» Listings for June 2023

1. Light and Lacy Shawl

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 30th Jun 2023

   

   You will need

   1 x 4.5 or 5mm knitting needle

   1 x 8mm or 9mm knitting needle

   Double Knitting yarn – 2 100g balls of James Brett Shh – if you use another brand, you will probably need more as you will get so much less on the ball.

   You may find helpful: a row counter – a tape measure

   This pattern is so versatile you can literally make it in any number of stitches across – any length you fancy.  I worked it on uneven needles to get a more open lace look, but you could work it on a pair of 6mm needles and get the same the pattern – just closer together.

    

   My shawl measures 28”  wide x 82” long And took a whole ball and about ¼ of another – but I should have gone longer!

    

    

   Method:

   Using the 4.5mm needle – cast on 85 stitches onto the 9mm needle.

   Row 1: using the 4.5mm needle knit all stitches across row.

   Row 2: using the 9mm needle knit all stitches across row.

   Repeat rows 1: and 2: until you reach -

   Row 14: with the 9mm needle – knit 1 *(bring the yarn under the needle, then over the top and, knit the next stitch (creates an extra stitch) – repeat from * to end of row.

   Row 15: with the 4.5mm needle knit the first stitch, *(push the created loop from the previous row off the needle, knit the next stitch – repeat from * to end of row.

   Row 16: using the 9mm needle knit all stitches across row.

    

   These 16 rows form the pattern, work as much as you like and cast off very loosely.

    

   Take one step further –

   -       Add a fringe.

   -       For a narrower scarf cast on less stitches.

   -       Change the number of rows between stripes.

2. Farmhouse Teacosy

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 6th Jun 2023

   

   Approximate size – 17cm high – 22cm across

   This pattern is worked all in plain knit stitch with contrast stripes.  The ‘bump’ shapes are formed by the yarn pulled across the back of the stripes.

    

   You will need: -

   4mm knitting needles

   Double Knitting yarn in 2 colours – about 30 gms of each colour

   Large blunt needle to sew up

   Large, bright statement button or a pompom for the top of the cosy.

    

   Method - Sides – make 2

   Cast on 84 stitches in colour A

   Row 1: knit across all stitches.

   Row 2- row 4: repeat row 1

    

   Working the colour stripes.

   Row 1: knit 2 stitches in yarn A, twist yarns around each other, *(knit 8 stitches in yarn B, twist yarns around each other, pull across yarn A, knit 8 stitches in Yarn A, twist yarns around each other, pull across yarn B) repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches in yarn B.

    

   *NB – you don’t need to pull the yarn really tightly across the gaps – just enough to create the shape.

    

   Row 2: knit 2 stitches in yarn B,

   bring yarn B to front of work, twist yarns around each other, take yarn A to back of work, *(knit 8 stitches in yarn A, bring yarn A to front of work, twist yarns around each other, take yarn B to back of work, and pull up slack, knit 8 stitches in yarn B, bring yarn B to back of work, twist yarns around each other, take yarn A to the front of the work, and pull up slack).

   repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches in yarn A.

    

   These 2 rows form the pattern – repeat them until work measures 13cm (you can make it longer here if you wish) from cast on edge.

    

    

   The back of the work will look like this.

    

    

    

    

    

   Shape top.

   Keep the yarns working in the stripe pattern as before.

   Row 1: (decrease row) knit 2 stitches in A, then in each of the colour stripes work the following set of stitches.  (knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together), to the last 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches in yarn B. (64 stitches).

    

   Row 2: (plain row) knit 2 stitches in yarn B, then in each of the colour stripes work, (knit 6 stitches), to last 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches in yarn A.

    

   Row 3: (decrease row) knit 2 stitches in A, then in each of the colour stripes work the following set of stitches, (knit 2 together, knit 2, knit 2 together), to the last 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches in yarn B. (34 stitches).

    

   Row 4: (plain row) knit 2 stitches in yarn B, then in each of the colour stripes work, (knit 4 stitches), to last 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches in yarn A.  Break off yarn B.

    

   Row 5: Continue in yarn A only.  Knit 2 stitches together all across row. (17 stitches).

   Row 6: purl all across row

   Row 7: Continue in yarn A only.  Knit 2 stitches together across row to last stitch, knit 1. (9 stitches).

   Draw yarn through stitches, pull tight and secure.

    

   Making up

   Sew the 2 sides together from the front side.  Use a mattress stitch to join the 2 colour ‘bumps’ together at the base – hiding the securing columns at the very edge.

    

   Sew up about 1” up from cast on edge.  Leave a gap for the handle and spout and sew up to the top of the cosy.  Add a bright statement button or a pompom to the top of the cosy.

    

   For the smaller size teapot – 11cm high x 15cm wide

   You will need about 12 grams of each colour.

   Cast on 52 stitches.

   Work 5 rows in plain knitting.

   Work rows 1 and 2 of the pattern as before until work measures about 10 cm.

   Decrease for the top shaping as before.

    

   Take a step further:

   • This looks just as cool in all one colour.
   • You can adjust the size by adding more (or less) columns of colour.
   • You can also make the columns 6 stitches wide instead of 8.
   • Knit in stocking stitch by working 1 knit row – then 1 purl row – making sure that you adjust the yarn to keep all the threads to the back.
   • Try working a basket weave pattern by working blocks of stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch – changing them round every 8 or 10 rows.

3. Blanket Club - Alternating Lace Blocks Square

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 2nd Jun 2023

    Alternating Lace Blocks

   You will need;

   1 strand of double knitting to be worked on 4mm knitting needles – about 12g

   Or 2 strands of double knitting (equal to chunky weight yarn) to be worked on 6mm knitting needles – about 20g

   • If you are using the double knitting weight of yarn, then use 2 strands together throughout.
   • If you are using the chunky weight of yarn, then use 1 strand throughout.
   • Remember to count all the rows as you work up the square.

   Cast on 29 stitches.

   Row 1: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

   Row 2: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

   Row 3: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

   Row 4: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

   Row 5: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *knit 3, bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle – repeat from * to last 7 stitches, knit 3 purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 6: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 7: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *knit 3, bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle – repeat from * to last 7 stitches, knit 3, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 8: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 9: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *knit 3, bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle – repeat from * to last 7 stitches, knit 3, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 10: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 11: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *knit 3, bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle – repeat from * to last 7 stitches, knit 3, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 12: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 13: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle, knit 3 – repeat from * to last 4, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 14: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 15: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle, knit 3 – repeat from * to last 4, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 16: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4 knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 17: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle, knit 3 – repeat from * to last 4 purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 18: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Row 19: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, *bring yarn forward under needle, slip 1 knit wise, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over the worked stitch and off the needle, bring yarn forward under needle, knit 3 – repeat from * to last 4 purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

   Row 20: purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl across all stitches to last 4, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

   Rows 21: to 28: work rows 5: to 12: again

   Row 29: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

   Row 30: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

   Row 31: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

   Row 32: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

   Cast off.