Project Tuesdays - freebie knitting pattern

It seems we have an extra Tuesday this month for our Project Tuesdays - so - perhaps a little freebie pattern for you?  It's quite simple and there is still loads of time for snuggles!

Knitted Hot Water Bottle Cover

You will need: -

5mm knitting needles

DK or chunky yarn

Contrast yarn or ribbon for the tie and edging

Large blunt needle to sew up

4 buttons

To fit a hot water bottle – 8” / 20cm x 13” / 33cm

·         You can use either Double Knitting or Chunky weight yarn for this project.  If using Double Knitting – use 2 strands together throughout the project – if using Chunky – use 1 strand only.

·         If you need a slightly bigger size cover – use 6mm or 6.5mm knitting needles (this will take a bit more yarn).

Method - front piece

With 5mm knitting needles and main colour yarn, cast on 19 stitches.

Row 1: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 2: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 3: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (21 stitches).

Row 4: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (23 stitches).

Row 5: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (25 stitches).

Row 6: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 7: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (27 stitches).

Row 8: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 9: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (29 stitches).

Row 10: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 11: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (31 stitches).

Row 12:  *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Repeat row 12: until you have worked a TOTAL of 55 rows.

Row 56: shape shoulders – knit 2 together, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 3 stitches, purl 1, knit 2 together.  (29 stitches).

Row 57: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 58: purl 2 together, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 3 stitches, knit 1, purl 2 together.  (27 stitches).

Row 59: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 60: knit 2 together, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 3 stitches, purl 1, knit 2 together.  (25 stitches).

Row 61: purl 2 together, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 3 stitches, knit 1, purl 2 together.  (23 stitches).

Row 62: knit 2 together, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 3 stitches, purl 1, knit 2 together.  (21 stitches).

Row 63: cast off 3 stitches, *(knit 1, purl 1) - repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.  (18 stitches.)

Row 64: cast off 3 stitches, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to end of row.  (15 stitches).

Row 65: knit 2 together, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 3 stitches, purl 1, knit 2 together.  (13 stitches)

Row 66: eyelet row – knit 1, purl 1, keeping the yarn at the front of the needle, take the yarn over the top of the needle and knit 2 together, *(bring the yarn to the front under the needle, take the yarn over the top of the needle and knit 2 together) – repeat to the last stitch, knit 1.  (You should still have 13 stitches.)

Row 67: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 68: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 69: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 70: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (15 stitches).

Row 71: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 72: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 73: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 74: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (17 stitches).

Row 75: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Work 6 more rows like row 75.

Cast off.

Back piece – buttonhole section

With 5mm knitting needles and main colour yarn, cast on 31 stitches.

Row 1: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

work 3 more rows like row 1.

Row 5: buttonhole row – purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, bring the yarn to the front of the work under the needle, take the yarn over the top of the needle and knit 2 together - 1 button hole

purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, keeping the yarn at the front of the needle, take the yarn over the top of the needle and knit 2 together - 2 button hole

knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, bring the yarn to the front under the needle, take the yarn over the top of the needle and knit 2 together - 3 button hole

purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, keeping the yarn at the front of the needle, take the yarn over the top of the needle and knit 2 together - 4 button hole

knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

Row 6: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Work 12 more rows like row 6.

 Row 27: shape shoulders - starting at row 56: of the front section, work the top shaping in the same way.

Back piece – lower section.

With 5mm knitting needles and main colour yarn, cast on 19 stitches.

Row 1: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 2: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 3: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (21 stitches).

Row 4: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (23 stitches).

Row 5: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (25 stitches).

Row 6: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 7: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (27 stitches).

Row 8: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 9: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, knit 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (29 stitches).

Row 10: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 11: knit into the front and then into the back of the first stitch, *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last 2 stitches, purl 1, knit into the front and then into the back of the last stitch.  (31 stitches).

Row 12:  *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Repeat row 12: until you have worked 35 rows more

cast off.

To make a cord

With 5mm knitting needles and contrast colour yarn, cast on 3 stitches.

knit across row – do not turn the work – keeping the needles in the same hands slip the stitches back onto the left hand needle – knit all stitches.  Continue knitting the stitches and slipping the work back onto the other needle until you have the length you require.  You don’t have to pull the yarn hard or do anything else – the work will naturally turn back on its self and make a cord.  You can use 2/3/4/5/ stitches to make different thickness cords.  (called an ‘I cord’).

To make up

lay the back piece flat – lay the bottom front section on the top – make sure that the curves match all the way round.  Use the main colour yarn and sew right on the very edges of the knitting to join the two sections together.  Do NOT sew across the very top where the bottle stopper will be.  Lay the top section over the work – make sure the top shaping matches exactly and join the top to the base.  Leave a gap at the sides of the eyelet row to thread the tie through.  Sew the buttons in place under the button holes.  Thread the tie through the eyelet row.  Insert the bottle.

Take a step further

·         you can add blanket stitch all round the edges – or just the top.

·         you can sew a ribbon all around the edge and use a ribbon for the tie.

·         crochet a flower – or cut one from felt and add to the cover

·         You can add any decoration you wish – just remember not to use anything metal as it will get hot!

* I use Robin 100% acrylic Double Knitting yarn for all my knitting.  If you use a natural or a wool mix yarn you will need more.

Disclaimer: This is my own original work.  Use it for your own personal use only, please do not resell the pattern as your own workings.

The Kitten and The Goat

9, New Shambles, Kendal, LA9 4TS

www.princesskitten.co.uk

Love

kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Cute Kitten Fix

Monday is kitten's day off

OMG - SOOOO MUCH NEW STUFF - I CAN KEEP UP -  I CAN KEEP UP - I CAN - OHH FISH

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Saturday Art Day

Art day - with a bit of a difference.

I decided I needed a big folder to carry my papers arround in.  Bit bigger than A4 - with a bit of 'growing room' - and a stiffish cover - but still light to carry.  Don't want much do I ?

This started life as a bit of left over mount board that just happened to be a bit bigger than I needed.  The papers are Graphic 45  Rare Oddities from about 18 months ago.

Don't ask me for measurements - I just bumbled about and faffed around until it did what I wanted it to!  I need to find some sort of elastic closure so my papers stay neat - but it's another step on my organising journey!


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Let's make a doll

I haven't really decided what to to with the last 'Project Tuesday' in the month - torn between embroidery, and making and clothing a rag doll.

I rather like the idea of making a rag doll and adding to her set of clothes every month.  It's great practice for making up whatever you fancy in different fabrics - and experimenting with drawing up your own patterns on a small, more manageable scale before you get too ambitions and start draughting your own patterns

Right click on the pattern image - and copy it as an image.  Then open a new document and insert the image.  You can enlarge it to what ever size you fancy - mine was on a single A4 sheet of paper.

From a heavier weight tight woven cotton fabric - cut 2 x head pieces, 4 x arm pieces, 4 x leg pieces, 2 x body pieces.

Create a face on the head.  Does not have to be anything complicated - mine is just back stitch and long stitch for the eyes, back stitch for the mouth and a couple of cross stitches on the cheeks.

With the right sides of the fabric together sew arms and legs together - leaving the short side open for turning.  With the right sides of the fabric together sew the head together leaving the neck edge open for turning.  Turn the pieces right side out and press.  Stuff all these pieces fairly firmly.

lay one of the body pieces on the table - lay the head on the body with the neck opening at the top.  Tack across with a few stitches to secure while you assemble the body.  Lay the arms across the body with the open ends at the sides of the body.   Tack across with a few stitches to secure while you assemble the body.

Lay the other body piece on top and pin round the body sides and head encasing all the body pieces in the middle.  This is a bit fiddly when you get to the last arm - it is easier to sew each side separately - and finish the last one by hand - just go gently.  Leave the side for the legs open.  Turn body out and stuff fairly firmly.

Turn up a small seam at the base of the body - place the legs on one side and tack in place.  Stuff the body fairly firmly and seam straight across the bottom to encase the legs.

We will tackle the hair next week as I want to give you a couple of options - other wise this post will be huge

The instructions will be added to my website - in the Crafter's Corner


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

cute kitten fix

Monday is Kitten's day off

Kind a working - kind a napping - waiting for the storm that is gonna happen soon1

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Saturday Art Day

I am slowly getting better - but I am trying to take things as easy as possible.

I spent a lovely afternoon finishing my flower pot page

There are all sorts of ink and paints used - which create all sorts of different textures and finishes - plus a few paper flowers - and glitter!

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Fabric lined basket

I have a bit of a thing for the old fashioned shopping wicker / cane baskets.  I love them!  I can't resist them when I find one in a charity shop and use them for storage and work baskets.

I also like to line them.  They are usually a bit rough on the inside for storing yarns and fabrics so I love jazzing them up with a different fabric.

This little chap has been sitting on the shelf for a while.  I sprayed it with a bit of metallic gold and lined it with a fabric that was gifted to me.

I seamed the top and ran a ribbon through so that I could tie a bow at each side

A lucky co-incidence is that there is a super little gap at each side to keep my spare knitting needles tucked in out of the way.

The basket has a flat plywood base - so it was easy to cut the base the correct shape and gather 2 side panels to fit.  The lining sits in the basket beautifully!

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Let's talk wire

In the first of a series about jewellery making and components I will tell you a bit about the different wires used.

Wire is wire - right? - - yeah - right! -- like it's that simple.

Wire is made from different materials and in different thicknesses to do different things.  You need to think what you want your wire to do - and then choose what will do the job.

The easiest to explain is aluminium wire.  Aluminium wire is made from exactly the same stuff as your aluminium foil sheets in the kitchen.  it is soft and bendable - crease-able and flexible and can be worked and reworked until  you are happy with the shape.  It comes in several thicknesses - I have never seen it thinner than 1mm - usually 1mm / 1.5mm / 2mm - but can go thinker for large model sculpting.  It does come in loads of colours - it is usually a coloured plastic film coating which will scratch  and distress if want it too.  It is perfect for sculpting shapes - commonly used under paper mache figures or in mixed media / floristry where you want to sculpt an intricate shape - also as the backbone for wire wrapping.  It won't hold it's shape in heavy use or if you put any weight on it.

Next we have copper based.  Comes in loads of colours - usually a plastic coating as before,This can come as a thin copper wire which is very flexible and is mostly used for the detailed weaves in wire wrapping - also to add beads to larger pieces and for mixed media pieces to add coils and swirls and texture - and for wire crochet and knitting - yes really!

Now it gets a bit more complicated.  You can add other metal too and make stronger wire.  The stuff used for making jump rings - ear ring wires etc is a copper base - treated differently and with other things added to make it harder and more resilient - it comes in a huge range of different thicknesses - called gauges - for different uses.  This one is much harder to work into shape - won't easily forgive you if  you make a mistake - but will hold its shape and take a bit of weight.  You can make your own jump rings for chain mail  and Byzantine work - but I won't confuse you any further today - we will think about gauge and work-ability later.

Think about how soft and workable you want your wire to be.

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Cute kitten fix

Monday is kitten's day off

New Year - New Stuff - Soooo much to do

roll on summer

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Jewellery fix

Jewellery making has always been big in the shop - and this year it is growing even more with it's very own new dedicated wall and storage space.

This is the work in progress.  It used to be the habby /sewing board - I have bought a new 6 cubby hole storage unit - and the slat wall has been moved up on top of it.  This whole section will be jewellery making. 

I am still trying to find shelf space for a stock of beads - need more space!!!!

For this year I had the idea of doing a monthly explanation of some of the jewellery finding - tools - supplies - anything you need really.  So on the 3rd Tuesday of the month I will try to un-pick some of the mysteries and makings on the Jewellery world.

It's funny how the world goes round - I am actually a trained jewellery.  In my second work life I went to work for a proper jeweller.  I think that's how I got my 'yes - we can' attitude.  I coordinated with amazing arts and crafts people, importers, factories, single skill tradesmen with talents to die for - from this country and all over the world.

So If there is anything you would like to cover let me know and I will do my best.


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Square of the month - Bamboo pattern

This is a really useful pattern to learn.  It creates a fairly solid texture so it is perfect for bags - blankets - scarfs - cushion covers etc - anything that is going to take heavy wear.  It is quite a subtitle pattern - worked best in a paler colour.

You will need;

1 strand of double knitting to be worked on 4mm knitting needles – about 12g

Or 2 strands of double knitting (equal to chunky weight yarn) to be worked on 6mm knitting needles – about 20g

·         If you are using the double knitting weight of yarn, then use 2 strands together throughout.

·         If you are using the chunky weight of yarn, then use 1 strand throughout.

·         Remember to count all the rows as you work up the square.

Cast on 27 stitches.

Row 1: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 2: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 3: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 4: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row  5: knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1,   knit 1, *(yarn forward, knit 2, pass the yarn forward loop over the 2 knitted stitches, knit 1) -  repeat from * to last 4 stitches, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1.

Row  6: purl 1, knit 1,  purl 1, knit 1, purl to last 4 stitches,  knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1.

Rows 5: and 6: form the pattern - repeat until you reach

Row 28: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 30: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Row 31: *(knit 1, purl 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 32: *(purl 1, knit 1) – repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Cast off.

  

I use Robin double knitting 100% acrylic yarn for all my knitting work.  If you are using pure wool, or a wool mix you will need more as the yarn is heavier.

**** This is my own original work.  Use it for your own use or for charity selling.  Use it to inspire you, and to lead you on to other projects.  But, please do not resell the pattern as your own workings.  It takes me years of learning, and months of work to produce a final pattern.

The Kitten and The Goat

9, New Shambles, Kendal, LA9 4TS

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Cute kitten fix

Monday is kitten's day off

Poorly kitten

As the weather forecast for this week is so bad I am taking a few days!!!  Yeah ok - I got so run down over Christmas I have picked up a bit of bronchitis - I need to step back before it turns into shingles again.  I could not handle that right now.

Email or Facebook me if you want anything - I am still working at home on line

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Saturday Art day

I have promised myself all week that I would get back to my journal.  I am still very fragile - and it has been quite busy in the shop - so I wanted something fairly simple.

I still have the flower pot to finish and flowers to add in - but this has kept me pootling about all day.

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Meanwhile back in the living room

Remember I started to redecorate the living room - what - last March???

Well Now that we are free from Christmas - Perhaps I should finish it.

So cleared loads of space to start work

And - starting stripping

Wall stripped!!!

I am not doing anymore this week.  Next week I have to sand the wall and put a base coat on it so I can see any lumps and holes that need sorting out.

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

Kit of the month - cosy slipper socks

Ever wanted to knit socks - but think they are to hard?  - - Trust me - if you can work a purl stitch and a knit stitch - you can follow along with me.

As always every step is fully written down for you - no abbreviations - no jargon - I take you by the hand and walk you through it all.

Once you have mastered the pattern you can experiment with colour and design for yourself.

I also have just the pattern you can download if you prefer

SHOP HERE


Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com

And - back to work

Holiday is over  and I am champing at the bit to get back and move on with this year.

It's been a tough year - first quarter I was seriously thinking that the shop would fall.  None of us was prepared for the downturn in the town after the floods - and it just went on and on.  I wore myself out trying to get help - practical and financial - to tide me over until things improved.  Nothing - no help - no one would lend a hand - even the landlords ignored all the whole alleys plees.  Then - after Easter - things lifted a bit.

I put in for a grant to the community flood relief charity - it was really gutty - I had to submit all my accounts - plead my case - and try to get them to understand my crazy little business.  Bless them - they compensate me for loss of earnings January/Febuary/March - then gave me a little top up for April/May/June.  It was not a huge amount - most people will take home more than that in a month - it was just that they listened - and could see the value in supporting me through the bump.

That - and the old goat paying my flat rates for 6 months this year - are about the only reason I am still here.  I have been holding on just for tonight - for the past 8 months.  It has been such a tough ride!

S0 - as they say - what went well / badly - what would you change. Not all the monthly tasks survived!  
 - I have loved doing the monthy kits - that's going to stay
 - the videos bit the dust pretty fast - perfectly comfortable in front of the camera - but - lack of time -    lack of skill to do the editing - oh and I blew up the laptop that had the editing on and they would        not let me transfer it to my new one!  So that has been a flop!
 - something that really surprised me - I struggled with the layout sketches - never expected that one -     lived and died for the past 8 years on paper crafting and I just could not create them!!!!!  I don't          know if it was because my head was so stretched elsewhere that I could not get in settled in - but        it became too much of a problem child to continue with.
 - the knitting squares - love - love - loved doing these.  I have no idea how many (or not!) of you           have followed along because they are out here and on my site for free - but knitting is my second         language.  If I could send emails with knitting needles I would have such a huge following ;-)             Seriously - these will continue.

Next year - focus shiftling slightly.
 - the 'Kit of the Month'  - keeper. With more sewing projects and some embroidery types too.
 - knitted squares - with the odd variation!!!! - will continue
 - we will be doing less paper crafting - moving more into knitting/crochet and fabric - I am just not      selling paper/card anymore ? ? ?  Sorry - what can I do?  I have to stock what is selling to pay the        rent and yarns  - fabric - habby is growing. Also more sewing kits - you have been asking for more      embroidery and the like.
 - jewellery making will be growing.  I have a new wholesaler and I am finding my way around their      site so let me know what you need.  
- and if you are wondering how it's all going to fit in - we are having a bit of a move about and re-fit.      Couple of new units and a few alterations to streamline and tidy.  

I am going to make a huge effort to be more organised this year.

You know the old Jewish proverb - Man plans - God laughs - -  - - come on then 2017 let's see what you got!!!!

Love
kitten

www.princesskitten.co.uk
www.thekittenandthegoat.co.uk
kittenandgoat@gmail.com