Machine Knit Pattern: Lil Diamonds Stringy Cowl

*This pattern calls for use of a Garter Carriage. 

Knit with your garter carriage, this one works up quickly.  At the end you will hang your hem on your working needles, drop the first 3 and the last 3 sts and bind off to form a cowl.   The 3 dropped sts on each side will then be unraveled to form your fringe. 

Yay!! no tying on fringe!

To view, download, or print this pattern scroll down past the written directions and click on the link to the pdf.  

For Hand-knitters I have a similar pattern for you here:  Coming Soon! (knitting as fast as I can!)

 

 

Machine: 4.5mm standard gauge (I used a  Brother 965i)
Yarn: I used Tamm 3 ply

Directions:

Cast on 60 sts using waste yarn, knit a few rows in waste yarn.
Using main yarn, knit one row.
Set Garter Carriage up and use pattern number 483.
I used my Point Cams and set the first 4 sts on each side so they would just plain knit, no patterning.
Knit 210 rows in pattern.
Knit one row in plain knit.
On the next row, hand knit the first 4 sts, now just leave this be for a bit.

Pick up and hang your hem up on to your working needles.
Push the first 3 needles and the last 3 needles out, then in again to let the stitches fall off.  Yep, let them fall off as these will be dropped and unraveled later to make your fringe.  Now bind off from the first needle where your working yarn is and bind off across.  You now have your cowl joined.
Tie off, weave in end.
Now you can drop and unravel those 3 sts on each side to make your fringe.  This is done simply by gentle tugging and pulling on the first st and working your way down.   I have a hand knit pattern that uses this same technique, if you'd like to see the fringe pulling video it is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUHcyS-0Jc 


To View, Download, or Print the instructions click here for the pdf file:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pRUxKZzc2a2o2cUE/view?usp=sharing 

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Free Knitting Pattern! Stringy Cowl

This cowl is a piece of cake, knit flat and joined in the round at the end with either a sewn seam OR a 3-needle bind off.  Stitches consist of knits, knit 2 together, yarn overs, and very few purls.  You repeat the same rows over and over.  Maybe a little boring but makes for a fast project, great road trip project, or something to pick up whenever you feel like it and resume with no problem.
The "Stringy" fringe is made simply at the end with dropped stitches - no need to cut fringe and tie on.
To Download, View, or Print scroll all the way down past the bottom group of photos and click on the link to the PDF file.
Happy Knitting!

 

Materials and Tools: 

• U.S. Size 8 (5mm) knitting needles

• OPTIONAL for those using the provisional cast on.  An extra knitting needle to be used for the 3-needle bind off.  (size doesn't matter too much, anything between a 6 - 8)

• Yarn - Sport weight, approx. 250 yds. (I like cotton or cotton blends myself for drapey-ness).
• OPTIONAL: A little waste yarn in a contrast color for provisional cast on.
• 2 stitch markers (Optional - if you want to mark the 3 edge sts on each side)

Gauge:

20 sts & 22 rows in stockinette stitch = 4"

Abbreviations:

K = knit
P = purl
yo = yarn over
k2tog = knit 2 together
RS = right side
WS = wrong side

References:

Provisional cast-ons: (here are a few different methods)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T7OwOpC6CY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-irRySJHCKE

3-needle bind off:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJUrCX52DU

Tips:

Don't forget your yarn overs before each k2tog. If you forget one your stitch count will be off.
Also be careful NOT to do a yarn over at the end of the row (before the last 3 sts) as this will add an extra stitch and again your count would be off.  Yarn overs are only done before the k2tog's. 

Directions:

**Choose now whether you’d like to make this by starting with a provisional cast-on, which means you will join at the end with a 3-needle bind off,  OR you can just choose a regular cast-on method of your choice, then bind off at the end and sew your seam.

 

Set up:
For Provisional Cast-on (this means you will use a 3-needle bind off at the end) Using waste yarn perform a provisional cast on of your choice, cast on 68 Sts.
For Regular Cast on (this means you will sew your seam at the end.)  Using main yarn, cast on 68 sts using any regular cast on method you prefer.  I myself prefer the long-tail cast on.


With main yarn now:
1. Knit
2. Purl

Pattern rows: (To see a video of pattern rows 1&2 go here) https://youtu.be/TMRYk2aYVJg 

1. (RS) k3, *yo, k2tog*, repeat from * to * (do not yo after that last k2tog!!) until last 3 stitches, k3.
2. (WS) p3, *yo, k2tog*, repeat from * to * (do not yo after that last k2tog!!) until last 3 stitches, p3.

*OPTIONAL:  Place stitch markers after your 3 edge sts at the beginning and before the 3 edge sts at the end.  

Repeat the Pattern rows 1 and 2 until your piece measures 30" from first row, ending with row 2.

Knit one row.

Seaming:  
For those who used a Provisional Cast-on:
Using spare knitting needle, pick up the 68 stitches from the cast on, set aside.

Now, on the end that was the last row you worked, p3 sts, then k1, then place the last st worked back on the left hand needle, drop the other 3 sts off the needle (yep, let 'em drop off the needle, this will become your fringe later) then place that st that you worked (the 4th one) back on the right needle.  On the spare needle, the one with the sts you picked up from the provisional cast on, hold it parallel to the other working needle, right sides together, drop the first 3 sts off the needle.  Now knit a stitch from the provisional cast on side, now you have 2 sts on your right hand needle, pass st 1 over st 2.
Now perform a 3-needle bind off, when you get to the last 3 stitches (on both needles), stop, and let them drop off (again, this will become fringe).  Tie off on the last st worked and weave in end.

For those who used a regular Cast-on:

P3, k1,  k the next st, pass the 4^th st on right needle over the 5^th one as to bind off, place the new stitch you just made when you bound it off onto the left hand needle, drop those 3 edge sts off of the right hand needle, now place the st that you set onto the left needle back onto the right needle, continue to bind off until 3 sts remain on each needle, drop these last 3 sts on each needle (these will become fringe also).  Cut yarn, tie off and weave in.  Sew your bind off edge to the cast on edge (except those 3 edge stitches on each side which are dropped - don't sew those, they need to stay loose and dropped to pull the fringe.

To make the fringe, start gently tugging at an end where 3 sts were dropped, until a loop works its way out, when one loop comes out tug the next one.  A video showing this is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUHcyS-0Jc

My cowl was 15.5" wide x 14.75" tall.  (height was measured fringe to fringe.)
You can certainly use different weight yarn, different size needles, add more stitches to get more width (just make sure you are using multiples of 2 plus 6 stitches for the edge sts.) your results in size will vary but do it the way you want it!  :)

I did not block mine, I simply put them in the washing machine and the dryer, and wore them the way they came out.  I love the crazy stringy fringe. 

To Download, View, or Print this pattern, click on the link below for the PDF file:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pMlN6VHpZamZHTms/view?usp=sharing


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Free Knitting Pattern! A Minion Hat

Minion Hat!

I made this for a friend.  The baby was born premature at just 2 pounds.  He is still very tiny at 4 months, I fear this will be too big for a while.  Otherwise I would say this would fit a 4-6 month old.
This was a "fly by the seat of my pants" pattern.  This is probably the most informal I have ever written a pattern - if you are a seasoned knitter then you'll have no problem figuring this out.  Here is what I did.

Using #8 DPNs, I cast on 64 stitches in royal blue
I worked a 1x1 ribbing for 8 rounds.

Using yellow yarn next, I knit 12 rounds.

Using black yarn, I knit one round, purled one round, knit 4 rounds, purled one round, knit one round.  (8 rounds total of black yarn).

Using yellow yarn, I knit two rounds. 
Next round, k7, k2tog, repeat around to last st, k1.
Knit one round.
K6, k2tog, repeat around to last st, k1.
Knit one round.
Cont. decreasing with one less between the k2tog followed by a knit round, until you work k2, k2tog,... etc.  do not work the knit round afterward. 
Instead work k1, k2tog, repeat around until last st, k1.
Now work k2tog across to last st, k1.
Cut yarn, thread yarn tail thru remaining sts and cinch up to gather.  Secure and weave in end.

EYEBALL
I hope I can remember to tell how I did the eyeball.  Using #7 DPNs I cast on with a provisional cast on of 4 sts, then I Icord knit for the length I wanted to make a circle (the size of the eyeball).  Once I got the length I wanted I grafted the ends together.  Then Using DPNs I picked up 36 sts around the eyecord using white yarn.  I did about 4 rows making decreases to reduce the size of the circle as I went.  Then I tied on brown yarn and worked 3 rows decreasing as I went until I had only 5 sts left, I cut yarn, threaded the tail thru the remaining stitches and cinched up to gather.
I sewed a black button in the center of the brown area. 
When I was done I didn't like the broken edge look of the brown against the white, I wanted it to look more circular so I used a crochet hook and did a chain stitch around the brown. 

Anyhoo, thats how I made mine.  I see a lot of folks crochet the eyeball which would be simple enough, I just preferred the knit look myself.

Free Knitting Pattern! Ridgley Mittens

Fun and different!
Level of difficulty: Intermediate

You will need to be acquainted with W&T, picking up wraps, and 3-needle bind off.
These mittens are knit flat, sideways, using short rows to shape. To finish off you do not need to sew, but will use a 3-needle bind off.
These are both “knit flat”, and “knit in the round” the mitten is knit flat on size 7 needles, the thumbs are knit in the round on size 6 DPNs.
These can be made in one solid color or 2 color stripes.  The garter stitch makes these very squooshy and comfy.
To Download, Print, or save this pattern scroll down just above the last picture and see the link to click on.

Sizes are for Women, Sm, Med, Lg.

Gauge: 18 1/2 sts & 40 rows per 4" in garter stitch.  It is important
to gauge as worsted weight yarn varies SO much in thickness and you want to ensure a proper fitting mitten.

Materials/Tools
Worsted weight yarn approx. 120-140 yds.
Size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles
1 extra knitting needle either in size 7 (4.5mm) or a
size or two smaller.
Size 6 DPNs for the thumb
Stitch marker or pc of contrast color yarn to mark right side.
Abbreviations:
-->
K = Knit            
P = Purl               
Stst = stockinette stitch

CO = cast on    
BO = Bind off      
W&T Wrap and turn  
RS =right side   
yb = yarn back  
k2tog = knit 2 together 
sl = slip             
yf = yarn forward
Rep = Repeat    
wyib = with yarn in back    
ssk = slip, slip, knit them togeteher (a left lean decrease)

References:
Video showing how to do the 3-needle bind off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJUrCX52DU 
Video showing how to do the W&T:  http://newstitchaday.com/wrap-and-turn/

DIRECTIONS:

Using long tail cast on, CO 44(46,48) sts, leave a 6” or so tail to gather mitten top at the end.  *you may also use a provisional cast on it you prefer (at the end you will pick up stitches to perform a 3-needle bind off).
  

-->  1.     Knit. 

*if using 2 colors for these mittens, you would need to tie on new color now.  You will work each color for 2 rows.  W&T’s count as 2 rows.

2.     K38(39,40) W&T, K38(39,40).

3.     Picking up wrap as you go, K39(40,41), W&T, K39(40,41).

4.     Picking up wrap as you go, K40(41,42), W&T, K40(41,42).

5.     Picking up wrap as you go, K41(42,43), W&T, K41(42,43).

6.     Picking up wrap as you go, K42(43,44), W&T, K42(43,44).

7.     Picking up wrap as you go, K43(44,45), W&T, K43(44,45).

Sm Size Only: Proceed to row 8.

Med size only:
Picking up wrap as you go, K45, W&T, K45.
Proceed to row 8.

Lg Size Only: 
Picking up wrap as you go, K46, W&T, K46. 
Picking up wrap as you go, K47, W&T, K47.       

  8. Knit across picking up the last wrap.  *Please tie a contrast color piece of yarn or use a marker to  mark this side as your right side.  You will need to know it later.
       9.  Knit Across.  

10.     K43(45,47), W&T, K43(45,47).

11.     K42(44,46), W&T, K42(44,46).

12.     K41(43,45), W&T, K41(43,45).

13.     K40(42,44), W&T, K40(42,44).

14.     K39(41,43), W&T, K39(41,43).

15.     K38(40,42), W&T, K38(40,42).

Sm Size Only: Proceed to row 16 .

Med Size Only:

K39, W&T, k39.

Proceed to row 16.

Lg Size Only:

K(41) W&T, K(41).

K(40), W&T, K(40).

16.     K13(15,16), * wyib, sl-1, yf, slip that stich back to the left hand needle, yb, sl same st to right needle again**, bind off next 8(9,9) sts, rep from * to **,         knit remaining sts picking up wraps as you go. 

17. K22(21,22) sts, CO 8(9,9) sts, knit remaining sts  .

18. Rep rows 2-8(8,8)

19. Knit.

20. Rep rows 10-15. (Sizes Med & Lg make sure you work the extra rows between 15 & 16).

21. Knit across, picking up the wraps.

22. The method I chose to close the “seam” was a 3-needle bind off, this will  

produce a ridge on the outside of the mitten.  You can, if you prefer, perform a grafted garter stitch (Kitchener) if you do not want the ridge.

 With RS facing out. starting at the cuff end, use extra knitting needle (I prefer a size or 2 smaller than the 7’s) and pick up 44(46,48) stitches on the original cast on edge.   Perform a 3-needle bind off, placing one edge to the other.  This will make the “seam” on the outside –this is correct.
Now it won’t be against your skin and it looks good because it matches the garter stitch pretty well.  Cut yarn, secure and weave in end.  These mittens will look narrow, but don't fear, they have a lot of stretch!

Close the top of the mitten:

Using the yarn tail at the top of the mitten, thread through darning needle, weave in and out around the top of the mitten, pull to gather.  Secure and cut yarn.  Weave in end.

Thumb:

You will now use your Size 6 DPNs.

Tie on yarn at the bottom (cuff side) of the thumbhole.  Pick up 8(9,9) sts on each side of the thumbhole.  16(18,18) sts.

1.     Knit

2.     K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.   14(16, 16) sts.

3.     Rep last 2 rnds 0(1,1) times.  14(14,14) sts.

4.     Knit until thumb measures 2 ¼ ”(2 ½ “) from where sts were picked up.

5.      *K2tog, rep from * to end of rnd. 7(7,7) sts.

6.     Knit.

7.     Cut yarn leaving about 6” of tail, use darning needle, thread yarn through needle and then thread through all remaining stitches.  Remove needles, cinch/gather all stitches to close the top of the thumb.  Secure and weave in yarn end.

If you’re a member of Ravelry, I hope you’ll post your mitten project so we can all see. 

Happy Knitting!

Kris

To Download, View, Print or Save, Please click on this link for PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pMWJzSFdpWVNseTQ/view?usp=sharing 

  
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