I guess it’s part of being the youngest that I always get stuff last.
Like my knit blanket.
Mommy made everyone elses before mine. Now that she FINALLY started it she said it’s going to take her 6 months to finish it. 6 months! What am I going to do with a knit blanket in the middle of August.
At least I really like the colors. I even got to help pick them out because I’m such a big girl.
Alexandra
Since I finished Jarod’s blanket, I’ve finally had time to knit other things.
And It didn’t take me long to figure out what to knit next since, once again, the kids couldn’t find their winter hats from last year.
Needing to make them quickly, I chose the biggest needles I thought I could use for a hat and still have them look good on a little head. (Size 10.5)
Then I rummaged through my yarn stash, with some help.
These are the result. All three are made the same, and all three fit my two year old, and my eight year olds.
If you would want a larger hat, simply add a multiple of 4 stitiches to this pattern (ie. 4, 8, 12….you get the idea).
Now the pattern.
If you are using thicker weight or ‘fluffy’ yarn use a single strand.
If you are using basic acrylic yarn, work with a double strand.
On size 10.5 needes. Cast on 40 Stitches.
Knit 2, Purl 2 until your knitting measures about 6.5 inches (you can adjust this depending on how long you want your hat.) You’ll be working in a basic rib pattern.
Once your hat reaches the desired length, On the next row Knit 2 together for the entire row. (20 stitches)
Knit the next row.
Knit 2 together across the next row. (10 stitches)
Knit the next row.
Knit 2 together across the final row. (5 stitches)
Cut your yarn to about 8 inches and thread thru a yarn needle.
Remove the remaining 5 stitches from the knitting needle and pull the yarn needle through each stitch.
Pull tightly to close the top of your hat. Then stitch together the two sides of your hat and get the kids and try it on.
My first project finished in 2010! Yeah!
I guess I really shouldn’t triumphantly say, ‘Yeah!’, because it was supposed to be a Christmas gift and I just got it done on January 2nd. On the other hand, luckily, we’re Orthodox and celebrate Christmas again on January 7th (according to the Julian calendar), so I can just pretend I meant to have it done by that Christmas and not the 25th. Our secret. OK.
The blanket is knit in the simple Knit 1, Purl 1 stitch the entire way through, which works as long as you cast on an odd number of stitches so you are always knitting a purl stitch and purling a knit stitch.
For this particular blanket I cast 119 stitiches on size 13 needles. Working with a double strand, (two balls of yarn at once) (K1, P1) and ended with a finished blanket that measures 60″ by 84″.
Here is a girls blanket in the same pattern, and here you can see one for a queen bed that was done in only two colors.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Since we were going to be on vacation for the twins 8th birthday I had to get some gifts done quickly before we left (because I couldn’t have possible planned ahead and made things weeks before we left.)
I think this skirt is my absolute favorite thing I’ve made ever.
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I wanted fancy and pink (is there any other color), and Makenna just loves a ruffled skirt she got from Dabaw and Poppi last year. So using that skirt as a template I went out of my comfort zone and made a skirt with ruffles for the first time.
It was really quite easy and didn’t take long. Although I admit that after sewing each ruffle on I was scared to look at the skirt for fear I somehow did it wrong.
I will be making LOTS more of these, as well as adding a single wide ruffle to some plain skirts that I made her the past two years that are now too short.
I will get a tutorial up in time for making these for Christmas. I promise.
Jarod’s homemade gift was a little more mundane. He’s a boy…so other than a quilt (which I really will make one day), I can’t think of too much that I could make him that would excite me.
So he needed a rug for his room and I quick knit up one of my favorite easy to make rugs from recycled sheets. The directions are here.
This particular rug I made a little more narrow (cast on 21 stitches) and long, because it’s for beside his bed. Now he wants a matching colored one for in front of his dresser.
And here is a picture of them on their birthday. And look at that, the magic of photographs makes it look as though they actually like each other.
The twins asked to do a craft show or two this fall to sell some of the things they make on kidoozy. They love playing store, and we’re always trying to find ways for them to give a little to charity, so I said, “sure.”
The kids are making the majority of the items, with my supervision, and they do help cut the fabric for these rugs (give them a sharp dangerous object like scissors and they’re happy) but I do have to do the knitting for these.
You can visit my original post about a few months ago when I found out you could knit with strips of fabric. I have been cutting up sheets and bed ruffles and curtains and tablecloths ever since and can always use an excuse to make more.
It’s a fun way to recycle old fabric, and if you can do a simple knit and purl stitch you can make these.
As we make more things for the craft shows I’ll be sure to share photos.
And if you are family or friends reading this, remember I’ll gladly recycle all your old sheets and such and you’ll get a pretty rag rug in the colors of your choice in return.
Makenna was thrilled that I finished her blanket for on her bed this past weekend.
Nevermind the fact that it’s the middle of July, and there really is no need for a warm knit blanket right now…she’s still happy.
I started the blanket way back in March, but I only get time to knit on long car rides when Brian is driving, so my knitting projects always take a while.
The blanket fits a twin size bed and was 123 stitches on size 13 needles.
The pattern is easy. Simply Knit1 Purl1 for the entire blanket using two skeins of yarn simultaneously. To check the length I kept draping it over a bed till I had the desired length and then bound it off.
For me this is the easiest, quickest way to make a nice knit blanket, so I use this stitch pattern all the time. The blanket for on our bed is the same ‘pattern’ but I used only two colors.
The best part was that I got to use up alot of leftover yarn that I had laying around. Makenna didn’t care as long as the colors were pinks and purples.
Next up is Jarod’s blanket. I just started it yesterday on a long drive to Lancaster…so I should be done with it by the time cold weather kicks in.
Cast on an odd number of stitches and then Knit 1, Purl 1 every row till desired length. (On each row you’ll be knitting a purl stitch and purling a knit stitch.)
This is my favorite pattern to do on so many things. Scarves, rag rugs, and blankets.
I’ve been addicted to making the rag rugs lately but recently realized, in another bad parenting moment. that neither of my older children has a warm full size blanket for on their beds.
They have a mix of their knit baby blankets, small fleece blankets and their sleeping bags that they pile on their beds with several dozen stuffed animals and character pillows.
So I guess it’s time to start knitting blankets like this one I made for our bed 10 years ago.
For a twin bed I’m going to make it about 56 X 76 inches.
With #13 Needles and working simultaneously with 2 strands of acrylic yarn I figure I’ll have to cast on about 111 stitches.
Now I’ll root through my yarn stash. (Not as extensive as my fabric stash but still considered too much by my hubby) and make Makenna’s blanket a mix of pinks, purples and whites.
The finished product. Makenna’s blanket.
Old Sheets. #17 Knitting Needles.
30 Years of knitting and I never knew you could knit with fabric! (I’ve got lots of catching up to do)
So now I have a new favorite project.
A rug… Or bathmat.
They’ll be lots of people getting these for Christmas and birthdays in my family this year.
I’ve already rummaged through my house for sheets, (if they’re not on a bed they’re fair game)
and I’ve put the word out to friends and relatives to NOT throw away old sheets.
Cut into 1 inch strips and put strips together.
Roll into ball.
I cast on 27 stitches.
Knit 1 Purl 1 for the whole thing.
That’s it.
I love it!!!
For a fancier version that was my inspiration visit cocoknits.
