Friday, December 31, 2010

New Pattern Design in the Works!

I've really enjoyed creating new patterns lately .... and the two that I've come up with (although they're fairly simple) have turned out rather well I think!

I have a couple of hanks of this beautiful variegated yarn in my stash .... it's a fingering weight wool/nylon blend called "Footloose" by Diamond Yarns. I really love the blue and purple hues!


So far I haven't found a pattern that I would like to use it for, so I'm thinking that it might be perfect for my next pattern creation! I've decided on a hat .... the fine yarn weight will make for a light-weight accessory that is more delicate than my previous chunky patterns, and I'm envisioning a lace pattern that will showcase the variegated shades of the yarn.

Hopefully this next pattern turns out as well as I'm anticipating!



Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Chunky Hugs & Kisses Mittens

I had made this hat using the Capucine pattern ... which I love! I used Crystal Palace Iceland yarn in "fuschia", which is super bright and fun.


Since I had quite a bit of yarn left over from this project, I decided to make some mittens to go with my new hat. When I couldn't find a pattern that I liked that used super bulky yarn, I decided to create my own!

The result was the Chunky Hugs & Kisses Mittens ... a mitten that uses super bulky yarn (so they're a super quick knit!), has a slim fit, and features an XO Cable along the back of the hand.

Chunky Hugs & Kisses Mittens 


 
Materials:

·      1 Skein Crystal Palace Iceland yarn (or super bulky yarn of your choice)
·      Size US 11 (or size needed to obtain gauge) DPNs or Circular Needles for Magic Loop if preferred
·      Cable Needle (or you can use one of your DPNs)
·      Stitch Holder or Waste Yarn
·      Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 

3 Stitches = 1” in Stockinette Stitch

Note: I designed these mittens to be quite fitted, and I have been told that I have rather small hands. This being said, if you have larger hands or prefer a looser fitting mitten then I would suggest either going up in needle size or casting on a few extra stitches (just remember to stick with an even number of stitches so that the ribbing works out properly).

Abbreviations: 

K – Knit
P – Purl
KFB – Increase 1 by knitting into the front and back loops of the same stitch
PM – Place Marker
SM – Slip Marker
C4F – Slip next 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to front of work, knit 2 stitches then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
C4B – Slip next 2 stitches to cable needle and hold to back of work, knit 2 stitches then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle
K2TOG – Knit 2 stitches together

Pattern:

CO 22 Stitches and Join to Begin Working in the Round.

Rows 1-12: K1, P1 *
13: P1, KFB, K7, KFB, P1, K1, KFB, K7, KFB, K1 (26 sts)
14: P2, K8, P2, K14

On the next round, set up for thumb gusset increases as follows:

For Right Mitten: P2, K8, P2, K2, PM, K2, PM, K10
For Left Mitten: P2, K8, P2, K10, PM, K2, PM, K2

16: P2, C4F, C4B, P2, K to Marker, SM, K1, KFB, SM, K to end of round (27 sts)
17: P2, K8, P2, K to Marker, SM, K3, SM, K to end of round
18: P2, K8, P2, K to Marker, SM, K1, KFB, K1, SM, K to end of round (28 sts)
19: P2, K8, P2, K to Marker, SM, K4, SM, K to end of round
20: P2, C4B, C4F, P2, K to Marker, SM, K1, KFB, K2, SM, K to end of round (29 sts)
21: P2, K8, P2, K to Marker, SM, K5, SM, K to end of round
22: P2, K8, P2, K to Marker, SM, K1, KFB, K3, SM, K to end of round (30 sts)
23: P2, K8, P2, Remove Marker and Slip Next 6 Stitches to holder for thumb. Remove 2nd Marker and Knit to End of Round. (24 sts)
24: P2, C4B, C4F, P2, K12
25: P2, K8, P2, K12
26: P2, K8, P2, K5, K2TOG, K5 (23 sts)
27: P2, K8, P2, K11
28: P2, C4F, C4B, P2, K4, K2TOG, K5, (22 sts)
29-31: P2, K8, P2, K10
32: P2, C4F, C4B, P2, K10
33-35: P2, K8, P2, K10
36: P2, C4B, C4F, P2, K10
37-39: P2, K8, P2, K10
40: P2, C4B, C4F, P2, K10
41-43-: P2, K8, P2, K10
44: P2, C4F, C4B, P2, K10
45-46: P2, K8, P2, K10

Draw yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end on WS.

Return 6 thumb stitches to needles from holder and join yarn. Pick up and knit 4 stitches to close gap, and join to begin working in the round (10 sts)

Rows 1-8: K10
9: (K1, K2TOG) * to last stitch, K1 (7 sts)
10-11: K7

Draw yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end on WS.

Make second mitten.
 

 

 

 


Rainbow Mittens

So, I finished these a few weeks ago but hadn't gotten around to posting them yet. Cute little mittens to match Lucas' earflap hat :)