Machine Knit Head Band/Neck Cowl

Here is what I just got done making for a craft show this weekend. Head Band/Neck Cowl. You can wear these on your head (covering your ears) for warmth OR you can wear them around your neck. I was inspired by a free Hand-Knit pattern that I saw online.

Here is how I made mine:
Using my KH-965i, I used my Garter Carriage, chose a pattern (many will do), cast on 34 sts with waste yarn and 3 strands of 2/24, tension 7++.
Set your carriage to knit 182 rows.
Pick up stitches from the first row and rehang onto stitches. Bind off.
You now have a circular band. I then did the cinching simply by wrapping a strand of yarn around about 8 or 9 times. I then chose some funky buttons to sew on.
You don't HAVE to use a garter carriage or even an electric knitting machine. Basically you just have to knit a band approx. 5" wide X 23" Long (when slightly stretched).

I also made some using sock yarn but cast on 40 sts instead and knit 194 rows. Self striping yarn works up really neat for these!

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New Crochet Slipper Pattern! "Options"

I have been at it again with the whole "options" thing! The knit version of the Options Slippers has gone over so well that I decided to do a crocheted version. Not only are they cute but they are just about the fastest things I've ever made.
The Options that you get with this pattern are that you can choose to:
1. crochet the whole slipper, which is done flat, then folded and either stitched or crochet together.
OR
2. you can crochet the tops, then use a sole that you cut out of a pre-felted sweater. Talk about fast!
I crochet kind of fast perhaps, but I can make one slipper (all-crochet) in about an hour.
My pattern include full written instructions, pictures, hints & tips, and my top-secret (shhhh...) method for making you slippers non skid.

Here is the link to the pattern: LINK

New way to make crochet purse straps!

I had made a purse several years ago, it was a flukey thing. I intended to start a crocheted beanie hat when it occurred to me that it was going to end up being huge because the yarn I'd chosen was bulky and I wasn't using a pattern just going along freestyle. I decided to keep going and make a purse! The off-white with rust is that purse. I found a nifty snap & leather closure for it that I LOVE! -wish I could remember where I got it from. sigh. Anyway, every time I carry this purse people give me good comments about it. Decided I should make a few more. I made one larger and one smaller. I used black store-bought handles for the smaller one, not too crazy about them. On the larger bag I made my own handles which is what I am going to tell you about:

Using Bulky yarn I chained double the length of the strap I wanted. I then hdc across the chain. Then fold the whole thing in half and join the two ends. Just stitch them together the best and flattest that you can, weave in ends.
Next make sure that when you have it folded in half that the stitched edges are in the middle, not at either end. (see my lame drawing).

Now you will begin to sc around the doubled length. Start about 1 1/2" from the end and end leaving about 1 1/2". Make sure you tie off and weave in your end when you are done sc-ing. Make a second one to match.
To make it super secure I then did a running stitch from end to end, maybe it was because it was black but you couldn't even see it. I hope I have explained this well enough to help someone else make this strap.

Machine Knit Cowl

So the other night we were all out for a family dinner, my niece gave her sister a birthday gift which was a knitted cowl. It was a very nice red knitted cowl - very simple for us MK'rs. I decided to throw one on my standard gauge knitting machine last night and use my garter carriage to knit it.
Here is how I did this one:
T7
76 stitches
Using Knitking "Panache" cone yarn. I got about 9sts to the inch. (don't know the weight as the cone didn't say)
Pattern #539 on my KH-965i
I cast on with waste yarn, then knit 500 rows. After the last row was knit I picked up the cast on row and hung it on the working needles. I then knit tog. and cast off. I then lightly steamed it with my steamer.
I really like the cowl! It started snowing here in Montana minutes after I took the pictures so I guess I'll NEED to wear it soon!

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New Kids/Toddlers Slipper pattern "Options"

I had a bunch of requests to write my "Options Slippers" for Kids & Toddlers. So I did!

I love the way these kids one's turn out. The pattern is written for sizes 6mo-12yr.

If you are interested,here is the link to the pattern: HERE

Breast Cancer Survivor Slippers

I made these slippers for my friend who is soon-to-be a Breast Cancer Survivor. I used Bernat Satin yarn, color is called "Seashell Pink", it took 1 full skein (163 yds) and another 25 yds from a second skein.
The pattern is my "options" slippers where you can choose how you make the soles. I knit the tops, crocheted the bottoms.
The little pink ribbons were just some leftover stash yarn that I had. I used a size F crochet hook, ch 30, turn, slip st in 2nd ch and each ch across. tie off.
I then sewed the ribbon to the tops of the slippers.
I am pleased with how they turned out. We have a cancer center up at the hospital where my mother volunteers, I may make a few more pairs of these and donate them.

New "Options" Slippers

I am so pleased! I have been working on this pattern for about 2 weeks. These are called "Options" Slippers. First you knit the top part of the slipper, then you make a choice for the sole - you can knit it, crochet it, or cut a sole out of a pre-felted sweater! You then sew or crochet them together. These are super fast to make, super comfy, and fun.
I think these slippers would make great items for Craft shows, bazaars, fund-raisers, or even on Etsy, etc. as they are fast. (Yes, you can sell the finished slippers!) This pattern is available for sale here:
HERE

or see more patterns at my website: http://www.kriskrafter.com/feslpa.html

Kris's study of Machine-knit dishcloths

Although I love getting hand-made items, I have in the past received hand-knit
or hand-crocheted dishcloths that are just too thick. I was on a quest for the
perfect weight in dishcloths. Not too thick, but not too thin either.
I had in my stash, 100% unmercerized cotton in several different weights.
Thought I'd try different combinations of these yarns, different tensions,
different cast-on #'s. and see what I liked best. Please note that some of these dishcloths, while still on the machine look waaay too long but actually once the weights are off, remove from the machine, wash & dry them - they are the correct size. The length shrinks more than the width does.
Using my Brother KH-965i knitting machine, here are the results of my scientific (?) study of making
dish cloths.
First I found 3 very good patterns:

http://www.daisyknits.com/freemkpats.htm
http://rozspot.blogspot.com/2010/11/knit-cotton-washcloths-cast-on-rag.html
http://www.eileenmontgomery.com/freebies/patterns/dishcloth.html


All of these patterns are great. Because I was trying different thicknesses of yarn,
I tried all of them as written, then I combined parts of them to make the pattern I
preferred. I wanted my dishcloths to end up about the same size and thickness no
matter what yarn I used(11" square before washing). I kept track of all the different yarn combinations in hopes it may help others that have oddball cones of cotton that they want to use.

Here are the results so far of what I have made and what I like best.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using 1 strand of 8/3
Tension 8
RC000. E-wrap cast on over 68 sts.
• Knit 1 row to the left, weave tail in. Hang the cast-on comb and weights.
• Set to KCII and program the pattern to #461 or #256 Double length.
• Knit 1 row to the right. Push both the tuck buttons in and push the rubber wheels on the bottom of the carriage to tucking position. I also employed the weaving brushes.
• Knit in tuck until RC030.
• RC030. Release the tuck buttons, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• RC034. Release the slip buttons and Push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit in tuck until RC172 .
• Release the tuck button, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• Release the slip buttons and push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit 29 rows in tuck.
• Set Change knob to N-L and release the tuck buttons. Knit 1 row in stocking st.
RC206. Bind off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using 1 strand of 3.5/1 PLUS 1 strand of 16/2
Tension 8
RC000. E-wrap cast on over 66 sts.
• Knit 1 row to the left, weave tail in. Hang the cast-on comb and weights.
• Set to KCII and program the pattern to #461 or #256 Double length.
• Knit 1 row to the right. Push both the tuck buttons in and push the rubber wheels on the bottom of the carriage to tucking position. I also employed the weaving brushes.
• Knit in tuck until RC030.
• RC030. Release the tuck buttons, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• RC034. Release the slip buttons and Push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit in tuck until RC168 .
• Release the tuck button, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• Release the slip buttons and push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit 29 rows in tuck.
• Set Change knob to N-L and release the tuck buttons. Knit 1 row in stocking st.
RC202. Bind off.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using 1 strand of 8/2 PLUS 1 strand of 16/2
Tension 8
RC000. E-wrap cast on over 68 sts.
• Knit 1 row to the left, weave tail in. Hang the cast-on comb and weights.
• Set to KCII and program the pattern to #461 or #256 Double length.
• Knit 1 row to the right. Push both the tuck buttons in and push the rubber wheels on the bottom of the carriage to tucking position. I also employed the weaving brushes.
• Knit in tuck until RC030.
• RC030. Release the tuck buttons, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• RC034. Release the slip buttons and Push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit in tuck until RC172 .
• Release the tuck button, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• Release the slip buttons and push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit 29 rows in tuck.
• Set Change knob to N-L and release the tuck buttons. Knit 1 row in stocking st.
RC206. Bind off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using 1 strand of 12/4
Tension 6++
RC000. E-wrap cast on over 68 sts.
• Knit 1 row to the left, weave tail in. Hang the cast-on comb and weights.
• Set to KCII and program the pattern to #461 or #256 Double length.
• Knit 1 row to the right. Push both the tuck buttons in and push the rubber wheels on the bottom of the carriage to tucking position. I also employed the weaving brushes.
• Knit in tuck until RC030.
• RC030. Release the tuck buttons, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• RC034. Release the slip buttons and Push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit in tuck until RC164 .
• Release the tuck button, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• Release the slip buttons and push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit 29 rows in tuck.
• Set Change knob to N-L and release the tuck buttons. Knit 1 row in stocking st.
RC198. Bind off.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using 2 strands of 16/2
Tension 7
RC000. E-wrap cast on over 68 sts.
• Knit 1 row to the left, weave tail in. Hang the cast-on comb and weights.
• Set to KCII and program the pattern to #461 or #256 Double length.
• Knit 1 row to the right. Push both the tuck buttons in and push the rubber wheels on the bottom of the carriage to tucking position. I also employed the weaving brushes.
• Knit in tuck until RC030.
• RC030. Release the tuck buttons, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• RC034. Release the slip buttons and Push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit in tuck until RC168.
• Release the tuck button, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• Release the slip buttons and push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit 29 rows in tuck.
• Set Change knob to N-L and release the tuck buttons. Knit 1 row in stocking st.
RC202. Bind off.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using 1 strand of 16/2 PLUS 1 strand of 3.5/1 cotton slub
Tension 8
RC000. E-wrap cast on over 64 sts.
• Knit 1 row to the left, weave tail in. Hang the cast-on comb and weights.
• Set to KCII and program the pattern to #461 or #256 Double length.
• Knit 1 row to the right. Push both the tuck buttons in and push the rubber wheels on the bottom of the carriage to tucking position. I also employed the weaving brushes.
• Knit in tuck until RC030.
• RC030. Release the tuck buttons, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• RC034. Release the slip buttons and Push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit in tuck until RC168 .
• Release the tuck button, push in both slip buttons and knit 4 rows.
• Release the slip buttons and push in both tuck buttons.
• Knit 29 rows in tuck.
• Set Change knob to N-L and release the tuck buttons. Knit 1 row in stocking st.
RC202. Bind off.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Dishcloth took about 12 minutes on average to knit on the machine. I then washed and dried them to make them shrink to a nice size. If you give them to friends or family you may want to then block them nice and square.
That's all for my "scientific study" for now! If I try other weights of yarn and
find them to my liking I will post those results as well.
Happy knitting!
Kris

UPDATE: 8/30/17
I hadn't knit any of these in quite a while.  I am about to take a trip to go visit some relatives and wanted to knit a bunch up to take along as gifts.  I had a small amount of time to get as many knit up as I could before leaving.
For all of these I used 1 strand of 8/2 (Valley Yarns purchased on yarn.com), and 1 strand of 16/2 (purchased from the Yarn Barn).  Most I used the plating yarn feeder to do a plated tuck, a few others I twisted the 2 strands together before knitting.  I used pattern #256 for all of them, double length.  Tension 8, cast on 68 sts, knit 205 rows then bind off.  Note, I didn't do the rows of slip stitch and actually I found that these came out more square in the end than the ones above with the slip rows.  These also look VERY long when you knit them but remarkably after being washed and dried in the machine the shrink up to approx. 11" sq.

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Felted Flip Flops!!! Yes way!

This is my latest pattern on my website. I am really excited about these. Felted Flip-Flops made from wool sweaters! You cut, sew, then felt them. People ask me why my patterns are this way instead of using a pre-felted sweater. Quite simply I hate the bulky seams that felted fabric leaves you with. When you make them "my way" you can trim the seams easier and the wool, when felted seams to shrink down a lot nicer. -less bulky seams. Plus, you can felt it perfectly to your own size. This pattern is for Womens sizes: Sm, Med, Lg. It is available on my website for $5.25 HERE

Machine Knitting - Felted Slipper Pattern - DOUBLE strands of wool

Okay...Here it is, I've been asked for a thicker version of my machine-knit felted slippers!
Here is my "recipe" for making the DOUBLE stranded felted wool slippers on my Bulky Knitting Machine. I use a Brother KH-260, which is a 9mm machine, tension is set at 10.
I used a variety of leftover worsted weight wool. Mostly gotten from Michaels or thrift stores. This pattern is written in very basic form and assumes that the maker is a fairly experienced Machine knitter so I don't go into detail about how to ewrap cast-on, make a heel, etc.
___________________________SIZES are Womens Med(Lg)
Here is how I made them:
Using two strands of worsted weight wool yarn, cast on 20(22) sts.with e-wrap cast on using your cuff color.
Knit 6 rows in cuff color (or you could use your garter bar and do garter stitch for 6 rows. Don't have a garter bar?.......well, I happen to know where you can get one! (wink). You could also knit 12 rows and hang a hem for a thicker cuff.
change to heel color and knit your heel, short rowing down to 10(10) sts then increasing back up to all stitches in work.
change to bottom foot color and knit 28(30) rows.
change to toe color and knit toe same as heel
change to top foot color and knit 28(30) rows
Knit 6 rows in cuff color and then bind off. (or again you can do garter stitch, hang a hem or whatever).

I sewed the seam on my sewing machine with as small a seam allowance as possible 1/8" or so, but you can also sew the sides shut using mattress stitch.
I felted mine in my top-loader washing machine. Finally, trim up any furry wool, shape it by putting it on your foot (I know, it's cold, wet and yucky but you want to get a perfect fit to your foot), now set it aside to air dry. Enjoy! I would love to see slippers that others make.
If you are looking for the SINGLE strand version of this pattern see further down in my blog and you will see that pattern as well.
*There is also a hand-knit version that I sell on my website.
www.kriskrafter.com

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NEW! 2-Needle Felted Slippers Pattern

New 2-Needle Felted Slippers Pattern on my website!
Not a fan of double points? or just looking for a super fast project? Need a gift in a day's notice? This pattern is for you! These slippers are not knit in the traditional slipper manner - sort of sock-like you simply knit flat, folded and stitched, it couldn't be any easier! Make 2 color, 3 color, striped, whatever your hearts desire. Felting instructions included AND I'll tell you my top-secret way of making a non-slip sole (shhh!). Knit with a regular set of #8 knitting needles and worsted weight wool yarn. Below are a few that I just made - I will be posting more pics soon.
Pattern is found on my website: http://www.kriskrafter.com/ez2feslpa.html

Machine Knitting - Felted Slippers Pattern- SINGLE strand

For my Machine Knitting friends here is my "recipe" for making felted wool slippers on my Bulky Knitting Machine. My machine is a Brother KH-260, tension is set at 7.
I used a variety of leftover worsted weight wool. Mostly gotten from Micheals or thrift stores. This pattern is written in very basic form and assumes that the maker is a fairly experienced Machine knitter so I don't go into detail about how to ewrap cast-on, make a heel, etc.
___________________________
Here is how I made them:
Cast on 27 sts.with e-wrap cast on using your cuff color.
Knit 6 rows in cuff color (or you could use your garter bar and do garter stitch for 6 rows. Don't have a garter bar?.......well, I happen to know where you can get one! (wink)
change to heel color and knit your heel, short rowing down to 11 sts then increasing back up to all stitches in work.
change to bottom foot color and knit 40 rows.
change to toe color and knit toe same as heel
change to top foot color and knit 40 rows
Knit 6 rows in cuff color and then bind off.

I sewed the seam on my sewing machine with as small a seam allowance as possible 1/8" or so, but you can also sew the sides shut using mattress stitch.
I felted mine in my top-loader washing machine. Finally, trim up any furry wool, shape it by putting it on your foot (I know, it's cold, wet and yucky but you want to get a perfect fit to your foot), now set it aside to air dry. Enjoy! I would love to see slippers that others make.
***For those wanting a thicker version of this pattern, see in my blog that I posted a version of this pattern using DOUBLE strands of yarn. I also sell a hand-knit version of this on my website. Happy Knitting!
_____________________________www.kriskrafter.com   Back to Pattern Index