Celebration (Free Sock Knitting Pattern)

I have great news. My new knitting adventure with my daughter Alexandra has started. You can now find our collection of hand painted sock yarns at http://www.sockpixie.com. I hope you will come visit, and look at our beautiful colors. To celebrate the opening, here is a simple but fun new sock pattern with the loveliest mock cable, using one of our most cheerful colors: Cantaloupe. I will name the pattern Celebration. The mock cable was inspired by Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns. The fun thing with a mock cable, is that it looks, and feels like a cable, bu there is no need for a cable needle, the trick is done by slipping stitches.


Materials: 1 skein SockPixie Sock Yarn in color Cantaloupe
Needles: US 1
Gauge: 8 sts/inch


STITCH PATTERN:

R1: P2, *K4,P4* Repeat from * to *, end P2
R2: P2, *(SL1, K1, YO, PSSO) twice, P4* Repeat from * to * end P2.(Pass slipped stitch over K1, and the YO. To do so when you YO bring the yarn to the fron of your work and over the right needle towards the back. Once the PSSO is done, you should have 2 stitches close together, held by a slipped stitch at the base.)
R3: P2, *K4, P4*, Repeat from * to * end P2
R4: P2, *K1, SL1, K1, YO, PSSO, K1, P4* Repeat from * to * end P2
R1 to R4 form the pattern


CUFF and LEG

Cast on 64 (72) stitches. Divide stitches: Circular method 32(36) on each for circulars// 4 dpts 16, 16, 32 (18, 18, 36) // 5 dpts 16 on each (18 on each) //
Join round.
Knit in K2P2 rib for 1 1/2"

Continue in stitch pattern over the desired length for the leg.

SHORT ROW HEEL SHAPING

You will be working on only half the stitches 32(36).
R1: Knit to the last 2 stitches, wyif slip next stitch, bring yarn to back, and slip wrapped stitch back to left needle. Turn.
R2: Purl to the last 2 stitches, wyinb slip next stitch, bring yarn back to the front, slip wrapped stitch back to left needle.
R3: knit to 1 stitch before the last wrapped stitch, wrap the stitch as above, turn.
R4: Purl to 1 stitch before las wrapped stitch, wrap stitch, turn.
Repeat R3 and R4 until 14 stitches remain unwrapped at the center of your heel.
Continue shaping the heel as follows:
R1: Knit to the wrapped stitch, knit the wrap together with the stich, and wrap the next stitch by wyif slipping the next stitch, bringing the yarn to the back and returning the wrapped stitch back to the left needle, and turn.
R2: Purl to the wrapped stitch, purl stich an wrap together through the back loops, wrap next stitch by wyib slipping the next stich, bringing the yarn back to the front, and slipping the wrapped stitch back to the left needle
R3: Knit to the wrapped stitch, slip wrapped stitch to right needle, with left needle pick up the 2 wraps, and place the on the right needle. Slip the 2 wraps and the stitch back to the left needle, and knit the 3 together. Wrap next stitch as above, and turn.
R4: Purl to the wrapped stitch, slip the wrapped stitch to the right needle. With left needle pick up the wraps and place them on the right needle. Transfer the wraps and the stitch one by one back to the left needle, and purl the 3 together through the back loop. Wrap the next stitch. Turn.
Repeat R3 and R4 until all stitches are aconsumed. The first and the last stitch on the needle will each have 1 wrap, which you will knit together on the first round of the rest of you sock.

FOOT

Start knitting in the round again over the 64(72) stitches, keeping the pattern going on top of the foot, and knitting in stockinette for the sole. Make sure to pick up the wraps for the 2 stitches, and knitting wrap and stitch together during the first round.
Continue Knitting in the round with pattern on top, and stockinette on sole, until the foot is the appropriate length.

TOE:

Circular Method
R1: K1,SSK, knit to the last 3 stitches on needle, K2tog, K1. Repeat on next needle.
R2: Knit
Repeat R1 and R2 for 1 inch, then repeat R1 only until there are 8 stitches left on each eedle.
Using the kitchener stitch, graft the toe closed.

4dpts
Work stitches on needle 1. New begininng of round. Instep on needle 1, and sole on needles 2 and 3.
R1:
Needle 1: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
Needle 2: K1, SSK, knit to end
Needle 3: Knit to,last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
R2: Knit
Repeat as for circular method until 8 stitces are left. Graft toe.

5dpts
Work stitches on needle. New beginning of round.Instep on needle 1 and 2, sole on needle 3 and 4.
R1:
Needle 1: K1, SSK , knit to end
Needle 2: Knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1
Needle 3: Same as needle 1
Needle 4: Same as needle 2
Repeat as for circular method until 8 stoitches are left. Graft toe.


For personal use only. Copyright, Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.

Le Petit Trianon (Free Baby Knitting Pattern)

Once I applied the bow to this newborn/3 months wrap, I found there was something very Versailles about it. So I decided to name it Le Petit Trianon . Le Petit Trianon is an easy pattern to knit. There are no seams, it is mostly stockinette stitch with an ounce of garter. I used a thick and thin chunky yarn by Di Ve called Fiamma, and used US 10.5 needles. The thick and thin gives it a relaxed rustic appearance, in contrast with the proper bow.

Best of all, the thick and thin bulky yarn makes it an express project. Even if the baby shower is tomorrow, you will be done!

Materials: 3 balls Di Ve Fiamma color 29047 (I had about 1 yard left!)

Needles: 24" US 10 1/2, US 10 1/2 dpts

Gauge: 3 1/4 stitches inch

Cast on 90 stitches loosely as the yarn is somewhat fragile. Knitting back and forth, knit 6 rows in garter stitch.

Switch to stockinette stitch for the rest of the body.

Knit even until piece is 3" high (from CO edge.)

Make 1 opening for the ribbon to go through as follows:

(RS)Knit until the last 30 stitches, BO 1, knit till end of row.

Knit the 2 sections separately knitting a total of three rows on each section, cutting and reattaching the yarn as necessary.

Rejoin the sections as follows:

Knit until the gap, CO 1, finish with the same yarn knitting the second section.

Purl 1 row.

Start decreases for edges of the wrap.

Decrease row: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, k1

Next row purl.

Repeat these two rows until there are 80 stitches left. On the last purl row, purl 26, place marker, purl 28, place marker, purl 26.

Looking at the markers, place the 3 stitches before, and the three stitches after the 1st marker on a holder together. Do the same for the stitches around the second marker. Put the body of the sweater aside, and start knitting the sleeves.

Make 2 sleeves:

With US 10 1/2 dpts, cast on 18 stitches, join round, and knit 4 rows in garter stitch. Switch to stockinette. Knit 1 round in stockinette. In next round, K1, Kf&b, knit to the last 2 stitches, Kf&b, k1.
knit 2 rounds, and repeat increase round 1 more time.

Continue even until the sleeve is 4" high. Place the last 3 worked stitches, and the next 3 stitches on a holder, cut the yarn.

Throughout the sweater you will continue the edge decreases as set above.

While keeping the edge decreases, attach the sleeve to the body as follows:

Knit on the body until you reach the stitches placed on hold, take the sleeve, and making sure the held stitches of the sleeve are in front of the held body stitches, place a marker, and start knitting the sleeve stitches with your working yarn, thus joining the sleeve to the body, at the end of the sleeve place a marker, and continue knitting to the second set of held stitches.

Make your second sleeve, and attach it in the same fashion, placing the markers in the same positions.

(You are still knitting in stockinette.) Purl 1 row.

It is now time to start shaping the raglan sleeves.

You will continue the edge decreases as set above while doing the raglan shaping as follows:

Row 1: K1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches of the first marker, ssk, k1, sm, knit to the next marker, sm, k1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches of the next marker, ssk, k1, sm, knit to next marker, sm, k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitche, k2tog, k1.

Row 2: purl

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 8" from CO edge.

Now decrease every row for the edge stitches for 5 rows as follows:

Row 1: same as above

Row 2: P1, P2tog, purl till last 3 stitches, take second stitch on left needle, and pass it over 1st stitch, now purl that stitch, p1.

Next row, k2tog throughout row.

Purl 1 row.

BO.

Pick up and knit 30 stitches along neck edge, and knit 1 row. BO loosely.

Use the 3 needle BO for the underarm stitches on holders. Weave in all ends. Sew ribbon at each edge of wrap, right before the beginning of the decreases. Slip bpw through the whole, tie bow.

Petit Chou (Free Baby Knitting Pattern)

Here is my Petit Chou (little cream puff, pronounced "shoe").

*******************Corrections have been added to the T pattern*******************


I designed it as a newborn set. The baby will wear it when he or she first meets everyone, and the pieces will become family heirlooms. The project is quick, and simple, with the T being knit mostly in the round. There is minimum seaming. The decorative stitch, inspired by Barbara Walker's Treasury of Knitting Patterns is remarkably simple, and understated. The project is perfect for busy future Moms, Grandmas or friends to knit for a baby shower.
I hope you have as much fun and pleasure knitting it as I did.
As always, I do my best to avoid errors in the pattern, but feel free to leave comments if clarifications are needed.

Materials: Bouton D'Or, Mango, 2 balls Plume, 1 ball Peach (120 yrds each)
16" circular US 2, dpts US 2
Holder
2 yards ribbon
Gauge: 7 stitches/inch




PETIT CHOU SLIPPERS

Make 2.

With Plume cast on 7.
R1: With Plume,Knit
R2: With Plume, K1, purl till last stitch, K1
~~~~~~~~~R3: With Plume, K1f&b, knit to the last 2 stitches, K1f&b, K1
R4: With Plume, K1, purl, end K1
R5: With Peach, *sl1 wyib, sl1 wyif*. Repeat from * to *. End sl1 wyib
R6: With Peach, p1, *sl1 wyib, sl1 wyif*. Repeat from * to *
R7: With Plume, K1f&b, K1f&b, knit till last 3 stitches, K1f&b, k1f&b, K1
R8: Same as R4
R9: With Peach, *sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib*. Repeat from * to *, end sl1 wyif.
~~~~~~~~~R10: With Peach, carrying the yarn around the edge of your work, p1, *sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib*. Repeat from * to *.
R11: With Plume, K1f&b, K1f&b, knit to last 3 stitches, K1f&b, K1f&b, K1.
R12: Same as R4
R13: Same as R5
R14: Same as R6
R15: With Plume, knit
R16: Same as R4
R17: Same as R9
R18: Same as R10

You have now completed all increases and can continue knitting in pattern as follows:
Repeat rows 3 through 10 1 more time BUT DO NOT increase on R3 and R7, just knit.
~~~~~~~~~R3: With Plume, Knit
R4: With Plume, K1, purl, end K1
R5: With Peach, *sl1 wyib, sl1 wyif*. Repeat from * to *. End sl1 wyib
R6: With Peach, p1, *sl1 wyib, sl1 wyif*. Repeat from * to *
R7: With Plume, Knit
R8: Same as R4
R9: With Peach, *sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib*. Repeat from * to *, end sl1 wyif.
~~~~~~~~~R10: With Peach, carrying the yarn around the edge of your work, p1, *sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib*. Repeat from * to *.



You will now split the slipper into 2 parts while keeping the pattern.
R1: With Plume, Knit
R2: K1, P4, BO7, P4, K1
Continue working each side separately repeating rows 3 through 10 from above without increasing. Repeat the pattern a total of 3 more times on each side.

Once the two sides of the slipper are done, reattach plume to the right edge of you work.
K5, CO 7, K5.

You are back on R4 of the pattern. Conitnue in pattern but change R7 as follows: K1, K2tog, K2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, K2tog, K2tog, K1. Go through R10.
Next row: With Plume, K1, K2tog, K2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, K2tog, K2tog, K1.
Next row: With Plume, K1, purl, end K1.
Repeat last 2 rows with Plume one more time. BO.

Make the soles of the slippers as follows:

Peach is used for the entire sole.

Cast on 7 sts.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K1f&b, knit to last 2 stitches, K1f&b, K1.
Next row: Purl
Next row: K1f&b, K1f&b, knit to last 3 stitches, K1f&b, K1f&b, K1
Next row: Purl
Next row: K1f&b, K1f&b, knit to last 3 stitches, K1f&b, K1f&b, K1.
Next row: purl

Continue knitting the sole in st st, until it is 1/4" shorter than the top of the slipper.
Then continue as follows:
Next row: K1, K2tog, K2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, K2tog, K2tog, K1
Next row: Purl
Repeat last 2 rows one more time.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
BO

On the top piece of the slipper, with Peach, pick up and knit 17 stitches, join round, and knit 2 rows in garter stitch, BO loosely.
Seam pieces together, weave in ends. If desired, weave a section of ribbon under the center stitch at the base of the picked up edge, and tie a bow.


PETIT CHOU T

With Peach cast on 100 stitches. Join round. Knit 4 rounds in garter stitch.
Switch to Plume, and in st st until piece measures a total of 4".
With Peach knit 2 rounds garter.
With Plume knit 2 rounds st st.
Eyelet round: *K8, K2tog, YO* Repeat from * to * using Plume.
Knit 2 rounds in st st with Plume.
With Peach Knit 2 rounds garter.
Knit 1 round with Plume.
Add one stitch in next round with Plume.
Transfer the 50 back stitches to a large holder.
Work front of the shirt in pattern, using R3 through R10 of the slipper pattern (without increases). You will be on R5 of the pattern.
~~~~~~~~~R3: With Plume knit
R4: With Plume, K1, purl, end K1
R5: With Peach, *sl1 wyib, sl1 wyif*. Repeat from * to *. End sl1 wyib
R6: With Peach, p1, *sl1 wyib, sl1 wyif*. Repeat from * to *
R7: With Plume,knit
R8: Same as R4
R9: With Peach, *sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib*. Repeat from * to *, end sl1 wyif.
~~~~~~~~~R10: With Peach, carrying the yarn around the edge of your work, p1, *sl1 wyif, sl1 wyib*. Repeat from * to *.

Knit a total of 4 pattern repeats.
Repeat R3.
Bo for neck as follows: K1, P20, BO 8, P20, K2tog.
Continue in pattern on each side of neck (you will be on 9), binding off 4 stitches at the beginning of row 4, and again on row 8. You will be working on 13 stitches.
Conitnue in pattern for 1" from last BO.
Make shoulder band using peach as follows:
Knit 2 rows garter.
Buttonhole row: K3, BO 2, K2, BO 2, K2
Next row: K3, CO 2, K3, CO 2, K3
Knit 2 rows garter.
BO loosely.

For the other side of the neck, the BOs will happen on the knit side on rows 3 and
7. You will need to cut an reattach the Peach yarn to work the pattern. Otherwise, proceed as above.

Pick up and Knit 48 stitches along the neck opening of the front piece with Peach, and Knit an additional 3 rows in garter stitch. BO loosely.

Put the back stitches back on the needles, and knitting with plume, knit in st st until back piece measures 3 1/2" from last Peach garter row. Bind off for neck as follows: K16, BO 18, K15.
Knit each side of the neck separately.
Purl one row.
Next row: BO 3, knit to end.
Purl 1 row.
Continue in st st until you are ready to knit the garter edge, which are positioned as for the front.
With Peach, knit 6 rows garter. BO.

For the other side of the neck, the BOs will be at the beginning of your knit rows.

Pick up and knit 40 stitches along the neck opening of the back side, with Peach, and knit an additional 3 rows in garter stitcth.

Sleeves.

Pin the shoulder pieces in place, matching them as closely as possible, with the buttonholes on top.
Starting at the center of the armpit, pick up and knit stitches along the entire armhole, making sure to go through both layers on the shoulders.
With Plume, pick up and knit 37 stitches, join round, and knit 3 rounds in st st.
Decrease round: K2tog, knit to the last 2 stitches, K2tog.
Knit in st st until sleeve is 3/4", switch to Peach, and Knit 4 rows in garter. BO loosely.
Repeat process on other side.

Weave in all ends, and weave a ribbon through the eyelet holes.


Pattern is for private use only, and may not be reproduced, or used for commercial purposes.

"Petit Chou" the Baby Outfit is Finished

Here is the new baby set "Petit Chou" (meaning cream puff, and pronouced shoe), finished, pressed, ready to be gift wrapped and sent all the way to Jerusalem, to meet my new little cousin.

The whole project takes a couple of days to knit, and is a wonderful baby shower gift. I will post the pattern as a free pattern tomorrow.

Baby Time

My cousin is expecting a 4th baby. At the news, I dropped everything I was working on, and started designing something for the baby. I love knitting the tiny little newborn clothes. I actually like knitting the newborn size, because I remember when I had my babies, and all I had to dress them were these gargantuan clothes in which they got lost. So for this little baby, I am knitting something newborn, out of cotton, because the baby will be born in July in Jerusalem. I chose the loveliest cotton, Mango, by Bouton D'or . Mango is a 50% cotton, 50% Modal, and is a fine gauge yarn perfect for delicate babies. This cotton is fabulous because it does not split as you knit. The colors I chose are Melon, and Plume (feather). I chose to knit slippers and a tiny T.

I am done with the slippers. I was carrying them in my hand on the train, going to Windsor Button for a matching ribbon, and every person that saw them stopped me to ask me about them. Maybe I should just have another baby so that I have an excuse to knit more of them! You know in all possible colorways... I am now working on the tiny T in the same colors, and stitch pattern.

I'll post both patterns to the blog as soon as they are ready. For the time being, here is a picture of the Mango delight.

Socks, Socks, Socks...

I know it has been days since my last post. Birthdays have kept me busy knitting socks. My mother loved her Mother's Day slippers, I had also made a matching wash mitt for her. I had to take care of getting passports for 2 of the children. My parents are taking them to France for a month, and they are leaving today.
I am very much like a mother hen, constantly counting my brood, and I hate missing any of them. I am happy they get to visit our family, and see beautiful Normandy, but these trips are always a little hard for me.
This summer, however, I will be busy. I am in the final phases of preparing for the new business and I should be ready by the end of the week.
I told you the business would have everything to do with knitting. What I did not tell you is that it has everything to do with yarn, hand-dyed yarn in particular, and of course socks. This picture will give an idea of what is to come.
I got so busy that the rose garden socks were put on hold temporarily, and I still have to work on the Harry Potter socks...

18" Doll Summer Fun Ensemble (Free Pattern)

Here is a lovely pattern for stylish 18" dolls. I had a lot of fun designing it, and it was so wonderful to see my little pixie's joy when I gave her the outfit for her doll. It fits an American Girl Doll perfectly. Kit, the American Girl Doll, is modeling it for us. The pattern is easy. Pants and shirt are knit mostly in the round. The ballerina shoes are felted. Simple crochet skills are used to edge the pieces. For those of you who do not want to crochet, you can pick up stitches along the edges and knit a couple of rows in garter stitch.



PANTS and SHIRT SET:

MATERIALS for both pants and shirt:
Frog tree cotton, US 5 needle dpts or circulars.
Gauge: 6 1/2 stitches per inch.

PANTS:

Pants are knit in st st except where otherwise noted.
Cast on 40 stitches. Join round. Knit 5 rounds.
Eyelet round: "K2, YO, K2TOG*. Repeat from * to *.
Knit 5 rounds. In this last round place a marker after 20 stitches.
Increase round: K1f&b, knit to the last 2 stitches before marker, K1f&b, K1, slip marker, K1f&b, knit to last 2 stitches before beginning of round k1f&b, K1.
Knit 5 rounds even.
Repeat increase round one more time.
Continue knitting even until leg is 4 1/2 inches.
Put first leg on holders, and knit a second leg.
When second leg is finished, knit second leg up to marker, knit first leg all the way around, then remaining stitches of second leg, and continue knitting in the round until the seat section of the pants is 3 1/2 inches high.
Decrease round: *K2TOG, K1* Repeat from * to* for one round.
Continue knitting in K1P1 rib until ribbed section is 1".
BO loosely. Weave in ends, close little hole at base of seat.
Single crochet 2 rounds around the bottom edge of the legs.
Insert a ribbon through the eyelets, and tie a bow.


SHIRT:

Night shirt is knit in sts st until otherwise noted.
Cast on 100 stitches. Join round. Knit even for 3 1/2 inches.
Decrease round: *K3, K2TOG* Repeat from * to * for 1 round.
K 1 round.
*K6, K2TOG* Repeat from * to * for 1 round.
K5 rounds
Eyelet round: *K5, YO, K2TOG* Repeat from * to * for one round.
Knit 10 rounds even.
Separate stitches into 2 groups of 35 stitches each. Put one set on holder. Work on second set.
BO 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. You should be on a purl row, purl 1 row.
R1 (RS): K2, K2TOG knit till end of row, K2TOG, K2
R2 (WS): Purl
Repeat R1 and R2 twice.
K5 rows in st st.
Neck shaping:
K11, BO5, K11. Work each side of neck separately.
(RS): BO2, knit to end.
Continue in st st even until shoulder piece is 1 3/4".
BO loosely. Repeat same for other shoulder reversing shaping.
Place back stitches back on needle. Rejoin yarn.
BO 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
(RS): K2, K2TOG, K11, BO1, K11, K2TOG, K2.
Work each side separately.
Purl 1 row.
Knit to last 4 stitches, K2TOG, K2.
Knit until piece is 1 3/4" high.
BO 2 at the beginning of every right side row twice. Continue even for 1/2 ". BO.
Rejoin yarn for other side, and do same as above, reversing shaping.

Gently steam iron piece. Seam shoulders.

Sleeves: Pick up and knit 28 stitches. Join round and knit even for 1/2".
Knit 3 rows in K1 P1 rib. BO loosely.
Do same for second sleeve.
Single crochet 2 rows around bottom edge of shirt, and around neck and back opening. Sew little button on back, and crochet a little button loop.
Weave in all ends. Inserts ribbon through eyelet holes. Bow should be tied slightly off center.

FELTED BALLERINAS:
Materials: Pastaza
U 8 needles.
Gauge: 4 1/2 stitches per inch.

Make 2 slippers.
Slippers are knit in st st.

Sole:
Cast on 3. K 2 rows in st st.
Increase at beginning and end of every other row until you have 7 sts.
Knit even until piece is 1.8".
Increase at the beginning and end of next row, (9 stitches total).
Continue even until piece is 3.5".
Decrease: K1, K2TOG knit to last 3 stitches, K2TOG, K1.
Purl 1 row.
BO.

Top of shoe:
Cast on 7. K 1row. Purl 1 row.
Increase at beginning and end of every other row until you have 11 stitches total.
Knit even until piece is 1 1/2".
K5, BO, K5.
Work each side separately. Knit even until each side is long enough to reach to the center of the end of the bottom piece, following the edges of the bottom pieces. BO.
Seam slippers.
Add 2 rows of single crochet along the center edge of the slippers.
Felt slippers.
Shape and stuff slippers to shape. Let dry. Sew little bows on top of slippers.

Pattern is for personal use only, and may not be reproduced or used for commercial purposes. Copyright, Caroline Dlugy-Hegwer, 2007.