Shawl For Faye free knitting pattern

I've mentioned my friend Robynn here before.
Her mother, Faye, is also very close to my heart.
I made a shawl for her this month, and it turned out so squooshy and warm and easy, I want to make a similar one again.

It is a very basic pattern, loosely inspired by the ONE SKEIN SHAWL by Clara Parkes, published in Knitters review.

When I am making a shawl for warmth, I prefer to exchange the yarn over increases (which leave a hole in the fabric) for 'Knit in the front and the back loop of the same stitch' which is one of the increases that results in a solid fabric. I also prefer to work the shawl in garter stitch instead of stockinette, as the fabric is thick, and warm, but still has a lovely drape.

For Faye's shawl, I used a variegated worsted yarn held together with knit picks "quarry" (a super soft boucle). Quarry is listed as a bulky yarn, but I found it too thin for that. It did however make a wonderful warm shawl when held together with the worsted, and I it really toned down the very gaudy variegated yarn I had on hand. I think similar results could be had with any soft fuzzy yarn and any variegated yarn held together.

I used about 2oo yards each of the worsted and of the fluffy, and size 13 (9 mm) needles It made a medium sized shawl.

To change the YOs into KfBs, the stockinette into garter stitch, my version of Clara's pattern goes like this:
(note, it is handy to use two different colored or shaped stitch markers. I use green and red. For me, green means 'go' and when the green marker is first in line, it is an increase row, when the red marker is first in line, it means I just knit straight across)

Cast on 7 stitches

Establishing rows:
a: K1, kfb, kfb place 'green' stitch marker, k1, place 'red' stitch marker, kfb, kfb, k1.
b: Knit across all stitches

Row 1: K1, kfb, k to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, sm, k1, sm, kfb, k until there are two stitches left, kfb, k1.
Row 2: K all stitches

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you judge you have only enough yarn left for binding off (or until the shawl is large enough), then bind off.

A Happy Thing

At the end of April this year, there was a food/wool festival held in Wales.
Although I would love to visit someday, it is a good third of the world away from where I live, in Michigan. It had something special, though. Something that makes me happy whenever it comes to mind. It was mentioned in the Autumn issue of Vogue Knitting magazine, and intrigued me enough to do a little research and share it with you.
They held a contest, called 'Wonder of Wool"
In brief (quoted from the festival site):

"Designers, artists, knitters, spinners, makers and craftspeople are encouraged to get creative with the theme of “bubbles” for an exciting competition to celebrate the creative and imaginative uses of Welsh wool.

Winners’ entries and the best of the rest will then go on display to an audience of thousands at Wonderwool Wales 2008, which for the first time this year will be a stand-alone event, held all under one roof over the weekend of 26^th and 27^th April at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, Powys"

Cool contest, but what really touched me was the winners of the contest:
(quoted from Vogue Knitting Autumn 2008, pg 26, links created by me)

"This year's Wonder of Wool contest winner, displayed at the Wonderwool Wales show in April, was the bouyant Bubbles Felt Rug, made by Elizabeth Saunt, David Poole, Linda Rybak, Carl Morris and Shannon Wesley, stutdents of the special-needs school Ysgol Delyn, in collaboration with Cittaslow Mold, a sustainability project for the town of Mold, North Wales.
The teenagers got the idea for the rug while blowing bubbles and executed their design in locally milled wools dyed by area felting artist Helen Melvin. "Everyone who saw it felt that it was the winning entry, : says Beth Ditson, Cittaslow Mold Project coordinator. ""

If you happen to be in the area next year, and would like to attend, details may be found here. WONDERWOOL WALES

Autumn Cooking Mom's Vegetable Beef Soup

Soon after Autumnal Equinox, I get the urge to start stocking the freezer with prepared meals.
One of my all time favorite recipes is straight from my mom.
It's also one of the simplest.

The basic ingredients are cooked beef, beef broth, tomatoes in one form or another, and vegetables.

The most traditional incarnation is:

Left over beef from pot roast, or a can or two of pre-cooked beef. We used to get the canned beef from the Amish, but now in the stores it mostly comes from Brazil.

Beef broth or stock, either leftover broth or canned. (I now use Kitchen Basics brand. they have a delicious all natural no-added-sodium stock)

A package of frozen mixed vegetables. You know, the kind with beans, corn, peas and carrots all diced up.

We used to use a jar of canned tomato juice, or even Dad's "V-9" (or V-12, or however many kinds of leftover vegetables were used in that batch), and a jar of home-canned tomatoes.
These days I use a big can of crushed tomatoes, or a can of no-salt tomato sauce.

Add the tomato stuff after the veggies are softened.

That's pretty much the basic recipe.

Here are some variations we've enjoyed:

Once when the beef was a bit scanty, I added a can or two of beans. Yum.

I've also added a handful of barley, a handful of pasta, or a handful of rice (add the barley or rice long before the veggies and tomatoes, and let it fully cook).

If you are going to eat it fresh, and not freeze it for later, you can add pretty much any vegetable you want. I find that broccoli gets a little mushy when refrozen, for example.

This time I added a mixture of thyme, marjoram and basil to the basic recipe. The house smells wonderful!

Cloud On Her Shoulders - New Knitting Pattern

Like most people of my age, I have lost friends and family to cancer. Too many of them. Let's face it, even one person lost is too many. I hope sales of this pattern will allow me to make a difference.

This pattern may be purchased HERE for $3.00. Or if you visit Pattern Fish, it is also available HERE (And honored I am to be sold on that site, it's amazing!) I will donate one dollar from each pattern purchased to Susan G. Koman For The Cure
If you don't knit, or just don't want the pattern, please consider donating directly by following the link above.

Pattern Details:
Feather Light
Cozy Warm
Easy and Portable
One Size fits up to 4XL
$1.00 from each purchased pattern goes to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure foundation
Also, it uses just 1 skein of knit picks Suri Dream (143 yards)

People who have had shoulder injuries, or older folks who are a little frail can be very vulnerable to cold, yet find heavy shoulder coverings uncomfortable. People receiving cancer treatment sometimes feel very chilled, and any extra weight can feel like a burden. This shawl will keep them warm, with almost no added weight.
The curved back and neckline means the shawl sits securely on the shoulders, and does not roll or fold uncomfortably against the back when seated. It has the added advantage of being extremely compressible, so it can be smooshed into a small container for travel and will be just as fluffy and warm when it's taken out for use

Easiest Farrow Rib Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

EASIEST FARROW RIB SCARF

This one is dead easy. REALLY easy. Yet fun to knit.
BONUS: It looks the same on both sides, perfect for scarf knitting. AND it's a scarf a man won't mind flinging 'round his neck.



Stitch Pattern:
Cast on a multiple of three ; *K2, p1*; repeat across every row.

Specifics for this scarf:
Three strands of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (yum) But ANY super bulky, bulky, or double strand of worsted will do. If you use a finer gauge yarn, just adjust the needle size/stitch count until you are happy with your result.

I used size 13 (9mm) needles and cast on 21 stitches.

Note: With standard bulky yarn, I would try casting on 24, and using a size 11 (8mm) needle.

Row 1: slip 1st stitch purl wise, k1, p1, *k2, p1* across

Rows 2 through infinity: repeat row 1.

Cast off. See? Easy :-}

Byzantine Strawberry Bag Non PDF Free pattern

Here's the pattern in non-PDF form. It finally came to me that I could easily put this in a blog post, rather than having people need to download it *doh*
******

BYZANTINE STRAWBERRY BAG

Originally published in Magknits

A wonderful use of that skein of recycled silk, this bag goes well with a gypsy skirt, velvet tunic or faded jeans.

It's bottom-up construction is fast, not fiddly, the linen-stitch strap stays firm rather than stretching or curling.

This pattern contains complete instructions for all techniques mentioned.

NEEDED:

Five Size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles

Magnetized clasp (optional)

Decorative Button or pin

1 skein recycled Sari silk yarn, 100 grams, appx 80-90 yards

1 spool gold lame yarn by Lion Brand (75 yards) or a spool of metallic multi-ply embroidery thread of your choice. Do not use the single 'ply' metallic mylar strip thread as that is too weak. YLI Candlelight embellishment thread would work fine. You could also use a lace-weight yarn, if you prefer. It is important to have a strong carry-along fiber, as it strengthens the thinnest parts of the sari silk.

NOTE: If you are going to make an over-the-shoulder strap rather than a hand-bag or wrist-bag length strap, you will need a second spool of the metallic fiber, or 150 yards of the carry-along yarn, and a larger (200 gram) OR additional 100 gram skien of sari silk.

This purse may also be made with any yarn you desire, adjusting needle size accordingly. The size of the finished product will be different depending on choice of yarn and needles, but it will still be a cute purse!)

***

Gauge: 14 sts/20 rows = 4" square in stockinette stitch on size 8 (5 mm) needles

Finished dimensions:

Bag measures 6 1/2 inches at widest points, both top to bottom and side to side. Suggested wrist-bag length is 7 - 8 inches, hand-bag strap length around 20 inches. Suggested over-the-shoulder strap length is 50 inches or longer, to suit you. Width of strap is 1 1/2 inch.

***

Stitch Notes:

M1: I suggest using a backwards 'e' loop for the increase (twist yarn to form a simple loop and place on right hand needle, pull yarn to snug the loop. Then stitch the next stitch on left hand needle as usual. On the following round, treat the loop as a separate stitch).

Alternatively you may use a 'Lifted Increase' ( Insert your right hand needle from front to back into the top of the stitch below the next one to be knitted. Knit the stitch in the usual way, then knit the first stitch on the left hand needle as usual. )

sl 1: Slip 1 stitch purlwise from left hand needle to right hand needle.

ssk: slip, slip, knit. (Slip next two stitches, individually, knitwise. Return them to the left hand needle, then knit both stitches together, through the back loops).

*****

Cast on 6 stitches using both strands of fiber. Knit 5 rows in stockinette as follows:

Rows 1,3 and 5: sl 1 knit across

Rows 2 and 4: sl 1 purl across

Pick up stitches through 2 slipped stitches on side of rectangle on new needle. (needle 2)

Pick up stitches through each cast on stitch on a new needle. 6 stitches (needle 3)

Pick up stitches through 2 slipped stitches on side of rectangle. (needle 4)

Beginning of round, Use stitch marker if desired.

Rnd1: knit each stitch around.

Rnd 2: needles 1 and 3: sl 1, m1, k4 m1 sl1;

needles 2 and 4: k1, m1, k1, m1

Rnd 3: knit each stitch around.

Rnd 4: needles 1 & 3: sl 1, m1, k6, m1 sl 1

needles 2 & 4: k4

Rnds 5 and 6: knit each stitch around.

Rnd 7: needles 1&3: sl 1, m1, k8, m1, sl 1

needles 2&4: k4

Rnds 8, 9 and10: knit each stitch around.

Rnd 11: needles 1&3: sl 1, m1, k10, m1, sl

needles 2&4: sl 1, m1, k2, m1, sl 1

Rnds 12,13 and 14: knit each stitch around.

Rnd 15: needles 1&3: sl 1, m1, k12, m1, sl 1

needles 2&4; k6

You should have 16 stitches each on needles 1 and 3, 6 stitches each on needles 2 and 4 (you may adjust for your gauge, but you must have an even numbers of stitches and rows)

Rnds 16 through 30 Knit each stitch.

Bag should measure approximately 6 1/2 inches from bottom to top at this point.

Bind off the 16 stitches on needle 1 using your preferred method. Use the first stitch on needle 2 to bind off the final stitch on needle 1, then put stitch back on needle 2.

DO NOT CUT YARN! We will be using the yarn directly to knit the strap

of the bag on needle 2. Cap needles 3 and 4 if desired, we will be working exclusively with needle 2 to make the strap.

Strap is worked in linen or woven stitch. We will knit the entire length of the strap on needle two, then work a three-needle bind off with the live stitches on needle 4, from the purl side (inside) of the strap

Row 1 : *bring yarn to front of fabric, sl 1; bring yarn behind fabric, knit 1* repeat between ** across; turn

Row 2: *Bring yarn behind fabric, sl 1; bring yarn to front of fabric, p1,* repeat between ** across; turn

NOTE: When bringing the yarn around the fabric for the first stitch in each knit row, bring it under the front tip of the left hand needle, then slip the stitch.

This method provides a sturdy, firm, clean edged strap.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until desired length of strap is achieved. End with a Purl row.

THREE NEEDLE BIND OFF

Position of the bag and strap, just prior to three-needle bind off

Working with the inside of the bag facing you, strap curved down around the bottom of the bag, and back up to fit against live stitches on needle 4. (see image above) With right (knit) sides facing each other, insert the tip of new (bind-off) needle into the first stitch of the front needle (needle 4, bag), then into the first stitch of the back needle (needle 2, strap). Pull yarn through both stitches from back to knit the two stitches together. *Insert bind off needle into the next stitches on front and back needles, pull yarn through both stitches to knit together. Pass first loop (the one on the right) over the second loop (the one you just made)* Repeat between **across.

DO NOT CUT YARN! We will be using this yarn to continue directly on to needle three and create the flap of the bag.

Flap

Slip last live loop (from three-needle bind off) from needle 4 onto needle 3.

Row 1. Purl across needle 3, pick up one stitch at base of strap, turn. (18 stitches)

Rows 2,4,6,8,10 sl 1, knit across, turn

Rows 3, 5 7 9 11 sl 1 purl across, turn

Begin Flap Decrease

Rows 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22: sl 1, k2tog, knit across to last 2 stitches, ssk turn

Rows 13, 15, 17, 19, 21: sl 1, purl across, turn,

Bind off.

Add magnetic closure if desired, Add decorative button or pin to flap.

Enjoy!!!

Copyright Otterwise Designs, 2007

Byzantine Strawberry bag

At last, I learned to make a PDF, and can now provide you with a downloadable pattern for my Byzantine Strawberry Bag.

It's on THIS PAGE if you are a member of Ravelry, if not, just comment on this post with your email, or send me an email at ottergal AT comcast DOT net, and I will gladly send it to you as an attachment :-} If I can figure out where to host it for download in a non-Ravelry place, I'll do that too. Enjoy!

Oscar's Trip To Bristol

Oscar took some wonderful photos on his trip to see the races at Bristol a few weeks ago. Here is a sampling :-}