Rain, Rain, Go Away

Or stay. I don't care, cuz my house is on a hill, and I have lots of stash to dive into....

More diversions from my doily finale: home-made handtowels for the bathroom. I have a huge stash of leftover dishcloth cotton from my giant ripple bedspread, and I have been paring it down with new washcloths in the stitchpattern from last post. Then I realized, I have more washcloths than I need at this point! I am starting to run low on handtowels, though....


so Aim's Handtowel was born!

The pattern: chain 41, sc in 2nd chain and follow the stitchpattern across. When you come to the end chain, sc in it and turn your work so you can work the same stitches across the other side of the chains, as if you were going to work in the round for an oblong shape!

That gives a nice scalloped starting end. Unlike the washcloths, this will have straight edges, with scallops only on the 2 ends.

At the end of that row, start to work back and forth like usual for the washcloths, (i.e. NOT working in the round anymore) My finished towel has a total of 32 rows of scallops, giving a 19.5 inch x 12 inch towel. It used up 2 skeins exactly of Sugar 'N Cream washcloth cotton, with a size G crochet hook.

Important: remember to chain 3 at the beginning of each row, and do it very loosely so that the sides of the towel will not pucker!



Another washcloth, the last one prior to the towels:


So, though I may be temporarily finished making washcloths, I now turn my attention to handtowels. I hate buying things that I can make! Especially such thick and luxurious towels from my stash yarn, in happy vintage colors! There are several other towel patterns I'm going to try...

"Shopping in my basement" is the theme this year! Stitches is next weekend, a mere stone's throw from my home, but I am not going to go. I'd love to, but stashbuilding is all that will happen, and it's not in the budget. Similarly, this year I missed my fav Fiber Fest, which I have attended since the beginning. I'm cracking down on the spending. And, it feels good!

Happy stitching!

(p.s. that first pic is a gnome-butt fungus on the forest floor last spring! Peek-a-boo!)

"R" n Stuff

Recycling. I love to find second uses for things. It's the way life used to be, before our wasteful age of wealth for the common man. And this video is a cool tutorial on crocheting with plastic grocery bags:



Isn't that cool? I love the cutting technique and looping the plastic together--that's a great way to make a continuous cord out of the plastic! It could make good totebags for shopping green, or if you didn't mind the look of it, maybe an entry rug just outside the back door to wipe your feet off before coming in! Don't they call this 'plarn'?

It probably seems random to y'all, these out-of-order ABC posts, but I wanted to share the cool videos and links I had saved in these old drafts. (I just don't have the interest anymore to do the whole alphabet!)

Soon I hope to have another lace FO--I was certainly cranking out more lace in June. I forgot how dang boring Filet Crochet is, but my Doves Doily is nearly finished so I'll share a picture when it's done.

I made an interim linen stitch washcloth, b/c I needed a break from the interminable filet work.

It turned out nice, but the one thing I can't seem to do with any slip-stitch article is MAKE IT LONG ENOUGH! I took it off the needles and suddenly it stretched to twice as wide as high...grrr. Must remember that any mosaic stitch or linen stitch article will stretch hugely width-wise. I still like it, my Sunrise,Sunset washcloth....



I made it in 2 colors of Ty Dy Cotton I had in my stash (631 & 289).

Fun colors, pretty texture, lovely drape, and no open holes~the perfect washcloth!



Here's the details: CO even number of stitches on needles 2 sizes bigger than yarn calls for (I did 50 stitches on sz 9 needles), then start pattern stitch.

Linen stitch Pattern:

K1, SLIP 1 WYIF, repeat across. Turn.
P1, SLIP 1 WYIB, repeat across. Turn.
Repeat these 2 rows across. (I actually slip the first stitch of the row to make a neat edge and pretend it was the first stitch as written; continue across with pattern)

NOTE: I do not like the way the CO edge looks, it's all loose at the edge and looks awful. (Plus I screwed up at the beginning of the pattern!) I'm thinking that BO and CO first row/last row should be done in K1P1 rib to keep it looking neat and snug...I'll have to try that with my next one.


Happy High Summer Knitting and Crocheting!

Nana Memorial Slippers--a free vintage pattern

My Goompa was known for his gardening and his poetry. He was very witty, and wrote humorous poems that always made you laugh. He was even published in the Saturday Evening Post!

My Nana was known for her hospitality, her knitting, ceramics, and sense of style. She wore wonderful outfits with matching chunky jewelry (it WAS the 1970s girls), and always looked just so. There is a photo of her with my grandfather in the 1920s, a stately teenager gorgeous in her ruffle-sleeved polka-dot dress with a cloche. What a stunner...

She always knit. In fact, she kept all 8 of her grandchildren (and her children and in-laws) in slippers and mittens and hats. Throughout my childhood she knit continuously. When we would visit she always pulled a box of mittens and slippers from under the bed, and let us choose our own. She also gave them as gifts each Christmas. We never once wore store-bought mittens or slippers until we were well into adulthood, when she was too ill to knit anymore.

(In addition, she supplied her church's annual holiday bazaar and various charities with those same knitted items EVERY YEAR. She was amazing.)

Sadly, during her lifetime I crocheted, sewed, and crafted, but I did not knit. I purchased "The Principles of Knitting" in about 1995 to help me learn more of knitting. But knitting never really caught on until 2002; Nana passed away in January 2003. She never saw my knit items.

Every single stitch I create now reminds me of her. I miss her, but what a legacy she left!

My point is this: My brother mentioned that he sure misses the slippers Nana used to make, and do I know how to make them because he'd love them for a Christmas gift?! (Also, he stated he is still wearing the last pair she gave--they have to be about 15 years old at this point!)

That comment made me go stash diving into my patterns. I thought I remembered seeing a hand-written sketchy pattern for slippers from my Nana's estate.

I dove in and pulled out this:

written in her own hand! (click for better view)

I cast on eagerly: if I'm gonna make these for gifts I'd best get started! And never a better time for "reminknitting" than when the loss of loved ones is so fresh.

I thought I'd share this timeless pattern for slippers, as I have scoured Ravelry without success looking for it:

NANA SLIPPERS

size US 4 knitting needles
4 ply worsted weight yarn

CO 3 STS
K1 ROW ACROSS
K1, INC 1 ST, THEN K ACROSS; REPEAT THIS ROW UNTIL 32 STITCHES ARE ON THE NEEDLE

NOW, INC IN EVERY STITCH--64 STS.

(You can change colors here if you like)
*K2 P2* REPEAT ACROSS. REPEAT THIS ROW FOR 5 INCHES

(change back to the first color here)
K2 TOG, REPEAT THIS ACROSS THE ROW--32 STS.
DEC IN 2ND STITCH UNTIL 3 STS LEFT. BO.

SEW UP TOE & VAMP.
SEW UP VAMP FOR HEEL.

(You will fold this oddly shaped square into a triangle with the garterstitch points together. Then sew from this point down one side completely. On the other side, you will only sew together the ribbing section for a heel!)

As much as I'm a yarn snob now, I grew up in these slippers knit in acrylic yarn. They lasted through many washings and really the only thing that ever ruined them (I remember) is snagging them on a loose nail on the flooring, which ripped a hole. A testimony to how long they can last is my brother wearing his 15 year-old pair!

I hope that my posting this pattern will lead to a whole bunch of people knitting these for loved ones this Christmas--I will try to "pdf" this at some point, and get it listed on Ravelry. And, I'll be back to update this post once I get a finished slipper to photograph!!!

Happy gift knitting everyone!

Smile Today and Then Go Knit!

Yeaaaaaaaah, baby!

I might as well post this pattern. Unless I do it today while it is fresh on my mind, it'll probably be more months before I get around to it!

Okay, don't laugh guys. I'm a beginning designer, and really only an intermediate knitter. My patterns reflect this.

This is my version of Grandmother's Favorite Washcloth. I wanted big picots on mine, so here goes:

CO one stitch.
K one, turn.
KFB, turn.
KFB, KFB, turn.
KFB, K2, KFB. (6 stitches)
K across for 2 rows.
KFB, KFB, YO, K across.
KFB, KFB, YO, K across.
BO the first 2 stitches (using up the first 3 stitches), K1, YO, K across.
BO the first 2 stitches (as above), K1, YO, K across.
Repeat these last 4 rows until the diagonal of piece is the size you want--I knit mine to 50 sts.
Then K2, YO, K across, turn.
Repeat last row.
KFB, KFB and slip the second stitch you made back onto the left-hand needle. Now, K2tog (the one you just slipped with the next one), YO, K2tog, then K across. Turn.
Repeat this row back in the other direction.
BO the first 2 stitches (using 3 stitches total), K1, YO, K2tog, K across. Turn.
Repeat this row.
Repeat the last 4 rows until you have 9 stitches left.
BO2 as nml on picot, then K2tog, YO, K2tog, K across. (6 stitches)
K1, K2tog, K2tog, K1. (4 stitches)
K across.
K1, K2tog, K1. (3 st)
K1, K2tog.
K2 tog.
BO last stitch.


And there you have it! Easy peasy, right? (p.s. please let me know if there are errors in the pattern cuz I'm still new to pattern writing)

I culled this from the stalled alphablogging "Letter K" post that has been sitting unfinished since April 21! But I'm not done with alphablogging, I just need to get my mojo back.

Other news: I baked me a pie. Blueberry, to be exact.

My top crust is homemade-looking, but this thing tasted divine. I make pies a lot, but this was the first time I used my new stoneware for it. It worked great, I didn't have to make a foil "tent" for the crust, it never came close to burning! YAY for less fuss!

I went to the Haeger Pottery Outlet near us several weeks ago--I'd forgotten this place is so close, and it has some really good buys. Since I didn't need any new lamps, vases, or plant pots, I couldn't resist this baking-stone type cookware. (I have a pizza stone we've been using for 10 years, that thing makes the best pizzas on the planet. I love it!)

Next up will be either a cobbler or lasagna in my new casserole dish! Yum.



Happy knitting, and watch the road for those notorious babies on skates!

Big Bag

I had the best Mother's Day. I started by putting together a bunch of yarns from my stash:

and using my size U crochet hook (that's 25mm) I chained 14 with all 8 strands of yarn. (only 7 are pictured here)

WIP, and next pic is what I had after 2 hours:

Aim's Big Crochet Chimera Bag

Here's my "pattern" --hope it's legible:

chain 14, dc into 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across. Repeat for 2-3 rows, then dc into the first 5 st of the row, chain 3, skip 2 dc and dc into the third dc and across (5 dc after the chain gap). Turn and dc in each dc, skip the first chain, dc in each of the next 2 chains and then in each dc across. You just made the handle. Turn and dc in all 12 stitches across.

Repeat this last row for the length you want the bag to be, from front around bottom and up the back of the bag. Then do as before to make the other handle: dc in first 5 dc, chain three and skip next 2 dc, then dc in the next 5 dc across. Turn and dc across all 12 stitches.

Now to make the side panels. For each: chain 4 from top corner, slip stitch to matching corner of other side (this bridge will attach the top edges), then sc down side of panel twice, turn and dc in each of the 4 chains across the bridge, then 2 sc into the other panel’s side, turn and dc in 4 chains across the bridge. Repeat this back and forth until you can dc in one chain, then slip stitch to bottom “panel”. Repeat this dc and slip stitch combo to seal the side panel to the bottom panel; sc into last side panel stitch and bind off. Repeat this paragraph for other side panel.


There you have it. You could call it the Mother's Day Bag, but because I ended up adding in every freaking blue yarn under the sun regardless of content (I ran out of the homespun indigo-dyed BFL, and the recycled nylon/ramie/silk/wool mix I started with) I am calling it the Chimera. It is truly a monster =)

So I had a productive day....then, DS gave me some chocolate. Yeah, baby!

And later, DH & I went to see the movie "Star Trek" and it was spectacular! I want to go see it again. It was that good. It's nearly my most fav movie of all time!!! ("Babe" still wins top honors--I love that pig!)

Here's a sneak peek at what is now on the hook:

Have a great week guys! Stash knit-down continues here....

Friday's Feat

Can you see the squirrel?

Dude, I made another rug. I started it in the morning before going to work, I worked on it for 10 minutes on my lunch hour, and then I took it to knitting Friday night and finished it in 2-1/2 hours.



We are going to be remodeling our bathroom, painting it a muted tan/taupe palette instead of the cottage blue it has been. And I had all these giant skeins of brown ombre dishcloth cottons I had purchased on sale at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's. They were just sitting there on the shelf, begging to be used somehow. I love dishcloth cotton, but the prospect of knitting up ten million washcloths with all this yarn is somewhat daunting!

So I decided to put 8 skeins of them together with my new size U crochet hook, and voila! Instant cotton squishy thick bathroom rug! It only used up about 1/3 of each skein, so I have plenty left for matching washcloths! Wheeeeee.

Here's my "pattern":

AIM'S BATHMAT

with 8 strands worsted weight cotton, chain 25. Turn and sc into the second chain from hook, *sc across. Ch1, turn.*
Repeat the starred section for as many rows as you like. Mine was 24 rows long. Finished size is 22" x 25-1/2" pre-wash (it'll shrink when I wash and dry it in the hottest settings)

I got so many nice comments on it at knitting last night =) Makes me feel like I actually DID something. I feel so stuck-in-a-rut on all my other WIPs!!!

So if you're looking for a quick satisfying stashbusting kinda project, this one's good! Happy hooking ;D

Aim

Sunny Sunday

See the hidden birdie legs?!

Here's a neat video for making Indian bread (rotis):



Isn't that cool? She makes it look so easy, I feel like I could just whip up some of those after watching her! I've made chapatis before but over a flame, and they were really floury. I like how these puff up so easily. I love Indian food, yummy! I was directed to this video via the Jugalbandi blog, one of my favs. I like Bee's sharp humor. And, it's vegetarian! Yum.

I'm not a strict vegetarian. But I love blogs that teach me better ways of eating.

How about a pattern to use the bigstitch needles?

Aim's Rug:

I decided yesterday to wing it, and started pulling out stash and throwing it all together for a rug. In about 4 hours (which includes picking out the yarns, doing a test-run for several rows that I ended up frogging, and restarting with the correct number of stitches) I had a nice cushy rug for my bathroom. It measures about 38x 25 inches, give or take an inch in either direction for stretchiness! Cuz I'm not blocking this sucka...

Cast on 24 stitches.
Slipping the first stitch of each round, K across in garter stitch, until the length desired. I used anywhere from 4-6 strands of yarn at any given time, adding in and taking out whenever the urge struck.

Mostly I wanted to use up my "Landscapes" acrylic/wool that I frogged my Martha poncho from. I used up 6 balls of that yarn, and also added in skeins of other acrylics. Here's the list of yarn I used:

1. 6 balls Lion Brand Landscapes in "Pastel Meadow" colorway


2. 1 skein of Lion Brand Chenille Thick & Quick Prints in "Rainbow Denim Print"


3. 2 skeins (2.5 oz each) of Red Heart Super Saver Multicolor in "Candy" colorway


4. 1/2 skein Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn in "Pink Camo Ombre"


5. 1/2 skein Caron SS in "Baby Brights Ombre", and some "Soft Pink", "Off White", and "Lt Country Peach"


6. some Lion Brand Suede in Black

And some pics of all the different yarns used




They don't look like they'd go together, do they?! I'm really happy with the outcome.

I LOVE THESE NEEDLES!!!! You have to adjust how you knit with them, (in addition, I bought the 28" needles so they'd be long enough for blankets and such, but you have to sit in the middle of the sofa so the ends of the needles have a place to rest!) Hey, once you get it, you knit things up so fast it's incredible!!! I feel great, I just used up a bunch of stash, probably a total of about 11 skeins. Wahoooooooo! In 4 hours. Yeah!

I'd like to see other people's versions of this, I'm constantly searching on Ravelry for more inspsiration. I just joined the Big Stitch Knitting group, and hope to be inspired there! (And, for Mother's day I just ordered the size U crochet hook and the size 50 DPNs from Bagsmith, along with their books. Can't wait!) They are having a sale for Ravelry members with a %15 off by May 11--you should go check it out (coupon number is listed in the Big Stitch Knitting Group page).

I'm such an enabler....
;)

Knit on, you happy peeps!


P.S. this is edited to add two things:
1) I used size 50 needles for the rug.
2) The recipe for the Rotis is 1 c flour, 1 pinch salt, 1/2 c water; then later a trace of the oil as she shows in the video...I just made these and they were yummy!!! And fairly easy, too.

Housecleaning: Favorite Free Patterns & Tutorials

Due to my desire to clean up the sidebar....

Aim's Free Patterns and Mods (to other people's patterns):
(scroll down each post to find the pattern)

Nana Slippers
Girlfriend Hat
Penguin Peeps (Katknits)
Simple Rib Scarf
Chevron Scarf
Aim's Ripple Blankie
Crazy Weave Scarf
Utopia-matching Scarf (SMarieK)



Here are the links to all my favorite free patterns:

Bacon and Eggs Bag
Bunny Along Blog
Bunny Peeps
Chevalier Lapaset
Cupcake Hat
Christmas Tree Hat
Clapo-hat
Clapomitaines
Corn Skillet Handles
Craftoholic Mermaid Gloves
Daisy Granny Square
Four Corners Dishcloth
Garterlac Scarf
Garterlac Dishcloth
Granny Squares Variations
Hello Kitty Hat
Hello Yarn free patterns
Log Cabin Triangle
January One Miter Blanket
Jen's Stuffed Toy Archives
Hello Kitty Look-alike Doll
Kureopatora's Snake
La Parisienne Beret
Mae's Slippers(no longer avail)
Miter Washcloth
Monthly Dishcloth KAL Blog
Peacock Doily
Peeps
Petal Dishcloth
Pinwheel Dishcloth
Ram Wool's free patterns
Aim's Ripple Blanket
Saartje's Bootees
Sandal Socks
Snowflake Afghan
Swiss Cheese Scarf
Tomato Baby Hat
Yoga Socks
Ysolda Skull Illusion Scarf


Helpful Links & tutorials:

Antique Pattern Library
"Aran Paint Plus" Demo
Cable Graph generator
Crochet translations
Knit Translations
Fair Isle & Norwegian Knitting Tutorials
Spinning Videos
Lace Knitting Tips



.

Sweater progress, hat pattern!

I'm back. Work has been very mentally exhausting the past 3-4 weeks, and so my blogging is limited to weekends, when I'm somewhat fresh! And last weekend, I had to work for the first time--only 2 hours, but I hope this doesn't start a new trend. I'm already working my tush off during the week!

First, let me show off my new purchase:


I bought it on QVC while late-night knitting (when DH woke me with his snores.) Snoring can be expensive, as this picture proves! I love this lamp!

Here is an update on knitterly progress:

I had started to make a sweater from this cushy, squishy yarn about 15 months ago. The sweater is my first attempt at making something w/o a pattern! I sketched out some pattern pieces and as I knit, I measured myself and how deep an armscye I wanted, how long a waistline, etc. Lots of ripping out and re-starting in the beginning (which I didn't mind, as this is the ultimate 'pleasure knitting' yarn! Knitting it over again and again just means more time for this yarn to run through my fingers, heh!)


It got shelved 9 months ago, and just came onto the needles again this week. I am having a blast with this! It's my first sweater design, my first 3-needle BO for shoulders, my first portrait/shawl collar, my first attempt at shaping sleeve caps with short-rows, etc! I am learning tons, which is half the fun here :) And did I mention I LOVE THIS YARN?! (It is Deluxe Chunky LP 100% Wool by Universal Yarn Company).

The idea for this sweater came after seeing Kathleen the Knitting Queen's similar one she wore last year. She told me she had done it w/o a pattern, and encouraged my interest in doing my own version! She's been great! Thanks for the idea and suggestions, Kathleen :)

I also made a Chullo style hat for my girlfriend at work. I gave it to her yesterday. She told me she wanted a black hat with earflaps and ties. I found the lovely black Lion Suede and knew she'd love the softness, but I was fairly certain it would not be warm. So I paired it with a strand of Lion Wool, and knit them together. Here's the pic:

and here's the pattern:

Girlfriend Hat

Gauge: 3 st/in and 3-1/2 rows/in
Needle: size US 10.5 sixteen inch circular, and 4 DPNs in same size
Yarn: one strand Lion Suede held with one strand Lion wool.

CO 60 sts. Place marker(PM) at beg of round. Garter stitch x 6 rounds.
Next round= inc 1, K 20, inc 1, K20, inc 1, K20.
Now stockinette stitch around x 10 rounds. (63 stitches)

Body of hat:
Rnd 1= * SSK, K7, PM * Repeat around.
Rnd 2= (and all even numbered rounds) K around.
Rnd 3= * SSK, K6 * Repeat around.
Rnd 5= * SSK, K5 * Repeat around.
Rnd 7= * SSK, K4 * Repeat around
Rnd 8= as round 2.
Now switch to DPNs.

Rnd 9= * SSK, K3 * Repeat around.
Rnd 11= * SSK, K2* Repeat around.
Rnd 13= * S2, K1, pass 2 SS over * Repeat around, 7 sts.
Cut yarn. Thread through all 7 stitches left on needle and pull tight. Weave in ends.

Ear flaps:
With right side facing, pick up 10 stitches, then turn and knit 6 rows (garter stitch).
R 7= (K2, K2tog)2 times, K2. (8 sts)
R 8= K across.
R 9= K1, K2 tog, K2, K2 tog, K1. (6 sts)
R 10= K across.
R 11= K1 (K2 tog)2 times, K1. (4 sts)
R 12= K across.

R 13 and remaining rows= knit I-cord over remaining 4 stitches until tie is desired length. Tie knot in end of I-cord, or if desired, add pompom or tassel.
To place second earflap, count along hat brim from edge of first earflap, and begin picking up stitches from the 16th stitch.

P.S. this fits a 21-23" head! You may want to decrease the needle size to make it smaller.

Hope y'all like it. And most of all, I hope my GF does! :) If anybody makes one, I'd sure like to see it, you can leave a comment here....

A Hello Kitty KAL

Look What I found on Ravelry:


I am so excited that I will get to be part of this KAL! A long-awaited HK themed KAL looks like a blast! Unfortunately, you have to be a member of Ravelry at this time to participate, which makes me glad I did finally sign up on the waiting list when I did in June, after reading about it for weeks on others' blogs...I got my invitation in September, and nothing's been the same since!!! Yay for ravelry :)

I will post pics here of the items I make....Oslofia has run two other HK KALs, both of which I found out about too late to be involved in them, so I'm a happy knitter right now :)
And there will be crochet patterns, too! Wheeee.

I had a really cool idea for an HK item myself....will keep it a secret until it starts to become a reality :)

And of course, all this must wait until Christmas knitting is finished.


I finished the Utopia hat for my Grampa earlier this week, and it took me a couple days to get down to the actual planning and knitting of the matching scarf.


The pattern is#36.2 from page 81 of the Harmony Guides 220 Aran Stitches and Patterns, Volume 5.


Utopia-matching Scarf:

(Size 7 needles on Catalina Baby Alpaca/Silk WW yarn)

LCC= left cross cable (slip next 3 onto cable needle, hold to front of work, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 off the cable needle)

RCC= right cross cable (Slip next 3 onto cable needle, hold to back of work, and knit next 3 stitches, knit the 3 off the cable needle)


Cast on 54 stitches.
Row 1: *Purl 2, Knit 2*, repeat * * across (ending with a purl 2).
Row 2-5: *K2, P2*, repeat * * across (ending with a knit 2).
On Row 6, begin pattern:

Section 1:
Row 6: *(K2, P2)twice, RCC, Purl 2, LCC, P2*. Repeat * * once more, K2, P2, K2.

Row 7 and all remaining odd rows: purl in the purls, and knit in the knits from previous row.

Row 8,10,14,16,20: *(K2, P2)twice,(K6, P2)twice*. Repeat * * once more, K2, P2, K2.
Row 12,18: Repeat row6.

Section 2:
Row 22,26,28,32,34,38: K2, P2, *K6, P2, (K2, P2)twice, K6, P2*. Repeat * * once more,K2.
Row 24,30,36: K2, P2, *LCC,P2, (K2, P2)twice, RCC, P2*. Repeat * * once more, K2.
Row 40: as row 8.

Repeat Section 1. From here on, you will alternate sections 1 & 2 for the desired length of the scarf, ending after completing a section 1. Then switch to K2, P2 rib, (maintaining rib pattern that runs throughout the scarf) for 5 rows, and BO in rib.

Let me know if there are mistakes in the pattern! (One thing I noticed: I am knitting the pattern upside down from the hat! It doesn't matter, because one end will be facing the right way anyway...)

Hope y'all like it :)

Da pattern... for Crazy Weave

A nice hidey-hole:

I got very distracted by the Kureopatora's Snake scarf, and have been knitting on that almost exclusively. But I promised you a pattern for the Crazy Weave Scarf, so here it is....

Crazy Weave Scarf :

Gauge: 7 st per inch, 7 rows per inch (measured over rib sections, not garter)
Needle size: US 8
Yarn: worsted weight, I used ~ 400 yds to get the length I liked
Finished size: 8-1/2 " wide, by however long you want it!

Hint: (K 1 as first stitch and last stitch on EVERY ROW.)Hint: (Each section of rib will be 5 knit ribs wide(RS rows), and each section of garter stitch will be 5 "bumps" high--this will help with counting. I do not use stitch markers in this pattern.)

Cast on 41 stitches.
Row 1 (& all wrong side rows to row 9): K1, *(K1, P1)4 times, then K 7, P1*. Repeat starred section twice, then (K1, P1)3 times, K2.
Row 2 (& all right side rows to row 10): (K1, P1)4 times, K8*. Repeat starred section twice, then (K1, P1)4 times, K1.

After row 10, you will switch to the reverse of each stitch pattern. (Pay attention to rows 11 & 12, its easy to get distracted and do it wrong by looking at the previously knitted rows!)

Row 11 (& all wrong side rows to row 19): K1, *K8, (P1, K1)4 times*. Repeat starred section twice, then K8.
Row 12 (& all right side rows to row 20): K1, *K7, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1*. Repeat starred section twice, then K8.

Repeat rows 1-20 til desired length of scarf.

Enjoy!

(BTW, this forms a smooth-ribbed basketweave pattern. For a variation, K the rib stitches in the back loop --this gives a holey-rib pattern which is what is pictured above!)

If anyone makes a version of this, I'd love to see it! Or if you find a problem with the pattern...Just leave a comment in this post :)

My Ripple Pattern

updated 6/30/07

Baby birdie update:

My blankie spans my queen size bed now, but will shrink about 8% widthwise after first washing because I'm using 100% cotton yarn.

Here is my pattern: (it's a repeat of 19 sts)
using Sugar 'n Cream cotton and an H crochet hook:


To make point: dc, ch 2, dc in same space; cluster made.
To make dip: sk next 2 stitches (of prev row), dc in next stitch

The pattern is easy to remember: 8 dc up, make point, 8 dc down, make dip, repeat!

Chain 285. Dc in 4th chain from hook (3-ch counts as one dc), and in each of next 7 chains. (8 dc)

Row 1: * Make point cluster in next chain. Dc in each of next 8 chains, make dip, dc in each of next 7 chains (equals 8 total dc for ripple slope.)* Repeat from * across.

Row 2: Change colors if needed, ch 3, turn. Dc in each of next 7 dc, skip next dc and make point cluster in next ch-2 loop. (You should have 8 dc and one "point" cluster of: dc, ch2, dc.)

The first slope of each row is the only time you will skip a dc, except when you make a dip. (This prevents you from adding a stitch with each new row.)

Then **dc in each of next 8 dc of previous row,make dip, dc in each of next 7 dc (8 dc total), make point cluster.** Repeat from ** across. Ch 3 and turn again. Repeat row 2 for all remaining rows.

Notes:

*****For beginning/ending of each row: you should have 8 dc & a point cluster. Point clusters are formed in the chain2 of previous row...they are pretty obvious when you get to them.

*****To make sure I don't accidentally add a dc in the first 8 stitches, I usually count my first 8 dc, then make the first point-cluster (skipping over the last dc before the point. ) You only have to do this skipping in the start of each row: the rest of the time, you can dc in each dc of previous row, except when you make dips .

It's easy to remember, 8up, make point, 8 down, make dip, repeat...and you just fly along.......!

Let me know if there are mistakes in my pattern....it's my first time writing a pattern! :)