Pea Soup Cushion

This one was commissioned by my parents for their new uberflat in Glasgow. My Mum loves this retro kind of green, and wanted something simple but not just stocking stitch. They seemed pretty pleased with it, and I hope you'll like the pattern too! 

     

I'm sure this stitch pattern must have a name, it seems so simple. (I actually copied it from a pair of my boyfriend's mum's handknitted ovengloves!) I'm going to refer to it as pea soup stitch: it's pretty smooth with the odd lump, and the colour's about right. If you know the real name please let me know! 

Yarn : Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, 8 balls = 728m, held double throughout.

Needles :  8 mm/US 11

Gauge:  Held singly, gauge is 18sts/ 4'' in stocking stitch with 5mm/US 8 needles.

            Held double, gauge is 11 sts/ 4'' in stocking stitch with 8mm / US 11 needles.

Size: To fit a 45cm x 45cm cushion pad.

Extras: You might want a couple of buttons and a crochet hook to crochet some button loops.

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

Directions:

Pea Soup Stitch: 

Row 1: k2 *p1 k1* to last stitch, k1.

Row 2: purl.

Row 3 k1 *p1 k1* to end.

Row 4: purl.

With yarn held double, CO 45 stitches. Work in pea soup stitch until cushion cover measures 100cm, then bind off loosely. Fold up the the bottom leaving 12cm at the top as shown below (i.e. fold up the bottom 44cm). 

Pin in place and sew up the sides using mattress stitch. 

Fold the top 12cm over and sew in place down the sides.

You might want to sew a couple of buttons on as shown below, I crocheted two button loops for them by working 10 chain stitches from the "bind off" edge with a 5mm crochet hook (yarn held singly). 

Weave in loose ends and you're done!

New design on Etsy and Ravelry!

Great news! Another lovely pattern is up for sale on Ravelry and in my Etsy shop.

The Avena cowl is a beautiful lace cowl in a lovely fuzzy yarn. An understated lace design which could be dressed up or down, it would go equally well with jeans and a t-shirt as with evening dress. The pattern is simple and elegant, pretty but not too fussy.

 The lace pattern is easy to memorize, each repeat has only four rows, two of which are just knit! This cowl would make a gorgeous gift, and it's quick to knit with aran yarn on large 6mm/US 8 needles, and it only uses one skein!

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!

This Just In: World's Softest Hat Found!

 I knitted this one up for my brother's birthday. To make it totally complaint-proof, I made it the softest yarn I could find in John Lewis haberdashery section. After twenty minutes or so of skein-fondling I came across this gem, it really is at the pinnacle of itch-freeness. However, it's also a little fuzzy for the cable pattern to come through as well as it might. This was perfect for me, knowing that most menfolk prefer an understated hat, but if you want the cables to really show you might want a smoother yarn. 

Yarn : Rowan Lima, one 50g ball ( = 100 metres) . 

Needles : Four 5mm/US 8 dpns plus a cable needle.

Gauge:  20 sts in stocking stitch using 5.5 mm needles (although note this pattern uses 5mm needles, having said that, using 5.5mm needles would be fine too.... )

Size: To fit an average adult head, stretches to be approx 22'' around and 9'' high.

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

p2tog = purl two stitches together

sl = slip (with yarn held to the back of your work)

C3B = slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next stitch on the left hand needle, then the two from the cable needle.

C3F = slip one stitch onto the cable needle and hold at the front of your work. Knit the next two stitches from the left hand needle, then the one on the cable needle.

C4B = slip the next two stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next two stitches on the left hand needle, then the two from the cable needle.

Directions: 

Cable Pattern:

Row 1: *p2 k7 p2 k1 p2 k1 p2 k4 p2 k1 p2 k1* to end of row.

Row 2: *p2 k7 p2 sl1 p2 sl1 p2 k4 p2 sl1 p2 sl1* to end of row.

Row 3: *p2 c3b k1 c3f p2 k1 p2 k1 p2 c4b p2 k1 p2 k1* to end of row.

Row 4: As row 2.

CO 81 stitches. Work in k2 p1 rib for 10 rows, or until ribbed section is 1 1/2 inches high. Now work in cable pattern until hat measures around 7'' from cast on edge, making sure to end on row 4 of the cable pattern.

Work decreases as follows:
Row 1: *p2 k7 p2 k1 p2tog k1 p2tog k4 p2 k1 p2tog k1* to end of row.
Row 2: *p2 k7 p2 sl1 p1 sl1 p1 k4 p2 sl1 p1 sl1* to end of row.
Row 3: *p2tog c3b k1 c3f p2tog k1 p1 k1 p1 c4b p2tog k1 p1 k1* to end of row.
Row 4: *p1 k7 p1 sl1 p1 sl1 p1 k4 p1 sl1 p1 sl1* to end of row.
Row 5: *p1 k7 p1 k2tog twice k4 k2tog p1 k1 * to end of row
Row 6: knit
Row 7: *k4 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 8: knit
Row 9: *k3 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 10: knit
Row 11: *k2 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 12: knit
Row 13: *k1 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 14: *k2tog* to end of row.

9 stitches remain. Cut the yarn leaving a 6'' tail. Thread this onto a needle and pass through the remaining stitches, slipping them off the dpns as you go. Pull the thread tight to close the hole at the top of the hat and secure the tail inside the hat. Weave in loose ends.

Crochet Button Bracelet

 This is a super quick and easy crochet pattern for a cute bracelet.

Yarn: About a metre or two of any embroidery thread

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7 crochet hook and large eyed needle.

 
Extras: One cute button, crimp bead (optional) and pliers (optional). 


Directions:


Using a large eyed needle, thread the button onto your embroidery thread about 20'' away from the end (see picture).

 

Make a slip knot about 3'' from the end of the thread, and chain until you're bracelet is as long as you want it to be (i.e. so it's quite tight round your wrist, but fits over your hand).  You'll work past the button as you chain, this can be a bit tricky, but just try to keep your loops tight!

When the chain is as long as required, with one loop on the hook, push the hook through the first loop in your chain. Bring the yarn over the hook and pull it through the two loops already on the hook. Cut the yarn and pull the end through the loop. Tie the ends together and trim excess thread. I used a silver crimp bead (these are available in most craft shops) to cover up the knot.

Agata Hat

This is a bit of shameless advertising.... but just to let you all know there's a new pattern available for sale in my Ravelry and Etsy shops. 

 It's a slouchy lace cloche hat decorated with vintage buttons. Casual but stylish, this is an easy lace project that works up quickly. It's made with k1 yarns selkie, a gorgeous cashmere and merino yarn that I absolutely adore. This hat only uses around half a ball so you'll have plenty left to play with!

Mae Geri Scarf

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. 

 I knitted this scarf for my dear old mum. The name sounds very poetic and Japanese, maybe you'd guess it meant cherry blossom or something similar, something suitable for a lacy silk scarf. It means front kick. You see, my mother is in fact a third dan black belt in shotokan karate (i.e. she means business). But, like the ninja she is, she keeps this quite well hidden: a lacy scarf is just part of her disguise...
 

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Pure Silk. Two balls =250m

Needles: 4.5mm / US 7 needles

Gauge:  22 stitches = 4'' in stocking stitch with 4mm/US 6 straight needles
 
Size: One size, 6'' x 60''

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

yo = bring the yarn to the front of your knitting on knit rows and the back on purl rows

k2togtbl = knit two together through the back of the loops

p2tog = purl two stitches together

p2togtbl = purl two stitches together through the back of the loops

Directions:

CO 29 stitches. Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 8 rows. Now work pattern as follows:

Row 1: k6, *k2tog, yo, k5* to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2: k2, p3, *p2togtbl, yo, p1, yo, p2tog, p2* to last 3 stitches, p1, k2.

Row 3: k4, *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso* to last 4 stitches, k4.

Row 4: k2, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.

Row 5: k4, * yo, sl1, k1, psso, k5* to last 4 stitches, k4.

Row 6: k2, p1, *p1, yo, p2tog, p2, p2togtbl, yo* to last 5 stitches, p3, k2.

Row 7: k3, *k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k2tog, yo,* to last 5 stitches, k5.

Row 8: k2, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.

Repeat these 8 rows until scarf measures 60'', or as long as desired. Knit 8 rows and bind off on wrong side. Weave in loose ends.