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)”.

Exciting News!

Whoop whoop! I'm this week's Cut Out and Keep Knit and Crochet Superstar. Every day this week a pattern will be released on Cut Out and Keep. You can read the interview and see the links to the patterns here. 

First pattern up, my Lomond Hat:

Handspun Star Hat

 Unisex hat in a simple cable pattern shows off the beautiful colours in handspun yarn. This was the first time I had bought handpainted fibre to spin, and watching the colours change as I knitted this up was fascinating. The decreases at the top make a star shape and I added a few tiny star-shaped buttons as a cute detail. The buttons could be omitted (and perhaps more sober yarn used) for a manly version. I also include instructions to avoid the “scalloped” look at the edge. The hat is very stretchy, and will fit more or less any head. While the yarn in the picture is my own handspun yarn, I have suggested several commercially available alternatives.

Yarn: Handspun yarn from handpainted fibre or for example: Malabrigo merino worsted, Cascade yarns sierra, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. You need 120m in total.

Needles: 5 mm/US 8 dpns

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4” in stocking stitch.

Size: Stretches to fit most heads.

Extras: One 5mm / US 8 cable needle, and some buttons and embroidery thread if desired.

Notation:

CO = cast on

k = knit

p = purl

dpn = double pointed needle.

pm = place marker

slm = slip marker

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

K2tog = knit two stitches together

C6F = slip 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold to the front of your work, knit the next 3 stitches from left-hand needle, then the three stitches from the cable needle.

Cable Pattern

Round 1: *k6 p2* to end of round.

Round 2: As round 1.

Round 3: *C6F p2* to end of round.

Round 4: As round 1.

Directions

CO 120 stitches over 3 dpns and join in the round. Work in Cable Pattern until hat measures 6.5”. You might want to make it a little shorter/longer if you have a particularly small/large head. Also, if you want to avoid the scalloped look at the edge of the hat, work in k6 p2 rib for 4 rounds before starting the cable pattern. After 6.5”, ending on round 3, work decreases as follows:

Decrease set up row: k3 pm *k3 (p2 k6) twice p2 k3 pm* to last 21 stitches, k3 (p2 k6) twice p2.

It's easier to give instructions if the start of the round is the first marker, so k3 and we'll start rounds at the marker from now on .

Decrease round 1: *slm k2tog k1 (p2 k6) twice, p2 k1 ssk* to end of round (110 stitches).

Decrease round 2: *slm k2 (p2 k6) twice, p2 k2* to end of round.

Decrease round 3: *slm k2tog (p2 C6F) twice p2 ssk* to end of round (100 stitches).

Decrease round 4: *slm k1 (p2 k6) twice p2 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 5: *slm k2tog p1 k6 p2 k6 p1 ssk* to end of round (90 stitches).

Decrease round 6: *slm k1 p1 k6 p2 k6 p1 k1* to end of round.

Decrease round 7: *slm k2tog C6F p2 C6F ssk* to end of round (80 stitches).

Decrease round 8: *slm k7 p2 k7* to end of round.

Decrease round 9: *slm k2tog k5 p2 k5 ssk* to end of round (70 stitches).

Decrease round 10: *slm k2tog k4 p2 k4 ssk* to end of round (60 stitches).

Decrease round 11: *slm k2tog k3 p2 k3 ssk* to end of round (50 stitches).

Decrease round 12: *slm k2tog k2 p2 k2 ssk* to end of round (40 stitches).

Decrease round 13: *slm k2tog k1 p2 k1 ssk* to end of round (30 stitches).

Decrease round 14: *slm k2tog p2 ssk* to end of round (20 stitches).

Decrease round 15: *slm k2tog ssk* to end of round (10 stitches).

Cut the yarn leaving a 10'' tail. Thread this through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Sew over the hole a couple of times and weave in any loose ends.

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!