knitted flower like crochet

I have written up a design for a flower which can be used as an embellishment on just about anything and I think it looks very much like it's been crocheted. The flower is very simple to make and is knitted flat on two needles.The only knitting skills required are cable cast on, knit stitch and cast off. Any type of yarn can be used along with the appropriate size of needles. The needle sizes given in the pattern below are only an approximate guide.

KNITTED FLOWER LIKE CROCHET
THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE
ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN CANNOT BE  SOLD FOR PROFIT
DO NOT REPRODUCE OR USE FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSE

ABBREVIATIONS 
st(s): stitch(es)
k: knit  

MATERIALS 
two needles size 3.00mm/US 2½ for 4ply/fingering yarn
two needles size 3.50mm/US 4    for dk/8ply
tapestry needle
button or bead

Cast on 81 sts (using cable cast on method).

ROW 1: k1, leave this st on needle, do not use this st for the next cast off.

cast off 15 sts, leave last st on needle, do not use this st for the next cast off,

(2 sts on right needle 64 sts on left needle),

cast off 15 sts, leave last st on needle, do not use this st for the next cast off,

(3 sts on right needle 48 sts on left needle),

cast off 15 sts, leave last st on needle, do not use this st for the next cast off, 

(4 sts on right needle 32 sts on left needle),

cast off 15 sts, leave last st on needle, do not use this st for the next cast off, 

(5 sts on right needle 16 sts on left needle),                

cast off 15 sts, leave last st on needle (6 sts on right needle).

 

ROW 2: k six sts - pull yarn very tightly between working sts.
pwt, 
pull wool through 

(break yarn, leaving a long yarn tail. Then thread yarn unto needle and then through the six stitches on knitting needle. Pull tight and secure with a few stitches).

Join first and last petal with a few stitches.

Pull petals open to make a flower shape, a cool dry iron can be used to make the petals a better shape. Pull one petal at a time and press gently with the tip of the iron.

You may need to pull the petals into the centre with a few stitches to obtain a better flower shape.

Attach button or bead to centre.

Bye, Ali.

knitted cuffs

I spend a lot of time browsing the patterns on Ravelry. My problem being I want to favourite them all, with the result my to do list seems to get longer and longer. One such pattern which I knew I just had to knit was the Handschmeichler or Hand Charmer by Claudia Höll-Wellman. It is available free both in German and an English translation, click here. When I saw it on Ravelry I couldn't work out how it was constructed but in fact it is multiple knitted buttonholes. The end result looks so organic like tree branches or seaweed.
Here's some photos of my finished project......

My pattern notes are on my Ravelry page, click here. Unfortunately or rather fortunately it is too warm to wear them at the moment, but they can wait till the Autumn. I am now, a dab hand at knitted buttonholes and I couldn't have mastered the technique without the video on knitting help.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Ali.

i-cord ideas

Now that I have mastered the knitting mill (see previous post, click here) I've been having a think about what I can use the knitted cord for, so I've listed a few ideas.

1. Use it to write with and make words and names.....

2. Faye came up with the idea to knit cords and use them for hair ribbons which could be knitted in school or team colours......very pretty.

3. Shoe laces.

photo courtesy of fluff and fuzz

4. The edging of a garment.

 

this idea came from Hattie My Loves blog click here.

5. Jewellery, what about a necklace or bracelet.....

found on indulgy by Ophelia click here.

6. Bowl, many years ago I did pottery at school and we made coil pots from sausages of clay. A woolly bowl cold be made in a similar way by stitching the i-cord together. The stitches could be made into a design feature.

 photo from the booklet "French Knitting" by Heather Kingsley-Heath.

7. Upturn the bowl and it becomes a hat.

8. Helen who writes Midget Gem Quilt blog came up with some great ideas....carpets for dolls houses, small coasters for wine glasses and cords for reading glasses.

Anyone else with any ideas I would love to hear them.

I use i-cord a lot in my patterns.....have a look at the Daisy Brooch, Shamrock, Mistletoe or Daisy Chain Necklace.

Till next time, Ali.

easter

Things have been very busy here with this and that and even a dash of spring cleaning.....so not much time for knitting, sewing or blogging. This is just a quick post to wish everyone a very Happy Easter, hoping it will be filled with fun and more importantly, chocolate.
Once Easter is over I hope things will be back to normal and I'll get a chance to do a bit of blogging about something crafty! 
Till next time, Ali.