Crusader Cross Necklace (for pretending children)

Materials:

Small amounts of Patons Grace mercerized cotton in silver, or Small amounts of other mercerized cotton in gold (Saucy Sport) Small amounts of other yarn for embellishments (or buttons, or sequins, or whatever) size 6 needles

Gauge is not critical, but you want the fabric fairly tight

Abbreviations:

BO - bind off

Co - cast on

k- knit

m1 - Make one stitch by picking up the bar between stitches and knitting into the back

P - purl

skpo - slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over

st - stitch

Pattern:

With main color, CO 4

1st K

2nd row P

3rd row k 1, m 1,k 2, m 1, k 1

4th row P

5th row K

6th row P

*7th row k 1, m 1, k to last st, m 1, k 1

8th row P

9th row K

10th row P*

11th -14th rows repeat from * to * once more (10 st)

15th row (folding row) P

**16th row P

17th row K

18th row P

19th row k 1, skpo, k to last 3 st, k 2 tog, k1**

20th-27th rows repeat from ** to ** twice more (4 st)

28th row P

repeat from 1st row to 28th row once more, BO

Fold along the purl bump ridge, and sew sides together. The CO edge and the BO edge should meet in the middle back, where you can sew them together also. With the right side facing you, pick up and knit 4 stitches along the side of the center. Follow the directions for the first half, (rows 1 - 28) omitting the repeat. Do the same on the opposite side. Fold in the new arms of the cross, sew the ends together and sew the edges closed. Embellish with some embroidery and a yarn needle. Using a crochet hook ( I used a size H ), Single crochet across three stitches on the center top of one of the "arms", chain for as long as you want the "chain" to be, and sew in the ends, securing it back into your cross. Give to someone who can use more dress-ups!

Owlie Soap Sack By Lizzie Jank

 

This silly pocket washcloth will keep little ones happy in the tub. Slip in a baby soap, and you are ready for action! It is worked side to side in one piece, with buttonholes running along what will become the bottom. Very simple finishing makes a cute toy that you will be willing to throw in the tub! The back is garter stitch so it is nice and scrubbie too!

Small amounts of dishcloth cotton in multiple colors. Here's what I used:

Hot pink for the main body

White/brown variegated for the tummy

White, black, and heathery pink for the eyes

yellow for the beak and feet

Size 8 US (5 mm) needles (I like bamboo best on cotton - but follow your heart!)

Abbreviations:

CO = cast on

BO = bind off

K2 Tog = Knit two together

KF&B = Increase by knitting in front and back of each stitch

BACK

CO 28 stitches loosely in color for main body (A)

Rows 1-3, Knit

*Row 4, K 24, BO 2, K2 (this will be your right side)

Row 5, K2, CO 2, K 24

Row 6 - 9, K*

Repeat from * to * three more times, do not break yarn

FRONT

(when working this color block section, make sure to cross yarn colors in the back of work whenever you switch - nothing fancy, just so they are linked together)

Row 1 (right side),K 10 stitches in (A) do not break, join contrast belly color (B), and work remaining 18 stitches. 

Row 2, P 18 (B), P 10 (A)

Row 3, K 10 (A), K 18 (B)

(maintain this established color block line throughout the rest of the project)

**Row 4 (wrong side), P2 , BO 2, P 24

Row 5, K 24, CO 2, K 2

Row 6, Purl

Row 7, Knit

Row 8, Purl

Row 9 (right side), K 24, BO 2, K 2

Row 10, P 2, CO 2, P 24

Row 11, K

Row 12, P

Row 13, K**

Repeat from ** to ** once more

Work a three needle bind off with the CO stitches (Pick up the CO stitches on another needle and fold your work in half, right side facing you, holding the two needles with stitches on them together. Knit through the first stitch on both needles at the same time. Work as you would a normal bind off )

BEAK

Using yellow, Pick up and Knit 4 stitches on the color change line, center front.

P 1 row

K 2 together twice

P1 row

K2 tog

BO

EYES (Make 2)

Using white, CO 3

Row 1, KF&B of each stitch, 6 stitches

Row 2, Purl

Row 3, K 1, KF&B next stitch, K 2, KF&B next stitch, K1, 8 stitches

Break yarn and join lid color

Row 4, Purl

Row 5, K 1, K2 tog, K 2, K2 tog, K 1, 6 stitches

Row 6, Purl

Row 7, K2 tog across, 3 stitches

Row 8, Purl

Bind off

FEET

CO 4 in contrast color for feet

Work i-cord for about 10 1/2 "

Bind off

FINISHING

Using main color and a yarn needle, sew a running stitch around the top corner of owlie's head. Pull snugly to gather "ear", and sew across the top of head to the other corner and do the same. Fasten off, and weave in ends. Sew eyes onto body, slightly turning the edges under to round the eyes, and also to make them a little "bulgy"! Using scrap black yarn, embroider pupils onto eyes. Weave in ends.

Thread the i-cord through the buttonholes, starting at the front and making sure it is on the outside in the center front. After threading, pull out about 2" from the center front, fold in on itself, and sew to make "feet". Tie the i-cord in back to close.

Slip in some tear-free soap, and you are ready to make a baby laugh!

pom pom mania

I've got the serious love for the new Clover pom-pom maker. This little item was an effort at a napkin ring, but it got a little too big. I think I'll use it on a gift when I get tired of having it on the paper towels! I have a feeling that there will be lots of pom poms at our house this Christmas. Pom pom garlands, ornaments, gift toppers, and who knows what else!

Fabric Bottom Booties

I am ready to try a new structure for the top of the baby shoe, but I am really pleased with the fabric bottom. The technique is extremely simple and it works very well. So far so good. I want to try more of a sock type top, or traditional booty, but I am not sure how to best make it work, since it needs to be from the bottom up. Well, that is what's in the hopper today.

In other project news, I have started yet another rug. There is just something irresistible about the knit loops, I just can't stop. I was initially thinking potholder, but the texture was too thick, and I liked the colors too well to stop, so I think it will be a little rug for my girls room.