It’s a funny thing when something jogs the memory. Especially when without this certain thing to suddenly throw open the mind door, one would’ve never known it was there, ever. Whilst cleaning out a drawer the other day I came upon some embroidery thread and a memory of a particular hand weaving technique I did as a child suddenly popped up. I remember doing it once but have no idea when or how I had learned to do it. Enter the lovely internet; I do love it for things like this. So I was googling along and stumbled onto a page showing ‘Finger knitting’ on ‘Finger weaving’. It wasn’t what I was looking for but when I looked at a photo of it suddenly several memories just hit me of doing this all the time as a kid. It struck me that I would have never remembered that otherwise. Looking around a little further, I found I somehow missed this entire article about it in the new Knitty, duh.
I had quite a bit of a ball of yarn left over from the Beaufort hat, you know the too much to throw away but not really enough to make something – and this headband/wrap was born.
It took all of 15 minutes and works really well actually. I’m thinking this will be a great solution for those left over half-skeins from other projects. Now I can have a matching headband for each sweater or top.
Category Archives: Finished Items 2006 - Page 2
Lost memories
New Pattern – Aileen Celtic Cabled Purse
After a few set backs, including my computer eating a nearly finished version of the pattern, it’s finally ready. I am pleased with how this turned out and enjoyed making the cable part in particular. This structured cabled purse features an asymmetrical Celtic cable that runs horizontal instead of the more typical vertical placement. A double knit base creates a built in “pocket” for a strip of plastic mesh canvas to be inserted for reinforcement. The simple twist cable handle thickens the strap and echoes the front flap design without competing with it.
This sample was knit from a recycled wool sweater, other yarn suggestions have been provided to give the same rustic look and feel as the original.
The front cable flap is fully charted including all increases and decreases. Instructions are provided for working the open and closed cable loops as well. For a photo tutorial of these techniques refer to Jenna of Girl from Auntie’s excellent instructions here.
All set up for instant download, easy peasy. After payment via Paypal you will be given a link to download the pattern. This link will also be emailed to you and will expire in 48 hours. For any questions about the pattern or whole download process please holler at me here- jen@pieknits.com
Pattern Specs
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows = 4″ in Stockinette Stitch
Needle sizes:US size 7/4.5 mm and 5/3.75 mm
Yarn Suggestions: Tahki Donegal Tweed (100% Pure New Wool; 183yds/169m per 100g skein) Color: Green #803; 2 skeins Or
Bartlett Glen Tweed (or any Bartlett 2-ply) (100% Wool; 210yds per 4 oz skein) Color: Bracken; 2 skeins Or
Debbie Bliss Aran Tweed (100% Wool; 109yds/92m per 50g skein) Color: 04; 3 skeins
Skill level: Intermediate (Reading cable charts, picking up sts, double knit fabric)
Price: $4.25
Format: PDF instant download
Swirls
Is it…? could it be…? It is! It’s a FO!
The Beaufort pattern by Knititude and as soon as I got my second ball of yarn I needed for this it was finished right away. On mine the bottom has a slight scalloping which is different from the pattern photo but I rather like it. It has been swatching, swatching over here lately and it’s felt like forever since I’ve had a finished item. This was just the thing I needed. I forgot to get a photo of the top decreases but they’re done quite cleverly and maintain the pattern nicely.
Pattern: Beaufort hat
Yarn: Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton in 238 dandelion, 2 skeins
Yarn Source: Fuzzy Mabel ($4 a ball and free shipping!)
Needles: Size 8 Denise’s and bamboo dpns
Allete
Knit Binge
The Caribbean was as utterly fantastic as one imagines and a very welcome break from reality. I even got a tan (well freckled really). Not so much knitting while I was away – did a bit on the drive but we kept busy! Coming home was very nice though as was plopping down in the knitting spot and relaxing after the travel. I banged out another Zombies Need Not Apply from my pattern in MagKnits for the Boy to cure the fiber withdrawal.
Comfy
Thanks everyone for the nice comments on Emelia and to those who have already purchased it! Now onto what everyone loves, a quick and easy Free pattern!
The Earthy Mouse Pad Wrist Pillow
Pattern blurb, for I am feeling out of any more words at the moment – hey it’s Friday.
I love the feel of this clean, soft organic cotton and thought it’d make a really nice pillow, and so a pillow was made. This little wrist rest helps supports your wrist when using the computer mouse while surfing blogs, er, working and therefore helps ward off the bane of all knitters- carpal tunnel. (You remember your typing teacher scolding you for not holding your wrists up right? Same idea.) So work up a little pillow rest that’s both ergo and eco friendly, and with less than one skein of very reasonably priced yarn, it’s awfully economically friendly too!
New Pattern – Emelia Lace Choker
Finally, after much pattern tweaking here she is – the Emelia Lace Choker. Add a little lace flare to almost any outfit. Wear it over a high neck shirt or a more dramatic neckline. This piece is knit lengthwise and is essentially two lace edgings facing in opposite directions with a center column of enlarged eyelets between them. I really wanted to make a very complete pattern and it took a little longer but I’m pretty pleased with the results. Included are both the written out lace instructions and the charted design in scalable, easy to read format.
The upper lace is my variation of an 1890′s rosebud pattern. The bottom edging calls to mind the rose’s thorns and the pattern looks of little stems and leaves. Two delicate button loops worked in the bind-off row and ribbon woven through the center eyelets secure the piece in the back.
All set up for instant download, easy peasy. After payment via Paypal you will be given a link to download the pattern. This link will also be emailed to you and will expire in 48 hours. For any questions about the pattern or whole download process please holler at me here- jen@pieknits.com
More gratuitous photos
here, here, and here.
Pattern Specs
Gauge: Lace weight
Needle size:US size 2/2.75 mm
Yarn: Shown in Zephyr Wool-Silk (50% merino wool/50% tussah silk; 630yds per 2 ounce skein) Color: Iris; 1 skein
[Alternative: Any lace weight yarn]
Skill level: Intermediate Lace (Reading chart or written lace stitches, double decreases, binding off in pattern, small amount of patterning on every row)
Price: $3.50
Format: PDF instant download
The Preemie Project
So quick it didn’t even make it to the progress bar.
Slip stitch preemie hat and toe-up socks. Quarter placed for size perspective. The endlessly generous Wool Winder is hosting a little contest to raise donations for The Preemie Project. I have a bunch of baby acrylic left over from the lace socks and had been thinking about knitting up something for a charity. When I saw this, and that it’s based out of Iowa, I had to hop to it. :)
I used this pattern in the smallest size with the only modification being I made the last 2 rows on the socks 1×1 ribbing to match the hat. It’s a cute pattern and of course a pretty fast knit. The top of the hat was different than ones I’ve done before. It creates kind of a star shape, close up pic here.
Introducing Topi
Well looky here – pattern #2 is up at the new Knitty! I’m so excited to have two patterns published in the same month!
After I finished this hat I asked Mr. PieKnits what should I name it. He somewhat jokingly replied Topi! Which means “hat” in Telugu, the language of Andhra Pradesh, India where he is from. Written like this in script -
So, Topi it was!
The singing in the rain pose
Some extras about the pattern, as I have a bit of a thing with exhaustive detail.
Added: Sizes given in the pattern are really just example adult sizes. Since this hat is knit from the top down you just work the top until it reaches your desired head circumference and then work the purl turning row and continue on with the sides. This can easily be made in many different types of yarn and child sizes.
To avoid the same jog that happens in color work on the purl turning row, work the “Jogless Jog” the same way you would with color. Great instructions located here.
If you have some difficulties with the Slip Knot Crochet Cast On, a similar method called the Emily Ocker’s Circular Beginning is detailed in Eunny Jang’s Majoring in Lace series. Both techniques produce comparable results.
For printing the pdf brim template to the correct size make sure your Page Scaling is set to ‘None’ in your Print settings.
If you’re working the pattern in a different gauge I’d recommend cutting out the template a little large. You want it to fit snuggly and you can always trim as needed until you get the right fit.
Skullicious
New MagKnits pattern is up up up!
Zombies Need Not Apply
My new pattern is available over at Magknits.com online knitting magazine. His and her skull Fair Isle wrist warmers. If you make some up for you and yours I’d love to see a pic!
Thanks to Kerrie for getting it up so quickly.
Feel free to contact me at jen AT pieKnits DOT com with any pattern blunders or troubles.
ETA – This pattern is now available as a free PDF download. Click here to download.