crafts not crack!

back from the dead

2009-08-11T15:18:00.002-04:00

Ok, going to try to get the blog up and running again, as it's a great pattern dump.

Pattern: Burda 8123, view B
Print: "Bad Luck Club" by Alexander Henry

2007-09-08T22:00:00.000-04:00

this is what happens when you sit on a knitting needle.

2.5 mm

amazing

2007-07-22T21:20:00.000-04:00

the best fabric in the world ever.

isn't this nice

2007-07-05T16:29:00.002-04:00

My aunt, April, made me a lovely birthday card. She does very nice things with paper.

2007-06-19T19:25:00.000-04:00

28g wire
6mm bamboo needles
assorted clasps and findings

<3

Something red...

2007-06-11T15:01:00.000-04:00

Delicas with size 10 seeds and garnet.

Rag tunics

2007-06-06T19:22:00.001-04:00

14 balls R2 Rag by Rowan/Westminster Fibres (25 yards/100% cotton)
(10 for short sleeve version)
15 mm circular needles
stitch markers
scrap yarn
thread in corresponding colour

Gauge: 8 sts = 4 inches (2 sts to the inch)

Size: Fits bust 32-36

Tip for working with this yarn: because this yarn has such short yardage, you may wish to sew the ends of each ball together with a sewing machine to create one giant ball before beginning (this can be done by hand if you don't have a sewing machine). Also, instead of weaving ends in, I simply folded the ends inside the garment and sewed them into place. Weaving your ends in traditionally could leave massive lumps in your fabric.

Yarn substitutions: 3 strands of worsted weight yarn will get the gauge, and create a rather loose, gauzy fabric. One strand of super bulky weight and one strand of worsted will also work, creating a more dense fabric. Play around with yarn weight/colour combinations until you find something awesome.

Instructions are for the long sleeved version, read notes for short sleeved version.

CO 36 sts
1st round: k3, pm, k15, pm, k3, pm, k15, pm
(For short sleeved version, use YO increases instead of kfb)

Increase rounds:
1: kfb, *K to 1 st before marker, kfb, slip marker, kfb. Repeat from * to end
2: knit

Repeat these rows 6 times, total of 7 increases (92 sts - 17 each for sleeves, 29 each for front/back)

Slip 17 sts to scrap yarn, k29, slip 17 to scrap yarn, k29. 58 sts.
(For short sleeved version, BO 17 sleeve sts on last increase round, then work in stockinette stitch for desired length or until yarn runs out)

Work in stockinette stitch until piece measures approximately 25 inches from neckline. BO.

Pick up 17 sleeve sts.

Knit across, pick up 3. Place marker.
Knit 25 rounds. BO.

Finish with sewing machine or stitch by hand.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

2007-06-02T15:10:00.000-04:00

Wash your wool.

Boil it in Kool Aid.

Try another colour.

Let 'er dry.

Make a hat.

Wicked Sweet Vest

2007-05-29T01:39:00.000-04:00

Materials:
DK / worsted weight yarn
4mm and 3.5 mm circular
3.5 mm crochet hook (optional, see note)
stitch markers
stitch holders/waste yarn

Gauge: 21 sts = 4 inches on 4mm needles

Bust: 30(32)

Notes:
- This vest is worked in the round until the neck opening. The round begins at the centre front. This makes sense, trust me.
- I did 3 rounds of single crochet around the bottom, because I just like crochet. That's my thing. If you prefer ribbing, just start with a tighter cast on (I use a cable cast on for ribbing) and work 3 rounds of ribbing then continue the pattern as written ignoring the crochet part.
- The armholes on mine could stand to be a little bit looser. They've stretched out, but you may wish to knit yours a bit more than 7 inches. That's your prerogative.
- This vest should be in a loud colour. Brown is not acceptable.
- This pattern is only one size, but is easily adaptable. Just add stitches where you need 'em.
- I used a recycled cotton yarn, but good substitutes would be Butterfly Super 10 Mercerized cotton or Nova yarn's Bio Bamboo. Sorry I don't really know how much, but I'd say 400 metres to be safe.

Using knitted cast on and 4mm circular, CO 156(168). Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work in stockinette st for 5 inches.
Next round: BO first st. Knit to end of round. Turn work.

Row 1: Purl. Turn work.
Row 2: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.

Repeat these rows 15(16) more times, total of 16(17) decreases. 123(131)sts.
Work even in stockinette st until work measures 15" from beginning.

Armholes!

K19(21), BO 9, K67(73), BO 9, K19(21).

Slip front sts to holders or waste yarn. Join new yarn for back.

Row 1: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Row 2: Purl.

Repeat 4(5) more times. 59(61) sts.

Work in stockinette until armhole measures 7".
Last row: K13(14), BO to last 13(14) sts, K13(14). Place shoulder sts on holders/waste yarn.

Work fronts as for back. Join shoulders with 3 needle bind off or kitchener stitch.

Starting at bottom side, work 3 rounds single crochet. Fasten off.

Starting at shoulder, pick up approx. 302 sts around neckline with 3.5 circular. Be sure to pick up one stitch right in the middle of the V, and put a marker before and after it. Work in K1, P1 rib. 2 sts before marker, SSK, K1, K2tog. Continue in rib. Work 3 rounds, then BO in pattern.

Weave in ends, block, be awesome.

Summer knits.

2007-05-28T16:35:00.000-04:00

Pattern: freestyle.
Yarn: Recycled cotton from $3 Salvation Army sweater. I named the colour "happy happy".
Needles: 4mm circ for body, 3.5 mm for ribbing
About: Knit in the round to the neck opening (starting point is actually front centre), knit back and forth, then split again at armholes. The bottom is 3 rounds single crochet, neck edging 3 rounds 1x1 rib, armholes are raw. They don't really curl as this is a very form-fitting knit.

Pattern: Hello Yarn's skull mini-tote (sans-skull)
Yarn: Noro Kureyon, colour 182. Approx 1.5 balls.
Needles: 6.5 mm
Notes: I sucks big at lining bags. Pin from Avon

sexxxy

2007-05-28T16:18:00.000-04:00

Yarn: Lion Brand Microspun, "Ebony". Approx 2.5 balls
Needles: 3.5mm circular
Mods: I substituted elastic in place of 1x1 ribbing for the straps. Lazy crafting, yes...

nick's hat

2007-05-19T17:07:00.001-04:00

Yarn: mostly Lion Wool with Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Worsted (green) and Paton's Classic Merino Wool (blue). A pastiche of scraps, if you will.
Needles: 4mm circular/dpns
Notes: pretty basic construction, knit from the bottom up with 4-corner decreasing. Earflaps picked up and worked afterwards in garter stitch.
Overall: totally awesome.

some FO's.

2007-04-22T15:26:00.000-04:00

Pattern: mine
Yarn: Paton's Divine (3-ish balls?)
Needles: 8mm circular, 5mm crochet hook

Pattern: Striped Vest from VK Fall '06
Yarn: Mark's and Katten's Natura
Needles: 3.5 and 3.75 mm

Pattern: mine
Yarn: R2 rag, 100% Cotton
Needles: 15 mm circular
Stuff: this yarn is super cool. It's like knitting with bias tape. It's a thick yarn, but the combination of cotton and big, loose stitches makes it a great summer garment.

entrelac, bitches

2007-03-24T17:07:00.002-04:00

2 balls Paton's SWS in Natural Plum
4.5 mm circular
Based on the entrelac tutorial in the Spring 07 Interweave Knits
It looks cool inside, too, doesn't it?

BRMC - the dishcloth.

2007-03-05T21:15:00.001-05:00

yeah, i'm excited.
baby 81 out may 1st.
www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com

groovy, dude.

2007-02-25T01:32:00.001-05:00

viewer discretion is advised

2007-02-17T16:03:00.000-05:00

yarn: unknown cotton blend
needles: 4 mm, 4mm and 3.5 mm hooks
pattern: free style.

beep

2007-02-14T16:48:00.000-05:00