Warning! Reptiles ahead!

Whew! Christmas sure went whirling by fast! I can't believe that it's come and gone already. I was rushing right up until the last minute, as usual. Every year I think I'll start earlier and every year it never happens. Sound familiar? In any event, one of the things that I generally do not do is knit gifts. I'm not so sure anyone really appreciates all the time that goes into a knitted gift, so I try to avoid adding that stress to my life. However, this year I made an exception so I could knit a little frog for my grandson, Micah. He loves red eyed tree frogs and when I saw this cute pattern called Ribbit, I knew I had to make it. It's a free pattern and the body is a tennis ball! You actually knit right around the ball. The pattern calls for each of the toes to be knit separately and then attached, something that did not appeal to me. I changed the pattern by making bobbles instead and I think it looks just as good. I also added some nostrils. The yarn is Cotton Classic by Tahki and was just lying around in my stash. I was surprised by how fast it knit up.

As frogs go, it's pretty cute. Of course, by making this for Micah, that meant that I had to knit something for big brother Jack. Jack is going through a snake phase. At least I hope it's a phase! I cannot abide reptiles of any sort. I even have trouble looking at a picture of them! Still, I did happen to have all this leftover yarn from the Nemo socks I knit the boys last year. The yarn stripes to look just like a clown fish. Cute little fish. Of course, it also stripes to look like a coral snake (shudder), so I decided to use it up, just for Jack.

Ewwwww! It gives me the willies just looking at it. I can't believe that I actually knit it. Still, Jack really seemed to like it and he immediately hung it on his Christmas tree. Not my idea of a garland at all!

As I said, I really hope he moves past this obsession....quickly!!

On a brighter note, I thought you might like to see a couple of my Christmas presents.

They're Franklin Habit's Christmas ornaments from 2006 and 2008. I just love them.

This year's ornament is cute too, but I thought I read that these older ornaments were only going to be available for a short time. In any event, if you're interested in them, you can find them here .

Finally, you have to check out what Jen did with my "Hay, Baby!" pattern. This has to be the cutest blanket ever, not that I'm biased in anyway! Click here and check it out for yourself!

The Eyes Have It.

Is everyone all set for Christmas? I think I'm finally getting there! Most of my presents are bought and wrapped. Mostly now, I'm waiting for UPS and the Post Office! One of my other tasks this year was to make a Christmas stocking for little Marty. Way back in 1973, I started knitting stockings for all the children in my family, nieces, nephews, sons, grandsons. The pattern is an old Mary Maxim that had a Santa, a reindeer and a snowman. As each child has come along, I've knit a different design. The trick, at least with my grandsons, was to make something that they liked and not just seasonal! Jack's stocking has a zebra and Mickey's stocking has a train. We waited a year to see what Marty might be interested and his mom made two suggestions: a panda or a goldfish. I decided to go with the panda. I thought it might be a little easier to draw and thus, knit. It wasn't. I've struggled with the eyes so much. After five attempts, this is what the first one looked like:

He's okay, I guess, but I decided that he really looked like he had two black eyes, and NOT in a good way! Reluctantly, I ripped them out yet again, and this time I think I've got it.

I even decided to do a couple of stitches to try to define the neck. I'm sure Marty will like it. This year anyway. Next year, I fully expect him to be talking and then I might have a request for something else! In any event, we're covered for Santa this year and just in the "nick" of time!

I hope that all of you who celebrate Christmas will have a very merry one. A huge thank you to everyone for all your kind comments and good wishes. I have some really cute new designs coming up next year and I look forward to sharing them all with you!

I'm alive!

Well, barely alive! I am one of the many who have contracted the swine flu, except, in my case, I think the whole barnyard was involved! For awhile, I was actually afraid that I might die, and then, as time went by, I was afraid that I wouldn't!! It's miserable and I highly recommend that you stay as far away from it as you can!

On a much brighter note, I finally summoned up the energy to finish up my holiday/winter pattern. Rudy has been hanging around on my computer since this summer, but he really needed some "tweaking".

He kind of reminds me of the Snowbaby bib I did last year. Must be that falling snow!

I've posted the pdf file in the sidebar for both the bib and the cloth. Every time I post a new pattern, I just hold my breath that there's still enough room for them on my little website. I really have to get going on a more permanent solution.

Finally, I just want to address an issue that was brought up in the comments last time. I'm not sure why any of you thought I would start charging for the patterns, but let me assure you that I have no intention of selling them, now or in the future. As I've said before, I just do this for fun and I share the patterns because I want to! I'm happy that you like them and that some of you actually take the time to tell me!

Rudy

Copyright 2009 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 ¾" from neck edge to bottom and 7 ¾" wide

Materials: One skein of worsted weight cotton such as Sugar ‘n Cream or Peaches & Crème 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 Emerald Green.

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
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: k26; turn (11 sts. unworked)
Row 2: Slip 1 knitwise; k17; turn (8 sts. unworked)
Row 3: Slip 1 knitwise; k20; turn (8sts. unworked)
Row 4: Slip 1 knitwise; k23; turn (5 sts. unworked)
Row 5: Slip 1 knitwise; k26; turn (5 sts. unworked)
Row 6: Slip 1 knitwise; k28; turn (3 sts. unworked)
Row 7: Slip 1 knitwise; k30; turn (3 sts. unworked)
Row 8: Slip 1 knitwise; k32; turn (1 sts. unworked)
Row 9: Slip 1 knitwise; k34; turn (1 sts. unworked)
Row 10: Slip 1 knitwise; k35.
Row 11: knit.
Continue with *Row 12 of pattern.

OR

Traditional Beginning

Pattern: Cast on 11 sts.

Row 1: knit.
Row 2: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row. (14 sts.)
Row 3: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (17 sts.)
Row 4: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (20 sts.)
Row 5: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (23 sts.)
Row 6: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (26 sts.)
Row 7: Cast on 3 sts., knit across row (29 sts.)
Row 8: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (31 sts.)
Row 9: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (33 sts.)
Row 10: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (35 sts.)
Row 11: Cast on 2 sts., knit across row (37 sts.)
*Row 12: knit.
Row 13: knit.
Row 14: k13; p12; k12.
Row 15: k14; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k4; p1; k12.
Row 16: k10; p2; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p1; k1; p3; k11.
Row 17: k10; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2; p1; k5; p1; k12.
Row 18: k8; p4; k1; p5; k4; p4; k1; p2; k8.
Row 19: k10; p1; k4; p1; k2; p1; k5; p1; k12.
Row 20: k6; p6; k1; p5; k4; p4; k1; p4; k6.
Row 21: k11; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k4; p1; k13.
Row 22: k5; p8; k1; p4; k4; p3; k1; p6; k5.
Row 23: k12; (p1, k2) x2; (p1, k3) x2; p1; k10.
Row 24: k5; p10; k8; p1; k1; p7; k5.
Row 25: k13 (p1, k1) x4; p1; k15.
Row 26: k5; p10; (k1, p1) x3; k1; p2; k1; p7; k5.
Row 27: k11; (p1, k1)x2; p9; k6; p1; k6.
Row 28: k5; (p7, k1)x2; p1; k1; p3; (k1, p2)x2; k5.
Row 29: k10; p4; k2; p1; k7; p1; k12.
Row 30: k5; p6; k1; p3; k3; p3; k1; p1; k1; p2; k1; p5; k5.
Row 31: k9; (p1, k2) x3; p1; k3; (p1, k2)x2; p1; k8.
Row 32: k5; p6; k1; p2; k1; p3; (k1, p2) x2; k4; p4; k5.
Row 33: k9; (p1, k2) x3; p1, k3; p1; k2; p1; k11.
Row 34: k5; p6; k1; p3; k3; p3; k1; p2; k4; p4; k5.
Row 35: k8; (p1, k1) x2; p1; k2; p1; k9; p1; k11.
Row 36: k5; p6; k1; p9; k1; p2; (k1, p1) x4; k5.
Row 37: k14; p2; k8; p1; k12.
Row 38: k5; p8; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; p8; k5.
Row 39: k13; p1; k3; p6; k6; p1; k7.
Row 40: k5; p9; k1; p8; k3; p6; k5.
Row 41: k10; p1; k2; p1; k9; p1; k13.
Row 42: k5; p8; k1; p9; k1; p3; k1; p4; k5.
Row 43: k9; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k3; p1; k2; p2; k12.
Row 44: k5; p6; k1; p1; k1; p9; k1; p4; k1; p3; k5.
Row 45: k8; p1; k4; p1; k9; p1; k1; p1; k11.
Row 46: k5; p5; k1; p2; k1; p9; k1; p4; (k1, p1) x2; k5.
Row 47: k8; p1; k3; p1; k1; p1; k7; p1; (k3, p1) x2; k6.
Row 48: k5; p4; (k1, p5) x2; k2; p2; k2; p1; k1; p3; k5.
Row 49: k8; p2; k4; p1; k1; p5; k1; p1; k5; p1; k8.
Row 50: k5; p3; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p8; k5.
Row 51: k13; p1; k6; p1; k3; p4; k9.
Row 52: k5; p10; k1; p8; k1; p7; k5.
Row 53: k12; p1; k8; p1; k15.
Row 54: k5; p10; k1; p7; k1; p1; k2; p2; k1; p2; k5.
Row 55: k9; p1; k4; p1; k5; p1; k1; p1; k14.
Row 56: k5; (p4, k1) x2; p2 (k1, p4) x3; k5.
Row 57: k9; (p1, k4) x2; p1; k3; p2; k12.
Row 58: k5; p1; k1; p5; k1; p19; k5.
Row 59: k16; p1; k20.
Row 60: k5; p25; k1; p1; k5.
Row 61: k26; p1; k10.
Row 62: k5; p8; k11; p3; k1; p4; k5.
Row 63: knit.
Row 64: k6; p5; k15; p5; k6.
Rows 65 – 68: knit.

Row 69: k13 sts. Slip sts. just worked onto stitch holder, bind off the next 11 stitches knitwise; knit to end: 13 stitches each side.

NECK AND SHOULDER SHAPING – LEFT SHOULDER

Note: As you look at the bib with right side facing, the first shoulder worked will be the left side. All the decreases are made on right side rows.

Row 70: knit.

Neck decreases:
Row 71: (right side) slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit to end. (12 sts.)
Row 72: knit.
Row 73: slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit to end. (11 sts.)
Row 74: knit.

Shoulder decreases:
Row 75: (right side) k9, k2tog. (10 sts.)
Row 76: knit.
Row 77: k8, k2tog. (9 sts.)
Row 78: knit.
Row 79: k7, k2tog. (8 sts.)
Row 80: knit.
Row 81: k6, k2tog. (7 sts.)
Row 82: knit.
Row 83: k5, k2tog. (6 sts.)
Row 84: knit.
Row 85: k4, k2tog. (5 sts.)
Row 86: knit.
Row 87: 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. 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.

Row 70: (wrong side) knit.

Neck decreases:
Row 71: knit for 11 sts., k2tog. (12 sts.)
Row 72: knit.
Row 73: knit for 10 sts., k2tog. (11 sts.)
Row 74: knit.

Shoulder decreases:
Row 75: (right side) slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit for 9 sts. (10 sts.)
Row 76: knit.
Row 77: slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit for 8 sts. (9 sts.)
Row 78: knit.
Row 79: slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit for 7 sts. (8 sts.)
Row 80: knit.
Row 81: slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit for 6 sts. (7 sts.)
Row 82: knit.
Row 83: slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit for 5 sts. (6 sts.)
Row 84: knit.
Row 85: slip 1 knitwise, k1, psso, knit for 4 sts. (5 sts.)
Row 86: knit.
Row 87: 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.

Rudy Cloth

Copyright 2009 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 ¾".

Materials: One skein of worsted weight cotton. The cloth pictured was done in Peaches & Crème in Rose Pink.

Needles: Size 6
Gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch, not critical, although the denser the fabric, the more the design will show up!

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

Pattern: Cast on 37 stitches

Rows 1 – 8: knit.
Row 9: k10; p1; k13; p1; k12.
Row 10: k5; p7; k1; p13; k1; p5; k5.
Row 11: k10; p1; k3; p1; k1; p1; k2; p1; k4; p1; k12.
Row 12: k5; p7; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p1; k1; p9; k5.
Row 13: k10; p1; k3; (p1, k1) x2; p1; k5; p1; k12.
Row 14: k5; p7; k1; p5; k4; p4; k1; p5; k5.
Row 15: k10; p1; k4; p1; k2; p1; k5; p1; k12.
Row 16: k5; p7; k1; p5; k4; p4; k1; p5; k5.
Row 17: k11; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k4; p1; k13.
Row 18: k5; p8; k1; p4; k4; p3; k1; p6; k5.
Row 19: k12; (p1, k2) x2; (p1, k3) x2; p1; k10.
Row 20: k5; p10; k8; p1; k1; p7; k5.
Row 21: k13 (p1, k1) x4; p1; k15.
Row 22: k5; p10; (k1, p1) x3; k1; p2; k1; p7; k5.
Row 23: k11; (p1, k1)x2; p9; k6; p1; k6.
Row 24: k5; (p7, k1)x2; p1; k1; p3; k1; p2; k1; p2; k5.
Row 25: k10; p4; k2; p1; k7; p1; k12.
Row 26: k5; p6; k1; p3; k3; p3; k1; p1; k1; p2; k1; p5; k5.
Row 27: k9; (p1, k2) x3; p1; k3; (p1, k2)x2; p1; k8.
Row 28: k5; p6; k1; p2; k1; p3; (k1, p2) x2; k4; p4; k5.
Row 29: k9; (p1, k2) x3; p1, k3; p1; k2; p1; k11.
Row 30: k5; p6; k1; p3; k3; p3; k1; p2; k4; p4; k5.
Row 31: k8; (p1, k1) x2; p1; k2; p1; k9; p1; k11.
Row 32: k5; p6; k1; p9; k1; p2; (k1, p1) x4; k5.
Row 33: k14; p2; k8; p1; k12.
Row 34: k5; p8; k1; p6; k1; p2; k1; p8; k5.
Row 35: k13; p1; k3; p6; k6; p1; k7.
Row 36: k5; p9; k1; p8; k3; p6; k5.
Row 37: k10; p1; k2; p1; k9; p1; k13.
Row 38: k5; p8; k1; p9; k1; p3; k1; p4; k5.
Row 39: k9; p1; k3; p1; k2; p1; k3; p1; k2; p2; k12.
Row 40: k5; p6; k1; p1; k1; p9; k1; p4; k1; p3; k5.
Row 41: k8; p1; k4; p1; k9; p1; k1; p1; k11.
Row 42: k5; p5; k1; p2; k1; p9; k1; p4; (k1, p1) x2; k5.
Row 43: k8; p1; k3; p1; k1; p1; k7; p1; (k3, p1) x2; k6.
Row 44: k5; p4; (k1, p5) x2; k2; p2; k2; p1; k1; p3; k5.
Row 45: k8; p2; k4; p1; k1; p5; k1; p1; k5; p1; k8.
Row 46: k5; p3; k1; p4; k1; p2; k1; p6; k1; p8; k5.
Row 47: k13; p1; k6; p1; k3; p4; k9.
Row 48: k5; p10; k1; p8; k1; p7; k5.
Row 49: k12; p1; k8; p1; k15.
Row 50: k5; p10; k1; p7; k1; p1; k2; p2; k1; p2; k5.
Row 51: k9; p1; k4; p1; k5; p1; k1; p1; k14.
Row 52: k5; (p4, k1) x2; p2 (k1, p4) x3; k5.
Row 53: k9; (p1, k4) x2; p1; k3; p2; k12.
Row 54: k5; p1; k1; p5; k1; p19; k5.
Rows 55 – 63: knit.
Bind off knitwise and weave in ends.

"Star of the Blog"

My little niece, Eliza, who has made an appearance on my blog before, recently came for an unexpected visit. This is always a treat, but especially since I had just finished making her another Calorimetry since she liked the last one so much. I hadn't really intended to make it, but I was in Webs picking up some wool to make pants for my grandson when I had this little "accident". If you've ever been in the warehouse, you know that the yarn is just stacked on all these metal shelves and they are pretty close together. I was looking at some yarn when I accidently bumped the shelf behind me and this one pretty skein of Araucania Nature Wool Multy just happened to fall from above and land squarely in my basket! It was all of Eliza's favorite colors, so I decided it must have happened for a reason.

I made the same flowers as before. I'm a little disappointed that the colors don't show up as well in these pictures as they do in real life. The light was dwindling and we had to hurry to have our little impromptu fashion shoot!

Eliza wanted to know if she was the "star" of my blog! I told her "most definitely!" It's so rare that I get to have anything modeled! Check out those dimples!

I also got to give her the kitten mittens that I posted about earlier. Needless to say, those were a big hit. I think she might be a veterinarian when she grows up, so she loves anything with animals.

They fit her "purrfectly"! (Sorry I couldn't resist!)

Thanks for the visit Eliza. You can be the star of my blog anytime you want!

The Expanding Zoo

Yes, before you ask, I am still working on my Christmas/Holiday bib and cloth for this year! However, just to keep you happy in the meantime, here is a set that I did awhile ago, but haven't got around to posting. Another addition to this zoo kick I was on!

I know "Studley" is kind of lame, but the original name I had picked out was already taken. I was having trouble coming up with anything so, as I was thinking "What should I name a stud like you?", it just came to me and I decided to stick with it! Thank you again to all my awesome test knitters!

Now, on another note, I have to vent a little about my patterns. The key word here is "MY" patterns. I think I've been pretty generous with them. I don't mind if you want to make them and sell them as long as you give me credit as the designer. Make a bunch, I don't care. However, I do mind if you take my pattern and post it in its entirety on your blog. Seriously, how hard is it to just post a link to my blog? Frankly, I'm getting tired of having to have these confrontations, so please, I beg you, be respectful of my wishes and my copyright, and knock it off! Okay, so I got that off my chest, I feel better and I'm moving on. Thanks for letting me vent!