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A free pattern (kind of!) - using simple stitches and a highly adjustable design, you can custom fit a cover to your water bottle. Perfect for summer, as it catches all the condensation when you use ice or have very cold water in the bottle.
As always, our patterns are free, but we do ask that you visit MerrillsFund.com and consider donating a dollar to help us raise awareness for Autism Service Dogs.
Pattern -
Crochet Water Bottle Tote, a recipe
Worsted weight cotton or wool (acrylic will not absorb water)
Size H or I crochet hook
Make an adjustable loop, and work 10 sc in loop.
Round 1 - 2sc in each sc around.
Round 2 - work even.
Round 3 - sc in joining ch, 2sc in next sc, *sc, 2sc* around
Round 4 - work even.
If needed, work one more increase round here by working sc in joining ch and 1st sc, 2sc in next sc, *sc in next 2sc, 2sc in next sc* around
Switch to hdc, and work 4 rounds straight. If your bottle has shaping, work a decrease round as follows -
Dec round - Ch2, work hdc dec in same hdc as tuning chain and 1st st (yo, pull up loop in turning st, yo, pull up loop in 1st hdc, yo and draw through all loops - hdc dec made). Fold your work in half and note the opposite point from this dec, and hdc over to it. Work another hdc dec, and hdc to end. Be sure to work your decrease stitches a little looser than your normal stitches, as this will allow more stretch to get the cover on.
For my bottle cover, I worked the 4 rounds of straight hdc, a dec round, 2 rounds of straight hdc, a dec round, 7 rounds of straight hdc, an increase round (ch2, work 2 hdc in same stitch as turning chain, work to half the round, work 2hdc in half-way stitch, work hdc to end), 4 rounds of straight hdc, and one last dec round.
My water bottle has a tab with a hook, so after the last dec round, I chained 8, slip stitched to the 4th hdc stitch, turned and worked 13 sc into the chain loop (around the entire chain, not into the stitches themselves). I finished with a slip stitch to the starting stitch.
Socks to knit while reading James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing (a Harry Potter fanfic book) in a very Gryffindor-ish colorway of Sassy Stripes sock yarn by Cascade, complete with a tiny dash of Slytherin green! As always, this is a free pattern, we just ask that you please visit Merrill's Fund, our site about Autism Service Dogs.
Please note - We are currently SOLD OUT of this colorway, more will be here later this week or early next week.
This is a very bare-bones pattern, with a few unique details. Scalable in multiples of 8. I used size US 2 needles on a yarn that calls for 29 sts and 41 rows for 4"/10cm on a 2.5 to 3 mm needle. Your yarn and needle choice may differ, but you are aiming for a gauge of 17.5 stitches for 2 inches in stockinette stitch. The ribbing on the cuff and top of foot will make this pattern fit a wider range of sizes, so don;t panic if your gauge is off a bit.
Cast on 64 sts and work k3, p1 for 1.5 inches. Switch to k7, p1 for length of leg or 4.5 inches from cast on.
Work Partridge Heel on 32 sts as follows -
Row 1 - *Sl1, k1* across
Row 2 - Sl1, *p* across
Row 3 - Sl1, *sl1, k1* across
Row 4 - - Sl1, *p* across
Work until desired depth of heel. I made my heel flap 2.25 inches long, as I prefer a deeper heel.
Work the Rounder Heel as follows -
Row 1 - Sl1, k17, k2tog, k1, turn
Row 2 - Sl1, p6, p2tog, p1, turn
Row 3 - Sl1, k to gap, k2tog over gap, k1, turn
Row 4 - Sl1, p to gap, p2tog over gap, p1, turn
Continue like this until all sts have been worked.
Gusset -
Pick up a balanced number of stitches on the first half of heel flap, work across instep needle in pattern (the last gusset st you just picked up will be a purl st every round after this, and the last st of the instep needle will be a purl), pick up a balanced number of stitches on other side of gusset and knit across half of heel sts.
Dec round -
Needle 1 - Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, p1
Needle 2 - *K7, p1* across
Needle 3 - K1, ssk, k to end
Work a round straight in between each decrease round until you have 16 sts on needles 1 and 3.
Continue in established pattern until foot is 2 inches less than desired length. Continue in the k7, p1 pattern on throughout the toe decreases.
Dec round -
Needle 1 - Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, p1
Needle 2 - K1, ssk, work in established rib pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, p1
Needle 3 - K1, ssk, k to end
Work a round straight in between each decrease round until you have 28 sts left, ending after a dec round. Drop 4 outer stitches over to prevent dog ear flaps, and graft toe.
The New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival is this weekend, Mother's Day weekend, and we are thrilled to be vending!
Come on over and see us - we will be in a huge white tent next to the Crowley building. The directions to the fairgrounds are here and below, and there is a map here.
Directions -
The Hopkinton State Fairground is located west of Concord, New Hampshire in Contoocook.. We are about 15-20 minutes drive time from Concord, 40-45 minutes from Manchester or Laconia and about 90 minutes from Boston. Take I-93 to I-89. Drive up I-89 and get off at Exit 7. This is the easiest and quickest route to the fairgrounds. Follow the signs to the fairgrounds.
Stats -
Vignette yarn from Nashua Handknits, Distant Mountains colorway
Size 4.75mm / US 6 KA bamboo double point needles
1 very old, very funky metal silver-ish button from Mom's button stash.
30 minutes to knit
A free pattern. As always, we ask only that you please visit Merrill's Fund for Autism Service Dogs.
Show me the Button!
Materials -
Size 4.25mm / US 6 double point needles
Vignette yarn - Each bag will use less than 1/5th of the skein
Co 26 onto a single dp needle. Knit one row straight across, then divide onto dps and join into the round.
Knit around until 2 rows shorter than length of phone. The bag will stretch!
K3, bo 20. Sl all sts onto single needle.
K2tog through back loop, k1, p1, k1, p1
Strap
Work every row as follows -
Sl1, p1, k1, p1, k1
Work until strap is 3.5 to 4 inches long.
Buttonhole row - Sl1, p1, YO, p2tog, k1
Work Sl1, p1, k1, p1, k1 for 3 more rows
Sl1, p1, psso, k1, p2tog
Sl1, k1, psso, k1, psso to bind off
Weave in ends, sew base closed. Position button and attach. Buttons with a shank work well, as do oblong buttons, less chance they will pop off!
A free pattern with yarn purchase or $1 donation to Merrill's Fund for Autism Service Dogs.
This stretchy bag will expand to humongous size when in use, yet can be folded up and slipped into your coat pocket when empty. Using just 175 to 200 yards of DK or light worsted cotton, you can crank a bag out in just a few hours, so the next time you go to the grocery store you can say "neither!" when they ask "paper or plastic?"
Materials -
175 to 200 yards of DK or light worsted weight cotton.
Size F crochet hook
Split ring markers or coil-less safety pins
Note - Do not join the bag as you go, simply continue working in a spiral. As you reach the end of the round, you will mark the last sc as the end of the round and the marker will move to the right as you work (you will always end the round before the marker, never after)
Bag -
Make an adjustable loop, and work 8sc into loop.
1 - *Ch2, sc in next sc* around (8 spaces)
2 - *Ch3, sc in next ch2 space* around (8 spaces)
3 - *Ch4, sc in next ch3 space* around(8 spaces)
4 - *(Ch4, sc) twice in next ch4 space* around(16 spaces)
5 - *Ch4, sc in next ch4 space* around (16 spaces). Repeat this round 2 more times.
6 - as Round 5
7 - as Round 5
8 - *Ch5, sc in next ch4 space* around (16 spaces)
9 - *(Ch5, sc) twice in same ch5 space, ch5, sc in next ch5 space* around (24 spaces)
10 - *Ch5, sc in next ch5 space* around (24 spaces)
11 - as Round 10
12 - as Round 10
13 - as Round 10
14 - as Round 10
15 - *(Ch5, 1sc) twice in same ch5 space, ch5, sc into next ch5 space* around (for remainder of bag you will have 36 spaces in each round)
16 - *Ch5, sc in next ch5 space* around
17 - as Round 16
18 - as Round 16
19 - as Round 16
20 - as Round 16
21 - as Round 16
22 - as Round 16
23 - as Round 16
24 - as Round 16
25 - *Ch4, sc in next ch5 space* around
26 - *Ch3, sc in next ch4 space* around
27 - *Ch2, sc in next ch3 space* around
28 - *(sc in next sc, 2sc into next ch2 space; repeat from * to end of round (108sc) Do not fasten off.
Handles
Divide bag into quarters, and mark each corner.
Ch40 and attach to next marker with a slip st. Work sl st in next sc, turn, sc two rows, working an additional slip st before turning if needed to secure handle to bag. Slip across to next marker, and work second handle as for first.
Cause, you know, you can never show off your first socks enough!
Join us as we lead the 2nd Shepherds Tour of Ireland May 15-May 27, 2009.
This is an insiders visit to County Kerry & County Cork Ireland visiting our friends and getting to know the locals. We'll spend one week in Kenmare, 4 days on the Aran Islands, and 2 days in Bunratty.
Highlights include: Sheep farms, castles, island tours, a private tour of a 300 year old knitting mill, dinner with a friend who is a professional lecturer on Irish legends, a ceili with storytellers, music & dancing, a tour of an ancient stone circle and fort, a harbor tour of the Irish coast, learning Irish football with a group of local kids, a visit to a weavers cottage, a party thrown for us at the knitting shop in Kenmare.
We'll be staying at luxury houses right on the ocean and exploring in both small cars and a luxury coach. You must have an interest in meeting the locals, seeing non-touristy things (no Blarney stone!), and be able to walk 1/2 mile over uneven ground.
A free pattern by The Irish Ewe!
1 out every 115 children has Autism. If you use this pattern, please consider donating $1 to Merrill's Fund, our personal effort to help raise money for trained Service Dogs for Autistic children.
Original hat was made with Lopi Lite, a worsted weight yarn, on size 9 needles. The pattern is flexible enough to use most any yarn, and you only need to go up one or two needle sizes as the tighter gauge will make for a hat that stands up on its own better.
Inc - Knit into the front and back of next st
Starting at the top, co 3 sts and work in Icord for 4 inches. Mark first st for beginning of round.
Inc in each st across. Transfer sts to double points, and work in the round.
Inc in first st of every round until hat is about 3 or 4 inches wider than head circumference.
Switch to garter stitch, and increase 10 sts every other (knit) round until brim is about 4 or 5 inches deep. Bind off loosely.
Toss in a bag and felt away! Dry upright over a pan or soda bottle with plastic bags in the top to keep it upright. Make sure the brim is flat on the table, although it will be wavy.
Original hat has stripes of Crystal Palace Fizz Stardust worked in 4 row increments.
The Simple Ribbed hat is done. I'm not terribly pleased with the top, see the lovely nipple that has appeared? Wearing a boob on my head wasn't my intent, I assure you. Still, it's Rowan, and I love it.
Stats -
Ravelry page
Jaques Cousteau - hat
Rowan Scottish Tweed DK, in Spruce colorway
Crystal Palace 16" circular size US 4
None of the photos show the true lime green color of the yarn, but it really is bright! The pattern calls for two eyes, but Harris wanted three.
Brainmonster Hat
Main yarn - Nashua Creative Focus Superwash
Hair - Squiggle by Crystal Palace
None of the photos show the true lime green color of the yarn, but it really is bright! Here's a close-up of the "hair"
Brainmonster Hat
Main yarn - Nashua Creative Focus Superwash
Hair - Squiggle by Crystal Palace
Awaiting the final molecules to be duplicate stitched on, but he didn't care, and has worn it anyways.
I'm nothing if not compulsive in my note taking when I'm knitting - Here's the chart for Andrew's hat. The paper above is positioned to show the line I am knitting. My cell phone is holding the paper down. And the little yellow brick? It's to mark the section I've just completed, so I don't lose my place.
Ever try taking a picture of your own foot?
Not as easy as it may seem...
Credit Card Holder - A free pattern
In the bottom-less pit that is my pocketbook, I can reach in and tell by touch when I have my wallet. Made out Malabrigo scraps, this uses about 15 yards of worsted yarn! Plus, it allows you to show off, and put to good use, a funky, one of a kind button.
Materials -
Approx 15 yards of worsted weight yarn
Size G / 4.00mm crochet hook
Foundation - Chain 11. Weave the tail end in over the first few rounds, and trim even with work.
Sc in second ch from hook and in next 8 ch sts (9 sc). Work 3 sc in last ch st. Turn foundation chain and work 8 sc across each foundation ch loop. Work 2 sc in the same loop as first sc.
Without joining, work around these sts until holder is approx 4.5 inches long. As you work, the piece will warp into a lovely spiral. Finish on the left "side" - flatten the piece so that you are about to work across the back. Because of the spiralling, this will not be the same part of the round as your foundation chain is at, and that's part of the secret behind the bag's stretch.
Work 3 or 4 sc, and *tightly* slip into next sc. You will now be about 1/3 or the way across the back of the bag.
Chain about 15, tightening up each chain as you go so that the strap is firm. Join with a tight slip stitch to the other side of the back, 2 or so sts across. Slip stitch in the next 3 sc, end off and weave in end.
Attach a button to the front, and sew on tightly. The button loop will stretch, so don't worry if it seems too tight at first.
There are few patterns I actually want to knit more than once. This is my standard, worsted weight sock pattern, knit many times over the past 15 years. I often add different ribbing to the top, but the mistake rib is one of my favorites, resembling a ladder, hence the name.
Ladder Socks
Like all good basic sock patterns, this one can be made many lengths, in many weights of yarn, with very little fussing or "crunching of numbers." So long as the leg stitches are divisible by 6, you can scale the sock up or down to your heart's content. The pattern listed here is for worsted weight yarn.
Materials -
250 yards worsted weight wool
US size 5 needles (for heavy worsted or aran)
US size 4 needles (for light worsted)
Cuff -
Cast on 48 sts, and work one row in 1x1 rib, then join into the round.
Work 8 more rounds of 1x1 ribbing.
Leg -
Round 1 - *K3, p3* around
Round 2 - *K1, p1* around
Repeat these two rounds until desired length. I prefer at least 6 inches, as this is how tall my winter boots are :)
Heel Flap -
K24, turn
Row 1 - Sl1, purl across
Row 2 - *Sl1, k1* across
Work these two rows until heel flap is square, then work row 1 once more.
Turn Heel -
Row 1 - Sl1, k13, k2tog, k1, turn
Row 2 - Sl1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn
Continue like this, decreasing over the gaps, until all stitches have been worked. Final row will be a purl decrease row.
Gusset -
K half of the heel sts onto one needle. With another needle, pick up a balanced number of stitches on the side of the gusset. With a third needle, knit across the instep sts. With the fourth needle, pick up a balanced number of sts along the other side of the gusset and knit across remaining heel sts.
Round 1 -
Needle 1 - K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Needle 2 - K across
Needle 3 - K1, SSK, k to end
Round 2 - Knit
Repeat these two rounds until you are back to the original number of sts, 48.
Foot -
Knit all rounds until sock is about 2 inches short of toe.
Toe -
Round 1 -
Needle 1 - K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Needle 2 - K1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1
Needle 3 - K1, SSK, k to end
Round 2 - Knit
Repeat these two rounds until 1/2 the original number of stitches remains, 24.
Prevent Dog Ear toes! Slip the first and last stitches over the st next to it. 20 sts remain. Graft, weave in the ends, and make another.
Don't you love instant gratification projects? I knit half a foot, the toe, wove the end, cast on for the second sock, and am almost through the ribbing. In roughly 3 hours.
Pattern posted soon.
Stats - Ladder Socks
US size 5 needles
2.5 skeins of Shepard's Colour 4 Me 8 ply in color 4971
Just in time to celebrate St. Patrick's day, these darling little booties are now available in our shop and on line. Only $18, they are extremely well made, complete with cables!
Haven't had much of a chance of working on these between work and the kids, but got most of one cuff done. Another inch or two and I'll start the heel.
But what a lovely breakfast this makes, a skim latte with cocoa powder and alpaca socks!
Spa was a blast! It was such a blur. We set up on Friday, sold for 2 hours Friday night, 7 hours on Saturday, and 2 hours on Sunday. There were 18 vendors in the ballroom of the Hilton. There were spinners & knitters everywhere, the snow was falling softly and everyone was so happy and having such fun. I met Lori & Shawn from http://www.flaggymeadowfiberworks.com/, a local mini-mill. They raise award winning alpacas too. Lori & I hit it off and we laughed all weekend. She has the same warped sense of humour. I can't even remember how we started talking but it was like I had met my long-lost twin. I think I've found a good friend here....
There were some amazing fashions walking around but I didn't get any pics and I was too busy laughing Saturday night to go to the fashion show. Astrid said it was wicked cool and she enjoyed it. Next year I promise to go!
Brian from Briley Knits was there and I had a little visit with him. He's too cute for words and he knits & spins. I just want to hug him all the time. He had the most amazing pink yarn that he's spun from his friend, I forgot her name, but I WANT IT!!!! The fiber that is, not her name, I have my own.
Marion & Gayle & Gracie came up on Saturday from the KATs (Knitting Assault Team), the local ladies I've been knitting & spinning with down here in Baldwin/Cornish. Marion picked up some interesting patterns for Norweigian mittens in size 0000 needles. Is she insane???? Yup, I do believe she is... I wanted to walk around with them, but I had to sell. And sell. And sell. We did great! Boogie's booth was mobbed too, and I think most everyone did good.
Saturday night we hooked up with Boogie from Spunky Eclectic (not ELECTRIC!!!) and went to Gritty's, a local brewary, where I wore my flashing crown and announced "I am the Queen of Everything". At our table we consumed much chocolate and Cold River Vodka. I think there was some food in there somewhere. Dee, Dagny, and me from the Irish Ewe, Astrid & Steven from Fiber college on Penobscot Bay (I've applied to be a teacher this year--hope I get in!!), Shawn & Lori, and Michelle who was spinning for Lori at her booth. Michelle is from Biddeford so we chatted about downtown for a while. I grew up just outside Biddeford and am quite familiar with all the alleys, opps I mean streets. Everyone was just SCREAMING with laughter (or with Vodka, not sure which) and my face hurt all night from laughing so much. There was an issue getting the key card to work at the hotel. Come to find out, it wasn't 'charged' for the 2nd night. Of course, it took us about 15 minutes to figure that out.
Dagny informed me that I snore. I want to set the record straight on that point. It was definately the heater. I am the Queen and the Queen does NOT SNORE!!!!
I chatted with Deb Claffie, one of the divas. Poor Deb was in charge of all the logistics this year. She's worked on spa for 6 years and next year she gets to be an attendee. Last year I bought Apollo & Athena from Deb, my first pygoras. We talked about the animals for a while and promised to get together soon. We only live about 5 miles apart! Deb has a farm in Limington called Tyler Farm and it's one of the neatest, cleanest barns I've seen. She's an amazing lady, very talented and a good person as well.
The Fuzzy Mitten patterns & kits were a big hit. I wish I had made more up for sale. All the ones that had samples went so fast! Here's the little Pocket Mouse sitting in a bucket of fiber.
Here's a pic of our booth:
Our neighbor The Woolen Rabbit sells fiber and handmade soap. The gardeners soap is the best!!
Another pic of our booth:
Here's the end of the display rack with more stuffed animals. I want to re-do the puppy -- I did him in Ella Rae 'nubbly' and he came out too big and too weird. I like using the Alpaca with a Twist 'baby alpaca' or Cascade's "Cloud 9" with cashmere. Makes for an ulta soft cuddly toy.
Here's Dee spinning on her Ashford Traditional and playing with Matthew, the son of the button lady. Matthew was our hired hand for the weekend. We paid him to run errands and get ice for my drinks. Dee even taught him spinning!
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