tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49533440165579596482024-02-03T23:32:03.398-08:00Once Upon a YarnFrothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-26408249268346625412010-09-21T12:43:00.000-07:002010-09-21T13:01:05.106-07:00Who is this person? And where did the blogs go?Egad, it's been a busy year. I've been working like crazy at my job, and I've been going out of town for it a lot. And for house sitting. And to visit my family in Florida. And finally, most of that has slowed down, and I actually have a little *gasp* free time. Not that I'm spending it idly, mind you.<div><br /></div><div>Okay, maybe a little. But I've been working on my knitting lately too, especially socks. They are great for car trips or lonely nights in a faraway house or hotel. They're small, and intensive, and they take a lot of time. A friend of mine recommended the book <i>Getting Started Knitting Socks</i> by Ann Budd. It's a winner. Socks are way easier than they seem, but they take a lot of time. Ankle socks, though...</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll have more patterns soon. I've got an little owlet in the works, and a ribby little scarf, too.</div>Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-41892442329832413292010-01-09T08:21:00.000-08:002010-01-09T08:47:45.486-08:00Tuned OutI tune things out when I crochet, and I also do this when I blog about crochet. Actually, I do this with pretty much any mildly repetitive task that involves the smallest bit of focus. Tuning things out is great for my projects, because it means that I mess up less often and get things done a lot faster. It does, however drive my boyfriend bonkers. I literally do not hear when he is talking to me. If he needs to tell me something, he will have to actually nudge me on the shoulder. Sometimes more than once. Okay, usually more than once.<br /><br />This is why I tend to crochet mostly when I'm home alone. I do have a group that I meet with every two weeks or so, which I love. They are a great bunch, and that's why I try really hard to not get super focused. I don't want to tune out any of them. This usually means that I work a tiny bit on multiple projects, spending more time hanging out than doing any serious work. Crocheting at home alone isn't really a bad thing though. I enjoy my time alone, I get bunches done, and nobody is bothered when I ignore the world.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-82380163130628485142010-01-04T16:31:00.001-08:002010-01-04T17:39:36.839-08:00Splittens!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QSPmemn0unhd5yiU_MAQFGqHqmGfWQl7bZsSLfa4XxPvCnj8ksOCDYaQMaPkEmBMJXqhsEz8eWx5qdHp9s22-R2pWnl7q0632Gcq9IfgQZKD-Vc7dH2wf_4ZIxm5cSAjdOGLuRn9Brzn/s1600-h/DSCF3058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QSPmemn0unhd5yiU_MAQFGqHqmGfWQl7bZsSLfa4XxPvCnj8ksOCDYaQMaPkEmBMJXqhsEz8eWx5qdHp9s22-R2pWnl7q0632Gcq9IfgQZKD-Vc7dH2wf_4ZIxm5cSAjdOGLuRn9Brzn/s320/DSCF3058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423047184626227362" border="0" /></a>These split-finger mittens are great for cold, wintery bike rides. The split makes it easier to use the brakes, and keeping your fingers together keeps them nice and toasty. They work up pretty quickly and easily, although they get a bit tricky where the fingers join.<br /><br />This pattern uses a DK weight yarn (Snowflake, by YarnBee) but a worsted weight will work just fine if not better. I used a size H hook. The gauge for this is 9 sts per 2 inches in dc. The gloves come in ladies size medium. They are pretty forgiving size-wise, but I'll add more sizes as soon as I can play with the pattern a bit more.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Big Fingers (make 2)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 5. Ch 3 more (counts as 1st dc), then dc in 4th ch from hook. 2 dc, hdc. in last ch, hdc, sc, hdc. Working on opposite side of ch, hdc, 3 dc. Join. (12 sts)<br />Rnd 2-7: dc around, joining each round. (12 sts)<br />Rnd 8: ch 1, 3 sc, 2 hdc, 3 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc. (12 sts)<br />Fasten off.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Small fingers (make 2)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 3. Ch 3 more (counts as 1st dc), then dc in 4th ch from hook. Hdc. In last ch, 3 sc. Working on opposite side of ch, hdc, dc. Join. (8 sts)<br />Rnd 2: ch 3. Dc, hdc, 3 sc inc, hdc, dc. (11 sts)<br />Rnd 3: ch 3. Dc, 2 hdc, sc, 2 sc inc, sc, 2 hdc, dc. (13 sts)<br />Rnd 4-7: dc around, joining each round. (13 sts)<br />Rnd 8: ch 1. 3 sc, 2 hdc, 4 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc. (13 sts)<br />Fasten off.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Thumb (make 2)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 4. Dc in 4th ch from hook. 8 dc in same ch. Join. (9 sts)<br />Rnd 2-5: dc around, joining each round. (9 sts)<br />Rnd 6: *2 dc, dc inc. Repeat from * 2 more times. Join. (12 sts)<br />Cut the yarn, leaving an 18 inch tail (enough for a few sl sts and to weave in). Hold the live stitch in place with a stitch marker (I use paper clips).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hand (make 2)</span><br />Arrange the <span style="font-style: italic;">Major Fingers</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Minor Fingers</span> so their tails are next to each other. Join yarn next to the one of the tails, and sl st the middle 2 stitches together.<br />Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc). Dc around, including in the 4 stitches that are sl st together. Join. (25 sts, count 'em to be sure. This is a tricky part.)<br />Rnd 2-6: dc around, joining each round. (25 sts)<br /><br />Hold the live stitch in place with a stitch marker (paperclip). Remove the stitch marker from the <span style="font-style: italic;">Thumb</span> and pick up the live stitch. Place the <span style="font-style: italic;">Thumb</span> in an appropriate location on the <span style="font-style: italic;">Major Fingers</span> side. Sl st it to the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span> using 3 sl sts. Fasten off. Pick up the live <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span> stitch and continue working the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span>.<br /><br />Rnd 7: dc around the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Thumb</span>, including in the 4 outermost stitches that are sl st together. Join. (32 sts, count 'em to be sure. This is a tricky part.)<br />Rnd 8: dc around. Join. (32 sts)<br />Rnd 9: *6 dc, dc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. Join. (28 sts)<br />Rnd 10: *5 dc, dc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. Join. (24 sts)<br />Rnd 11: *4 dc, dc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. Join. (20 sts)<br />Fasten. Weave in any ends.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cuff (make 2)</span><br />Join yarn to the end of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span>. Ch 7.<br />Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc across. Sl st in 2nd <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span> st from the join. Turn. (6 sts)<br />Row 2: ch 1. Sc across in back loop only. Turn. (6 sts)<br />Row 3: ch 1. Sc across in back loop only. Sl st in 2nd <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span> st from the last sl st. Turn. (6 sts)<br />Repeat rows 2 and 3 around the rest of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hand</span>. Sl st the last row to the ch to join the two ends of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Cuff</span>. Fasten off. Weave in ends.<br /><br />Happy riding!Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-3256268697439803992010-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:002010-01-02T19:41:55.756-08:00The Holiday Hiatus...is over. I work retail, and Christmas is like the final exam for it. No matter how much you prepare, it's never quite enough. You do get a paycheck instead of a letter grade (and instead of paying tuition) and that's pretty nice. Anyway, I've been busy, busy, busy. Over the past 2-3 weeks, I've been working my little (ch 4) tail off. I live in Austin, but I've gone to Houston and San Antonio both before Christmas, and a house-sitting gig in the suburbs during and after Christmas. So I haven't exactly been Posty McPosterson, but egad, I've been a busy little bee.<br /><br />I've picked up on the boyfriend Christmas socks, which are now boyfriend birthday socks. Hopefully. I'm a slow knitter. I've got some crochet patterns in the works. I need to replenish my stash, but the patterns should be up soon. I've got a neato pair of mittens coming up, and a brand new critter for the menagerie. Keep checking in! The patterns will be up soon.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-60800663711878234352009-12-19T15:12:00.000-08:002009-12-19T15:49:47.522-08:00Project FailI've had quite a few stinkers in my day. The first (and only) bolero I tried to make for myself wouldn't fit a toddler, I've got a half finished cardigan that looks more like a rug, and today I tried to make stash-busting coasters for our coffee table. Tried. Failed. It looks like a box of Crayolas exploded. For every nice thing that I make, I've probably got ten or twelve (or more) stinkers waiting to be frogged.<br /><br />Those few nice projects give me hope. I know I can make nice things. I just have to struggle for it. The struggle is good, though, even if it feels terrible at the time. In every horrible project hides a lesson, even if that lesson is that you can't make those colors work together, or that you really should check the gauge more carefully. Or, sometimes, the lesson is simply that not everything that looks nice on the model in the picture will look good on you. As for people who don't struggle, well, I've also learned it is okay to despise them. It's okay though. People like that don't really exist anyway.<br /><br />Recommended reading: <span style="font-style: italic;">Bird by Bird</span>, by Annie Lamott. True, it's about writing, but the same wit and wisdom goes for any craft that breeds frustration.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-64008727328925209792009-12-15T16:48:00.000-08:002009-12-15T17:25:12.154-08:00Happy Okapi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw24-2peMm2tBs8lNYShMIfVNRO85K67pl_BUbOfAUegOyORKSsRSwPeovHdPp77jg35WAz6n8p0b39UVoWZQ27iazO_Y1hCzoWrCFY6mGq3RPcMYYlCeCXvBSB1mQBulGGv47LjpEKHCt/s1600-h/DSCF3001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw24-2peMm2tBs8lNYShMIfVNRO85K67pl_BUbOfAUegOyORKSsRSwPeovHdPp77jg35WAz6n8p0b39UVoWZQ27iazO_Y1hCzoWrCFY6mGq3RPcMYYlCeCXvBSB1mQBulGGv47LjpEKHCt/s320/DSCF3001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415631650887894418" border="0" /></a><span>These are one of my favorite animals! They look like some kind of zebra-horse hybrid, but they are really closer to giraffes.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span> </span><span>The legs on this pattern use a technique of working in spirals that seems scary at first, but is really simple and quick once you get the hang of it.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Body</span><br />Make the <a href="http://onceuponayarn.blogspot.com/2009/12/basic-body.html">basic body</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Legs (make 4)</span><br />Rnd 1: starting in black, ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: work in a spiral. Sc 6 times. (6 st)<br />This is where things get fun. take your hook out of the black yarn. Use a stitch marker (I recommend paper clips) and place it in the loop to hold the stitch in place.<br />Rnd 3: in next st, join white. Ch 1. Sc 6 times (the last stitch will go into the held stitch). (6 st)<br />Rnd 4: remove marker from black yarn, and place it in white yarn. Using the black yarn, 6 sc (in the white stitches). (6 st)<br />Rnd 5: remove marker from white yarn, and place it in black yarn. Using the white yarn, 6 sc (in the black stitches). (6 st)<br />Rnd 6: repeat Rnd 4 (black). (6 st)<br />Rnd 7: repeat Rnd 5 (white), but sc 3 times. Sl 1, and fasten. Leave some tail for sewing.<br />Rnd 8: (black) sl 1, fasten.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Head</span><br />Rnd 1: starting in black, ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: work in a spiral. *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 2 more times (9 st) Sl 1, fasten.<br />Rnd 3: join white into sl st, ch 1 (counts as first sc). Sc 8 more times. (9 st)<br />Rnd 4-5: Sc. (9 st per rnd). Sl 1, fasten.<br />Rnd 6: join brown, ch 1 (counts as first sc). Sc, sc inc, *2 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 1 more time. (12 st)<br />Rnd 7: *3 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 2 more times. (15 st)<br />Rnd 8-9: sc. (15 st per rnd)<br />Rnd 10: *3 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 2 more times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 11: 6 sc dec. (6 st)<br />Fasten, leaving a tail for sewing.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Neck</span><br />Ch 10, join in first ch.<br />Rnd 1: sc. (10 st) Work in a spiral. <br />Rnd 2-3: sc. (10 st)<br />Rnd 4: 4 sc, 2 sc inc, 4 sc. (12 st)<br />Rnd 5: 5 sc, 2 sc inc, 5 sc. (14 st)<br />Rnd 6: 6 sc, 2 sc inc, 6 sc. (16 st) Sl 1, fasten. Leave some tail for sewing.<br />The increases form the front of the neck.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ears (make 2)</span><br />ch 5. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl 1, hdc, tr, hdc. Fasten off.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-20729754076857069842009-12-11T06:25:00.000-08:002009-12-11T07:05:34.598-08:00Bike Helmet Ear Warmers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84eOs0jVRMkXkinSW0xN8tozyfO3HzSyp8WhBKJzbTlef_lTP-VBvMpI9DzPXQQdcKhT21NUYMlSk0SQbTagZiJ1zp-WZ08wvzJ0j4kIed_vNvagQoJhgoeDRHSmHsSGNbsvA2-FOAh3b/s1600-h/DSCF2993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84eOs0jVRMkXkinSW0xN8tozyfO3HzSyp8WhBKJzbTlef_lTP-VBvMpI9DzPXQQdcKhT21NUYMlSk0SQbTagZiJ1zp-WZ08wvzJ0j4kIed_vNvagQoJhgoeDRHSmHsSGNbsvA2-FOAh3b/s320/DSCF2993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413986625549229346" border="0" /></a><br />Brr! Biking in winter needs some special gear. You usually can't wear hats under a bike helmet, and cold ears are a pain in the...ear. I've seen some patterns for similar things around, but they are all knit. I tried making some, but I think my aluminum dpns were covered in grease or something because I would just settle in to a row and all of a sudden I'd feel the plunk of a dpn falling out of all of the stitches and onto my lap.<br /><br />After turning those dpns into pointed projectiles, I pulled out a crochet hook. Here's what I came up with:<br /><br />Ear Warmers (Make 2)<br />Change colors as you wish. Since gauge is a little bit important here, go with 4 dc per inch.<br />Rnd 1: ch 12. join into first ch, ch 1. Sc into each ch. Join. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc). 11 dc. Join. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3: ch 3. dc in same st. Dc inc, 4 dc, 2 dc inc, 4 dc. Join. (16 st)<br />Rnd 4: ch 3. 2 dc inc, 6 dc, 2 dc inc, 5 dc. Join. (20 st)<br />Rnd 5: ch 3. dc, 2 dc inc, 8 dc, 2 dc inc, 6 dc. Join. (24 st)<br />Rnd 6: ch 3. 2 dc, 2 dc inc, 10 dc, 2 dc inc, 7 dc. Join. (28 st)<br />Rnd 7: ch 3. 3 dc, 2 dc inc, 12 dc, 2 dc inc, 8 dc. Join. (32 st)<br />Rnd 8: ch 3. 4 dc, 2 dc inc, 14 dc, 2 dc inc, 9 dc. Join. (36 st)<br />Rnd 9: ch 4. 2 dc, 2 hdc, sc, 2 sc inc, sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 6 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, sc, 2 sc inc, sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 5 tr. Join. (40 st)<br />Rnd 10: ch 1. 18 sc, ch 4. starting in next st, 22 sc. Join, fasten off.<br />Make 2 monk's cords and thread them through the back of each ear warmer at the top center. This will make ties that you can use to attach to your helmet. After securing, thread one end through the front loop and tie the two ends together.<br /><br />If you need extra rows, or if you don't feel like counting your stitches, make your increases into the 2 center stitches of the increases below. Dc everywhere else.<br /><br />Happy (warm) riding!Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-16643689060824243922009-12-07T16:10:00.000-08:002009-12-07T16:35:29.839-08:00Basic BodyThis makes makes a pretty nice sphere. One thing I learned from physics is that it's okay to assume the cow is spherical, so I went ahead and applied that to pretty much all animals. This is, therefore, a great base for almost any animal. <br /><br />The basic body is spherical, but it can also be stretched and modified very easily. The "Itty Bitty Elephant" pattern uses the basic body exactly, but the "Sleepy Sheep" pattern has the decreases spaced out by rows of single crochet for a longer body.<br /><br />You could just use it as a toy ball, but I'd be a bit squeamish about throwing around an animal torso. If that's your thing, though...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Basic Body</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, 6 sc. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, 6 sc inc. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3: *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 4: *2 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (24 st)<br />Rnd 5: *5 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 3 more times. (28 st)<br />Rnd 6: *6 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 3 more times. (32 st)<br />Rnd 7-9: sc. (32 st per rnd)<br />Rnd 10: *6 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. (28 st)<br />Rnd 11: *5 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. (24 st)<br />Rnd 12: *2 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 13: *sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 14: *sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (6 st)<br />Fasten off. Stuff it and sew shut.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-77868436693043094302009-12-05T12:03:00.001-08:002009-12-05T12:37:04.687-08:00Sleepy Sheep<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP8H-rD1lQHl7DVEUjNAY6L9xkGLonBrerSoKnMrjxHHRi0o5qXVv9JYaFZeccSyahNFK9Hjj7pQ0E0yDPWOJxL1iD1Xqk5yNHIRQmLDc7uCbMJwfMJ0VnK5RcxujvtKxYg4h0yusv5-j/s1600-h/DSCF2983.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP8H-rD1lQHl7DVEUjNAY6L9xkGLonBrerSoKnMrjxHHRi0o5qXVv9JYaFZeccSyahNFK9Hjj7pQ0E0yDPWOJxL1iD1Xqk5yNHIRQmLDc7uCbMJwfMJ0VnK5RcxujvtKxYg4h0yusv5-j/s320/DSCF2983.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411852860133190194" border="0" /></a>This pattern requires a few basic crochet skills: sc, hdc, sc inc, sc dec, sl, working in rounds, and basic sewing. Gauge does not matter.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Body (in white)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, 6 sc inc. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3: *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 4: *2 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (24 st)<br />Rnd 5: *5 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 3 more times. (28 st)<br />Rnd 6: *6 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 3 more times. (32 st)<br />Rnd 7-9: sc. (32 st per rnd)<br />Rnd 10: *6 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. (28 st)<br />Rnd 11: sc. (28 st)<br />Rnd 12: *5 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. (24 st)<br />Rnd 13: sc. (24 st)<br />Rnd 14: *2 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 15: sc. (18 st)<br />Rnd 16: *sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 17: sc. (12 st)<br />Rnd 18: sc dec 6 times. (6 st)<br />Rnd 19: sc. (6 st)<br />Sl 1. Fasten, with a tail long enough for sewing.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Head (start in gray)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, sc inc 6 times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3: *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Sl 1, fatsen off. Join white to sl st and ch 1.<br />Rnd 4: 4 sc, sc inc, *5 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 1 more time. (21 st)<br />Rnd 5-7: sc. (21 st per rnd)<br />Rnd 8: *5 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 2 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 9: *sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 10: sc dec 6 times. (6 st)<br />Fasten, with a tail long enough for sewing. Stuff the head and sew closed the remaining hole.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Nose (in gray)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, sc inc 6 times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3: sc (12 st)<br />Sl 1. Fasten, with a tail long enough for sewing. Stuff it and sew it to the head below the center of the face.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Legs (make 4, start in gray)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2-4: sc. (6 st per rnd)<br />Sl 1, fatsen off. Join white to sl st and ch 1.<br />Rnd 5: sc inc, *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 1 more time. (9 st)<br />Rnd 6-7: sc. (9 st per rnd)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tail (in white)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (4 st)<br />Rnd 2: *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 1 more time. (6 st)<br />Rnd 3: 3 sc, 3 hdc.<br />Sl 1, fasten off.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ears (make 2, in gray)</span><br />Row 1: Ch 4. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, 3 sc. Fasten off.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-28507756071249129072009-12-03T06:29:00.000-08:002009-12-03T07:00:15.208-08:00A Brief History of Knitting and MeKnitting is new to me. Well, not exactly. I kinda sorta picked it up when I was about eight or so, but not really. I stopped so I could play with a Skip-It or Sit 'n' Spin instead. They don't make those for grown ups, do they? No? What a shame. I think I tried knitting a little bit as a teen, but never got further than a cast on. I bent the needle and broke the yarn, so whatever I did, it certainly wasn't knitting.<br /><br />Fast forward to...well...lately. I've learned to crochet, which is awesome to no bounds. It's very free-form, which means I can make things up as I go. This means that sometimes I end up with something way cooler than what I envisioned. Oh, and if I make a mistake, I can just carelessly rip out those stitches and try again.<br /><br />Then knitting came around. I don't really know why I started. Maybe I thought that since all my friends are doing it, I should too. Probably not, but it did give me a bunch of people I could go to for help when I was frustrated enough to throw my needles across the room. Really, I probably started because I wanted to make nice things to wear. Crochet hats are nice, and scarves, but crochet socks are too bulky to wear with shoes and as far as sweaters go, well, let's just say I don't need any help to look chubby. That's not to say there aren't lovely crochet sweater patterns out there, but hey. I'm a curvy girl, and I need some stretch in my wearables.<br /><br />And thusly I began to knit, and it was not good. Not at first anyway. But I kept at it, and completed a few really small projects. First a wrist warmer (single, just the one, and I never wore it), two hats knitted on flat needles (which I wear regularly), and a basic garter stitch scarf (from which I am nigh inseparable). My knitting is much better now. I'm working on a pair of socks now that will probably be finished by Christmas (of 2010, if I work nonstop). I'm happy with it. I've learned.<br /><br />I still get frustrated and throw needles, but now the ones I throw are dpns and probably made of bamboo, not aluminum. Then I pick up one of my crochet projects and let the knitting frustration melt away.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-55971572411062062762009-12-01T17:59:00.001-08:002009-12-01T18:50:27.469-08:00Itty Bitty Elephant<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZ7ONkn97D2vRg6wdnzD7L8ordkgg2DcdT7uEoDRTNljv3pfrhhNQZlgD8yiAZ8ZmO3zSZc3ERF_F9742qaCWh1NzSCQ0p3sHPvjcD468nUqwJpKq9oZDEdFt1JkNQ56TFSixUxYpCo8g/s1600-h/DSCF2977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZ7ONkn97D2vRg6wdnzD7L8ordkgg2DcdT7uEoDRTNljv3pfrhhNQZlgD8yiAZ8ZmO3zSZc3ERF_F9742qaCWh1NzSCQ0p3sHPvjcD468nUqwJpKq9oZDEdFt1JkNQ56TFSixUxYpCo8g/s320/DSCF2977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410465702457474594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Itty Bitty Elephant</span><br /><br />My first pattern! This is a free pattern, but please do not sell the pattern as yours or sell an army of small elephants without my permission.<br /><br />This pattern requires a few basic crochet skills: sc, hdc, sc inc, sc dec, sl, working in rounds, and basic sewing. Gauge does not matter.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Body</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2. 6 sc in first ch. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, sc inc 6 times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3: *sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 4: *2 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 5 more times. (24 st)<br />Rnd 5: *5 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 3 more times. (28 st)<br />Rnd 6: *6 sc, sc inc. Repeat from * 3 more times. (32 st)<br />Rnd 7-9: sc. (32 st per rnd)<br />Rnd 10: *6 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. (28 st)<br />Rnd 11: *5 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 3 more times. (24 st)<br />Rnd 12: *2 sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (18 st)<br />Rnd 13: *sc, sc dec. Repeat from * 5 more times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 14: sc dec 6 times. Fasten, with a tail long enough for sewing.<br />Stuff the body and sew closed the remaining hole.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Head</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 20. Join to first ch. Sc in each ch. (20 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, 20 sc. (20 st)<br />Rnd 3: 4 sc dec, 10 sc, sc dec. (15 st)<br />Rnd 4: 3 sc dec, 9 sc. (12 st)<br />Rnd 5: 12 sc. (12 st)<br />Rnd 6: 2 sc dec, 8 sc. (10 st)<br />Rnd 7-10: 10 sc. (10 st per rnd)<br />Rnd 11: 1 sc dec, 2 sc, 1 sc dec, 4 hdc. (8 st)<br />Rnd 12: 4 sc, 4 hdc. (8 st)<br />Rnd 13: 2 sc dec, sc, 2 hdc, sc. (6 st)<br />Rnd 14-16: sc. (6 st per rnd)<br />Sl, then fasten off. Stuff it and sew it to the body. The top of the head should be about one stitch away from the top center of the body.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Legs (make 4)</span><br />Rnd 1: ch 2. 6 sc in first ch. (6 st)<br />Rnd 2: working in a spiral, sc inc 6 times. (12 st)<br />Rnd 3-5: sc (12 st per rnd)<br />Sl, then fasten off. Stuff them and sew them to the body.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ears (make 2)</span><br />Row 1: ch 5. Sc in next 4 ch from hook. Ch 1, turn. (4 st)<br />Row 2: sc inc, 2 sc, sc inc. Ch 1, turn. (6 st)<br />Row 3: sc inc, 4 sc, sc inc. Ch 1, turn. (8 sc)<br />Row 4: *sc, ch 3. Repeat from * 6 more times. Sc. (8 st)<br />Fasten off. Sew on the seam where the head meets the body.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tusks (optional, make 2)</span><br />Row 1: ch 4. starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl, sc, hdc. (3 st(<br />Fasten off. Sew them on the head.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tail</span><br />Row 1: With 2 strands held tog, ch 4.<br />Fasten off. Sew to the body.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4953344016557959648.post-40822359182844001072009-11-29T08:43:00.000-08:002009-11-29T08:53:58.097-08:00First Post!Howdy! Welcome to my blog. As you can see, I'm just moving in here. I may need to do some rearranging, but once I've got more posts up it will start to feel like home.<br /><br />This is going to be a fine place. I'm hoping to fill it up with knit and crochet patterns, maybe a few stories, and perhaps a few recipes as well. Book reviews may happen here, I'm not sure yet. I'll just post whatever feels right, and maybe 100 or so posts in I'll discover that my blog has a theme, and I'll take it from there.<br /><br />Until then, keep checking in! I'll have new things to share pretty soon.Frothydoghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444871828885501492noreply@blogger.com1