Modern Knitted Dishcloth

With this cool dishcloth, I don't mind doing the dishes. A great pattern from www.KnitPicks.com

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approx. 10” square

YARN
Knit Picks Cotlin (70% Tanguis Cotton,
30% Linen; 123 yards/50g): CC1
Whisker 24834, CC2 Swan 24134, CC3
Flamingo 25322, CC4 Conch 25776, CC5
Planetarium 24465, 1 ball each.


NEEDLES
US 5 (3.75mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge

NOTIONS
Yarn Needle

GAUGE
5.5 sts = 1” in garter stitch

Notes:
Each stripe for CC1-CC4 will take approx. 7 grams of yarn, CC5
will take approx. 15 grams of yarn.

DIRECTIONS
CO 44 stitches with CC1.
Row 1: Wyif, slip first stitch P-wise, YO, K to end of row.
Row 2: Wyif, slip first stitch P-wise, YO, K to the last two stitches
and k2tog.
Repeat Row 2 sixteen more times, for a total of 18 rows or until
stripe measure 2” long.
With CC2, repeat Row 2 a total of 18 times or until stripe
measures 2” long.
With CC3, repeat Row 2 a total of 18 times or until stripe
measures 2” long.
With CC4, repeat Row 2 a total of 18 times or until stripe
measures 2” long.
For the final stripe (which will become the asymmetrical border),
repeat Row 2 a total of 18 times of until stripe measures 2” long.
Row 19: Wyif, slip first stitch P-wise (do not YO) and BO across
the row, leaving the last bound off stitch on your needle.
Turn piece clockwise in order to PU stitches along the lengthwise
edge of the dishcloth. You will be picking up stitches by going
into each selvage edge stitch (there will be one edge stitch for
every two rows of garter stitch).
PU 10 stitches along the edge of CC5 stripe and 9 sts along the
edge of CC4 , CC3, CC2 and CC1 stripes.
You will now have a total of 48 stitches picked up.
Row 1: Wyif, slip first stitch P-wise, YO, K to end of row.
Row 2: Wyif, slip first stitch P-wise, YO, K to the last two stitches
and k2tog.
Repeat Row 2 sixteen more times, for a total of 18 rows.
BO across entire row.

Finishing
Weave in ends, wash and block to size.

Knitted Famous Shawl

I have knitted over five shawls from this pattern using different yarns ( adjusting to gauge) and each one has turned out beautifully! You can never have too many triangle shawls, especially from this Fiesta Yarns pattern!

MATERIALS 
Yarn: La Boheme (50% Rayon, 34%
Brushed Kid Mohair, 14% Wool, 4% Nylon; 4 oz./165 yds.) 2 skeins.
You may substitute Starburst La Boheme or Insignia La Boheme. The colorway shown is Aster.
Needles: Size 17 circular needles and medium crochet hook. Notions: Scissors, yarn needle with big eye (pointed for weaving in ends) Optional: Beads with a hole large enough for a crochet hook to go through and Gelato ribbon for fringe.

GAUGE
9 stitches = 5”; 8 rows = 3”

PATTERN STITCH Garter Stitch - Knit all rows.


INSTRUCTIONS
Loosely cast on 18 stitches. Using size 17 circular needles work Garter Stitch increasing 1 stitch at the beginning of every row until you have 94 sts. Knit one row without increasing--you should have approximately 1.75 ozs of yarn left. Bind off loosely.

FINISHING
The shawl will measure less than the finished dimensions. Do not worry! It is designed to be  stretched. Go ahead and lightly ™block the shawl to the dimensions shown.

FRINGE
Cut a piece of cardboard into a 7 inch square. Wrap the yarn around  the cardboard 150 times. Cut the strands at the point where you began wrapping. Use two double strands of mohair and
rayon together for each fringe knot (approx. 75 total).
Beginning at point A,*fold the double strands in half and usea crochet hook to thread these strands through the outside edge of the shawl. Pull
without increasing--you should the end through the  loop created.* Repeat between * approximately every 1 1/8 inch to point B, across to point C, and up to point D.

Finishing Options
 ™Cut the ribbon the length of the fringe strands and use a few along the edge for a more luxurious look.

™Pull the fringe strands through a bead before attaching to the edge for an elegant look.

Knit a row of ribbon randomly throughout the stole for a different look.

Oh So Yummy...Slouchy and Soft Knitted Hat!

Want to feel warm and soft, knit this slouchy, soft hat from Lion Brand Yarns patterns.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy + (Level 3)
SIZE: Child (Multiple Sizes), Adult (Multiple Sizes)
Child S (Child M/L, Adult S/M, Adult L)
Finished circumference 16 (18, 20, 22) in. (40.5 (46, 51, 56) cm), will stretch to fit a range of sizes.
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one
number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

MATERIALS
• 640-105 Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn: Glacier 1 Ball (A)
• 601-650 Lion Brand Bonbons Yarn: Party 1 Ball (B)
•  Double Pointed Needles - Size 11
• Double Pointed Needles - Size 13
• Split Ring Stitch Markers
• Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)
• Additional Materials Piece of cardboard about 4 in. (10 cm) square for tassel

GAUGE:
9 sts = 4 in. (10 cm) in St st worked in rnds (k every rnd) with A and larger needles.
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will
be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient.
If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size
hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

NOTES:
1. Hat is worked in the round on double pointed needles, beg at lower edge.
2. Embroidery is free form.

HAT
With A and smaller needles, cast on 36 (40, 44, 48) sts. Divide sts onto 4 needles, placing 9 (10, 11, 12) sts on each needle. Place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle and being careful not to twist sts.
Work in St st (k every rnd) until piece measures about 2 (2, 3, 3) in. (5 (5, 7.5, 7.5 cm) from beg.
Change to larger needles.
Continue in St st until piece measures about 7 1/2 (8 1/2, 11 1/2, 12 1/2) in. (19 (21.5, 29, 32 cm) from beg.

Shape Crown (top of Hat)
Decrease Rnd: K2tog around - 18 (20, 22, 24) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long yarn tail. Thread yarn tail through remaining sts and pull to gather. Knot securely.

FINISHING
With B colors as desired, embroider Hat as desired. In our sample, we embroidered circles in stem stitch and long 'stems' in stem stitch. We embroidered straight stitch spokes inside some of the circles and worked a French knot in the center. We embroidered lazy daisy leaves on the stems. Braid 3 strands of B yarn to make a 16 in. (40.5 cm) braid, then thread the braid through the top of the Hat. If desired, tie a tassel to each end of the braid.
Tassel
Wrap B color as desired around a 4 in. (10 cm) piece of cardboard. Cut 2 lengths of yarn each about 18 in. (45.5 cm) long. Fold 1 length in half and draw under strands at top edge of cardboard. Pull tightly and knot around strands. Cut yarn loops at lower edge of cardboard. Use second 18 in. (45.5 cm) length to wrap strands about 1/2 in. (1.5 cm) below top knot. Knot ends of wrap securely, then thread ends into blunt needle and weave into center of tassel. Use remaining ends from top knot to tie or sew tassel to braid.
Trim tassel ends evenly.

Tassel Hat and Scarf Set

You can never have too many tassels...and this pattern from Fiesta Yarns proves me right!

SIZE
Hat to fit head circumference 20 (21,22)" Scarf approx.6W' x 50" not including tassels

MATERIAlS
Yarn: Boomerang (MC) (100% Extra fine Superwash Merino;4 oz./250 yds) 2 skeins La Boheme (CC) (50%
Rayon,32% Brush
Kid Mohair,14% Wool,14% Nylon;4 oz./165 yds.) Both yarns shown in the colorway Sapphire.
Needles: Hat:US#8/5mm 16" circular, US#8/5mm dpn,
Scarf: US#10/6mm
Notions: Stitch marker,Tapestry Needle,
5" piece of cardboard

GAUGE
18sts over 4"/10cm in St st on US#8 needles with Boomerang

DESIGNER NOTE:
Make up the hat first,and then use what is left of Boomerang to make the scarf. The finished scarf
may be longer than indicated in the sizing.

SPECIALTY STITCHES:
1: With tip of left hand needle,pick up the bar between 2 sts from front to back. Knit through the
back of the picked up st.

Kitchener Stitch:
Set up: Cut your working yarn with about an 8-10" tail.  Thread the working yarn onto a tapestry
needle. Slide all the stitches to the right hand tips of both needles. Hold them together in one
hand. Step 1: Bring threaded needle through first front stitch as if to purl and leave stitch on
needle.
Step 2: Bring threaded needle through first
back stitch as if to knit and leave stitch on needle.
Step 3: Bring threaded needle through
first stitch as ifto knit and slip this stitch
off needle. Bring threaded needle through next front stitch as ifto purl and leave stitch on
needle.
Step 4: Bring threaded needle through first back stitch as if to purl,slip this stitch
off,bring needle through next back stitch
as if to knit,leave this stitch on needle. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until no sts remain on needles.

HAT:
With US#8 circular needles and both MC and CC held together,CO 80 (84,88) sts. Join ends,being
careful not to twist.  Place marker at beg of rnd. Work in K2,P2 ribbing for 214''.Drop  CC (do not
cut).Carry the dropped yarn up at the beg of the rnd.

Beg Hat Body: Rnd 1:with MC,K. Rnd 2:with MC,K Rnd 3:with MC,K Rnd 4:with CC,P Rnd 5:with CC,P

Rep Rnds 1-5  7(6, 5) times. Beg Dec Rnds:
Rnd 1:with MC,K Rnd 2:with MC,K
Rnd 3:with MC,*K8 (7, 9), K2tog*,rep
from * to end of rnd. Rnd 4:with CC,P
Rnd 5:with CC,P
Rep Dec Rnds 1-5,working 11ess st before K2tog on every 3.-.Rnd. Change to dpn when number of sts
can no longer fit comfortably around the needle. Rep Dec Rnds until there are 8 sts remaining.
Divide the sts evenly between 2 needles. Weave end closed with Kitchener St. Fold top of hat down
so woven end meets top edge of ribbing and jog at beg of rnd is hidden underneath the fold. Using
tail of yarn remaining from Kitchener stitch, fasten end of hat to side.

SCARF:
With US#10/6mm needles and CC,CO 3 sts.
Row1: K
Row 2: K1,M1,pm,K1,pm,M1,K1. Row3: K
Row 4: K to marker,M1,slm,K1,slm,M1, K to end of row.
Rep Rows 3 and 4 until there are 25 sts on
needle. Knit 2 more rows. Change to MC.
Scarf Body:
Rows 1-3: K1,St st,to 1st  before end, wyif,sl1.
Rows 4-5: K1,Rev St st to 1st before end, wyif,sl1
Rep Rows 1-5 until body of scarf is desired length,having just completed a Row 3 rep. leave approx
1yd of MC to use as wrap around tassels.
Change to CC. Knit 2 rows.
Dec Row 1: K to 2 sts before marker,ssk, slm,K1,slm,K2tog,K to end of row.
Dec Row 2: K
Rep Dec Rows 1and 2 until there are 3 sts left on needle. BO 3 sts,leaving 6-8" tail. TASSELS:
Wrap CC yarn approx 20 times around 5"
piece of cardboard. Cut bottom end of tassel. Attach folded end of tassel to end of scarf using the
yarn tail.  Using a piece of MC,wrap around folded tassel several times approx.1" from fold. Secure
and bury tail inside tassel.
Rep for tassel on other end of scarf.
Rep for tassel on Hat, attaching tassel at join point where top of Hat was sewn just above ribbing.
Trim tassels if necessary. It should not be necessary to block these pieces.

Knitted Headband with Pompom

A lot of you are suffering a terrible winter, no reason not to knit up this cute headband that will bring a smile and warmth to your days before spring hopefully arrives! This pattern from Caron yarns is quick and easy!

Caron® Simply Soft® (6 oz/170 g; 315 yds/288 m)
Watermelon (9604) 1 ball
Bernat® Faux Fur Pompom™
White Rabbit (01005) 1 pompom
Size U.S. 8 (5 mm) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.

MEASUREMENTS
Approx 4" [10 cm] wide x 19" [48 cm]
around.
GAUGE
18 sts and 24 rows = 4" [10 cm] in
stocking st.
INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 23 sts.
1st row: (RS). K1. *P1. K1. Rep from * to end of row.
2nd and 3rd rows: P1. *K1. P1. Rep from * to end of row.
4th row: K1. *P1. K1. Rep from * to end of row.
Rep last 4 rows for pat until work from beg measures 19" [48 cm], ending on a RS row.
Cast off (WS).

FINISHING
Sew cast on and cast off edges tog.
Gather Headband along seam and sew Bernat® Faux Fur Pompom™ to Headband.

Calling All Knitters...Little Penguins Need Our Help!

LITTLE PENGUIN KNITTED JUMPERS

Information and pattern for knitters
Knits for nature
This is not a fashion statement!
These jumpers play an important role in saving
little penguins affected by an oil spill.
Knitted jumpers are placed on oiled penguins to keep them
warm and prevent them from preening and swallowing toxic oil.
The jumpers are kept on the penguins until the penguins are strong enough to be cleaned.
Oil and penguins don’t mix
A patch of oil the size of an adult thumbnail can kill a little
penguin.
Oiled penguins often die from exposure and starvation. Oil
separates and mats feathers, allowing water to get in which
makes a penguin very cold, heavy and less able to
successfully hunt for food.
Many oiled penguins die of hypothermia before they can make it to shore. Other penguins die from swallowing the poisonous oil as they attempt to clean (preen) their feathers.

“95% of animals affected by oil spills in Victoria and Tasmania, Australia, are penguins.”

How do rescue crews treat oiled penguins?
Phillip Island Nature Parks’ Wildlife Rehabilitation Center can care for up to 1500 penguins in the
event of an oil spill. Staff and registered volunteers are trained in the handling and rescue of oiled
penguins. Rangers and volunteers patrol beaches looking for oiled wildlife. Oiled wildlife are taken to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, assessed and stabilized. Captivity is stressful for wild animals, so disturbance is kept to a minimum.
Knitted jumpers are placed on oiled penguins to prevent them from preening and swallowing the toxic oil, and to keep them warm.
The oil is washed from the feathers using warm water and detergent. Some penguins may require several washes to completely remove the oil.
Penguins are not waterproof after washing and need time to preen, re-align their feathers and recover the natural oils that help keep their feathers waterproof.
The penguins are released back into the wild once they are waterproof and a healthy weight.
For many years the Penguin Foundation and Phillip Island Nature Parks have received donations of
knitted penguin jumpers from kind and enthusiastic volunteers around the world.
Previously some of the jumpers were unsuitable, being too loose or knitted from oily wool. Rather
than waste the jumpers, they were placed on toy penguins in the Penguin Parade shop. They sold
immediately! The money raised was donated to penguin rehabilitation.
Since then many toy penguin jumpers have been sold and the sale of each jumper results in a
donation to the Penguin Foundation which, in conjunction with Phillip Island Nature Parks, has
funded the construction of a new Wildlife Rehabilitation Center that cares for sick and injured little
penguins.
A reserve of jumpers is kept on hand in case of an oil spill but many keen knitters are happy to knit
decorative and colorful jumpers for sale on toy penguins to help raise money for the Penguin
Foundation.
Want to know more? Visit:
www.penguinfoundation.org.au
or www.penguins.org.au or contact reception@penguins.org.au

Please send finished jumpers to:
“Knits for Nature”
Phillip Island Nature Parks
Reply Paid 97
Cowes, Victoria 3922
Australia
Thanks

My Projects- The Beekeeper's Quilt

Hi Y'all,
I've been busy as a bee, working on the Beekeepers Quilt from Tiny Owl Knits. A great project for using all your stash yarn! I'm making these little "Hexipuffs" and will probably need to make around 400 to complete a quilt.
Here is a sample of how it should look finished...

and here it is in process (photo from Tiny Owl Knits):

I started mine with a kit from http://www.knitcrate.com/products/beekeepers-quilt-kit 
it's a great way to start this fun project.

Also, KnitCrate has gathered us all together in Ravelry.com for a Hexipuff challenge at: http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/knitcrate/2858576/1-25#23

  
My hexipuffs for February:

So come join us! Please post any questions or comments!