Free Knitting Pattern: Easy Two Needle Mittens

link to the pattern

The Simplicity brand is generally associated with sewing rather than knitting, but their website does include a few knitting patterns. I’ve been trying out different mitten patterns to knit and felt, and this one is my new go-to, minus the suede add on. It has instructions for multiple sizes, and features one of the easiest ever thumb designs. A pleasure to knit away on this basic pattern in front of the tv, during long phone chats with friends, or while listening to an audio book. Hope you find this great pattern as useful as I do.

Linda’s Favorite Sock Recipe – All Sizes

I’m the kind of knitter who tends to fixate upon a certain type of project to the exclusion of others. At times, I get on a sock-knitting tear. I make them in different yarns, weights, and patterns, and have developed the perfect pattern to fit my own feet. For larger or smaller, I simply adapt this basic template.

Pattern:

Magic Loop Socks

Size 4 circular needle.
cast on 42 sts; divide between the needles, half on each. Knit the cuff in the pattern of your choice, to the length desired.

Shape Heel Flap
Knit across 10 sts on first needle, turn.
Row 1 (WS) With empty needle, sl 1 st, purl 9 sts on first needle and 10 sts on 2^nd – 20 sts for heel flap. Work back and forth on these sts in rows.
Row 2 * Sl 1, k 1; rep from * across. Rep last 2 rows until a total of 16 rows have been worked, ending with a Row 1.

Turn Heel
Next Row (RS) Sl 1, k 11, skp, k 1, turn.
Next Row Sl 1, p 5, p2tog, p 1, turn.
Next Row Sl 1, k 6, skp, k 1, turn.
Next Row Sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p 1, turn.
Continue to work in this manner, having 1 more st before decs on each row until 12 sts remain.

Gussets
With first needle, knit across 12 sts of heel, pick up and k 8 sts along side of heel flap, M1 between heel flap and next (instep) needle, with second needle, work 20 sts across instep needle, with 1st needle, M1 between instep needle and heel flap, pick up 8 sts along remaining side of heel flap, work across 12 sts of heel flap. To decrease, pick up one stitch in every slipped stitch on the side of the heel flap. Resume knitting in the round. Knit across the top, then pick up one stitch from each slipped stitch on the second side of the flap.

Knit across the heel and the stitches you picked up last round, until the last three, then k2tog, k 1. Knit across the instep stitches, till you reach the second side of flap, then k 1, SSK, k across. Do one row plain. Alternate in this way until you have 20 stitches on the heel needle.

Foot

Work even in St st until foot measures about 1 1/2″ [4 cm] less than desired length to beg of toes. (7 ½ inches)

Shape Toe
Dec Rnd K 7, skp, k 2, k2tog, k 14, skp, k 2, k2tog, k7.
Knit 1 rnd.
Rep last 2 rnds until 14 sts remain. Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Turn sock inside out.  Finish off toe with Kitchener stitch.

Wool Dyeing: Copper Penny Blue

This dye substance is not a plant, but it would have been available in one form or other to many colonial home dyers. Known as “Copper Penny Blue”, this is a dye that does not need a separate mordant or even heat. The recipe is simple but it does take from 2-4 weeks for the process to complete itself. Fill a gallon jar to about three inches from the top with non-sudsing ammonia and put in: either 2 cups of pennies, OR a length of copper pipe OR a coil of copper wire. Screw the lid on tightly. Let this mixture sit for a week and watch it become a beautiful blue. At this point remove the copper , with rubber gloves, and put in the pre-wetted fleece to soak; varying the time gives different color effects. Some sources say it is also possible to do this with white vinegar instead of ammonia, but others say vinegar doesn’t work as well. Some recipes say to add a few teaspoons of salt to fix the color.

I’ve used this method several times with different results. One was a pale aqua, and the others various shades of icy green. I think it might be more reliable to use wire or pipe as the amount of copper in pennies these days is so small. Dyeing times, once the dye is made, have ranged from 1 day to 3 weeks of soaking the wool fiber. If you leave the jar in the sun it speeds the process somewhat. I would NOT try heating the mixture on a stove or fire, however.

My results have always been close to this.

Post revised 8/28/20

Free Knitting Pattern: His or Her Vintage Pullover

Every once in a while, I browse through the vintage pattern booklets inherited from my mom and MIL. It’s fun to check out the styles from way back then, and some of them, I have to admit, make me laugh out loud. Once in a while, there’s a pattern I might consider making. I’ve used their two needle mitten pattern many times when I don’t feel like knitting in the round.  This sweater  is one of the nice ones, from American Thread Co. Star Book No. 185, Fashions. Probably 1960’s. Click on photo and link to access. I haven’t made it, but if you do, I’d love to see a photo, and with your consent, would post it here.

 

 

Making an 18th Century Hussif (Sewing Kit)

A Housewife, or Hussif, is nothing more than an 18th century sewing kit. Women used them at home, and soldiers used them when serving in the military. A few years back, I made one for myself, and use it mostly at re-enactments and museum programs. It’s a very handy thing to carry, and a very easy thing to make. All you need is some appropriate cloth, and simple directions. Here’s how I make mine.

Materials

Several 1/2 yard lengths of period appropriate cloth, in various patterns. I like checks. Alternatively, you can use a single color, if you prefer.

2 yards of seam binding or bias tape, or you can make your own.

Matching thread and sewing needles.

Plastic cover from a 15 ounce margarine container.

Instructions:

Cut the following:

A. Plain color lining piece – I generally use muslin. Cut to 4″ x 11″.

B. Backing piece: fabric of your choice. Cut to  4″ X 11″.

C and D:  For pockets: Cut two  3 1/2″ x 4″ pieces;

E. Cut one  4″ x 5″ pocket piece

F. Round the tops of the lining and backing, tracing the arc with the margarine lid. If desired, cut a liner piece for the curved top.

Assembling

1. Using a neat slip stitch, hem 1 long side of pieces C and D. The hem should be narrow – approximately 1/8″ folded twice.

2. Hem 1 short side of piece E similarly.

3. Lay the lining (A) right side up with the rounded edge to the top. Place piece E, also right side up, so that its cut edges are even with the rectangular end of the lining. This will become the lowest pocket. Bast E in position, leaving hemmed edge free.

4. Place piece C, right side up, on the lining with its hem touching the hem of piece E. Carefully fold      under 1/4″ of the other end of C. Baste C in place, and carefully slip stitch the folded over side to the lining

5. Place D, right side up, on the lining with its hem toward the rectangular end, and approximately 3″ away from the hemmed end of C. Carefully fold under 1/4 ” of the other end of D. Baste D in place, then slip stitch the folded under edge to the lining.

6. Place the lining/pocket over the cover piece (B), matching up the edges. Baste together. Trim away any excess material from the edges.

7. The binding tape is sewn around the edges, beginning at the center of the rectangular end. You can sew through all the layers at once with small running stitches, or slip stitch each side separately. Be sure to miter the corners, and overlap neatly at the bottom.

8. Attach a length of binding tape or ribbon on the exterior to serve as a tie to hold the folded case closed. One third should lie on top of the case, and 2/3 away from the case.

This case can be folded in a variety of ways, depending on how full it is. You can also roll it. Fill it with needles, threads, pins, and any other small objects that you need for sewing. Show off your beautiful new “hussif”!

Free Crochet Pattern: Mesh Raglan Pullover

TLove this top, the color, the texture, and  the yarn it’s made with, Lion Brand’s Recycled Cotton. Requires a size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook. The pattern’s free and available 

Mesh Raglan Pullover (Crochet)

Mesh Raglan Pullover (Crochet)

but you probably have to sign in. If you don’t have a membership, you can sign up on the website, also for free.

Knitted Poppy

Memorial Day 2016 come and gone , but this little poppy pattern would be perfect for next year, or  for Veterans’ Day, which is coming  up fast.   Most knitted or crocheted flowers tend to be fluffy or floppy, but Lion Brand’s poppy is smooth and simple. Nice by itself  for a pretty, summery pin, or for embellishing bags, hats, sweaters, or just to wear on special days to show gratitude to generations of vets.

The pattern is free, but you must be a member to access it. Free and easy to sign up.

Pattern

 

Huntley Gift Bag

If you love to crochet, head on over to Little Monkeys Crochet , a blog full of cool patterns in all sorts of categories. The one that caught my eye is this pretty bag, made with about 275 yards of  medium weight cotton using a couple of stitches on a size H hook. It’s a free pattern, and Rebecca gives permission to sell things made with her free patterns so long as credit is given. The finished bag is 9″L x 3″W x 6″H. It looks easy enough to make larger or smaller.

This looks like a perfectly portable summer project, especially for a plane trip. No needles to scare security. One summer I lost an $18 pair of knitting needles at Charles deGaulle Airport checkpoint…. Now I bring plastic. Or crochet.

Sigh. Here’s the pattern. Thank you, Rebecca!

Plants for Dyeing: Comfrey

I’ve been doing natural dyeing for a long time, and was always exasperated about the absence of a good plant source for the color green. Paradoxical, isn’t it? But the green coloration in plants is due to the presence of chlorophyll. In fall, the chlorophyll ceases production and gradually disappears, leaving the leaf’s true color to show. Once, while making a dye with fern fiddleheads, the only plant material available that early spring day, I discovered to my dismay that I’d left my brass kettle at home. Had to make do with the iron one, and had a pleasant surprise. The result was a lovely, soft gray-green.

But fiddleheads are around for just a short time every year. I needed a source available in the summer. Comfrey to the rescue. This plant has many advantages, the primary one being the size and abundance of its leaves. Making comfrey dye is easy: Simmer the leaves, about a grocery bag full, in about a gallon of water for about 1/2 hour, then remove the plant material. Submerge wet, alum mordanted wool into the bath and simmer in an iron container for another 1/2 hour or so. Olive green should be the result.

Using brass, glass, stainless steel containers will not yield the same results; probably a watery yellow will emerge, but who knows? Natural dyeing is more art than science.

Comfrey in New England is a perennial known for its abundant proliferation. Its tiny flowers start to blossom in  June, but the flowers aren’t used for dyeing. Medicinally, comfrey has been used to treat bruises, sores, broken bones, hemorrhoids ( there they are again), gout and joint pain. It used to be eaten in salads and tonics but has been found to cause liver damage.

Eyelash Yarn Christmas Tree

These trees are so pretty, and could not be simpler to make. All you need is a styrofoam cone, some glittery eyelash yarn in your choice of color ( I like the silver, gold, and white), and some glue.  Pattern available here .