Strawberry Pattern

Strawberry Pattern

The last fruit for my Carmen Miranda hat is the strawberry.  I decided to make the strawberries in purl so the surface would resemble seeds on a strawberry.  The pattern also helps to hold the strawberry shape since purl stitches don’t like to curl around.

The leaves for my strawberries are tatted.  I chose this method to make stiff leaves that would jiggle when the hat was worn.  Normal strawberry leaves lie flat on the top, so if I wanted to be more realistic I would have sewn them down. 

The strawberries are all different sizes.  This pattern gives you a general how to.  Adjust as you need.

Materials:

1 skein yarn in red.  I used  Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn.

1 ball of crochet cotton in green. 

Double-pointed needles in size 6.

Batting (optional)  Weight is an issue for my strawberries, so I didn’t use any stuffing.  The result is slim, rather carrot-looking strawberries.

Yarn needle

Tatting shuttle

Instructions:

Use cable cast on for three stitches, leaving a long string. You will need this later to hold the top of the strawberry in place.  Divide stitches evenly around needles, careful not to twist the yarn. 

Row 1: Knit front and back to increase stitch count to 6.  Ensure the string stays on the purl side.

Row 2: Knit front and back to increase stitch count to 12. 

Knit one or two rounds, then Knit front and back to increase the stitch count to 24.  You will see that the yarn forms a tube with the purl stitches in the inside of the needles and the knit on the outside. 

Knit several rounds until you feel you have the top of your strawberry complete and are ready to decrease.  Push the end of the tube up through the needles, so this end doesn’t get caught in the decrease rows.

Next row: Knit 2 stitches together (K2tog) to decrease the stitch count to 12.  If this decrease seems too abrupt for you, K2tog every other stitch, or whatever looks right to you.

Stuffing:  If you’re going to use stuffing, Wad enough batting to stuff the strawberry shape and place in the middle of your stitches.  Ensure the purl side shows as the right side.

Next row: : K2tog to decrease stitch count to 6.

Last row: K2tog to decrease stitch count to 3.  Draw the end of your yarn through the last three stitches pull together.  Knot.

Using a yarn needle, pull the yarn from the beginning of your strawberry through the middle and out the bottom.  Give enough tension that the top of the strawberry is flat or a little concave, whichever you prefer.  The flatter the top of the strawberry, the flatter the leaves will lie. 

Leaves:

Tat 5 rounds with about 1/3 to 1/2 inch (I used the width of a fingertip) space in between.  Each round consists of 10ds+10ds.  Take another strand of cotton and tie the between spaces together.  Using this thread and both end threads, attach the leaves to the strawberry.

Grapes

The next step on my Carmen Miranda hat was the grapes.  These were a little frustrating because they went so fast.  It was kinda fun, however, to watch the pile grow.

Grape Pattern

 Remember to leave long ends on each grape for binding into a bunch.

Materials:

1 skein yarn in green or purple.  I used  Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn.

Double-pointed needles in size 6.

Batting.  I have a friend who gives me her leftover batting from quilting.  Nice to have friends, huh?

Yarn needle

Instructions:

Use cable cast on for three stitches.  Place evenly around needles, careful not to twist the yarn.

Row 1: Knit front and back to increase stitch count to 6.

Row 2: Knit front and back to increase stitch count to 12.

Grape body: Knit rounds until the body is as long as you’d like.  Some grapes are more cylindrical and some more round.  Having variety in a bunch makes the grapes look a little more realistic.

Stuffing:  Wad enough batting to stuff the grape into a roughly grape shape and place in the middle of your stitches.  Ensure the knit side shows as the right side.

Next to last row: Knit 2 stitches together (K2tog) to decrease stitch count to 6.  If you’ve been keeping track of the first stitch, try to Knit opposite of your increase stitches.  This helps to keep your grape round at the ends.

Last row: K2tog to decrease stitch count to 3.  Draw the end of your yarn through the last three stitches pull together.  Knot.

Using a yarn needle, pull the yarn end through the center of the grape to the first row. 

When you are done with the individual grapes, take three grapes and knot the ends together using an overhand knot.  Take a few more grapes (depending on whether you want a full 3D bunch or are laying it up against fabric) and knot the next bunch with an overhand knot.  You can start trimming the stick-out ends, or trim lengths to keep the “stem” thin. 

The further away from the grapes you place your knots, the more the grapes will bounce when the garment is worn.

Sew the grape bunch to the garment.  

Bananas

To begin my next project, a Carmen Miranda hat, I started with bananas.  They ended up to be the most fun item to knit.

Items Needed
Yellow yarn.  I used one skein of Red Heart Super Saver acrylic yarn.  It will hold its color well, and the yarn is stiff enough to hold the banana architecturally.
Size 6 needles.

Banana Pattern
Loosely cast on 24 stitches.
Row 1: Starting on the wrong side, knit 24 stitches.
Row 2: Knit 22 stitches. Place stitch marker.
Row 3: Knit 20 stitches.  Place stitch marker.
Row 4: Knit 18 stitches. Place stitch marker.
Row 5: Knit 16 stitches. Place stitch marker.
Row 6: Knit 18 stitches. Remove stitch marker as you pass it.
Row 7: Knit 20 stitches. Remove stitch marker as you pass it.
Row 8: Knit 22 stitches.  Remove stitch marker as you pass it.
Row 9: Knit 24 stitches. Remove stitch marker as you pass.  You now have a half surfboard shape.  As you complete sides, this will become a full surfboard that pulls the banana into shape.
Row 10: Purl 24 stitches.  This gives you a gentle corner. Start again at row 1 for the next side.
Repeat until you have completed 5 sides.  At row 9 of the fifth side, cast off loosely.
Seam the edges from the right side.  You will see that the banana keeps its shape with very little encouragement.
If you like, use black or brown thread to sew an end on the banana.

You can set them side-by-side to create a bunch.
These are also VERY fun to throw at your children.  They laugh a lot.

Kahlo

I watched a movie and documentary about the life of Frida Kahlo.  What an interesting woman.  I must say her art both attracts and repels my interest.  She'd probably be pretty content with that.

Wouldn't it be interesting to make a scarf in "Kahlo" colors?  It would have to be different, unexpected, asymmetrical and eye-catching.

Result: this thing.  I call it the Kahlo scarf. The part folded at the top of the picture is blue with the black i-cord border all around it.

No Bite

My dog firmly believes anything that holds my attention must be worth eating, or biting at least.  When I first began tatting in front of him he was fascinated by the shuttle.  It's metal and shines nicely.  His nose got closer and closer until he tentatively licked the string.  "No." Sent him back to my daughter's lap where he watched me from a safe distance.

As he grows older his interest in the action has waned, but his fascination with the materials continues.  He sniffs cotton thread with socially polite interest.  Wool, however, has his undivided attention.  We actually have to resort to "No bite" to keep him at a safe distance. Ah how his eyes shine.

Before I open the package, I offer it to him to check out.  He snifs, looks at me and pushes at the plastic with his nose.  This is asking permission to chew.  I tell him "no."  He sits down beside me on the couch and watches me cast on.  He has even been known to let me lean the pattern against him for a little while.  All so that he can breathe in the delicious perfume of undyed, lanolin-kissed fibres.

Dream on, little broomstick cowdog.  The wool is mine.

Seams Like Heaven

The arran sweater is done.

Challenge: My husband is rather Santa-shaped and knitting patterns really don't accommodate him.  He wanted an arran sweater with a real Scots feel.  He wanted undyed wool, preferably dark, and a unique design like the fisherman legend.

We chose several patterns that we liked, then decided on Mrs. Laidlaw's guernsey pattern, and a simple cable. Since I felt we needed three patterns to complete the front, I made diamonds to match the Mrs. Laidlaw's pattern.  Back and front would be the same, and the sides would be moss stitch.

Because of many [MANY] fittings, the sweater fits him perfectly. It covers down to the tops of his pants pockets and the sleeves are roomy for casting.  Time to fish in cool weather!  It even looks good with his Greek fishing cap.

The sleeves are only the Laidlaw and the diamond pattern.  They work well together and the increases worked beautifully.  Seaming through the moss stitch was quick and looks perfect.

I'm so glad he likes it!

The Scot

I finished the neck of my husband's arran.  Since I've designed it without a formal pattern, I try it on him at each step.  Terribly afraid all the time and energy spent will result in a non-fitting guernsey - not acceptable.  I draped the almost-finished work over his shoulders.  His response: "It looks like you skinned a Scot."

Ewwwwww.

Giant Cowl

This is a project I did a few years ago.  When I think about it seriously it was (gasp!) 15 years ago.

Plan behind project: I was a single mom handling two little kids.  In the morning I'd have everyone ready to go, in their coats, hats, and scarves and be heading out of the door.  While holding my work tote, purse, kid's school stuff, and kids I was constantly trying to deal with my scarf. It unseats itself every time I bend over which is every two minutes.  Bend, throw.  Bend, throw. Drop tote, throw.  It is VERY important that I stay warm all of the time, so getting rid of the scarf isn't an option.  What do do to make my life a little easier?

Make a scarf that is warm, stays put, and looks kinda elegant.  In that order.

At the time I worked for a company that wanted its employees to look good each work day.  Office suits, fancy shoes, conservative hair (seriously).  Think IBM in the 80's.

Project: The Giant Cowl.  A stockinette scarf that is 2 feet wide and 5 feet long, sewn into a cylinder.  Folded over half-way and twisted around my neck, or up over my head, it is warm and stays put.  I get kids to school with slightly less fuss and when I get to work I unwind the scarf and let it fall down my back.  It looks like the back of a Hollywood ball gown.  Very nice on the work dress ethic.  Amazingly it stays out of my way all the way to the work cube where it rolls into a small cylinder and fits in my coat pocket.

Pluses: Stockinette is  a stitch that allows single mothers to knit mindlessly while watching TV and children.

Shown here across the top of my well-upholstered office chair.  It has served me well.

Result: Success.  I stayed warm and sane.  I made scarves for my family members that Christmas.  Made Mobius strip versions  for my IT friends.  Mobius versions are easier to twist over the head as a hat.

Knitting

Most of this blog, I expect, will be about knitting.

I'm not accustomed to discussing my main hobby.  I've been knitting since I was a little kid.  I can't remember the first time anyone gave me knitting needles and started me on the stitches.  Even casting on comes naturally to my fingers and I have to actually do it to be able to describe it to others.  I do remember that my first needles of my very own were size 8 and different colors.  Of course I still have them.

In college I met people just as interested in knitting as myself.  We are all still friends.  One day one of the major hobby stores was having a BIG sale, so I bought enough yarn to make my next 5 projects.  I showed up at the next get together with my bags ready to share.  One girl's mother asked, in her silky Oklahoma accent, "Does the one of you who dies with the most yarn win?"

Heady days.

My knitting days almost came to an end when the children arrived.  Two babies and a full-time job meant no money for yarn or patterns, so my needles went into a box that grew a dust hat.  I did have a short fling with a cheap knitting machine.  It broke.

I should mention here that I am extremely accomplishment oriented.  Very rarely do I have projects that go unfinished.  Small stash in a hat box.

I can't remember when I started knitting again.  It's pretty much my relaxation - sit in front of the TV hobby.  OK, it's very hard for me to sit still in front of the TV.  I feel I must be accomplishing something all of the time.  Something new.  Something different.  Maybe something exciting.

Now, I knit almost every night.  My husband and I have to actually plan non-knitting activities or I just head to the slightly saggy comfy side of the couch and start in.  I knit, husband has the remote.  Peace reigns.

Beginning

OK, I shall start blogging again.  I tried once, but stopped because the things I had to say were depressing.  I have a disability.  I live with it, as do my family.  It's tough and it gets me down.  That started starring in my blog and that is not the person or persona I want to show.

So here we are - on the new blog.

I'm knitting a Carmen Miranda hat.  My daughter was visiting from college and said "Wouldn't it be funny if you knitted me a fruit bowl hat?"  Yes it is.  I have the bananas, strawberries, and grapes nearly done - just a few details yet.  The turban is knitted, but I need something to put it on to shape it before I sew the seams.

Here is the snag:  I can't find anything that is the circumference of her head.  Soccer ball is WAY too big.  Large dog toy ball is too small.

My husband has begun to look at me strangely.  He knows I'm judging every round object in the house as a possible head form and it's beginning to bother him.  His head is also about the same size as hers, but I don't see him sitting still while I stitch an inside-out turban on it.

I'm also getting ready to put the collar on his arran sweater.  We designed it together and are excited to see it finished.  I think I'll do that next.

OH by the way I bought a knitting bowl and I love it.  It's a pottery bowl with a hole that allows you to unravel a ball of yarn as you knit without a) fascinating the dog so much he has to come investigate and b) trying to cage the ball as it whirls around.  It works beautifully, as long as your ball of yarn is small enough to fit.  If I find a larger one, I'll invest in it too.

Here is the bowl on my worktable.   To the right is the turban and on the left you see the almost complete arran.

Thus endeth the first post.