A New Year...

I was asked earlier this month to design a cloth for a small knitting group that meets locally. They wanted something for the new year that was small enough to be knitted multiple times to give as teacher's gifts. I thought this was a perfect choice for the mini cloth. It stands at only 5½"x5½" and most will be able to make one in about one to two hours. Such a fast knit it's addictive. If you've purchased one of my pattern sets then you'll know how fun and fast they are. I had to share this with everyone to celebrate the holiday's.


2009 New Year's Cloth:

Finished Measurements : Approx. 5½"x5½"

Materials: 1 ball Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid
US #3/3.25mm needles*
Tapestry Needle
*I used a smaller needle size to obtain denser fabric and to make the picture stand out more.

Chart :

(The four stitch colored border is knitted in seed stitch)

Pattern:

With Size 3 needles,
co 29s

(k1, p1) to last stitch, k1 repeat for 6 rows

row 1: "and all odd rows" (k1,p1)x2, k21, (p1,k1)x2

row 2: (k1,p1)x2, p21, (p1,k1)x2
row 4: (k1,p1)x2, p13, k2, p6, (p1,k1)x2
row 6: (k1,p1)x2, p4, k4, p6, k2, p5, (p1,k1)x2
row 8: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p6, k2, p4, (p1,k1)x2
row 10: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p7, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2

row 12: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p4, k5, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 14: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 16: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 18: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p4, k5, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 20: (k1,p1)x2, p4, k4, p6, k3, p4, (p1,k1)x2

row 22: (k1,p1)x2, p21, (p1,k1)x2
row 24: (k1,p1)x2, p21, (p1,k1)x2
row 26: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k6, p4, k4, p4, (p1,k1)x2
row 28: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k3, p1, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 30: (k1,p1)x2, p4, k3, p5, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2

row 32: (k1,p1)x2, p6, k2, p4, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 34: (k1,p1)x2, p7, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 36: (k1,p1)x2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 38: (k1,p1)x2, p4, k5, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, (p1,k1)x2
row 40: (k1,p1)x2, p5, k3, p5, k4, p4, (p1,k1)x2

row 42: (k1,p1)x2, p21, (p1,k1)x2
row 44: (k1,p1)x2, p21, (p1,k1)x2

row 45: (k1,p1)x2, k21, (p1,k1)x2


(k1, p1) to last stitch, k1 repeat for 7 rows

Bind Off


Weave in ends.

Block and lay flat to dry


Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy new year! I have many resolutions that I wish to fulfill during the next couple months. My first is probably better organization. I am so grateful to be able to have the support to continue to design and offer my patterns through Ravelry and my website. I have many wonderful designs that I hope to bring to you this year. Thank you to everyone who has purchased a pattern. I hope you enjoy everything you create from it.

With love from our family to yours.

Thermis...

I've been meaning to publish this neck warmer design for quite awhile now. I'm glad to finally have had some time this month to write up the pattern. I love this design and it's a fast gift idea, knitting up in a day or two. I'll probably try to knit a few more before Christmas as most of my friends have hinted they want one this year.

This stylish unisex cowl with a thermal stitch pattern will keep the wind out on those chilly days and nights. It's half buttoned opening gives just the right amount of room when you need it.

Thermis is an easy to follow pattern knitted in Patons Classic Wool Merino worsted weight yarn for outstanding warmth and flexibility. Its versatile look will go with any wardrobe feeling comfortable without adding a lot of bulk. There are instructions for two different sizes that will fit men and a women. You can however use any worsted weight yarn of your choice, just make sure to check your gauge before you start the pattern.

Here is a preview of the PDF download. Thermis is priced at $2.49 and is available as a Ravelry download through my pattern shop here, or you can click the "Buy Now" button underneath the picture. If you have any questions about the pattern or payment options, please feel free to contact me via email at KrisPatay4@yahoo.com or on Ravelry, KristenKnits.

As the end of the year is speeding towards us I might be a little ambitious trying to finish everything I started this month. There are a few holiday crafts and recipes I want to attempt before I have to bring them over as gifts. Theres a cookie recipe I have to share if I can find it. Also a special thanks to Rebeka for being my beautiful model and enduring the snow as I took pictures that day.

4:45 pm...

There's just something about December snow. It's chilling, swirling, beautiful nature. I wait patiently for this time of year when you can sit curled up on the couch with blankets and hot chocolate. Watching the patterns dance in the streetlights. I'm completely in love with the first of winters snowfall.

Handmade Holidays...

So I managed to snap a few photos of my handmade ornaments this year before Grandma came by and claimed them today. I make a couple every year for her. I always love playing with felt and it takes on such a personality with whatever you create. There are a couple tutorials around the web for making these ornaments but I'll just write what I did as I didn't really follow any pattern.

Cookie Cutter Ornaments:

Materials:

• Any Cookie Cutter of your choice
• Marker
• Scissor
• Different colored sheets of felt
• Approx. 4ft of embroidery thread per ornament
• Embroidery Needle
• Ribbon
• Buttons and or Beads
• Fiberfill
• Sewing Tread and needle (for beads and buttons)

Instructions:

1. Trace a cookie cutter onto some felt and cut two identical pieces.
2. Sew on some buttons or beads and embroider tiny faces if desired.
3. Pin the two pieces together and begin blanket stitching all the way around starting on the left side of the waist front side facing up.
4. After stitching both legs and the right side near the the top, feed in an inch or two of festive ribbon doubled in a loop. Pass the embroidery needle and thread through all layers of felt and ribbon a few times to secure.
5. Keep blanket stitching until there are a few inches left.
6. Remove the pin and stuff some fiber fill into your gingerbread man or any other design and blanket stitch closed.
7. Secure all ends and cut any loose threads.
8. Step back and admire these cuties.
   

My kids love them so much. They've become a favorite with my family when I made them last year. You can make quite a few of them in an evening if you really sit down and get into a groove. I kept losing my needle only to find it in the couch again.. and again. If you have any questions I'll answer them in the comments.

Holiday's Are For Crafting...

I'm waiting for someone to tell me they can stop time. Two weeks till Christmas and there appears to be no end in sight. I have tons of shopping to do. We're not having Christmas dinner at our house this year but theres still a lot to prepare for. I wanted to make a whole bunch of ornaments to give as gifts this year but running short of time, it's not going to happen. I did manage to make several adorable felt gingerbread men but I haven't taken the camera out yet. Hopefully I can get some pictures before my mother grabs them for her tree.


How is everyones gifting going? Have you finished all of the holiday knitting and shopping you wanted to do this year? I'm sure I'm not the only one who leaves it to the last minute.

So Many Colors..

I've been meaning to post an update with the different colors that I used on the Christmas Cloths. I apologize if you were waiting for them. Our Internet connection has been rather unstable as of late and it's kept me from posting and answering emails all week. Everything is fixed now and I have some projects I'll blog about tomorrow and later this week.

I have one pattern designed, almost completely finished and test knitted. Hoping to get it out before the week is up. Its not a dishcloth, but still a super quick project and I'll be making quite a few more as gifts before the holidays are up.

Here are the colors that were used in the Christmas Cloths Set 1 & 2

Lily's "Sugar'n Cream Solid"

00015: Wine (Red)
00095: Red (Red)
00084: Sage Green (Green)
00016: Dark Pine (Green)
00001: White (White)
00003: Cream(Off White)
01130: Warm Brown(Brown)

Lion® Cotton Yarn

Clove
Article: #760-136
Dark burnt orange

Evergreen
Article: #760-180
Deep mossy green

Peaches & Creme Solids
Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co.

Camel

3 Weeks Left...

The holiday's are full blown over here. I've decided to make handmade gifts for most of my family and friends and my list keeps growing. I can see why most people start everything earlier in the year for this reason. I'm not worried, but it's going to be close. There are also three different patterns in the works. One more cloth pattern set for this year, a free cloth pattern for 2009, and something entirely different that I'm in love with.

Our family took a trip up to Pennsylvania this weekend to spend time with friends. It was relaxing to get away from the house for a few days. I even had some time to teach my girlfriend (who's now hooked on addi-turbos) and a 9yr old girl how to knit. I'm so proud of you Kat! I can only hope that when my daughter is old enough she will be just as enthusiastic about knitting.


I'm teaching tomorrow and have to work out the lesson plan and print some guides for my students. Maybe we'll stop by the store later, I still have to pick up some different colors for the next set.


I took these shots on Thanksgiving. Ella is still in the stage of wanting to have her photograph taken. My son runs away at the very sight of the camera. But every now and then you can sneak one in when hes not looking. My silly boy and the magic of ice cream.

And The Winners Are...

Sorry it's a little late but I've been stuck in Thanksgiving weekend traffic for the better part of the evening. Just got in now and its 1am. Hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday with family and friends.

Our winners are:

#10 Sue

# 40 Mari

Congratulations winners. Email me at krispatay4@yahoo.com with your details on where to send the patterns. Thank you to everyone for sharing what you are thankful for this year.