April 12, 2007

Free Dishcloth Pattern

Ankh Dish Cloth

CO 40

RS Rows 1, 3, 5: sl as if to p, p1,*k1, p1* repeat * to* across

Rows 2, 4: sl as if to p, k1, *p1,k1* repeat * to* across

Row 6: sl as if to p, k1, p1,k1, p12, k8, p11, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 7 and all odd numbered rows thru Row 61: (sl as if to p, p1), k1, p1, k across to last 5 sts p1,k1, p1, k1, p1

Row 8: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p13, k6, p12, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Rows 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p15, k2, p14, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 26: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p7, k1, p7, k2, p7, k1, p6, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 28: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p7, k2, p6, k2, p6, k2, p6, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Rows 30 & 32: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p7, k18, p6, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 34: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p7, k2, p6, k2, p6, k2, p6, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 36: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p7, k1, p7, k2, p7, k1, p6, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 38: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p15, k2, p14, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 40: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p14, k4, p13, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 42: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p12, k8, p11, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 44: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p11, k4, p2, k4, p10, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 46: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p11, k2, p6, k2, p10, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 48: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p11, k2, p6, k2, p10, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 50: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p11, k2, p6, k2, p10, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 52: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p11, k3, p4, k3, p10, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 54: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p12, k2, p4, k2, p11, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 56: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p12, k3, p2, k3, p11, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 58: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p14, k4, p13, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 60: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p15, k2, p14, (k1 p1)2x, k1

Row 62: sl as if to p, k1, p1, k1, p31, (k1, p1)2x, k1

Row 64, 66: sl as if to p, *k1, p1*repeat from * to* across

Row 63, 65, 67: sl as if to p, *p1, k1*repeat from * to* across

---

I finally finished it. The Microspun is really a pain to work with. It splits very easily...it's just doesn't have much twist in the yarn...kinda like Sugar 'n Cream. However, the Microspun is so very soft. (I'd definitely recommend it for a baby blanket using kinda dull needles. Sharp metal ones definitely contribute to the splitting.) Again, I don't know how effective it would be as a dish cloth but may be okay as a wash cloth. I've got a few ounces left over so I'll knit that up when I can and let you know how it works.

I started the sock and have the ribbing almost done. I'm hoping I'll be able to get quite a bit of it done now that I don't have any other "downstairs" projects. Got a two more repeats of the pattern I'm doing on the latest click-->Michelle hat. I think I'll need to do one more repeat before starting the decreases. I am trying to figure out how I can incorporate the design up the decreases and may need to spend an hour or so with pen and paper on that one!

My son and I made two trips to the dumpster with wagon loads of left over tree from the trimming last week. I think we have three or four more trips to make. Hate to fill the dumpsters up as soon as they are emptied, so we'll spread the trips out!

Heard of a good ww yarn for socks for men wearing work boots. Briggs and Little Tuffy. It's 80% wool and 20% nylon. Anyone know any more about it? Super wash? Where it can be purchased? Two of my sons wear work boots year round and the other is really hard on socks. I was thinking this would make great socks for them but only if it's super wash....

April 10, 2007

Ankh and Free Hat Pattern

I got the Michelle<--click hat finished up last night. (Pattern below.) It's really a firm fabric. A little hard to see but there is a basket weave type pattern in the body of the hat. CO on the next one last night, but.... It occurred to me with all the whining I've done about not being able to knit fancy socks, that I could practice some of the sock patterns while making these hats. Larger needles, larger yarn, somewhat easier to manipulate...although this doesn't help with counting which really seems to be my main issue, but we'll gloss over that and see if I can do it. Now, don't have too high expectations on this, as these hats are supposed to be my night time knitting, aka, brainless knitting. So I still might not be able to do the lace work on them!

Here's the sample of the washcloth I'm making for B. I adjusted the lighting as best I could so the design would show up. It does, but not too well. I bought a skein of Sugar 'n Cream in a soft yellow/beige and a skein of Lion Brand Micro Spun in the same color. I'd heard somewhere that wash cloths made of Micro Spun were great. It's acrylic so I don't know how it can be that good, but it's sure soft! Would make great baby stuff!

Only got a few rows done on my sock...had to finish the Ankh and we had some shopping to do yesterday. I've finished the heel decreases and am working on the foot now. Won't take long once I get a chance to sit down and work on it.

Talked to my DIL yesterday. It's really been cold (below freezing) in TN. And here we sit with our warmer than average temps of 80s in the days and 40s at nights. It's gonna be a HOT summer for us I'm bettin....

---

Hat with Pique Check Stitch

Two strands WW yarn, Size 7 16 inch circular needes, Size 7 DPNs

Pattern requires multiple of 6 sts Fits young child, 2, 3, or 4 years

CO 66, join

Knit 8 rows of st st.

R 1: *K3, P3* repeat from * to * around

R 2: Knit even

R 3: Repeat R 1

R 4: Knit even

R 5: Repeat R 1

R 6 - 11: Knit even

R 12: *P3, K3* repeat from * to * around

R 13: Knit even

R 14: Repeat R 12

R 15: Knit even

R 16: Repeat R 12

R 17-22: Knit even

R 23: *K 9, K2tog* repeat from * to * around

R 24: Knit even

R 25: *K8, K2tog* repeat from * to * around

R 26: Knit even

R 27: *K7, K2tog* repeat from * to * around

R 28: Knit even

R 29: *K6, K2tog* repeat from * to * around

R 30: Knit even

R 31: *K5, K2tog* repeat from * to * around

R 32: Knit even

R 33: *K4, K2tog* repeat from * to * around

R 34: Knit even

R 35: *K3, K2 tog* repeat from * to * around

R 36: Knit even

R 37: *K2, K2 tog* repeat from * to * around

R 38: *K1, K2 tog* repeat from * to * around

R 39: K2tog around Cut working yarn leaving about 6 to 8 inches.

Thread yarn onto yarn needle and insert yarn needle through remaining sts. Pull tight to gather up and close hole. Weave in ends inside hat.

April 9, 2007

Yes, I can sew....

So, I thought I'd share something I made for myself now that reading glasses are a part of my life. It's a bookmark/glasses holder. My reading glasses fit nicely in the little pouch are always ready when I get a chance to sit down with my current read. Of course I have a pair with my knitting and a pair in my purse, JIC, and several other pair in strategic locations around the house. I tried using the necklace type holder that fastens on the bows of the glasses, but they get in the way. So this is my best solution!

We had a nice family dinner last night after my daughter got home from work. Roast stuffed chicken, steamed fresh carrots and broccoli with strawberry shortcake for dessert. We had real whupped cream that I whupped myself. Leftovers are in my coffee this morning! Yum!

I didn't get one stitch knitted on my socks yesterday. F's hubby, B's birthday is this Friday and I was trying to find something to make for him. He's into music big time, all this Egypt, reading, movies, and the Internet, especially games. One would think will all these interests....

I ended up designing a wash cloth with an Ankh (Egyptian symbol of Life) on it. Thought that was appropriate for a birthday!

I got it about 75% knitted with acrylic yarn and then had to help finish up dinner fixin's. When I finish it up today, I'll take a pic. Then I'll have to start working on the cotton one. I may need to go buy some nice cotton for it.... It really needs a nice solid color to show off the design.

It was the first time I'd ever designed a picture for a wash cloth. I drew it out on graph paper and then wrote out the design line by line. Time consuming, but not hard. Now I know how to do it. Always a good skill to have in the back of my head. I have hundreds of cross stitch charts of which some could be made into nice designs.

I got a good part of the current click--> Michelle hat done - started the decreases, so that'll be done tonight.

Today's the last day of spring vacation for my grand daughter. Off to school in the morning. And my daughter's new work schedule starts tomorrow, too. Maybe I'll get to sequester myself in my room, clean it up and knit in peace! Okay...I can dream can't I?