Calendar Day!

Today is the day that the official 2011 Dishcloth Calendar goes on sale. You can find all the ordering information by either going directly to the site http://www.dishclothcalendar.com/ or by clicking on the picture of the calendar's cover to the right in my sidebar.

I thought today would be a good day to post my two other designs that are in the calendar. The first is a horse, which I call "Pete" after a horse from my childhood. He lived right across the street from my grandparents and I can remember tiptoeing carefully to his stable to get a glimpse of him. I had a bad experience with a horse (well, actually a pony) when I was a child and since then, I've always been a little afraid of horses. I like to look at them from a distance!

I guess I could never have lived in the Old West. Patting a horse's nose is as close as I care to get! The cloth is knitted in Peaches & Creme Army Tan and the bib is done in Camel.

The second design is a lamb which I call "Eleanor" after my great aunt. She was a great aunt too! I don't think I've ever known anyone who was as gifted in needlework as she was. Her work was even featured on the Today Show years ago. I always loved to visit her and see whatever new project was in her basket.

Rug hooking, smocking, needlepoint, or counted cross stitch, you name it. If it involved a hook or a needle, she could do it. The only thing that I never remember her doing was knitting. I wish I had asked her why, but at the time, I was just fascinated with all her other skills. Why name this cloth after her? Well, her last name was "Lamb" and she had quite a collection of them!

My grandmother was the knitter. She's the one who taught me when I was only six and then gave me repeated refresher courses as I grew older. I have her original mitten pattern that I now use to knit mittens for my own grandchildren. Here's a picture of a little knitted coat that she made. I'm told it was a pretty shade of green. My favorite color!

As you can see, it's an old picture...... as is the the model. Me!

In any event, I hope that if you do purchase the calendar, you'll enjoy it. This time around it also includes some recipes, all in keeping with the country theme.

In parting, I want to share a photo that Denise, a wonderful test knitter and all around nice person, took. These are all three of the bibs that she test knit for the calendar. I'm sure you'll all agree that she is one talented knitter!

Don't you just love that purple cow?

Happy Labor Day!

Another KAL is now completed and I can post the pattern here, for all of you who are interested. This was just a fun cloth and really doesn't have anything to do with the season, although it is starting to get cooler here in New England and soon these little critters will be heading indoors to seek some warmth. If they try to get into my house, they'll have to deal with my two cats, Gilligan and Wyatt Earp! That said, my cats are more lovers than killers, so they'd be likely to make new friends as opposed to actually protecting my home!

I'm not sure anyone actually knitted this cloth. For three days, I was the only one who posted any messages on the yahoo group! I think everyone is trying to get in the very last bit of summer!

I hope everyone is enjoying a pleasant Labor Day! For me, this is an aptly named day as it's my oldest son's birthday. (Happy Birthday Mike!)

Do I Smell Cheese?

Copyright 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 Silver Gray.

Needles: US 5/3.75 mm or 6/4.0mm 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 US 5/3.75 mm for the knitted I-cord ties
or
Size G crochet hook for the crocheted ties

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. There are also two methods for doing the ties. One has crocheted ties and the other method uses knitted I-cords. The crocheted ties are slightly thinner. If you do make the knitted ties, you can 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.

Cast on 37 stitches
Row 1: k1, p1 for 26 sts.; turn (11 sts. unworked)
Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 17 sts.; turn (8 sts. unworked)
Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; p1, k1, for 20 sts.; turn (8sts. unworked)
Row 4: Slip 1 knitwise; p1, k1, for 23 sts.; turn (5 sts. unworked)
Row 5: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 26 sts.; turn (5 sts. unworked)
Row 6: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 28 sts.; turn (3 sts. unworked)
Row 7: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 30 sts.; turn (3 sts. unworked)
Row 8: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 32 sts.; turn (1 sts. unworked)
Row 9: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 34 sts.; turn (1 sts. unworked)
Row 10: Slip 1 knitwise; k1, p1, for 35 sts.
Row 11: k1, p1, across row.
Continue with *Row 12 of pattern.

OR

Traditional Beginning

Pattern: Cast on 15 sts.

Row 1: p1, k1 across row.
Row 2: Cast on 3 sts., k1, p1, across row. (18 sts.)
Row 3: Cast on 3 sts., k1, p1, across row. (21 sts.)
Row 4: Cast on 3 sts., p1, k1, across row. (24 sts.)
Row 5: Cast on 3 sts., p1, k1, across row. (27 sts.)
Row 6: Cast on 3 sts., k1, p1, across row. (30 sts.)
Row 7: Cast on 3 sts., k1, p1, across row. (33 sts.)
Row 8: Cast on 2 sts., k1, p1, across row. (35 sts.)
Row 9: Cast on 2 sts., k1, p1, across row. (37 sts.)
Row 10: k1, p1, across row.
Row 11: k1, p1, across row.
*Row 12: k1, p1, across row.
Row 13: (k1, p1) x5; k1; p5; (k1, p1) x2; k1; p5; (k1, p1) x5; k1.
Row 14: k1, p1, across row.
Row 15: (k1, p1) x3; k4; p1; k5; p1; k3; p1; k5; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x3.
Row 16: (k1, p1) x2; k1; (p5, k1) x2; p3; (k1, p5) x2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 17: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k3; p1; k5; p1; k3; p1; k7; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 18: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p6; k4; p7; k4; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 19: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k13; p1; k7; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 20: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p6; k1; p13; k1; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 21: (k1, p1) x2; k8; p1; k11; p1; k1; p1; k6; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 22: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p4; k1; p3; k1; p9; k1; p8; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 23: (k1, p1) x2; k10; p1; k7; p1; k4; p1; k5; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 24: (k1, p1) x2; k1; (p4, k1) x2; p7; k1; p9; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 25: (k1, p1) x2; k11; p1; k5; p1; k6; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 26: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p6; k1; p5; k1; p10; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 27: (k1, p1) x2; k12; p5; k7; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 28: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p6; k1; p5; k1; p10; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 29: (k1, p1) x2; k10; p1; k7; p1; k5; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 30: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p4; k1; p9; k1; p8; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 31: (k1, p1) x2; k8; p1; k4; p3; k4; p1; k3; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 32: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; p3; k1; p4; k1; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 33: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k3; p1; k5; p1; (k3, p1) x3; k1; p1; k1.
Row 34: (k1, p1) x3; k1; p4; k1; p13; k1; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 35: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k13; p1; k4; p1; k2; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 36: (k1, p1) x3; k1; p4; (k1, p6) x3; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 37: (k1, p1) x2; k6; p2; k5; p3; k5; p2; k3; p1; k2; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 38: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p11; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 39: (k1, p1) x2; (k4, p1) x2; k9; (p1, k4) x2; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 40: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; p3; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 41: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k5; p1; k9; p1; k5; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 42: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p5; k1; p9; k1; p5; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 43: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k5; p1; k9; p1; k5; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 44: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p7; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 45: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k6; p1; k7; p1; k6; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 46: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p7; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 47: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k6; p2; k5; p2; k6; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 48: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p1; k5; p1; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 49: (k1, p1) x2; k4; p1; k5; p1; k7; p1; k5; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 50: (k1, p1) x2; k1; (p4, k1) x2; p7; (k1, p4) x2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 51: (k1, p1) x2; k6; p4; k9; p4; k6; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 52: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p27; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 53: (k1, p1) x3; k25; (p1, k1) x3.
Row 54: (k1, p1) x3; k1; p23; k1; (p1, k1) x3.
Row 55: (k1, p1) x4; k21; (p1, k1) x4.
Rows 56 – 62: k1, p1, across row.
Row 63: k1, p1 for 13 sts. Slip sts. just worked onto stitch holder, bind off the next 11 stitches knitwise; work across remaining sts. in established pattern: 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 64: (wrong side) k1, p1, across row.

Neck decreases:
Row 65: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1, p1, across row. (12 sts.)
Row 66: k1, p1, across row.
Row 67: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; p1, k1, across row. (11 sts.)
Row 68: k1, p1, across row.

Shoulder decreases:
Row 69: k1, p1 across to last 2 sts, p2tog. (10 sts.)
Row 70: p1, k1, across row.
Row 71: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., k2tog. (9 sts.)
Row 72: k1, p1, across row.
Row 73: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., p2tog. (8 sts.)
Row 74: p1, k1, across row.
Row 75: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., k2tog. (7 sts.)
Row 76: k1, p1, across row.
Row 77: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., p2tog. (6 sts.)
Row 78: p1, k1, across row.
Row 79: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., k2tog. (5 sts.)
Row 80: k1, p1, across row.
Row 81: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1, k2 tog. (3 sts.)

For the crocheted ties, slip your crochet hook through the three stitches and draw your yarn through. Then work a chain for about 12 - 14 inches. The crocheted ties are not as stretchy as the knitted ones, so you might want to make these slightly longer. When you reach the desired length, work back on the chain by inserting your hook in the second chain stitch nearest the end and slip stitch in each chain until you are back to the beginning. Fasten the yarn securely and weave in the ends. I have a “mini-tutorial” for making the crocheted ties on my blog. http://downcloverlaine.blogspot.com/2010/05/ties-that-bind.html

For the knitted ties, slip these 3 sts. to a dpn 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 64: (wrong side) k1, p1, across row.

Neck decreases:
Row 65: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., p2tog. (12 sts.)
Row 66: p1, k1, across row.
Row 67: k1, p1, across to last 2 sts., k2tog. (11 sts.)
Row 68: k1, p1, across row.

Shoulder decreases:
Row 69: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1, p1, across row. (10 sts.)
Row 70: k1, p1, across row.
Row 71: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; p1, k1, across row. (9 sts.)
Row 72: k1, p1, across row.
Row 73: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1, p1, across row. (8 sts.)
Row 74: k1, p1, across row.
Row 75: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; p1, k1, across row. (7 sts.)
Row 76: k1, p1, across row.
Row 77: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1, p1, across row. (6 sts.)
Row 78: k1, p1, across row.
Row 79: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; p1, k1, across row. (5 sts.)
Row 80: k1, p1, across row.
Row 81: Slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso; k1; k2tog. (3 sts.)

Work tie to correspond with the one you worked for the other side.

Weave in ends.

Do I Smell Cheese? Cloth

Copyright 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 Silver Gray.

Needles: U.S. Size 6/4.0mm or 5/3.75mm 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 37 sts. (NOTE: Odd numbered rows are the right side and even numbered rows are the wrong side.)

Row 1: k1, p1, across row.
Row 2: k1, p1, across row.
Row 3: k1, p1, across row.
Row 4: k1, p1, across row.
Row 5: k1, p1, across row.
Row 6: k1, p1, across row.
Row 7: k1, p1, across row.
Row 8: k1, p1, across row.
Row 9: (right side) (k1, p1) x5; k1; p5; (k1, p1) x2; k1; p5; (k1, p1) x5; k1.
Row 10: k1, p1, across row.
Row 11: (k1, p1) x3; k4; p1; k5; p1; k3; p1; k5; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x3.
Row 12: (k1, p1) x2; k1; (p5, k1) x2; p3; (k1, p5) x2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 13: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k3; p1; k5; p1; k3; p1; k7; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 14: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p6; k4; p7; k4; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 15: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k13; p1; k7; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 16: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p6; k1; p13; k1; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 17: (k1, p1) x2; k8; p1; k11; p1; k1; p1; k6; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 18: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p4; k1; p3; k1; p9; k1; p8; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 19: (k1, p1) x2; k10; p1; k7; p1; k4; p1; k5; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 20: (k1, p1) x2; k1; (p4, k1) x2; p7; k1; p9; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 21: (k1, p1) x2; k11; p1; k5; p1; k6; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 22: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p6; k1; p5; k1; p10; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 23: (k1, p1) x2; k12; p5; k7; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 24: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p6; k1; p5; k1; p10; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 25: (k1, p1) x2; k10; p1; k7; p1; k5; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 26: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p4; k1; p9; k1; p8; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 27: (k1, p1) x2; k8; p1; k4; p3; k4; p1; k3; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 28: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; p3; k1; p4; k1; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 29: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k3; p1; k5; p1; (k3, p1) x3; k1; p1; k1.
Row 30: (k1, p1) x3; k1; p4; k1; p13; k1; p6; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 31: (k1, p1) x2; k7; p1; k13; p1; k4; p1; k2; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 32: (k1, p1) x3; k1; p4; (k1, p6) x3; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 33: (k1, p1) x2; k6; p2; k5; p3; k5; p2; k3; p1; k2; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 34: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p11; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 35: (k1, p1) x2; (k4, p1) x2; k9; (p1, k4) x2; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 36: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p3; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p4; k1; p3; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 37: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k5; p1; k9; p1; k5; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 38: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p5; k1; p9; k1; p5; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 39: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k5; p1; k9; p1; k5; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 40: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p7; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 41: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k6; p1; k7; p1; k6; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 42: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p7; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 43: (k1, p1) x2; k3; p1; k6; p2; k5; p2; k6; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 44: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p1; k5; p1; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 45: (k1, p1) x2; k4; p1; k5; p1; k7; p1; k5; p1; k4; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 46: (k1, p1) x2; k1; (p4, k1) x2; p7; (k1, p4) x2; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 47: (k1, p1) x2; k6; p4; k9; p4; k6; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 48: (k1, p1) x2; k1; p27; k1; (p1, k1) x2.
Row 49: (k1, p1) x3; k25; (p1, k1) x3.
Row 50: (k1, p1) x3; k1; p23; k1; (p1, k1) x3.
Row 51: (k1, p1) x4; k21; (p1, k1) x4.
Row 52: k1, p1, across row.
Row 53: k1, p1, across row.
Row 54: k1, p1, across row.
Row 55: k1, p1, across row.
Row 56: k1, p1, across row.
Row 57: k1, p1, across row.
Row 58: k1, p1, across row.

Bind off in k1, p1, and weave in ends.