Free Knit Pattern! 2-Needle Boot Toppers / Cuffs

I think boot toppers/cuffs are pretty darn cute.  They close the gap between the top of your boot and your pants that are tucked in (or leggings), and add an element of design.
I had never made any and decided to see if my daughter wanted a pair.  She did, so I whipped these out.  I have no adversity whatsoever to double point needles, but I know some folks do.  I wanted to write the easiest pattern I could just to tempt people to try it, so these are made on 2 regular needles.
For downloading or printing of this pattern, simply scroll down past the photos, the pattern is there.  *Special thanks to my Ravelry tester Karinamaza for letting me use her picture of the gray/blue toppers.  ☺
Here are my 2-needle boot toppers.....

Sizes: Sm(Med, Lg/XL) 

Sm = up to 13” calf width, Med = up to 14” calf width, Lg/Xl = up to 15” calf width. 

Materials:  

Worsted weight or Aran yarn 110(130,150) yds.

A few yards of waste yarn

1 set of U.S. size 8 (5mm) needles

1 extra needle either size 7 or 8 (for 3-needle bind off at the end.)

Gauge:

18 sts & 36 rows  = 4” in Garter st.

Abbreviations:

k = knit                                p = purl 
rep = repeat                          CO = cast on       
sts = stitches

References:

3-needle bind off: 

TO WATCH VIDEO DEMONSTRATION CLICK HERE 

DIRECTIONS:

To begin, first choose what length you would like your toppers to be.  Since you are working sideways the length will be determined by the amount of stitches you cast on.  28 sts will be 6.2” long.  33 sts will be 7.3 “ long.  38 sts will be 8.4” long.  *The toppers shown are 28 sts.

Using Waste yarn CO your chosen amount of sts. 

Still using waste yarn, knit one row, then purl one row.  OR You may use a provisional cast on method if you prefer something else.

Now join main color yarn.

1. (RS) Using Main Color: Knit

2. (WS) K4, *k1, p4, rep from* to last 4 sts, k4.

3. (RS) K4, *k3, p2, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

4. (WS) K4, *k3, p2, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

5. (RS) K4, *K1, p4, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

6. (WS) Knit

7. Rep rows 1-6  ten(eleven, twelve) times more – on the last rep of rows,
stop at row 5.

8. Now grab your other needle and pick up the original stitches being held by the waste yarn.     Remove waste yarn. 

9. Fold your knitting RIGHT sides together, Use 3-needle bind off method to bind off knitwise.

Cut yarn and weave in end.   Make second topper the same way.

 To download, or print this pattern click on this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pcTZCcGktZzN3c2M/edit?usp=sharing 

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Free Crochet Pattern - Yorkville Cowl

I grew up in the town of Yorkville (Illinois).  When I was a kid, in the 70's, the population was around 1900.  It was a small farm town.  Many things have changed, the population is now 17,000+.  I loved growing up where I did, just outside of town surrounded by corn fields.  In the summer we'd catch lightning bugs, swim in the creeks, play in woods, and play ghost in the graveyard as the sun was setting.  My family moved to Montana just before I turned 18.  I have now lived in Montana the majority of my life and love it, but oddly I still consider myself a Midwesterner. 
As a kid I was always crafting, always making something.  I had a miniature version of my mom's singer sewing machine - many Barbie cloths were crafted on it.  I had decided one day to learn to crochet.  My mom had a "learn to crochet" booklet from either leisure arts or red heart, I forget.  I studied it and taught myself (with a little help from my Aunt Joan).  I made many afghans, scarves, hats, Christmas ornaments and yes, even doilies.
I find today that I knit more than I crochet, but every once in a while I feel great satisfaction picking up the hook and going back to my first craft.   I taught both my kids (boy and girl) how to crochet at an early age.  They are both grown now but can still crochet.  :)
In the last couple of weeks I have stuck close to home battling a bad cold and winter weather, it's given me plenty of time to crochet. Last week I made the "Bandito Cowl", this week I am making what I'll call the "Yorkville Cowl" as my hometown has been on my mind lately.

Free Crochet Pattern - Bandito Cowl

Happy New Year!  Darn tennis elbow has been killing me.  Can't knit for now, but for some reason crochet doesn't seem to bother it.  Decided to try to come up with a fun kerchief style cowl.  Here is what I came up with, I really like it.  I recommend using yarn with a little drape to it, a blend with some cotton or rayon for example.  If you would like to download or print the pattern, scroll down past the pictures to the link.

Materials:

150-170 yds of Worsted weight or Aran yarn
Size "I" (5.5mm) Crochet Hook 

Abbreviations:

ch= chain
sc= single crochet
dc= double crochet
rep=repeat

Gauge:

Gauge isn’t terribly important as you will work to a certain measurement, but my gauge was 3 scs per inch.

Directions:

1. Ch 2, turn
2. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, ch 2, turn.
3. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, ch 2, turn.
4. 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, *skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * to end, ch 2, turn. 
5. Repeat row 4 until your piece is 19” wide, for me this was 76 sts.  Do not ch 2 at the end of the last row.
6. Join in the round by slipping into the top of the first sc, ch 1, 2 sc in the same sc as joining, *skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, skip last sc, then slip into first sc to end the round.
7. Ch 1, 2 sc in same st as join, *skip next sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, skip last sc, then slip into first sc to end the round.
8. Repeat round 7 until you have worked 3” above your initial joining in the round.
9. Ch 1, sc in the same sc as join, then sc in the back loop only of every sc, finish round by slipping into the first sc.
10. Ch 2 in same sc as join (this counts as first dc), dc in the back loop only in every sc, finish round by slipping into the top of the ch 2.
11. Cut yarn and secure, weave in end.

Blocking is optional – I actually did not block mine and I am totally happy with it.  Suggestion: You can dress this cowl up a bit if you like by adding your favorite edging such as picots....etc.

 
To Download or print you can click on this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pT3pzN1Y3X3MwdlU/edit?usp=sharing

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