Sunday, October 21, 2007

A New Look, A New Name

So once again I've changed my look and my name-this reflects more of who I really am and I have to say-I like it a lot. Found another really cool pattern for Halloween. It will make a fun dishcloth I think....(yes, I'm still on the dishcloth kick....)



You can get the chart for this kitty here:http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/motifblackcatchart2.htm

I also came across the following crocheted spider-I thought he was pretty cute!


Crocheted Halloween Spider

Designed by Catherine Hollingsworth (Copyright 2005)

Yarn: 1 skein Coats Moda Dea Dream (50 grams) in black; 1 skein Caron Glimmer (50 grams) in black.

Needles: #K-10.5 U.S. crochet hook; tapestry needle.

Gauge: finished size is 5 inches wide by 4 inches long by 1 ¼ inches high at 2 SC = 1 inch.

Notions: 2 orange plastic beads with large holes for eyes.

Glossary: sts = stitches

st = stitch

Sc = single crochet

• Legs (make 4): Holding one strand of each yarn together, chain 12. Fasten off. Run yarn ends in.

• Body: With one strand of Moda Dea Dream chain 4. Slip st in the first chain to form a circle. Working into the center of the ring, draw up a loop and Sc around the ring, building layers, until 20 Sc have been worked. Fasten off and leave a 12-inch tail. Draw tail through to the underside of back and weave the ends in.

• Head: With one strand Modea Dea Dream chain 2. Slip st in the first chain to form a circle. Working in the same manner as the back, Sc until 8 Sc have been worked. Fasten off leaving a 12-inch tail.

• Finishing: Sew head to body. Stitch through the middle of the four legs and sew close to body where the head and body join. Using yarn tail, sew plastic beads to front of head for eyes. Run all yarn ends in. Knitted Halloween Spider

Designed by Catherine Hollingsworth (Copyright 2005)

Yarn: 1 skein Coats Moda Dea Dream (50 grams) in black; 1 skein Caron Glimmer (50 grams) in black.

Needles: Two U.S. size 9 double point needles; tapestry needle.

Notions: 2 orange plastic beads with large holes for eyes.

Gauge: Finished size is 4 inches long by 5 inches wide by 2 inches high at 2 to 3 stitches = 1 inch.

• Legs (make 4): Holding one strand of each yarn together, cast on 3 sts. Work I-cord for 5 inches. Fasten off and run yarn ends in.

• Body: Cast on 9 sts. Work stockinette st for 2 inches. Fasten off leaving a 12-inch tail. Using tapestry needle, draw the tail through the stitches on the needle and pull them securely closed. Stuff all yarn scraps into the body, making sure to pad it round. Draw the tail through the center to the top of the body. Run the tail through the cast on stitches, drawing the body closed. Fasten off. The body will look like a little ball.

• Head: Cast on 5 sts. Work like main body until piece measures 1 inch. Finish the head in the manner of the body.

• Finishing: Sew the head to the body. Using another yarn tail, sew through the middle of the legs and stitch the body to the legs at the point where the head and body join. Sew plastic beads to front of head for the eyes. Run yarn ends in.

For those that can't crochet, here is a similar spider that is knit:



Knit Spider

This spider is a variation on the one above, adapted by Lucia. Basically, its one small tube, one large tube and 4 idiot cord legs.
use a technique called “double knitting”. What is double knitting? It’s a way to knit an open tube while working back and forth instead of circular. Try the pattern, and you’ll decide if this is a technique you ever want to use.

My Tubes:

Tube 1:

* Cast on 10 stitches using waste yarn; I used mauve colored yarn. Knit 1 row. Break yarn, attach grey yarn leaving a long tail of grey.
* Row 1: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front; repeat from *. Note: When slipping, the yarn is positioned as though you are going to purl, and you slip purlwise. Just don’t purl. After you do this the first time, every other stitch will be worked in grey.
* Repeat row 1: until the length of the tube is equal to the width. Note: after the second repeat, all stitches on the needle will be grey.
* Break yarn leaving a long tail.
* Remove waste yarn by snipping individual stitches of waste yarn and pulling the yarn out carefully. The piece will open up into a tube! Thread a tapestry needle with tail of yarn and run through open loops pull tight, anchor. (See right.) Insert tapestry needle through center of the hole you closed and hide the yarn inside.
* Carefully remove work from needle. Run thread through open loops,
* Stuff with yarn or fiberfill. Pull thread to close; it will look sort of like a sphere. Anchor and hide yarn inside the sphere.

Tube 2:

* Decide if the piece you just made is the head of the body based on size. (The head should be the smaller piece.
* If the first piece is the head, knit a body by casting on 20 stitches. Follow the directions for the head, once again knitting until the length is the same as the width.
* If the first piece is the body, cast on 6 stitches. Work as for first piece.

Ok, you have two tubes made my way. Now, follow Cathy Hollingsworth's directions for the sewing the two pieces together and attaching the legs(see above pattern. (Use cord legs about the length of the body, but varied the lengths.)

I thought they were fun and so had to share. Now I'm off in search of a Witch and pumpkins to make (knit or crochet)

Happy Halloween Crafting!!!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Yarn & Patterns = Really Cool Dishcloths !!!

Okay, so I have this strange obsession of collecting dishcloth patterns. Now, they aren't 'normal' dishcloths (you know, granny squares in every possible configuration), no,these are unique and special ones. Back in July, one of my favorite read's, MeegieMoo had made a really cool Skull dishcloth that I fell in love with (Her name is a link to said post with dishcloth-have a peak) and FINALLY, I found the pattern!!! I was very excited and the pattern is free for PERSONAL use (iow-do not print&sell or create the item to sell) So, I'm posting it here. I found it on another blog while looking for knit/crochet/cross stitch Halloween patterns. Check out her Blog-she's a mega knitter too!!! Insanknitty

Here's the Pattern:

Skull Dishcloth



materials:
-Sugar 'n Cream, Hot Green
-size 6 straight needles
directions:
CO 40 stitches (I use the long-tail cast on)
Knit 4 rows
1 - K3, P34, K3
2 - K all
3 - K3, P34, K3
4 - K all
5 - K3, P34, K3
6 - K all
7 - K3, P12, K2, P20, K3
8 - K18, P7, K15
9 - K3, P12, K13, P9, K3
10 - K12, P13, K15
11 - K3, P12, K13, P9, K3
12 - K12, P13, K15
13 - K3, P12, K2, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K3, P10, K3
14 - K13, P3, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P3, K14
15 - K3, P11, K3, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K3, P10, K3
16 - K13, P3, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P3, K14
17 - K3, P10, K14, P10, K3
18 - K13, P14, K13
19 - K3, P10, K15, P9, K3
20 - K12, P16, K12
21 - K3, P9, K16, P9, K3
22 - K12, P6, K3, P7, K12
23 - K3, P8, K8, P3, K7, P8, K3
24 - K11, P7, K2, P10, K10
25 - K3, P6, K20, P8, K3
26 - K10, P13, K1, P7, K9
27 - K3, P5, K7, P2, K13, P7, K3
28 - K10, P6, K1, P5, K4, P6, K8
29 - K3, P5, K5, P5, K4, P3, K6, P6, K3
30 - K9, P5, K4, P4, K5, P5, K8
31 - K3, P5, K5, P5, K4, P4, K5, P6, K3
32 - K9, P5, K5, P3, K5, P5, K8
33 - K3, P5, K6, P3, K4, P5, K5, P6, K3
34 - K9, P6, K4, P5, K1, P7, K8
35 - K3, P6, K12, P4, K6, P6, K3
36 - K10, P6, K2, P13, K9
37 - K3, P7, K20, P7, K3
38 - K11, P19, K10
39 - K3, P8, K18, P8, K3
40 - K12, P16, K12
41 - K3, P10, K14, P10, K3
42 - K15, P10, K15
43 - K3, P15, K5, P14, K3
44 - K all
45 - K3, P34, K3
46 - K all
47 - K3, P34, K3
48 - K all
49 - K3, P34, K3
50 - K all
Knit 4 rows
Bind off
©BlackRayne, 2006
For personal use only.

Is that not the coolest thing EVER????

Okay....then how about this???

That's right!!!! A dishcloth based on the tattoo that Sirius Black has in the Harry Potter Movies!!!!

Here's the Pattern:
Sirius Black Dishcloth

Using, US size 7 needles and any kitchen cotton of your choice

CO 45 stitches
1-4 Knit
5 K4, P37, K4
6, and all even rows, Knit
7 K4, P37, K4
9 K4, P18, K1, P18, K4
11 K4, P18, K1, P18, K4
13 K4 P17, K3, P17, K4
15 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
17 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
19 K4, P13, K1, P3, K3, P3, K1, P13, K4
21 K4, P13, K11, P13, K4
23 K4, P13, K1, P3, K3, P3, K1, P13, K4
25 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
27 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
29 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
31 K4, P11, K1, P5, K3, P5, K1, P11, K4
33 K4, P11, K15, P11, K4
35 K4, P11, K1, P5, K3, P5, K1, P11, K4
37 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
39 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
41 K4, P17, K3, P17, K4
43 K4, P15, K7, P15, K4
45 K4, P13, K2, P2, K3, P2, K2, P13, K4
47 K4, P11, K2, P11, K2, P11, K4
49 K4, P10, K1, P15, K1, P10, K4
51 K4, P8, K2, P17, K2, P8, K4
53 K4, P8, K2, P17, K2, P8, K4
55 K4, P8, K2, P17, K2, P8, K4
57 K4, P7, K4, P15, K4, P7, K4
59 K4, P37, K4
61 K4, P37, K4
63-66 Knit
Bind Off

Sirius Black Dishcloth by http://insanknitty.wordpress.com

The creator of the Sirius Black one belongs to a Knitting Group here on Blogger Called Hogwarts Sock Kits Swap (HSKS 3 for short). It seems like a really cool thing so I've posted their link in my Fave Read's link section.

And another Skull & Crossbones Dishcloth, this one by Rhonda K White.

Knitted Skull and Crossbones Cloth ©2005 by Rhonda K. White



Materials:
100% cotton yarn (about 50g)
size 7 knitting needles

Cast on 38 stitches
1) knit across
2) knit across
3) knit across
4) knit across
5) k3, p7, k2, p14, k2, p7, k3
6) knit across
7) k3, p6, k3, p14, k3, p6, k3
8) knit across
9) k3, p6, k4, p12, k4, p6, k3
10) knit across
11) k3, p8, k3, p10, k3, p8, k3
12) knit across
13) k3, p9, k3, p8, k3, p9, k3
14) knit across
15) k3, p11, k3, p4, k3, p11, k3
16) knit across
17) k3, p13, k6, p13, k3
18) knit across
19) k3, p13, k6, p13, k3
20) knit across
21) k3, p11, k3, p4, k3, p11, k3
22) knit across
23) k3, p10, k3, p6, k3, p10, k3
24) knit across
25) k3, p9, k3, p2, k4, p2, k3, p9, k3
26) knit across
27) k3, p8, k3, p2, k6, p2, k3, p8, k3
28) knit across
29) k3, p6, k4, p3, k6, p3, k4, p6, k3
30) knit across
31) k3, p6, k3, p3, k3, p2, k3, p3, k3, p6, k3
32) knit across
33) k3, p7, k2, p3, k2, p4, k2, p3, k2, p7, k3
34) knit across
35) k3, p11, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, p11, k3
36) knit across
37) k3, p11, k10, p11, k3
38) knit across
39) k3, p11, k4, p2, k4, p11, k3
40) knit across
41) k3, p11, k10, p11, k3
42) knit across
43) k3, p11, k10, p11, k3
44) knit across
45) k3, p11, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p11, k3
46) knit across
47) k3, p11, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p11, k3
48) knit across
49) k3, p12, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2, p12, k3
50) knit across
51) k3, p13, k6, p13, k3
52) knit across
53) k3, p14, k4, p14, k3
54) knit across
55) k3, p32, k3
56) knit across
57) knit across
58) knit across
59) knit across

bind off

Another by Rhonda K White

Great Britain Dishcloth
©copyright 11/04 by Rhonda K. White



Materials: 100% cotton yarn and size 7 knitting needles

Cast on 37 stitches
1-4: Knit across
5: k3, p31, k3
6: and all remaining even numbered rows; knit across
7: k3, p3, k8, p20, k3
9: k3, p5, k7, p2, k2, p15, k3
11: k3, p6, k19, p6, k3
13: k3, p7, k19, p5, k3
15: k3, p8, k19, p4, k3
17: k3, p12, k16, p3, k3
19: k3, p13, k13, p5, k3
21: k3, p3, k5, p4, k15, p4, k3
23: k3, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k15, p4, k3
25: k3, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k16, p3, k3
27: k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p4, k16, p3, k3
29: k3, p3, k4, p5, k16, p3, k3
31: k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p4, k13, p6, k3
33: k3, p3, k2, p2, k1, p4, k11, p8, k3
35: k3, p3, k4, p5, k11, p8, k3
37: k3, p12, k10, p9, k3
39: k3, p5, k4, p3, k10, p9, k3
41: k3, p4, k2, p2, k1, p2, k10, p10, k3
43: k3, p3, k2, p2, k3, p1, k10, p10, k3
45: k3, p3, k2, p6, k8, p12, k3
47: k3, p3, k2, p7, k6, p13, k3
49: k3, p4, k2, p1, k2, p5, k4, p13, k3
51: k3, p5, k3, p7, k3, p13, k3
53: k3, p15, k2, p14, k3
55: k3, p31, k3
57-59: knit across and bind off

To enjoy more of Rhonda's fun patterns, visit her site http://www.knittingknonsense.com
and, you can even purchase a book she has out, at Amazon.com
What can I say? I like unique things.....Hey, if you have to do dishes, who says it has to be boring???

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Tied up in knots....

Its been soooo long since I've posted anything. I haven't really had the time to knit or do any of my favorite hobbies. I've been so tired when I get home for work that I fall into bed and don't wake up until the next day and its time to get ready and go back to work. I hope it doesn't stay this way!!!!

I'm totally jealous of Ea. You should see the stuff she whips up in no time. We worked together this past Sunday (Thanksgiving) and she made these really adorable waffle mittens. I'm jealous-she can knit on 4 needles and I can't. She's so sweet, she told me to find a pattern I want to make and she'd help me. Here's hoping I actually have the time to learn. Its something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've tried to make a certain pair of fingerless gloves (the bane of my existence, I swear!!!) for almost a year now, and I gave up. Maybe now, I will finally get to make them!!! Hurray for good friends who can teach you the things you want to learn!!!

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I'm off today so I'm watching tv and making dish cloth's-exciting, I know. Hey, at least I'm doing something...right????