DetroitKnitter's Version - Baby Tree of Life Throw

 

Finally, I have a final version of my version of the Baby Tree of  Life Throw. My written version has been done for a while, but I had to quadruple check it! Oh and I knit another blanket then quadruple checked it again. Then I tweaked it a bit more; I think it is easy to read now. Then again after knitting 4 of these I know the pattern well.

The basic changes I made are: a seed stitch border, shorter leaves, a couple rows of st st above the tree/flower pattern, extra garter st rows for the dividing patter, reworked dividing pattern so there are more knit rows than purl rows, instructions incorporate the 4 sts between the tree repeats, slip stitch edging (chain edge). And a few other tweaks here and there.

You can view and print my version of the Baby Tree of Life Throw in PDF.

Question? Link problems? Please email me... DetroitKnitter@hotmail.com

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I got a batch of Neck Knockers scarves completed. $2 of the sale of each is donated to breast cancer research through one of our yearly events "Race for the Cure" which commences about the first week of June. Contact me at detroitknitter.hotmail.com if you are interested in this scarf.

Baby Tree of Life Blanket

My final version of this pattern is available! Here's the newest blog about it.

Awesome finished blanket! A challenge at first. A FREE download at Lion Brand.  Also a project of several on Ravelry.

TIPS: 1) It's helpful to color code the written directions/chart to match colored in st explanations to help the low of reading the pattern while knitting. 2) It helps to use a color key to match up the stitch directions with the written directions (or chart).

Finished blanket size (approx) 26”x29”
Finished weight (approx) 7.4 oz
Worked on size 6 needles.
Lion Brand Pound of Love - White
Yarn use: about 1/2 skein

MY CHANGES: CO 114 for seed st border and a chain edge rather than tulip . In addition to the written pattern each side has an extra 11 sts. Each row begins with slip 1 knitwise (sl1kw) then 10 seed sts and each row ends with 10 seed sts and the last st is purled. This is why I cast on 24 (11x2) more sts than the pattern calls for.

EXTRA DIRECTIONS: CO 114. Knit in seed st pattern (w/ sl 1st kw, purl last) for 14 rows then knit the tree pattern as written within the extra 24 co sts. Purl 1 row (as it states). Continue following the pattern as written then after completing row 50 of the 2nd tree pattern, work 14 rows in seed st. I bound off using EZ’s sewn bind off (2.5 x the width of the blanket would be enough yarn).

FLOWER GARDEN NOTE: on Row 1 it says to increase 1 in the first st. For this I worked my seed st edge then made one purlwise using the right leg of the stitch below the next st on the left needle. Then I purled into the next st (the st above the one I just m1 into... confused?) I then continued with p8, *k1b, p11* ending with k1b, p10 just before the seed st border begins.

A DPN Holder!

I've been thinking and thinking and thinking about making needle organizers. I truly need one for my DPNs since right now a set of needles is held together with rubber bands, key chain coily stuff and the original cellophane wrapper they came in. It's quite a choir to find the right needle!

Since I have a holder for my interchangeable circular knitting set, I don't really need more. BUT, I would love to design a holder that organizes a whole bunch of stuff. Maybe one day. Until then, I'll keep thinking about and sketching designs.

This same design is available for sale at DetroitKnitter's Etsy shop.

Ri-i-i-i-i-i-i-p It! Sometimes things don't turn out like you'd hoped

I had my doubts when I decided to go with the ornament pattern for the next motif. I even sat down with graph paper and pencil to design a smaller version, but quickly found that with a stitch count of 64 to work with the smallest pattern repeat I cold get is 8; and my end result would pretty much be exactly what the given pattern is. I keep looking at my knit stocking and from one angle I think it's ok and from another angle I'm totally not liking it. RIPPPPPP! When you're not happy about something and have the chance to change it; you'll be happier in the end to go ahead and change it even though you hate to see all that work get frogged!

I'm sure the biggest problem is my color choice. I really didn't want to do another white background because I didn't want the ornaments to look so big so I thought if I made them with a darker background that they wouldn't be as noticeable. Yuk, I don't like! I'm thinking it's really the gold I don't like.

Anyway, thought I would post this pre-frog picture. Bummer, huh.

WIP - Stranded Colorwork Christmas Stocking

The pattern is available July 1st, 2010 as part of the Christmas in July Knitalong on the Holiday Mystery gifts group.

For more information, see: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holidaymysterygifts

Sock Monkey Hat completed

Oh what can I say, sometimes things just don't come out as pretty as I hope. This is one of those times. While it is "cute" it's not quite hitting the quality control button. First I kind of accidentally did a wrap and turn at the ends of the rows where the mouth is and carried the tan across. Second, I didn't bother to dig up white that matched gauge as well as it should have (ACL surgery prevents me from over exertion).

Needless to say, it's completed project. It was a bit of a prototype anyway. DH likes it even though it's a bit small. To save a bit of space I didn't put the picture of the back; if you're on Ravelry and want to see it go to my project.

While I did do quite a few moderations, the original pattern can be found here at Knitty.

It's "UN-Bearable"

It's unbearable how cute these little guys and gals turn out. I finally finished the final touches on these guys that have been in a pile near my desk for at least 6 months. Next time I make one I swear to put a face on it before starting another. I'm not quite liking the Kalli's face; the floss I used to make her eyes and nose was splitty for some reason and that mouth? What was I thinking. Anyway, she is done and was an experimental bear with those puffy arms anyway. :)

From Left: Isabelle, Jo, Kalli, Leo (click for bigger pic)

Aran Cables Sampler Afghan Square

Pattern: Aran Scarf

I'm not so sure I like the construction of this cabled square. It just seems like some of the sts are in the wrong place; aka poorly written pattern. I'll have to make my final judgement after I block it.

Neck Strap Beer Can Holder

Since I'm on crutches and was heading out to the hash, I needed something tol hold my beer while I hobbled around. I came up with this little number. I referred to several different patterns on the net most of which were knitted from the top down; I wanted mine to be from the bottom up. As I knitted and made this up I wrote it down as this...

Material: size 5 dpns
Yarn: A small amount of two colors of sugar and cream cotton.
dpns - double pointed needles; size 5
crochet hook - Size G
Fabric Tac or needle and thread matching (SC)

Abbreviations:
st(s) - stitch(es)
K - Knit
KFB - Knit into the front st then before slipping st off knit into the back of the same stitch.
(MC) - main color
(SC) - stripe color

Cast on 6 sts in (MC). Divide the sts so there are 2 sts on each needle

Row 1: K

Row 2: KFB in each st (12 sts)

Rows 3-5: K

Row 6: KFB (24 sts)

Rows 7-10: K

Row 8: *K1, KFB* repeat to end (36 sts)

Rows 9 - 13 K

Rows 14 - 18: K with (SC)

Rows 19 - 30: K with (MC)

Rows 31 - 35: K with (SC)
Rows 36 - 38: K with (MC)

BO - I used a double crochet bind-off. For a regular BO I would K one more row before BO.

Neck Strap

Cast on 110 in (SC)
Row 1 -2: SC to end

I used Fabric Tac to secure the neck strap to the body. You could also sew it on.

IF I were to make another, I would spread out the increases for the bottom of the can to avoid a pucker; otherwise I'm pretty darn happy with it!

Gingerbread Sampler Afghan Square

[50sts x 60]

Pattern: Gingerbread

I wanted the cable pattern to be on both edges so I modified the chart a bit. Here's my new chart. (Note, my picture only shows there being 3 repeats; but my "fix" for the sizing is to do 4 repeats)

Abbreviations:

• 
  
  SL1 = insert needle as if to purl, but just slip the stitch from the left needle to the right
• 
  
  cn = cable needle
• 
  
  LC = Slip 2 sts to cn and hold to front, k2, k2 from cn

CO 50

Row 1 (RS) K1, *P1, k4; repeat from *, end p1, k1

Row 2 *P1, k1, p4, k1, p1, k2; repeat from * 4 times, p1, k1, p4, k1, p1

Row 3 *K1, p1, LC, p1, k3; repeat from * 4 times, k1, p1, LC, p1, k1

Row 4 *P1, k1, p4, k1, p1, k2; repeat from * 4 times, p1, k1, p4, k1, p1

Row 5 K1, *P1, k4; repeat from *, end p1, k1

Row 6 *P1, k1, p4, k1, p1, k2; repeat from * 4 times, p1, k1, p4, k1, p1

Repeat rows 1-6 (ten times)

BO purlwise

Reversible Diamonds and Lozenges Sampler Afghan Square

[38sts x 59] Good

Pattern: Reversible Diamonds and Lozenges

Slip 1st purlwise stitch and purl last st of every row.

CO 38
Work pattern rows once then work rows 1-12
BO knitwise

Mini Cables Sampler Afghan Square

[fix: 53sts x 56rows]

Pattern: Mini Cable

Border:
The first st of every row is slipped purlwise followed by K1
The second to last st of every row is K1 followed by P1

CO 53
Work the pattern adding the 2 sts of border at the beginning and end.
There will be 12 mini cables across and 14 mini cables high.
BO purlwise

May Square Sampler Afghan Square

[Fix = 52sts x 58 rows]

Pattern: May Square

The first stitch of every row is slipped purlwise, last stitch is purled. CO 54 and follow the instructions as printed except do not knit the 3 rows at the beginning and end. Work the pattern a total of 7 times.

Diamonds and Pearls Sampler Afghan Square

[43sts x 60] Good

Pattern: Diamonds and Pearls

I worked this pattern once on the square with 16 sts on each side. Within those 16 sts I worked 1 set of Mini Cables on each side.

Work pattern rows as follows:

Odd Rows (RS) - SL1pw, K4, P5, cable pattern, P2, Diamond pattern, P2, cable pattern, P5, K4, P1
Even Rows (WS) - SL1pw, K9, cable pattern, K2, Diamond pattern, K2, cable pattern, K9, P1

Instructions:

CO 43
Work rows 1-20 of Diamonds and Pearls with cable and edging as described above (three times)
BO knitwise

Drop Stitch Pattern Sampler Afghan Square

[38sts x 60 rows]; This knitted up way too narrow and much too tall. It's very springy like ribbing and loose too.
Fix = [48 x 54]

Pattern: Drop Stitch Pattern

Begin each row with SL1pw, P1, K1, work pattern row, K1, P2

CO 42
Work pattern rows 1-12  four times as indicated above, then rows 1-6 once.
BO purlwise.

Criss Cross Cable with Twists Sampler Afghan Square

I didn't like this pattern so much that I didn't even bother writing out the instructions. This square might not be used in the finished afghan. LOL

Pattern: Criss Cross Cable with Twists (originally a scarf pattern)

I worked this cable with alternating cable positions as you can see if you compare the picture of my completed square to the original pattern. Oh and I didn't do a very good job of following the pattern like this; which is one reason why I don't like the finished pattern. If I were to do this again, I would just work one pattern across the square and have the rest a plain background. Oh well.

I also miscalculated the number of sts and rows I'd need so I had to crochet on all sides. oops.

Embossed Vine and Leaves Sampler Afghan Square

[44sts x 60 rows]

Pattern: Embossed Vine

I think I figured out how to decrease the size of the hole on the left side of the leaves; on the last leaf of course. So to close that gap the YO are wrapped backward on rows 10, 12, 22 and 24.

There is a 10st selvage on each side of the pattern. The first of every row is slipped purlwise (SL1pw) and the last st of every row is purled. There are 4sts in seed st and 5 sts in the background st. So it is worked as:

Odd Rows (WS) SL1pw, K1, P1 (twice), K5, work pattern row, K5, P1, K1 (twice), P1
Even Rows (RS) SL1pw, K1, P1 (twice), P5, work pattern row, P5, P1, K1 (twice), P1

Instructions:

Work pattern rows with borders 13-24, then rows 1-24 twice.
BO knitwise

Valentine Cable Sampler Afghan Square

[42sts x 58]

Pattern: Valentine Cable

I didn't much care for the way the bottom of the middle loop looked on this pattern. After playing with it a bit I decided that row 8 needs to be worked as follows:

Row 8: P3, BC, P1, hold 1 to back on cable needle, K1, K1 from cable needle, P1, FC, P3

There is a lot of border around the actual pattern. I worked 8 sts on each side of the actual pattern and a 5 stitch seed stitch edge.

The pattern with the borders would be worked liked this:

SL1pw,  k1, p1, k1, p1, k8, pattern (16sts), k8, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1

SO...

CO 42
Work 4 rows of *K1, P1* to end
Work pattern rows 1-19 once with the borders as indicated above, then 4-19 twice
Work 4 rows of *K1, P1* to end
BO Purlwise

Simple Basketweave Sampler Afghan Stitch

[40sts x 62rows; good]

Pattern: Simple Basketweave

CO 40 work pattern repeat 5 times; slipping first st and purling last st of every row
Knit 1 row (WS)
Work pattern rows 1-12 (five times)
Knit 1 row
BO knitwise