Wednesday, May 07, 2014

This Blog is Moving


We are consolidating out blogging efforts, so this blog is ending, but it resumes over on our main Knit-O-Matic Blog

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Monday, July 22, 2013

New Freebie: Janice Market Bag







Skills
Cast on, Knit, Purl, pick up stitches, cast off.

Materials
° Berroco Origami (50g/90m): 3 skeins (or Berroco LinseyCaptiva, or Seduce)
° 4mm-16” or 24” circular needles
° 4.5mm-16” or 24” circular needles
° 4mm crochet hook (optional, for picking up sts)
° Small stitch holder or scrap yarn ° Scrap yarn for provisional cast
° Darning needle (straight is easier) ° 4 Buttons: 3/4” wide

° Sewing needle & thread (in colours matching yarn and buttons)

Gauge
19 stitches & 25 rows = 4”/10xm in stocking stitch on larger needles 


Download Free Pattern Here

Thursday, July 18, 2013

New Freebie: Rialto Baby Beanie




Size
° preemie (newborn, baby, toddler)
° Head circumference: 11(12-13, 14-15, 16-17)” or 27.5(30-32.5, 35-37.5, 40-42.5)cm

Materials
° Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Print;50g/105m, 1 ball
° 4mm-16” circular needles
° 3.5mm-16” circular needles
° 4mm double pointed needles
° 1 stitch marker
° darning needle (preferably pointy & small)

Hat on the left:
Newborn size, Debbie Bliss CashmerinoDK colour 18 (navy), Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Print 05 (Ravenna)

Hat on the right:
Toddler size, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK colour 43 (beige), Debbie Bliss Rialto DK Print 01 (Florence)


Dowload the pattern Here

Tuesday, July 09, 2013

Cottage Project: Leafy Face Cloth



I like the idea of quick & easy little projects in the summer, like face cloths and towels. You can make them for yourself or give them away later as little gifts (for a cutie, wrap a nice soap in the cloth and tie it up with a ribbon).  We've been posting a project idea every day our Facebook Page

Above is a fun one I wanted to try, a free patern for a Leaf Cloth. It was easy, clearly written, and fee. It uses short-rows, but because it is knit in garter stitch you don't have to pick up the wraps afterwards (if you aren't familiar with the short row technique this sentence will likely sound like gibberish to you, but it roughly translates as "makes life easier").  The project isn't for absolute beginners, but if you are an intermediate or advanced beginner, or want to learn a few new skills, it's great. 

Anyway, it was fun and I love the idea of making a few of them in a different shades of green.  I used Berroco Weekend, a nice, affordable, and machine washable cotton/synthetic blend. You can make at least 2 leafy cloths from 1 skein, possibly 3 (I'll have to weigh the cloth and see how much yarn it used, I'll get back to you via an update to this post). 

Definitely a great cottage project!




Monday, July 08, 2013

Finished Project: Twister Summer Pullover




Above is our Twister store sample. We used 8 skeins of Berroco Linsey, and it worked out great! The pattern says one size fita all, and it does, it is very roomy and confortable. The sweater is a light pullover with a twist in the front, and it was a very straightforward knit, great for summer & cottage knitting. 

The bag it is shown with is the Janice Market Bag, one of our freebies. 




Thursday, May 23, 2013

Happy Socks!



I finished my Happy Socks, and as their name suggests, I'm really happy with them.  I used 1 ball of Zitron Trekking XXL (colour 550), and 1 skein of Regia 4ply (colour 44, charcoal grey) for the toes, rear of heel and ribbing at the top. 




I am in pursuit for the perfect fitting hand-knit socks for me. I used a generic short-row toe-up technique, worked in a k3p1 rib for the top of the foot and stockingette for the bottom, threw in a toe-up gusseted heel, and made increases up the back of the leg for the calf. I wrote down all the details in my notes on Ravelry, but they were written for my own guidance, not as a pattern, and details I don't generally need to note are omitted (basically, if you are new to sock knitting, I suggest you follow a basic beginner sock pattern and don't follow my notes). 




The socks will be on display in the store until the fall, at which time I'm reclaiming them!





Friday, May 17, 2013

Lanesplitter





We made a Lansesplitter Skirt! It is a free pattern online from knitty.com. We used 2 skeins of Noro Taiyo in shade 21. I think it looks great, and it feels great too! Liane made one for herself and has been wearing it ever since. Very, very pleased. :-)


You can find us at Knitomatic.com!


Friday, March 22, 2013

Galinhos Spring Cowl






Last month Liane completed a really nice spring cowl, Galinhos, with Berroco Origami. It turned out beautifully, and the yarn crocheted as well as it knits (we knitted Kiama with it a couple years ago). The pattern is super easy peasy, great mindless crocheting and beginner-friendly. The yarn is unfortunately discontinued, so pick it up while supplies last. 

Galinhos in Origami
Modifications: none
Pattern: Berroco Booklet 305 Origami
Yarn: Berroco Origami, 3 skeins, colour 4356
Hook: 5mm