Bath Mitt and Billie Goat Soap

Here are some Christmas gifts I have made (oooooh i hope they don't come on here and see them before Xmas! Oh well!)

I got the pattern from Ravelry - Bath Mitt - only I used 8 ply yarn and 4mm/4.5mm needles.

Since I used 8ply yarn a few adjustments had to be made.

• 4 extra rows before thumb shaping
• 2 extra rows on thumb
• 6 extra rows on fingers before decreases.

Also did 2x2 ribbing around the wrist.

The yarn is Vicki Howell Craft - Organic cotton/milk fibre. Yes they can make yarn from milk now!!! It is very soft for a cotton.

The soap is Billi Goat Soap and WOW don't the colours match well!! Very happy with that. The soap looks and smells really luxurious, I hope the recipients enjoy using it!!

Bamboo/organic cotton bibs and fitted nappy

Here are some bits and pieces i have been sewing and some of them I have been selling.
I bought the bamboo toweling from Bubba Earth and it is DIVINE. So silky and even after you wash it it is so nice and soft.
The nappy has a sewn in booster and is a good size for Harry. It is pretty cute - for a plain old fitted.
The bibs are also fantastic! Harry is such a dribbler and with your normal thin cotton bibs his clothes just get saturated. This bib soaks it all up and his clothes are dry and clean! Yay!
I have made some bigger ones for bigger toddlers now as well, they are also great.
I can't help it. i will be getting more of this bamboo fabric and i'll be making bath towels for the whole family!!! :-)

Recycled Amaizing Bangle

This is a bangle that you make by sewing your knitted piece around the cardboard that the Amaizing yarn come on. Reduce, reuse, recycle... as they say!

Materials:
One finshed ball - you need the carboard the yarn is wrapped around.
SWTC Amaizing corn fiber
Size 6.oomm needles
Tapestry needle

Mathod.
Cast on 19 stitches holding 2 strands together.

row 1-Knit entire row
row 2 - Purl entire row
row 3 - knit entire row
row 4 - *k1,p1, rep from * to end, k1.

Continue working these 4 rows until work measures length of bangle. Wrap it around tjhe cardboard and sew around the edge.

You can use any pattern you want, be creative!
You could also just use one strand, just need to cast on more stitches.

I love finding a funky use for that cardboard! Thumbs up!

Copyright 2009 Nicole Thorson

Hornbag's Corn bag

Hornbag’s Corn Bag

This bag is named the Hornbag's Cornbag simply because I am a fan of Kath and Kim, and whenever I say"Corn bag" it makes me think "Hornbag" and giggle!
It is worked in Moss Stitch with Amaizing, holding two strands together. Front and back are worked in one peice, then you knit up stitches on the edge to knit the sides, then lastly you sew up the sides. It is a cute little bag that I get heaps of compliments about! And people can't believe its made of corn either! I hope you enjoy this pattern. Please let me know if you have any questions, it is hard to explain! I might make another and take photos to help.
Copyright 2009 Nicole Thorson.

Materials

2 balls Amaizing
5mm needles
Tapestry Needles
Fastener if you wish.

Front and Back (worked in one piece)

Holding two strands together, Cast on 45stitches
Work in moss stitch for 4 rows
Next row: Moss 8, cast off 29 knitwise, Moss 8
Then: Moss 8, cast on 29, Moss 8.

Work on these 45 stitches until work measures approximately 25cm. (or desired length)

Moss 8, cast off 29 knitwise, Moss 8.
Moss 8, cast on 29, Moss 8
Work 4 rows.
Cast off knitwise.

Sides:

Now with right side facing, knit up 7 stitches along the side, so that the 4th stitch is exactly half way along the side edge of the front/back piece.
Work in moss stitch on these 7 stitches until the side measures the same as the height of your bag. Cast off, leaving a long tail that you can use to sew up the sides.
Repeat on the other side.

Finishing:

Sew the sides of the purse onto the edges of the front/back piece.
Weave in ends.
Add a fastener if you wish.
Be a hornbag and go out on the town with this cute bag!

Toheadsies

A funky little headband made with Tofutsies sock yarn. You hold two strands together. This is a great project for using up leftover yarn! Isn't my 3 year old model just gorgeous?? I wish i had her blonde hair.

Copyright Nicole Thorson 2009.

Materials:
Tofustises sock yarn

Crochet hook (guage is not important, around 2.5-3.5mm would be suitable i think).

4.00mm needles

Method

Using a crochet hook and holding two strands of yarn together, chain for about 25cm. This is the part that you tie up at the back of your neck. (Alternatively you could knit an i-cord, but crochet is quicker!).

Switch to 4.00mm needles,

Row 1: KFB (2 sts)

Row 2: KFB twice (4 sts)

Row 3: KFB, knit to end

Repeat row 3 until there are 11 stitches.

Begin pattern:

Row 1: k5, p1, k5

Row 2: k3, p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k3

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until headband measures desired length, about a bit past your ear lobes.

Next row: K2tog, knit to end

Repeat until 4 sts remain

Next row: k2 tog twice (2 stitches)

Next row: k2 tog (1 st)

Use a crochet hook to chain for 25cm. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Enjoy!

Bamboo Soap Sweaters

I made these using SWTC Bamboo in white. You hold 2 strands together so its nice and thick.
Knit in the round on DPNs, and closed with a snap. Or you could make a buttonhole to close if you prefer. This soap sweater could be used more than once which is why I made it to be able to open/close, but you could sew it up at both ends if you prefer to only use a soap sweater once.

Bamboo is soooooo nice and soft and absorbs heaps of water so these are great to shower with. Copyright Nicole Thorson 2009.

Materials:
SWTC bamboo in white (or any colour you lke)
4.00mm (US 6) DPNS
Snap and Snapsetter (or a button if you prefer to make a button hole). A Plastic snap is better than metal as the metal may rust.

Method:
Holding 2 strands together, Cast on 30 stitches and join in the round.
Distribute stitches as follows:

Either
Needle 1 - 7 sts, needle 2 - 15 sts, needle 3 - 8 sts.
or
Needle 1 - 8 sts, needle 2 - 14 sts, needle 3 - 8 sts

(Depending on if your pattern requires an odd or even number of stitches on needle 2)
Needle 2 is where you put your pattern. You can do whatever you like here.
Always knit needles 1 and 3.


Firstly, Knit one round. Then start your pattern:


Cable Soap Sweater: (needle 2 14 sts)
Round 1 - K3, P1, K6, P1,K3
Round 2 - As round 1
Round 3 - As round 1
Round 4 - K3, P1, CB6, P1, K3.

Basketweave Soap sweater: (needle 2 15 sts)
Round 1- k3, p3,k3,p3,k3
Round 2 - as round 1
Round 3 - as round 1
Round 4 - p3,k3,p3,k3,p3
Round 5 - as round 4
Round 6 - as round 4.

Moss Stitch Soap Sweater (needle 2 15 sts)
Round 1 - k1,p1, k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1
Round 2 - p1, k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1,k1,p1


Repeat the pattern until work measures as long as your soap. You can put the soap in to check.


Next round:
Needle 1 - knit
Needle 2 - cast off 14 (or 15) stitches
Needle 3 - knit.

Put remaining stitches onto one needle and continue working back and forth on these 16 (or15) stitches.

Work 4 rows stocking stitch

Next row -
Row one: SSK, knit to last 2 stitches, k2tog.
Row two - P2tog, purl to end, p2togtbl.

Repeat rows one and two until 4 (or 3) stitches remain, cast off or draw thread through stitches to bind.

Sew up the bottom, place a snap at the top to close.

Slip your soap in and go have a shower!


Alternatively:
Work a button hole in during the decreases., attatch a button to close instead of a snap.
Cast on using a provisional cast on and graft using kitchener stitch.
Stop before decreases and graft at the top if you don't want it to open and close.
Try other patterns on needle 2!


Enjoy!

Modern Cloth Nappies

Well I have finally finished these nappies! I cut the fabric ages ago and never got around to sewing them. Well now they are done! Yay!

They are made with 2 layers of super soft microfleece, with a hidden layer of PUL. The absorbent part is hemp fleece. Touch tape closure and elasticised legs and waist. There is a sewn in booster that is topped with suedecloth.

I basically used up remnants of hemp fleece and suedcloth to make this nappy. Very cool!!

Kimberly's Hot Water Bottle Cosy

A very simple Hot Water bottle cover I made for Kimberly to sleep with . She loves it!!!

I made it on 5.5mm needles and with Patons Jet - Alpaca/Merino blend. Very soft and fluffy.

The cable is just a very simple CF4 cable - I haven't done cabling for years so it was good to get out the old cable needle again!!

The neck part in k2p2 rib was meant to be twice as long and then folded over (like a turtle neck skivvy) but I ran out of wool. Oops!

Blue Leaf paintings

Here is some paintings I did for out lounge room wall.

Acrylic on Canvas.

I used leaves from the garden to make the shapes. For the smaller ones I stuck the leaves down and then rolled paint over the board. For the bigger one I painted watered down paint over the board and then stamped a large leaf in the middle.

Our walls are blue so it think it will go nicely... I hope so!!!

Aviatirx and Mittens

Here is a cute little hat and mittens I made for Andrew after we walked home from Preschool and when we got home his hands and ears were frozen!!

The Hat pattern is a freebie on Ravelry and is easy as anything, knit on straight needles. It uses short rows and wraps which give it those bumps you can see.

I made it with Moda Vera Cup Cake which is Acrylic/Nylon and very soft to touch.

The Mittens are also a free pattern on Ravelry. They are called "Easy On Mittens". The thumb is extra wide so they are easy to get on. Another easy pattern - meant to be worked on Double pointed needles - but i did it on straight needles and sewed it up.

Very happy with it!

Watoto Jumper

Here is a jumper I have knitted for children in Uganda. My parents are going over there in September to do some house building and general do gooding. They are also taking over these donated knitted jumpers, beanies and blankets. So I hope to make a couple of these if I have time.

It is made with Patons Jet (wool/Alpaca) some that I just had stashed away, and I am happy to have a use for it!

All the rib was a bit Urgh but I survived! It was actually the fastest knit - I did it in about 5 hours all up. That's like watching Lord of the Rings (extended version hehe).

I hope the little one in Uganda enjoys it :-)

Dharma Dish Cloth and Hanging Tea Towel

This is a dish cloth that I made for my sister in law for her birthday. The dish cloth pattern is the Dharma Initiative logo from the show Lost. Yes we are obsessed fans... oh well!

I also had a go at making a hanging tea towel to go along with it. It turned out ok, but I think I will do better next time. It is knit in stocking stitch and i did 2 rows of DC (crochet) at the bottom.

Both are made with Vickie Howell "Craft" by South West Trading Company. It is 35% Milk fiber and 65% organic cotton. It is lovely and soft to touch.

The chart for the Dharma logo I got from Raverly here and the tea towel topper pattern is here.

A bevy of beautiful bootees

I whole stack of bootees that I made for Harry over the last few weeks of my pregnancy and while resting in hospital.

Most of them are from a really old Patons pattern book. Most are knit in 3 ply but the stripey one is 4 ply.

All so cute. I just love bootees and I prefer them to socks as they can move their little feet around more, not so constricting. And they look so sweet :-)

Loving having a winter baby!!!!

Bobble Hot Water Bottle Cover

Here is a hot water bottle cover I made up. the pattern is included below...

I have started using a hot water bottle since I started getting pretty intense lower back pain. Bub has moved into a posterior position and WOW the back ache has really increased! The hot water bottle helps so much, since I am having contractions every 5-10 mins, it really sucks, but the warmth helps.

Anyway, so it is made in a 12 ply wool, which i have had stashed for ages! so glad to get a use for it. took me 2 days to finish, so yeah it is a quick knit with the chunky wool. The neck is knit in the round on circular needles.

The pattern is super simple, mostly sticking stitch but there are some bobbles worked in there which keep it interesting.

Here is the pattern so you can make it yourself! Enjoy!

Bobble Hot Water Bottle Cover

Materials:

Approx 150g 12 ply wool
6.00mm needles
2 stitch holders
6.00mm or less Circular needles (I used 4.00mm and worked loosely.)
Tapestry needle

Abreviations

st st - Stocking stitch
k- knit
p-purl
MB- make bobble - (k1p1k1p1) in next stitch, turn, p4, turn, k4, turn, p2 tog twice, turn, k2 tog.

Method:

Cast on 45 stitches.

Rows 1-8 : Work 8 rows st st starting with a knit row, working 3 knit stitches at beginning and end of purl rows to make garter stitch edge.

Row 9 : k4 ('MB', k11) x 3, 'MB', k4.

Rows 10-16 : work 7 rows st st with garter stitch edge.

Row 17: k10 ('MB', K11) x 2, 'MB', k10.

Rows 18 - 24: work 7 rows st st with garter stitch edge.

Repeat rows 9-24 to form bobble pattern. Repeat until work measures just as long as the hot water bottle, ending with a purl row.

Cast off 5 stitches at begining of next 4 rows (25 stitches).
Leave remaing 25 stitches on a stitch holder.

Work another in the same manner.

Neck:
Sew top of cover together (I used back stitch). Put stitches onto a circular needles Work one round of k1p1 rib, increasing 2 stitches evenly around. Continue in k2p2 rib until neck is desired length. Cast off loosley in rib.

Sew sides and bottom together (I used back stitch). Put a hot water bottle inside (fold in half lengthways if you need to) and fill with hot water. Mmmmmmmm... toasty warm.....

Basic Newborn Hat in 3ply

Here is a little hat I have made for the new baby to wear as a newborn. It is a little cold in Katoomba hospital so a little hat is great!

I like to use 3 ply with babies, maximum 4 ply, as it is nice and delicate for them. Not too big and chunky!

I used dpns but you could use straight needles and then sew it up.

This one I made with some 3 ply baby super soft acrylic yarn with nylon. Since I made the pattern up as I went along I thought I would share it and put it on Raverly as there isn't really a basic 3 ply hat pattern that I could find on there.

Basic Newborn hat in 3ply

Materials:
3 ply yarn
2.25cm (US 1) dpn
Tapestry needle

Cast on 100 stitches and distribute evenly among 3 double pointed needles. Work 10 rows 2x2 rib.

Work in stocking stitch until work measures approx 3-4 inches/7.5 -10cm.

Round 1: K1, slip 1, K1, psso, knit to last 3 stitches, k2 tog, k1 - On each needle (ie. decrease 2 stitches on each needle. 6 stitches all up) (94 st)
Round 2: Knit

Repeat the last two rounds until 40 stitches remain.
Then repeat row 1 until 22 stitches remain (ie. decrease every round).

Graft together remaining stiches using kitchener stitch
or
Cast off and sew together


Enjoy!!!

Purple Jumper with Shawl Collar

A jumper I made with Spotlight branded 100% wool. Kimmy chose the colour, its quite nice! The pattern is a Panda pattern from 11 Handknits for Kids, Jumper with Shawl Collar and Raglan Set in Sleeves.

It was pretty easy/boring for the most part, just plain stocking stitch throughout. The rib is K2 P2. The shawl collar kept things interesting, it was a little fiddly but nothing major.

I made size 4 - there was only a pattern for size 2, 4, 6, etc... But she really is a size 3 so its a tad big, but wearable. She will still be wearing it next year I think.

Very happy with it!