My Best Friend's a Dork

Undecided

Undecided
By Erin Vaughan

Materials
190 yards worsted weight yarn
US#8 double pointed needles
US#8 circular- 16 inch
US#10.5 double pointed needles
Marker for end of round

Finished size
19.5 (21) inches circumference
Approx.     8.25 inches long, felted

Gauge
18 stitches =4 inches in Stockinette stitch


Glossary
* to *- repeat instructions
inside asterisks until end of
round.
kfb- k into the front loop and
then the back loop of one st


Cast On 8sts
Round 1- knit
Round 2- *kfb* (16sts)
Round 3- knit
Round 4- *k1, kfb* (24 sts)
Round 5- knit
Round 6- *k2, kfb* (32 sts)
Round 7- knit
Round 8- *k3, kfb* (40 sts)
Round 9- knit
Round 10- *k4, kfb* (48 sts)
Round 11- knit
Round 12- *k5, kfb* (56 sts)
Round 13- knit
Round 14- *k6, kfb* (64 sts)
Round 15- knit
Round 16- *k7, kfb* (72 sts)
Round 17- knit
Round 18- *k8, kfb* (80 sts)
Round 19- knit
Round 20- *k9, kfb* (88 sts)

For larger size
(Round 21- knit
Round 22- *k10, kfb*) (96 sts)

Knit 2 rounds
Purl 1 round
Knit 2 rounds
Purl 3 rounds
Knit 5 rounds
Purl 8 rounds
Knit 5 rounds
Purl 3 rounds
Knit 2 rounds
Purl 1 round
Knit 1 round
Purl 2 rounds
Knit 3 rounds
Purl 5 rounds
Knit 7 rounds.
Switch to larger needles.
Knit 1 round.
Bind off with larger needles.

Weave in ends. The hat can either be worn turned up, or toss it in the washer for a sorter, slightly felted hat. Enjoy.

Circular cast on reference:
Find me on Youtube. Username: 44pinkerbell

ALL TEXT AND IMAGES COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY
ERIN VAUGHAN. THIS PATTERN IS FOR YOUR
PERSONAL USE ONLY. YOU MAY NOT
REPRODUCE THIS PATTERN FOR DISTRIBUTION,
SALE, OR ANY OTHER PURPOSE AND YOU MAY
NOT PUT IT ON ANY INTERNET SITE WITHOUT
MY PRIOR PERMISSION. THE FINISHED ITEM
MADE FROM THIS PATTERN MAY NOT BE SOLD
UNLESS THE PROCEEDS ARE DONATED TO
CHARITY. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH ANY
QUESTIONS, CRITICISM, OR PICTURES (OR
LINKS) OF FINISHED OBJECTS. I'd love to
see them. THANKS.
CONTACT:
[email protected]
http://dorkybestfriend.typepad.com

The first step

So I designed a new shawl from Mohair. For those of you who know me and have seen me shudder at the sight of mohair, and preach on about why I won't knit with it, this is, I'm sure a shock. I bought some Kidsilk Haze at a ridiculously good price, and decided I had to face my fear, and just do it. I did. I now understand why Kidsilk Haze is sometimes referred to as the "crack" of yarns.

Anyway, here is my shawl.

Pattern: Furious Rose

Yarn: Kidsilk Haze in Brick (I think) 3 skeins. knit on US 11.

So, what do you think?

Meglio Stasera...

...Baby, go, go, go.

Ok, sorry it took so long, but here is the pattern for the mitts. December has been eventful, both good and not so. I hope the holidays bring you good times and Once I find my mitts I'll re measure the gauge, which it seems I have omitted here.

Materials
1 skein of any worsted weight yarn.
Size US #3 needles, either in circulars or double points, whatever is preferred.
stitch markers (optional)

Gauge
6 sts = 1 in in St st

Finished Size

approx. 6 inches wide, but stretchy.

Pattern Stitch
round 1- *k1, p1* to end of round
round 2- *k3, p3* to end of round
repeat rounds 1 & 2.

Cuff
Using the long tail cast on method, cast on 42 stitches. Join, being careful not to twist your stitches.
Place marker at the end of round, if preferred.
knit 1 round plain.
Begin knitting in pattern for 20 pattern repeats, or desired length,ending with round 1.

Thumb shaping
*Increase round- Work 18 stitches in pattern, place marker, make 1, knit 3, make 1,
place marker, continue in pattern to end of round.(you've increased two stitches at the thumb.)

next round- Work stitches in pattern to marker, knit stitches in between markers, work in pattern to end of round.*

Continue in this manner, increasing every other round, until there are 13 stitches in between the markers.
Work the above "next round" again.

Top of mitt
Work 18 stitches in pattern. Slip the 13 stitches between markers onto a  stitch holder or scrap piece of yarn,
removing the markers.
Cast on 3 stitches using the backward loop method, continue in pattern to end of round.
Work all stitches in pattern, including the 3 cast on stitches, for 12 rounds, or desired length.
knit 1 round plain, then bind off loosely.

Thumb
Pick up 3 stitches from the cast on edge of the top part of the mitt.
knit 13 stitches. This is now the end of round. (16 stitches total)
knit 8 rounds, or to desired length. Bind off loosely.

Make another mitt to match.

NOTE: If a larger mitt is preferred, use a larger set of needles

"faux braille" tees

Jess and I made some of these for Valentines Day, and I have had some requests for instructions.

Materials
A black tee
A spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mixture of bleach and water.
Coins or other round waterproof markers to make the braille dots.
(you will need six for each letter/character.)
A plastic barrier to put inside your tee, so that the design does not bleed through.
Braille alphabet, and word or phrase you would like to put on your tee.

Step one:

Lay tee out flat on work surface. Place barrier inside of shirt (Mine was a flexible cutting board.)
lay out flat, smoothing out any wrinkles.

Step two:

Lay out what you want to say.  there are many braille links out there, but I'm just going to link to one.

Each braille cell holds six dots.  I find it easier to lay out the complete braille cell, to make sure things are straight and where I want them.

Step three:

Remove dots that are not needed.

Step four:

Take your spray bottle of bleach.  Make sure it's set to a misty spray. Spray the area. where your markers are placed.

Step five:

Watch for your tee to lighten, when you are satisfied with the the color, CAREFULLY remove your markers, rinse tee in cold water then dry.

Enjoy.  My apologies for picture quality. Oh, mine says "k1 p2".

Jolene.

Over at Robyn's Nest, the November sock club kits have gone out, and I designed the November pattern.

Jennifer laid it out for me and as always did a wonderful job. Unfortunately, if you did not buy a sock kit, the pattern is unavailable until sometime in the spring.

ADDED LATER:

ERRATA

The correction for Jolene is in the leg round 7

Round 7: [k2, p1, p2tog, (k2, p2) twice, kfb, p2, (k2, p2) twice, kfb, p2tog, p1] repeat once.

it should be:

Round 7: [k2, p1, p2tog, (k2, p2) twice, kfb, p2, (k2, p2) twice, kfb, (p2. k2) twice, p2tog, p1] repeat once.

My sincerest apologies for the inconvenience.

My new nemisis

Raccoons are somehow getting into my attic.  I say somehow, because we cannot find their point of entry. We've been in around and on top of it and just cannot find their way in. (Well, Nate went on the roof, I stayed on the ground.) Nothing like waking up in the wee hours of morning to a bunch of screeching raccoons ready to rumble overhead.

My new pattern that I cannot yet reveal to you has been laid out and sent along by my girl, Jennifer. It's beautiful.  If you want it, you need to go to Robyn's shop and order her sock of the month for November.

Things have been busy here. Nate's birthday was Sunday. My Ma, SIL, and nephew came to see us for the weekend. As did Nate's dad.  He's staying the week. (but not with us. That explanation to be saved for another post.) Nate's Mom came on Sunday and left Monday. Then this weekend She will return with Nate's brother and his family. Things have been busy, but it's been fun.

Jess is excited about Halloween.  We expect zero trick or treaters. We are off the beaten path, and frankly the house can look quite scary at night.  We'll be taking our ninja to trick or treat in a neighboring town with a couple of Nate's friends from college, we recently discovered to have moved back into the area.

I hope you all have a safe and happy Halloween.

what's afoot?

Team Piddleloop's collaboration kits were a big success, and I hope everyone enjoys the pattern.

What was that?  You say you would like the pattern but were unable to obtain a kit?  Have no fear,The Feather Plukin' sock pattern will soon be in the Piddleloop shop as a downloadable pattern.

Now that our dumpster has arrived,  I'm off to buy some 1/2" elastic (what's that for? Any guesses?), and pick up my own kit.  (squee!) 

In the meantime, here are a couple finished objects.

The finished Mary Janes.  Only after I finished them did I realize how very Miami Dolphins they are. (Pay no mind to the stubble.)

Yarn:  Lamb's Pride worsted.  Exact colors unknown. (no more ball bands.)
Pattern: My own.
Notes: No buttons on these. I stopped the strap when it called for the buttonhole, and sewed it to the other side.

Also.

Prefelted

Yarn: Lamb's Pride worsted.  Exact colors unknown. (no more ball bands.)
Pattern: House slippers from Knit2Together.
Notes:  A very simple and easy pattern, but it seems to me, (and this could just be the insomniac knitter's fault.) that in effort to make the pattern easy, by being very in depth on some steps it was just made more confusing.

It's official.

We're moving.  The exact date is still undecided, but we'll be relocating to Fort Branch, Indiana.

I want to put a shout out on the SLIM chance I have a reader from that area.  I need info. Yarn shops, knit groups.  I need to know.  Any info would be GREATLY appreciated.

Onto finished objects.

A complete pair of Twisted Sister Socks.

Pattern:  My own Twisted Sister pattern (see sidebar)

Yarn: Wendy's Intertwinement fingering in Katydid

Notes:  These were made short, because my Ma prefers short socks.  This sock is very elastic and I look forward to making a longer version.

Jess' Sweet Mary Janes, in a "big bird" theme, as requested. I finished another pair, pink for a niece.  two more pairs to go, unless I make a pair for their mom, which  I think I should, so that makes  three.

Pattern: My own, based on the Sweet Mary Janes

Yarn: cotton ease in maize and berry

Notes: These were made size specific, for a kid's 12.  If you have bought the pattern and have questions on how to tweak the fit, please email me.

Note: Kid sizes are not in the pattern.  this pair is based on the pattern, using Jess' foot measurements

twisted sister socks

NOTE: This pattern has not been test knitted.  If anyone spots any errors, please email me to let me know. Thanks.

pinkerbell44ATgmailDOTcom

Materials

2 skeins of Intertwinement fingering in "katydid".  (100% superwash merino approx. 195 yards, hand-dyed.)

1 set of US#2 double points, or size need for gauge.

waste yarn for cast on (optional)

foot measurement of intended sock wearer.

gauge

7sts = 1in

This sock is very elastic, but if desired, to vary width size, go up or down a needle size. 

finished circumference size of model

8 inches, unstretched.

abbreviations

k2togk = knit 2 together, but do not slide stitches off of your left needle.  Instead, insert right needle in between the two stitches knitted together and knit first stitch again. Now slide off of left needle

tbl = through the back of the loop.

wyif = with yarn in front

wyib = with yarn in back

Cuff
Using Cast On of your choice, CO 66sts. (kitchener rib cast on was used in model. See below)
work in 1 by 1 twisted rib for 12 rounds. (approx. 1 inch)

twisted rib
k1 tbl, p1, repeat to end of round.

Leg

STITCH PATTERN

Round 1- *k4, p2* repeat to end

Round 2- *k2togk, k2togk, p2* repeat to end

Round 3- *k4, p2* repeat to end

Round 4- *k1, k2togk, k1, p2* repeat to end

work in stitch pattern, for desired length of leg, ending on round 4 of stitch pattern.

Heel

row 1- k34

row 2- k4, p26, k4

repeat the above rows until you have formed 13 garter ridges (26 rows)

Turn Heel

Row 1-(RS) k19, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 2- sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn

Row 3- sl1, k to one stitch before gap, k2tog, k1, turn

Row 4- sl1, purl to one stitch before gap, p2tog, p1 turn

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches are worked. (20 sts remain)

Gusset

K20 sts, pick up 14 sts along side of heel flap. Work sts on instep in pattern, pick up 14 sts along other side of heel flap, k10.  this is now the end of the round.

*next round- k. and resume with the stitch pattern on top. Note:  The instep will be worked in pattern throughout, until the toe is worked.

next round- k the gusset to the last three sts, ssk, k1, work instep, k1, k2tog, k to end of round.*

Repeat * to* until there are 16 gusset sts on each side.

Foot

Continue working the foot, instep in pattern, and bottom k, until the foot measures approx. 2 inches less than the desired length.

Toe

At this point, the stitch pattern is stopped and all stitches are knit.

Round 1 and all odd rows- k

decrease round- *k13, ssk, k1. k1, k2tog, k13* repeat once more.

Continue in this manner, knitting all sts on odd rows and on even, knitting one sts less before the ssk, and after the k2tog, until there are 36 sts.  At that point you will continue with decrease round only, until you have 8 stitches.  At this point the sts can be drawn up on the yarn tail and secured.

Weave in ends, trim, and enjoy.

Kitchener Rib cast on

Using waste yarn, LOOSELY cast on half of needed stitches. Using project yarn, *k1, yo* repeat to end.   You should now have the desired number of stitches, and should have ended with a yo. Join, being careful not to twist stitches, or lose last yo.

Round 1- *k1, sl1 wyif* repeat to end of round

Round 2- *sl1 wyib, p1* repeat to end  of round.

Now you can continue with your ribbing as usual.

After a few rounds of ribbing have been done, feel free to unravel waste yarn.

socks!

The embossed leaves socks are done.  They have a lot more texture than I am used to, but I really like them.

A sneak peak at a couple of designs I'm working on.  The green one is a free pattern that I will be posting here.  The striped one is a pattern  I am working on for something Team Piddleloop is cooking up.

EDITED:  See that green sock?  I am about ready to post the pattern I just need two things.  A nice picture of the finished sock (I'm working on it.) And a name for it.  Any suggestions?