (sc), Slip stitch (slip st)

SPECIAL TERMS: sc2tog: Single crochet 2 together—Insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.

 

To Change Color: Work sc until 2 loops remain on hook, drop first color, yarn over with 2nd color, draw through last 2 loops on hook.

 

NOTES: All yarn used is split into 2 strands of 2 plies each. Use 2 plies of yarn throughout. Do not join rounds. Place a marker in the last stitch of round and move up as rounds progress.

DIRECTIONS

 

Head and Body

Cut 2 yds of B and 1 yd of A and split. With B, ch 2.

Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join—6 sc. Place marker in last stitch.

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around—12 sc.

Round 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * around—18 sc.

Round 4: With B, sc in next 8 sts; drop B, join A, with A, sc in next 2 sts; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next 8 sts—16 sc in B; 2 sc in A.

Round 5: With B, sc in next 7 sts; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next 4 sts; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next 7 sts—14 sc in B; 4 sc in A.

Round 6: With B, sc in next st, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next 4 sts; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next st—11 sts in B; 4 sc in A. Stuff the amigurumi and continue to stuff as work progresses.

Round 7: With B, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next st, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next st; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next 1 st, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next st; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next st, sc2tog over next 2 sts, sc in next st—9 sts in B; 3 sc in A.

Round 8: With B, sc in next 6 sts; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next 3 sts; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next 3 sts—9 sts in B; 3 sc in A.

Round 9: With B, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next 3 sts; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st—1 sts in B; 3 sc in A.

Round 10: With B, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st—12 sts in B; 4 sc in A.

Rounds 11-18: With B, sc in next 8 sts; drop B, pick up A, with A, sc in next 4 sts; drop A, pick up B, with B, sc in next 4 sts—12 sts in B; 4 sc in A. Fasten off A.

Round 19: With B, *sc in next st, sc2tog over next 2 sts; repeat from * 5 times—11 sts.

Round 20: [Sc2tog over next 2 sts] 5 times, sc in next st—6 sts. Fasten off leaving a long sewing length. With yarn needle and sewing length, sew shoes to bottom of body as pictured. Glue or sew eyes to head as pictured.

Wing (make 2)

Cut 1 yd of B and split. With B, ch 2.

Row 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next st, turn—3 sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts, turn—4 sc.

Rows 4-8: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. Fasten off at end of last row, leaving a long sewing length. With yarn needle and sewing length, sew one wing to each side of body as pictured.

Beak

Cut 2 yds of C and split. With C, ch 2.

Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Fasten off leaving a long sewing length. Fold beak in half across flat side. With yarn needle and sewing length, sew end together.

Foot (make 2)

With C, ch 2.

Round 1: 7 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join—7 sc. Place marker in last stitch.

Round 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * 2 times, sc in next st—10 sc.

Round 3: Sc in each st around.

Round 4: *Sc in next st, sc2tog over next 2 sts; repeat from * 2 times, sc in next st—7 sc.

Round 5: Sc in each st around. Fasten off leaving a long sewing length. With yarn needle and sewing length, sew to bottom of body.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

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Ultimate Sweater Machine

Posted in Machine Knitting on November 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

I finally got back to the Ultimate Sweater Machine this past weekend!  I was feeling inspired after Cari had the machine set up here in the office to do some swatches.  And of course, we get these amazing projects from Kathy Perry every month. Just wait until you see what’s coming up! 

My experience on the USM was much more rewarding and much less frustrating than when I was first trying to learn how to use it.   I am thrilled to say that I made several hats over the weekend!  Though I’ve only done straight knitting (no shaping or fancy stitches),  I am VERY happy with my accomplishments!  How cool to be able to make a hat from start to finish in two hours!  Everyone on my Christmas list will be getting hats this year! 

I made the hat pictured in Simply Soft Raspberry and Grey Heather by following the pattern that is in the USM book.  The other hats I made by knitting a large square, folding it in half,  sewing up the side to create a tube, pulling one end up inside the tube until it meets the other end, gathering the ends up,  and stitching them together.  This creates a really warm, double layer hat. I even got into making stripes!  And as I am typing this, it occurred to me that this same method could easily be used to make a reversible hat.  So now I’m fealing inspired to get started on another hat, and this time reversible!!!!!!

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Hour and a Half Cowl

Posted in Crochet, Yarn on November 8, 2011 | 32 Comments »

Hour and a Half Cowl
Cowl, U Hook, Simply Soft skein
Close-up of stitching

At last year’s Knit and Crochet Show, I picked up one of Bagsmith’s size U/25mm crochet hooks and I’d been dying to try it ever since.  The inspiration to pick it up came from having just received one of Karen Whooley’s shawl designs, which used a great color combination.  I then remembered my hook and put together some of the colors of Karen’s shawl, added a fourth and brought them all home.  I am not one of those super-fast crocheters, but I did want to time myself, so, using a super-simple stitch, all 4 strands of yarn held together and my oh-so-smooth hook, I made the above cowl in 90 minutes.  No, actually 85 minutes.  The pattern is below.  Just think how many of these you could make for gift-giving – and each one different by just changing one of the 4 colors.  I went in a spiral to be even more of a no-brainer, but you could make a wrap or throw just going back-and-forth.  And every color I used (and, of course, more) can be found and ordered at buy.caron.com.

 
So, enjoy and make merry – no, many!
 

SKILL LEVEL: Easy

TECHNIQUE USED: Crochet

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Cowl measures approximately 30″/76cm around x 15″/38cm high.

YARN

Caron International’s Simply Soft Party (99% Acrylic/1% Polyester; 3oz/85g, 171yds/156m):

#0004 Teal Sparkle (A): 1 skein

#0006 Purple Sparkle (B): 1 skein

Caron International’s Simply Soft (100% Acrylic; 6oz/170g, 315yds/288m):

#0011 Celestial (C): 1 skein

Caron International’s Simply Soft prints (100% Acrylic; 4oz/113g, 200yds/182m):

#0006 Oceana (D): 1 skein

CROCHET HOOK

One size US U (25mm)

 

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

Stitch marker (optional)

Yarn needle

GAUGE

Gauge is not critical for this project.

 

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st)

NOTE

Piece is worked in continuous rounds (spirals). Do not join and do not turn at ends of rounds. If desired, place a marker for beginning of round and move marker up as work progresses.

COWL

With 1 strand each of A, B, C, and D held together, ch 22; join with sl st in first ch to from a ring. Take care not to twist ch.

Round 1: *Ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * around; do not join, work in continuous rounds (spiral).

Round 2: *Ch 1, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * around.

Repeat Round 2 until you run out of one of the skeins of yarn. Fasten off.

FINISHING

Using yarn needle, weave in all ends. Block lightly, if desired.

 

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Jan’s the Man – and (such) a doll!

Posted in Uncategorized on November 7, 2011 | 5 Comments »

 

Jan and Jan

 
If you’re a Twitter or Facebook follower, you might have seen Jan’s tweets and posts, but many of you have probably never met Caron’s “fearless leader” for marketing.  He’s the guy who OK’s everything that goes on around here, from free projects to new yarns.  Here he is with his very own amigurumi self, thanks to crocheter extraordinaire and good buddy KJ Hay.  Note how fully equipped also-Jan is, complete with iPhone, Blackberry – and the ever-present Diet Pepsi! 
 

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