Chemo caps are here

But first let me share a few pictures that will really put a smile on your faces.



Patches and Miki are enjoying a relaxing nap together. Who said dogs and cats are enemies, no one told this two about it.



Ok now lets talk about the chemo caps. Even though I have been very busy this month with a lot of visitors from up north I still managed to knit up a bunch of chemo caps. We had time to tan, swim in the pool, enjoy a day or two at the beach and lots of quality time enjoying each others company.
This is one of the nicest chemo cap I knitted.



"Shedir" by Jenna Wilson was published in www.Knitty.com
I found it to be a little difficult since it was my first chart pattern. But I think the end result speaks for itself. I really enjoyed knitting it and will enjoy it more giving it away to someone who will cherish it.



This lacy beauty is from Patternworks free patterns. It is one of the easiest ones and it only took about an hour to knit up.



I knitted a carry bag for my I-pod, a small bag to store earphones and the pedometer devise. Easy projects that took less than an hour to finish.



and lastly I knitted this Japanese doll from Flutterby Patch
http://flutterbypatch.typepad.co.uk/flutterby_patch/2009/02/japanese-garden.html
She has a great deal of amigurumi patterns free.

Cold / dust mask

COLD BREATHING MASK

Another great pattern by Maria Rei-Rod for those spring pollen filled allergy days or for dusty roads while bike riding.
Made small enough for a child, can also be used by an adult. The ear pieces made of I cord and sew together.
Materials:
1 or 2 oz of worsted weight yarn
Size 6 needle
And DPN for I-cord
Gauge: 5 sts / 7 rows = 1 inch
Ear loops: make 2. I-cord of 3 sts for 5 or 6 inches
Mask: Co 40 sts and k 6 rows.
Next Row 7 (WS): k5, p30, k5
Row 8: k across.
Repeat rows 7 and 8 once more.
next row: k5, p30, k5
Shape:
Row 1 (RS): k 25, turn
Row 2: P20, k 5 sts, turn
Row 3: K to end.
Row 4: k5, p20, turn
Row 5: k to end
Row 6: k5, p30, k5
Repeat these 6 rows once more.
Row 13: k across.
Row 14: k5, p30, k5
Rep rows 13 and 14 once more
Then K 6 rows for edge.
Cast off.
Make 2: I-cords about 6 to 8 inches for ears and sew together.


ERRATA: The original pattern has been revised and found several errors with it. It has been fixed and I added new row for easier understanding. I apologize for any discomfort this may have caused.

Shawl Neck Warmer

Create a very simple shawl that with a few buttons can be made as a neck warmer. A very simple creation to keep you warm on those cool winter nights.
SHAWL NECK WARMER
materials:
2 skeins worsted weight yarn
Size 8 knitting needles or size to obtain gauge
3 buttons
gauge: 5 sts and 7 rows to 1 inch
abbr: inc 1= k front and back of next st
pm = place marker
Front: make 2 Rectangular pieces
cast on 22 sts and stockinette stitch for 7 inches making a 4 stitch border in each side of garter stitch
row 1: K4, k14, k4
row 2: k4, p14, k4
bind off and set aside.
Back: triangle shawl
cast on 2 sts and follow pattern:
row 1: k1, inc 1, k1 (3 sts)
row 2: k to end
row 3: k1, inc 1, k1, inc 1, k1 (5 sts)
row 4: k1, inc 1, k3, inc 1, k1 (7 sts)
row 5: k1, inc 1, k5, inc 1, k1 (9 sts)
row 7: begin leaving 4 stitch border in each side in garter stitch k4, inc 1, p1, inc 1, k4 (11 sts)
row 8: k4, pm, inc 1, p3, inc 1, pm, k4 (13 sts)
row 9 (RS): k4, inc1, k5, inc 1, k4 (15 sts)
row 10 (WS): k4, inc 1, p7, inc 1, k4 (17 sts)
continue this pattern increasing at beg and end of row until piece goes around neck and hang at least to front of elbow.
Sew the two rectangular pieces and add buttons.

Small Carry Bag

This one is a simple pattern in Stockinette Stitch with two tone Caron Simply Soft yarn …
Made for beginners to learn how to use two colors at once and for the more advance knitter will be a breeze to finish in no time.
It is done in a rectangle shape with light blue and black yarn to contrast the color. The strap has an added cotton string inside to prevent it from stretching. Then finished edge is an I-cord for a clean look.
Small Carry Bag
Materials:
1 or 2 oz worsted weight yarn (I used Caron Simply soft in black and light blue)
With Main color cast on 46 Sts and Stockinette Stitch for 5 inches
Next row (right side): k 40, add new color (I used light blue) and k 6 Sts
row 2: p7 CC, p39 MC (make sure to move yarn top or bottom not to leave a hole)
row 3: k38 in MC, k8 in contrast color
row 4: p9 CC, P37 MC
continue adding CC and dec MC until 20 rows has been finished
now dec CC and add MC to form the triangle.
Finish rim with an attached I-cord:
With Double Pointed needles cast on 3 sts
do not turn work around simply move the DP needle make the attached I cord
Pick up one stitch from where you want the attached I cord to start, now you have four sts on DP needle; k2, k 2 tog. Next row pick up another stitch and repeat the k2, k2 tog.
continue this pattern till the end of the rim, cast off the sts from DP and attach both ends to make a circle.
for more information check out http://www.purlbee.com/attached-i-cord-tutorial/ or see the video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJAzaa5bqZQ
For strap make a regular I cord (4 sts) for as long as you want. I added a cotton string in the middle for strength and to prevent stretching.
HAPPY KNITTING!
ENJOY

Mikito is in love with Patches

Mikito who is my male chihuahua/schnauzer is in love with the neighbors cat Patches. Everytime he sees her he runs to smell her and she rubs herself all over him. It is a great site to see indeed since cats and dogs are natural enemies... I guess no one told this two about it.
Here are a few picture to show how they behave around each other. They are so cute together and very funny to watch...
My neighbor even cough them sleeping with there arms around each other while she watched him the last time we were away. I wish she would have taking pictures of that to post.

Ribbed Cap for gifts

RIBBED CAP
The free PDF file can be found at: http://www.vogueknitting.com/free_patterns/ribbed_cap.aspx

One ball of hand dyed yarn plays out beautifully in a symphony of stripes in this uniquely colored cap.
Size: one size fits all. This cap is a standard fitting style.
Head Circumference (slightly stretched) 21" / 53 cm, depth 7" / 18 cm
Materials: 1 3/4 to 2 oz of any scrap yarn in worsted weight, and one pair # 8 (5mm) straight needles or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rows to 4" / 10 cm over k4, p4 rib. Take time to check gauge.

Pattern: k4, p4 rib on RS. All WS rows k the knit and p the purls.

Cast on 106 sts.
Row 1: (RS) k1 (selvage st), work in k4, p4 rib pat to last st, k1 (selvage st). Work in patt with one selvage st in each side of row until piece measures 6" / 15 cm from beg, end with WS row.
Shape Top: Row 1: (RS) k3, *p1, p2 tog, p1, k1, k2tog, k1; rep from * to last 3 sts, end k3 - 81 sts.
Row 2: k the knit and p the purl sts.
Row 3: k3, *p2tog, p1, k2tog, k1; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3 - 56 sts.
Row 5: k3, *p2tog, k2; rep form * to last 3 sts, k3 - 43 sts.
Row 6: k the knits and p the purls sts.
Row 7: k1, *k2tog, p1; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 - 29 sts.
Row 8: k1, *p1, p2tog, rep from *, end k1 - 20 sts.
Row 9: [k2tog] 10 times - 10 sts.
If plan hat without top knot is desired move to Finishing.
Next row: p3 tog, [p2tog] twice, p3tog - 4 sts. Using dpn, work I-cord as foll: *k3, slide sts to beg of needle to work sts from same position. Bring yarn around from back and rep from * until I-Cord measures 6" / 15 cm. Bind off. Knot twice...
FINISHING: Do not block or flatten rib.
For plain hat, cut yarn leaving a long end for sewing back seam. Pull through rem 10 sts and draw up tightly to secure. For both styles, sew back seam.
Abbreviation:
k = knit
p = purl
k2 tog = k 2 sts together (dec)
dec = decrease
dpn = double pointed needles

More Baby outfits...

I started another baby outfit to add to my future grandkids box... It is a box I started in Sept 2008 to add things for my grand kids whenever they arrive in case I can no longer knit... Osteoporosis, Arthritis and Fibromyalgia are taking a tall on my body. Who knows how long I will be able to knit... so I will make things ahead of time for future generations...
I think this is one of the easiest top down sweater or cardigan to make even for charity.
check out the free pattern at
http://fpea.blogspot.com/2007/07/free-pattern-fridays-super-natural.html
or check out the Ravelry page (if you are a member...) http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/super-natural-stripes
I made the booties to match from a pattern I found free at
http://ooobabyknits.typepad.com/ooo_baby_knits/2005/02/mindless_knitti.html
or at Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-baby-booties
check out the product.