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.

Many Thanks... & A Giveaway

Thank you so much to everyone who has bought a pattern in the past two months. I'm so proud to be able to share my designs with you. I'm thankful for many things this year. A loving and supportive family, good health, a good home, and the best two friends anyone could ever ask for. 2008 has been a very rough year for a lot of us but through it I've become a stronger person and mother.



Our tree is going up tonight. I've been making and gifting handmade decorations and ornaments like crazy this week. Here's one I made last week for a friend's mother from this pattern with this yarn I found in AC Moore. I swiss darned a poinsettia design onto one side. You can't go wrong with glitter yarn during the holidays.

I've wanted to have a 'lil giveaway for awhile now and Thanksgiving feels the right time to me. I'm giving away emailed copies of all 5 of my pattern sets to 2 lucky winners. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post saying what your thankful for this year. I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner Saturday Sunday night. If I pick your number and you've already purchased the patterns I can send them to anyone you wish, a friend perhaps?

Happy Thanksgiving to all!


*Update* I'm going to run the giveaway until Sunday night. I'm visiting some family on Saturday and won't have Internet service until we return home Sunday afternoon.

Christmas Cloths...

It's taken a lot longer than I expected but I'm so happy to finally have finished everything. I battled with myself over which designs I was going to include in my Christmas Cloths but in the end I just couldn't leave any out. There are two different sets this month to choose from.

Here are the two different sets. I added an extra cloth in each download so there are 7 cloths in Set 1, and 7 cloths in Set 2. I can't find all of the labels to the yarns that were used at the moment but I will edit this sometime today or tomorrow and add all of the colors to this post.
I made each written pattern with a corresponding chart for the dishcloth. From the sets that I've already made, I've managed to get about 2-2½ cloths out of one ball of Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid Yarn. Though you can use any kitchen cotton you prefer.


These were a lot of fun and fast to knit up. I think start to finish both sets were completed within aweek with almost no free time. I know they are going to make great stocking stuffers.
The pattern is available as a PDF download and priced at $3.25. You can obtain this pattern if you are a Ravelry member by clicking the "Buy Now" button below the pictures. The Christmas Cloths are also available in my Pattern Store here as a Ravelry Download. Each picture will bring you to its Ravelry page.

I should probably start working on some socks for the Advanced Knitting class I'm teaching in December. Maybe even start writing up a pattern to a baby sweater I designed last year. Or I could just sew up some quick ornaments for the tree. I think for now I'm just going to enjoy the rest of this Sunday with the family and do some Christmas shopping if its warmed up a 'lil outside. We're all finally feeling better in this house. I've also started using Twitter if anyone follows it.

Still Knitting...

Everything is slowly starting to come back to normal around here. Vic and the kids came down with another illness for the season. We've been battling a stomach bug at my house for the better part of the week. You know those sick days, the ones where your doing laundry every second of the day... as it happens. I haven't had too much free time to myself. Still trying to finish everything up for the Christmas Cloths, a few more test knits, a photo shoot, some Photoshop pdf designing and the pattern will be ready to go in a few more days. I even have the next set I'm publishing ready to pattern and knit up as soon as I'm done with these. So excited about those! There's something for everyone. ;) I'll try and post up a 'lil peek later this week. OK I'm getting back to my nighttime knitting. Everyone is sleeping. Finally.

Progress...

Today was entirely devoted to my babies. Tomorrow is going to be almost all knitting with the next pattern sets. I still have to work up most of the cloths and then photograph them. Knitting them is the most fun after designing the graphs of course. I've already fallen in-love with them and can see that they're going to be the perfect stocking stuffers for most of my family. Vic is away on business for the rest of the week so getting the time needed to finish everything might be a little difficult. Most of the time when I have a deadline to meet I sit on the floor with the kids and we camp out in the living room watching movies and reading books all day. I'm hoping by Friday or Sunday the latest I should have everything ready to go.

Centro Sock..

So many things have come up as of late between the kids and the holiday's that I'm behind on the Christmas Cloths. Hopefully by the end of this next week the patterns will be ready. I finished some car knitting the other day and wanted to share. My phone needed this.

1. IMG_3569, 2. IMG_3551, 3. IMG_3546, 4. IMG_3562

Yarn: Moda Dea Sassy Stripes in Crush*
Needles: Size 1 (2.25) Two Circulars

*I decided to omit the red stripe color, it seemed too overpowering for the variations of pink that I fell in love with.

Super Easy. Cast on 40s and knit a 2x2 rib for several rows then knit st st for the length of the phone. About an inch before the bottom I decreased like the toe of a sock, every other round 4 times. Grafted. Love.

I have my sticker...

I took a nice walk to the local school near my Mother's house with the kids this morning. I wanted to go early so that when Vic came home from work I could sit with them while he votes. Theres still a lot of time all over the country. Every vote counts and remember, if you're in line when the polls close, you have a legal right to vote. Let's make some history!

Now where did I put that candy...

Yes. How exactly does one lose a 25lb bag of Trick 'or Treating booty? I know I brought it in the house, I'm sure someone moved it. Or is holding it for ransom. We had a great time going around our neighborhood collecting candy on Friday. My Mother even came to join us for half the journey.


Ella was Minnie Mouse and looked absolutely radiant in this ensemble. She actually liked the costume a lot and got a kick out of herself in the mirror before we left. Unlike..


My 2yr old Pirate. He fought with the outfit for awhile before he realized that it didn't bite. Since it was his first real time going out with all of us from door to door he wasn't sure what to expect. Every time I went to knock on another house he would scream and cry for fear that I was going inside. Poor thing. Everyone ended up having a great time and now all we need is chocolate.. I think my Mother took it.

Belated Birthday Gift...

So my best friend's daughter has been asking me for a doll (With purple!) since her birthday. So many things have come in the way of free crafting these days. We moved earlier this year and I kept telling myself that I'll get around to it as soon as the dust settles. During the summer I started sewing again when Ella was finally sleeping through the night but I haven't really been consistent. My Internet went out the other night and I decided to take some time and fire it up again. Here we have "Bella" as Sarah named her. Having read the Twilight series I'm quite pleased with her choice of name. Maybe I'll make her an Edward. ;)


Just a simple and really fast pattern. I think start to finish it took me about an hour. I drafted out a doll pattern on paper, traced it on some fabric, pieced it together and sewed. Stuffed and wove in some hair. Embroidered the eyes and painted on the mouth, blush and eyebrows. Sarah was so thrilled and had to play with her hair.


On another note I'm excited to start teaching knitting classes at
A. C. Moore this Wednesday. There are youth and adult beginner as well as intermediate classes and workshops during the month of November. During December in addition there will also be a 2-part Intro to Sock Knitting class that I will also be teaching. I've taught knitting to friends and family for many years now. It's a great feeling to be able to share this craft with others.

Winter Wonder Cloths...

I had some extra creative bursts of energy this week. I wasn't sure I would be able to pull it off either. With the entire house out of commission due to the cold that I kind of brought in, theres been a lot of extra chores and cuddling. I have been working on the Winter Cloths for awhile now but really sat down this week to finish everything. I'm in love with them. They came out so gorgeous and photographed so beautifully that I think I might just keep these for myself.


So much went into these cloths. They were definitely a family affair. I almost had to re-knit the snowman because my son hid it on me before I finished knitting up the others. We found it in the toy basket a few days ago. I'm thankful to have such a supportive family that allows me do what I love.


I'm really behind on blogging at the moment. There are so many projects I want to share. I'll try to get some pictures up later this week. I took a quick trip up to Boston this weekend with some good friends. The weather stayed nice until the drive home, but it was relaxing to get away.


A lot of people have been asking about the colors I use on my cloths. I'm going to have to admit that I really haven't payed too much attention to it and I apologize. I did have a bag with all of my yarn labels in it but DH has apparently thrown it away. I probably shouldn't point fingers. :) Instead I will list the names of all the yarns used from now on.

In this set I have used (in no particular order)

Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid : 01215: Robin's Egg (Turquoise)
Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid : 00026: Light Blue (Blue)
Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid : 00083: Cornflower Blue (Blue)
Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid : 00001: White (White)
Lily Sugar'n Cream Solid : 00007: Ivory (Off White)
Peaches & Creme Solids : #24 Williamsburg Blue (Blue)

I'm still going to try for another cloth set or two by the middle of November. If I could have my way I would publish two different Christmas sets as I'm having a lil' trouble choosing which designs to include. There are just so many. Holiday knitting and crafting is in full swing at my house these days. Hope I can finish on time.





Here is a preview of the download. It follows the same format as the Thanksgiving Cloths from earlier this month. The pattern is available as a PDF download and priced at $3.25. You can obtain this pattern if you are a Ravelry member by clicking the "Buy Now" button below the preview. Thanksgiving/Autumn Cloths are also available in my Pattern Store here as a Ravelry Download.


There are six patterns all together. I made each written pattern with a corresponding chart for the dishcloth. From the sets that I've already made, I've managed to get about 2-2½ cloths out of one ball of Lily's Sugar'n Cream Solid Yarn. Though you can use any kitchen cotton you prefer. If I do gift these cloths they will end up in a pretty basket like in the picture above and hopefully be used as festive washcloths.