Fetch !...

While staring at my enormous stash last week all I could think to myself was, "What am I going to do with all this cotton?". It really is taking over the craft room and all the baskets that I keep my yarn in. I can't seem to resist the beautiful colors that our local stores carry. I will always knit dishcloths but what about the left overs that will never make up a whole cloth? I've had this idea in my head for quite some time now. I think I attempted making one about two years ago but with new babies and having to move it was left unfinished. Needing a break from the sweater I'm currently working on, I sat down and wrote up the pattern for everyone. My son and I had fun trying to come up with a name.

Everyone I know loves knitting for their pets. This is a fast and easy to follow pattern that uses simple increases and decreases then seaming up with mattress stitch. Great for a beginner that is looking to practice some shaping. I know I'll be making a few for Christmas this year. The pattern is also easily adaptable for larger dogs. Just add more stitches to the cast on areas and then increase the number of rows that you knit in plain stockingnet stitch for a longer bone.



Here's the pattern page on Ravelry!

Pattern: Fetch !

Needles: US Size #6, 4.0mm

Yarn: Lily's Sugar'n Cream
or any other kitchen cotton yarn.

Materials: Fiber fill or scrap yarn for stuffing,
Tapestry Needle
Strong yarn for seaming up.
( I used Patons Grace )
Scissor

Pattern: (Make 2)

CO 6sts

Row 1: K all sts
Row 2 (WS) and all even rows : P all sts
Row 3: Kfb, K4, Kfb (8 sts)
Break yarn and push sts back to end of needle.

CO 6sts on other needle.
Repeat rows 1-3 but don't break the yarn.
You should now have both pieces on one needle. Slide them together and P all sts (16 sts)
(*Tip: After purling the first 8 sts Grab the tail yarn (from the next piece) with the working yarn and P 1 st, this will secure it. Then drop the tail yarn and continue the row with working yarn. Be sure to treat that stitch as one on the next (RS) row.

Rows 7-10: (K one row, P one row) (2x)

Row 11: K1, SSK, K10, K2tog, K1
Row 13: K1, SSK, K8, K2tog, K1
Row 15: K1, SSK, K6, K2tog, K1
Row 17, K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1

Rows 19-30: (K one row, P one row) (6x)

Row 31: Kfb, K6, Kfb
Row 33: Kfb, K8, Kfb
Row 35: Kfb, K10, Kfb
Row 37: Kfb, K12, Kfb

Rows 39-42: (K one row, P one row) (2x)

Row 43: K1, SSK, K2, K2tog, K1, Turn work keeping remaining 8 sts on right needle

Row 44: Purl the 6 sts that were just worked.

Row 45: K 6 sts
Row 46: P 6 sts

Row 47: BO 6 sts, Break yarn.

Join yarn to remaining sts on (RS) and repeat rows 43-47.


Finishing:

Place both sides together wrong sides facing. With strong yarn thread tapestry needle and begin mattress stitching the sides and using a shoulder seam for joining the two halves together for the ends of the bone This video from Berroco might help if you get stuck. (I started seaming about half an inch down from the top right corner and continued counter-clockwise.) Once you have about 2" left begin stuffing the bone with fiberfill or scrap yarn. Finish seaming and secure ends. Pull thread through and cut with scissors from other side to hide it.

Here is a photo of how I used the Mattress Stitch to close the toy:


*A note about Fetch! and any other handmade toy that you use with your pets:
This toy is intended to be used only with owner's supervision. Do not leave your pet unattended with such toys because if ripped apart or damaged it could pose as a choking hazard. Check toy regularly for signs of wear and replace if necessary. (They're very fast to make!)

Fetch! © KrisKnits 2009
This pattern is for personal use only.


If you have any questions about this design or need help you can leave a comment or an email at kris@krisknits.com or on Ravelry via KristenKnits. I will try and help as best I can. I have been really swamped as of late and I apologize for any inconvenience. This week I'm cracking down to finish everything. Hope everyone is enjoying the better weather.

Organic Cotton Bunnies...

I finished these little guys the other day to put in the kids baskets along with the toys and candy they're getting from the Easter Bunny. I've had to hide them in the meantime so they don't hop off somewhere. The whole house has been buzzing today while everyone is getting ready for tomorrow. We're cooking, cleaning, baking and getting ready to paint some Easter eggs. Oh, and I have to shop for Ella's shoes later because she's outgrown her dressy ones. Hopefully the stores will still be open by the time I'm able to get out.

Pattern: Bunny Nuggets
Yarn: Bernat Organic Cotton in White
Needles: US # 3, 3.25 mm

Here's the link to this project's Ravelry page!

For this particular pattern I followed the knitting instructions as written. The result was adorable, but I wanted the bunnies to be able to "stand". I took about 12 pennies and taped them together for a weight. Then I placed them on top of the stuffing before I seamed the bottoms closed. I added a pom pom, embroidered black eyes and swiss darned a pink nose. Now they are ready to play with each other tomorrow morning.



I should get back to cleaning now. I meant to post last night but we were all too exhausted by the time we got home from our friends house. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Easter tomorrow!

Mom Always Gives In..

We've been thinking about getting the kids a pet for awhile now. A dog would be a wonderful addition to the family. It's what we all want, but it's a bit too much at the moment. Especially If we're going to be moving soon.

Victor is infatuated with the movie Finding Nemo. I'm sure other Mothers can relate as well. He'll watch it every night before bed. With this in mind we stopped in the pet store on the way home from food shopping the other day. After five seconds in the store he asked, "Mommy, can I have a fish, please?" I couldn't say no. He got to pick out the one he wanted and we brought "Nemo" home. So far he's been a very responsible 2yr old, remembering to feed the fish everyday. He even helped me change the water this morning. It's truly amazing to watch my son becoming a boy before my very eyes.

Naptime...

It's rare that both my kids will voluntarily go down for naps at the same time. At 2 and 1 yrs of age they get sneaky and trick me into thinking they're both sleeping until I start some chores. Then one will run out of the room, make a mess and hang out for an hour. Then fall asleep as soon as the other is wide awake and tearing up the house. They are best friends (for now) though and I couldn't be happier about that.

My son has been playing with the baby chick cloth from the Easter set from the moment it came off my needles. I saw this adorable Drops pattern the other night on Ravelry and decided to make it for him to carry around. Instant happiness, he's named it "chicken ducks". It was a very quick easy pattern that I actually started and finished during naptime yesterday so I had to share this with you.

Pattern: Drops 0-548 Easter Chickens
Yarn: Lion Brand Baby Soft in White
Needles: US # 3 3.25; mm Crochet hook size F

Here's the link to this project's Ravelry page!

The only things I changed with the pattern were using kfb instead of the yo's for increases and using a felt beak instead of crocheting one with the suggested embroidery thread. I might make another to give as a gift for my friends daughter. I'm sure she would love to carry it around as well.