Thursday, July 31, 2008

Matilda - A winter scarf

Hello all...

Another pattern for you from this year's knitting arsenal. 'Matilda' is an amazing scarf that I fell in love with it after the first pattern repeat. Not only did I get amazing compliments every single time I have worn it, but it really knits up as the most luxurious yet sturdy fabric. This really is a showstopper and by far my favourite project of this past winter. I would really recommend it as your next scarf project as it is so interesting to knit and you will love the texture. Especially if you love cabling and even more so if you are one of these super coordinated people who can whizz up masses of cables without a cable needle!


I have named it Matilda, as I was watching the glorious BBC series Cranford while I was knitting it. (A series I really hope continues, it is just so so good!)




I chose the wool on impulse early last winter when Rowan Cocoon came out as it just called to me from across the room. It's beautifully spun and with a slight sheen and I really adore it. I chose the lightest colour as it really makes the lattice cable pattern pop and I wouldn't recommend the darker shades for this for that reason. If you see the archives of this blog, you will see that I frogged a striped cabled scarf in Cocoon with the dark charcoal shade because it was very stiff and was like night and day in texture to the fluffy lovely Scree colourway. Pattern also on Ravelry of course, here.

(Please note that this pattern has been recently adjusted due an error. Apologies!)

‘Matilda’ – Cabled Winter Scarf

Materials Used:

5 x 100g balls of Rowan Cocoon in ‘Scree’ for a scarf length of 2 meters or as many to make your preferred length.
7mm needles
Cable Needle

Gauge: any will do ;-)

CO 50 stitches (or multiples of 6 to suit your yarn/gauge + 1 edge st on each side) with your preferred cast on method.

Knit in the following stitch pattern until the scarf measures 2 meters or your desired length. Weave in ends.

Stitch Pattern:
6-st RC Sl 3 sts to cn and hold to back, k3, k3 from cn.
6-st LC Sl 3 sts to cn and hold to front, k3, k3 from cn.

Row 1 and all RS rows : Knit.
Rows 2 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 3: K1 (edge), K3, *6-st RC; rep from * end to last 4 stitches, K3, K1 (edge).
Row 7: K1 (edge), *6-st LC; rep from* to end to last stitch, K1 (edge).
Rep Rows 1-8.

Enjoy!

Arianna

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Toasty - Cabled Hot Water Bottle Cover Pattern

I know I am the worst blogger in the world, so to make up for it, I would like to give you a pattern of mine that I have just now finally written up. I am posting this as my very first pattern on Ravelry because someone asked me for it! You can find it here on Rav or below.




I made this cabled hot water bottle cover for my friend Laura last winter and I would really recommend it as a great Christmas gift and there is plenty of time to get started.



Without further ado...



'Toasty' - Cabled Hot Water Bottle Cover


Materials used:
4 x 50g balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky (I used colours 11 and 23)
6 mm needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
Cable needle
Darning needle
Standard Hot Water bottle (I used Sanger brand)

Gauge: 16 stitches/24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette.


Stitch Pattern:
Row 1: k2, p3, (k12, p3)*rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 2: k5, (p12, k3)*rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 3: k2, p3, (k4,C8F,p3) *rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 4: k5, (p12, k3)*rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 5: k2, p3, (k12, p3)*rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 6: k5, (p12, k3)*rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 7: k2, p3, (C8B, k4, p3) *rep *to last two stitches, k2
Row 8: k5, (p12, k3)*rep *to last two stitches, k2

Pattern: For the body CO 52 stitches with your preferred cast on method. Knit in stitch pattern until work measures double the length of the hot water bottle. Change colours half way through if making a contrasting coloured cover.

BO when cover is desired length, fold and mattress stitch up the sides and the shoulders leaving 24 stitches on each side, in the centre, to pick up and knit for both edges for the neck.

For the neck:
Pick up and knit 24 stitches and knit in double rib (k2, p2) until neck measures 8 inches. Repeat this on the other side and mattress stitch the two pieces together on the sides. Fold over completed neck as shown in photo and insert empty hot water bottle. Alternatively, you could knit all 48 stitches in the round with one or two circular needles if you are familiar with these techniques.


Tip: Water bottle goes in easier through the neck when bent a bit in half vertically.
Enjoy!!