Felted mittens (medium weight yarn)

FELTED MEDIUM WEIGHT MITTS

MATERIALS: 200g worsted/Aran weight wool

6mm double pointed needles.

SIZE: small (medium in brackets) adult sizes.

DIRECTIONS: (make 2)

Cast on 48 stitches and join in the round, distributing stitches evenly on 3 needles.

Knit 12 (16) rounds for the cuff. Purl 2 rounds. Knit 14 (16) rounds to the thumb position. Slip first 10 stitches onto a stitch holder. Cast on 10 stitches in their place and rejoin in the round.

Knit straight for 28 (32) rounds or until mitt is slightly longer than the hand.

Decrease at the top of the mitt:

1^st round: *K6, K2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round. 42 sts.

2^nd and all even rounds: Knit

3^rd round: *K5, K2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round. 36 sts.

5^th round: *K4, K2tog. Repeat from * to the end of the round. 30 sts.

Continue decreasing in this manner every 2^nd round having 1 less stitch each time between decreases twice more. 18 sts.

Break yarn and thread onto a darning needle. Slip the stitches onto the darning needle and pass the yarn through all 18 sts twice and tie off securely.

To make thumb:

K10 stitches from the holder and pick up and knit 1 st from side of opening. TURN.

Purl across 11 sts and pick up and knit 1 st from the other side of opening. TURN.

Pick up and knit 10 more stitches from the cast on edge of the thumb opening, join in the round and distribute stitches evenly over the 3 needles. 22 sts.

1^st round and all odd rounds: Knit.

2^nd round: K14, K2tog, K2. 17 sts.

4^th round: K13, K2tog, K2. 16 sts.

6^th round: K12, K2tog, K2. 15 sts.

Knit 11 more rounds even.

Next round: (K1, K2tog) 6 times, K2. 14 sts.

Next round: (K1, K2tog) 4 times, K2tog. 9 sts.

Break yarn and thread onto a darning needle. Slip the stitches onto the darning needle and pass the yarn through all 9 sts twice and tie off securely.

Fulling (felting/shrinking) your mittens.

Place mittens in a protective cloth bag (zippered pillow case cover). Set washing machine to the hottest wash and coldest rinse and lowest water level settings that it allows and run through the entire cycle. You can add some old towels to increase agitation but it generally isn’t necessary.

Remove from machine at the end of the cycle and flatten, shape, stretch (if necessary) and allow to dry flat, (not in the dryer) turning on occasion to allow for better circulation.

Notes: Front loading washing machines are generally too gentle to do a good job of felting. To help with this, try adding a kettle of boiling water to the wash cycle through the liquid detergent opening.

If necessary, the washing process can be done a second time.

Copyright, 2015, Anne Woodall, KnitTraders of Kingston.

Email: shop@knittraders.com www.knittraders.com

Ladder Yarn Necklace

LADDER YARN NECKLACE

MATERIALS: 50g ball of any fashion ladder yarn.

-5.5mm crochet hook.

-hook and eye closure.

DIRECTIONS:
Leave .5m (20 inch) tail of yarn and make a slip knot. Chain 40 stitches. Leave .5m (20 inch) tail and cut the yarn. Pull the yarn through the last stitch. Repeat for 12 to 20 strands depending on the thickness of the yarn and how big you want the necklace.

Gather all strands, holding them at the slip knot and tie them together by wrapping the tails around your finger and pulling all through the the loop. Do the same for the tails at the other end of the chains.

Divide each end of the necklace into 3 equal groups of tails and braid loosely. Tie a knot to secure the end. Hold the necklace around your neck to determine the finished length that you wish. Tie a firm knot as above at the desired length of each side and trim the ends. Sew the hook and eye closure to each end.

Copyright 2015, Anne Woodall. KnitTraders of Kingston.

Email: shop@knittraders.com www.knittraders.com

Sideways Scarf

SIDEWAYS SCARF

MATERIALS: 2- 100g balls (at least 200m) of Bulky yarn.

12mm circular knitting needles( at least 24”-60cm long).

DIRECTIONS;

Cast on 100 stitches loosely.

Leaving a tail of at least 6 inches, cast on 100 stitches VERY LOOSELY.

1^st row: Knit across. Leaving a tail of at least 6 inches. Cut yarn.

2^nd row: Leaving a tail of at least 6 inches, tie the tail from the previous row to this new beginning tail and knit across. Leave a tail of at least 6 inches. Cut the yarn

Repeat the 2nd Row for a total of 34 rows. Cast off VERY LOOSELY. Tie each of the groups of 2 tails with a firm overhand knot.

725 Gardiners Road, Kingston, Ont. K7M 3Y5

email: shop@knittraders.com www.knittraders.com

Varsity Basketweave Tricolour Scarf

SIZE: approx. 9” x 60” (23cm x 160 cm) without fringe.

MATERIALS: 100g each of 3 colours of worsted weight yarn.

Col. A: navy

Col. B: gold

Col. C: red

5.5mm knitting needles

4mm crochet hook for fringe.

TENSION: each square within the basketweave pattern measures

1.5” x 1.5” (4x4 cm) and is made up of 7 stitches and 8 rows.

DIRECTIONS:

-Cut 28 pieces (10” long) of each of the 3 colours of the scarf for the fringe (if desired).

- Using 5.5mm needles and Col. C, cast on 14 sts. Anchor Col. B in the last st of Col. C then cast on 14 sts in Col. B. Anchor Col. A in the last st of Col. B then cast on 14 sts in Col. A. (42 sts)

NOTE ON USING SECTIONS OF DIFFERENT COLOURS ON A SINGLE ROW: In order to avoid leaving gaps between the different colours when several are worked in one row, always pick up the new colour strand that you will be working with from under the strand of colour that you have just finished using. Follow this technique throughout this pattern, making sure that this “wrapping” always takes place on the wrong side of the work.

-Row 1 (right side): Using Col. A: k7, p7. Following technique described above and using Col. B k7, p7. Following same wrapping technique and using Col. C k7, p7.

-Row 2: Using Col. C k7, p7. Using Col. B k7, p7. Using Col. A k7, p7.

-Repeat these 2 rows 3 times more.

-Row 9: Using Col. A p7, k7. Using Col. B p7, k7. Using Col. C p7, k7.

-Row 10: Using Col. C p7,k7. Using Col. B p7, k7. Using Col. A p7, k7.

-Repeat rows 9 and 10, 3 times more.

-These 16 rows form the basketweave pattern of the scarf. Repeat these 16 rows until the scarf is the desired length or until you run out of yarn. Be sure to end on the 8^th or 16^th row before casting off in pattern.

-FINISHING: Sew in loose ends at the cast on and cast off edges. Block the scarf using a damp towel to give it a more even texture.

-FRINGE: Using 2 precut strands from each of the 3 colours (6 strands all together), fashion

a fringe, placing one group of strands at each end of the cast on and cast off rows, then place one group of strands at every 7^th stitch along each of these ends.

Email:shop@knittraders.com www.knittraders.com

The Dorm Pillow

This beginner project is perfect for teaching those who are off to College how to knit, or to give any beginner a chance to add a simple decorative knitting touch to their living space.
Knit, Purl, and an infinite number of creative ways to decorate this useful and stylish accessory.

Size: 16 x 16 inches.

Gauge: 16sts=4inches.

Materials: 400g of easy care Chunky Weight yarn (650m). We used Hayfield Colour Rich Chunky
                   6mm needles or whatever size is required to achieve the gauge.
                   16 inch square pillow form.
                   1m or yard of sturdy ribbon or twill tape or decorative rope for closing.

Directions: Cast on 64 stitches and work in stocking stitch (Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row) until the piece measure 16 inches from the cast on edge ending with a purl row.
Next row: Purl
Next row: Knit
Work in this reverse stocking stitch until the piece measures a total of 35 inches or longer if you wish a deeper closing flap.
Cast off loosely

Finishing: 
Determine which side you prefer to be the front of your pillow and fold along the line where the reverse stocking stitch began. Sew side seams for the 16inches, leaving the excess for the fold over flap.
Insert the pillow and use your creativity to think of how you would like to secure the flap down. In the picture we have decorative rope that has been threaded through the flap and the front of the pillow case at 1-2 inch intervals with a knot to secure it close to each end of the flap, leaving about 6 inches of rope hanging on either side.

Copyright 2015, Anne Woodall,  KnitTraders of Kingston
www.knittraders.com                                                                                 shop@knittraders.com

Fulled/Felted Infinity Scarf

FULLED/FELTED INFINITY SCARF

MATERIALS: 1- 100g ball (at least 250m) of soft felting yarn in worsted or light chunky weight.

5.5mm circular needles 32 in.

DIRECTIONS;

LOOSELY cast on 44 stitches. (Note: you can use a provisional cast on to make a seamless join to the circle.)

Row 1 and all odd numbered rows: K1, increase in the next stitch by knitting front and back. Knit to the last 3 sts. K2 tog, K1.

Rows 2 and 4: Knit

Rows 6,8 and 10: Purl.

Repeat these 10 rows until there are at least 2m of yarn left, ending with Row 10.

Cast off loosely. Sew (or join with Kitchener stitch if using a provisional cast on) the cast on and cast off edges together to form a loop.

Directions for Fulling/felting:

Without using soap of any kind, wash your scarf in a washing machine set to “hot wash/cold rinse” and the highest agitation setting available. The idea is not to shrink the fabric to a point where the stitches are completely compacted, but to give the fabric a soft brushed look and a bit more structure.

Remove from the washer after the cycle is complete and pat into shape so that the sides are even.

Copyright KnitTraders of Kingston, Anne Woodall, 2015

725 Gardiners Road, Kingston, Ont. K7M 3Y5 email: shop@knittraders.com

Chunky Shrug Bolero

This is an amazing pattern for many different reasons: It's without a doubt one of the easiest garments that you will ever knit. It looks great on almost any body and can be worn open (as above) or closed together with a stylish shawl pin or button. Finishing is a breeze with just 2 small side seams. And best of all, you can adapt it for a better fit by adding or subtracting stitches in groups of 4. (Anyone can add or subtract 4 stitches.) And don't even think about blocking it at the end. It really can't be done as the shape molds to your body and with the stretch of the fabric, it really isn't of much use.

Gauge and size are not crucial for this garment as the ribbing allows the fabric to stretch to accommodate most figures.

Materials: 800m- 850m* of any Chunky weight yarn.
                  6mm circular needles at least 24"/ 60cm long.
*Note that the exact quantity of the yarn  is not crucial as the collar can be made a bit shorter without effecting the look or fit of the shrug.
                 
Directions: 
Leaving a tail of about 60cm, cast on 94sts. DO NOT JOIN the stitches, the piece is worked back and forth on the circular needle.
Row 1: K2, *P2, K2. Repeat from * to the end of the row.
Row 2: P2, *K2, P2. Repeat from * to the end of the row.
Repeat these 2 rows until the piece measures 24" (or desired length of the back), with Row 1 being the last row that you work.

Increase Row: Increase in each stitch by knitting into the front and the back of each. (188 sts)
Next Row: *K1, P1. Repeat from * to end of the row.
Repeat the last row until you have only 10m of yarn left (or desired length for the depth of the collar).

Cast off as follows: 
K1. Yarn forward.  Place the stitch from the right hand needle back on the left needle.
*P2tog. Move the yarn to the back. Place the stitch from the right hand needle back on the left needle.
K2 tog. through the back loop. Yarn forward. Place the stitch from the right hand needle back on the left needle.
Repeat from * until all of the stitches have been cast off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 60 cm.

Finishing:
Fold the piece in half so the cast off and cast on edges are lying parallel, one on top of the other. Using a mattress stitch (It's absolutely worth looking this technique up on You Tube as it leaves such a polished finish to your seam) and the yarn from end of the cast off row, sew the side seam together from the base where the cast on and cast off stitches meet, up to the Increase Row. Do not tie off the yarn at this point. You should have a hole of about 20cm in height.

Hopefully you will have a cast on tail at the base of the other seam. If not, cut a new piece of yarn about 60cm long and attach it to the cast on edge on the opposite side and sew up the 2nd side to match the first.
Try on the shrug by inserting your arms through the holes. The K1, P1 part of the fabric should be at the top, forming the collar. Decide if you wish a more fitted look by continuing to sew the sides together for another few centimeters. Or if you feel that the armhole spaces do not leave enough room for layering, undo a few stitches on each side. Tie off the sewing yarn on each side.