$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.