21 May 2011

new pattern

I like to knit some things for my son now and then. As he is into all things army and inspired by the Mills Bomb pattern by A Butta, found on Ravelry, I decided to make up my own pattern for a knitted grenade. It is nice and soft for chucking indoors and has a removable pin. The grenade is knitted using round and flat knitting techniques. So if you don't like using double pointed needles, then this pattern is not for you. There is sewing involved, so if you don't like seaming, then this pattern is not for you. Due to its size, making up is quite fiddley, so if you don't like fiddley, then this pattern is not for you. So if there is anyone left and fancy having a go, Id love to hear how you find the pattern. Happy Knitting, ali.

GRENADE


THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT REPRODUCE PATTERN. DO NOT SELL ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN FOR PROFIT ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE

 
Materials
double pointed needles – 3.00mm (US size 3)
double knitting yarn (8ply) – green & grey
grey sewing thread & sewing needle
tapestry needle
drinking straw
polyester toy stuffing
sewing machine (optional)
 
Abbreviations
pwt - pull wool through (thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and pull tight to fasten)
 
GRENADE CHAMBER 4 dpns (3.00m / US 3)
Cast on 6 sts in green yarn.
Divide sts evenly between the three needles.
Rd 1 : k.
Rd 2 : kfb into each st (12 sts).
Rd 3 : k.
Rd 4 : kfb into each st (24 sts).
Rd 5 : k.
Rd 6 : (k1, kfb) rpt to end of rd (36 sts).
Rd 7: k.
Rd 8 : (k4, p2) rpt to end of rd.
Rds 9 – 11 : rpt Rd 8 - three times.
Rd 12 : (k3, kfb, p2) rpt to end of rd (42 sts).
Rd 13 : (p5, k2) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 14 : k.
Rd 15 : (p5, k2) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 16 : (k5, p2) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 17 - 20 : rpt Rd 16 – 4 times.
Rd 21 : (p5, k2) rpt to end of rd.
Rd 22 : k.
Rd 23 : (p5, k2) rpt to end of rd.
Rds 24 – 28 : rpt Rds : 16 – 20.
Rd 29 : (k1, k2tog) rpt to end of rd (28 sts).
Rd 30 : k.
Begin to stuff grenade.
Rd 31 : (p2tog) rpt to end of rd (14 sts). Break off green yarn and join grey yarn.
Next 5 rds : k.
Rd 37 : p.
Add more stuffing, push down with finger or knitting needle until grenade feels firm.
Rd 38 : (k2tog) (7 sts).
Rd 39 : k. pwt (see the Abbreviations above)
 
PIN two needles(3.00m / US 3)
Cast on 5 sts in grey yarn
Work stocking st until work measures 3.5cms /1.25ins
starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
Cast off knitwise.
With knit side facing up pick up 4 sts along the side.
 

Continue with i-cord until cord measures10cms /4ins. pwt.
 
HANDLE two needles (3.00m / US 3)
Cast on 7 sts in grey yarn.
ROW 1 : k.
ROW 2 : p to end of row.
Continue with another 8 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
ROW 11 : p.
ROW 12 : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 10 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
ROW 23 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (5 sts).
ROW 24 : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 4 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
ROW 29 : sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog (3 sts).
ROW 30 : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 4 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
ROW 35 : p. MID POINT
ROW 36 : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 4 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
ROW 41 : kfb, kfb, k1 (5 sts).
ROW 42 : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 4 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
ROW 47 : kfb, k2, kfb, k1 (7 sts).
ROW 48 : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 10 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
NEXT ROW : p.
NEXT ROW : p.
Continue with stocking st for another 10 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
Cast off.
 
Assembling Grenade
My preferred method of seaming knitted pieces of this size is to use a sewing needle and sewing thread in a matching colour.
Pin - Cut two pieces of a drinking straw 2.5cms / 1inch long.
Slice one of the pieces lengthwise and insert inside the other straw.
With the end yarn of i-cord, join the end of the cord to the base of the i-cord to form a loop.
Place straw inside knitted rectangle and sew side seams with sewing thread and ends to enclose straw.
 

Channel for pin - Fold the handle piece to form a double layer. Sew a seam at the top just before the purl row. Use a sewing machine for this seam or backstitch. Go over the seam two or three times for extra strength. Leave a gap of about 2cms/ 0.75ins (to insert the pin) and sew a similar line of stitches. See photo below - sew the two seams along the two red lines. The channel / gap for the pin to be inserted, is between the two red lines
 

Sew round the edge of the handle, with sewing thread, leaving a gap at the channel where the pin is to be inserted.
Attach the handle to the top of the grenade.
Sew a few stitches halfway down the handle attaching it to the grenade chamber.
copyright protected Alison Hogg 2011

7 May 2011

dont get mad get even

 

I haven't been feeling too good this week - so I thought I would focus my efforts on typing up this fun project - a voodoo doll pincushion. Nothing sinister intended, just a bit of fun. I'm not sure how practical it is though!
As always I welcome feedback and comments about any of my patterns.
Bye Ali

VOODOO DOLL PINCUSHION 

THIS PATTERN IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. DO NOT REPRODUCE PATTERN. DO NOT SELL ITEMS KNITTED FROM THIS PATTERN FOR PROFIT ONLY FOR PERSONAL OR CHARITABLE USE


Casting on - 2 methods are used - single cast on method and cable method.
For instructional videos see Knitting Help
increase – knit front and back into same stitch
 
Materials
needle size 2.75mm (US size 2)
white double knitting yarn (light worsted yarn)
safety pin or stitch holder
polyester toy stuffing
embroidery thread, novelty yarn, ribbon, buttons etc for hair & features white felt

DOLL (2.75mm needles) (make 2)
Cast on 7 sts using cable cast on method, with white yarn.
Pull first stich tightly for each row.
ROW 1 : kfb1, k to last 2 sts, kfb1, k1 (9 sts).
ROW 2 : p.
Rpt ROWS 1 & 2 until 15 sts ending on a ROW 1.
ROW 8 : p.
ROW 9 : k.
ROW 10 : p.
ROW 11 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts, (k2tog) (13 sts).
ROW 12 : p.
Rpt ROWS 11 & 12 until 5 sts remain ending on a ROW 11.
ROW 20 : p. Do not turn work, cast on 8 sts using single cast on method (13 sts).
ROW 21 : k. Do not turn work, cast on 8 sts using single cast on method (21 sts).
ROW 22 : p.
ROW 23 : kfb1, k to last 2 sts kfb1, k1 (23 sts).
ROW 24 : p.
ROW 25 : k.
ROW 26 : p.
ROW 27 : sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 sts (k2tog) (21 sts).
ROW 28 : p.
Cast off 4 sts purlwise, k to end of row (17 sts).
Cast off 4 sts knitwise, p to end of row (13 sts).
Continue with 6 rows stocking st starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
NEXT ROW : k 6 sts, place the remaining 7 sts onto a stitch holder. NEXT ROW : p.
Continue with stocking stitch for 6 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
NEXT ROW : sl1, k1, psso, k2, ( k2tog) (4 sts).
NEXT ROW : p.
Cast off, purlwise, leaving a long yarn tail.
Return to 7 sts on stitch holder, place on knitting needle, join yarn.
NEXT ROW : sl1, k1, psso, k to end of row (6 sts).
NEXT ROW : p.
Continue with stocking stitch for 6 rows starting with a k row and ending with a p row.
NEXT ROW : sl1, k1, psso, k2, (k2tog) (4 sts).
NEXT ROW : p.
Cast off purlwise, leaving a long yarn tail.
 
To Assemble Voodoo Doll
Gently press the two knitted pieces.

Place a circular piece of white felt for backing behind the face and embroider or sew buttons for features.

Place the two pieces together, knit side facing out. With the yarn ends bind together the two pieces using overcast stitch. Start at the feet and end at the “shoulders”.
Stuff the feet, body and arms. Insert small amounts of stuffing at a time, pushing into the arms and legs with a finger or knitting needle. Stuff firmly.



Continue sewing round the head, stuffing as you go.
Thread the yarn for hair through the edge of the head.

Sew heart button or felt shape to body.
 

copyright ALISON HOGG 2011

2 May 2011

tea party


The photographer Sabrina Blasingame, based in the Twentynine Palms area, contacted me to use some of my cupcakes in one of her shoots. I thought it would be a fun project so, I agreed and couldnt wait to see what she came up with. The cupcakes worked well in the tea party theme. Here are some of the photos, the little girl is soooooo cute.
Bye, Ali.