I'm a proud Bernat blogger now. I have been blogging on Bernat's website for over a year now. You can see all my posts here: Shandeh's Posts on Bernat Blog
At the end of this month (Feb 28th), Bernat will be hosting a new KAL/CAL, where we will all be knitting and crocheting baby blankets for charity. AWESOME! The blankets will be donated to Project Linus, to keep some needy babies warm. I always enjoy knitting for charity, so this KAL/CAL is very close to my heart.
As part of this particular KAL/CAL, Bernat will be adding a discussion forum, so it will be easier for us all to talk about our blankets. Stay tuned for more details on that!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Bernat's Fast Cowl Patterns
I have noticed lately that cowls are very much in style. Scarves are popular too, but cowls are easier to wear. No need to tuck in any ends when you wear them. And they are very quick to make! Not much yarn either. Great for a fast, fun project. And you can wear them every day this time of year. Love it!
Here are some nice cowl patterns I've found on the Bernat Yarn website.
Bernat Yarn Cowl Patterns:
Crocheted Alpaca Cluster Cowl
Bernat's "Alpaca Natural Blends" yarn is so soft!
Knitted Mosaic Cowl
I would love to see this cowl made with each of the beautiful colors of Bernat "Mosaic" yarn.
Crochet Alpaca Hooded Cowl
Knitted Roving "Last Minute" Cowl
I really love the look of this one, because of the pretty cables. And the "Roving" yarn is very thick, so this would be SUPER fast to knit!
Crocheted Softee Chunky Neckwarmer
This neckwarmer looks so classy! And would be perfect to show off some fancy buttons. It could be made with any of Bernat's "bulky" yarns.
I want to make some cowls for myself, my friends, and some family members. Now, I just need to decide which ones I like best!
Here are some nice cowl patterns I've found on the Bernat Yarn website.
Bernat Yarn Cowl Patterns:
Crocheted Alpaca Cluster Cowl
Bernat's "Alpaca Natural Blends" yarn is so soft!
Knitted Mosaic Cowl
I would love to see this cowl made with each of the beautiful colors of Bernat "Mosaic" yarn.
Crochet Alpaca Hooded Cowl
Knitted Roving "Last Minute" Cowl
I really love the look of this one, because of the pretty cables. And the "Roving" yarn is very thick, so this would be SUPER fast to knit!
Crocheted Softee Chunky Neckwarmer
This neckwarmer looks so classy! And would be perfect to show off some fancy buttons. It could be made with any of Bernat's "bulky" yarns.
I want to make some cowls for myself, my friends, and some family members. Now, I just need to decide which ones I like best!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Hailey's Blanket Complete!
Yippee! Break out the bubbly! Time to celebrate the completion of Hailey's handknitted blanket. :)
It took over a year to knit this blanket. I designed it as I went along, just making squares with Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in the colors Fern, Med Sea Green, Pale Antique Rose, and Lavender. Using size 10 1/2 knitting needles, I cast on 30 stitches to knit each square. I stopped knitting when each square was "square". I made some of them in garter stitch, a couple in seed stitch, and 5 in stockinette. I drew a little diagram on a piece of paper, to help me see when I had enough squares, and to keep my choice of colors symmetrical. (I'm OCD about things being in symmetry.) :P
There are lots of re-writes on my diagram, because I changed my mind a lot as I went along. I even made two extra squares without even realizing it! I used two colors of yarn in a slip stitch pattern called "Partridge Eye" to knit those.
As it turned out, I didn't like the way they looked with the blanket, so I'm glad they were extras!
The duplicate stitch embroidery was done with the same yarn, using a leaflet called "A Beginner's Guide to Duplicate Stitch" by Hickory Hollow. I did the letters for Hailey's name on my own. Part of the rose design was stitched with Bernat Baby Coordinates Chunky in "Cosy Rosy".
Lots of counting and planning was involved with the embroidery layout. Again, my OCD was hard at work. I even went so far as to put the flower design in my computer's Paint program, then clicking "reverse image" to get the leaves on opposite sides for the blanket. It would have driven me crazy for the leaves to be on the same sides. ACK!
It's good that I have a hobby that needs this kind of detail work. Otherwise, I'd be knit-picking my husband to death. (Maybe that's why he always encourages me to knit? Hmmmmmmm.)
Anyway, back to my original story.....
When I was satisfied with all the embroidery, I laid it out to see how it fit together. Nice!
Next, I just needed to decide how to seam it all together. Usually, I seam back and forth on the right side, kind of like mattress stitch. But, this time, I went with a simple whipstitch....again on the right side, using lavender yarn all around. It turned out great!
Here's a close view of the center square, so you can see how the seaming looks:
When all the squares were seamed together, I got started on the border. First, I used single crochet in "Lavender" all around. Next, I switched to "Pale Antique Rose", and went up one side. Then, I noticed that I was almost out of that color, so I changed to Bernat Baby Coordinates Chunky in "Cosy Rosy" for the top, then back to the Softee Chunky in "Pale Antique Rose" for the other long side, then back to "Cosy Rosy" for the bottom.
After that, I did a double crochet border all around in "Med Sea Green". Then, I switched to "Fern" and did single crochet. My last section of the border was done with the "Lavender" yarn, in a simple shell stitch. I don't know if it's the correct way to do a shell stitch, but I did it anyway. The stitch repeat for the shell is this: *SC, chain 1, skip next stitch, 3 DC in following stitch, chain 1, skip next stitch*. I settled on that after trying a few different things.
I hope Hailey likes her new blanket. I know I do!
It took over a year to knit this blanket. I designed it as I went along, just making squares with Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in the colors Fern, Med Sea Green, Pale Antique Rose, and Lavender. Using size 10 1/2 knitting needles, I cast on 30 stitches to knit each square. I stopped knitting when each square was "square". I made some of them in garter stitch, a couple in seed stitch, and 5 in stockinette. I drew a little diagram on a piece of paper, to help me see when I had enough squares, and to keep my choice of colors symmetrical. (I'm OCD about things being in symmetry.) :P
There are lots of re-writes on my diagram, because I changed my mind a lot as I went along. I even made two extra squares without even realizing it! I used two colors of yarn in a slip stitch pattern called "Partridge Eye" to knit those.
As it turned out, I didn't like the way they looked with the blanket, so I'm glad they were extras!
The duplicate stitch embroidery was done with the same yarn, using a leaflet called "A Beginner's Guide to Duplicate Stitch" by Hickory Hollow. I did the letters for Hailey's name on my own. Part of the rose design was stitched with Bernat Baby Coordinates Chunky in "Cosy Rosy".
Lots of counting and planning was involved with the embroidery layout. Again, my OCD was hard at work. I even went so far as to put the flower design in my computer's Paint program, then clicking "reverse image" to get the leaves on opposite sides for the blanket. It would have driven me crazy for the leaves to be on the same sides. ACK!
It's good that I have a hobby that needs this kind of detail work. Otherwise, I'd be knit-picking my husband to death. (Maybe that's why he always encourages me to knit? Hmmmmmmm.)
Anyway, back to my original story.....
When I was satisfied with all the embroidery, I laid it out to see how it fit together. Nice!
Next, I just needed to decide how to seam it all together. Usually, I seam back and forth on the right side, kind of like mattress stitch. But, this time, I went with a simple whipstitch....again on the right side, using lavender yarn all around. It turned out great!
Here's a close view of the center square, so you can see how the seaming looks:
When all the squares were seamed together, I got started on the border. First, I used single crochet in "Lavender" all around. Next, I switched to "Pale Antique Rose", and went up one side. Then, I noticed that I was almost out of that color, so I changed to Bernat Baby Coordinates Chunky in "Cosy Rosy" for the top, then back to the Softee Chunky in "Pale Antique Rose" for the other long side, then back to "Cosy Rosy" for the bottom.
After that, I did a double crochet border all around in "Med Sea Green". Then, I switched to "Fern" and did single crochet. My last section of the border was done with the "Lavender" yarn, in a simple shell stitch. I don't know if it's the correct way to do a shell stitch, but I did it anyway. The stitch repeat for the shell is this: *SC, chain 1, skip next stitch, 3 DC in following stitch, chain 1, skip next stitch*. I settled on that after trying a few different things.
I hope Hailey likes her new blanket. I know I do!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Finishing up a Blanket for Hailey
For the past year and a half, I've been working on a blanket for my step-granddaughter, Hailey. She asked for a warm blanket, made with purple and green yarns. I'm using Bernat Softee Chunky in Fern Green, Medium Sea Green, Lavender, and Pale Antique Rose. Been making it up as I go along, just making odd squares.
I finally had enough squares ready last week.
Next, I decided to add some duplicate stitch embroidery on the stockinette squares. I'm using a leaflet by Hickory Hollow, called "A Beginner's Guide to Duplicate Stitch" for the heart and the flower designs.
After laying out all the squares, I've decided to not use the two color "woven-look" squares, because they just don't work with the design. I had already knit two pink seed stitch squares, so I'm using them instead. Maybe I'll make a pillow with the two leftover squares. We'll see.
My duplicate stitch embroidery ws complete, and I really loved the way it was looking! Now, I just needed to seam it all together.
I finally had enough squares ready last week.
Next, I decided to add some duplicate stitch embroidery on the stockinette squares. I'm using a leaflet by Hickory Hollow, called "A Beginner's Guide to Duplicate Stitch" for the heart and the flower designs.
After laying out all the squares, I've decided to not use the two color "woven-look" squares, because they just don't work with the design. I had already knit two pink seed stitch squares, so I'm using them instead. Maybe I'll make a pillow with the two leftover squares. We'll see.
My duplicate stitch embroidery ws complete, and I really loved the way it was looking! Now, I just needed to seam it all together.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
2011 - Happy New Year Coffee Sleeve Pattern
KH New Year’s Eve 2011
Sleeve for Large Coffee Drinks
Designed by Shandeh, for the Knitting Help Forum
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Every year, I host a New Year's Eve Party in the Knitting Help Forum. We have a lot of fun, talking, knitting, and ringing in the New Year all over the US. This year, there will be prizes, and we will also be knitting this coffee sleeve together, as a memento of our event. :)
This is a large coffee sleeve, to keep our hands warm while we enjoy our favorite iced coffee drinks or milkshakes. Yum!
Of course, the sleeve can also be used for hot drinks. Freedom to the knitters!
Gauge: 18 stitches over 4” in stockinette stitch
Size 7 knitting needles
Worsted weight acrylic or wool yarn in 5 contrasting solid colors
Yarn needle for weaving in loose ends
The sample is knit in the following colors:
Main Color (MC) – Black
A – Pink
B – Yellow
C – White
D – Green
KFB: Knit into the front and the back of the same stitch, making two stitches out of one stitch.
Instructions:
Using main color (MC), cast on 34 stitches.
Row 1, 2, 3 & 4: K1, KFB, Knit to end of row.
Row 5: This will be the first row of the charted design (See below).
Knit 9 stitches, then attach color A, and follow chart for Row 5, reading right to left, knitting every stitch.
Row 6: Purl every stitch, following Row 6 of chart, reading left to right.
Row 7: Knit every stitch, following Row 7 of chart, reading right to left.
(you will add color B on this row)
Row 8: Purl every stitch, following Row 8 or chart, reading left to right.
Continue in this manner, reading knit rows from right to left, and purl rows from left to right, adding colors as needed, according to chart.
When you finish chart on Row 24, continue knitting with main color as follows:
Row 25 & 26: K1, KFB, Knit to end of row.
Row 27 & 28: Knit every stitch
Row 29: Bind Off very loosely, leaving long tail for seaming.
Adjust loose yarn ends at color changes, checking to make sure it looks good on the right side.
Weave in ends securely on back. Sew back seam closed, and weave in final loose ends.
Enjoy your comfy coffee sleeve!
CHART:
Sleeve for Large Coffee Drinks
Designed by Shandeh, for the Knitting Help Forum
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
Every year, I host a New Year's Eve Party in the Knitting Help Forum. We have a lot of fun, talking, knitting, and ringing in the New Year all over the US. This year, there will be prizes, and we will also be knitting this coffee sleeve together, as a memento of our event. :)
This is a large coffee sleeve, to keep our hands warm while we enjoy our favorite iced coffee drinks or milkshakes. Yum!
Of course, the sleeve can also be used for hot drinks. Freedom to the knitters!
Gauge: 18 stitches over 4” in stockinette stitch
Size 7 knitting needles
Worsted weight acrylic or wool yarn in 5 contrasting solid colors
Yarn needle for weaving in loose ends
The sample is knit in the following colors:
Main Color (MC) – Black
A – Pink
B – Yellow
C – White
D – Green
KFB: Knit into the front and the back of the same stitch, making two stitches out of one stitch.
Instructions:
Using main color (MC), cast on 34 stitches.
Row 1, 2, 3 & 4: K1, KFB, Knit to end of row.
Row 5: This will be the first row of the charted design (See below).
Knit 9 stitches, then attach color A, and follow chart for Row 5, reading right to left, knitting every stitch.
Row 6: Purl every stitch, following Row 6 of chart, reading left to right.
Row 7: Knit every stitch, following Row 7 of chart, reading right to left.
(you will add color B on this row)
Row 8: Purl every stitch, following Row 8 or chart, reading left to right.
Continue in this manner, reading knit rows from right to left, and purl rows from left to right, adding colors as needed, according to chart.
When you finish chart on Row 24, continue knitting with main color as follows:
Row 25 & 26: K1, KFB, Knit to end of row.
Row 27 & 28: Knit every stitch
Row 29: Bind Off very loosely, leaving long tail for seaming.
Adjust loose yarn ends at color changes, checking to make sure it looks good on the right side.
Weave in ends securely on back. Sew back seam closed, and weave in final loose ends.
Enjoy your comfy coffee sleeve!
CHART:
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas Projects
We had some icy snowy weather in Charlotte, NC, so I was stuck at home for the holidays. So, I've been finishing up some more projects for Christmas. I guess it was a mixed blessing! Snow, and more time for knitting. Gotta love it. :)
I've made several knitted and crocheted cloths.
I also knit a hat for my dad:
And now, I'm making a matching scarf for him:
I'm also pulling out some other projects I started a long time ago. Maybe I'll be able to finish some of them this week, while I'm stuck at home.
I've made several knitted and crocheted cloths.
I also knit a hat for my dad:
And now, I'm making a matching scarf for him:
I'm also pulling out some other projects I started a long time ago. Maybe I'll be able to finish some of them this week, while I'm stuck at home.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Two Completed Christmas Stockings
Christmas is only 10 days away, so I made myself finish up the two vintage Christmas stockings I've been working on. Today was the day, and they are both complete now! Woo Hoo!
Here's the green version of the "Old Time Santa" by Mary Maxim. My mother-in-law gave me the vintage kit, and I followed it from beginning to end. It involved a lot of knitting, which included two kinds of colorwork (stranded and intarsia). When the knitting was complete, I had to weave in all the ends (took forEVER!!), then I added the gold beads, a bell, green and red ribbon bows, and gold thread embroidery. The last step was adding the name with duplicate stitch, and seaming up the back.
Here's the back side of the green stocking:
The other stocking I've been finishing up was the "Mr Claus" Santa Stocking (another vintage Mary Maxim kit from my mother-in-law). I added some extra decorations with duplicate stitch, and did some embroidery, beads, and bells.
Here's the back of that one:
Here's the green version of the "Old Time Santa" by Mary Maxim. My mother-in-law gave me the vintage kit, and I followed it from beginning to end. It involved a lot of knitting, which included two kinds of colorwork (stranded and intarsia). When the knitting was complete, I had to weave in all the ends (took forEVER!!), then I added the gold beads, a bell, green and red ribbon bows, and gold thread embroidery. The last step was adding the name with duplicate stitch, and seaming up the back.
Here's the back side of the green stocking:
The other stocking I've been finishing up was the "Mr Claus" Santa Stocking (another vintage Mary Maxim kit from my mother-in-law). I added some extra decorations with duplicate stitch, and did some embroidery, beads, and bells.
Here's the back of that one:
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About Me
- Shandeh
- I'm a forum moderator and blogger for Spinrite Yarns (www.yarnspirations.com), and I spend WAY too much time there. :D You can also find me on the Knitting Help Forum occasionally
