Free Knitting Pattern: Floral Fingerless Mitts

I've been knitting quite a few hats lately, and I've got plans for another one. However, I needed a break from hats - I needed a quick, simple project that didn't require much shaping or concentration. And preferably one that kept my hands warm too. This was the result.

In summer, I live in floral prints. They are my wardrobe hero. I always miss them when the winter comes around, but with these I can still get my floral print hit. Yay!

These fingerless mitts took about 2 to 3days to make, and would be a perfect project if you're a newcomer to intarsia - the rest of the pattern is so simple that the intarsia is all you have to concentrate on.

You will need:

• 3mm Needles
• 3.5mm Needles
• 200g 4ply wool in Oatmeal
• 50g 4ply wool in light green
• 50g 4ply wool in dark green
• 50g 4ply wool in light pink
• 50g 4ply wool in dark pink

Abbreviations:

• Sts - Stitches
• K - Knit
• P - Purl
• Sl St - Slip Stitch
• R - Row
• MC - Main Colour
• LG - Light Green

Note: Right side = knit side.

Left Hand Start with 3mm needles
Cast on 64 sts
R1: *K2, P2*repeat until end of row
Repeat this row until ribbing measures 3cm

Change to 3.5mm needles
R1: K across
R2: P across
Knit a further 2 rows in sl st
Intarsia:
R1: K12 sts in MC, K1 st in LG, K51 sts in MC
R2: P50 sts in MC, K2 sts in LG, K12 sts in MC
These are the first two rows of the chart, work the rest of the chart (below) in the same way.
Starting with a purl row, knit 5 rows of sl st in MC

Change to 3mm needles.
*K2, P2*, repeat until end of row.
Repeat until ribbing measures 3cm.
Cast off in rib.



Intarsia Flower Chart for the Left Hand

Right Hand Start with 3mm needles
R1: *K2, P2*repeat until end of row
Repeat this row until ribbing measures 3cm

Change to 3.5 mm needles
R1: K across
R2: P across
Knit a further 2 rows in sl st
Intarsia:
R1: K51 sts in MC, K1st in LG, K12 sts in MC
R2: P12 sts in MC, 2sts in LG, K50sts in MC
These are the first two rows of the chart, work the rest of the chart (below) in the same way.
Starting with a purl row, knit 5 rows of sl st in MC

Change to 3mm needles.
*K2, P2*, repeat until end of row.
Repeat until ribbing measures 3cm.
Cast off in rib.



Flower Intarsia Chart for the Right Hand

To make up, fold the mitts in half so that the side seams meet and the right sides are facing. Sew the seams together, leaving a 5cm gap down the middle of each one - this is where your thumb will fit.
Turn around the right way, and you've finished! Ta Daa!

If you want to make the gloves longer, so that they cover more of your arm, just knit a few more rows in slip stitch before starting the intarsia motif on each mitten. I don't know what flower I had in mind when designing these, but the great thing about flowers is that they can be a bit vague. Maybe they look a bit like carnations? I don't know. Experiment with colour choice to come up with a pair you like (I'm thinking these would look great in purple).

Let me know if you try this. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to help you.

Do you have any summer trends that you miss in the winter?

How to: Detachable Pom-Poms

Now that it is freezing outside, more and more of my projects are becoming wool-related, probably out of necessity. This is a really quick and simple project, which is perfect for updating all your woolly hats - a detachable pom-pom. You could even pin it onto a scarf or bag, or make a little one to pin on a jumper. And because they're detachable, you don't have to commit to just one colour pom-pom. All you'll need for this project is some wool in a colour of your choice, and a brooch back.

First off, make a pom-pom. I'm assuming you know how to make pom-poms because I spent the majority of my childhood making them. You can use a pom-pom maker, or the good old fashioned cereal box card way.

Then sew a brooch back close to the centre of your pom-pom. Make sure it's nice and secure.

Then you can pin it into place on the hat of your choice. It would look great on a 90s style beanie in a contrasting shade.

I'm planning on making some more non-wool related projects soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Why Not Try to DIY? Christmas Gift Edition

It's that time in December when panic starts to set in. If you're going to make any presents, then it's time to start if you want to avoid a last minute rush. Still looking for inspiration? Here's my round up of some DIY tutorials from around the web that I think would make great Christmas presents.

 

Clockwise from the top:

Perspex Clutch: Such a simple idea, but it looks positively high - end. Find the tutorial at Stripes & Sequins.
Ombre Clothespin Magnets: These are so pretty, and would make a small, yet thoughtful gift for the note maker in your life. Find the tutorial at Studs & Pearls.
No-Knit Scarf: Want to knit someone a warm, cosy scarf to keep them warm throughout the winter, but don't have the time or patience to? Yep, same here, which is why I love the idea of this no-knit scarf. I think it would look great in a darker colour or a shorter length for a man's snood too.
Animal Collar Tips: These are adorable! Whilst I am going to be selfish and make a pair for ME, they would also make a great gift for fashion forward teens. Find the tutorial here at Minted Strawberry.
Speckled Beanie Hat: Getting a homemade knit is lovely - it's like getting a hug from a friend. This hat is a beauty - find the free pattern at frolic!.
Leather Journal: Want to make a gift that you know will be loved and used? This leather journal would make anybody happy.
Kaleidoscope: Nope, I've never thought of making a kaleidoscope either, but this tutorial makes it look totally do-able. This would be great for children - you could personalise it by using beads of their favourite colours.

Are you making any Christmas presents for anyone this year?

Lantern Parade 2013

I don't normally do posts like this, but thought I'd share these photos anyway, despite my amateurish photography skills. They are of a Lantern Parade that took place to welcome in the start of December. I hadn't been to anything like it before, and was blown away by the craftsmanship of the lanterns.

There was a nip in the air, but snow machines made everyone feel jolly and in the Christmas spirit. Two donkeys were also there, wearing Santa hats (I'll leave it up to your imagination to create that image). These photos barely do the lanterns justice, but they were haunting and beautiful and rather Narnia-esque.

How are you celebrating the start of December?

Free Knitting Pattern: Mohair Beanie

This was my first time knitting with such a hairy wool, and although it took some getting used to, the end result was worth it. Soft, fluffy and cosy - I can see myself wearing this for most of the winter.

This pattern's really simple - all you need to know is knit and pearl as well as how to decrease. Even though mohair is quite thin, I found this worked up quite fast, about 3 to 4 days in total. Also, this is quite a nice project to sit in front of a film with - no intarsia or cabling to concentrate on (hooray!).

You Will Need:

• 300g Mohair Wool
• 3mm Needles
• 3.5 mm needles

Abbreviations:

• Sts = stitches
• K = Knit
• P = Pearl
• R = Row
• K2tog = Decrease by knitting two stitches together

Note: Knit side = right side. The size here is that for an average adult, although you could make it bigger or smaller by beginning with more or less stitches when casting on. Just make sure your number of cast on stitches is a multiple of 12.

Pattern:

Using 3mm needles, cast on 120 sts.
R1: *K2, P2* repeat until end of row.
Keep repeating this row until your ribbing measures 1 inch long.
Change to 3.5mm needles
R1: K across
R2: P across
Work in slip stitch be repeating these two rows until your work measures 18cm from the cast on edge.
Now we can start decreasing!
R1: *K10 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (110)
R2: P across
R3: *K9 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (100)
R4: P across
R5: *K8 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (90)
R6: P across
R7: *K7 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (80)
R8: P across
R9: *K6 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (70)
R10: P across
R11: *K5 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (60)
R12: P across
R13: *K4 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (50)
R14: P across
R15: *K3sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (40)
R16: P across
R17: K2 sts, K2tog* repeat until end of row (30)
R18: P across

Cut off your yarn leaving a long thread. Using a needle, thread your yarn through the remaining 30 sts and pull tight. make up the hat by putting the edges together, right sides facing, so that the ribbing meets at the bottom. Sew along the edges, right the way to the ribbing and then cut off your yarn. Turn your hat right side out, and wear.

You could go the extra mile by putting a pom-pom on top. Just make sure it's a big, fluffy one (when it comes to pom-poms, the fluffier the better). I was originally planning on putting some bear ears on this hat - I just though it would look good with the fluffy wool (and because bear rhymes with mohair - can't resist a rhyme). I chickened out though, I kind of figured that with this hat being such a bright colour AND being fluffy, it didn't really need to have much more going on.

 I really want to make another one of these in a baby pink, I'm just waiting to find the perfect wool.

Let me know if you try this - I'd love to know how you get on with it. If you have any questions (or spot a mistake) about the pattern, please leave me a comment and I'll do my best to help. I'd especially love to hear if you do decide to put bear ears on.

What I'm Reading: The Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth

Yesterday evening, I attended a talk at a local bookshop given by Mark Forsyth on his latest book - The Elements of Eloquence. I bought a ticket on a whim, so I wasn't really sure what to expect, but thoroughly enjoyed it.

It's always a joy to hear someone talk about something they love so passionately; it always inspires me to try and better myself. Mark's latest book asks why some phrases are so memorable, and others disappear from our memory rather quickly, looking at examples from Shakespeare, Churchill, Blake and many more.

As a book-lover, this fascinates me and I can't believe I haven't thought more about the English language and how we use it before. I can't wait to dive into this book after everything I learnt last night. Maybe the effects will start to show on my writing here?


Anybody else reading this at the moment? What else are you reading?

How to: Hardware Pendant Necklace

Sometimes a plain outfit can just need a simple yet statement necklace to toughen up the whole look. Jewellery made from bits and pieces from the hardware store has become a blogger essential, and goes with pretty much everything. This is my take on the look, made from interesting tools and ephemera from second hand shops.

When I came across this rather interesting piece, I knew it was destined to be hung from a necklace and finish off my outfits. It's actually an old lighter - I'm a little disappointed because I originally thought it was a whistle or a mini-telescope.

Keep an eye out for any interesting old metal objects and hang them from a long chain. You'll have a one-of-a-kind hardware necklace. You could even go the extra mile by customising your metal objects by painting a small section of them in a bright colour.

Have you ever made jewellery from any strange finds?