pieKnits: Finished Items 2006 Archives

The Littlest Stocking

I couldn't help it, really. I needed a little breather, something different from the Deadline Knitting. I suppose "little" is the operative word here.

Cute, no? Now one for scale.

A seamless 12 stitch sock in crochet thread on 0000 needles, no wait- really I'm not completely crazy. I think if anyone admitted to enjoying working a dozen stitches on four double points everyone would back away from them slowly. What captivated my attention on this little guy is its great use of my favorite technique, Double Knit. It's knit entirely "flat", or more accurately, back and forth but produces a seamless tube. This type of technique allows for what would otherwise be an unwieldy amount of stitches in the round to be worked relatively easily. I wanted to experiment with just how small I could take it and thus this little stocking was born. (See Aubyn, new knitting content!)

Inspired by Beverly Royce's Baby Socks from "Notes on Double Knitting" these toe-up socks use short-rows for the toe and heel shaping. A thicker thread or yarn could easily be substituted for a slightly larger stocking as well. I used just what I had in the stash. The red is actually left over Classic Elite Provence from Scarlet Woman split into 1 ply.

I've written up the pattern here, so hop on over and join the crazy, er, fun!

Posted by Jen at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Stella Cloche Hat Pattern

Evoke the style of the 1920's with this felted cloche hat. Knit in the round, this piece uses short row shaping to form an asymmetrical brim. A clever variation of a double knit technique produces the contrasting welted band. Additional photos available here and here.

The instant download rundown -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 feel free to email me at- jen@pieknits.com

Stella Preview

Pattern: Stella Cloche Felted Hat
1920's inspred hat with an asymmetrical brim and welted band.
Gauge: 12 sts and 15 rows = 4" in St st.
Size: One size (felt to desired size)
Needle size: US size 11/8 mm
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky (85% Wool, 15% Mohair; 125yds/114m per 113g skein Main Color(MC): M80 Blue Blood Red; 2 skeins; Contrast Color(CC): M05 Onyx; 1 skein
Skill level: Beginner or Advanced Beginner (optional short rows, double knit)
Price: $3.75
Format: PDF instant download

Posted by Jen at 01:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

To Dad

Mmmm, more pie! New pattern over at MagKnits.com

Dad's Blueberry Pie

Diner Dining

Posted by Jen at 06:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Happy Halloween Indeed

Let it not be said that I fail to deliver (albeit a bit poorly lighted).

The costume, including the Stella hat, and me attempting to pose

I like this accidental one as it shows off the flapper fringe on the bottom of the dress

This one is a little clearer at least. I think we may need a tripod though.
The Boy - swinger style

Moreover, what's that fabulous door I'm standing in front of? Why it's the entryway to our new house! (that makes it fabulous in my mind) Yep, closed on it yesterday. So did we grab a pumpkin and candy and head over for Trick or Treating you ask? Damn straight we did!

Posted by Jen at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)

Now that's better

I'm happy to report Cloche v2.0 (now upgraded to "Stella Cloche") was successful! I'm developing a bit of a thing for deep reds I'm afraid. This boundless affection is compounded with the dip of the asymmetrical brim and the welted black band. I do believe this is one of my favorite knits to date, and just in time for my Halloween costume! I was lucky enough to acquire a fantastic vintage flapper dress several years back working at a thrift store and I've been waiting to wear it since. ~~Modeling photos and the pattern to come soon!~~ Pattern now up here!

In the meantime, Stella in 360.

Posted by Jen at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Cucurbita pepo

After finally getting to finishing up the pattern and some deadline knitting, I was feeling like a quick little knit before working on finishing up some WIPs.

I knew the perfect thing. I had been wanting to make some of these since I first saw the pattern - mini pumpkins! These are easily one of my favorite Halloween decorations and now I have one that won't rot.

Boo

Fantastic pattern by Wool Windings - "Miniature Felted Pumpkin"
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky (stash busting- right on)
Needles: I used 10.5 dpns as that's what I had, just worked it loosely

I also got to visit my purse and ribbon at the State Fair of Texas. As promised, cheesy photo of me and entry.

Frilly ribbon!

Posted by Jen at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Scarlet Woman Sleeveless Tank

The Scarlet Woman pattern, she is finished.
This bra-friendly tank top features wide straps and optional bra-stay snaps to keep those undergarment straps from peaking through. The optional short row bust darts provide a smoother fit. Deceptively simple diagonal ribbing for the empire waist add shape and detail while keeping the top portion solid enough that an undershirt is not required for actual wear. Throw on during a hot summer's day or layer over a long sleeve shirt for a fall look. Available in sizes for 32-54 inch bust. Additional photos available here.

The instant download rundown -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 feel free to email me at- jen@pieknits.com

Scarlet Woman Preview

Pattern: Scarlet Woman Tank (Bra-Friendly Top)
Diagonal stitch ribbed empire waisted sleeveless top with a bra friendly square neckline.
Gauge: 21 sts and 26 rows = 4" in St st.
For Bust Measurements: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54) inches
Needle size: US size 6/4 mm and US size 5/3.75 mm
Yarn: Classic Elite Provence (100% Mercerized Egyptian Cotton; 205yds/186m per 100g skein) Color: #2627 French Red; 3(3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6 ) skeins
[Alternate] Elann.com Sonata (100% Mercerized Cotton; 115yds/106m per 50g/1.75 oz skein) Color: #3919 Burgundy Rose; 6(6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 11) skeins
Skill level: Advanced Beginner (optional short rows, single crochet edge)
Price: $5.50
Format: PDF instant download
Errata: Here

Posted by Jen at 07:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Scarlet Woman Reveal

Here she is, finally...

Pattern: My own, available soon
Yarn: Classic Elite Provence (100% Mercerized Egyptian Cotton) Color: #2627 French Red; 4 skeins
Needles: Denise US 5 & 6
Size: Medium (will be offered in sizes XS-3X (54" bust) along with optional short row bust shaping)
More background info here.

For a more casual fall look, this top also pairs well with a button up collared shirt underneath. My wedded photographer had been released from his duties so I snapped this classic 'in the mirror shot'.

Posted by Jen at 08:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)

Free Pattern- HP BookScarf in Double Knit

As promised, the Harry Potter love...

The very generous Laura was kind enough to grant permission for me to post this variation of her brilliant Harry Potter Bookscarf. When I saw the pattern, I thought "Aha! Here would be a great place to use my new best friend Double Knit". (Yes, I do make lame exclamations in my head- moving on)
The original pattern is worked in the round with very fine yarn; while beautiful, I'm just lazier than that. With double knit it can be worked flat and still have Stockinette Stitch on both sides, no seaming and nothing more complicated than slipped and knit stitches. Made up in Red Heart Sport weight yarn it whips up even faster (and cheap too!).

Fill the void between books and movies with the pattern over here.

Posted by Jen at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

New Pattern - Grape Hyacinth Lace Scarf

So what that it's 100+ degrees out? I feel I may just have to ignore the weird looks and wear this out already, I luuurve it.

Strong diagonal lines of slanting decreases and yarn overs create a striking pattern that neither gets lost in the beautiful complexity of Noro's Silk Garden nor competes with it. Drooping bell shapes appear to hang from diagonal "stems" in varying shades much like the Grape Hyacinth.
Instructions are provided in the pattern for both wider and/or longer sized versions. The sample shown is worked as the narrow version.

Yep, it's the whole instant download thing- you know how that works. 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 feel free to email me at- jen@pieknits.com
Just a note that my camera refuses to capture purple, which is a shame as this colorway is more beautiful shades of purple then indicated.
Grape Hyacinth Preview

Pattern: Grape Hyacinth Lace Scarf
Diagonal Spanish lace scarf in self striping Noro Silk Garden. Pattern provided in 3 sizes in written and charted instructions.
Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4" in St st.
Finished Size: 4[4, 6]" wide, 40[60, 60]" long
Needle size: US size 8/5 mm
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden (45% Silk, 45% Mohair, 10% Wool); 110yds/100m per 50g skein) Color: #037 (Purples); 1[2, 2] skein(s)
Skill level: Advanced Beginner (Lace patterning on every row, p2tog-tbl)
Price: $3.00
Format: PDF instant download

Posted by Jen at 06:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

Lost memories

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.

Posted by Jen at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

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
Pattern preview

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

Posted by Jen at 08:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Swirls

Is it...? could it be...? It is! It's a FO!

Fun with scallops

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.

Shot 2 (I know, creative)

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

Posted by Jen at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Allete

Are you a Good Witch?

Or a Bad Witch? or a Sandwich? as my father likes to say

The new Summer Extremeties issue of Knitty is up! So is my new pattern Allete, knitted wings - head on over and check it out!

Posted by Jen at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)

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.

Zombie V.3

Posted by Jen at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

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!

Pattern Linky

Posted by Jen at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

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
Pattern preview

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

Posted by Jen at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

The Preemie Project

So quick it didn't even make it to the progress bar.

so tiny!

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 1x1 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.

Posted by Jen at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

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.

Posted by Jen at 08:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (26)

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 whitewave1 AT gmail DOT com with any pattern blunders or troubles.

Posted by Jen at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The new Bobby Socks

Who says you're ever too old for some lacy socks- or pink?

The details
Knit in fine sport weight on size 5 needles and attached to some commercially bought socks with black elastic thread. Little black ribbon bows tied into eyelets on each side for embellishment.

Talk about a quick project, this particular lace pattern is only 7-12 stitches wide. I'm pretty pleased with the results as it's more or less precisely what I was envisioning. I have some other hot pink mercerized cotton in my stash I'm already planning to make a second pair with.

*Edit: Guide/pattern added to the side bar too, or click here

Posted by Jen at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Ropes and Ladders Cabled Scarf Pattern

This pattern I did a little backwards from the usual for me. I usually have a design idea or pattern in mind, and then go hunting for the perfect yarn. On this one however, I fell in love with the yarn then figured out something to do with it. The cabled scarf is knit in Elsebeth Lavold Chunky Al, 50% Alpaca, 50% wool in the gorgeous Moss color. The pattern includes written directions and charts for the cables, enjoy!

Clicky here for pattern

Click for pattern