Sunday, February 20, 2011

Briar Rose French Press Coffee Cozy



Previously I had searched for free french press knitting patterns, and while I found many fantastic patterns there wasn't one that I loved enough to make. I loved the Briar Rose stitch I found in Good Housekeeping Traditional Knitting, so I decided to design a knit French Press cozy around this stitch. The best thing about the Briar Rose is that you get a cabled look without the need of a cable needle!


A closeup of the Briar Rose stitch.


The overall effect of the Briar Rose stitch.

Materials
  • Worsted Weight wool (50g is sufficient)
  • Size 6 knitting needles
  • size 6 dpn or crochet hook to make button loops.
  • 3 buttons or closures
  • yarn needle for weaving in loose ends.
  • Gauge: 5 sts/inch; ~7 rows/inch.
  • Finished size: 12 inches long, 6 inches high.

Knitting Chart Key
I want to apologize for my lack of knowledge when it comes to knitted chart symbols. I was converting written instructions into a chart, and I didn't know how some of that would work... so (to quote Tim Gunn) I had to "make it work" and find something suitable. I hope that this is understandable!



Key for the Cable Chart (Open in new window to see it bigger).
Updated 3/9/2011 to include the little cross stitch.
Aire River Design Knitting Fonts was used to create the knitting symbols.


The Pattern

  • Cast on 34 sts
  • Starting with row 1 of the chart (a wrong side row), work the double cable pattern.

    The Cable Chart. Open this image in a new window to see the chart larger.
  • When the piece measures 12 inches.... (~6.5 repeats)
  • cast off on a WS (odd number) row
  • Block the fabric (if necessary)
  • Finishing: Sew three buttons onto one side. Pick up stitches to make i-cord loops or crochet a chain to be a loop to secure the buttons. (Choose crochet chain vs. icord depending on the size of buttons you choose.)

    The buttonholes


Blocking the cozy before sewing on the buttons. Normally I would have made the button loops first, but I wanted to be able to block the project without Keith asking what it was. (As soon as he sees the pirate button he would know that the project is for him!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEITH!


How the buttonholes fit over the buttons.


About the Yarn
I bought this yarn for 9.5 kn while I was in Croatia. Ana - Vunica za pletenje (translation: Wool for Knitting.) According to the label, the yarn is made in Croatia with a composition of 45 vuna, 10 kasmir, 35 poliamidino vlakno, 10 viskozno (or a wool/acrylic blend). What I can find about the brand and this yarn, it looks nothing like what I find in other photos. This thick and thin single ply, it looks like the tag was taped on! What is this yarn?!? If you have any hints, please let me know!


The Ana Yarn with labels (left) and remaining yarn from one ball used from this project (right)


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Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
K - knit
P - purl


SSK - decrease by slipping two stitches then knitting them together. Alternatively, you could slip one stitch, knit one stitch and pass slipped stitch over.
K2tog - decrease by knitting two stitches together.
sl - slip a stitch



This pattern was created by Chemknits for your personal or charity use. You are not distribute or reprint this pattern without the permission of Chemknits.
© 2011 ChemKnits (www.chemknits.com)