June 26, 2008
The Tu-tutorial
Download PDF file here or see instructions below.
Description
A (nearly) no sew tu-tu.
Materials
2 rolls of 6 inch nylon tulle (50 yards)
1 inch by 1 yard elastic
Needle and Thread
Directions
Take waist measurement for size of tu-tu. Mark length onto elastic.
Cut to size and sew together securely.
Next cut tulle to length. Tape the tulle to top of 6 inch by 24 inch template. I used a ruler, but if you don’t have one handy cut a template from cardboard.
Wrap tulle directly from roll onto the ruler, end over end until you run out.
Cut either side of ruler, which gives you 6 inch by 24 inch strips of tulle.
Place elastic over stable surface and begin tying tulle to elastic.
For a fuller tu-tu, use a surface larger than the un-stretched elastic. I used a 1 foot by 1 inch by 3 inch board, but a piece of cardboard cut to size will work perfectly.
Begin tying the tulle to the elastic.
Going clockwise from top left: Place tulle strip under elastic, center it and double knot it. Continue placing tulle strips side by side and tying them until the entire elastic waistband is covered.
Try on tu-tu and make sure there are no blank spots on elastic, if so add more tulle in the same manner as before. Enjoy!
Posted by Michelle at 04:11 PM
May 18, 2008
Free Swifter Reusable Cover
Tired of throwing away those disposable dust mop covers? Make your own, or make two or three. Smells extra good if you spray some method all purpose cleaner on the cover before sweeping.
Skills needed:
Knitting
Picking up Stitches
I-cord
No seaming necessary!
For a free pdf of the Swifter Resuable Cover click here or See Below.
Gauge swatch pattern Stockinette
Gauge 4.4 Stitches per 1 inch
Row Gauge 7 rows per 1 inch
Yarn Lily The Original Sugar ‘n Cream or Worsted Weight Cotton
Needles US size 8, 5mm or size needed to get gauge.
Dimensions 7.5 inches by 10 inches. I-cords are 3 inches long.
Pattern
Cast on 32 stitches. Knit in Stockinette until piece measures 10 inches long, bind off loosely. With right side of work facing, count 9 stitches from left of bound off edge, pick up and knit 3 stitches. Work three stitches in i-cord until i-cord measures 3 inches long. Repeat procedure from right side of bound off edge, making 3 stitch i-cord. Turn work and repeat i-cords for cast on edge. Weave in ends.
If you make two covers, you’ll have one for to wash and one to use. A spritz of lavender Method All Surface Cleaner on the Swifter Reusable Cover helps pick up more dirt (and smells great).
Copyright 2008 Michelle Miller, all rights reserved. No part of pattern or other material may be distributed without written permission of Michelle Miller. Pattern is for personal use only and is not for commercial use or to create items for commercial sale.
Posted by Michelle at 08:09 PM
April 21, 2008
Follow the Bouncing Ball
Details:
Follow the Bouncing Ball is a seamless ball knit in the round. It is available for $4.99.
Skills
Knitting in the round, increasing and decreasing on DPNs.
Yarn
This project is well suited for using up scrap yarn. You are not obligated to obtain the same gauge, and the size of the ball will be determined by the characteristics of your yarn choice. The only rule to follow is to choose 4 yarns that have approximately the same weight.
Needles
US 6 or 4mm (or whatever size you need to get gauge)
Gauge
4.75 stitches and 9 rows = 1 inch in Stockinette in the round
Additional Materials
You will need fiberfill for stuffing the ball.
To purchase, click button below
Posted by Michelle at 04:51 PM
February 18, 2008
Tracker Hat
Skills Needed: Knitting in the round, picking up stitches, knitting i-cord, and cabling, .
Yarn: 2 balls Rowan Biggy Print (66 yards)
Needles: Use needles to get gauge. US Size 11 for main body and ear flaps, US Size 13 for front flap.
Gauge = 16 st over 5 inches
Row Gauge = 6 st over 1 inch
Hat Fit: Loose on a 21" head, Snug on a 23" head. The hat measures 7 inches from center of decreases to brim. The cable repeats are 4 inches long.
The instructions show what is to be done over 20 stitches, the ** means repeat the enclosed directions over the remaining stitches. There are 5 repeats per row.
Cast On
Cast on 100 stitches placing a stitch marker every 20 stitches, join in the round.
Knit one row plain then start main body of hat.
Main body of hat
Row 1 *Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, purl 8 sts*
Row 2 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 3 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 4 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 5 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 6 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 7 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 8 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 9 *Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, purl 8 sts*
Row 10 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 11 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 12 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 13 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 14 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 15 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 16 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 17 *Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, purl 8 sts*
Row 18 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 19 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 20 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 21 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 22 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 23 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 24 *k12 stitches, purl 8 stitches*
Row 25 *Slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, slip next 3 stitches to cable needle and hold in front of work, k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle, purl 8 sts*
Between Rows 25 and 26 place stitch markers every 10 stitches and switch to DPNs for decreases.
Row 26 Knit one row plain
Row 27 *k7, yo, slip 1 k2tog psso* (90 st)
Row 28 *knit all st*
Row 29 *k6, yo slip 1 k2tog psso* (80 st)
Row 30 *knit all st*
Row 31 *k5, yo slip 1 k2tog psso* (70 st)
Row 32 *knit all st*
Row 33 *k4, yo slip 1 k2tog psso* (60 st)
Row 34 *knit all st*
Row 35 *k3, yo slip 1 k2tog psso* (50 st)
Row 36 *k2, yo, slip 1 k2tog psso* (40 st)
Row 37 *k1, yo, slip 1 k2tog psso* (30 st)
Row 38 *yo, slip 1 k2tog psso* (20 st)
Row 39 Take out stitch markers, knit all stitches
Row 40 *k2tog* (10 st)
Row 41 *k2tog* (5 st)
Cut yarn and thread through remaining 5 stitches and pull through. Weave in ends.
First Ear flap
With right side facing starting 6 stitches before cable, pick up 6 stitches to reach cable, pick up 12 stitches (one for each st in cable), pick up 6 stitches on other side of cable (24 sts).
Purl bumps from picking up stitches should be on inside of hat.
Row 1 Purl stitches
Row 2 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (22 sts)
Row 3 Purl stitches
Row 4 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (20 sts)
Row 5 Purl stitches
Row 6 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (18 sts)
Row 7 Purl stitches
Row 8 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (16 sts)
Row 9 Purl stitches
Row 10 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (14 sts)
Row 11 Purl stitches
Row 12 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (12 sts)
Row 13 Purl stitches
Row 14 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (10 sts)
Row 15 Purl stitches
Row 16 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (8 sts)
Row 17 Purl stitches
Row 18 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (6 sts)
Row 19 Purl stitches
Row 20 Knit 1, SSK, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (4 sts)
Work 3.5 inches of i-cord on remaining 4 stitches. Bind off, break wool.
Second Ear Flap
Count 16 stitches from end of first ear flap, pick up 24 stitches as first ear flap. Repeat procedure for knitting first ear flap.
This is the back of the hat. Note cable is centered between ear flaps. Turn hat to front. There should be about 36 stitches (including 2 cables) between earflaps.
Front Flap
Step One: Change to needles 2 sizes larger than used to knit the rest of hat.
With right side facing starting at right earflap pick up 21 stitches, picking up last stitch so that you've reached the end of the second cable.
Row 1 Purl all st
Row 2 Purl all st
Row 3 p1, p2tog, p to last 3, p2tog, p1 (19 sts)
Row 4 Purl all st
Row 5 p1, p2tog, p to last 3, p2tog, p1 (17 sts)
Row 6 Purl all st
Row 7 Bind off
Posted by Michelle at 05:52 PM
February 06, 2008
Soda Can Cozy
Top Left, Top Right: Soda Can Cozy with red as main color and gray as contrasting color.
Bottom Left, Bottom Right: Soda Can Cozy with gray as main color and red as contrasting color.
Skills Needed:
Knitting in the Round.
Two Color Knitting.
Chart reading.
Gauge: 8 stitches/in
Row Gauge: 9.5 rows/in
Needles: Use size needed to get gauge
Yarn: Lang Jawoll and Universal Pace
Cozy Dimensions: (Cozy laid flat, not stretched over can) Length is 5 inches, Width is 3 inches.
Cast on 48 stitches in main color in the round, divide stitches evenly on needles.
*k2, p2* around all stitches for 5 rows.
Knit 2 rows plain in main color, then start chart (upper left corner)
Make one stitch in contrasting color for each x across the chart.
Chart for first 24 stitches
Chart for stitches 25 through 48
Follow charts for 34 rows. Knit 2 additional rows of plain stockinette, and 5 rows of 2x2 ribbing. Cast off loosely.
Posted by Michelle at 08:28 PM
Yes I have a Heart Ornament
Note that the SSK and K2tog happen on the Right side of the work.
Using leftover sock yarn of your choice on needles that give you gauge that makes you happy cast on 44 stitches.
Row 1 Knit 20 stitches, SSK, K2tog, Knit 20 stitches
Row 2 Purl across all stitches
Row 3 Knit 19 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 19 stitches
Row 4 Knit across all stitches
Row 5 Knit 18 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 18 stitches
Row 6 Purl across all stitches
Row 7 Knit 17 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 17 stitches
Row 8 Knit across all stitches
Row 9 Knit 16 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 16 stitches
Row 10 Purl across all stitches
Row 11 Knit 15 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 15 stitches
Row 12 Knit across all stitches
Row 13 Knit 14 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 14 stitches
Row 14 Purl across all stitches
Row 15 Knit 13 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 13 stitches
Row 16 Knit across all stitches
Row 17 Knit 12 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 12 stitches
Row 18 Purl across all stitches
Row 19 Knit 11 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 11 stitches
Row 20 Knit across all stitches
Row 21 Knit 10 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 10 stitches
Row 22 Purl across all stitches
Row 23 Knit 9 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 9 stitches
Row 24 Knit across all stitches
Row 25 Knit 8 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K8 stitches
Row 26 Purl across all stitches
Row 27 Knit 7 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 7 stitches
Row 28 Knit across all stitches
Row 29 Knit 6 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 6 stitches
Row 30 Purl across all stitches
Row 31 Knit 5 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 5 stitches
Row 32 Knit across all stitches
Row 33 Knit 4 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K4 stitches
Row 34 Purl across all stitches
Row 35 Knit 3 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 3 stitches
Row 36 Knit across all stitches
Row 37 Knit 2 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K2 stitches
Row 38 Purl across all stitches
Row 39 Knit 1 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 1 stitches
Row 40 Knit across all stitches
Row 41 SSK, K2tog
Row 42 K2 tog, cut yarn and pull through last stitch.
Right Part of Heart:
Using cast on edge (with Right side facing), pick up 22 stitches starting from right and working toward center
Row 1 Purl all stitches
Row 2 Knit 9 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 9 stitches
Row 3 Knit across all stitches
Row 4 Knit 8 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K8 stitches
Row 5 Purl across all stitches
Row 6 Knit 7 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 7 stitches
Row 7 Knit across all stitches
Row 8 Knit 6 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 6 stitches
Row 9 Purl across all stitches
Row 10 Knit 5 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 5 stitches
Row 11 Knit across all stitches
Row 12 Knit 4 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K4 stitches
Row 13 Purl across all stitches
Row 14 Knit 3 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 3 stitches
Row 15 Knit across all stitches
Row 16 Knit 2 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K2 stitches
Row 17 Purl across all stitches
Row 18 Knit 1 stitches, SSK, K2tog, K 1 stitches
Row 19 Knit across all stitches
Row 20 SSK, K2tog
Row 21 p2 tog, cut yarn and pull through last stitch
Left part of heart:
Pick up 22 stitches (with Right side facing) starting with cast on edge center, working right to left.
Repeat mitered square instructions as for right side of heart.
Make a duplicate 3 square heart, seam together, stuff with filling, and enjoy! For loop, run a piece of yarn through the top (near the center) and back through to the center of the heart, then I knot it.
Posted by Michelle at 07:37 PM