Is it Spring yet?

Yay! I'm back online! My son was able to rescue my computer and all my patterns and pictures! I knew that college would pay off some day! I don't know exactly what he did and even if he told me, I wouldn't understand it. All I know is that I'm back....and yes, all of my documents are backed up on my external drive!! Thank you for all the prayers!

I designed this fella last year and had every intention to post him then, but time slipped away, so I decided to just wait and do it this year. Unfortunately, I didn't know my computer would crash. Still, I like to think this is more of a Springtime rabbit.

I remember that he was test knit last year (thanks Sue!), but when I looked at him again, I decided that I didn't like his paws so I redid them. Then after I knit both a bib and a cloth, I decided that I didn't like his face, so I redid that as well! I can tell you that he also looks good in both baby pink and baby green!

The pictures aren't as nice as I'd like them to be. If you've been following the weather here in New England, you know that we've been having torrential rain. Fortunately, we're okay, but in Rhode Island, where my son lives, it's just been disastrous! Historic floods. The weatherman promised that the sun would shine today, but apparently he needs to take another look at his weather charts. It's pretty cloudy and not good for taking pictures. Still, I didn't want to wait another day. Oh, and don't forget that the pdfs for both patterns are in the sidebar.

I just realized that tomorrow is the anniversary of this blog. Wow, two years. Maybe I should start a tradition and post a new pattern every year!

Hippity Hop!

Copyright 2009; 2010 by Elaine Fitzpatrick. Permission is granted to make and sell items from this pattern provided that credit is given to me as the designer. Permission is not granted to reproduce the actual pattern, or post it, or distribute it, without my express permission. Please respect my copyright and play nice!

Size: approximately 8 ½" from neck edge to bottom and 8" wide

Materials: One skein of worsted weight cotton in a solid color such as Peaches & Crème or Sugar ‘n Cream if you are using the bib for meals. If, on the other hand, you want to use it as a “drool” bib, I would recommend using a superwash wool. The cotton has a tendency to absorb the moisture, whereas the superwash wool will wick the moisture and keep baby nice and dry!
Sample was done in Peaches & Crème Light Grape.

Needles: US 5 or 6 You want the bib to be fairly dense, so if the fabric is too loose, just drop down a needle size.
2 double pointed needles for the I-cords

Gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch, not critical

PATTERN NOTES
This pattern allows you to choose between two methods of beginning the bib. One uses short rows and the other, more traditional way, requires you to cast on stitches at the beginning of the first few rows of the pattern. The ties are done by making I-cords. It’s helpful, but not necessary, to drop down a needle size when knitting the cords. I like to run a long tail down the center of the cord to finish it off. Be sure to use a straight needle and not one with a bent tip!
Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
psso: pass slipped stitch over
k2tog.= knit 2 stitches together
p2tog.=purl 2 stitches together
sts. = stitches
dec. = decrease
dpn. = double pointed needle

Short Row Version

For this method, you don’t have to wrap stitches or pick up wraps. You just work the stitches to a point and turn your work around and start knitting in the opposite direction. I’ve written out every row for you and I’ve indicated how many stitches you should have remaining at the end of each row. If you lose your count, all you have to do is check on the number of stitches you have left on your needle and you’ll be right back on track. This technique results in a nice smooth edge. Note: The bottom of the bib might cup a little, but if you give it a quick burst of steam when you’re done, it will flatten right out.

Pattern: Cast on 38 sts.
Row 1: (right side) knit for 25 sts., turn. You will have 13 stitches that are unworked.
Row 2: (wrong side) slip 1 st. knitwise, knit for 14 sts.; turn. (10 unworked stitches)
Row 3: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 17 sts.; turn. (10 unworked stitches)
Row 4: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 20 sts.; turn. (7 unworked stitches)
Row 5: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 23 sts.; turn. (7 unworked stitches)
Row 6: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 25 sts.; turn. (5 unworked stitches)
Row 7: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 27 sts.; turn. (5 unworked stitches)
Row 8: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 29 sts.; turn. (3 unworked stitches)
Row 9: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 31 sts.; turn. (3 unworked stitches)
Row 10: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 33 sts.; turn. (1 unworked stitch)
Row 11: Slip 1 st. knitwise; knit 35 sts.; turn (1 unworked stitch)
Row 12: Slip 1 st. knitwise, knit to end.
Row 13: knit.
Continue in pattern beginning with Row 12 below*.


Traditional Version

This method requires you to cast on stitches at the beginning of each row. I prefer to use the knitted cast on method, but you can use any method that you like. Just remember to keep the stitches tight.

Pattern: Cast on 12 sts.

Row 1: (right side) knit.
Row 2: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row. (15 sts.)
Row 3: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (18 sts.)
Row 4: Cast on 3 sts., knit, across row (21 sts.)
Row 5: Cast on 3 sts., knit, across row (24 sts.)
Row 6: Cast on 3 sts., knit, across row (27 sts.)
Row 7: Cast on 3 sts., knit, across row (30 sts.)
Row 8: Cast on 2 sts., knit, across row (32 sts.)
Row 9: Cast on 2 sts., knit, across row (34 sts.)
Row 10: Cast on 2 sts., knit, across row (36 sts.)
Row 11: Cast on 2 sts., knit, across row (38 sts.)
Row 12: knit.
Row 13: k13; p2; k1; p2; k3; p2; k1; p2; k12.
Row 14: k12; (p1, k1) x6; p1; k13.
Row 15: k12; p1; k5; p1; k1; p1; k5; p1; k11.
Row 16: k12; p5; k1; p1; k1; p5; k13.
Row 17: k10; (p1, k1, p1, k5) x2; p1; k1; p1; k9.
Row 18: k8; (p1, k1) x2; (p5, k1, p1, k1) x2; p1; k9.
Row 19: k10; p1; k2; (p1, k3) x3; p1; k2; p1; k9.
Row 20: k6; p3; k1; p3; k3; p5; k3; p3; k1; p3; k7.
Row 21: k10; p1; k17; p1; k9.
Row 22: k5; p4; k1; p17; k1; p5; k5.
Row 23: k10; p1; k17; p1; k9.
Row 24: k5; p5; k1; p15; k1; p6; k5.
Row 25: k11; p1; k15; p1; k10.
Row 26: k5; p6; k2; p3; k5; p3; k2; p7; k5.
Row 27: k14; p1; k1; p1; k5; p1; k1; p1; k4; p2; k7.
Row 28: k5; p1; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; p7; k1; p10; k5.
Row 29: k14; p1; k9; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k6.
Row 30: k5; p1; k1; p3; k1; p1; k1; p4; k3; p4; k1; p8; k5.
Row 31: k13; (p1, k3) x3; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k7.
Row 32: k5; (p2; k1) x2; p1; k1; p11; k1; p8; k5.
Row 33: k13; (p1, k5) x2; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k7.
Row 34: k5; (p2, k1) x2; p1; k1; p4; k3; p4; k1; p8; k5.
Row 35: k14; p1; k3; p3; k3; (p1, k2) x2; p1; k7.
Row 36: k5; (p2, k1) x3; p9; k1; p9; k5.
Row 37: k14; p1; k9; p1; k1; p1; k3; p1; k7.
Row 38: k5; p2; k1; p3; k1; p1; (k1, p9) x2; k5.
Row 39: k14; p1; k2; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k1; p1; k3; p1; k7.
Row 40: k5; p2; k1; p3; k1; p1; (k1, p9) x2; k5.
Row 41: k14; p1; k9; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k8.
Row 42: k5; p3; k1; p3; k2; p9; k1; p9; k5.
Row 43: k14; p1; k8; p1; k5; p1; k8.
Row 44: k5; p4; k1; p5; k1; p6; k2; p5; k2; p2; k5.
Row 45: k6; p1; k2; p1; k3; p1; k2; (p1, k5) x2; p1; k9.
Row 46: k5; (p5, k1) x2; p3; k2; p2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p1; k5.
Row 47: k7; p1; k1; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k1; p3; k1; p1; k3; p1; k11.
Row 48: k5; p7; k3; p6; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p1; k1; p2; k5.
Row 49: k7; p1; k2; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k22.
Row 50: k5; p17; k1; p2; k1; p1; (k1, p2) x2; k5.
Row 51: k7; p1; k2; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k22.
Row 52: k5; p18; k1; p2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k5.
Row 53: k8; p1; k5; p1; k23.
Row 54: k5; p19; k1; p4; k1; p3; k5.
Row 55: k8; p1; k4; p1; k24.
Row 56: k5; p20; k1; p2; k1; p4; k5.
Row 57: k10; p2; k26.
Row 58: k5; p28; k5.
Row 59: knit.
Row 60: (k6, p10) x2; k6.
Row 61: knit;
Row 62: k8; p6; k10; p6; k8.
Rows 63 – 66: knit.
Row 67(right side): knit for 13 sts. Slip sts. just worked onto stitch holder, bind off the next 12 stitches knitwise; knit remaining sts. 13 stitches each side.

NECK AND SHOULDER SHAPING – LEFT SHOULDER
Note: As you look at the bib with the right side facing, the first shoulder worked will be the left side. All the decreases are made on right side or odd numbered rows.

Row 68: knit.

Neck decreases:
Row 69: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (12 sts.)
Row 70: knit.
Row 71: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (11 sts.)
Row 72: knit.

Shoulder decreases:
Row 73: (right side) knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. (10 sts.)
Row 74: knit.
Row 75: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (9 sts.)
Row 76: knit.
Row 77: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (8 sts.)
Row 78: knit.
Row 79: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (7 sts.)
Row 80: knit.
Row 81: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (6 sts.)
Row 82: knit.
Row 83: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (5 sts.)
Row 84: knit.
Row 85: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1, k2 tog. (3 sts.)

Slip these 3 sts. to a dpn and work an I-cord for approximately 12 inches. Fasten off and run end down through middle of I-cord. Don't worry if the I-cords look a little wonky. A firm tug will usually straighten them out and after the bib is washed, you won't even notice! A good tutorial for making the I-cords can be found here:
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips

NECK AND SHOULDER SHAPING – RIGHT SHOULDER
With wrong side facing, slip sts. from stitch holder to left needle and join yarn at neck edge. All the decreases are made on right side or odd numbered rows.

Row 68: (wrong side) knit across row.

Neck decreases:
Row 69: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (12 sts.)
Row 70: knit.
Row 71: knit to last 2 sts., k2tog. (11 sts.)
Row 72: knit.

Shoulder decreases:
Row 73: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (10 sts.)
Row 74: knit.
Row 75: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (9 sts.)
Row 76: knit.
Row 77: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (8 sts.)
Row 78: knit.
Row 79: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (7 sts.)
Row 80: knit across row.
Row 81: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (6 sts.)
Row 82: knit.
Row 83: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; knit to end. (5 sts.)
Row 84: knit.
Row 85: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1; k2tog. (3 sts.)

Slip these 3 sts. to a dpn and work an I-cord for approximately 12 inches. Fasten off and run end down through middle of I-cord as before.

Weave in ends.

Hippity Hop! Cloth

Copyright 2009; 2010 by Elaine Fitzpatrick. Permission is granted to make and sell items from this pattern provided that credit is given to me as the designer. Permission is not granted to reproduce the actual pattern, or post it, or distribute it, without my express permission. Please respect my copyright and play nice!

Size: approximately 8" X 8 ¼ ".

Materials: One skein of worsted weight cotton in a solid color. The cloth pictured was done in Peaches & Crème in Yellow.

Needles: U.S. Size 5 or 6 Because this is a “picture” cloth, you want your fabric to be fairly dense so the design will pop out. If you are a loose knitter, then you might want to drop down a needle size.

Gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch, not critical.

Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
sts. = stitches

Pattern: Cast on 38 sts. (NOTE: Odd numbered rows are the right side and even numbered rows are the wrong side.)

Rows 1 – 8: knit.

Row 9 (right side): k13; p2; k1; p2; k3; p2; k1; p2; k12.
Row 10: k12; (p1, k1)x6; p1; k13.
Row 11: k12; p1; k5; p1; k1; p1; k5; p1; k11.
Row 12: k12; p5; k1; p1; k1; p5; k13.
Row 13: k10; (p1, k1, p1, k5) x2; p1; k1; p1; k9.
Row 14: k8; (p1, k1) x2; (p5, k1, p1, k1) x2; p1; k9.
Row 15: k10; p1; k2; (p1, k3) x3; p1; k2; p1; k9.
Row 16: k6; p3; k1; p3; k3; p5; k3; p3; k1; p3; k7.
Row 17: k10; p1; k17; p1; k9.
Row 18: k5; p4; k1; p17; k1; p5; k5.
Row 19: k10; p1; k17; p1; k9.
Row 20: k5; p5; k1; p15; k1; p6; k5.
Row 21: k11; p1; k15; p1; k10.
Row 22: k5; p6; k2; p3; k5; p3; k2; p7; k5.
Row 23: k14; p1; k1; p1; k5; p1; k1; p1; k4; p2; k7.
Row 24: k5; p1; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; p7; k1; p10; k5.
Row 25: k14; p1; k9; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k6.
Row 26: k5; p1; k1; p3; k1; p1; k1; p4; k3; p4; k1; p8; k5.
Row 27: k13; (p1, k3) x3; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k7.
Row 28: k5; (p2; k1) x2; p1; k1; p11; k1; p8; k5.
Row 29: k13; (p1, k5) x2; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k7.
Row 30: k5; (p2, k1) x2; p1; k1; p4; k3; p4; k1; p8; k5.
Row 31: k14; p1; k3; p3; k3; (p1, k2) x2; p1; k7.
Row 32: k5; (p2, k1) x3; p9; k1; p9; k5.
Row 33: k14; p1; k9; p1; k1; p1; k3; p1; k7.
Row 34: k5; p2; k1; p3; k1; p1; (k1, p9) x2; k5.
Row 35: k14; p1; k2; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k1; p1; k3; p1; k7.
Row 36: k5; p2; k1; p3; k1; p1; (k1, p9) x2; k5.
Row 37: k14; p1; k9; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k8.
Row 38: k5; p3; k1; p3; k2; p9; k1; p9; k5.
Row 39: k14; p1; k8; p1; k5; p1; k8.
Row 40: k5; p4; k1; p5; k1; p6; k2; p5; k2; p2; k5.
Row 41: k6; p1; k2; p1; k3; p1; k2; (p1, k5) x2; p1; k9.
Row 42: k5; (p5, k1) x2; p3; k2; p2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p1; k5.
Row 43: k7; p1; k1; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k1; p3; k1; p1; k3; p1; k11.
Row 44: k5; p7; k3; p6; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p1; k1; p2; k5.
Row 45: k7; p1; k2; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k22.
Row 46: k5; p17; k1; p2; k1; p1; (k1, p2) x2; k5.
Row 47: k7; p1; k2; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k22.
Row 48: k5; p18; k1; p2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k5.
Row 49: k8; p1; k5; p1; k23.
Row 50: k5; p19; k1; p4; k1; p3; k5.
Row 51: k8; p1; k4; p1; k24.
Row 52: k5; p20; k1; p2; k1; p4; k5.
Row 53: k10; p2; k26.
Row 54: k6; p26; k6.
Row 55: knit.
Row 56: k8; p22; k8.
Rows 57 – 65: knit.

Bind off knitwise and weave in ends.

OMG!!

I'm sick. Really, really sick. My computer is barely on life support. Apparently it has become infected with some virus and I can't access anything. For that matter, I can't even get past the log in screen! All I have is this old little laptop that doesn't want to work all the time. All my patterns and all my pictures are possibly gone! This includes the three patterns I said I would do for the KALs, the seven brand new patterns that I just created for the 2011 Dishcloth Calendar, and all the brand new patterns that I did just for fun to post for you. My son tells me that there is still hope of retrieving the data and saving the computer, but I won't know until he drives up from Rhode Island this weekend. In the meantime, I'm praying that everything will work out. If you'd like to pray with me, I'll take all the help I can get!!

Elaine (nice name!) left me a comment on my last post about the orange mitts that I made for my niece. I didn't have a pattern, but I'll write it down and post it as soon as I can, assuming that this computer will let me.

A word of advice, if your son tells you to back up your documents, do it.

The Last Hat of Winter

You must be getting tired of looking at hats by now, but I promise this is the last one....at least for awhile! I'm hoping that we won't need hats or mittens or scarfs or winter coats for a long time. Of course, I know better and so the snow shovel still is handy. Eliza specifically asked for an orange hat. I couldn't believe it. Orange? What happened to pink and purple? I welcomed the change though and, as luck would have it, I just happened to have a skein of Malabrigo worsted in "Glazed Carrot".

It took me awhile to find the perfect pattern, but then I came across this one on Ravelry. It's called "Sakura" and is for sale on Knitpicks . It's one of their instant downloads for $1.99. I just love the top of the hat. It looks like a blossom.

It was fairly easy to knit and Eliza just loves it. I think she's worn it everyday since I gave it to her. I even had enough yarn to make yet another pair of fingerless gloves.

I wouldn't be surprised if she asked me to make her another one next year! I think this is one pattern that I'll knit again and again. Eliza loves the Malabrigo and how soft it is! She kept rubbing the mitts against her cheek! I know the feeling. This is my most favorite yarn. I could just knit with it day in and day out.

Speaking of knitting day in and day out, I'm finishing up a brand new pattern that I hope to post very soon! If only cotton was as easy to knit with as that yummy Malabrigo!

A Little Lace

For those of you who follow this blog, you might remember that I knit a couple of hats for my niece, Eliza. (You remember Eliza....she's the one who tried to make me invisible! Fortunately, she still hasn't perfected her magic spells!!) This is the second hat. She picked out both the yarn and the pattern.

The pattern is called "Lacy Girly Fancy Hat" and can be found here. I modified it a bit by doing a provisional cast on and then knitting the picot hem together, so I wouldn't have to sew it later.

The hat calls for a ribbon or a trim to be inserted in the first eyelet row, but Eliza didn't like it, so we scratched it. I don't think you'd even notice that anything was missing.

The yarn is Cascade 220 Superwash in Spring Meadow. I had quite a bit of yarn left over so I decided to make her some matching fingerless mitts.

The pattern is the Gull Wing lace and is fairly easy to follow. Trust me, if I can do it, then you can do it!! Lace is not my strongest skill! The mitts have a seven stitch repeat, so I cast on 40 stitches and did a 2 x 2 ribbing for the cuff and then I added three stitches. I needed 42 stitches for the pattern and one extra stitch for the thumb gusset. I debated about continuing the pattern on the thumb, but I decided it was too much like work, so I just did stockinette. I worked three rows of the pattern (knitting the one stitch for the thumb) and then started the gusset. After the thumb gusset is finished and you transfer the stitches to a piece of waste yarn for finishing later, you should have 42 stitches. Normally, I would add a stitch or two above the thumb, but the lace is stretchy, so you don't have to. I just continued the pattern and finished it off with a 2x2 ribbing.

Eliza was thrilled with them, but her mother decided that she really liked the hat too and requested one for herself. Again, I used the Cascade Superwash, but this time I knit it in a solid.

Eliza graciously offered to model. As you can see, it is a little big, but then it is for her mom.

I thought mom would like a pair of mitts also, so I made her a pair as well.

One tip. I wouldn't try knitting these and watching the Olympic short track speed skating events. It's not a good combination!

You want pink??!!

My sister doesn't knit. She doesn't sew. She doesn't craft. As a matter of fact, she even has a button that states "I don't do crafts" which she proudly wears whenever we go to craft shows together. She likes crafts and she admires them, but she has no interest in becoming a participant, so when a good friend of hers was expecting a little girl, she asked me to knit her "something". I was excited by the prospect of actually getting to knit for a little girl. It also meant that I would get to use up some of my "baby" stash. I have some beautiful mint greens, peaches, lavenders and pale yellows, but could I use any of those? No. I was told it HAD to be pink. Pink? I hate pink. I think it's lovely in flowers, but that's about the only place. Fortunately, I did have a couple of skeins. Why I even bought them in the first place, I can't remember. It must have been a great sale. I'm a sucker for yarn sales. Anyway, I decided that I wanted to do something dainty and lacy. I love the feather and fan pattern and, as luck would have it, Lion Brand had just the sweater on their website.

It's knit from the top down and all in one piece. I did alter the pattern a bit by knitting the sleeves in the round and I only did a few rows of the feather and fan. The pattern calls for rows of it to start about the elbow. I thought it looked sweeter with fewer rows. I also knit a couple of rows of garter stitch at the bottom of the sweater to give it a more finished look and I just used three buttons at the top. I even had the buttons in the stash!

The pattern is free and can be found here. The yarn is Snuggly DK by Sirdar and it washes and dries beautifully. For a matching hat, I found this cute pattern by Lorraine Major. It was a really fast knit and just finishes off the set nicely.

Okay, so maybe pink isn't all that bad.