Marilynn'sGardenKnitDesign: January 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Plaited Mitts

1/30/13

The Plaited Mitts are ready to be companions to the Plaited Slouch!

It is only Wednesday, and the birthday party is on Saturday.

Plaited Mitts
Marilynn Blacketer '13

The Plaited Mitts work well in a wool blend.

This is a great project for working with cable 6 front, and cable 6 back.

The Plaited Mitts are a companion project to Plaited Slouch. The mitts are worked from the cuff.

Finished size:

mitt: flat 7”, stretches to 12”circumference; height 11”

Gauge: 3.5 stitches =1” Check the gauge! Check for squishiness and elasticity in the fabric/mitt.

Materials:

Yarn: wool blend bulky weight 125 yards/4ounces 125m/30g

Photo: Plaited Mitts are knit in Yarnia custom blend: 40%mohair/ 39%wool/ 4%silk/ 15%cotton&gold/ 1%lurex worked with a strand of Jaeger Silk 4ply(discontinued).

Needles: Size US#10.5, size US#11,16”circular needles, and/or Size US#10.5, size US#11 set of double pointed needles (I prefer working one mitt on two circular needles. A great reference for getting started is Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, by Cat Bordhi)

Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: k = knit p= purl Rnd/s=round/s sts=stitches cn=cable needle pm=place marker

BO=bind off CO=cast on

Special Stitches:

Cable 6 Front: c6f: slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k3, then k3 sts from cn.

Cable 6 Back: c6b: slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of work, k3, then k3 sts from cn

2 Right Cross: 2rc: slip 1 st to cn and hold in back of work, k1, then k st from cn

(Helpful hint: I prefer working the 2rc: K2tog, leave on left needle, knit first stitch again, drop both stitches from left needle.)

Directions:

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size #10.5 Cast on 32 stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Rib rnds 1-10: Knit1 , purl1 rib

Set up for mitts as follows: With size #11, K17; with size #10.5 continue, p1,*k1, p1; repeat from * to end

(The first 17 stitches will be worked on size #11 needles. The palm ribbing will be worked on size #10.5)

Now work round 10 of the mitt one time: 2rc, p2, k3, c6f, p2, 2rc, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from *to end

Mitt: Complete rounds 1-10 twice.

Rnds 1-4: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 5: 2rc, p2, c6b, k3, p2, 2rc, p1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnds 6-9: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 10: 2rc, p2, k3, c6f, p2, 2rc, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from * to end

Complete rounds 1-10 twice. Then set up for thumb openings:

Thumb openings:

Left-hand Rnd 1: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, (p1, k1) 5 times, BO 3 , p1 29sts

Left-hand Rnd 2: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, (p1, k1) 5 times, CO 3 , k1, p1 32sts

Right-hand Rnd 1: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p1, k1, BO 3, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from * to end 29sts

Right-hand Rnd 2: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p1, k1, CO 3, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from * to end 32sts

Rnds 3-4: K2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from *to end

Rnd 5: 2rc, p2, c6b, k3, p2, 2rc, p1, *k1,p1; repeat from *to end

Set up ribbing as follows: with size#10.5 needles, *knit 1, purl 1; repeat from *to end

Rib rnds 2-10: Knit1 , purl1 rib

Next rnd: Work stitches as presented, and bind off loosely. Tie off neatly, and weave in tails.

Finishing: Create the thumb cuffs:

Use three size #10.5 double pointed needles. Pick up 12 stitches evenly around the thumb opening.

Cuff rnds 1-5: K1, p1 rib

Next rnd: Work stitches as presented, and bind off loosely. Tie off neatly. Weave in ends.

This pattern is available at MarilynnsGardenKnitDesign.blogspot.com

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com
pdf Plaited Hat & Leg Warmers Set is available at Ravelry.com (login needed)

Here are a few photos of the project.

I have one mitt finished. I am ready to get started on the second. I can see (and calculated) there to be plenty of the Yarnia custom blend for the second mitt. I really have more silk available, and I did need that to complete the project.

I've started the work on double pointed needles, as if I were knitting socks.

I've made my join, and started the ribbing.

To demonstrate, I knitted the first 17 stitches on to size #11 needle, and continued to rib the palm stitches on size#10.5. Then I would cable, and remember to pick up the correct size needle to continue.


I prefer working on two circular needles. I also prefer the needle tips having different looks. It makes it easier for me to pick up, and work on the correct set of needles. Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, by Cat Bordhi is an excellent resource for getting started.


With the ribbing needles resting in the back, I found it easier to cable.

To complete the top ribbing, I used another size#10.5 circular needle. This set happened to have a 29"cable.

The mitts are done, but they could use thumb cuffs for a finishing touch.

Using a crochet hook, I picked up and knitted 12 stitches around the thumb opening. My friend just picks up stitches and knits. Then I slipped the stitches through the back-loop to the size#10.5 double pointed needles.

I ribbed the thumb cuffs, and worked the bind off in pattern.

The Plaited Mitts are finished!

The Plaited Mitts are in companionship with the Plaited Slouch ready to go to the birthday party.

Photo of the birthday girl at Lake Tahoe.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Plaited Slouch

1/27/13 My friend will be having her 40th birthday. She has always wanted to knit a white cable hat, but I know she is busy, and I’m working on the pattern for plaited leg warmers and hat. I really wanted to make her something special so I custom ordered from Yarnia. 40mohair/ 39wool/ 4silk/ 15cotton&gold/ 1lurex. I miscalculated, and the yarn arrived beautifully blended with 5 strands, but worsted weight. I really should have ordered a 6th strand, possibly hemp. Now available! I decided to strand the Yarnia with silk Ami had given me years ago because I like to make big projects. I hope this project is big enough to meet her expectations.

Plaited Slouch
Marilynn Blacketer '13

The Plaited Slouch works well in wool blend.

It looks really complicated, but it's made with series of cable 6 front, and cable 6 back.

It is a fun project if you like working with big needles!

Finished size: flat 20”, stretches to 24”circumference; height 10”

Gauge: 4 stitches =1” Check the gauge! Check for squishiness and elasticity in the fabric/hat.

Materials:

Yarn: Wool blend bulky weight 200 yards/ 7 ounces; 200m/200g

Photo: Plaited Slouch is knit in Yarnia custom blend: 40%mohair/ 39%wool/ 4%silk/ 15%cotton&gold/ 1%lurex worked with a strand of Jaeger Silk 4ply(discontinued).

Needles: Size US#10.5 , 16” circular needles, size US#11 ,24”circular needles, size US#11 set of double pointed needles, Size US#13 16”circular needles

Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: k = knit p= purl Rnd/s=round/s sts=stitches cn=cable needle pm=place marker k2tog=knit 2 together p2tog=purl 2 together CO=cast on m1= make one stitch

(Helpful hint: I prefer the m1 (m1tbp): place point of working (right-hand) needle behind other needle, inserting needle from the top through the purl stitch below next stitch, and knit, then knit the stitch above.)

Special Stitches:

Cable 6 Front: c6f: slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k3, then k3 sts from cn.

Cable 6 Back: c6b: slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in back of work, k3,then k3 sts from cn

2 Right Cross: 2rc: slip 1 st to cn and hold in back of work, k1, then k st from cn

(Helpful hint: for working 2rc I prefer: K2tog, leave on left needle, knit first stitch again, drop both stitches from left needle.)

Directions:

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size #10.5, 16”circular needles. Cast on 80 stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Brim rnds 1-10: Knit1 , purl1 rib

Set up for hat as follows:

Brim rnd 11: With size #11, 24” circular needles, *M1, k2; repeat from * to end. (Helpful hint: you'll be making a stitch and knitting the knit, then knit the purl.) 120sts

Brim rnd 12: *K18, p2, pm, k2, p2, k8,k2tog, p2, k2, p2,(pm); repeat from* to end 117sts

Brim rnd 13: Now work round 10 one time: *K3, (c6f) twice, k3, p2, 2rc, p2, k3, c6f, p2, 2rc, p2; repeat from* to end.

Hat: Complete rounds 1-10 twice, and again through rnd 5:

Rnds 1-4: *K18, p2, k2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p2; repeat from* to end.

(Helpful hint: for more elasticity work rnd 4: stitches 1-18, sts 40-57, sts 60-77 with size#13 needles)

Rnd 5: *(C6b)three times, p2, 2rc, p2, c6b, k3, p2, 2rc, p2; repeat form * to end

Rnds 6-9: *K18, p2, k2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p2; repeat for *to end.

Rnd 10: *K3, (c6f) twice, k3, p2, 2rc, p2, k3, c6f, p2, 2rc, p2; repeat from *to end

Complete rounds 1-10 twice, and again through rnd 5.

Start Crown decrease: (Use double pointed needles when needed.)

Rnd 1: *K18, p2tog, k2, p2tog, k9, p2tog, k2, p2tog; repeat from * to end 105sts

Rnd 2: *knit 3, k2tog; repeat from* to end of round 84sts

Rnd 3: Knit

Rnd 4: *knit 2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round 63sts

Rnd 5: Knit

Rnd 6: *knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round 32sts

Rnd 7: *k2tog, *repeat until 10 stitches remain

Finishing: Cut 12” yarn and thread end through remaining 10 stitches. Pull together, tie off neatly, and weave tails.

This pattern is available at MarilynnsGardenKnitDesign.blogspot.com

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com
pdf Plaited Hat & Leg Warmers is available at Ravelry.com (login needed)

Here are a few photos of the work in progress.

I am always excited when the yarn arrives from Yarnia! I had miscalculated, and the yarn arrived as worsted weight. I pulled some silk, from not too deep storage, that Ami had given me to strand with the Yarnia to bring the weight up to bulky.

I've started. I have the 10 rounds of knit 1, purl 1 ribbing.

This is project for working with big needles! I have them handy. Not showing in the photo, I also use many markers. I mark green at the beginning of the sequence, and purple at the midpoint. Soon I'll be ready to work a cable round.

As I got to round 4, I worked the stitches 1-18, then 40-57, and 60-77 on to size 13 needles. The green markers wanted to fall off so I clipped them in place.

At round 4, the needles worked parallel to each other.

At this round 4, I grabbed the wrong end of the size 13, and worked the first 18stitches into a loop. I fixed the problem by sliding those stitches on to a size 11 double pointed needle. Now I am ready to cable. Remember, it's a project for working with big needles!

I was feeling that the hat was big enough! I got out a favorite resource to check the finished measurements. Pints & Purls, Portable Projects for the Social Knitters, by Karida Collins and Libby Bruce, p91. That Slouchy Hat is also a fun project with bigger needles and no cables! I knitted 5 more rounds.

As I began the decrease sequence, I dropped off the midpoint markers. I kept the green beginning markers to help place the double pointed needles. I needed double pointed needles for the last round or two. I was excited to finish the project and forgot to take photos.

Here the finished slouch displayed on a vase. We'll save the modeled photo for the birthday party.

Plaited Slouch! Happy Birthday to the birthday girl.


Even better, a photo of the birthday girl at Lake Tahoe!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Plaited Baby Hat

With the request/challenge of creating cabled leg warmers, I studied the charts in 400 knitting stitches by Potter Craft. I selected Plait 3, p103, and 9-Stitch Plait, p52. I’ve cast on 58 stitches, worked the rib, and finished a hat. I’ve also been designing and typing with Intwined Pattern Studio. I’m enjoying the look of the plaiting. It looks really complicated, but it's made with series of cable 6 front, and cable 6 back. I've edited the pattern, and I am ready to post the results. Tomorrow I'll get started on the cabled leg warmers.

1-14-13

Plaited Baby Hat

Finished size: flat 10”, stretches to 14”circumference; height 8”

Gauge: 5sts = 1”

Materials:

Yarn: Cotton blend in worsted weight

Photo: Plaited Baby Hat is knit in Knit Picks Shine Worsted; 60% Pima/ 40% Modal;
75yards/ 50grams

Needles: Size US#6, 12” circular needles, size US#7, 12”circular needles,
size US#7 set of double pointed needles

Notions: Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: k = knit p= purl Rnd/s=round/s sts=stitches cn=cable needle
PM=place marker k2tog=knit 2 together p2tog=purl 2 together BO=bind off CO=cast on

Special Stitches:

Cable 6 Front: c6f: slip 3 sts to cn and hold in front of work, k3, then k3 sts from cn.

Cable 6 Back: c6b: slip 3 sts to cn and hold in back of work, k3,then k3 sts from cn

1/1 Right Cross: 11rc: slip 1 st to cn and hold in back of work, k1, then k st from cn

(Helpful hint: I prefer working the 11rc: K2tog, leave on left needle, insert right needle again into the first stitch on needle, knit 1, drop both stitches)

Directions:

Use the long-tail cast-on method, with size #6, 12”circular needles. Cast on 58 stitches.

Place marker & join together by knitting first stitch being careful not to twist.

Rib rnds 1-10: Knit 1, purl 1 rib

Set up for hat as follows:
With size #7, 16” circular needles, K18, p2, (PM, k2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p2) twice
Next round: K3, (c6f) twice, k3, p2, (11rc, p2, k3, c6f, p2, 11rc, p2) twice

Hat: Complete rounds 1-10 three times.

Rnds 1-4: K18, p2, (k2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p2) twice

Rnd 5: (C6b)three times, p2, (11rc, p2, c6b, k3, p2, 11rc, p2) twice

Rnds 6-9: K18, p2,(k2, p2, k9, p2, k2, p2) twice

Rnd 10: K3, (c6f) twice, k3, p2, (11rc, p2, k3, c6f, p2, 11rc, p2) twice

After you've complete rounds 1-10 three times, start crown decrease.
Crown:

Rnd 1: K18, p2tog,(k2, p2tog, k9, p2tog, k2, p2tog) twice 51sts

Rnd 2: *Knit 3, k2tog; repeat from* to end of round, k1 41sts

Rnd 3: Knit 39, k2tog 40sts

Rnd 4: *Knit 2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round 30sts

Rnd 5: Knit

Rnd 6: *Knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round 20sts

Rnd 7: *K2tog; *repeat until 10 stitches remain

Finishing: Cut 12” yarn, and thread end through remaining 10 stitches. Pull together and tie off.

This pattern is available at MarilynnsGardenKnitDesign.blogspot.com.

For pattern support please contact: marilynnblacketer@gmail.com

I enjoy knitting, but I'm still developing the computer skills. I'll print a copy of the chart and key from Intwined Pattern Studio. I'll be sure the intwinedstudio.com credit is also available in the photo.

When working from the chart, the pattern is worked twice from stitches 21 to 39.

Here are a few photos of the process:

Let's get started with the design.


Design with Intwined Pattern Studio, and start working. You can see there is more work ahead.


Work the crown on double pointed needles.

The Plaited Baby Hat is finished! Tomorrow I'll get started on the cabled leg warmers!
pattern pdf Plaited Hat & Leg Warmers is available at Ravelry.com (login needed)