Courie In

Please not that Courie In is no longer available as a free pattern. However, it is available to purchase in an improved form with additional sizes and instructions for shorter versions and a version with three-quarter length sleeves. 

"Courie in" is a Scottish phrase meaning to "snuggle up" - and it's the perfect name for this oversized, supremely warm, wrap front cardigan. This is a real winter warmer, ideal for nestling into with a mug of cocoa on a cold day. And it's so quick to knit! This cardigan has a slightly unusual construction. Sleeves are knitted first from cuff to centre back, then both sleeves are joined with a three needle bind off. Stitches are picked up at the bottom edge from armpit to armpit and worked down to the hem to form the back. Then stitches are picked up round the front to form the garter stitch wrap front.

Here are the details:

Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Superwash Merino Bulky in Heather Grey. 6 (7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15) skeins = 654 (763, 981, 1090, 1308, 1526, 1635) yards

Dimensions 
To fit bust: 30-32 (34-36, 38-40, 42-44, 46-48, 50-52, 54-56)” Across back: 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27)” 
Sleeve length: 15 (16, 17, 17.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5)” 
Upper arm circumference: 12.5 (13, 14, 14.5, 16, 17, 17.5)” 
Length armpit to hem: 14.5 (15.5, 16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 19.5, 20.5)”

Needles: 100cm/40” 8mm/US11 circular needle, 8mm/US11 dpns if you wish to avoid using “magic loop”.

Gauge: 10sts x 17 rows = 4” in Double Moss Stitch after blocking. Note that the weight of the cardigan whilst damp will cause it to stretch out more than a small swatch will.

Extras: Crochet hook for weaving in loose ends, stitch markers.

It's available to download on Ravelry and Craftsy. 

Christmas Sale Part 1 - Lace

Time to start knitting for Christmas!

I'm not sure how everyone else is feeling, but I'm starting to panic about my Christmas knitting. I'm aiming to knit eleven gifts by Christmas and haven't started one! So as an act of solidarity with the knitting community, I'm offering a 30% discount on lace patterns for the next two weeks to make things a little bit easier!

Coupon code is "XmasLace" and all my lace patterns can be found in a Ravelry Bundle.

Hate knitting lace? We'll be running sales on cabled, basic and quick-to-knit patterns too. (Thought having quick-to-knit patterns last and fancy lacy ones first was the most sensible order!)

Sweet and Simple Cushion

A cute cushion cover that knits up quickly using chunky pencil roving. This is a simple knit which uses a couple of clever techniques to give a neat finish. You cast on using a figure-8 cast on so there is no seam at the bottom. Then you use a three-needle bind off at the top with the cushion pad inside so there is no seaming at all. This is a quick knit that would make a great housewarming gift, maybe knit up two or three in complementary colours.

Yarn: Corriedale Pencil Roving

2 x 200g skeins at 130m/143yds per skein

Gauge: 8.5sts and 11 rows = 10cm in stocking stitch with 10mm/US 15 needles

Needles: One 10mm/US 15 100cm/40”

circular needle for working magic loop, one spare straight needle.

Extras: Two stitch markers, crochet hook for weaving in ends, one 40cm x 40cm cushion pad

Dimensions:

To fit a 40cm x 40cm cushion pad.

Notation:

k = knit

p = purl

pm = place marker

slm = slip marker

ssk = slip two stitches knitwise onto right hand needle, then knit them together with left hand needle.

k2tog = knit the next two stitches together.

s = slip purlwise

Instructions

Cast on 72 stitches using a figure 8 cast-on, with 36 stitches on each side of the needle. Place marker for beginning of round, and one 36 stitches from the beginning of the round to mark the halfway point.

Work stockinette stitch in the round ( i.e. knit every round) using magic loop method, until the cushion measures 42cm from cast on. Your cushion pad should fit comfortably inside the cover, without the need to stretch it. Put the cushion inside the cover now, and we will bind off with it inside.

Starting from the beginning of the round, we'll cast off stitches using a three-needle bind off. A youtube video showing how to work the three-needle bind off can be found here. However, instead of having stitches on two dpns, we will be knitting together stitches from the two points of you circular needle, and rather than turning the work so that the right sides are facing, we will continue with the two wrong sides facing in. This will leave a ridge at the top which makes a cute feature.

Written instructions for the three-needle bind off are as follows:

Remove stitch marker for beginning of round. Push the first and last stitches in the round to the tips of the needle points, then knit these two stitches together with your spare straight needle.

Push the second and second from last stitches in the round to the ends of the needles, and knit these two stitches together using your spare straight needle.

Slip the original stitch on your straight needle over the stitch you've just worked, as in a normal bind off.

Continue this process: knit the next two stitches at the tips of your circular needle together, then pass the previous stitch on your straight needle over this one.

When you reach the last stitch on your straight needle, cut the yarn leaving a 20cm tail, pass this through the loop on your straight needle and pull it tight.

Thread the loose ends into the cushion cover using your crochet hook and you're done!

And a quick plug: Queen's Park Cardigan is now available to purchase on Ravelry, Craftsy and in my Etsy shop.

  It's a fitted cardigan with a flattering drape front in a pretty lace pattern. This is a simple but stunning knit that could be dressed up or down. Queen's Park Cardigan is knitted from the top down with set in sleeves, neat twisted rib edgings and an oversized blanket front. Using sportweight yarn on larger than normal needles and blocking creates an airy fabric with beautiful drape. The lace pattern is simple and suitable for a first lace project, with only a four row repeat. Instructions for 8 sizes are given: to fit bust 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54, 56-58)”.

Lomond Hat

A cute hat that'll keep your ears warm. Knits up quickly in cosy chunky yarn.

Yarn: Quince and Co. Puffin, one skein = 112 yards/102 metres

Needles: One 6.5mm/US 10½ 100cm/40” circular needle, plus four 6.5mm/US 10½ double pointed needles if not using magic loop method.

Gauge: 12 stitches = 4” in stocking stitch using 6.5mm/US 10½ needles.

Dimensions: To fit an average ladies head (about 22” around).

Notation:

k = knit

p = purl

k2tog = knit next two stitches together

w&t = wrap and turn.

dc = double crochet (please note that in the USA this is called single crochet!)

Techniques

Wrap and Turn

On the right side:

Bring yarn to the front, slip next stitch (this is the “wrapped stitch”) onto right hand needle, bring yarn to the back, slip wrapped stitch back onto left hand needle, turn your work.

On the wrong side:

Bring yarn to the back, slip next stitch (this is the “wrapped stitch”) onto right hand needle, bring yarn to the front, slip wrapped stitch back onto left hand needle, turn your work.

See youtube video here.

To work a wrapped stitch together with its wrap:

When you get to the wrapped stitch, lift the wrap (the bit of yarn wrapping round the wrapped stitch) onto the end of the left hand needle and knit/purl this together with the wrapped stitch.

Youtube video here.

Stitch Patterns

Double Moss Stitch:

Row 1: *k1 p1* to end of row.

Row 2: *k1 p1* to end of row.

Row 3: *p1 k1* to end of row.

Row 4: *p1 k1* to end of row.

Stockinette Stitch in the round:

Knit every round.

Directions:

Moss Stitch Band

Cast on 56 stitches, do not join in the round. Work in Double Moss Stitch for 3”. Either join in the round and place marker for beginning of round working using magic loop method, or transfer to four double pointed needles for working in the round.

Short Row Shaping

You should have 56 stitches joined in the round. Place four more markers (we'll call them M1, M2, M3 and M4) as follows:

Place M1 after stitch 17, M2 after stitch 21, M3 after stitch 35 and M4 after stitch 39. Knit to one stitch before M4, w&t. Purl to one stitch before M1, w&t. Knit to one stitch before M3, w&t. Purl to one stitch before M2, w&t.

Crown

Work in stockinette stitch in the round. In the first round after the short row shaping, work wraps together with wrapped stitches. You can remove M1, M2, M3 and M4 after you've done this. Continue working in stockinette until the stockinette section measures 3”, measuring at the beginning of the round. Now decrease as follows:

Decrease round 1: *k6 k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 2: knit.

Decrease round 3: *k5 k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 4: knit.

Decrease round 5 *k4 k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 6: knit.

Decrease round 7: *k3 k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 8: *k2 k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *k1 k2tog* to end of round.

Decrease round 10: *k2tog* to end of round.

You should have 7 stitches left. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6” tail. Thread the long tail onto a needle, and slip the 7 remaining stitches onto the thread. Pull tight and sew over the little hole at the top a few times.

Finishing

Starting from where you joined in the round, dc right round the bottom edge of the hat. Make up a 3” pompom and sew to the top of the hat. Weave in any loose ends and you're done!

Copyright Littletheorem

Superchunky Glam Headband

Please note: this pattern is now available to download as a pdf from Craftsy for $2. It will still be freely available on this blog, but I thought people might want the opportunity to download a pdf version.

A cute bow headband in a superbulky luxury yarn. This headband knits up incredibly speedily, perfect for a last minute gift. 

Yarn : Debbie Bliss Como, one 50g ball ( = 42 metres) . 

Needles : 10mm / US 15 needles.

Gauge:  10 sts = 4'' in stocking stitch.

Size: To fit an average adult head. It's 18'' around but stretches to be approx 22'' around.

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

Directions

First make the headband:

Cast on 11 stitches. Work every row the same:

*k1 p1* to last stitch, k1.

Keep going until your headband is around 18'' long. Bind off and sew the short sides together to make a loop. 

Now make the "knot" part for the front:

Cast on 7 stitches. Again, work every row the same:

*k1 p1 * to last stitch, k1.

Keep going until the "knot" is 5'' long.

Now comes the (slightly) trick bit. Wrap the 5'' "knot" around the headband (preferably covering the headband seam) and sew its shorter ends together. 

Weave in any loose ends and you're done!