Liebster Award!

Marilyn from the 4 You With Love Blog awarded me the Liebster Award!  

Now what is the Liebster Blog Award?  Liebster is German and means 'dearest' or 'beloved', but it can also mean 'favorite'. The idea behind the Liebster Award is to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers.  If you are selected, you need to:

1. Choose FIVE up and coming blogs to award the Liebster to (they must have less than 200 followers)
2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. List the bloggers you are giving this award to with links to their sites.
5. Best of all, have fun and share the love!

So, in accordance with the "Rules", here are my five blog choices, in no particular order:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber Blog - lots of fibery goodness!

The Nail Polish Addict - I am not really into the whole makeup and nail polish thing, but I do appreciate the amazing things one can do with nail polish :0)

Purse Blog - this is about sewing.  I don't sew, but have a fancy schmancy sewing machine and wish I could use it!

Pocket Full of Sunshine Boutique - my sponsor - hand made soaps, lotions, jewelry and all kinds of great stuff.  Sells items as well as gives "recipes" to make your own, as well as interesting info on hand made soap, etc.

iKnit2Purl2 - knitting!  Has free patterns also!

Turkish Stitch

Sample knit with Royal Bamboo from Plymouth Yarn on US Size 7 square needles

This weeks stitch pattern is short, sweet and to the point.  This would make a great spring or summer scarf, or even a shawl or wrap, maybe a beach coverup. 

The pattern suggests an extra stitch on each edge for "continuity".  My sample was knit with the suggested extra stitch on each edge; the edges were very sloppy for my taste.  Depending on what you are knitting, you will probably want to add a more substantial border. 

Abbreviations:

YO = Yarn over

K-wise = Insert right needle into next stitch as if to knit, but don't work the stitch, just slip off left needle

PSSO = Pass the slipped stitch over the one just knit

Cast on any even number  (plus desired number of edge stitches, which are not included in the instructions below)

*YO, Slip 1 K-wise, K1, PSSO*

That's it.  You will repeat this for both sides of the fabric.  

And here is the video.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy!

Shell Lace Edging - Vintage Stitch Series

This sample knit with Butterfly Cotton on US Size 6 needles

There was no picture accompanying this stitch pattern, so I was very pleasantly surprised after I had finished the first repeat of it!  This is one of the prettiest stitches I think I have ever seen!  And it is easy to remember too even though it is a 12 Row repeat.  I found this gem of an edging in the NY Daily Tribune for February 29, 1880.  It was submitted by a Mrs. T. H. Corbett.  

Notes:  

1. The first stitch of every row is slipped as if to purl, with the yarn held at the front of the work.  (The pattern does not state to slip the first stitch on the plain knitted rows, and did not indicate how the stitch is to be slipped.  I decided to slip the first stitch on all of the rows pwise wyif, so that I would have nice, neat edges.)
2. You will be making a double yarn over on several of the rows; on the following row, you will be working both of these yarn overs - the first is knit, and the second is always purled.  

Cast on 9 stitches

Row 1: Slip 1, K1 [(YO twice, K2tog) 3 times] K1

Row 2: Slip 1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K2

Row 3: Slip 1, Knit

Row 4: Slip 1, Knit 

Row 5: Slip 1, K1, YO twice, K2tog, K8

Row 6: Slip 1, K9, P1, K2

Row 7: Slip 1, Knit

Row 8: Slip 1, Knit

Row 9: Slip 1, K1, [(YO twice, K2tog) 2 times] K7

Row 10: Slip 1, K8, P1, K2, P1, K2

Row 11: Slip 1, Knit

Row 12: Slip 1, K6 - Pass the first 6 stitches over the stitch just knit, K8

Repeat these twelve Rows for the pattern

Here is a sample I knit on Size 10 Crochet thread with US Size 0 needles.  It is hard to tell in the picture, but obviously the stitches are much smaller with the lighter cotton thread and smaller needles.  It makes a more dainty piece of fabric.  You will see the difference in the video.

And here is a video of the Shell Lace Edging.  Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

Cobweb Frill

Araucania Ruca yarn

I have been a long time fan of the Cobweb Frill, however have been too scared to even test it out, let alone use it on a project.  Until now.  I suppose I've been afraid because dropping stitches is involved.  As a knitter, most of the time we do everything we can to keep from dropping stitches. Panic normally ensues when a stitch is dropped, and even worse if that stitch should start to unravel!  It is hard to convince ourselves it is ok to intentionally drop stitches, and let them unravel clear back to the cast on edge.  But fear no more!  This is a beautiful thing, so go ahead and drop those stitches!

Patons Angora Bamboo yarn

Work on a multiple of 3 +1

Ktbl = Knit through the back loop


Part One
Row 1: Ktbl *P2, Ktbl*
Row 2: P1 *Ktbl, K1, P1*

Repeat the above two rows until frill is the desired length.  Be sure to end on Row 2.

Next Row: Ktbl *Drop next stitch from left needle without working it, P1, Ktbl*

Part Two
Row 1: P1 *Ktbl, P1*
Row 2: Ktbl *P1, Ktbl*

Repeat these two rows twice more.  Unravel the dropped stitches do the cast on edge.

If you plan to sew the frill onto an already completed piece, then bind off at this point.  Or, you may simply continue on to knitting your main pattern.  Do keep in mind that 1/3 of the stitches are going to be dropped, so you will need to make sure you account for those stitches when casting on, if you are going to go straight into your main pattern.

If you are comfortable with dropping stitches, you may want to check out Clapotis, by Kate Gilbert.  This fabulous scarf appeared in the Fall 2004 issue of Knitty.

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy!

Sandstorm Cable

I usually don't do cable stitches, because they tend to be more involved than other stitch patterns.  However, this particular stitch pattern was requested by someone who saw it in my blanket in the "Oops" video.  So, here it is!

Work on a multiple of 12 stitches + 6  (You will need to have extra stitches on each edge to neaten them up keep the fabric in shape.  (Cables tend to pull fabric inward - you can see this in the sample in the video.)

Notes:  

1. To Cable Front:  Slip next 3 stitches to cable needle, and hold in front of the work.  Knit 3 from left needle, then knit the 3 from cable needle.
2. To Cable Back, slip next 3 stitches to cable needle, and hold in back of the work.  Knit 3 from left needle, then knit the 3 from cable needle.

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2 and every alternate Row: Purl all stitches

Row 3: *Cable 6 front, K6*.  Repeat from * to last 6 stitches, Cable 6 front

Row 5: Knit all stitches

Row 7: *K6, Cable 6 back*.  Repeat from * to last 6 stitches, K6

*Don't forget Row 8 - a purl row

Repeat these 8 Rows for pattern.  

Here is a video - I only show Row 3 and Row 7 where the cables are worked, to save time.  Happy Knitting!