Free knitting pattern: accessory (hood)

Red-Nose Hood

This hood wraps around your head and keeps you warmer than a cowl would. 

Skill level:  Beginner

Material:

Knitting needles:  4.50 mm/ US 7/ UK 7 or size to obtain tension

Yarn:  one skein (200 yards/ 182 metres) worsted weight yarn

Tension:  5 stitches x 8 rows = 1 inch (2.54 centimetres) worked over Stockinette stitch

4 x 4 rib stitch (over an even number of stitches)

Row 1:  knit 4, purl 4 -- repeat to end of row

Repeat row 1 for pattern

seed stitch (over an even number of stitches)

Row 1:  knit 1, purl 1 -- repeat to end of row

Row 2:  purl 1, knit 1 -- repeat to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Cast on 80 stitches

Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 2 inches (5.08 centimetres)

Work in seed stitch for 12 inches  (30.48 centimetres)

Cast off

Finishing:

Sew two seams to form hood. (Sew a seam joining ribbing and top of hood)

***

This just in...

The email stated that Wintercraft (a gallery on Salt Spring that sells art and craft created on the Southern Gulf Islands) is opening on Friday, November 29 and will remain open until December 22. I was a participating artisan for many years and was always impressed by the diversity and quality of the work for sale. And this year promises to be just as impressive with over 90 artisan participating--including more than 10 new to the show. WinterCraft is held in Mahon Hall on Rainbow Road on Salt Spring Island.

Free sweater pattern: Easy Sweater for adults by Leanne Dyck

Update:  Nice to know that my patterns are still being enjoyed. Hello to all my knitting friends. : )

I bet this is one of the easiest sweaters you'll ever knit. And it's quick. And it's free.

Drop shoulder sweater knit from the bottom up

Sweater measures

Chest:  36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56) inches

91.44 (101.6, 111.76, 121.92, 132.08, 142.24) centimeters

Length:  22 (22, 24, 24, 26, 26) inches

55.88 (55.88, 60.96, 60.96, 66.04, 66.04) centimeters

Sleeves:  16 inches (40.64 centimeters) long

Knitting needles:  10 mm/15 US/ 000 Canadian and UK

Yarn:  I used Meldoy by Patons. This is an 100% acrylic super bulky yarn.
I knit the smallest size and used 6 skeins
Weight:  600 grams (100 grams per skein)
Yardage:  510 yards (85 yards per skein)
466.34 meters (77.72 meters per skein)
I recommend you add a skein for each size (i.e. 7 skeins for medium, 8 skeins for large, etc.)
But you could use a different super bulky yarn

Tension:  9 stitches = 4 inches

Stitch pattern:  Garter
Row 1:  knit--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

How to work the knit stitch tutorial

Front and back (make 2)
Cast on 40 (45, 54, 59, 63) stitches
Work for 22 (22, 24, 24, 26, 26) inches

Sleeves (make 2)
Cast on 45 stitches
Work for 16 inches
I like to work my sleeves from the shoulder down.
It's really important to cast off loosely. You could even use a size larger needle.

Finishing
Sew shoulder seams (approximately 2 to 3 inches on both sides)
(5 to 7.6 centimeters)
Attach sleeves
Sew side seams
Add fringe
Here's how to make fringe

***
Next post:  Sticking with our Halloween theme, together we'll take an adventure through Elizabeth Kostova's book The Historian (horror)

How to knit a button by Leanne Dyck

Elf hat free knitting pattern by Leanne Dyck

This adorable children's hat is the perfect project for the beginning knitter, but I'm guessing knitters of all skill levels will want to knit it.

Like all the patterns I share on this blog, this pattern was designed by Leanne Dyck.

Baby hat

knitting needles:  4.50 mm/US 7/UK7
Yarn:  worsted weight main and contrasting colour
Tension:  4 stitches x 6 rows = one inch

4 x 4 rib
Row:  knit four, purl four--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

Stockinette stitch
Row 1:  knit--to end of row
Row 2:  purl--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern


Cast on 56 stitches with main colour
Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 2 inches [5.08 cm]
Work in Stockinette stitch with contrasting colour for two rows
Alternate between main and contrasting colours every second row
Decrease two stitches at the beginning and end of row every second row
When hat measures 10 inches [25.4] and 6 stitches remain, slip stitches onto a double point needle
Work I-cord for six inches
Using a darning needle, pull thread through stitches and secure
Add fringe

Free knitting pattern: Fringe designed by Leanne Dyck

Looking for a unique way to add interest to a tired-looking outfit, I designed the "fringe"

Please note, all the patterns I share on this blog are designed by me.

Yarn: one ball hemp/wool blend or any suitable worsted weight yarn.
Knitting needles: 6 mm/US 10/UK 4
Gauge: 16 stitches x 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm)

1 x 1 stitch (over even number of stitches)
Row: knit one, purl one--to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

Cuffs
Cast on 30 stitches
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 6 inches (15 cm) or desired length
Cast off loosely in pattern. Sew seam. Add fringe.

Collar
Cast on 72 stitches
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 6 inches (15 cm) or desired length.
Cast off loosely in pattern. Sew seam. Add fringe.

How to make fringe:



Cut 132 pieces of yarn 12 inches (30 cm) long.

Use a darning needle to thread the fringe evenly into the collar and cuffs.

For best results, thread each edge one at a time. Then turn your work and continue.

For an even fringe, thread into every second stitch.

I thread 30 fringes into each cuff, 72 into the collar.

Happy knitting!

Free knitting pattern: Purse by Leanne Dyck

I love this purse—not only is it stylish, but it's also self-lined. All of which make it an ideal spring/summer purse. I've knit this purse from cotton, raw silk, linen, and hemp/cotton blend yarns. 

You will need two balls of worsted weight yarn (approximately 210 yards/192 metres each).

Knitting needles: one set of straight needles 4.50 mm (US 7/UK 7) and two double-point needles

Tension: 1" = 5 stitches

To make the body of the purse, use the double knit technique.

Cast on 45 stitches

Work in pattern for 13 inches.

Pattern:

Row 1: knit one, *slip stitch as if to purl (bringing yarn forward), knit one, continue from * to last two stitches, slip stitch, knit one

Row 2: knit one, *knit one, slip stitch continue from * to last two stitches, knit two

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern.

This is what the double knit technique looks like on the needles.

and off...

This stitch pattern creates a lining for your purse.
Cast off two stitches at a time--a knit stitch and a slip stitch treated as one stitch.

To make the strap make an I-cord.

Cast on 4 to 6 stitches (depending on how thick you want your strap). The more stitches, the thicker the strap.

Work the first row in garter stitch

Once you've knit the first row, don't turn your work. Instead, keep the right side of the work facing you and slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. Bring the working yarn forward. Continue working in this manner until you begin to create a "tube." During the initial rows of I-cord, the wrong side may resemble little ladders. Fear not, the laddering will disappear as you continue to work while maintaining tension.

Work the cord to the desired length.

To assemble the purse...

Fold the purse like an envelope. Make the first fold 8 1/2 inches down from the top. The folded piece should be 5 inches deep.

Sew the sides.

Fold the top flap down.

Sew on strap.

(Optional) Attach a button closure.

Weave in ends

Gift Giving Knitting Solutions by Leanne Dyck

A winter scene motif

Try your hand at painting with yarn. Use it to decorate sweater fronts, bags, dishcloths, etc.

Note: The larger the needle used the larger the motif. I used 4.50 mm/US 7/ UK 7

Seed stitch (over even number of stitches)

Row 1: knit 1, purl 1--to end of row

Row 2: purl 1, knit 1--to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

1 x 1 rib stitch (over even number of stitches)

Row: knit 1, purl 1--to end of row

Repeat for pattern

Stockinette stitch

Row 1: knit--to end of row

Row 2: purl--to end of row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Over 38 stitches

Work in seed stitch for 2 inches

Tree trunk

Work seed stitch for 15 stitches, 1 x 1 rib for 8 stitches, seed stitch for 15 stitches for one inch

Tree branches

Row 1 & 2: Work seed stitch for 8 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 22 stitches, seed stitch for 8 stitches

Row 3 & 4: Work seed stitch for 9 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 20 stitches, seed stitch for 9 stitches

Row 5 & 6: Work seed stitch for 10 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 18 stitches, seed stitch for 10 stitches

Row 7 & 8: Work seed stitch for 11 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 16 stitches, seed stitch for 11 stitches

Row 9 & 10: Work seed stitch for 12 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 14 stitches, seed stitch for 12 stitches

Row 11 & 12: Work seed stitch for 13 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 12 stitches, seed stitch for 13 stitches

Row 13 & 14: Work seed stitch for 14 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 10 stitches, seed stitch for 14 stitches

Row 15 & 16: Work seed stitch for 15 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 8 stitches, seed stitch for 15 stitches

Row 17 & 18: Work seed stitch for 16 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 6 stitches, seed stitch for 16 stitches

Row 19 & 20: Work seed stitch for 17 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 4 stitches, seed stitch for 17 stitches

Row 21 & 22: Work seed stitch for 18 stitches, Stockinette stitch for 2 stitches, seed stitch for 18 stitches

Work in seed stitch for 2 inches

It's November 24th, there's a month of knitting days left. Don't panic. Take heart and follow this advice from the Designer's Note blog.

Holiday Knitting Solution

Situation: Giving hand-knitted socks

Problem: Only one sock finished

Solution: Wrap that sock with a note that reads...

The other sock is hidden. Find it if you can.

Or

Other sock to be finished, soon.

Situation: Giving a hand-knitted item to a fellow knitter who has the same tension as you

Problem: Item is half finished

Solution: Wrap the item, yarn, and needles with a note that reads...

Let's knit this together.

My mom gave me this gift, and I was delighted.

Situation: Giving a hand knit item to a new knitter

Problem: You bought the pattern, yarn, and needles. No actual knitting has been done.

Solution: Wrap the pattern, yarn, and needles alone with a note that reads...

This is a coupon for free knitting lessons.

Situation: Giving a hand knit item

Problem: You have yet to buy the yarn and needles

Solution: Wrap the pattern with a note that reads...

This will soon be yours. Come yarn shopping with me. (Give a selection of dates).

Free knitting pattern: Toque by Leanne Dyck

This toque fits like a dream and the pattern was designed for the beginner-level knitter.

Yarn: one skein (230 yards/ 210 metres)

Needle size: 1 pair 4.50mm (7 US, 7 UK)

Tension: 20 stitches x 8 rows = 4 inches over Stockinette stitch

Stitch pattern

4 x 4 rib stitch (over even number of stitches)
Row 1: *knit four, purl four --repeat from * to end of row
Repeat row for pattern

1 x 1 rib stitch (over even number of stitches)
Row 1: *knit one, purl one --repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat row for pattern.

Cast on 80 stitches
Work in 4 x 4 rib stitch for 11 inches (27.5 cm)
This row: *knit together --repeat from * to end of row 40 stitches remain
Work in 1 x 1 rib for 1 inch (2 cm)
Bind off, sew seam and weave in ends.

Free Knitting Pattern: socks by Leanne Dyck

Beginner level knitting pattern--no turning heel required. Tube socks with a seam.

Cat's Paw Socks

knitting needles: 4.50 mm/ US 7/ UK 7 or size to obtain tension
yarn: one skein of worsted weight yarn (200 yards/182 metres)
tension: 5 stitches x 8 rows = 1 inch worked over Stockinette stitch

1 x 1 rib stitch
*knit one, purl one --from * to end of row.


Stockinette stitch
row 1: knit, to end of row
row 2: purl, to end of row
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern

Directions
Cast on 42 stitches
Work in 1 x 1 rib stitch for 6"
Work in Stockinette stitch for size (5-7 for 6") 8-10 for 9" (11-13 for 12")
This row (with right side facing): *knit two, knit two together to last two stitches (32 stitches remaining)
Work in Stockinette stitch for 3 rows
This side (with right side facing): *knit two, knit two together to end of row (24 stitches remaining)
Work in Stockinette stitch for 3 rows
This row (with right side facing): *knit two, knit two together to end of row (18 stitches remaining)
Pull thread through remaining stitches. Sew side seams.