Cats Paw Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern!

©2014 Kris Basta

I love this scarf!  Light, airy, and pretty.  This works up fairly quickly with an 8 row pattern repeat.  If you would like to Download, view, or print this pattern, scroll down past the photos and there is a link to click on that will give you the pattern. 

Materials & Tools:
Sock yarn, 300 yds

#9 needle  (I use a circular needle because it is better to hold the large number of stitches) but you can use 2 straight needles if that is your preference.

Gauge: Mine was 4.25 sts per inch in stockinette st. 

Abbreviations:

K = knit                       Beg = beginning           sts = stitches

P= purl                        Rep = repeat                 K2tog = knit 2 together

CO = cast on               K2togtbl = knit 2 together through the back loop
yo = yarn over             k3tog = knit three together
   

References:  Casting on at the beginning of the row (knitted cast on):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdaZTBOJ7XU

 
Directions:
CO 9 sts.

 

Now work these set up rows:
Knit 3 rows

Purl one row

Now work these rows:

1.     CO 5 sts at beg of the row (see reference link above, do not use a different cast on or it will not look as tidy on the edges), k7, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k2.     [14 sts]

2.     CO5 sts at beg of the row, k5, p to last 5 sts, k5.  [19 sts]

3.     K6, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2togtbl, k6.

4.     K5, p to last 5 sts, k5.

5.     K8, yo, k3tog, yo, k8.

6.     K5, p to last 5 sts, k5.

7.     CO9, Knit across. [28 sts]

8.     CO9, K5, p to last 5 sts, k5. [37 sts]

Now work pattern rows:

1.     K5, *k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, k2togtbl, k2, rep from * to last 5 sts, k5.

2.     K5, p to last 5 sts, k5.

3.     K5, *k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, k2togtbl, k1, rep from * to last 5 sts, k5.

4.     K5, p to last 5 sts, k5.

5.     K5, *k3, yo, k3tog, yo, k3, rep from * to last 5 sts, k5.

6.     K5, p to last 5 sts, k5.

7.     CO9, knit across.  [46 sts]

8.     CO9, k5, p to last 5 sts, k5. [55 sts]

 

 

Repeat rows 1-8 of pattern rows over and over until you have 199 sts. 
Work pattern rows 1-6.

Knit 4 rows (do not cast on at beg of rows).

Bind off.
My finished scarf (lightly blocked) measured 60"L x 14"W.

To Download, View, or Print this pattern, click on this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pb0p0ZnpEd01pV2M/view?usp=sharing

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Crochet Slouchy Hat - Easy 'n Fast! Free Pattern

Materials & Tools:

Super Bulky/Chunky yarn - 93-100 yds
Size N (9mm) crochet hook

Gauge: 2.5 sc's per inch

Directions:

1. ch3, join w/ slst in 1st chain.
2.  sc 10 in rnd.
3.  2 sc in ea sc around, join with a slst in the top of the 1st sc.  [20 sc's]
4.  2 sc in ea sc around, join with a slst in the top of the 1st sc.  [40 sc's]
5.  sc 19, 2 sc in next sc, sc 20, join round with a slst in top of 1st sc. [41 scs]

*the rest of the hat will be made with sc's done in the back loop only.

6. Now you can continue to sc in the back loop only of every sc.  You do not need to join at the end of each round you can simply just keep working round and round until the length you like.  I like to make my slouchy hats to measure between 11 - 12" from top to bottom.

Once you've reached the length you like make your last st a slst into the next sc.
Tie off/weave in ends.

This hat is reversible, you can either wear it on the ribby looking side...

or the bumpy looking side.



Using Hobby Lobby's "I love this chunky" (off white hat) I used 100 yds.
Using Hobby Lobby's "Whimsy Bulky" (multi colored) I used the whole skein - 93 yds.
* on this hat I had to add a few more scs as it was not quite as thick as the off-white one.  I used 44 sc's for this, so on row 5 instead of increasing 1 sc, I increased 4 sc's.

To Download, view, or print this pattern click on the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pcklPWk9INFRJaFU/view?usp=sharing

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Knitted Towel Topper - Free Pattern!

 

Knitted Towel Topper

 

©2014

 

By Kris Basta

I had a of couple people ask me for these and decided to make a batch of them to take to a craft show in December.  I just made up a pattern that I liked the look of and was fast.  I bought 5 towels at a Dollar store, in retrospect they are pretty flimsy, next time I'll buy a better quality towel.  Anyhoo, here is the pattern, if you want to download and print it you can scroll all the way down past the pictures to the bottom, you'll see a link to click on which will take you to the pdf file. 

Materials:

Worsted/Aran weight cotton yarn such as Peaches 'n Cream - approx. 24 yds.

Size 8 knitting needles

Darning needle

Button

 

 

Abbreviations: 

k2tog = knit 2 together 

 

ssk = slip, slip, knit

 

WS = wrong side

 

BO = bind off

Rep = repeat

K = knit

P = Purl

 

sts = stitches

 

Video References:

ssk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSjfPTSh_U4

One row buttonhole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4vBzLo-Xs

Before starting to knit you must have a prepared dishtowel.  I start by purchasing a dishtowel, cut it in half and hem the cut edge at about 1/4".  I hem mine on the sewing machine.  You will be able to make 2 of these from 1 purchased towel.
Now you must make a foundation row of stitches using your yarn.  There are several ways to do this, my preferred method is simply to make a running stitch across the towel like this:

Stitching just below the hem (as close as you can get) I like to make the stitches no more than 1/8” in length.  I thread my darning needle with the yarn still attached to the skein/ball, I pull out enough length that I think it will take to make the running stitches across, with towel’s right side facing, I make my running stitches.  I shoot for a stitch count of 31 – 34.  It doesn’t matter if you have an even number or an odd number at this point.

Once you have made your running stitches, remove the darning needle.  Make a tight knot at the end that your darning needle ended at.  (The other end is the attached skein end).

With right side facing and working on the skein end, pick up and knit each stitch until you’ve worked them all – you will now be at the knotted end.

NEXT:  (WS) Knit the next row making some decreases, you will want to make decreases in this row to end with 30 stitches.  Examples:  if you had 31 running stitches you will want to decrease 1 stitch in the middle of the row.  If you had 33 stitches you would decrease 3 stitches evenly across the row, and so forth.

Now it’s easy peasy from here, working on 30 sts:

  
1-3. Knit 3 rows. 
4.  Purl 
5.  (RS) K1, k2tog, k across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.  (28 sts) 
6.  (WS) Purl 
7-24.  Rep rows 5 & 6 until you have 10 sts remaining. 
25. Knit 
26. Purl 
27. Purl  *(you are now working in reverse stockinette, what was once your knit side will now be your purl side, what was once your purl side will now be a knit side.  This will make a nice folding edge.) 
28. Knit 
29. Purl 
30-33. Rep rows 28 & 29 2x more.

      
34.  K4, -MAKE BUTTONHOLE-, knit to end of row.  ….I make a one-row buttonhole (see video how-to  here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4vBzLo-Xs )  but you can certainly use any method buttonhole you like.  I use only a 2-stitch buttonhole whereas on the video she demonstrates it with a 3-stitch buttonhole.

        
35. Purl 
36. K1, k2tog, k across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (8 sts) 
37. Purl 
38. K1, k2tog, k across to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.  (6 sts) 
39.  Knit.  (this is correct, I know you were expecting to purl this row, but this will make your edge roll less).

40. BO knitwise.

 
Cut yarn, weave in ends.  Fold buttonhole flap over to right side, mark where your button will be sewn on, sew button in place.

To view, download or print this pattern, click on the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3peFpRUDRkTlUxVjA/view?usp=sharing


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Kris's Pepperoni Quiche Recipe

I began making this for my family years ago - just made it up as I went, based on what I had in the fridge at the moment.  My family happens to love pepperoni so I wondered how it would be in a quiche.  I have refined the recipe over the years but here is the end result.  I have made this for many many people over the years and truly haven't had a person yet that didn't love it.  If you have non-pepperoni lovers you can substitute ham instead (probably even bacon).

Here it is!
-----------------------

Makes: 1 Quiche
Serves: 6-8

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

This recipe requires that you use a blender.


Ingredients:

1 Pillsbury pie crust
7 eggs
1 heaping cup of shredded cheese (I like the bagged mix of yellow & white cheese)
1 cup of cottage cheese (I use 4% milkfat, large curd)
1/3 cup of milk
2 tsp of dried onion
1/2 tsp of black pepper
Broccoli (I buy the bag of frozen, chopped broccoli
Cauliflower ( I buy a bag of frozen cauliflower, then chop it up into small pcs.)
1 bag of Hormel Pepperoni (you will use about 25 pcs)

Directions:

1.  Put one pie crust in your pie pan, I prefer to use glass pie pan but you can certainly use metal.
2.  Spread a combo of chopped broccoli/cauliflower in the bottom of the crust.  Don't use too much, just enough to lightly cover the bottom - say 1 cup total of the mixture.

3.  Using your blender, blend the following together:
Eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, milk, onion, and black pepper.  Blend on high until it is a creamy, smoothie texture.

4.  Pour blended mixture into your pie crust over the broccoli/califlower.
5. Now add your pepperoni slices.  I use about 25 of them and I simply stick them upright evenly spaced into the mixture.

6.  Place a piece of tinfoil over the quiche and back for 1 hour.
7.  Remove tinfoil and back another 10 minutes or until crust edges are lightly browned.

I serve cornbread with this quiche and it is a huge hit!  Hope you enjoy it.
 

Totem Scarf - Free Knitting Pattern!

--> ©2014 Kris Basta
I love this totem stitch and I wanted to see if I could use it in a scarf with my favorite shaping - worked from the bottom up and casting on stitches as you go to extend the width of the scarf.  I LOVE it!  I especially love the way this yarn worked up ("Polo" by Zitron - 60% cotton/40% Acrylic), it is nice and soft and drapey.  I highly recommend a cotton blend for this pattern.  Yarn is labeled as worsted weight but I would call it light worsted.
To download the pattern to your computer, scroll past the photos at the bottom and you will see the link that you can click on to download.  Happy knitting!

Tools & Materials:

1 circular needle, U.S. size 10  (circular is used to accommodate the large number of stitches that you will work with).
320 yds of worsted weight yarn

Gauge: 4 sts = 1" in stockinette



References:

1. Cast on at beginning of the row, otherwise known as knitted cast-on.  Tutorial video here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdaZTBOJ7XU

  

2. ssk (slip, slip, knit), here is a tutorial showing how to do this:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLWaabNhcc0 

Abbreviations:
K = knit                                              yo = yarn over                     

P = purl                                              st = stitch K2tog = knit 2 tog

CO = cast on                                     Rep = repeat

ssk = slip, slip, knit  (*slips are made knitwise)

DIRECTIONS:  CO 18 sts.

Set up rows:

1.  Knit

2.  (Wrong Side): K2, p14, k2.

3.  K1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k3, p1, k1.

4.  K2, p14, k2.

5.  k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k6, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1.

6.  CO16 sts (*make sure you use the type of cast on at beg of row as referenced above.  Use this type of cast on throughout the pattern), k1, p6, k4, p5, k1, *K1, p14, k1, rep from * to last st, k1.

7.  CO16 sts, k6, p4, k6, p1, *P1, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, p4, k2, yo, ssk, k1, p1, rep from * to      last st, k1.

8.  K1, *k1, p5, k4, p5, k1, rep from * to last st, k1.

9.  K1, *p1, k2tog, yo, k3, p4, k3, yo, ssk, p1, rep from * to last st, k1.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now begin pattern rows:

1. (Wrong Side): K1, *k1 p14, k1.  Rep from *  to last st, k1.

2.  K1, *p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, yo, ssk, k3, p1.  Rep from * to last st, k1.

3.  K1, *k1, p14, k1.  Rep from *  to last st, k1.

4.  K1, *p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k6, yo, ssk, k2, p1.  Rep from * across to last st, k1.

5.  CO16 sts, k1, p6, k4, p5, k1, *K1, p14, k1, rep from * across to last st, k1.

6.  CO16 sts, k6, p4, k6, p1, *p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, p4, k2, yo, ssk, k1, p1.  Rep from * to last st, k1.

7.  K1, *k1, p5, k4, p5, k1.  Rep from * to last st, k1.

8.  K1, *p1, k2tog, yo, k3, p4, k3, yo, ssk, p1.  Rep from * to last st, k1.

Work these 8 pattern rows until you have 240 sts total and have worked through row 8.

Work rows 1-4 of pattern rows

Knit 2 rows.

Bind off.

To Download, view or print this pattern click on this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pelgzWEhxV0NXVHc/edit?usp=sharing

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