Make Mine Gray

I designed this hat with my brother in law in mind. He is a big man with a large head and neck. He wanted a hat that went beyond the standard beanie length. Something to keep him warm during our New England Winters.

Materials
* Set of US size 6 (4mm) 16” circular needle
* Set of US size 6(4mm) double pointed needles, or size required to get gauge
* Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK (100% superwash extrafine merino, 137 yds {125m} per 50g) shown in colors 02, 03, & 18.
* Tapestry needle
* Stitch Marker

Size

Adults Large 24” head circumference, stretched 28”. 9” in Length

Gauge

6 sts & 7 rows in St st equals 1 inches

Pattern Notes:

With main color (02 gray) and circular needle, cast on 114 sts. Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist and marking the beginning of the round with a stitch marker.

Rnds 1-3: (K1, P1) around.

Rnd 4: continue working 1x1 rib pattern increasing 1 sts every 19sts (120sts).

Rnd 5: (K4, P4) around. Continue working 4x4 pattern until piece measures 2”.

Change to contrast color (03 Black).

Rnd 1: Knit

Rnd 2: Purl

Rep these two rounds until piece measures 4”. Each color should measure 2”. Change to contrast color (18 Navy).

Rnd 1: (K2, P2) around.

Rep this round until piece measures 6”. Change to main color (02 gray) Begin crown decreases.

Rnd 1: (K10, K2tog) around

Rnd 2 and all even rounds: Knit

Rnd 3: (K9, K2tog) around

Rnd 5: (K8, K2tog) around

Rnd 7: (K7, K2togh) around

Continue in this manner until 20 sts remain.

K2tog around (10sts). K2tog around (5sts).

Thread tail through remaining stitches and fasten off. Weave in ends and block to prevent the navy ribbing from synching in.

You’ll definitely have enough leftover to make a 2 other hats. Try mixing up the color sequence or mix in different stitch patterns.

Spring Daffodil Baby Socks

The most recent pattern from Mychawd: The Knitting Samurai is...

Spring Daffodil Baby Socks


I'm not sure how to upload PDFs so there are three ways to get the pattern. Double click on the photo and print that. Or you can send me a comment with your email address and I'll be happy to email you a copy of the pattern. It's also available as a free download on Ravelry.

Introducing the Starling & Perfect for Hand-Dyed Socks Patterns

As you know I’ve been knitting a lot of socks. And the designing bug has bit me. I’ve just finished two new sock patterns.

Starling Sock Pattern
Was inspired as I listened to those talkative birds one morning in early spring. The North American Starling has a reputation as an invasive species of bird that has strong feet, and a gregarious nature. Knit with vibrant stripping yarn this sock, like the Starling will be both strong footed and expressive.
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Perfect for Hand-Dyed Socks Pattern
Every sock knitter seems to be unexplainably drawn to those amazingly variegated Hand-Dyed yarns. We can’t seem to get enough of them. But let’s be honest, Hand-Dyed yarns can be difficult to pair with a pattern. Either the complexity of the pattern is lost in the variegation of the colors, or the color pattern spiraling up the leg distracts from the stitch pattern as the eye focuses on the pooling or a zigzagging of colors. This pattern is the perfect solution to that problem. The pattern smoothly transitions from one color to the next, effectively confusing the eye and disrupting any sort of color patterning.
Both Patterns are now available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Posh Vino Pouch

As you may recall The Boyfriend asked me to knit him 7 wine cozies in under three weeks. I accepted the challenge and created a new pattern, knit like the wind, felted them and had them all dry and ready to go by December 21st. He gladly gave them, with the necessary wine to coworkers and faculty. Well, all except one which he didn’t give to the intended recipient until last week when he saw her for the first time since then. She was thrilled with the gift and a few days later wrote to say “Thank you for the wine sock”. I had to laugh, I guess in the regular non-knitting world the word cozy isn’t frequently used.

Posh Vino Pouch
© 2009, Mychawd
This wine cozy paired with a bottle of wine makes a perfect gift for the host of any party. The felted nature will keep chilled bottles cool and the handles makes it a convenient tote bag.

Materials you will need:
J.Knits Dreamy Worsted -3 or 4 skeins
US Size 13 16” circular needles
Tapestry Needle to weave in ends

Finished measurements: 17” by 10” around

Gauge: 12.5 sts x 12 rows for 4”

Main Color (MC): Indiana (Stripes) or Iowa (Dimonds) 2 Skeins
Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Georgia (Stripes) or Santa Fe (Dimonds) 1 Skein
Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Rancho Mirage 1 Skein

Base of the Cozy:
Cast on 6 sts, connect to work in the round
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Kf&b each stitch (12sts)
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: *Kf&b, K1* repeat 5 more times (18sts)
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: *Kf&b, K2* repeat 5 more times (24sts)
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: *Kf&b, K3* repeat 5 more times (30sts)
Round 9: Knit
Round 10: *Kf&b, K4* repeat 5 more times (36sts)
Round 11: Knit
Round 12: *Kf&b, K5* repeat 5 more times (42sts)
Round 13: Knit
Round 14: Purl
Round 15: Purl
The base of the cozy is now complete, you will now simply knit in the round until piece measures 13”

To achieve Pink stripped pattern...
Knit with MC until piece measures 7” from second purl row, work 2 rounds CC1. Change to MC, work 3 rounds. Change to CC2, work 4 rounds. Change to CC1, work 4 rounds. Change to MC, work 3 rounds. Change to CC2, work 2 rounds. Return to MC and work until piece measures 13”
Work Handles.

To achieve Brown diamond pattern…
After completing round 15 above, knit 4 rounds (MC).
Round 1{Kf&b K1 (MC), *K1 (CC1), K3 MC repeat from * 4 times} repeat portion between {} once more (44sts).
Round 2 *K1 (MC), K3 (CC1), repeat from * 10 more times.
Round 3 Knit (CC1).
Round 4 *K1 (MC), K3 (CC1), repeat from * 10 more times.
Round 5 K3 (MC), K1 (CC1), repeat from * 10 more times.
Return to (MC) and work until piece measures 11”.
Repeat round 5. Repeat rounds 2-5. Return to (MC) and work 4 rounds, piece should measure 13.5”
Work Handles.

Handles
Round 1: Knit first 21 sts and place stitch marker
Round 2: (CC1) K3, (MC) K16, (CC1) K5, (MC) K16, (CC1) K2
Round 3: (CC1) K3, (MC) K16, (CC1) K5, (MC) K16, (CC1) K2
You will now work back and forth between stitch markers, working one side of the handle while the other side waits. Then you will work the second side as the first.
Row 1: Worked over 21 stitches, (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K15, (CC1) K2, Turn (20sts)
Row 2: (CC1) P2, (MC) P14, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (19sts)
Row 3: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K7 K2tog, K4, (CC1) K2, Turn (17sts)
Row 4: (CC1) P2, (MC) P11, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (16sts)
Row 5: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K5 K2tog, K3, (CC1) K2, Turn (14sts)
Row 6: (CC1) P2, (MC) P8, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (13sts)
Row 7: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K3 K2tog, K2, (CC1) K2, Turn (11sts)
Row 8: (CC1) P2, (MC) P5, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (10sts)
Row 9: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K4, (CC1) K2, Turn (9sts)
Row 10: (CC1) P2, (MC) P3, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (8sts)
Row 11: (CC1) K2tog, K2tog, K3, (5sts)

Now begin working as an I-cord using only (CC1). Work I-cord for 3”, place on holder.

Return to held stitches, begin working on side where there are 3 stitches in (CC1). Work rows 1-11 as above.

Kitchener stitch the two I-cord pieces together. Piece measures 7” in diameter and 24” in length from cast on to Kitchener stitches.


Weave in ends and felt.


Being careful to not over felt, check size every 5 minutes until desired dimensions are reached, 5” in diameter and 17” in length from cast on to Kitchener stitches.

The Zissou for a Sailor

By Mychawd

What do you do if you enjoy the movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou?
If you like it so much you quote it and want to be Ned Kingsley Zissou?
You find a friend who’s a knitter and ask her, or him, to knit you a hat like the ones worn in the movie, that’s what you do.

Materials:
· US size 6 16” circular needles
· Either a second pair of circs for head decreases or a set of size 6 double points
· 2 skeins Reynolds Revue
· Tapestry Needle to weave in end.

Finished Measurements:
10 to 24” circumference relaxed to stretched
12.5” in length

Gauge: in 2x2 rib 28 sts x 32 rows for 4”

Begin: Using Long Tail Cast on cast on 104 stitches. K1 st, place a marker to mark the beginning of the round.

Work in the round, repeating the pattern K2, P2 ribbing until the piece measures 8.5”.

Work in pattern until 52 sts have been worked, place a second marker(between 2 knit sts), this will be opposite the first (which should also be between 2 knit sts). These mark the side seams and will be used for decreasing purposes.

Decrease Round: K1, SSK, work in pattern to 3 sts before the marker, K2tog, K1, slide marker, K1, SSK, work in pattern to 3 sts befo re second marker, K2tog, K1, slide marker.
Repeat this for every round until 44 sts remain (22 on each side). You may need to split the stitches between the two circs or move them onto the double points around 50 sts, continue working in the round.

At 44sts, work 4 rounds in pattern, no decreases.

Return to decrease rounds until there are 20sts remaining.

Turn work inside out and work 3 needle bind-off. Or graft the stitches together.

Lightly block and enjoy many sea voyages with your new hat!
© 2009, Mychawd

Sizzlin’ Serpents

Snakes are sometimes kept as pets. They can be very low maintenance, requiring minimal space, as most common species do not exceed five feet in length, and can be fed once every five to fourteen days. Certain snakes have a life span of more than forty years.

While snakes are uncomplicated pets, they are even easier to care for when they adorn a pair of hand knit socks. Although I can not vouch for a forty year existence that would need some amazing yarn.

If you would like your own serpent adorned socks check out http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17110745 The pattern for anklets knits up quickly and it's interesting to watch as the snake wraps itself around the foot while you work.

Therin Head Band

Ta Da...here is my first J. Knits Pattern. It's available for free download from the website.

It's Therin's Head Band.

Check it out. It's a snap to knit and looks great on everyone!!

The Librarian's Insight -the turkey

The turkey was the brain child of a librarian who felt that there weren’t enough Thanksgiving turkeys out there.



Make one for the hostess of your holiday party or use them as decorations on a buffet table. Children, carnivores, and vegetarians will delight in this loveable turkey.

This pattern is now available at my Etsy shop.
If you would like me to knit you one, that can also be arranged.

Distinguished Gentleman’s Neck Warmer

By Mychawd

Materials:
o US size 7 16” circular needles
o 1 skein Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca 4-ply worsted –shown in black
· 1 skein Classic Elite Inca Alpaca is a good substitution.
o Tapestry Needle to weave in end.

Finished Measurements:
17” circumference, 6” in length

Gauge:
18 sts x 24 rows for 4”

Body:
Using Long Tail Cast on
Cast on 84 stitches
Purl 1 round
K2, *YO, K2tog, K2* repeat across remaining stitches.
Repeat patterned round, always knitting the first two stitches in the round.
When piece measures 5”
K2, *K2tog, K2* repeat across remaining stitches.
Purl 1 round
Bind off .
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Lightly block and enjoy a toasty neck.
© 2008, Mychawd

Sophie's Vigor -the beagle puppy

I've been hard at work designing a felted cat pattern for my mother. It's not been an easy task. I think I'm too caught up in making an anatomically correct Devon as opposed to a cute cat. So imagine my surprise as I was knitting this to discover that it really looked more like a beagle than a cat. So here is Sophie's Vigor –the beagle puppy, named after the neighbors dog who is a energetic barker.

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The pattern is now available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

Sweetie's Nemesis -the bat

Last Night I gave away the super secret birthday project I’ve been working on...Sweetie's Nemesis -the bat!


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I’d say Batgirl was pleased to receive the prototype of Sweetie’s Nemesis. He’s been officially named Christian Bailey the Bat.
I think it’s a fitting name and hope it makes her smile whenever she sees it.

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Everyone who sees Sweetie's Nemesis, loves it, including Dad. I knew he did becuase he got a silly smile on his face and informed me that Yoda doesn't have wings.

The pattern is now available for purchase in my Etsy shop. I hope everyone knits there own Nemesis for Halloween. There will be more patterns posted to the shop later this week.

Oven Mitt and Matching Pot Holder

They are complete. The Mitt is just the thing for quickly pulling something out of the oven. It's small and goes on fast. They are the perfect house warming gift. Knit them to match the colors of the kitchen.

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Requires US size 11 20” circular needles

The pattern is now available for purchase in my Etsy Shop for next to nothing. Knit a set for all of your holiday gift recipients. I just might ;-)

Oven Mit

I just had to share. This is Nessa Rose’s baby Big Papi. Isn’t he just the cutest? He looks like he should be reclining on a chase lounge by the pool, doesn’t he? I haven’t said much about what I’m currently knitting because there are 3 super secret Christmas and birthday gifts being knit. But as soon as I’m able I’ll share details with you all.

2 Random Mile Challenge:
Since I was already using number 216: Cascade Lana Grande, I decided to keep going. I was inspired to design something based on the quiches I just made. When I took them out of the oven I used our trusty “grippy frog” and a regular pot holder. The pot holder didn’t lend the same confidence as the grippy frog. Here I was holding a 2 pounds of bubbling cheese and egg with the tips of my fingers. There was a need for another grippy frog, but not as structured. Something that could hang with the pot holders and not need space in a drawer. Enter my Oven Mitt.

Side note: every time I talk about it or he sees it, The Boyfriend yells, Mittens!!!! And laughs as he thinks of Mit Romney.








I also decided a matching pot holder to sit the dish on once it’s been taken out of the oven would be nice. Both will be felted and I’ll be sharing the pattern in a few days.

Girly Beer

Girly Beer
© Mychawd

Sometimes I drink a Margaritas or a Mudslides just to have a “Girly” or “frou-frou” drink. But then there are times when I just feel like a beer but hate to be seen holding the ugly brown bottle. Since I’m making the wines cozy, why not make the beer cozy too? So here is the Girly Beer.

Size:
8.5” Circumference, 5.5” high

Materials:
1 skein of Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky, 108 yards
1 set of US size 6 needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 4 stitches/inch in stockinet stitch

Pattern Abbreviations:
Sl1: Slip one stitch
M1: Make one stitch

Directions:
Front of the body
Cast on 18 sts
Rows 1 & 2: work K1, P1 ribbing
Work in stockinet for 4”
Finish with a knit row, at the end of the row, M1 15 times for an additional 15 sts (33 sts)
You can use your cast on of choice but the Make one method allows for a looser edge which will be helpful later on when sewing the sleeves.
*While working the sleeves, slip the first stitch of each row to give a more finished edging to the cuffs.

Next row, Sl1, Purl all stitches, at the end of the row, cast on an additional 15 sts (48 sts)
Sl1, Knit 1 row
Sl1, Purl 1 row
Sl1, Knit 1 row
Sl1, Purl 1 row

Sleeves and Shoulders
Now work the sleeves and shoulders separately, attach a second ball as follows:
Sl1, Knit 20, place center 6 on stitch holder, attach a second ball and work the 21sts on the other side.
Work 2“ in stockinet on each side, about 10 rows, ending with purl row.
Knit across 21 sts cast on 6 stitches and connect to the other side, knit remaining 21sts
Work 4 rows stockinet stitch.
Cast off 15 sleeve stitches, purl rest of the row (33 sts)
Cast off 15 sleeve stitches, knit rest of the row (18 sts)

Back of the body
Work in stockinet for 4”
Work 2 rows of K1, P1 ribbing
Bind off.

Collar
Pick up 6 stitches on holder, then pick up 22 stitches around shoulders and back. (28sts)
Connect and knit in the round working K2, P2 ribbing for 1 ½”.
Bind off.

Sew along side seems and bottom edge of sleeves.
Embellish to make it even more girly. I added an S to the front of mine…Super Beer.

6 Questions

As of Tuesday night, the Emergency blanket is half finished. Thank you to those who asked, the finger is useable. I had hoped to knit a strip each day for five days and then have the 6th day for the hat, booties, sewing, and blocking. So really I should have 3 finished strips not 2 ½ but I can’t complain too much.



I’m dreaming up what the matching hat should look like. I thought I’d take a shot at drawing on the computer. The crazy things I can do now! so exciting!
Here is a first rendering. I tried to get some knit texture in there.
My only concern is that worsted weight yarn might not allow for as many XOXOs as I’d like.

I take lots of notes, and record my thoughts on patterns and projects here and on Ravelry but I don’t do it consistently. For example the Fake Isle hat, when knit the first time killed my right hand as I was double stranding the black yarn. I loved the color variation of the Noro yarn but didn’t find the end product particularly smooshy as a good hat should be. And the end result was a ½ an inch to an inch too short so that throughout an evening it sneaks up over my ears. These are all good notes but will the help me in the future when I knit the pattern again? Will they help me if I work with the yarn again? Perhaps if I can sift through my other thoughts on the subject and find them. I want to attempt to be more organized and a bit more thoughtful about each project I complete. To that end, I’m going to answer 6 questions about each and hopefully that will help me recall what I liked, disliked, learned, felt, etc.
Yarn Questions:

1. How did the yarn feel in my hands?
2. What do I think of the drape or texture of the knitted fabric?
3. Do I want to use this yarn again?

Pattern Questions:

1. What would I do differently next time?
2. Are there any problems in the pattern?
3. What did I learn from this project?

I believe that my motivation to knit is directly proportional to the amount I’m learning. That’s the main reason why I cast on a new project with anticipation instead of knitting the same socks, bag and hats over and over. I have always hungered for knowledge. I listen to podcasts to learn new tricks and techniques. I read Elizabeth Zimmerman to capture her experience. I constantly talk to my knit sibs about their projects and want to know all the details and their thoughts on them. Something inside drives me to gain as much knowledge as possible (don’t worry, I do want to know about things besides knitting). Of my six questions, I think the last one is the most important and informs my happiness with a project more than all the others. Now enough knitting philosophy, I’ve got an Emergency Blanket to knit!

Also, I'm still waiting on my French Yarn. Stage 2 might be an uphill sprint if it doesn't arrive soon.

Double Success

Busy weekend here in NH. Yesterday I went on a Boston Yarn Crawl with some friends. The weather was perfect for me. Mid 60s and overcast. We all had success at Woolcott and Co. I of course got some Malabrigo. I fear I may be becoming a collector since I buy it for no other reason than it’s pretty. I don’t have a project in mind... or worse yet, I don't like the way Malabrigo looks when it's all knit up. It has more of a halo than I like on my hand knit items, yet I can’t stop myself from buying it.
Later we had some Watermelon beer at Boston Beer Works. While it was a bit watery, it was definitely refreshing. And after walking close to 5 miles, I crashed in the car on the way home. Wait that sounds bad, by “crashed” I mean I fell soundly asleep, but not while driving, I was ridding. But thank you to Katie for putting up with us snoozers.

After a full day of shopping I headed straight over to K & K’s house. It’s been too long since we’ve seen them. Such good people. They make me smile. I worked on the Waving Lace Socks quite a bit. I’m glad my non-knitting friends all accept that when we’re together there will be knitting on my part and it’s now just an accepted fact, not even worth commenting on. It’s very comforting to be able to chat while doing ones favorite pastime. We spent an enjoyable evening filling ourselves with sweets and wine, and listening to The Boyfriend regale us with stories of his glory days at Colvin Hall. 14 hours after leaving the hourse we returned. It’s been a long time since I enjoyed crawling into my bed as much as I did last night. Then at 5:25am the “kitty kitty bird” perched on the fence outside our window and began to serenade me. Oh what a lovely little #$&%!!!! I was up and that was it.

Later after working on the Lutea Lace Tank for a few hours and really not making much progress, my parents came to take The Boyfriend out for birthday dinner, which was delicious! We laughed and talked about motivation (affiliation, power, achievement…10 points if you can name the person who came up with this theory) and baseball scoring. Odd as it may seem, I found it all interesting.

OHHHHHH and my scatter brain is missing the fact that The Boyfriend LOVED his brain slug!!!! While I was glad the Brain Slug pleased him I’m more excited to see the number of knitters favoriting and queuing my patterns over on Ravelry. I’m thinking I will release a pattern a month and hopefully be able to charge for the more difficult ones, see the Fair Isle Top Down Gloves. I think it’s the feedback from my comrades that is so encouraging. I just hope to be creative enough and popular enough to become a full fledged Hand-Knit Designer.

And last but certainly not least, the second success came when The Boyfriend finally consented, after months of hard work on my part, to an addition to our family. Curlfect’s Once in a Blue Moon will be joining us in about a month when she’s old enough. While she’s not Nessa’s daughter she is a petite little blue female who is shy and sweet. Isn't she just the cutiest, look at those ears, and eyes and a little white near her nose! Just this past week she fell asleep in the crook of my arm. This limited my ability to knit (and we all know how I turn rabbid from lack of knitting) so I shifted her to my leg and propped her head up on a skein of yarn. It was the sweetest thing…

Cardinal

Cardinal
© 2008, Mychawd

Finished Measurements: after felting, 5” high x 8” long (including tail)

Material:

• Knit Picks Wool of the Andes; one skein of each red, yellow, and black.
• US size 10 needles
• Tapestry needle
• Polyester fill for stuffing

Gauge: 12 sts/14 rows =4 inches in stockinet stitch

Pattern Notes: knit using two strands of yarn.

Wings: (Make 2)
Cast on 2 sts
Finished measurements 1½ x 5”
K1, M1, K1
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 Tail: (Make 2)
Purl row Cast on 7 stitches
K1, M1, K3, M1, K1 (7sts) Stockinett stitch for 5 inches.
Purl row Bind Off
K1, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K1 (8sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K2, K2tog, K2, M1, K1 (9sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1 (12sts)
Purl row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K2, K2tog, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1, M1, K1 (17sts)
Purl row
K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K1, K2tog, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2, M1, K2 (22sts)
Purl row
K2, M1, K2, M1, K5, K2tog, K7, M1, K2, M1, K2 (25sts)
Purl row
K11, K2tog, K12 (24sts)
Purl row
K11, K2tog, K11 (23sts)
Purl row
K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, SK2togPSO, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2 (17sts)
P1, *P2tog, P1 repeat from * across row to last st, P1 (12 sts)
K5, K2tog, K5 (11sts)
Purl row
K4, K2tog, K5 (10sts)
P4, P2tog, P4 (9sts)
K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, k2 (7sts)
Bind off

Body:
Finished measurements ~7 ½” high ~5” at widest point
Cast on 2 stitches
Knit into the front and back of both stitches (4sts)
Purl 1 row
K1, M1, K2, M1, K1 (6 sts)
Purl 1 row
K1, M1, K1, M1, K2, M1, K1, M1, K1 (10sts)
Purl 1 row
K2, M1 across row to last 2 stitches, K2 (14sts)
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K3, M1, PM, K4, PM (these 4 stitches mark the center of the belly) M1, K3, M1, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K2, M1, K3, M1, K4, M1, K3, M1, K2, M1, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, M1, K4, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, M1, K3, M1, K3, M1, K5, M1, K4, M1, K5, M1, K3, M1, K3, M1, K2

Work Stockinet for 6 rows
K to marker, K6 wrap and turn
P8, wrap and turn
K9, wrap and turn
P10, wrap and turn
K11, wrap and turn
P12, wrap and turn
K13, wrap and turn
P14, wrap and turn
Knit across the remainder of the row
Purl 1 row
K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2
Purl 1 row
K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K2 (24sts)
Purl 1 row
K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2, M1 with black K2 (center 4+1), K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2 (19sts)
Purl 1 row using the same color as the previous row
K8 in red, K3 in black, K8 in red
Purl in the same colors
K8 in red, K3 in black, K8 in red
P6 in red, P7 in black, P6 in red
K6 in red, K2 in black then center 3 in yellow, K2 in black, K6 in red
P6 in red, P2 in black, do center 3 BEAK as noted above, purl across the top of the beak in black, P2 in black, P6 in red.
K6 in red, K7 in black, K6 in red (19sts)
P4 in red, P4 in black, P1 in red, P4 in black, P4 in red
K2, K2tog, K1 in red, K3 in black, K3 in red, K3 in black, K1 , K2tog, K2 (17 sts)
Purl row in red
K4, K6, wrap and turn
Purl 5, wrap and turn
Knit 5, K2tog, wrap and turn
Purl 6, K2tog, wrap and turn
Knit 7, K2tog, wrap and turn
Purl 8, K2tog, wrap the last stitch and turn (13sts)
Knit 9, K2tog, wrap the last stitch and turn (12sts)
Purl 11
K2tog across the row (6sts)
P1, P2tog, P2tog, P1 (4sts)
Treat as I-cord P4 stitches
K2tog two times
K2tog
Bind off

Beak:
using yellow yarn P3, turn, K3, turn, P3 turn, K1 K2tog turn, P2 turn, K2tog, cast off 1 stitch. Separately cast on 1 stitch, P1 turn, K into the front and back of the stitch, turn, P2, K1 M1 K1, P3 turn, K3 turn, P3. Place the 3 stitches on the left needle above the lower portion of the beak.

Finishing:
Felt until desired measurements are achieved. When sewing the body, make sure the top of the head is flat. Sew the back of the beak together closing the hole. Sew all pieces together leaving an opening in the back for stuffing. Place the tails at the center back above the tip of the body at slightly different heights and somewhat overlapping. Cut the two tails in half lengthwise and rub your finger on the cut edges achieving the same finish as the rest of the piece. Allow to dry, stuff with polyester fill, and finish sewing. Now place in house plants to confuse cats.

Inaugural Five Mile Friday

Today was the firsts in what I hope will be a standing occasion. Today was the inauguration of Five Mile Fridays! My Mum informs me I need structure in my life, and that I’ll quickly grow tired of a “life of leisure”. So I thought, I’ll take some classes, cook dinner two nights a week, walk every day, and on Fridays I will make a point of doing a lot extra. I will walk for 5 miles instead of the standard 30 minutes.
So today Dad and Simon (their dog) headed out for the first 5 miles.

This is a man-made pond in what used to be a gravel pit. We also saw some lovely soccer fields that are built right on top of land fills. I think this is the ultimate in reclaiming the land, in correcting the mistakes of our ancestors, and in healing the planet. Once the area was a dumping site for a tannery. Now it’s a lush field in the middle of the woods near a pond.

Walking 5 miles wasn’t as bad as I expected. It took close to 2 hours and was 14,000 steps according to my pedometer. By the time we finished my hips and the outside of my knees were soar. We ate a delicious Thai lunch but I still didn’t feel “right” until about 3pm. Walking for 2 hours is a big exertion for this sedentary office girl.

This afternoon I finished the Retro Rib Footlets, the first pair of socks from the Favorite Socks Book. Now I’ve cast on the toe for the Wave Lace Socks. Love the way the Jitterbug yarn is semi-solid.

I have some sad news, this afternoon we had our first Brain Slug tragedy. I did all I could to revive MacOban but he it was too late.

And last but not least I cast on the Native Poncho in some Araucania I got during a Webs Expedition. Knitting on size 13s after knitting socks on size 2s is amazing! It should be illegal to knit this chunky and this fast!

Yes I know you're saying, none of this is French. I know I know. I just checked I have 14 active projects on the needles or in line for the felting machine. I can handle multiple projects at once. Really the Tour De France is an attempt to focus on some specific themed projects in addition to what ever is moving me at the moment. Which this moment happens to be the Native Vest! Anyway the new French yarn hasn't arrived yet. I could be working on the Lutea-Lace Tank but you know how it is, I'd rather be doing something new and exciting!

Off to see the local fireworks display tonight. Humans are funny, bright lights + big bangs = fun. I bet we’re the only species on the planet that thinks this way.

Happy Independence Day!

From the Brain Slug Planet

From the Brain Slug Planet
There is a certain someone who is a big Futurama fan. So for his birthday I thought it might be nice to design him one of his own.

Materials:
· Set of US size 10½, 9, 5 needles
· Lion Suede in Olive 132
· Lion Brand Microspun in
-Ebony 153
-Lily White 100
· Polyester Fiber Fill
· Tapestry Needle

Finished Measurements:
5” diameter, 6” high (he’ll fit in your hand)

Guage:
Using size 9 needles, 12sts = 4”.


Body:
US Size 10 ½ needles
Lion Suede

Cast on 150 stitches
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: *P1, P2tog* across the row (100sts)
Row 3: K2tog across the row (50sts)

Now using a third needle split the stitches, placing every other stitch on one needle or the other, so that there are 25 sts on two needles. Split stitches as follows: first stitch onto needle one, second stitch onto needle two, third stitch onto needle one, and so on.

Next work on the base of the slug, leaving the other needle of 25 stitches to be worked on later as the body of the slug.
Row 4a: Purl around the 25 base stitches.
Row 5a: *Knit 3, K2tog* across (20 sts)
Row 6a: Purl
Row 7a: *Knit 2, K2tog* across (15sts)
Row 8a: *P1, P2tog* across (10sts)
Row 9a: K2tog across the row (5sts)
Bind off.

Return to the 25 body stitches that had been sitting on the alternate needle.
Using US Size 9 needles
Work stockinet stitch for 3½” from split, ending after a WS row
Row 4b: *Knit 3, K2tog* across (20 sts)
Rows 5b, 7b, 9b: Purl
Row 6b: *Knit 2, K2tog* across (15sts)
Row 8b: *K1, K2tog* across (10sts)
Row 10b: K2tog across the row (5sts)
Bind off.

Eye:
US Size 5 needles
Lion Brand Micro Spun, Ebony & Lily White

Cast on 6 stitches using Ebony
Connect to knit in the round
Row 1: Knit
Row 2:*K1, M1* around the row (12sts)
Row 3: Knit
Switch to Lily White color
Row 4: *K2, M1* around the row (18sts)
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: *K3, M1* around the row (24sts)
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: *K4, M1* around the row (30sts)
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: *K5, M1* around the row (36sts)
Row 7: Knit
Bind Off

Antenna (make 2):
Size 9
Lion Suede
Cast on 5 stitches
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: P1, P2tog, P2
Row 3: K2tog, K2
Work I-Cord for 1½”
Bind Off.

Sew around the edge of the eye to the body leaving an inch open for stuffing. Stuff and finish sewing. Attach antennas to the top of the head.
Sew the to ends of the base together forming a circle. Next sew the top into a circle and sew the two body edges together leaving room to stuff. Stuff and finish sewing.

Upon completion begin wearing a hat.
Fun quick little knit. Let me know if you make one.

© 2008, mychawd