$2 in Limestone

2$ In Limestone was inspired by $5 in Paris, which gave me the confidence to create my own sweater pattern. I love my $5 in Paris, but I wanted something different, with a sharper neckline and an easy bit of ribbing instead of waist shaping. The results were...pleasing. It could always be better. Maybe you can make it better. This pattern offers a lot of forgiveness and room to play. Enjoy!

Materials

2 skeins of Caron Simply Soft (I used Eco in Forrest Floor) or any light worsted/dk yarn
US 9 circular
US 9 DPN's
3 identical PMs and 1 special PM to mark the end of a row. You can make these from scrap yarn if you'd like
Another US circular size 9 or smaller for holding st while you try on
2 pieces of waste yarn, about 1' long each


Co 60 using the long tail cast on. This method not only counts as a first row during cast on, but also gives the neck a nice amount of stretching. It's very important to use this method of casting on.

Use a 2x2 ribbing pattern for about 5 rows

Top
1. KFB knit 22 stitches KFB ~PM k1 PM~ KFB k9 KFB ~PM k1 PM~ KFB knit 21 stitches KFB PspecialM

2. Knit around

Continue row 1-2 until the shoulders meet underneath of your arms ending on a row 2. It may help you to write "I" for row 1 and "K" for row 2

Is it long enough yet? This is where the extra circular comes in. Slip half of the stitches as if to purl, so that your stitches wont slip when you try it on and check.

Once you've gotten the arms at the length for you, simply knit around to the first set of PMs. Slip the (what was 9) stitches on to a piece of waste yarn, knit to the next set of PMs and again, slip the arm stitches on to another piece of waste yarn

Knit around until the sweater reaches underneath of your bra-line. At this point, count your stitches to be sure they are devisable by 4. If they're not, increase as necessary.

Do the 2x2 ribbing (or whatever crafty stitch pattern you have in mind for the body) to desired length and BO. You might prefer to bind off by *k1 bo k1 bo, p1 bo p1 bo* for a more finished look.

Sleeves
Put your stitches on the DPN's and Pick up 8-10 stitches under the arms, so that the stitches are devisable by 4.

Knit 10 rows of st-st (depending on how long you'd like your sleeves to be)
Knit about 5 rows of 2x2 ribbing
You may find it helpful to scratch down your rows for the sleeves as you do them and then x them off as you do the next sleeve for consistancy.

Weave in your ends and wear with pride!

My Completed Patterns Glossary

I thought it'd be nice to put a list of all of my completed projects (FOs) together, with a link so you can KAL. Some of these patterns are via Ravelry. If you don't want a rav account (which is crazy, but W), I'd be happy to email you a copy of my download. While browsing here, it may help you to use your ctrl+F key to enter a specific yarn, the word "scarf" or "lace," or something along those lines.


Lifesaver Headband or Lifesaver Scarf - P&C cotton or LB Landscapes
http://ribbedforyourpleasure.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/life-saver-headband/


Tubey Slipper Socks (no heels, yay) by Patti Gonsalves - Caron SS
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tubey-slipper-socks (Rav download)


Knitted thong - Happy Feet (use a lace-weight Jeannee instead)
http://kn1t.com/patterns/frecklegirl_thong/


Pencil Scarf - Caron SS
http://zakkalife.blogspot.com/2007/10/knit-pencil-scarf.html


Aunt Phobe's Comfort Shawl - Outback Mohair
http://www.sheeptoshawl.com/charity/archives/2006/12/entry_230.html


Lattice Scarf - Patons SWS
http://knitophrenic.blogspot.com/2008/07/lattice-scarf-pattern.html


Baby Kimono - LB Watercolors
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70352AD.html


Arches and Columns Scarf (lace) - Buckingham (blue grey color)
http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/KidMerino-LaceScarf-pink.html


Strawberry - Red Heart
http://flickr.com/photos/51146511@N00/133734949/in/set-72057594117848889/


Lacy Butterfly Dishcloth - P&C worsted
http://www.knitsbyrachel.com/page13.html


Kiah's Cutie Lace Bonnet - P&C worsted
http://www.kodymayknits.com/2008/04/kiahs-cutie-lace-bonnet.html


Easy Knitted booties - Caron SS
http://bundlesoflove.org/EasyKnittedBooties


Pretty in Pink Tank (tan)- P&C
http://deliciousstitches.blogspot.com/2006/05/pretty-in-pink-tank-pattern.html


Super Summer Backpack - P&C
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80401AD.html?noImages=&serviceId=801&letterId=54529

Cats Paw Lace Scarf - Mulberry merino
http://straw.com/cpy/patterns/scarves/kidm-catspaw-scarf.html


Chunky Mittens - Baby Alpaca Grande (chocolate)
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-chunky-mittens (rav download)


Knitted Pinwheel blanket - bocule
http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm


Wool Ease Mittens - Offwhite wool ease thick and quick
http://confessonsofanobsessiveknitter.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html


Peppermint Patty $5 in paris - Caron Eco
http://knitting-up-a-storm.blogspot.com/2007/04/5-in-paris.html


Fab Sweater - LB wool ease
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/70517AD.html


Celia Lace Scarf (maroon lace) - Buckingham
http://www.knitonthenet.com/issue7/patterns/celia/

Match Your Washcloth Bathmat

I wated to practice using two strands together, so I knit this up out of my favorite washcloth pattern. It's very easy! I, personally, don't like to use verrigated yarn on patterned cloths because it's just too busy, but you can go with whatever you like.

Here's what you'll need:

A circular size 10.5

1 cone of 100% cotton - divided in half, to form two seperate balls of yarn

I used a cone of white and one of light brown Peaches & Cream because that's what I had and I was too lazy to make 2 balls.

If you'd like, you could use skeins of a solid color, in which case, you wont have to make a ball. I'd estimate you'd use about 600 yds total, but it depends on your pattern

Your favorite wash cloth pattern

1. Set up your pattern:

Print/write your pattern out on paper and cross off the edging on the sides. The edges should be a consistant and even number knits on each side. Sometimes, if a boarder touches the garter part, the begining or ending number could be different, so beware of that. You're basically removing the garter stitches completely from the pattern.

ex. "Row 1: k3, P33, k3" would simply be "Row 1: P33"

"Row 2: p3, k29 p6" would be "Row 2: k33"

2. Casting on:

Divide your pattern's cast on number by 2 and set that number aside (Cast1). Now multiply your newly adjusted pattern's cast-on by 2 (Cast2).

Nobody explained using two strands together to me, so I'll explain for you. You simply treat every two stitches as on. Once you've done a row or two, it gets much easier.

Cast on the number of stitches that you figured in Cast2, placing a marker at the Cast1 number of stitches from the begining and from the end.

ex. CO 30 would now be cast on 45, with the 15 on each side. You'd k15, pm, k30, pm, k15

CO 19 would now be 29, with the 10 on each side. You'd k5, pm, k19, pm, k5

3. Following your pattern:

Now that you have a sufficient cast on and your place markers in the right spot, you can follow the pattern for your washcloth line by line, counting stitches as soon as you get to the marker. You may like to keep a garter stitch boarder of 3 or 5 stitches to prevent curling, but you'll want to keep most of your stitches before the marker in st-st (k 1 row, p 1 row), else your pattern will be boxed inside, which you may like to have.

4. Casting Off/Binding Off:

Remember to treat your two threads as one stitch. Just knit the first two stitches and pass the first stitch over. Knit the next stitch and pass the one before that over and so on.

You may like to put a fringe of threads on the edges or threaded tassles, if you'd like. When your mat is dirty, just wash it with towels and throw it on the deck to dry, "Look ma, I'm blocking" haha. If you use my outline, I'd love to see your finished pattern. You can use it, sell it, give it away...I don't mind as long as you mention me somewhere. Just keep in mind that you could be borrowing someone else's chart in your pattern, in which case, you should note them and need to ask before selling their hard work.

Enjoy!

I think I'm in love, with Mulberry Merino! This stuff is like knitting with a long strand of baby's hair. It fuzzes up a little, but I think it has something to do with the heat. It is, after all...hair lol.

For the hat, I used a US 8 circular to cast on 80 stitches. I used 2x2 ribbing for 9 rows and then st-st until it fit right. Then I used row 1 k2tog k1 and row 2 k to decrease.

For the scarf, I followed "Kid Merino Cat's Paw Lace Scarf" by S. Jo Morohashi

http://straw.com/cpy/patterns/scarves/kidm-catspaw-scarf.html

I used a US 8 straight needle and 2 skeins of mulberry merino. I could have used 3, but I prefer scarves that hang down long enough to be wrapped over once. I think I made 19-20 cat's paws?

I think Mulberry Merino is just about the softest yarn I've ever bought. It does like to split a little when you're knitting, but it feels so good on the fingers that you'd barely notice. Like I said before, I bet if it wasn't so humid, it wouldn't fuzz so much. I would definately buy this again in the fall/winter. This made a nice fall scarf. I'd recommend it to a friend who can see their stitches clearly, such as someone who has experience with mohair or bocule. You really have to be able to see which part of the stitch your point is going through and know how to pull the random little shreads over so they wont affect the pull-ability of the current stitch.

Gigantor

After 3 months of knitting, bragging rights, and procrastination, I've finally finished this big bad thing! Knitters and crochetters, I am pleased to present:

Gigantor

I used:

US9 Boyle circular

About 6-7 cones of Peaches & Cream 100% worsted cotton in Daisy Ombre

I CO 300 stitches for my queen sized bed and knit stockinette stitch to the desired length.

I double dog dare you to try it! It took me a month of dedication, a month of bragging, and a procrastinated month of off and on knitting, so it'd take a consistant 1.5 months. Best of all, cones of cotton are about $7, so this blanket is about $50, which is cheap for a bed cover. I may knit matching pillow cases later.

My Water Bottle Carrier

I used US 6 DPN's (Im a loose knitter) and P&C 100% cotton worsted

I followed the Lacy Leaf Water Bottle Carrier pattern to #8 and began my own pattern on the 9th part, right before her chart:

http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2007/06/lacy-leaf-water-bottle-carrier.html

For 15 (instead of 14) rows, I followed my own pattern 4 times (4x4=16 - row 4 = 15 rows):

row 1 > purl
row 2 > k1 *yo k2tog*
row 3 > purl
row 4 > *ssk yo* end with k1
end with row 3

I picked up Simple Knits' pattern at #9 on through, but used k1 p1 ribbing instead. I counted my stitches, subtracted 6 (3 for each cord) and devided that number by 2 to know how to bind off evenly.

Many many thank you's to Vicki for this lovely quick-knit pattern XOX This is her pattern, with small alterations. Vicki asks that you ask her permission before selling her finished pattern, so please do so, even if you use my alterations.

Super Summer Kerchief

In honor of my completed Super Summer Backpack By Lion Brand, I made up a knitted kerchief pattern to match:

Super Summer Kerchief

Materials:
US 6 Straight and US 6 DPN (x2 for i cord)
Worsted Weight yarn, to match your Super Summer Backpack

CO 3
row 1: Knit

row 2: kfb p kfb

row 3: purl

row 4: kfb k1 [yo k2tog] to last st, kfb

row 5: purl

row 6: kfb [ssk yo] to last 2 st, k1, kfb

Repeat rowa 3-6 to desired length

For my i-cord, I knit 2 stitches and BO from the second stitch until I reached the last stitch. I put my first stitch on a safety pin (or holder). With my last stitch, I kfb until there were 4 stitches on that needle (2 rows) and used a DPN to make my i-cord.

AKA I just used the very end stitch to increase to 4 to do my i-cord.

A Knitting Story - Mosquitoes stink!

My newest project is the Super Summer Backpack by Lion Brand. I got to work and managed to finish about...oh, I'd say a good 6" of the pattern when I saw a mosquito right there on my left thumb. That little bugger had the nerve to land right on my thumb! It was bad enough that it had been gnawing on my neck all evening, but to fly on my thumb?? I swatted it, I slipped a few stitches, I missed him, I cursed for about 20 minutes, and went on a mosquito hunting rampage...and I found him. He was on the edge of the couch, but flew away before I could get him. Since the brighter light was on, I saw where he went next. He flew on to the corner, where I missed him twice before finally squishing him. I got him good too. Vengeance was mine!

After a moment (or two...or three) of gloating, I realised that I would have to frog my 6"-7" of knitted noodley stitches. Finally, frogging so much hard work didn't feel so bad. I've frogged more. Really, I didn't mind. I just thought you might engoy sharing in my triumph.

Question: If a mosquito landed on your hand in the middle of a very complicated row of knitting stitches, how long do you think it'd take before you attempted to smush it?

Yay Me!

I finished the tank top and I am SO pleased. It's lovely! Amanda, at Delicious Stitches did such a great job writing her pattern in layman's terms and it was super thoughtful of her to share for free.

~*~Pardon the leopard-fleece PJ bottoms~*~

I probably could have gone with a size bigger, but I was worried about it being too loose around the underarms (pet peeve). Believe it or not, this top concealed a black bra! I'd like to do it in a light worsted size small, but I'm tempted by Amanda's Cabled Hobo Bag because I've never done cables before and if I can knit a top with her help...I'm feeling brave. I'm very excited to have finished my first clothing pattern. Yay me! And Yay to Amanda too for this great pattern. Highly recommended A+

My First Try @ a Tank Pattern

I've been trying to do aneedle tatting pattern with a clover motif by Sharon Albers. It's simply written, with *, -, and + symbols. I'm just having a rough time getting my tension right. I just need more practice.

After weeks of staring, I started doing the Pretty In Pink Tank Top from Delicious Stitches. Talk about talent! That chick is amazing. This is my first clothing pattern because I find sleeves intimidating. I think, 'If I can do a blanket, I can do a tank top.' I did about 8" of ribbing in the bowling alley lol. The scouts went clandlepin bowling and Austin bowled a 29, hehe. I used a size 5 circular for the top. The xs might be a little too small for me, but she says it stretches a lot, so I'm hoping it'll give 3" in the waist. If it doesn't, I'll just give it to my neace and make another. It's so easy, so far. I went over all of the directions with no prob. We'll see how it goes :-D

My 1st Time Tatting

I did, I did...Well, I know how to do a ring and a picot (pronounced pee-co, hehe). I'm so proud! At first, I could make an chain, but I couldn't figure out how to make a ring. Somebody was being sparing with her $3 giant spool of cheap thread and therefore didn't even begin to understand how to close a ring until someone showed her. Maybe that'll teach me to make acrylic fun fur out of Red heart yarn tails haha.

I asked a friend in my knitting group, Rebecca, if she'd teach me and it turns out she's actually a tatting instructor in Canada. She also has a very pretty website http://www.tatmom.com/ That's so catchy. She's a great teacher. I'm so lucky to have so many people in my life that are gifted with special craft talents that they're willing to teach to me. She taught me how to make a joined chain by doing 5-5-5 for the chain and 5-5-5-5 for the ring on a size 7 needle and 10 crochet cotton. Of course, I messed up as soon as I was out of her sight and had to attempt to restart about 8 times or so before I was satisfied with my loosely knit boarder of knots and picots.

I felt self-assured, so I did a butterfly pattern, FLOWER AND BUTTERFLY BOOKMARK(Sharon Albers - 1999). I didn't do the flowers though. I wasn't that confident in my picot sizes. Just like with my first knitting pattern, I read over the terms, made sure I knew what they ment and went at it. I still don't know when to turn over my work, but I'm pretty sure that's done just to keep the work out of my way...I think. Practice, practice.

Top left was the one Rebecca showed me how to do. You can see when I left her sight lol. Top right is the umpteenth effort to copy her pattern. Lower right is that cute little butterfly from the Wonderful World of Tatting. Bottom left is just a ring with too-tiny picots.

http://www.geocities.com/skalbers52/ <-butterfly

http://www.geocities.com/pamela+devries/part-2-chain-join.html <-abbreviations and how-to's

How to Knit a Poem - By Gwyneth Lewis

Ok, I did a google search for "how to knit a" just to see if I could pick up some impressive new skills. I saw this link for, "How to knit a poem" and I'm thinking 'intarsia or fair isle?' Neither. It was a poem about knitting. Definately blog-worthy...with respects to the creator of course:

Gwyneth Lewis'
How To Knit A Poem

The whole thing starts with a single knot
and needles. A word and pen. Tie a loop
in nothing. Look at it. Cast on, repeat
the procedure till you have a line
that you can work with.

It’s a pattern made of relation alone,
my patience, my rhythm, till empty bights
create a fabric that can be worn,
if you’re lucky and practised. It’s never too late
to pick up dropped stitches, each hole a clue
to something that might be bothering you,
though I link mine with ribbons and pretend
I meant them to happen. I make a net
of meaning that I carry round
portable, to work on sound
in trains and terrible waiting rooms.

It’s thought in action. It redeems
odd corners of disposable time,
making them fashion. It’s the kind of work
that keeps you together. The neck’s too tight,
but tell me honestly: How do I look?

By Gwyneth Lewis
From: How To Knit A Poem

As Poe once wrote, "The deed is done..." I finished the blue blanket. It's a big accomplishment and it only took me two weeks. Gosh, I thought it'd take about a month. Oh yeah, I also finished reading "Angels & Deamons," which is coming out in theaters May 15th, and I finish knitting the last of the cone onto "Gigantor." That's the next big project to be finished. It's about 75% done, the big monster. Yes, I came to gloat:

My first Blanket - inspired by palcemats(pattern)

Set of 4 placemats -from scratch

On straight US 8 needles, CO 48
>knit 1” in garter
> K4 P40 K4 > K across Repeat last 2 rows to desired length. Then knit 1” in garter. CO with right side facing

I made those in the first week of March and wanted to knit a nice big pooled blanket to go with my placemats. I dont know why I thought I should use P&C Daisy color yarn to match. I guess I just thought it was pretty. Well, by the end of march, I started on this picnic blanket:

I CO 300 stitches on a size 9 circular needle and decided to do the whole thing in st-st. I also decided that I'd do one cone a week, which I've been pretty good about, but my god I'm getting bored with this thing. Who knew that 4.ply cotton could produce so much fuzz...and heat. The thing is getting huge! I've always considered myself to be Obsessive Compulsive, but now I know I'm not. Im on my third cone now and it's about 3 foot long. The pic was taken during the 1st week on my 1st cone.

Meanwhile, I've knit 4 bookmarks and Mandy's Candy Bag (super cute purse pattern by NH Knitting Mama) for some instant gratification. I also splurged on $1 skein yarns at Marden's. Im not sure what I'm going to make with them, but LB Landscapes, moonlight mohair, and Watercolors are good to have. I just keep knitting and thinking about what I will make next to match my blanket...which I've decided is too nice for the grass and better suited for my bed. I'm thinking about a curtain valance to go across the top only and some tie backs. I want acrylic red heart sunflower throw pillows. Maybe I'll add a fringe on the edges to help it from curling? I'd also like a nice little floor rug...all in good time. Thinking about those help me knit faster, so it's all good.

I've been getting support with my blanket production too. My knitting group members ask me to show them how far I've gotten and they compliment the pooling, which makes me feel better. Who doesn't like gloating? lol Finishing a whole blanket with such a simple stitch is harder than I thought. I'm hanging in there though. I wont give up, promise. It's going to look so good!

My First Entry

For my first post, I want to tell you how I got into knitting and where it's taking me in my life. I moved from the Eastern shore (OC area) to Maine in April of 2008. By November, I took up knitting. It's bitter cold up here and very boring. Really, it takes an hour to get to the closest Walmart, which is hell for a shopaholic! Anyway, there was a video on youtube by the ThreadHeads that showed how to knit a scarf in garter stitch:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKHLEquvqoU

And that's how I started picking it up. I continued to teach myself different stitches, thanks to a friendly little site called Knitting Pattern Central. That site is the greatest! It's a gateway to infinate pattern designers. I found my help on the Craft Yarn Council of America's bulletin board http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/cyca-forum/list.php?1 , which I still check from time to time.

I bumped into Ravelry one day, while looking for free knitting patterns. Now I'm not sure if I spend more time knitting or looking for knitting patterns. All of my yarns are photographed and posted in my "stash" and I have 20 completed projects. I'm very proud.

This summer, I would like to learn how to knit a pair of socks. Everyone says they're so easy to make and "you'll never wear store bought again," but I have yet to grasp the concept. That's my summer goal. I'd also like to pick up tatting and jewelry making. My friend introduced me to an old coworker that did tatting before she got into woodwork (how cool is woodwork!) and she told me she'd lend me some books and tips. He had no idea that she did tatting until we asked her where to find the shuttles. I got Lucky! As far as doing beading goes, there's a new bead shop opening a few doors down from my favorite yarn shop <3 Well, beads and scrapbooking supplies. Those are my other favorite hobbies.

Knitting makes me feel talented, productive, and accomplished. It's brought me a happier social life and has given me a constructive hobby that I can be proud of. The whole teeny boppin 420 and club hopping was getting old...or I was getting to old to be doing it...either way, I wanted to find something that I could take pride in discussing, so here I am, a knitter.