KAL 1-40

Now you can see how the pattern is going to turn out. Tomorrow I will send the last rows.

Sweethearts Version 4, KAL Rows 1-30

Halfway done!

Sweethearts, Version 4, KAL Rows 1-20

Now your piece of knitting should look like this. I hope you are enjoying the pattern :)

Sweethearts, Version 4 KAL Rows 1-10

This is how your knitting should look after Day 1 of the KAL.

Lattice Hearts

I just finished a fun pattern from Rachel's Knitting Room, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rachels_Knitting_Room/ . This was KAL #10 for the group.
Rachel is a wonderful designer and i thoroughly enjoy her patterns.
You may also find Rachel at http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/ and http://rachelsknittingcorner.blogspot.com/ . Thanks, Rachel!

Blog Widgets

As you know, I am new to the blogging scene. I have been discovering the joy of blog widgets. Look around my blog and you will see several :) The newest is an opportunity for you to subscribe to my blog via FeedBlitz, http://www.feedblitz.com/ . This neat little site will also allow you to subscribe to any blog, whether they have the widget or not. Just go to FeedBlitz and at the bottom of the Home Page is the subscribe option. You do not have to register or anything.
Another widget I love is TickerFactory, http://www.tickerfactory.com/ . I have one of their tickers to keep track of how many extra miles I walk this year. These are go outside and walk for the sake of walking miles. As of yesterday I had 29. Wow!
What are your favorite widgets? Which ones do you dislike? Which ones can't I live without? Please leave a comment with details.

Sweethearts Version 3

I am continuing the Sweethearts series with Version 3. This one is a quick, easy knit. Remember the Sweethearts Version 4 KAL starts on Sunday.

Sweethearts, Version 3

Copyright © Susan Mrenna 2008 Knit A Little www.knitalittle.com
One ball of cotton yarn, size 7 needles Cast on 40 Stitches K = knit, p = purl.

Row 1-7 and all odd rows) Knit across
Row 8, 10, 12) k4, p32, k4
Row 14) k4, p7, k3, p12, k3, p7, k4
Row 16) k4, p5, k7, p8, k7, p5, k4
Row 18) k4, p4, k9, p6, k9, p4, k4
Row 20) k4, p4, k9, p6, k9, p4, k4
Row 22) k4, p4, k9, p6, k9, p4, k4
Row 24) k4, p4, k4, p1, k4, p6, k4, p1, k4, p4, k4
Row 26) k4, p5, k2, p3, k2, p8, k2, p3, k2, p5, k4
Row 28, 30, 32, 34) k4, p32, k4
Row 36) k4, p7, k3, p12, k3, p7, k4
Row 38) k4, p5, k7, p8, k7, p5, k4
Row 40) k4, p4, k9, p6, k9, p4, k4
Row 42) k4, p4, k9, p6, k9, p4, k4
Row 44) k4, p4, k9, p6, k9, p4, k4
Row 46) k4, p4, k4, p1, k4, p6, k4, p1, k4, p4, k4
Row 48) k4, p32, k4
Row 50, 52, 54) k4, p32, k4
Row 55-60) Knit across

Bind off.

Knit IV Cover

The Loves Many Cloths Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LovesManyCloths/
has a need for knit IV covers. I found a pattern at:
http://www.inknitters.com/Issue10/charity_book_2003.pdf
For this one I used Caron Simply Soft and size 6 needles. I cast on 56 stitches over a doubled needle to make the cast on stretchier. I knit in 2x2 rib for 5 inches and then bound off using a size 8 needle. I think that looks a little sloppy so will choose a different stretchy bind off next time. I sewed up the side one inch from each end. This way there is no right or left hand or up or down and it is even reversible. The thumb opening is three inches long and just right to fit my hand. I hope these notes will help the others who are knitting these. I want to work it up in the round next as I do not care for seams, even short ones.

Love2Knit_Dishcloths Jan 2008 KAL

The group address is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Love2Knit_Dishcloths/
This is a pattern by Rhonda K. White
http://www.knittingknonsense.com/nine-o-hearts.html
I did mine in acrylic as it will be an afghan square.

KAL, anyone?

How about a KAL? It will be for another of the Sweetheart cloth variations :)
Are you interested? When would you like to start? The pattern I have in mind would be a 6 day KAL with 10 rows per day.
Leave a comment and let me know!

I have gotten a LOT of comments in my email box so we will start this KAL on Sunday, January 27. That is the last day of Rachel's KAL and will finish on the February first which is the first day of the Monthly Dishcloth KAL. We will just slide this one right into that little window of opportunity :)

2x2 Bowknot Scarf

Copyright Susan Mrenna 2008

The sample in the picture was knit on size 10 needles with Red Heart Super Saver.

Materials: 1 skein yarn
Size 9 needles
2 spare needles (may be smaller)
2 rubber bands
1 tapestry needle to weave in ends

Cast on 2 stitches, number in parentheses at end of row is how many stitches are on needle at that time (2)

Row 1) k1, kfb (3)
Row 2) k2, kfb (4)
Row 3) k3, kfb (5)
Row 4) k4, kfb (6)
Row 5) k5, kfb (7)
Row 6) k3, p2, k1, kfb (8)
Row 7) k7, kfb (9)
Row 8) k4, p2, k2, kfb (10)
Row 9) k3, p1, k2, p1, k2, kfb (11)
Row 10) k5, p2, k3, kfb (12)
Row 11) k3, (p2, k2) 2x, kfb (13)
Row 12) k3, p1, k2, p2, k4, kfb (14)
Row 13) k4, p2, k2, p2, k3, kfb (15)
Row 14) k3, (p2, k2) 2x, p1, k2, kfb (16)
Row 15) k5, p2, k2, p2, k4, kfb (17)
Row 16) k4, (p2, k2) 3x, kfb (18)
Row 17) k3, p1, (k2, p2) 2x, k2, p1, k2, kfb (19)
Row 18) k5, (p2, k2) 2x, p2, k3, kfb (20)
Row 19) k3, (p2, k2) 4x, kfb (21)
Row 20) k3, p1, (k2, p2) 3x, k4, kfb (22)
Row 21) k4, (p2, k2) 3x, p2, k3, kfb (23)
Row 22) k3, (p2, k2) 4x, p1, k2, kfb (24)
Row 23) k5, (p2, k2) 3x, p2, k4, kfb (25)
Row 24) k4, (p2, k2) 5x, kfb (26)
Row 25) k3, p1, (k2, p2) 4x, k2, p1, k2, kfb (27)
Row 26) k5, (p2, k2) 4x, p2, k3, kfb (28)
Row 27) k3, (p2, k2) 6x, kfb (29)
Row 28) k3, p1, (k2, p2) 5x, k4, kfb (30)
Row 29) k4, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k3, kfb (31)
Row 30) k3, (p2, k2) 6x, p1, k2, kfb (32)

Repeat following two rows 6 times each.

Row 1) k5, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k5 (32)
Row 2) k3, (p2, k2) 6x, p2, k3 (32)

Then repeat Row 1 once.

Row 1) k5, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k5 (32)

Work loop for end of scarf to pass through. Slip slipped stitches to extra needle. (The extra can be smaller) This is confusing as all get out until you do it and then it will make sense. Every other stitch will slide right onto the extra needle. Be careful as they might try to slip off. Hold the spare needle in front of your work. The first stitch will be on your regular needle.

(k1, sl1) 4x, (p1, sl1, k1, sl1) 4x, p1, sl1, (k1, sl1) 3x

You will have 16 stitches on each needle. Secure the stitches on the spare needle by fastening a rubber band around the tip so they don’t slide off. If you used a circular needle, put the tips together and then rubber band. The following rows are worked on one set of 16 stitches at a time.

Work next row 22 times.

K4, (p1, k1) 4x, p1, k3 (16)

Cut yarn, leaving tail to weave in. Slide these stitches onto second spare needle and secure. Attach yarn to stitches on spare needle and knit from spare onto your regular needles. Work next row 21 times.

K3, (p1, k1) 4x, p1, k4 (16)

Now you will put them all back together. In the following row sn will stand for spare needle.

(k1, k1sn) 2x, (k1, p1sn, p1, k1sn) 6x, (k1, k1sn) 2x (32)

Neck portion. Work the next two rows for 18 inches. Make this part shorter or longer according to how you want it to fit your neck. I do not like anything tight on my neck.

Row 1) K3, (p2, k2) 6x, p2, k3 (32)
Row 2) k5, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k5 (32)

Then work Row 1 one more time.

Row 1) K3, (p2, k2) 6x, p2, k3 (32)

Decrease to make the part that sits inside the loop.

(K2tog) 4x, (p2tog, k2tog) 4x, p2tog, (k2tog) 3x (16)

Work next row 21 times.

K4, (p1, k1) 4x, p1, k3 (16)

Increase for tab.

(k1fb) 16x (32)

Work next two rows six times each for a total of 12 rows.

Row 1) k3, (p2, k2) 6x, p2, k3 (32)
Row 2) k5, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k5 (32)

Then work row 1 one more time.

Row 1) k3, (p2, k2) 6x, p2, k3 (32)

Work decreases to end of scarf.

Row 1) k2, k2tog, k1, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k5 (31)
Row 2) k2, k2tog, p1, (k2, p2) 5x, k2, p1, k3 (30)
Row 3) k2, k2tog, (p2, k2) 5x, p2, k4 (29)
Row 4) k2, k2tog, (k2, p2) 5x, k5 (28)
Row 5) k2, k2tog, p1, (k2, p2) 5x, k3 (27)
Row 6) k2, k2tog, k1, (p2, k2) 4x, p2, k4 (26)
Row 7) k2, k2tog, (k2, p2) 4x, k2, p1, k3 (25)
Row 8) k2, k2tog, (p2, k2) 4x, p2, k3 (24)
Row 9) k2, k2tog, k1, (p2, k2) 3x, p2, k5 (23)
Row 10) k2, k2tog, p1, (k2, p2) 3x, k2, p1, k3 (22)
Row 11) k2, k2tog, (p2, k2) 3x, p2, k4 (21)
Row 12) k2, k2tog, (k2, p2) 3x, k5 (20)
Row 13) k2, k2tog, p1, (k2, p2) 3x, k3 (19)
Row 14) k2, k2tog, k1, (p2, k2) 2x, p2, k4 (18)
Row 15) k2, k2tog, (k2, p2) 2x, k2, p1, k3 (17)
Row 16) k2, k2tog, (p2, k2) 2x, p2, k3 (16)
Row 17) k2, k2tog, k1, p2, k2, p2, k5 (15)
Row 18) k2, k2tog, p1, k2, p2, k2, p1, k3 (14)
Row 19) k2, k2tog, p2, k2, p2, k4 (13)
Row 20) k2, k2tog, k2, p2, k5 (12)
Row 21) k2, k2tog, p1, k2, p2, k3 (11)
Row 22) k2, k2tog, k1, p2, k4 (10)
Row 23) k2, k2tog, k2, p1, k3 (9)
Row 24) k2, k2tog, p2, k3 (8)
Row 25) k2, k2tog, k4 (7)
Row 26) k2, k2tog, k3 (6)
Row 27) k2, k2tog, k2 (5)
Row 28) k2, k2tog, k1 (4)
Row 29) k1, k2tog, k1 (3)
Row 30) K2tog, k1 (2)

Bind off and weave in ends.

Abbreviations
K = knit
Kfb = knit in the front and back of the stitch
P = purl
() x = do the stitches inside the parentheses the number of times in front of the x
sl = slip
sn = spare needle
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together

Diamonds On Lace Cloth

This is the mid-January KAL for the Monthly dishcloth group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MonthlyDishcloths/ and was designed by Janet Nogle. Her blog is at http://designknitting.blogspot.com/ in case you would like to see more of her work.

Holiday Stamp

Perseverance has paid off and I am now halfway through my Holiday Stamp afghan. I do have to knit this from a chart and that is slow going for me :) I absolutely love the way it is turning out!

Holiday Stamp reverse

Here is a picture of the back of the afghan. As you can see, all the colors are reversed, except for the block borders which look the same front and back as they are knit with both colors held together.

Baa Baa Black Sheep

I purchased some Paton's Allure at half price and decided to see what a sheep made of it would look like. As you can see it is not as nice as the other one made earlier of TLC Amore. I will still keep him as a decoration. The Allure is a small ball and I am not sure I can squeeze a second sheep out of it. I used size 8 needles and the face and lower legs were knit with a doubled strand of Caron Simply Soft.

Knitted Kitty

Emmanuelle was kind enough to leave a comment on my blog about my free patterns. That led me to look at her blog where I found the free pattern for this cute kitty. The pattern is at http://www.creationswedesign.com/Kitty-CatFreePattern.html
I knit it in one piece and added the optional arms. It was a fast knit. Thanks, Emmanuelle!

Sweethearts Version 2

This cloth was done in a variation of the sand stitch. All odd rows are knit and the pattern is made by k1, p1 on the even rows. This cloth has about the same number of stitches as Sweethearts Version 1 but measures 8 1/4" wide by 9 1/4" tall. Of course, for dishcloths, size is not that important. Stay tuned as more versions of this basic pattern are in the works!

Sweethearts, Version 2

Copyright © Susan Mrenna 2008 Knit A Little www.knitalittle.com
One ball of cotton yarn, size 7 needles Cast on 40 Stitches K = knit, p = purl.

Row 1-7 and all odd rows) knit all stitches
Row 8, 10, 12) k4, p32, k4
Row 14) k4, p8, k1, p14, k1, p8, k4
Row 16) k4, p6, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p10, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p6, k4
Row 18) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 20) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 22) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 24) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 26) k4, p6, k1, p3, k1, p10, k1, p3, k1, p6, k4
Row 28, 30, 32, 34) k4, p32, k4
Row 36) k4, p8, k1, p14, k1, p8, k4
Row 38) k4, p6, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p10, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, p6, k4
Row 40) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 42) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 44) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 46) k4, p4, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p6, (k1, p1) 4x, k1, p4, k4
Row 48) k4, p6, k1, p3, k1, p10, k1, p3, k1, p6, k4
Row 50, 52, 54) k4, p32, k4
Row 55-60) knit all stitches

Bind off and weave in ends.

Sweethearts, Version 1

I like to play around with stitch patterns and see what happens. From now till Valentines Day I will be posting different versions of my Sweetheart pattern for your knitting pleasure. This cloth measures 8 1/2" wide by 7 1/2" tall. Please feel free to add more rows top and bottom if you want a square cloth.

Sweethearts, Version 1

Copyright © Susan Mrenna 2008 Knit A Little http://www.knitalittle.com
One ball of cotton yarn, size 7 needles Cast on 40 Stitches K = knit, p = purl.

Row 1-13 and all odd rows) knit all stitches
Row 14) k12, p1, k14, p1, k12
Row 16) k10, p5, k10, p5, k10
Row 18) k9, p7, k8, p7, k9
Row 20) k8, p9, k6, p9, k8
Row 22) k8, p9, k6, p9, k8
Row 24) k8, p4, k1, p4, k6, p4, k1, p4, k8
Row 26) k9, p2, k3, p2, k8, p2, k3, p2, k9
Row 27-35) knit all stitches
Row 36) k12, p1, k14, p1, k12
Row 38) k10, p5, k10, p5, k10
Row 40) k9, p7, k8, p7, k9
Row 42) k8, p9, k6, p9, k8
Row 44) k8, p9, k6, p9, k8
Row 46) k8, p4, k1, p4, k6, p4, k1, p4, k8
Row 48) k9, p2, k3, p2, k8, p2, k3, p2, k9
Row 49-60) knit all stitches

Bind off and weave in ends.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

I knit this as the first January KAL on my Monthly Dishcloth Group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MonthlyDishcloths/
It is a free pattern available at:
http://bunnystampingmt.blogspot.com/2007/11/football-dishcloth.html
I have taken the challenge at Monthly Dishcloths to knit all 24 of the KAL cloths in 2008. I am going to knit mine in acrylic to donate to one of my local charities at the end of the year.

Feeling Sheepish

I did it! I knit two of the Jean Greenhowe sheep from Christmas Special.

http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/christmas.html

The first was knit in TLC Baby Amore white on size 4 needles. The second one also used Caron Simply Soft black. I tweaked the pattern a little as I wanted a black face and hooves. For the hooves I cast on with black, then cut it and knit the rest of the leg with white. I wove the ends in under the black stitches and that also helps hide the white.
The face I am not completely happy with. I started it at the first single strand row after finishing with the double strand. This will not make sense if you do not have the pattern.
On the white sheep I stuffed it's head too full. The directions were fairly clear and easy to follow. Once I made one the second was a cinch. I did not put a face on the black and white sheep as it would be very difficult to see it.
The Nativity set with them was given to me by my father after a trip to Israel. It is made from olive wood.

Jean Greenhowe Christmas Special

This is the second book I got. It actually has the Nativity scene I am going to knit. Christmas Treasures has a donkey to add to the set. I am going to try to change the sheep to have a black face and hooves. Tomorrow!

Jean Greenhowe Christmas Treasures

My books came! My books came! It is too late tonight to knit anything but tomorrow there will be sheep! I ordered the books from Frugal knitting Haus. If you want to see all Jean Greenhowe's books go to http://www.jeangreenhowe.com and take a look. There are pictures of all the patterns in the books and where to buy too.

Holiday Stamp visits Frog Pond

This is what happens when I knit when I am tired. I was going along, quite pleased with my progress, when I noticed that the picture did not quite look right. I had made a mistake with row 3 in the second row of squares. I must have knit off the wrong part of the chart or something. While I can fix mistakes a few rows back I knew I would get too frustrated trying to fix all the mistakes in row 3 from row 19 so rippit, rippit!
I have now knit row 3 correctly and will press on!
On a brighter note it is beautiful outside! I went for a walk with no coat! It is 68 degrees F out there! My hubby went with me on Saturday and took along his GPS and verified that it is indeed just over a mile around the loop :) He loves gadgets!

I did not goof on the right hand deer's nose. The knitting is folded a bit so it does look like it. The needles are not quite long enough to lay it all the way flat.

Rachel and Rebecca Scarves - Free Pattern

Rachel and Rebecca Scarves

1 skein Homespun
Size 10 ½ needles

Cast on for 20 stitches for Rachel and for 28 stitches for Rebbecca.

Slip 1 stitch purlwise, *knit 2, k 1 in the back of the stitch, purl 1*, repeat from * ending knit 3.

Repeat this row over and over and over on both sides till almost out of yarn and bind off.

Make it wider or narrower by subtracting 4, or multiples of 4, stitches.
Pattern is a multiple of 4 plus 4, so 8 would be the narrowest you could make.

This pattern looks the same on the front and the back and has a neat pleated look and is excellent for those times when you need to be productive but are distracted by what is happening around you.

I made these scarves for my sons' girlfriends for Christmas. My Mom brought my oldest the little Pinnochio ornament from Germany years ago. It is strung with elastic and is poseable.

Happy Birthday to Me :)

My husband baked me this cake for my birthday :) We have an odd assortment of pans so he used a square one for the bottom and a round one for the top. It is Spice cake with Cream Cheese icing. He also gave me a gift card to one of my favorite stores and is taking me to dinner at Red Robin this evening. I LOVE hamburgers!

My parents gave me this painting, done from an old photograph and painted by a friend of theirs. It shows my children, Suzanne and Andrew, many years ago when my daughter was still living. Unfortunately, she was killed in a car accident, in 1989, at the age of nine. Andrew had elected to stay home with me and I am grateful for that. I can absolutely tell you with certainty that you never completely get over losing a child. I will enjoy the painting and think of her with joy whenever I see it. My son is 26 now.

I had a lovely walk today. It was cold this morning at 12 degrees F., but was in the low 30's when I took my walk this afternoon. I even unzipped my jacket. I have adjusted my mile ticker at the bottom of the page to reflect the miles walked in 2008, not just since the ticker was uploaded.

Now that I have figured out how to upload photos maybe this blog won't be quite so boring :)

Walk Around the Block

I am fortunate enough to live where there is a nice one mile loop for walking starting and ending with my house.
Since my knees really do feel better if I actually get some exercise each day I am trying to be more faithful about walking.
I found a neat little ticker to track my progress at http://www.tickerfactory.com and am going to try to remember to update it. You can see it at the bottom of my blog. The little turtle is so me :)

Year Long Gift-A-Long

I have joined the Year Long Gift-A-Long at http://www.knitallyear.blogspot.com/ and hope to make a LOT of gifts earlier this year. Of course I say that every year! Better hurry as sign-ups close January 31st!
I am going to start with one sheep a month from the Jean Greenhowe Nativity in her pattern book Christmas Special http://www.jeangreenhowe.com/christmas.html and they will be given to family as Christmas ornaments. Eventually I would love for each family to have their own complete set, but that won't happen this year. I have found a little angel pattern i think would go well with the set too http://www.lucybug.org/tinyangel.html and would love to get several of them knitted up. Come along and knit with us!

New Year's Resolution

I am venturing into the Land of Blog! I am very bad about keeping track of all my various projects and all the wonderful things on the internet so this will be my attempt to organize myself just a little bit.
I own the internet shop http://www.knitalittle.com/ and thoroughly enjoy designing knitting patterns.
I also host the Yahoo group Knit A Little
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnitALittle which is an announcement only group. I do host my free patterns there as well.
On Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/ I am known as AnotherSusan although I have not done enough with that site.
My Flickr album http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitalittle/sets/1697882/ also has pictures of my free patterns and the pattern is below the picture in the comments section.
I only have two projects on the needles at the moment although that can change at any moment. The first is an alphabet afghan knit in one piece and using my own pattern. The second is an afghan in double knitting using my own layout and interpretation of the charts for the Holiday Stamps on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/groups/usps-holiday-knits-kal and I am using a technique I have not previously seen in double knitting in that there is a border around each of the sections that is knit using two strands held together rather than separately.
I wish to thank in advance all of the friends I know only through my computer who have opened their world to me. Thank you!