Hello! I feel like I haven't blogged in ages! In reality it's only been a week, but it's long enough to give me blogger's guilt! I've been really busy with knitting classes as well as breaking one of my teeth and looking after a toddler (and his daddy) with a cold so have been savouring my free time by doing important things like sleeping! I'm also on a mission to organise my life, which has taken up lots of time but there will be more on that shortly! As I promised here is this weeks free pattern. As you can see I have taken the official start of autumn to heart & have gone all out making a pumpkin baby hat! Yes that's right you too can now be mean and dress your baby or toddler as a pumpkin! I hope that if anybody actually makes this they'll send me a picture of it in action as what could be cuter than little ones looking like pumpkins?! I made this using Debbie Bliss ecoaran which is a lovely 100% organic & fairtrade cotton & it's so soft! It's on sale in most places at the moment, I got mine from John Lewis & Deramores. I love a bargain, but I hope it's not disappearing forever as I love that they offered such lovely eco yarns! I hope you like the pattern, it's a fun little one! Pumpkin Hat Pattern: Size:6-12 months Abbreviations:k= knitp= purlk2tog= knit 2 stitches togetherGauge: 18 sts & 24 rows (10cm)Materials:2 balls of aran weight cotton. 1 orange & 1 green coloured. (I used less than 1 ball of orange & only a tiny bit of green!)4.5mm (30cm) circular needle 4.5mm DPNsstitch markerneedle to darn in ends.Directions:In the orange yarn Cast on 72 stitches using cable cast on method on circular needle or 4 DPNs. Join in the round marking the beginning of the round with a stitch marker.Work *k4 P2 rib until work measures 4.5 inches from current row to cast on edge.If you are working on a circular needle, now knit the stitches onto 3 DPN, placing 24 stitches on each needle. On the next row you start decreasing.1. *k2tog, k2, p2 repeat from * to end of the round. (60sts on needles)2. knit all stitches.3. * k2tog, k1, p2. repeat from * to end of the round (48sts on needles)Change to your green yarn.
4. knit all stitches5. * k2, p2tog, repeat from * to end of the round (36 sts on needles)6. knit all stitches7. *k2tog, p1, repeat from * to end of the round (24sts on needles)8. knit all stitches9. *k2tog repeat from * to end of the round. (12sts on needles)10. knit all stitches11.*k2, k2tog repeat from * to end of the round. (9sts on needles)12. Knit all stitches13. *k1, k2tog repeat from * to end. (6sts on needle)Now place the remaining 6 stitches on one DPN & start to knit an i-cord, but on the first i-cord row you will decrease stitches: k2tog, k2, k2tog.Then continue to knit the i-cord as normal until the cord measures 3 inches long. Cut the yarn & using a tapestry needle thread it through all of the stitches twice. Now bend the stem off to the side and stitch it into the i-cord base & down into the hat. Now weave in all of your ends on the inside of the hat.
place it on the head of your unsuspecting baby & take lots of
Hi,
Sorry this is a day later than promised (yesterday was crazy busy!) but here is this weeks free pattern, a slightly harder version of the last knitted bunting pattern. I have included instructions for how to knit the 2 different sized flags, but not how to do the intarsia patterns that i have used.....well for the simple fact that i made them up as i went along & didn't write any of that down. However if any of you really want those I'm sure I could knit them again & makes pattern notes. Just leave a comment if you want them & I'll get to it as soon as i can.
I hope you have all had a lovely relaxing weekend! Abbreviations:
k = knit
p= purl
k2tog: Knit 2 stitches together
p2tog: Purl 2 together.
skpo: slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass slipped stitch over.
Materials: 4mm needles & DK yarn
Tension: 21 stitches & 31 rows to 10cmx10cm stst.
Large Flag:
Cast on 38 stitches
Row 1: K all stitches
Row 2: K3 p to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat the last 2 rows 6 more times.
Row 15: (1st decrease row) k3, k2tog, k to last 5 stitches, skpo, k3.
Row 16: k3, p to last 3 stitches, k3.
Row 17: k all stitches.
Row 18: k3, p2tog, p to last 5 stitches p2tog, k3
Row 19: k all stitches.
Row 20: k3, p to last 3 st, k3.
Repeat rows 15-20 6 more times until you have 10 stitches on your needle.
Row 56: k3, k2tog, skpo, k3 (8 sts)
Row 57: k3, p2, k3.
Row 58: k all stitches
Row 59: k2, k2tog, skpo, k2. (6 sts)
Row 60: k all stitches
Row 61: k1, k2tog, skpo, k1 (4sts)
Row 62: k all stitches
Row 63: k2tog, skpo.
Row 64: k 2 stitches
Row 65: k2tog.
fasten off last stitch & sew in ends of yarn.
Small Flag:
Cast on 20 stitches
Row 1: K all stitches
Row 2: K3 p to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat the last 2 rows 4 more times.
Row 11: (1st decrease row) k3, k2tog, k to last 5 stitches, skpo, k3.
Row 12: k3, p to last 3 stitches, k3
Row 13: k all stitches.
Row 14: k3, p2tog, p to last 5 stitches p2tog, k3
Row 15: k all stitches.
Row 16: k3, p to last 3 st, k3.
Repeat rows 11-16 2 more times until you have 8 stitches on your needle.
Row 34: k2, (p2tog)x2, k2 (6sts)
Row 35: k all stitches
Row 36: k1, k2tog, skpo, k1 (4 sts)
Row 37: k all stitches
Row 38: k2tog, skpo (2 sts)
Row 30: k 2 stitches
Row 31: k2tog
Fasten off the last stitch & sew in ends of yarn.
You can sew the flags on to ribbon, or plait yarn like i did for the heart garland. However for this pattern I originally just knit 2 stitches in garter stitch until the desired length & sewed the flags to that. I think I prefer the plaiting of yarn method though as it hangs better.
All flags will need to be steam blocked before sewing to string.
© Kimberlee Daly/The Homemade Mama
All rights reserved
This pattern is for personal use only. It may not be reproduced, distributed or archived in whole or in part without prior permission from the designer. It may not be sold or used to produce garments for resale.
Contact via: www.thehomemademama.co.uk
So as you all probably know, I am organising a new Knit club (although please feel free to bring along crochet as well...) which starts this Tuesday night at Cordial & Grace. I'm really looking forward to it, mainly because i get to eat some more of their delicious cakes! Anyway, I have been chatting to Geraldine over at the UK Hand knitting Association and she told me about a display that they are putting on at The Knitting & Stitching show at Alexandra Palace on 11-14 October. They are creating a knitted & Crocheted sweet shop full of beautiful sweets made out of yarn. It sounds amazing! Geraldine asked if we would like to get involved & donate some knitted treats to the shop, and in return we would be featured as contributors & our group will be featured on their website. So if any of you fancy giving it a go take a look at their page here which tells you all about the project. They have lots of free patterns for inspiration over on the website or you can use your own if you know any. I got slightly addicted to knitting cakes & Doughnuts a few years ago after buying this book, so I can imagine knitting little sweets is just as addict I'm trying to figure out if I have the time & money to go to The Knitting & Stitching show this year.......I went to WonderWool in April & spent a small fortune on yarn & needles! Are any of you planning to go? Anyway I'm really excited to see some on you on Tuesday night!
I wrote this pattern ages ago to teach in some of my lessons, I thought it would be a nice quick 'summer' knit for students as people don't seem that excited to knit hats, scarves & gloves in July & August for some reason! Anyway seeing as it was my birthday yesterday & I'm feeling in a good mood, throughout September I will be giving away a free pattern every week. Next week will be a more complicated & bigger knitted bunting pattern that I wrote at the same time as this one.
This bunting is made of 2 different sized garter stitch flags & it knits up very quickly. A single flag takes me about 15 minutes to knit when i'm watching the tv. This is a great size for hanging on bookshelves or around a baby's cot and makes a lovely little present for somebody.
Enjoy!
Easy Knitted Bunting: Abbreviations:
k: Knit stitch
ssk: slip, slip, knit together.
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
I recommend that you use Double Knitting (DK) weight yarn & 4mm sized needles to knit this bunting. You can however change this, but the size of your flags will vary.
Small Bunting Flag:
Cast on 12 stitches.
Rows 1-4: k all stitches
Row 5: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 (10stitches will be on your needle at the end of the row) Rows 6-7: k all stitches
Row 8: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 (8stitches on needle)
Rows 9-10: knit all stitches
Row 11: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (6 stitches on needle)
Rows 12-13: k all stitches
Row 14: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4 stitches on needle)
Rows 15-16: k all stitches on needle
Row 17: k1, k2tog, k1 (3 stitches on needle)
Row 18-19: k all stitches
Row 20: k1, k2tog (2 stitches on needle)
Row 21: k all stitches
Row 22: k2tog
Bind off the last stitch.
Large Bunting Flag:
Cast on 18 stitches.
Rows 1-4: k all stitches
Row 5: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1 (16stitches will be on your needle at the end of the row)
Rows 6-7: k all stitches
Row 8: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1 (14 stitches on needle)
Rows 9-10: k all stitches
Row 11: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1 (12 stitches on needle)
Rows 12-13: k all stitches
Row 14: k1,ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 (10 stitches on needle)
Rows 15-16: k all stitches
Row 17: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 (8 stitches on needle)
Rows 18-19: knit all stitches
Row 20: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (6 stitches on needle)
Rows 21-22: k all stitches
Row 23: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4 stitches on needle)
Rows 24-25: k all stitches on needle
Row 26: k1, k2tog, k1 (3 stitches on needle)
Row 27-28: k all stitches
Row 29: k1, k2tog (2 stitches on needle)
Row 30: k all stitches
Row 31: k2tog
Bind off the last stitch.
© Kimberlee Daly/The Homemade Mama
All rights reserved
This pattern is for personal use only. It may not be reproduced, distributed or archived in whole or in part without prior permission from the designer. It may not be sold or used to produce garments for resale. Contact via: www.thehomemademama.co.uk
We have olympic fever in our household, even Henry has it bad! He's cheering "Go Go Go!" whenever a race starts & cheers with both of his arms in the air whenever somebody wins.......It is so cute! I'm now convinced that he will be an olympian because of his early enthusiasm for competitive sports. I really wasn't that excited about the olympics before they started mainly because of the politics involved. Watching David Cameron's smug face on every news report related to the Olympics really does dampen ones enthusiasm for the event! However once they started my opinion completely changed, I have been hooked! Watching how hard these athletes work & the amazing things they can achieve has moved me to tears on numerous occasions. It has been fantastic to watch every country's achievements & the gamesmanship between athletes. However i have to admit that seeing Team Great Britain doing so well has been the icing on the cake! I have been cheering along with Henry watching sports that I really wouldn't under any other circumstances! Also I have been blown away by the achievements of women in this Olympics! It makes me so proud to think that my son will grow up expecting to see women competing & performing like champions! It will never occur to him that females are less worthy of competing. Anyway in the spirit of the Olympics I have made Henry his own medals! They are super easy to knit & even the most novice of knitter will manage them. I knitted all 3 of them in just over an hour while watching the gymnastics yesterday so it really is a quick DIY. I'm tempted to show some of the older children in my wool workshops because they're great for children as they can use them in games afterwards. Anyway I hope that you can spread some olympic fever with these medals like we are! Olympic medal pattern: Yarn: DK weight yarn in gold, silver & bronze.
3.75mm Needles.
Tapestry needle for sewing up.
Abbreviations:
k = knit
k2 tog = Knit 2 stitches together
Cast on 39 stitches.
Row 1-4: K all stitches.
Row 5: *K2, k2tog* repeat to end. (30 stitches)
Row 6-9: K all stitches.
Row 10: *k1, K2tog* repeat to end. (20 stitches)
Row 11-13: K all stitches.
Row 14: K2tog to the end. (10 stitches) Leaving a long tail cut the yarn & thread the the tail through the 10 remaining stitches. Draw them together & fasten off. Then sew up the seam neatly at the edge stitches.
At the top of the work make a loop using the tail. Then weave all ends in to the WS of the work. The work may curl inwards at the edges, but if you block them by pushing them flat under a damp tea towel & iron on a low heat they will stay lovely & flat like a medal should be! All you have to do now is tie some ribbon to your medals & now you can award them to everybody who you think deserves one! :) Have fun with them! © Kimberlee Daly/The Homemade Mama All rights reserved This pattern is for personal use only. It may not be reproduced, distributed or archived in whole or in part without prior permission from the designer. It may not be sold or used to produce garments for resale. Contact via: www.thehomemademama.co.uk
To celebrate the start of my knitting classes & just because I love sharing stuff with you all here is a free knitting pattern for you all to try. I think this garland will look lovely over a bed or even fireplace. I also think I might make lots of them to put on the Christmas tree in 6 months time! :) If you like the look of the garland but don't feel up to knitting one yourself I'm giving one away next week on Charlotte's blog so you can pop over and enter & you might get one in the post next week! It's made of luxury merino & cotton yarn & was handmade with love while I watched TopGun on netflix! :) I hope you like the pattern & don't forget you can still book a place on my courses! Abbreviations:
k: Knit stitch
P: Purl Stitch
kfb: Knit front & back of the stitch
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
I recommend that you use a aran weight yarn & 5mm sized needles to knit this garland. It works well with cotton yarns.
Large Heart:
Cast on 2 stitches
Row 1: kfb of both stitches (4 stitches)
Row 2: P all stitches
Row 3: kfb, k until the final stitch, kfb (6 stitches)
Row 4: P all stitches
Repeat rows 3 & 4 8 more times until you have 22 stitches.
Row 20: K2tog k9 then turn your work leaving the other 11 stitches on the needle to be worked later.
Row 21: P all 10 stitches.
Row 22: K2tog, k 8 & turn.
Row 23: P 9 & turn.
Row 24: K2tog, K 7 & turn.
Row 25: P 8stitches & turn.
Row 26: K2tog, k 6 & turn.
Row 27: P 7 stitches & turn.
Row 28: K2tog, k 5 & turn.
Row 29: P 6 stitches & turn
Row 30: K2tog, k 2, k2tog & turn
Row 31: P 4 stitches & turn
Row 32: K2tog, k2tog & turn
Row 33: Cast Off 2 remaining stitches purl wise.
Return to the 11 stitches you left on the needle & rejoin the yarn.
Row 34: K 9, K2tog.
Row 35: p all stitches
Row 36: k8, k2tog.
Row 37: P all stitches
Row 38: k 7, k2tog
Row 39: P all stitches
Row 40: k6, k2tog.
Row 41: p all stitches
Row 42: k5, k2tog.
Row 43: p all stitches
Row 44: k2tog,k2, k2tog.
Row 45: p all stitches
Row 46: K2tog, k2tog.
Row 47: Cast off the remaining 2 stitches Purl wise.
Repeat the pattern again & then place the two hearts with the right side facing outwards & stitch together using blanket stitch. Make 4 of these in varying colours of your choice.
Small Heart:
Cast on 2 stitches
Row 1: kfb of both stitches (4 stitches)
Row 2: P all stitches
Row 3: kfb, k until the final stitch, kfb (6 stitches)
Row 4: P all stitches
Repeat rows 3 & 4 5 more times until you have 16 stitches.
Row 14: K2 tog, k 6, turn leaving the other 8 stitches on the needle to worked later.
Row 15: P 7 stitches & turn.
Row 16: k2tog, k5 & turn (6 stitches)
Row 17: p 6 stitches & turn
Row 18 k2tog, k 4 & turn (5 stitches)
Row 19: P 5 & turn.
Row 20: K2tog, k1, K2tog (3 stitches)
Row 21: Cast off the remaining 3 stitches Purl wise.
Rejoin the yarn to the 8 stitches you left unworked on the needle.
Row 22: k6, k2tog. (7 stitches)
Row 23: P all stitches
Row 24: k5, K2tog. (6 stitches)
Row 25: p all stitches
Row 26: k4, k2tog (5 stitches)
Row 27: p all stitches
Row 28: k2tog, k1, k2tog. (3 stitches)
Row 29: Cast off the remaining 3 stitches Purl wise.
Repeat the pattern again & then place the two hearts with the right side facing outwards & stitch together using blanket stitch. Make 4 of these in varying colours of your choice.
Cut 3 pieces of yarn the desired length of your garland. Plait the 3 pieces together & attach your hearts, alternating sizes.
Enjoy! © Kimberlee Daly/The Homemade Mama All rights reserved This pattern is for personal use only. It may not be reproduced, distributed or archived in whole or in part without prior permission from the designer. It may not be sold or used to produce garments for resale. Contact via: www.thehomemademama.co.uk
I got the idea for this cushion cover from Pinterest, but the original method didn't really work in our household because as soon as Henry clambered over it or the dog led on it, the cushion cover came apart! So I have refined the method and it works wonders now!
I love how it looks like a bow & more importantly that you don't cut any of the fabric, so when you're bored of the cover you have a metre of fabric that can be used for other projects. Excellent in my view as i'm always changing things in our house to satisfy my need for new colours & fabrics!
Anyway if you fancy a super quick craft project & don't like sewing very much this is the project for you! You literally have to do 6 stitches for this to work, and it really does only take 5 minutes! Here's how to do it:
Anyway there you have a magic 5 minute cushion cover for even the most craft challenged of us all! I bet even the Mr of my house could manage this one!
I would have posted this earlier on today but have been busy all afternoon thanks to one of my emails being hacked, leading to Facebook & twitter accounts suffering the same fate. It's been a bit stressful and I hope i didn't spam you!
Goodnight my lovelies! xx
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