Category: My Knitting Designs

A look at each of my designs from start to finish.

XandO question mark

Marie Haigh3 Comments

Thank you to everyone who wished me good health! I managed to escape the worst of it. It took me a few days to get rid of the sore throat and the weak feeling, but I am grateful that it wasn’t any worse.

During my time away from Blogland, I got a bunch accomplished. The XandO thingamabob is finished. I have almost completed a doll quilt, cheater style. And I cooked … a lot. I am a firm believer that good, hearty food always cures what ails ya. So, I made a beef stew, pork with sauerkraut, danish rolls for breakfast, and butter cookies for snacking. Sorry, but I have no pictures of the quilt (since it’s not finished) or the food. I never remember to take pictures of the food. By the time I am ready to serve it up, I’ve spent hours in the kitchen and all I want to do is go sit down and enjoy my hard work.

So, I’ll just show off my XandO thingy.

I’m not sure what to call it anymore. It’s too big to be a dishcloth or a washcloth. It’s too small to be a blanket. It might be perfect as a burp cloth or a baby stroller lovey. Despite my naming problems, I am still working to type up the pattern. By the end of it, I had gotten into a rhythm. I actually enjoyed knitting the last 8 rows, so long as I didn’t have to knit another one until the next blue moon came around.

A X and O Washcloth

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I was rooting through my WIP basket last week and found a half-finished washcloth. It was more than a quarter of the way completed. I had enough yarn to finish it. I could think of no reason to leave it sulking in UFO land.

Then, I started to knit on it and remembered quite clearly why it had ended up in the UFO basket in the first place.

Remind me to never double knit anything ever again. Ever.

Well, maybe not ever.

I might double knit again as long as the following rules were enacted: one yarn only (no switching between colors) and one side knit at a time (slip stitch technique rather than knit two sides at once technique).

I do love the way double knitting looks.

This is the back side of the washcloth. It has been knit in all reverse stocking stitch and plain stocking stitch. As you can see, there is no curling. It lays perfectly flat.

So, the dirty secret behind this washcloth is that is wasn’t supposed to be a washcloth at all. It was simply going to be my swatch for a X and O baby blanket. Unless the blanket knits itself, it will never be. I’m exhausted just trying to complete the “washcloth”.

Here’s a pic of the front side and the reason it’s titled X and O.

Mailing the Afghan Today

Marie Haigh3 Comments
I talked to Dan about just keeping it. And kept it I did for a week, nicely folded, in our guest bedroom. It sat there all week long. It was never used. I never even touched it, except to occasionally pet it.

I thought of all the people I could give it to. It would make a great baby blanket until I realized that it would have to be hand washed and air dried. The chances of either my sister or my SIL hand washing a 36-inch afghan are not good. If I were a betting woman, I’d put a good thousand on it becoming a felted afghan.

I thought about keeping it myself. I wouldn’t use it; that’s for sure. I would want to display it, but we have no room for such displays.

Since I can’t think of a good home for it, I am sticking to my original plan. It will be shipped off to Syracuse, NY where it will join 800 other panels on an abandoned gas station. It can serve a purpose rather than sit in my cedar closet for months.

A final picture of it:

At the last moment, I crocheted a border around the outside. It was my neighbor’s idea. She recommended that I single crochet a border on all the edges. I inquired about doing a double crochet, but she was hesitant to agree. Not because she didn’t think it would look good, but because she is a one-crochet-stitch-kind-of-a-woman.

It appears I am too. I could only remember how to do a single crochet stitch. So, that’s what the afghan got. I should know better. I was taught how to crochet by both my MIL and my Aunt. It’s just different from riding your bike. You do forget if you don’t use it.

3 Ties Down …. 6 to Go

Marie Haigh5 Comments
I finished my 3rd tie to the Christmas Tree Skirt last night.

I have one more tie to make out of this hand spun yarn and then 5 more white ties. The goal is to finish it by August – well in advance of Christmas. In order to make sure I don’t fall off the wagon, I have made myself a strict schedule. One tie must be completed each month; no excuses.

This schedule thing is working well right now. The best laid plans always do start out with a fine flourish. I just hope I can keep this going in the middle of summer when it’s hot and the last thing I want to work with is wool.

Well, I’m going to try not to think about that now. It’s still winter and hopes are high.

Ode to Quilting Afghan

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I finished the last seam this afternoon. I think I let out a hoot. Jake was excited for me until he realized that we weren’t going outside to play and I didn’t have any treats for him.

Since I finished this afghan before the deadline to enter Lion Brand Yarn Slideshow Contest, I entered it. Vote for me! There are 400+ entries already, so I have no illusions of winning. Yet, this contest provided good motivation to complete the afghan early. Now I can take 6 zillion pictures before I have to mail it off early next month. It’s headed to the International Fiber Collaborative.

Although, I had originally planned to add a border around the whole afghan, I hesitate to add one now. I think it would detract from the blocks. What do you think?

On a side note, I can now boldly proclaim that I am a Master of Seaming. This project has taught me much about seaming.

As mentioned to both Knitsy Bitsy Spider and Mr. Puffy, I plan to compile all 9 block patterns into one downloadable PDF pattern. Please don’t expect to find it listed on my blog by tomorrow morning. It is going to take me some time to compile everything together. Additionally, I will be adding schematics, charts, and a seaming tutorial. Hopefully, I can pass some of my tips to you before you attempt to seam the blocks together.

One of my tips will be to not wait until the end to seam everything together. Jumping off a bridge will seem like a better idea. Ditto for weaving in your ends; the back side should Not look like a shag carpet.

OK, I’m going to shut up now and let the pictures say the rest.

The Front

The Back

Want more pictures? You can find the whole pictorial story from beginning to end in my Flickr album.

Scarf Applique Block, 9th and Last in Ode to Quilting Series

Marie Haigh4 Comments
Although I said I would post this pattern yesterday, I didn’t. I have a good excuse though. Yesterday was my 8th anniversary. Dan and I were supposed to go out for dinner to one of our favorite restaurants, Spinnerstown Hotel. The weather had other plans for us. It insisted that we stay home.

So, we did. We had spaghetti and meatballs for dinner while watching a baseball documentary. Then, we toasted with a glass of port and played Parcheesi. It was a fun and relaxing evening.

Pattern for Scarf Applique Block

Recommended Knitting skill level: Easy

Yarn: Lion’s Wool by Lion Brand or substitute any wool yarn from your stash that meets the below gauge specifications.
1. Color A = Ebony, 1 skein
2. Color B = Scarlet, 1 skein
3. Color C = Winter White, 1 skein
4. Color D = Pumpkin, 1 skein
5. Color E = Purple, 1 skein
6. Color F = Goldenrod, 1 skein

Needles: Lion’s Wool recommends size 8 (I used size 5)

Materials: Large blunt sewing needle and safety pins

Gauge: 3.75 stitches and 7 rows is 1 inch/2.5 cm in Garter Stitch.
4 stitches and 6 rows is 1 inch/2.5 cm in Stocking Stitch.

Garter Stitch Pattern: Knit all stitches.

Stocking Stitch Pattern: Knit all the stitches on the right side of the work; Purl all the stitches on the wrong side of the work.

Knitting Instructions:
In Color A, cast on 34 stitches.
Knit in Stocking Stitch until piece measures 8 inches.
Bind off all stitches.

In Color B, cast on 32 stitches.
Knit in Garter Stitch for 14 rows or until piece measures 2 inches.
Bind off.
Repeat these instructions, making two long rectangles.

In Color B, cast on 10 stitches.
Knit in Garter Stitch until piece measures 12 inches.
Bind off.
Repeat these instructions, making two tall rectangles.

Finishing Instructions, Part 1:
Take one Color B Long rectangle and place it directly underneath the bottom edge of the Color A square. Line up the edges. Make sure both pieces are facing up. Secure in place with safety pins. Seam together.

Take the second Color B Long rectangle and place it directly above the top edge of the Color A square. Line up the edges. Secure in place. Seam together.

Take one Color B Tall rectangle and place it directly next to the right sided edge of the Color A square. Line up the edges with the top and bottom of Color B long rectangles. Secure in place. Seam together.

Take the last Color B Tall rectangle and place it on the left sided edge of the Color A square. Repeat the above instructions.

Weave in all seams.

Scarf Instructions:
With Color C, cast on 6 stitches.
Knit in Garter Stitch with Color C for 16 rows.
Then, join in a ball of Color D. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a ball of Color E. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a ball of Color F. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a ball of Color B. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a new ball of Color C. Work 16 rows in Garter Stitch.
Repeat the last 5 rows of instructions once more.

Then, join in a ball of Color B. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a ball of Color F. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a ball of Color E. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a ball of Color D. Work 4 rows in Garter Stitch.
Then, join in a new ball of Color C. Work 16 rows in Garter Stitch.
Repeat the last 5 rows of instructions once more.
Bind off all stitches.
Weave in all ends.
If desired, add fringe to the bottom of scarf.

Finishing Instructions, Part 2:
Position the scarf to your liking inside the Color A square. Secure in place with safety pins.

Hand tack the scarf down only in the Color C sections. Using a running stitch, tack down all four sides down of each Color C section.

Pull the ends of the Color C yarn to the back of the block.

Weave in all ends.

What is Wrong with this Picture?

Marie Haigh8 Comments
Can you find my mistake?

Even with the dark light (the weather consisted of cloudy skies, snow squalls and howling winds), I think my mistake is fairly obvious.

You see it, don’t you? At first, I thought I could leave it. Surely, nobody would notice. Who looks at a scarf to see if the pattern is the same on both sides? Then it occurred to me. I do that.

I never thought to invert the striped pattern at the halfway point. I was too busy patting my own back, giddy that the block was knitting up so quickly. What did the Yarn Harlot always quote in her first book? Pride goeth before a fall? Yes, that was it. Apparently, someone should sell those t-shirts.

Now that I am officially more humble than a week ago, allow me to present to you my final Ode to Quilting block.

Scarf Applique Block

I won’t tell you that I was so darn proud with the way this final block came out, because I am determined to stay humble. I will tell you that the free pattern will be published in tomorrow’s post.

After finishing this block, I pulled out the other 8 blocks and laid them on my dining room table. I shuffled and reshuffled the blocks. This was the final resting point for them.

What do you think?

Knitting it Again

Marie Haigh6 Comments
My last Ode to Quilting block:

It looks an awful lot like Jake, doesn’t it? Well, I thought I could fool you with his cuteness. It always works on me.

I made a stupid error while knitting the last block and didn’t notice it until I was piecing everything together. So, now I have to knit it over again. Since I wanted the block to be a surprise, I’m not even showing you a picture of my mistake. I’ll let you see Monday of next week what I did wrong. Dan noticed my error right away. I didn’t notice it until I had worked on it for over 2 days. I think I had my “I’m almost Finished” glasses on. They never see any errors.

Since Jake is now my Guest of Honor on the blog today, let me share with you his new trick that he learned. The past two times that Dan and I have poured ourselves a beer after dinner, I gave Jake a treat, thinking we’ll all have a treat. Yesterday, when we were pouring beers, Jake sat right in front of my feet, tail wagging, waiting for his treat. I laughed, patted him on the head and promptly went and got him his treat. Does that mean I trained him or he has trained me?

Log Cabin Block, 8th Block in Ode to Quilting Series

Marie Haigh5 Comments

This block is perhaps the easiest of all the blocks in the Ode to Quilting series. Only Stocking Stitch is used to knit the squares and rectangles.

Pattern for Log Cabin Block:

Recommended Knitting skill level: Easy

Yarn: Lion’s Wool by Lion Brand or substitute any wool yarn from your stash that meets the below gauge specifications.
1. Color A = Oceans Blue, 1 skein
2. Color B = Winter White, 1 skein
3. Color C = Goldenrod, 1 skein
4. Color D = Cocoa, 1 skein
5. Color E = Ebony, 1 skein
6. Color F = Rose, 1 skein
7. Color G = Pumpkin, 1 skein
8. Color H = Purple, 1 skein
9. Color I = Midnight Blue, 1 skein
10. Color J = Sage, 1 skein
11. Color K = Flower Garden, 1 skein

Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows is 1 inch/2.5 cm in Stocking Stitch.

Needles: Lion’s Wool recommends size 8 (I used size 5) in straight needles.

Materials:Large blunt sewing needle and safety pins
Stocking Stitch Pattern: Knit all stitches on the right side of the work; Purl all stitches on the wrong side of the work.

Knitting Instructions:
In Color A, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch for 12 rows or 2 inches. Bind off.

In Color B, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch for 12 rows or 2 inches. Bind off.

In Color C, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch till piece measures 4 inches. Bind off.

In Color D, cast on 18 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch for 12 rows or 2 inches. Bind off.

In Color E, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch till piece measures 6 inches. Bind off.

In Color F, cast on 26 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch for 12 rows or 2 inches. Bind off.

In Color G, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch till piece measures 8 inches. Bind off.

In Color H, cast on 34 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch for 12 rows or 2 inches. Bind off.

In Color I, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch till piece measures 10 inches. Bind off.

In Color J, cast on 42 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch for 12 rows or 2 inches. Bind off.

In Color K, cast on 10 stitches. Work in Stocking Stitch till piece measures 12 inches. Bind off.

Finishing Instructions:
Note: Weave in any ends as you go.
Using safety pins, secure the top edge of the Color A square to the bottom edge of the Color B square. Seam together. (The AB squares will henceforth be referred to as the Log Cabin block.)

Then, secure the right side edge of the Log Cabin block to the left side edge of the Color C rectangle. Seam together.

Then, secure the top edge of the Log Cabin block to the bottom edge of the Color D rectangle. Seam together.

Then, secure the right side edge of the Log Cabin block to the left side edge of the Color E rectangle. Seam together.

Continue in this fashion, repeating the last two instructions until all rectangles have been seamed to the Log Cabin block.

Remove any remaining safety pins.

Weave in any loose ends.

Block according to measurements (12 inches by 12 inches).

Spiral Applique Block, 7th in Ode to Quilting Series

Marie Haigh3 Comments

This block was inspired by a bias applique quilter’s block.

Pattern for Spiral Applique Block:
Recommended Knitting skill level: Easy

Yarn: Lion’s Wool by Lion Brand or substitute any wool yarn from your stash that meets the below gauge specifications.
1. Color A = Pearl Grey, 1 skein
2. Color B = Pumpkin, 1 skein
3. Color C = Scarlet, 1 skein
4. Color D = Purple, 1 skein
5. Color E = Midnight Blue, 1 skein

Needles: Lion’s Wool recommends size 8 (I used size 5) in both straight needles and double pointed needles.

Materials:
Large blunt sewing needle
Safety pins

Gauge: 4 stitches and 6 rows is 1 inch/2.5 cm in Stocking Stitch.

Stocking Stitch Pattern: Knit all stitches on the right side of the work; Purl all stitches on the wrong side of the work.

Knitting Instructions:
Make 4 strips, one in each color.

  • In Color B, cast on 10 stitches.
  • Work in Stocking Stitch till strip measures 8 inches.
  • Bind off all stitches.
  • Repeat instructions with color C, color D, and color E.

In color A, make 4 small corner squares.

  • With color A, cast on 10 stitches.
  • Row 1(right side of work): Purl all stitches.
  • Row 2: K1, P2, K4, P2, K1.
  • Row 3: P1, K2, P4, K2, P1.
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches.
  • Row 5: Purl all stitches.
  • Row 6: K4, P2, K4.
  • Row 7: P4, K2, P4.
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches.
  • Repeat rows 1-4.
  • Bind off all stitches.
  • Repeat instructions 3 more times.
With color A, make 1 large center square.

  • With color A, cast on 34 stitches.
  • Row 1(right side of work): Purl all stitches.
  • Row 2: K1, P2, (K4, P2) 5 times, K1.
  • Row 3: P1, (K2, P4) 5 times, K2, P1.
  • Row 4: Knit all stitches.
  • Row 5: Purl all stitches.
  • Row 6: K4, (P2, K4) 5 times.
  • Row 7: (P4, K2) 5 times, P4.
  • Row 8: Knit all stitches.
  • Repeat rows 1-8 five more times. (Total rows = 48)
  • Bind off all stitches.
  • Block to measurements (8 inches by 8 inches).

Finishing Instructions:

  • Place one color A corner square on either side of the color B strip.
  • Using safety pins, secure squares to strip.
  • Using a mattress stitch, seam the corner squares to either side of the strip.
  • Repeat instructions with the remaining two corner squares and color C strip.
  • Place the color E strip on the right side of the color A center square. Secure with safety pins. Seam together with a mattress stitch.
  • Place the final strip, color D, on the left side of the color A center square. Secure with safety pins. Seam together with a mattress stitch.

Make 1 i-cord.

  • With color B and two double pointed needles, cast on 2 stitches.
  • Knit these two stitches on row 1.
  • Do not turn the work.
  • Instead slide the work to the beginning of the left-hand needle. Wrap the yarn across the back of the work. Knit the two stitches of row 2.
  • Continue in this fashion until i-cord measures 10 inches.
  • Join in a ball of color E. (Note: When cutting the yarn from color B, leave a long string, measuring approximately 20 inches.
  • Work the i-cord in color E until it measures 10 inches from where color E was joined in.
  • Join in a ball of color C. (Again, leave a long 20-inch string of color E).
  • Work the i-cord in color C until it measures 10 inches from where color C was joined in.
  • Join in a ball of color D. (Again, leave a long 20-inch string of color C).
  • Work the i-cord in color D until it measures 10 inches from where color D was joined in.
  • Bind off all stitches.
  • Leave a long 20-inch string of color D.
  • Do not weave in the ends yet.

Placement of i-cord

  • Arrange i-cord in a spiral on top of the color A center square. Be sure to stay within the borders of the center square. Also, lay the i-cord down so that the right side faces up toward you at all times.
  • Secure the i -cord with safety pins.
  • Using a blunt sewing needle, thread in the long, unwoven string of color D.
  • Hand tack down the color D section with the unwoven end using a running stitch.
  • Once the color D section is fully tacked down, pull the remaining string to the back of the work. Weave in the color D ends.
  • Repeat the last three instructions for each colored section.