Bijou - Free Shawlette Pattern!

SORRY - PATTERN NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Hi everyone!  Finally, at long last, the pattern for my Bijou Shawlette is available!

You can get this through my shop, or as a free Ravelry download, or from Craftsy.  

Here is more info:

This is a triangle shawl knit from the top down.

It uses only one skein of my Springy Sport, or you may substitute any similar yarn you like.

Materials:
1 skein 3 ply sport weight yarn - 328 yds/299 m - 3.5 oz/100 gr
US size 10 circular needle at least 32”
Cable or DPN
8 locking stitch markers
194 Japanese glass seed beads, size 6/0
Yarn needle for weaving in ends

Blocking pins, mats, wires or whatever you use to block your projects and wool wash such as SOAK are useful but not required.

Depending on your preferred method of stringing beads, you may need a piece of scrap yarn, crochet hook, etc.

Skills:
You should know how to knit, purl, make yarn overs, k2tog, p2tog, and ssk, and feel comfortable with cables. You should also feel comfortable working with beads.

Annaliese Shawl - FREE Knitting Pattern

I wanted to share this shawl pattern with you.  This is knit with my wonderful Silk Camel yarn!  So soft, and the drape is amazing.


This is a crescent shaped shawl for the intermediate knitter.

The lace edging is knit first, then stitches are picked up and knit along the edge to work the main body of the shawl.

You will need just 1 hank of my Silk Camel fingering weight yarn, or you may substitute any similar weight yarn.  You will also need a US size 10.5 needle; the edging can be knit on a straight needle, but a 32" circular needle is recommended to accommodate the stitches for the body of the shawl.

The shawl measures appx. 46" x 19" after blocking.

The skills required to knit the shawl are:
• Short row shaping
• Pick up and knit
• I-cord bind off
• Knit/K2tog/K2tog tbl/K3tog
• Purl/P2tog
• SSK
• Yarn overs – single/double/beginning of row
• Slip and pass stitches over

There are several ways to get the pattern:

From my Storenvy shop, add the pattern to your cart and checkout.  An email will be sent with the download link.   CLICK HERE

To download from Ravelry CLICK HERE

From Craftsy, place the pattern in your cart and checkout to download the pattern.  CLICK HERE

Celeste Cowl - New Knitting Pattern!

This is an easy lace pattern that takes only one hank of my Triple Luxury DK yarn, or you may substitute 3.5 oz / 252 yds of a similar yarn.  Sample was knit with the color Forest Dusk.


The finished size after blocking is appx. 30"x12".  Notes are given for making the cowl larger.

You will need to be comfortable working in the round on circular needles, know how to knit, purl, yo, slip/pass slipped stitches over.

You will need a 24" US size 8 circular needle, a stitch marker, yarn needle for weaving in loose ends, and wool wash or gentle soap (optional).

Pattern is written with a chart for the main stitch used.

Click HERE to purchase the pattern and yarn.

Calypso Shawl - Free Pattern!

MY YARN SHOP HAS CLOSED.  THIS YARN AND PATTERN ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Here is a free shawl pattern for you!  This is super easy and pretty quick to knit up. I wanted a shawl that wasn't just another triangle, or shaped in the usual way.  I had fun with shaping on this, and absolutely love how it turned out.

I used some of my Shimmer yarn, but you can use any fingering weight yarn you like.   (The color I used has sold out, but I do have a few other colors available in this yarn if you would like to use the same yarn!)  This is knit in garter stitch, so even a beginner can do this.

I used yarn overs as my increases, but you can use any increase you like.  The yarn overs at the beginning of the rows are for increasing, and you won't even see them once the shawl has been blocked.  If you will be using another increase, I would knit the first stitch, then work the increase - kfb just as an example.

I wanted to use up as much yarn as possible, without ending up having too little to finish my bind off, so my last increase section is significantly smaller than the others. You can stop and bind off before the last increase section, or you can even continue on if you want the shawl to be bigger.

Cocoon Cowl - FREE PATTERN

Cocoon Cowl

Here is a new free pattern for you all.  This uses Patons Roving yarn and US 11 needles, so it is a super quick knit.

You will need to know how to knit, knit through the back loop, slip stitches, and slip stitches purlwise through the back loop.  This is knit in the round, so you should also be comfortable using circular needles.  That said, it is a fairly simple pattern.

I did a video on this stitch pattern back in August of 2012, and have wanted to make something with it ever since.  It took a while to get around to it :-)


You can download the pattern for free from my Craftsy store by clicking on the picture below.

I hope you like the cowl!  If you make it, feel free to stop by my facebook page and share a picture!

Source: Cocoon Cowl via SapphiresnPurls on Craftsy

Bluebell Scarf

This is my Bluebell Scarf.  It is knit with one hank of my Alpaca Cloud yarn.   I am offering the pattern for this scarf free with the purchase of the yarn.

Finished size is appx. 8 x 47.5, knit with a US Size 5 needle. Written and charted instructions. The yarn is currently available in two colors, Bluebell and Berries and Cream.

You can get more info from my Storenvy shop HERE.

Knitted Valentine's Day Heart Pillow Pattern

Here is one of my cats, Tiger, modeling the Pillow Talk Valentine's Day Pillow!

This is a quick, easy project.  I used Christmas Red and White Cascade 220 yarn, but you can use any colors you like.  The heart used about 160 yards of yarn total. This is stuffed with polyester poly fill; I put as much in as I could, which is about 2 oz. but you can use more or less.  The letters are added with duplicate stitch using a few scant yards of scrap yarn.

If you don't know how to do duplicate stitch, you can find a video on my YouTube Channel.

The pattern is available for purchase from my Craftsy store.  The charted letters are included with the pattern.   Click on the picture below to go directly to my Craftsy store and purchase the pattern.

Source: Pillow Talk Valentine's Day Pillow via SapphiresnPurls on Craftsy

Duplicate Stitch

 Duplicate Stitch is a super easy way to embellish and add color to your knitting.  All you need is a yarn/tapestry needle, and a different color of the same yarn you used for your project.  Preferably the same, or at least the same weight, of yarn.  This really isn't set in stone - feel free to experiment with different types of yarn if you like.  Just do a small swatch in the yarns of your choice to see how you like it, before going right to work on your finished item.

 If you decide to use a different yarn for your motif, keep in mind that if you plan on laundering your item, the two yarns should have the same laundering requirements.

Here are some photos, and a video of duplicate stitch.  You can chart out your own design on graph paper, or try taking a look through a book such as the Harmony Guides Colorwork Stitches, or Vogue Stitchionary 3.

Basically, duplicate stitch is just tracing or covering up your stocking stitch Vs with another yarn.  For your first stitch, you will want to leave a short tail, about an inch, and hold it in place with your finger while you finish the first stitch, just to make sure the yarn doesn't get pulled all the way out.

While doing the heart in my sample, I worked from left to right on the first row, then right to left on the row above, and so on.  Try not to jump around here and there too much,  in order to keep the back of your work as neat as possible.

Also, don't pull too tightly on your yarn, as this will cause your fabric to bunch up and it won't look pretty at all.

To weave in your ends when you are done, just tuck the tails under a few of the stitches on the back of the work.

Step One:
Come up at the bottom of your V.

Step Two:
Cover the right leg of your V.  Slip your yarn needle under the two legs of the V above the stitch you are currently working on.

Step Three:
Cover the left leg of your V.  Push the needle down into the same spot you came up at in Step One.

You have now made one duplicate stitch.

Repeat this process until you have drawn your motif onto your project.  If you make a mistake, it is really easy to fix.  Just work the steps backwards to remove the stitch(es) you don't want.

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting!

PS
If you like the nails, you can find the Gradient Tutorial HERE

Knit a Mini Christmas Stocking

Each year, I plan some type of holiday project that never works out.  This year, I actually got it done in time!

This cute little stocking is a fairly quick knit. One stocking uses less than 100 yards of worsted weight yarn (I used Cascade 220), and you don't even have to use red/green/white.  My test knitter used pink/grey/white and it looks very pretty!

You can use these for decoration, or stuff them with a few small gifts, such as gift cards or maybe some cash.  A plane ticket to a nice quiet beach.... ok that is my wish, but you get the idea!

Don't be afraid if you have never knit in the round, on DPNs, or made a sock.  This is really easy, I promise!  My test knitter has never knit socks, and has only limited DPN experience, and she was able to complete hers in an evening.   That was without the video, using a pre-edited pattern.  She also promises it is very easy!

I have a video of knitting the stocking incase you need help; that along with the written instructions should give you a quick, easy knit that will be done in time for Christmas!

Click on the picture below to get the pattern.  Happy Christmas Knitting!

Ruffled Eyelet Scarf Pattern

 My latest pattern is now available for purchase!  This is a potato chip scarf, with an extra touch - eyelets along the edges where the scarf ruffles.    SORRY PATTERN NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This is knit with one skein of Patons Lace yarn on US Size 7 needles.  I used the color Bonfire, but this will look great in any of the other colors.

All you need to know for this scarf is knit, purl, yarn over, and short rows. (There is no wrapping with these short rows, although you could if you want to)  If you need help with any of these, I have videos on my YouTube channel that you can watch.

Here are some more pictures:

How to Knit Entrelac: An Entrelac Tutorial

At long last, here is the tutorial on Entrelac!  Below you will find a printable guide, with which you can knit a small sample of entrelac fabric.  When you feel comfortable with entrelac, you can use the directions here to create your own project.  Just substitute the number of stitches in the sample for however many stitches you want to use.

There is also a video demonstrating the small sample you can knit with the entrelac guide.  The video is in two parts, each about half an hour long.  I show the sample knit from cast on to bind off - how to knit the base or foundation triangles, the right side triangles/rectangles, the left triangles and wrong side rectangles, and finally the bind off triangles.

This tutorial is for knitting entrelac flat.  I also have a tutorial for Seamless Entrelac / Entrelac in the Round HERE.



This tutorial is just bare bones entrelac; there are many creative ways to expand on the basic entrelac I show you here.  As I mention in the guide, there are a couple of books on Entrelac that I know of (the first one I have), and a Craftsy class on Entrelac.  Here are the links:


Entrelac: The Essential Guide to Interlace Knitting

Entree to Entrelac: The Definitive Guide from a Biased Knitter

HERE is the class on Craftsy, taught by Gwen Bortner

Entrelac Tutorial

And here are the two videos:

New Knitting Videos and Tutorial

Happy Friday everyone!  For those who don't follow me on Facebook, or maybe just didn't see the post, I have decided to redo all of my old knitting videos.  I have been making how-to videos since early 2008.  It is going to take a while to get them all done!  At the beginning, I only had a digital camera to record with.  The camera would record for 3 minutes and then stop.  So in addition to poor quality video, there were many stops and starts in the videos.  Not long ago, I got a real video camera! I am now able to record clear, HD videos from start to finish.  If you are familiar with my videos, I'm sure you noticed the difference!  I have also been playing around with different editing music, etc. on the videos trying to decide what I like best.  I think I finally have a format that works well and most people seem to like.  I will be adding these videos on the weekends, along with the regular stitch videos that I do.

So.  I have added a new tab to the top of the blog which will have links to all of my videos.  Not all of them are available right now.  It is going to take time for me to redo everything; I will be adding the links as I go.  The videos are not being done in any particular order.   Also, all of the stitch pattern videos I have done in the past will be going into a new tab on The Weekly Stitch.

I have also finished my entrelac project that I will be giving away as a free pattern to go with the tutorial.  I hope to have that up this weekend.

Hope everyone likes the new videos and tutorial.  Thanks for visiting my blogs.  Happy Knitting!

4th of July - Stars 'n Stripes Dish Cloth - Free Pattern

Hi everyone!  Here is a free pattern for you to knit for the Fourth of July, which is right around the corner.  This uses Lily Sugar n Cream self striping yarn, so all you have to do is knit.

The stitches you need to know for this pattern are:  knit, purl, yarn over, purl three together.  If you don't know how to do the star stitch, here is a video:

June 20, 2012 - I used my cloth for the first time tonight, and the red has bled a little bit into the white.  There is also a little bit of bleeding from the blue, but not much.  This doesn't bother me, but I wanted to let everyone else know in case it may be an issue.  


Stars 'n Stripes Dish Cloth

How to make Pom Poms

These were made with the Clover Pom Pom Maker

If you plan to make a lot of Pom Poms, then you will probably want to invest in some of the hard plastic pom pom makers you find in the craft stores. They are easy to use and come in all different sizes.  I find the instructions that come with Clover's tool a bit lacking, so here is a video.

This pom pom was made using materials you probably have around the house

If you only want to make a pom pom here and there, then it really isn't necessary to purchase a pom pom maker.  All you need to make your own pom pom maker is some cardboard, a pen or pencil, and two circular objects.  One should be a bit smaller than the other.  The size of your circle determines the size of your pom pom.  And you need scissors, of course.

With the larger circle, trace two circles on the cardboard.  Then, place the smaller circle in the middle of the larger one, and trace it.  Cut out each circle using the line of the larger circle.  Then, cut straight up to the line of the smaller circle, and cut that out as well. Finally, all you have to do is place the pieces of cardboard on top of each other, making sure the straight cuts line up.  Wrap your yarn around the forms until they are covered.  The straight cut you made will allow you to easily wrap the yarn around the cardboard.  The more yarn you use, the fluffier your pom pom will be.  When you are done winding, cut the yarn.  You will then need to cut a length of yarn to tie your pom pom together.  But before you can tie it all together, you need to cut it.  Make sure your scissors are sharp, and stick them in between the cardboard and cut all the way around.  Once all of the yarn has been cut, slip the length of yarn between the pieces of cardboard and tie a couple of tight knots.  Remove the cardboard and you have a pom pom !  Trim it up a bit if necessary.  Use the strands you used to tie the pom pom to attach it to hats, scarves or whatever you like.

You could use a plastic lid (from a coffee can, etc.) to make your pom pom forms if you want something a bit more sturdy than cardboard.  

And here is a video on home made pom pom making.  

Entrelac - New tutorial coming soon!

Hi everyone!  I just wanted to take a minute to thank all who stop by and read my little blog.  Also, The Weekly Stitch blog too!  You may not have noticed, but both blogs are now just a .com, instead of the .blogspot.com!

I will soon be posting a tutorial on entrelac knitting.  I will have a free pattern to go along with the tutorial, and a video as well.

I am also working on a couple patterns which will be available for sale in my little area of Craftsy.  I am really excited about these ones!

You can find me on Facebook, Twitter (mainly just for tweeting the new stitch videos) and other places around the web.  I am BibbityBobble over on Ravelry.

I am still doing the podcast - it is now a video which I post to YouTube.

Hope all your knitting adventures are successful.  Come back soon!

Autumn Acorn Cowl

This is my latest pattern.  I chose the name because the colors of the yarn remind me of the beautiful fall colors, and the acorn cable stitch pattern I used.  You are, of course, free to use any color of yarn you like!  Gauge is not critical for this pattern, and feel free to substitute any other medium weight, similar yarn if you are not able to find the one I used.

This pattern uses a yarn called Waves, which is a 70% wool / 30% soy blend.  (Same as Patons SWS, which has been discontinued).

This is a fairly quick knit, and great for keeping the chill away.  You can purchase the pattern over on Craftsy.

Here are some pictures of the blocking and seaming done on the cowl.  Blocking is optional, but I do recommend it to open up the beautiful cable stitch pattern.  You don't need anything special to block the cowl.  I just pinned mine onto a towel on the bedroom floor.  Just be sure you have a place that is out of reach of toddlers, cats and any other curious creatures.

For the seaming up, use any method you like.  I like to sew under the stitches of the cast on and bind off edges, and pull the needle up through the loop of the yarn on the needle. This makes a firm seam that is nice and neat.

Here are the pictures, and there is also a video demonstration of the Acorn Stitch over on The Weekly Stitch, incase you need some help.

Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

Cowl being blocked

Finished seam on the right side 

Sewing the cast on and bind off edges together

Pulling the yarn through the loop to seam up

Converting Flat Stitch Patterns for Round Knitting

This is just a little tutorial I put together to help you out if you would like to knit something in the round, but aren't sure how to get the stitch pattern to work out.  I will be perfectly honest - this is not an easy thing for me!  It does take me a little while before I "get it" with some stitch patterns.  So, you are not alone if you aren't able to convert stitch patterns easily.  I do get a thrill when I finally figure out some of the trickier ones, which is what makes me keep trying different patterns.  Practice makes perfect - so don't get discouraged if something doesn't work out the first time.  Keep trying!

Of course I did not come up with this information on my own.  This all can be found in Barbara Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting, as well as various other places on the web.  Also, Margaret Radcliffe has a new book due out in just a few short weeks, called Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round.  I pre-ordered this back in December and have been so anxious to get it, I keep checking to see if maybe it will be released sooner!  This book is supposed to have information on converting stitch patterns for knitting in the round, which is the reason I want it.

Below are instructions along with a few stitches for you to try out to get your needles going if you have never converted flat to round knitting.  You can print this tutorial out so you can have it in your hands - which I find is a lot easier than having to constantly looking at the computer.  There is also a free hat pattern using Star Stitch for you to print out too.  Last but not least, there is a video briefly going over the tutorial and I will show you the stitches given in the tutorial.

I hope this tutorial is helpful, and that you like the hat pattern.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy!

Converting Flat Stitch Patterns for Knitting in the Round

Quite Contrary Scarf Pattern

I am pleased to offer this lovely scarf pattern for sale over on Craftsy!  Click HERE to go to the pattern.  It is $3.50 to download the pattern.  The scarf is knit with Cascade Ultra Pima, which is a soft, luxurious 100% cotton yarn that comes in a rainbow of beautiful colors.  The color pictured is Periwinkle.

There is also a video to help with some of the techniques used in the scarf you may not be familiar with.

Lacy Ruffle Scarf

Lacy Ruffle Scarf

Knit a Potato Chip Scarf - Flutter Scarf

Flutter Scarf in Mongolian Cashmere, 2 Ply from Jade Sapphire.  I used the color Candy Girl.  - Free Pattern is below.  Want more ruffles?  Check out my Amazing Curly Scarf!

Potato Chip scarf, spiral scarf, ruffle scarf - whatever you call it, this scarf is girly and cute.  The first time I saw this type of scarf was in a yarn shop in New Jersey a couple of years ago.  I was looking at it, trying to figure out how it was done.  The shop owner said it was done with short rows.  I had only briefly played with short rows at that point, and wasn't really that sure how to knit something using short rows. I was afraid to ask, and too cheap to purchase the pattern.  I have now sort of figured out short rows, and came up with this scarf.

There are many ways to make a potato chip scarf.  Below I have some links so you can see some of the different methods - they are really all very similar and produce a scarf that looks like mine.

Knitting short rows creates wedges, which in turn creates the ruffles, or waves, or potato chips on the scarf.  This scarf does spiral, but not quite as much as the Amazing Curly Scarf pattern I posted a while back.  I did not wrap my stitches before turning, however you may do so if you like.  You can find more info on short rows and wrapping and turning here if you don't know how.  

For my scarf, I started out by knitting a small number of stitches, then worked up to a larger number before knitting all the way across to work the other side.  I left one stitch up the middle which is only knit on the full row - it is left unworked as I knit the wedges on the sides.  Some patterns use over lapping wedges, others do not have a middle, unworked stitch.  Some start out working more stitches and then wind down to a fewer number before the full row.  I recommend playing around and trying different methods to see what you like in whichever yarn you choose to use.  Keep in mind that your ruffles will not appear right away - you will be a good several inches in on the scarf before you begin to see the ruffles.   And, when you bind off, the scarf will shape itself to match the cast on edge.  I like to refer to the edges as bows, because that's what they look like to me.

LINKS

Rustic Potato Chip Scarf
Potato Chip Scarf
Helix Scarf



Here is a video to give you the general idea of knitting potato chip scarves.  Enjoy!