29 February 2012

get organised

No matter how I try my handbag degenerates into chaos. My pen always fall to the bottom of my bag. A friend showed me a wet felted pen holder which she bought ,which slips over a pen. I thought it was a brilliant idea and just what I need to stop me digging for my pen. I made up a pattern based on the holder which she showed me....written up below. The pattern uses felted wool. I hope someone can make use of it.
Thats all for now, Ali

Knitted felted pen holder/cosy



PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
KNITTED ITEMS CAN ONLY TO BE USED FOR PERSONAL USE OR CHARITY KNITTING
PATTERN IS NOT FOR RESALE 

MATERIALS
Wash+ Filz -it! wool (not the fine type)
four 5mm (US 8) dpns 

ABBREVIATIONS
rd – round
k- knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
kfb –  increase, knit front and back
sl – slip
psso – pass slip stitch over
tog - together

STEM
Cast on 6 sts with green yarn.
Divide sts evenly between three dpns and join in the round.
Continue k every round until work measures 40cms / 16ins or desired length.
Remember that the felting yarn shrinks approximately 30% when washed.

FLOWER CENTRE
Change to pale pink wool.
NEXT rd : k.
Tuck two end yarns down tube.
NEXT 2 rds : k.
NEXT rd : (k2tog) 3 times   (3 sts).
Pull wool through (thread yarn through the 3 remaining sts).
Fasten off.

PETALS (make 4) knitted flat with 2 needles.
Cast on 2 sts with dark pink yarn with 5mm size needles.
ROW 1 : kfb, k1  (3 sts).
ROW 2 : p.
ROW 3 : kfb, kfb, k1  (5 sts).
ROW 4 : p.
ROW 5 : kfb, k2, kfb, k1  (7 sts).
ROW 6 : p.
ROW 7 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, k2tog  (5 sts).
ROW 8 : p.
ROW 9 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog  (3 sts).
Cut yarn and leave sts on needle.
Continue making three more petals leaving a long yarn tail on the final petal.

Thread the yarn on the last petal through all the stitches of the four petals on the needle.
Pull tight.
Place around the flower centre, knit side facing up and with a few stitches complete the circle.
Sew the petals to the centre by sewing back and forwards through the tube.
Darn all loose yarn tails on petals and stem away.
Insert a biro (without the ink part) into the bottom end of the tube. 

FELTING PROCESS
1. Place the knitted flower into the washing machine, along with an old pair of jeans or towel (for agitation) and a colour catcher.
2. Set the machine for a 40 degree wash and a short spin.
When flower comes out of machine reshape petals and stem, remove biro.
3. Dry flat.
4. If the base of the stem has felted ease an opening by inserting a knitting needle.


 copyright Alison Hogg 2012


15 February 2012

in the pink



For my next City and Guild piece, I'm doing a collection of felted flowers.....all pink. I do like to sneak a wee bit of knitting into these projects, so I've started with a knitted felted flower. I've used Wash+filz-it! wool which felts beautifully in the washing machine - what could be easier. I've written the pattern for the knitted felted rose and posted it (see below) so hopefully somebody can make use of it.
Bye, Ali


Knitted Felted Rose


THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
PLEASE ONLY USE THE KNITTED ITEM FOR PERSONAL USE OR CHARITY KNITTING - DO NOT SALE FOR PROFIT

MATERIALS
Wash+Filz-it! wool (not the fine type)
For the rose I used rose pink with a scraps of bright pink
For the leaf I used olive green
8mm  (US 11) needles or similar
8mm (US 11) dpns or similar
sewing thread or finer yarn
brooch back or safety pin if required

ROSE
Cast on 21 sts with 8mm needles or similar in rose pink.
ROW 1 : (k1, kfb)  rpt to last st, k1 (31 sts).
ROW 2 : p.
ROW 3 : (k1, kfb)  rpt to last st, k1 (46 sts).
ROW 4 : p.
ROW 5 : (k1, kfb)  rpt to last 2 sts, k2  (68 sts)
ROW 6 : p.
ROW 7 : k.
ROW 8 : p.
Change to bright pink yarn (optional)
Cast off purlwise.

LEAF
Cast on 3 sts with 8mms dpns or similar in olive green.
I-cord for 10cms / 4ins.
leaf is knitted flat.
ROW 1 : kfb, kfb, k1 (5 sts).
ROW 2 : p.
ROW 3 : kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1  (7 sts).
ROW 4 : p.
ROW 5 : kfb, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, kfb, k1  (11 sts).
ROW 6 : p.
ROW 7 : kfb, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, kfb, k1  (15 sts).
ROW 8 : p.
ROW 9 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog)  (13 sts).
ROW 10 : p.
ROW 11 : sl1, k1, psso, k2, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog
(9 sts).
ROW 12 : p.
ROW 13 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog)  (7 sts).
ROW 14 : p.
ROW 15 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog)  (5 sts).
ROW 16 : p.
ROW 17 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, (k2tog)  (3 sts).
ROW 18 : p.
ROW 19 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, pass the right stitch over the left stitch.
Fasten off.

FELTING
1. Darn loose yarns away Do not sew pieces together yet.
2. Place in the washing machine with a pair of old jeans or towel (for agitation) and a colour catcher.
3. Set the machine for a 40 degree wash and a short spin.
4. When pieces come out of the washing machine  reshape while still damp.


5. Dry flat.

ASSEMBLY
1. The rose will naturally curl round to form a flower shape. Keep the purl side facing upwards.
2. Sew the flower together with matching sewing thread or fine yarn.
3. Sew the leaf to the back of the flower. Place it diagonally across, turning the rose right way round to see if you have the leaf in the right position.
4. Sew large brooch back or safety pin to the back if you want a corsage. alternatively sew onto item such as hat scarf etc.

copyright Ali Hogg 2012