dog santa hat

Could'nt resist knitting a Santa hat for our new bichon pup. I wrote the pattern down in case someone else might want to make use of it. 

DOG SANTA HAT

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  

Hat measures 26 cms or 10 and a half inches and would be suitable for a small dog or cat.

The hat can be made larger or smaller by adding or removing stitches in multiples of 8. 

ABBREVIATIONS

rd(s): round(s)

st(s): stitch(es)

k: knit

p: purl

kfb: increase, knit into front and back of same stitch

tog: together

rep: repeat

MATERIALS

four dpns size 4.00m  (US 6)

red dk (8ply)

textured white dk (8ply)

elastic ¼ inch wide

white sewing thread

small amount of toy stuffing

two 9mm white beads – large opening (optional)

buttons beads or sequins to decorate (optional)

Cast on 56 sts in white textured yarn, divide between three needles (16, 16, 24), join in the rd and place st marker.

Rds 1–10: k for 10 rds.

Change to red yarn.

Rds 11–16: k for 6 rds.

Rd 17: (k6, k2tog) rep to end of rd  (49 sts).

Rds 18–23: k for 6 rds.

Rd 24: (k5, k2tog) rep to end of rd  (42 sts).

Rds 25–30: k for 6 rds.

Rd 31: (k4, k2tog) rep to end of rd  (35 sts).

Rds 32–37: k for 6 rds.

Rd 38: (k3, k2tog) rep to end of rd  (28 sts).

Rds 39–44: k for 6 rds.

Rd 45: (k2, k2tog) rep to end of rd  (21 sts).

Rds 46–51: k for 6 rds.

Rd 52: (k1, k2tog) rep to end of rd  (14 sts).

Rds 53–58: k for 6 rds.

Rd 59: (k2tog) rep to end of rd  (7 sts).

Rds 60–65: k for 6 rds.

Break yarn thread unto a needle and then through the 7 sts, pull tight and fasten off.

POMPOM

Knitted flat with two 4mm needles.

Cast on 3 sts with textured white yarn, leaving a long yarn tail.

ROW 1: kfb, kfb, k1  (5 sts).

ROW 2: p (right side).

ROW 3: kfb, knit to last two sts, kfb, k1  (7 sts).

ROW 4: p.

ROW 5: kfb, knit to last two sts, kfb, k1  (9 sts).

ROW 6: p.

ROW 7: kfb, knit to last two sts, kfb, k1  (11 sts).

ROW 8: p.

ROW 9: kfb, knit to last two sts, kfb, k1  (13 sts).

ROW 10: p.

ROW 11: k2tog, knit to last two sts, k2tog  (11 sts).

ROW 12: p.

ROW 13: k2tog, knit to last two sts, k2tog  (9 sts).

ROW 14: p.

ROW 15: k2tog, knit to last two sts, k2tog  (7 sts).

ROW 16: p.

ROW 17: k2tog, knit to last two sts, k2tog  (5 sts).

ROW 18: p.

ROW 19: k2tog, knit to last two sts, k2tog  (3 sts).

Cast off purlwise, break yarn, leaving a long yarn tail.

With one yarn end, gather half way round the edge of the pompom. With the other yarn end gather round the remaining half edge of the pompom. Place a small ball of stuffing in the centre. Pull the two yarn ends tightly and knot.

Attach pompom to end of hat.

Fold white brim upwards, sew round the edge of the brim attaching it to the hat, this can be done with white sewing thread.

Sew beads and sequins onto brim.

Measure the elastic round the dog’s chin and then sew the ends of the elastic to the inside of the brim with white sewing thread.

If you do not know measurements an adjustable piece of elastic can be made. Firstly cut a large piece of elastic and thread it through one of the beads, this will act as a stopper. 

Then thread the two ends through the other bead (this bead can be moved up the elastic to fit snugly under the chin). 

Sew the two ends of the elastic to the inside of the brim, with white sewing thread.

Have a great Christmas, all the best, Ali.

freebie pattern

Just written up my pattern for a Ranunculus, I love the way these flowers don't care if they colour clash or not. I used double knit yarn but any weight of yarn could be used with the corresponding needle size. To knit a bigger flower just cast on more stitches. Although I have called it a Ranunculus, it could be a rolled rose or anything else you want it to be. Hoping someone can make use of the pattern.

RANUNCULUS

THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED ONLY FOR PERSONAL OF CHARITABLE USE  

ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN CANNOT BE SOLD FOR PROFIT

DO NOT REPRODUCE OR USE FOR ANY COMMERCIAL USE 

Diameter of flower is approximately 2inches (5cms)

ABBREVIATIONS
st(s): stitch(es)
k: knit
p: purl
yo: yarn over
rep: repeat 
Increasing 
Two methods of increase are used in the pattern
kfb – knit into front and back of the same stitch.
M1  – with the left needle, from the front lift the loop between the two stitches on the right and left needle. Then knit into the back of the lifted loop.

See www.knittinghelp.com/videos/increases

MATERIALS 
needles 4mm/US 6
dk/8 ply yarn
tapestry needle

bead (optional)

Cast on 15 sts, leaving a long yarn tail.
ROW 1: (k1, kfb) rep to last st, k1  (22 sts).
ROW 2: p.
ROW 3: (k2, M1) rep to last two sts, k2  (32 sts).
ROW 4: p.
ROW 5: (k2, M1) rep to last two sts, k2  (47 sts).
ROW 6: p.
Cast off loosely.
First st cast off in the usual way (k2, pass first st worked on right hand needle over last st worked). Continue (yo, k1, pass first two sts worked on right hand needle over last st worked) rep to last st. Fasten off.

TO ASSEMBLE 
Place flower with knit side facing upwards.

Starting at the opposite end to the yarn tails, roll along cast on edge.

Once rolled up. With yarn tail from cast on, make stitches back and forward through the base, making sure to catch all edges.

Then stab stitch up and down through centre to secure.

Loose yarn tail at cast off edge, along the side edge.

Push and flatten flower into shape.

Add bead to centre.

 copyright Alison Hogg 2017

quick update

Again, I have not been good at blogging, lately, so thought it was time for a very quick update.
During the summer I entered a few categories in the Home Industries part of  the Castlewellan Show.

I won four categories out of the five I entered and had a great day at the Show. It was the first time this townie had been to an agricultural show.

Have been doing bits and pieces of knitting, including a bit of mini yarn bombing. Here's a daisy I left on one of the statues at C. S. Lewis Square. Hope it found a good home.

 

Things are busy here at the moment, we have just got a new wee dog, he's a Bischon and a bit of a rascal. His name after much deliberation is Obo, not "our best offer" or Obo nails, but as I live in a hockey mad household Obo is a brand which hockey goalies play in. Here he is actually still, as he is usually a blur!

In between puppy duties and mopping up, I have been working on a new freebie pattern, which I will be hopefully posting on this blog, next week. Here's a sneak preview, think floral!

All the best, A.

ducks in a row

I saw a post for the little yellow duck project on my facebook page and once I read it, knew I would have to get involved. The idea is to make a duck, then leave it somewhere it can be found by someone and taken home. It is to heighten awareness of blood, bone marrow, tissue and organ donation. For more details visit the the little yellow duck project website, click here. There are free patterns on their website, for knitting, crocheting or sewing your duck. Found ducks can also be registered on this website.
I used a pattern I found on Ravelry, Round Duck, by Clare Doornbos, click here. Some great shaping in this pattern, due to short rows and at one point I felt a bit dizzy as the needles twirled round. The head is knitted in the round. 

First I knitted one duck.....

Then made mummy duck and two more ducklings, here they are already for dispatch.....

 

I dropped the ducks off this morning hoping they would be found. The first one I left in the Pocket Coffee Shop, a lovely cafe on University Road. Here the tea is the loose leaf type, served in metal teapots with egg timers to make the perfect cuppa.....a great spot!

Dorothy was left in the quad at the University......

Drew was left in the Palm House, Botanic Gardens....

and finally Duncan was left on a window sill at the Ulster Museum......

I had so much fun knitting the ducks and dropping them off, hopefully they have now been found and taken home.
Till next time, Ali.

vera

I find I learn a lot from knitting up and following other peoples' patterns. One that has been on my to do list for a while was "Vera", a teddy bear, designed by Annita Wilschut. What attracted me to this particular pattern is, it is knitted on dpns and knitted in one piece. I wanted to use a variegated yarn and decided on Stylecraft Life dk Vintage Look, Indigo shade. I used needle size US 2/2.75mm, a smaller needle than that suggested on the yarn label, so that the stuffing didn't poke through the knitting. Any weight of yarn can be used with the corresponding needle size.

The pattern starts with the head and I decided to stuff it and add the features before knitting up the body. I liked this part of the pattern ...two purl stitches indicate where to place the eyes.

There are a lot of picking up stitches, so if your not a fan of that technique then this pattern is not for you. I found the edge of the paws tricky, it took me two or three goes, but I got there eventually.
Here is Vera waiting for the body and limbs to be stuffed.

And the finished Vera......

I must say I found it a great pattern, easy to follow and some great shaping with short rows. Particularly appealing if you don't like seaming or a lot of sewing up. It would make a lovely baby gift, if the eyes were embroidered. For more details of the pattern, on Ravelry click here.

Till next time, Ali.

enchanted wood project

I decided at the last minute to enter the Knitting and Stitching Show, knitting competition. This year the theme is an enchanted wood and is a fundraising project for the Norfolk Hospice Appeal.

A wee while ago, I bought Fiona McDonald's book, "Knitted Fairies," with no thought of a project in mind, however, I used it this time, for inspiration and as a starting point for a pattern.

First I made a fairy, I had so much fun making her, doing her hair and dressing her. The dress has felted petals and ripped up chiffon.

Her hair was kid silk mohair, which I knit up on large needles, wet it, then let it dry and ripped it out, which gave a nice wavy effect.


I collect beads and sequins....I'm a bit of a magpie really, many bought in the various pound shops, so it was great to use them in this project.

The wings were made of angelina fibre and angelina film, melted onto a wire frame. I got the idea from a You Tube tutorial, by Disordiarte, for more details click here.

 
I thought she was a bit lonely on her own so made a pixie to keep her company.


                                     Here's a few more photos of my project....

If anyone is lucky enough to be going to Olympia tomorrow, have a look at all the entries, there are some good ones.
Till next time, Ali.

heart coaster pattern

I haven't done a free pattern for a while and so with Valentines day nearly upon us, I have designed a heart coaster......maybe there is someone in your life who could do with a mug rug for their tea, or a coaster for their glass of lager.
It is knitted with two strands of double knit yarn, so knits up very quickly. I used moss stitch for a subtle textured heart.

   HEART COASTER

   THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED ONLY FOR PERSONAL OF CHARITABLE USE  

ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN CANNOT BE SOLD FOR PROFIT

DO NOT REPRODUCE OR USE FOR ANY COMMERCIAL USE

ABBREVIATIONS 
st(s): stitch(es)
k: knit
p: purl
rep: repeat

MATERIALS 
two 4mm / US 6 needles
dk / 8ply yarn
tapestry needle

Approximate size is 11cms x 10cms.
 

Cast on 19 sts with two strands of yarn.

ROW 1: (p, k) rep to last st, p (right side).

ROW 2: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 3: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 4: p, k, p15, k, p.

ROW 5: p, k, p, k13, p, k, p.

ROW 6: p, k, p15, k, p.
The following stitch or stitches in bold print are the mid point of the heart.

ROW 7: p, k, p, k6, p, k6, p, k, p.

ROW 8: p, k, p6, k, p, k, p6, k, p.

ROW 9: p, k, p, k4, p, k, p, k, p, k4, p, k, p.

ROW 10: p, k, p4, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p4, k, p.

ROW 11: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 12: p, k, p2, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p2, k, p.

ROW 13: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 14: p, k, p2, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p2, k, p.

ROW 15: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 16: p, k, p2, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p2, k, p.

ROW 17: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 18: p, k, p4, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p4, k, p.

ROW 19: p, k, p, k2, p, k, p, k3, p, k, p, k2, p, k, p.

ROW 20: p, k, p4, k, p, k, p, k, p, k, p4, k, p.

ROW 21: p, k, p, k4, p, k3, p, k4, p, k, p.

ROW 22: p, k, p15, k, p.

ROW 23: p, k, p, k13, p, k, p.

ROW 24: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 25: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

ROW 26: (p, k) rep to last st, p.

Cast off in pattern.

I have also drawn up a chart for those who prefer charts. This is the first time I have done this, so would be glad if anybody has any constructive criticsm. I used Chart Minder, a free tool for knitters. For more details click here.
I know some knitters use Excel, but I find it very complicated, on the other hand I found Chart Minder very easy to use.

 

Legend
There is no facility for making a legend on Chart Minder, so for the purpose of this chart, a blank square is a knit stitch on both the wrong and the right side. A dot is a purl stitch again on both the right and wrong side.

To Finish
Weave away yarns on reverse side.
To highlight the moss stitch heart thread a length of double stranded yarn on a tapestry needle. Starting at the mid base point of the heart, bring yarn up from the wrong side. Stitch round the edge of the heart catching the loop of the purl stitch. 

Gently press with a cool dry iron. Use the tip of the iron to press around the heart shape so that it stands up.


Two different coloured yarns can be used for an interesting effect, However when highlighting the heart with stitches its best to use two strands of the same colour.

                                    For a plain coaster with no heart motif.....

Cast on 19 sts with two strands of yarn.

ROW 1: (p, k) rep to last st, p.
ROWS 2 - 26: rep ROW 1.
Cast off in pattern. 
Weave away yarn tails on reverse side.
Block if required.  

Happy Knitting

Till next time, Ali