CuddleBunnyFriends/pattern

My Cuddle Bunny is getting some friends.  I've made a few for various prezzie extras and quite like the new look with button eyes.                                                                                

The pattern is also evolving as I go so here is the basic one:

CUDDLE BUNNYUsing 6.5mm needles ( or any to suit your wool
 as tension is not important), cast on 1 st.
1st row: Knit into front and back of st.
2nd row: Inc in first st, K1.
3rd row: Inc in first st, knit to end.
Rep 3rd row 3 times … 7 sts.
7th row: K3, M1, knit to end … 8 sts.
Rep 7th row until there are 40 sts. (DEPENDING ON WOOL
THICKNESS AND NEEDLE SIZE YOU CAN KEEP GOING
 TILL YOU HAVE A GOOD SIZE)
Cast on 12 sts at beg of next 2 rows (for Paws) … 64 sts.
Knit 6 rows garter st.
Cast off 12 sts at beg of next 2 rows … 40 sts.
Dec one st at beg of every row until 28 sts rem.
SHAPE HEAD
Change to 4.5mm needles.
1st row: * K2tog, rep from * to end …
14 sts.
2nd row: Inc once in each st … 28 sts.
3rd row: * P1, sl 1, rep from * to end (this
is knitting the front and back of the head at
the same time).
Rep 3rd row until head measures 9cm.

SHAPE EARS
1st row: P3tog, return st to left hand needle, cast on 17 sts, then P3tog, P15, [you now have 16 sts on right hand needle and 25 sts on left hand needle], turn.
2nd row: P14, P2tog, turn.
3rd row: P16, turn.
4th row: P12, turn.
5th row: P14, turn.
6th row: P16, P2tog, turn.
7th row: P18, turn.
8th row: P16, P2tog, turn.
9th row: Cast off 18 sts, P1, * sl 1, P1,
rep from * to end, turn … 20 sts.

Beg 2nd Ear:
1st row: P3tog, return st to left hand needle, cast on 17 sts, then P3tog, P15, [you now have 16 sts on right hand needle and 17 sts on left hand needle], turn. Work 2nd to 9th rows as for 1st ear … 12 sts.

FINISHING
Cut a 25cm length of yarn. With wool needle, thread yarn through every other st on needle, then back through rem sts. Remove knitting needle and stuff head with stuffing. Pull yarn tightly to close top of head
and secure, embroider face using black or brown yarn and straight sts. Weave in ends. Tie a knot in each paw.
I would like to credit Lincraft for the original bunny pattern as it was there that I first saw the pattern.

Have a crafty week
XxX

TopDownBasic

This is so that I will be able to repeat this in the future.  Record keeping has not been a strong point and it is frustrating when you want to do the same thing but can't remember what size or pattern you used.

This is probably the most basic top down sock but it fits nicely and I managed to adjust a few different patterns to get just the right fit.

MATERIALS
1 Ball (100g) Self stripe sock yarn
Set of 4 DPN size 3 mm

Cast on 64 stitches very loosely
Divide stitches over needles N1 16, N2 32, N3 16
LEG Rib cuff. Establish a 2x2 rib pattern for 18 stitches or 5cm
        Work in St st for 56 rounds or 15 cm

HEEL flap Over N2 with right side facing work back and forth as follows:
          Rw 1 : *Sl 1 purlwise, k1. Repeat from * to end.
          Rw 2 : Sl 1 purlwise p to end.
Repeat these 2 rows until 32 rws are complete 6 cm

TURN Heel : Note Sl 1 = sl 1 purlwise

Rw 1: (RS) K18 ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 2: Sl 1, p5, p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 3: Sl 1, k6, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 4: Sl 1, p7,p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 5 Sl 1, k8,ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 6 Sl 1, p9 p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 7 Sl 1, k10, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 8 Sl 1, p11,  p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 9 Sl 1, k12,  ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 10Sl 1, p13, p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 11Sl 1, k14, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 12 Sl 1, p15,  p2tog, p1. Turn
Rw 13: Sl 1, k16, ssk, k1. Turn
Rw 14: Sl 1, p 16, p2 tog, p1 Turn
Knit 9 sts Beginning of round

HEEL Gusset
Continue with same needle pick up 16 sts along the left side of the heel
Pick up and knit st from the row below the first instep st to prevent a hole
Knit across instep sts with free needle pick up and knit from the row below the first heel st to prevent a hole. Pick up 16 sts along the right side of the heel and work across the remaining heel sts.

SHAPE gusset: dec. rnd.
N1 work to 3 sts from end, k2 tog, k1.
N2 (instep) work even.
N3 k1, ssk, work to end.
Repeat these two rnds until  there are 64 sts remaining.
Foot: Continue working until foot measures 15 cm about 28 rounds

SHAPE Toe: Rnd 1:
N1(Heel) work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N2(instep) K1,ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
N3(heel) K1, ssk, complete round.
Rnd 2: Work even.
Repeat these two rnds until 32 st remain(16 rounds)
Work Rnd 1 only until 20 sts remain.
Use Kitchener st to finish sock off

Work second sock.

Have a crafty week

Scarflette

I wanted to call this a Neckerchief as it brings up images in my mind of Benjamin Bunny messing about in Old Mac Gregor's garden.  Unfortunately for it to be a Neckerchief it has to be a little bit triangular, so this will be a Scarflette.  The actual blog is about BLOCKING your knitting.  I am confessing straight up that this was my first attempt and as it was so successful I am converted.  You have to block your knitting specially if you've spent all that time knitting up a gorgeous lacy pattern.  Picture 1 is my piece fresh of the needles.

About.com teaches us about blocking why you would want to do it and how to do it to what type of fibres.  As I used a 100% wool here steaming did the trick. You should get some T-pins I think they will make the job a bit easier.

Look how beautifully the pattern has opened up. The steam just pulled the pattern into place.  My scarflette pattern is just a rectangle, when folded over your shoulders let the two pieces hanging down the front meet with a nice brooch or in this case some little buttons (thanks to the lacy pattern I just used existing holes)

When you put a jacket over this it looks like you have this gorgeous knitted top on it acts like a false collar it is lovely and warm but not too hot for in between weather a great layering technique. You can also do it out of those lovely balls  in your stash that you only have one of, as it doesn't have to be nearly as long a a regular scarf.

That's my bit for the week. Wish me well as we've reached D-day for moving and the packers will be here on Monday morning.

Have a Crafty week.

Tina

SOCKS

 A year or two ago I discovered sock knitting.  It always seemed too hard to try. With all those needles you could just tie yourself up.  The surprising thing is, it is much easier than what it looks and it is mostly a quick weekend project.  I love the amazing sock yarn that the wool and craft stores stock. If you want to start off, get a basic pattern and maybe a thicker yarn and aim for some Bed socks.  You can then graduate to the more fancy lacy types when you know what you're doing. http://www.knittingdaily.com/ is a wonderful site full of great knitting info and patterns.  Register with them (It is free)  and then download their "7 Free Sock Pattern" booklet.  The other free download from them is their "8 Free knitting patterns for Children".  In this children one is a sock section with a very nice basic sock pattern that I've tried out a few times. With the cooling Autumn air about I found some yarn I had left from last years' attempts and whipped up some tootsie warmers for the little feet in my house.

Some more sock knitting needs to happen as I've also managed to get the most beautiful self patterned 100% wool yarn and I have just the pattern for it.

Have a Crafty Week
xXx

Cuddle Bunny

It's April and Easter Time. About 3 Easters ago I knitted a couple of these little guys for our new baby, actually it was one for the new baby to be and then the siblings had to have one each and then a couple more for friends and relations you know how it goes.  There is a new baby girl that made her appearance a week or two ago and when we went for the little smell and cuddle session to meet our new little friend and congratulate her elated family I felt the urge to take a Bunny friend. Keeping patterns organized just doesn't seem to be my strong point but now thanks to the wonderful world  wide web it doesn't have to be - after a google search I found the pattern online.  It is a Lincraft pattern free to use in their archives and you too can find it here:                http://www.lincraft.com.au/view_project.php?id=421

The hardest part for me is putting the face on - I do have 3 critical viewers and as long as it passes their "friendly face" criteria it's good to go.

Choosing the right wool is important as it has to be super soft and cuddly (and durable for lots of washing).  The Fairy floss that they recommend gives just about the most touchable finish I can recommend. Oh and the whole project took me one evening for the knitting and one more for the finishing. 

This bunny is ready to go to her new home.

Have a crafty week.