Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Black and White Hitchhiker


When my mom saw my hitchhiker scarf, she wanted one of her own.  She requested it to be in black and white, which was somewhat problematic to me.  Hitchhiker looks great in variegated yarns, but black and white is not something that I could dye on my own.  I could make it with two different colored yarns for stripes, but that takes away some of the magic of pooling.

When I was at Vogue Knitting Live, I scoured the marketplace to find a skein that would fit my vision.  I found a really cool black and white skein in the  Sophie's Toes Booth,  (I think the name was Owl something) but there were hints of yellow that made it just not quite right.  (Her yarns are fantastic though, so you should check out her Etsy shop!)


Finally, in the Lost City Knits booth, I found the perfect skein.  "Hitchcock" goes from a deep grey/black to a very pale grey.  It is not quite black/white, but looks great with any black heavy outfit.  Plus it would work with any type of color.  385 yards/100 g superwash merino yarn.


The yarn still smells strongly of vinegar, but maybe I'll block the project when I'm done.  Certainly I can wash it and lightly block it (something I haven't bothered to do with my other hitchhikers.)  The vinegar sent went away while I was knitting the yarn, I think it just needed some airing out!  

I love the way the colors pooled when I wound the skein into a ball!

My concern for the project is that there are only 385 yards.  I want the scarf to be large enough to work well.  I decided to knit this one on size 6 knitting needles, rather than size 4 that I have used for the three others.  I started with 109 g and  2 g remained at the end.

Sherry's Rainbow Hitchhiker was knit out of hand dyed Palette yarn.  
I shouldn't have been too worried, the size of this scarf ended up being comparable with the other two hitchhikers I knit in 2012.  Best of all?  My mom LOVED it!


I am a little bummed that 3 of my 12 in 2012 shawls are hitchhikers… but I swear that this isn’t my fault! The first one that I made was so popular that people kept requesting that I make it for them, too!  I wouldn't be too surprised if I end up making another hitchhiker in 2013...  


Technically I made 4, if you count Indy's bandanna!

Friday, January 4, 2013

A Search for Crochet Rug Patterns

My Mom is a crocheter, but she has not used her hooks in a long time.  She has been talking about creating a crochet rag rug over the past few years, but hasn't come across the right pattern.  In honor of her birthday today, I wanted to do a search for free crochet rug patterns to help her out.  Happy Birthday, Mom!

As of December 2012, there are over 410 crochet rug patterns on Ravelry* (137 of them available for free).   I am sticking this search to the ones that are more of a rag rug variety and less lacy.
*You will need to create a free Ravelry.com account to view this link properly
  • Rag Rug Tutorial - An oval rag rug created out of old Tshirts.  Ther e are also instructions on how to cut the shirts up into strips.
  • Circular Crochet Rag Rug - A circular rag rug created out of rags. 
  • Semi-Circular Kitchen rug - Perfect for fitting up against a kitchen counter.  Created with bulky weight cotton yarn (or "double worsted" as described in the pattern.)
  • Quiet Moments Rug - A hexagonal rug that has some embellishments on it (which would be easy to leave out.)  Made out of yarn.  
  • Big Stitch Crocheted Alpaca Rugs - A circular rug created with very bulky yarn.  
  • How to Craft a Rug out of T-shirts - a circular rug made out of rags (tshirts)
  • Simple Tunisian Bath Mat - "This pattern assumes you have basic knowledge of Tunisian crochet."  I do not know what Tunisian crochet is, but to me it looks like this rectangle rug is created by going back and forth from one side to the other, rather than the inside out approach from many of the other rugs above.  You may need to create a free Ravelry.com account to download this pattern. 
  • Calico Rag Rug - It appears very circular towards the center, but has a slight octagonal shape to it.  Created out of DIY Fabric Yarn
  • Millennium Loop Rug - an oval rug created with yarn. 
  • Oval Rug - An oval shaped (as the title would suggest) rug created out of yarn.
  •  Pretty Little Rug - This is the first rug pattern that has a little more lace detail (eyelets.. If it were knit I would call them YO's, but I don't read crochet well yet.) 
  • Nine Side Kitchen Mat - Created with worsted weight yarn. 
  • Floor Decor: Striped Rug - Not crochet in the round, this striped rug is rectangular and "crocheted flat" (is that a term in crochet?  Would you say go back and forth?) 
  • Sock Yarn Rug - Crocheting a rug out of Sock yarn (fingering weight) would create a thinner finished product than many of the other rugs on this list.  This is a 10 sided rug.  You may need to create a free Ravelry.com account to download this pattern. 
  • Oval Rug - This oval rug isn't a round oval, but a polygon (an irregular octagon?) 
  • South Riding Kitchen Rug - A striped, rectangular rug.  The designer recommends adding area rug gripper to keep it from slipping, a recommendation that should be followed for all rugs on this list! You may need to create a free Ravelry.com account to download this pattern.  
  • Snow Bobbles Crocheted Bathmat - A rectangular bathmat created out of worsted cotton yarn that has a slightly different stitch pattern for the rest, popcorn-like.  You may need to create a free Ravelry.com account to download this pattern. 
  • Amazing Technicolor T-Shirt Yarn Rug - a circular shaped rug with an interesting spiked border. (For knitting I would say it is picot-like.)  Created out of t-shirts. 
  • Crochet Checkerboard Rug - a rectangular crochet checkerboard rug, crochet flat out of yarn. 
  • Bachelor's Button Rug - created out of multiple circular motifs. 
  • Quadra - a rectangular rug created in the round out of yarn. 
  • Round or Oval Rug - Using up scraps of yarn of multiple different weights. 
  • Diagonal Rug -  A rectangular rug with diagonal running stripes.  Crocheted out of yarn. 
  • Blue and White T-yarn Rug - a rectangular rug crocheted in the round out of tshirt yarn. 
  • Plastic Trash Yarn - an oval shaped rug created out of plastic yarn or "plarn" formed from plastic shopping bags. 
  • Shaker-Insired Rug - This round rug is created out of a spiral of a narrow striped piece.  You first crochet the long thin strip and then sew it together.  You will need to create a free Lion Brand Account to view this pattern. 
  • Checkers - This is a stunning pattern created out of black and white plastic bags.  You get a three color effect by creating narrower strips of black and white and holding them together.  This gives the rectangular mat an almost woven appearance.  
  •  Chevron Rug - crochet out of yarn with a wavy, chevron pattern. You may need to create a free Ravelry.com account to download this pattern. 

In most of these rugs, the material used to create them is really what gives them the character.  If you like the look of the rug in the pattern you select, I suggest you compare the stitch pattern to others with a similar overall shape to determine whether the texture you love is due to the stitch pattern or the yarn.  Happy crocheting!  

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

12 Shawls in 2012

I did it!  I successfully completed 12 knitted shawls in 2012.



I have not yet published posts on 2 of the 12 shawls.  I wanted to wait until the new year to share these posts because I did not want the recipients to come across the shawl project late in the year and realize it was a gift for them. (I had figured that presents I finished in March wouldn't be too suspicious!)  

What were the 12 shawls?  Here is a summary:

  1. Rough Sea Shawl - Palette Fingering Yarn, 395 yards, Size 7 needles
  2. Elly (Dressed Up) - Palette Fingering Yarn, 365 yards, Size 7 needles
  3. Diantha (Mystery KAL Shawl) - Shadow Lace Yarn, 325 yards, Size 7 needles
  4. Ginkgo Shawl - Palette Fingering Yarn, 452 Yards, Size 7 needles
  5. Annis - Alpaca Cloud Lace Yarn, 282 Yards, Size 7 needles
  6. Hitchhiker - Stroll Tonal Fingering Yarn, 471 yards, size 4 needles
  7. Venemous Tentacula - Malabrigo Fingering Yarn, 400 yards, Size 7 needles
  8. Color Affection* -  Palette Fingering Yarn,  822 Yards, Size 6 needles
  9. Hitchhiker #2 - Palette Fingering Yarn (Handdyed by me!), 443 yards, Size 4 needles
  10. Daybreak - Palette Fingering Yarn, 378 yards, Size 4 Needles Post will be published in February.  
  11. Rock Island* - Grinning Gargoyle Shimmer Lace, 551 Yards, Size 6 needles
  12. Hitchhiker #3 - Lost City Knits PathWays Fingering Yarn, 412 Yards, Size 6 needles Post will be published in a few days
    * 2 Large shawls of > 546 yards.   

Here are some fun statistics.  Of the 12 shawls:
  • 9 were knit in fingering weight, 3 in lace weight
  • 9 required blocking (the Hitchhikers were not blocked)
  • 7 were knit from stash yarn (purchased prior 2012 began and without the intention of the project it was ultimately used for.) 
  • 6 were knit with Palette (including the one dyed by me)
  • 4 patterns were received as Random Acts of Kindness gifts
  • 3 patterns are available for free online
  • 2 used dye purchased from independent dyers at festivals
  • 1 yarn was dyed by me (not counted as stash)
  • 1 non counting shawl (I technically cast on for Polaris in Dec 2011, although I did 99% of the knitting in 2012.)

I know that I won't be able to have >50% of the shawls in 2013 kind out of stash yarn.  This is mainly because there is yarn I purchased for specific shawls this year that I didn't end up knitting.  I have already received two patterns as RAKs that I already had yarn picked out for.  Here are some goals for 2013:

  • 1 shawl of my own design
  • 1 shawl out of my hand spun yarn
  • 2 shawls out of my hand dyed yarn
  • 1 crochet shawl
  • Don't let every shawl be purple
I hope you have had as much fun following my shawl progress as I did knitting them. It felt GREAT to have an idea of the gifts for the women in my family when the year had just started.  

Sunday, December 30, 2012

ChemKnits en Español

¡Hola!  Este Diciembre, voy a ir a Chile, y por eso necesito practicar hablando en Español.  (He escribido este entrada de blog antes del viaje.  ¡Estoy in Chile ahora!)  Quiero aprender palabras en Español para "Knitting" (Haciendo Punto).  Estoy escribiendo este entrada totalmente en Español, y despues voy a usar un diccionario para corregir me gramatica.

Cuando estará en Chile, quiero buscará para tiendas de hilo.  Para comprar eficientemente, es necesario aprender palabras importantes de hacer punto y fibras. 

Palabras Importantes
  • To Knit - Hacer Punto, Tejer
  • Knitting pattern - patrón; instrucciones para hacer punto; instrucciones de tejido
  • knit fabric - tejido de punto
  • cotton - algodón
  • aplaca - alpaca
  • cashmere -cachemir
  • yarn - hilo
  • acrylic - acrílico
  • nylon - (fabric) nilón (m); nailon (m)
  • Fiber - fibras
  • merino - merino
  • Wool - lana
  • Pure wool - lana pura
  • made of wool - es de lana
  • sheep -  oveja
  • Knitting piece (being worked on) - labor
  • Purl - punto (m) del revés.  
  • Purl 2 (P2 en un patrón) - dos del revés
  • knitting needle - aguja (f) de punto or de tejer  EAm 
  • Engrave (Leí sobre una tienda que aguijas de punto gravadas con un nombre.) - Grabar
  • Spin (wool) - hilar
  • Spinning Wheel - Rueca, Rueda de hilar
  • Shawl - chal, rebozo
  • Scarf - bufanda

¿Hay algo que olvidé?
Cuando estoy en mi casa otra vez, compartirá mis experiencas con Ustedes (en Ingles).  En el futuro, pienso que buscaría para patrones de punto (en Español, claro.)

------Traducción al Inglés (Translation to English) ------

Hello! This December, I will go to Chile, so I need to practice speaking in Spanish. (I wrote this blog before the trip. I'm in Chile now!) I want to learn Spanish words for "Knitting" (knitting). I am writing this entry entirely in Spanish, and then I use a dictionary to correct my grammar.

When I will be in Chile, I will look for yarn stores. To shop efficiently, it is necessary to learn important words for knitting and fibers.


Important Words: (see above)  

Is there something I forgot?

When I am at home again, will share my experiences with you (in English). In the future, I think I will look for knitting patterns (in Spanish, of course.)
 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Boston University (BU) Sweater Ornament

  

Go Terriers!  This is a cute little sweater that would be easy to adapt to the colors and letters of your alma mater. Just substitute letters that are 5 sts high in place of the BU. 


Materials
  • Knitting Needles: Size 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Yarn: ~20 yards total Fingering weight KnitPicks Palette Yarn in two colors, Red* (2-3 g) and White (1g) (*I dyed the red yarn for this project myself.) 
  • Gauge: Not important for the completed project
  • Misc: yarn needle.

The Pattern
1. Cast on 16 sts in MC
2. (WS) Knit across
3. K across (RS)
Rows 4-9. Knit in stockinette (Knitting on RS rows, Purling on WS rows.)
Rows 10-15. Begin the BU lettering (see below), following the chart. Continue to K RS and P WS rows.
16. P16 (finishing the top of the BU chart), cast on 8 stitches with the backwards loop cast on method. (24 sts)
17. K 24 in MC, CO 8 sts using backwards loop cast on method (32 sts)
18. Purl across
19. K across
20. P 13, bind off 6 sts, P13. (26 sts.)
21. K13, cast on 6 sts using backwards loop method, K 13 (32 sts)
22. P across
23. K across
24. P across working chart as directed (the top of the second set of lettering begins here.) 
25. Bind off 8 sts, K 24 working chart as directed (24 sts)
26. Bind off 8 sts, P 16
Rows 27-38. Work in stockinette, following chart where applicable. (Even rows purl, odd rows knit.)
Row 39: (RS) bind off purlwise.

The Chart  - The following chart follows the written directions above to help with placement of the colorwork letters in with the rest of the design. 


Odd rows are RS, Even rows are WS. Read chart right to left on RS, left to right on WS.

Finishing
Blocking isn't required, but may make the seaming easier.  Turn the sweater in half with the RS facing.  With the loose ends (or extra red yarn if necessary) sew up the side seams and under arms.  Weave in all remaining loose ends on the WS of the sweater.  Turn right side out.  Attach ornament hook and hang on your tree! 


 

---------------------------------------
Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
M1 (Make 1)- increase stitch by picking up yarn between two stitches, twisting and knitting.
K - knit
P - purl
I-cord - knit stitches on dpn's without ever turning the needle (effectively knitting in the round with a small number of stitches.)
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.

This knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to distribute or sell this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2012 ChemKnits

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Richter Family Christmas Stocking

"In Jim’s family, Jim’s grandmother and then his mother knit Christmas stockings with one’s name and year of birth. It has become a big family tradition with stockings for spouses and children. Unfortunately, Jim’s mother has some dementia and can no longer make these stockings. I was thinking that one for Jenn next year would be an additional sign of welcoming her to the family."

Jenn's stocking knit by me with the following pattern (left), Andy's stocking knit by his Grandmother or Great-grandmother (right.)

I felt so honored when I received the following email from the Richter family. They have been close to my husband's family for years (I met them the same day I met my now in-laws!) Both of my grandmothers have suffered from some form of dementia, so I can understand the effects this can have on a family. This makes it even more special for me to help keep this tradition alive.






Jenn's stocking knit by me with the following pattern (left), Andy's stocking knit by his Grandmother or Great-grandmother (right.)

I reverse designed this stocking based on the sample mailed to me. Although there are some things I may have done differently if I were designing this stocking from scratch, I am going to try to replicate the construction as authentically as possible.


Materials
  • Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight Yarn in White (9 g), Grass (Green; 35 g) and Red (35 g).
  • Size 3 knitting needles, both straight and double pointed needles are used in this project.
  • Yarn needle for weaving in loose ends
  • Gauge: 6 sts/inch; 8 rows/inch
  • Finished size: 4.5" wide, 12" cuff to heal, 9" heel to toe.
The Pattern - Please note that parts of this stocking are knit flat, and others are knit in the round.
  • Ribbed Cuff - Worked Flat
    • With Red yarn, cast on 52 stitches with a long tail CO onto straight needles
    • knit 12 rows of 1x1 ribbing (K1, P1 across)
  • Stocking Body - Worked Flat until the end of Santa. Last two plain green rows worked in the round.
    • Starting on a WS (wrong side) row. Begin working the chart starting from the bottom, purling on WS rows and Knitting on RS rows.
      • Note 1:WS rows follow the chart from left to right, RS rows follow the chart from right to left.
      • Note 2: I used stranded techniques for the name and Santa, Intarsia for the trees. I made 4 g "bobbins" for each color for the trees section.


        Open the chart in a new window for a larger view.
    • Continue working the chart until you finish the feet of the Santa figure - 58 rows, ending on a RS row.
    • Switch to double pointed needles (or your preferred method of working in the round) and knit the last two green rows but DON'T BREAK THE GREEN YARN YET. Make sure you mark the beginning of the round.
  • Shape Heel Flap - Worked flat on double pointed needles
    • With green yarn, K14, turn
    • Slip 1 stitch, purl 13 stitches, pass marker, p 14 sts (28 sts total for heel flap)
    • Break green yarn and join red.
    • Row 1: *S1, K1* repeat from * across the row. Turn
    • Row 2: S1, P27 sts. Turn
    • Repeat rows 1 and 2 until 13 times (26 rows total), ending after a Row 2.
  • Heel Turn - Worked flat on heel flap stitches
    • S1, K15, SSK, K1, turn (27 sts)
    • S1, P5, p2tog, P1, turn (26 sts)
    • S1, K6, SSK, K1, turn (25 sts)
    • S1, P7, p2tog, P1, turn (24 sts)
    • Continue pattern as established until 18 stitches remain.
    • Next Round: S1, K14, SSK, turn (17)
    • Next Round: S1, P14, P2tog (16)
  • Gussets - Worked in the round
    • Knit across 16 stitches of the heel, pick up and K 14 sts along the sides of the heel flap. K 24 stitches (the stitches set aside previously.) Pick and and knit 14 stitches from the other side of the heel flap. (68 sts).
    • K 8 stitches (half way across the heel flap) and place marker. From here on out, this is the beginning of the round.
    • Round 1: K20, K2tog, K 24, SSK, K20 (66 sts)
    • Round 2: K 24, K 16 stitches of the year chart (bottom to top, right to left), K24
    • Round 3: K19, K2tog, K4, K16 chart sts, K4, SSK, K19 (64 sts)
    • Round 4: K 24, Knit the 16 chart stitches, K 24
    • Continue pattern as established (decreasing on odd rounds, knitting across on even rounds) until 54 sts remain. (Note: the round where the chart is completed, there are 56 sts left. After this point just knit those 16 stitches.)
    • K 1 round red. Break red.
    • Switch to green yarn. K13, K2tog, K24, SSK, K13 (52 sts)
  • Stocking Foot - Worked in the round
    • Knit 36 rounds in green. (Note, if you count one green round from the gusset section then there are a total of 37 green rows.)
    • Break Green
  • Shape Toe - Worked in the round
    • Join White yarn,
    • Round 1: K 10, K2tog, K2, SSK, K20, k2tog, K2, SSK, K10 (48 sts)
    • Round 2: K across
    • Round 3: K9, K2tog, K2, SSK, K18, K2tog, K2, SSK, K9 (44 sts)
    • Round 4: K across
    • Continue pattern as established (alternating decrease rounds with K rounds) until 24 sts remain.
    • K 6 stitches and break yarn leaving a long tail.
  • Finishing
    • Graft the toe together using the Kitchener stitch.
    • Sew up the back of the stocking
    • Weave in all loose ends
    • Block the stocking. I soaked the stocking in water for 20 minutes and then laid it out wet. Allow the stocking to dry completely. Pins aren't really necessary to get the stocking to lay flat, but you can pin if necessary to get the desired dimensions.
    • Sew a ribbon onto the cuff of the stocking, hang and admire!

Pictures from the construction of Jenn's Stocking

The flat portion of the stocking. The name Jenn was knit using stranded colorwork methods, the Christmas trees and Santa were knit using intarsia techniques.

Checking the length of Jenn's stocking against Andy's stocking.

Working in the round to add Jenn's birth year.

The old (Andy; top) and new (Jenn; bottom) stockings. In the left photo, Jenn's stocking had not been sewn together yet, and in the right photo it still needs blocking.


The toe of the stocking, before and after it was grafted together.
Jenn's finished stocking (bottom) next to Andy's original stocking (top.) Do you think I did a good job recreating the stocking?


Pictures of Andy's Original Stocking


Andy's original stocking that was the model for this knitting pattern.

Some pictures of the details from the original (Andy's) stocking.

---------------------------------------
Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
WS - Wrong side of the fabric
RS - Right side of the fabric (the side of the project that you will see in the end)
S1 - slip one stitch purlwise
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
M1 (Make 1)- increase stitch by picking up yarn between two stitches, twisting and knitting.K - knit
P - purl
I-cord - knit stitches on dpn's without ever turning the needle (effectively knitting in the round with a small number of stitches.)
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.
Kitchener stitch - a method of grafting live stitches together to make an invisible seam.

This knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to distribute, sell or reprint this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits or the Richter Family. © 2012 ChemKnits

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Patterns by ChemKnits - the Site Upgrade Continues

Back in April, I started upgrading the ChemKnits blog.  One thing that remained of the old design is the wonderful Free Patterns by ChemKnits button my husband, Keith, designed for me.


The colors matched the old background and color scheme, and do not go quite as well with my new knit logo.  I therefore felt it was time to upgrade this button by knitting a new one, which I started testing at the end of November. 


Here is the pattern that I followed to create the new button. Do I expect the rest of you to knit this?  Of course not!  I figure that by sharing this pattern it may inspire you to create your own knit logos.   I also just need to make sure I keep track of my notes.


The Pattern
  • Cast on 59 stitches (I like the long-tail cast on the best.)  
  • Knit 4 rows of stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row. (K right side, P on wrong side)
  • Purl 5 stitches, work 49 sts of the first row of the chart, K 5 stitches (The chart is worked from bottom up, right to left on right side rows, left to right on wrong side rows)
    Chart 15x49 sts.
     
  • P 5 sts, work the second row of the chart, P 5 stiches
  • Continue until all 15 rows of the chart have been knit.
  • Knit 4 more rows of stockinette. (K right side rows, P wrong side rows)
  • Bind off K wise. 
  • Block the pattern on a blocking board, taking care that it is level with the bottom.  Photograph in a well lit area.  Crop the photo and upload to your website.  





---------------------------------------
Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
M1 (Make 1)- increase stitch by picking up yarn between two stitches, twisting and knitting.K - knit
P - purl
I-cord - knit stitches on dpn's without ever turning the needle (effectively knitting in the round with a small number of stitches.)
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.

This knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to distribute or sell this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2012 ChemKnits