How to make a sock owl

Sock owl !!! Oh, I have never tried to sew a sock owl ...... Anyway,  this should be no problem.

How to make a sock owl?  I have some ideas in mind now. Just follow the steps below.


Materials :
1. one stocking
2. poly-fill material
3. felt (blue, white & red)
4. two black buttons
5. matching threads

1. Turn the sock to the wrong side with the heel facing up. Draw the parts as shown in the photo. Sew the legs and wings follow the drawing line, leaving an opening at the top of each part. For the head, you just need to sew the upper part without leaving any opening. Now, cut out the body follow the straight line. Then, cut out the head follow the straight line and the sewing line. Remember to keep 1/4'' seam allowance when you cut out the pieces that you have sewn.

2. Turn all the pieces to the right side.

3. Stuff up the head. Run stitches along the raw edge.

4. Fold in the raw edge and pull the thread tightly to close the opening. Cut off the thread.

5. & 6.  Insert the needle at the bottom centre of the face (cream-colored area) and come out at the top centre of the head.

7. Once again, insert the needle from the bottom centre of the face and come out at the top, pull the thread tight. Repeat this step two to three times.

8. The result is shown at the photo.

9. Now, stuff the body and close the opening. The steps are the same as making the head.

10. Join the head and the body together with a slip stitch.

11 & 12. Sew the eyes and beak on the face with your felt pieces and buttons. Then sew the the wings to the both sides of the body. Don't stuff the wings, but you need to close up the openings. Just sew the upper part of the wings to the body respectively so that the wings can move freely.

13. & 14. This is the leg part. Start to make the feet now. Insert the needle from the inside and pull the thread through, then insert the needle at the point where 1/4"  right above the first insertion point.

15. Pull the thread tight and repeat this step two to there times.

16.  Pass the needle to the next with a space as shown in the photo. Pull the thread through. Then, insert the needle at the same point from the back side and pull the thread tight to create toes. Repeat this step two to there times.

17. Close the opening of the leg.

18. Fold the leg in half and sew both edges together. Don't sew until the feet (grey-colored area).

19. Sew the legs to the bottom of the body part with the joining edges of the legs facing to the bottom.

20. Sew a few "v" shapes to the belly of the owl. Done.

Chain stitch

Chain stitch is a sewing and embroidery technique. A series of looped stitches form a chain-like pattern. This is a decorative stitch, many beautiful projects have been carried out entirely using chain stitch. Usually, I use single thread to make chain stitches if I thought my desired pattern need a fine decorative outline or pattern. Instead,  I will use double thread to make a "bold-like" pattern.

1. Make a knot at the end of the thread. Insert the needle up through Point A from the back of the fabric and pull the thread through. Insert the needle at Point A again and bring it out through Point B. Don't push the needle out completely. Put the thread under the point of the needle to form a loop.

2.  Now, pull the thread out and tighten the loop. The first chain stitch is completed.

3.  To make the second stitch, insert the needle at Point B (inside the loop) and bring it out at Point C. Do the same as the first stitch, put the thread under the point of the needle, pull the thread out and tighten the loop.

4. A row of chain stitches is completed.

buttonhole stitch

A buttonhole stitch is used for sewing buttonholes and prevent fraying of the buttonhole. It can also be used as a firm edging stitch for cut-work. This stitch will form a small knot at the top of each stitch that gives a much sturdier stitch. It visually looks like the blanket stitch, but uses a different technique of sewing. Let me show you the way I do the buttonhole stitch now. Usually, I will use double thread for doing this stitch. If you use a thicker thread, then a single thread should be all right. This stitch can be done in any direction. Anyway, I will show you the way to get the buttonhole stitches done by working from left to right.

 1. Make a knot at one end if you use single thread. Insert the needle through Point A from the back of the fabric. Loop the thread clockwise. Then insert the needle at Point B and come out at Point C. The needle should be placed above the looped thread as shown in the photo.

2. Pull the thread out towards the top, this will create a knot at point B.

3. Now, make the second stitch by inserting the needle at Point D and come out at Point E. Repeat this step until a desired length.

4. A row of buttonhole stitches is completed.

note:
For buttonhole place the stitches close together with no fabric showing between them.

Catch stitch

Catch stitch is one of  the hemming stitches, it looks nearly invisible. This method helps to keep layers flat against another, such as a hem or seam allowances. It is worked from left to right or from the top to the bottom and forming a row of small "Xs" at the hem and the under section layer. If you wanted the stitches not being very visible on the right side, then using single thread will give a good result. Usually, I will sew catch stitches by holding the hem of the fabric and work from the top to the bottom.

1. Make a knot at one end of your thread. First, insert the needle from the backside of the hem and pull the thread through.

2. Move your needle downwards about 1/4" from the first insertion point and make a small stitch (pick up 3-5 threads) in the under section by inserting the needle upwards as shown in the photo.  

3. Pull the thread through, don't pull the thread too tightly.

4. Again, move your needle downwards about 1/4" from the previous insertion point and sew another small stitch in the hem by inserting the needle upwards as shown in the photo.

5. Repeat these steps until the end.

6. A row of catch stitches is completed.




Note :
You can vary the length of the stitch according to your taste.

knitted flower headband

 I knitted this headband with a basic knitting stitch -Garter stitch (knit every row). This time I get my knitting piece done by holding yarn double. It might sound very hard to do so, it's actually not that difficult. This pattern calls for two skeins of yarn (pink & white), use a strand of each skein at the same time and you have to treat these two strands as if they were a single strand while knitting.

This simple knitted headband might be a token of your regard to someone you love. A high value gift is not always the best regard, as long as your heart is full of sincerity, a simple gift would be valuable and it is generous by any standard....




materials :
1. yarn     : pink and white (100% acrylic, weight 40g)
2. needle  : a pair of single-pointed needle size 4.5mm and yarn needle.
3. one knitted flower [click here to find out the pattern of knitted flower].

1. Cast on 20 stitches with the double-yarn. Just cast on as if you cast on with single piece of yarn, the difference is you need to hold two strands of  yarn together.

2. Knit the double-yarn stitches every row until you reach your desired length. I have knitted a 17 inches long knitting piece for this project. Knit bind-off after you finished knitting the last row. Then, cut the yarns, leaving the both yarn tails about 2 inches long and weave them in the piece.

3. Bind the two short edges with mattress stitch. You can either use the cast on tails that you left to get start or use a piece of new yarn.

4. Fold the part as shown in the photo. Place the right side of the joining edges facing together. Tie a firm knot at the position where 1/3 of the folded part (right on the joining edges) from the top.

5. & 6. Press to shape pleats and then sew a knitted flower on it. A simple headband is done!

If you find that the width of the headband is too wide. Just fold any part of your piece where you like in half with the two sides meeting at the centre. You can either sew both sides together now or fold any part when necessary. The photo at the right side shows the way how I fold the headband piece at the lower part of my daughter's head.

Knitted flowers

If you find yourself craving for some knitted flowers to adorn your projects, there is a simple pattern here that might suits your requirements. To create a floral embellishment, you can either sew them onto your projects singly or in groups.

Some kinds of fancy yarns work extremely well .....get some and try.... It can be a fashionable accessory!


  





materials:

1. yarn     :  pink and yellow (100%  acrylic, weight 40g )

2. needle :  a pair of single-pointed needle size 2mm and yarn needle.

3. one bead
4. matching thread


 Knitting pattern for a knitted flower

row 1 : Cast on 65 stitches
row 2 : Purl one row
row 3 : Knit two, *(knit one stitch and slip this stitch back to the left needle, pass the next 10 stitches one by one over the top of this stitch and off the needle, knit again the stitch which you slipped it to the left needle just now, knit two.) repeat from*---do this step 4 times, knit one and slip this stitch back to the left needle, pass over 10 stitches, knit again the slipped stitch.
row 4 : *(Purl one, Purl two together), repeat from * until the end
row 5 : *(Knit two together), *repeat this step until the end
row 6 : Purl one row

1.  Follow the knitting pattern above and start your knitting. The photo no.1 shows the result after you have finished knitting row 3.

2. Cut the yarn after you have finished knitting the last row, leaving about a 5 inches end. Thread the yarn tail into a yarn needle and pass the yarn needle through the remaining stitches.

3. & 4.  Slip the stitches off the straight needle and insert the yarn needle to the fist stitch. Pull the yarn to tighten and tie a knot.

5. Cut yellow yarn into a few short strands. Bunch the yarn strands up tightly (tie a firm knot at the middle part) with another piece of yarn.

6. Don't cut the yarn tails, bring both tails through the centre of the flower from the purl side with a crochet hook.

7. Trim the bundle of yarn strands.

8. Unfurl the bunch of the yarn strands and sew a bead at the centre with matching thread. See, the stamens and the stigma of the flower are done. If you plan to tie this flower to your project, don't cut the remaining yarn tails.

The knitted flower shown in the photo is knitted with the same knitting pattern. The differences are changing the color for the cast on row and sew a matching bead on the knit side. That's all. See, just with some small changes and you can get another type of knitted flower.

Single decrease stitches (K2tog, P2tog, K2togtbl, P2togtbl)

How to make a decrease stitch in knitting? Basically, single decrease stitches in knitting can be divided into two categories : right-slanting single decrease stitch and left-slanting single decrease stitch. There are different ways to make both single decrease stitches on the knit side and the purl side of a knitting piece.  


How I do a right-slanting single decrease (K2tog & P2tog)

The method that I always use to make a right-slanting single decrease stitch is either K2tog (knit two together) or P2tog (purl two together). K2tog is worked on the knit side and P2tog is worked on the purl side. Usually, I apply these two decrease stitches only at the left side of my knitting piece as these create a slope to the right on the face of the piece respectively.


Knit two together ( K2tog )

1. Insert the right needle from front to back through the front loops of two stitches on your left needle at once. These two stitches should be the stitches where you want to make a decrease stitch.

2. & 3. Knit the two stitches together as if they were a single stitch.

4. Then, slip it off the left needle. You have just decrease one stitch on the knit side.

Purl two together ( P2tog )

1. Insert the right needle from back to front through the front loops of two stitches on your left needle at once. These two stitches should be the stitches where you want to make a decrease stitch.

2. & 3. Purl the two stitches together as if they were a single stitch.

4. Then, slip it off the left needle. You have decreased one stitch on the purl side.








How I do a left-slanting single decrease (K2togtbl & P2togtbl)

The method that I always use to make a left-slanting single decrease stitch is either K2togtbl (knit two together through the back loops) or P2togtbl (purl two together through the back loops). K2togtbl is worked on the knit side and P2togtbl is worked on the purl side. Usually, I apply these two decrease stitches on the right side of my knitting piece as these create a slope to the left on the face of the piece respectively.


Knit two together through the back loops ( K2togtbl )

1. Insert the right needle from front to back through the back loops of  two stitches on your left needle at once. These two stitches should be the stitches where you want to make a decrease stitch.

2.& 3. Knit the two stitches together as if they were a single stitch.

4. Slip it off the left needle. You have just decreased one stitch on the knit side.

Purl two together through the back loops ( P2togtbl )

1. Insert the right needle from back to front  through the back loops of  two stitches on your left needle at once. These two stitches should be the stitches where you want to make a decrease stitch.

2.& 3. Purl the two stitches together as if they were a single stitch.

4. Slip it off the left needle. You have just decreased one stitch on the purl side.






You will see the result after you knit for a couple of rows.

note : 

If I wanted to make decreases on the knit side and on the purl side, I would make sure the decreases worked the same way on the both side. So, When I make K2togtbl on the right and K2tog on the left of the knit side of a knitting piece, then I would make P2tog on the right and p2togtbl on the left of the purl side of a knitting piece.

A simple pompon hat

What if you don't have any circular needle or double-pointed needle but you wish to knit a hat now?  Can you knit a hat only with your single-pointed needles? Yes, you can do it. I have recently knitted a simple pompon hat with single-pointed needles.

I knitted this pompon hat with the basic knitting pattern - Stockinette stitch. This pattern is created by alternating the entire rows of knit and purl stitches. It owns a much smoother appearance at the knit side and a much bumpy looking at the reverse side. I prefer the bumpy pattern as the right side of my hat. So, I took the purl side as the right side. Anyway, you can choose the knit side as the right side of your hat, just do it and create it now ......

I am going to show you how I knit my pompon hat. Follow the steps below and start to make your own pompon hat. 

The first thing that you need to do is to get a knitting piece done as shown at the above photos. You can do this by referring to the pattern at the last part of this post. I have written the pattern row by row.

After getting your knitting piece done, the first step is thread the needle with yarn and bind the both edges. Just sew it carefully with running stitch row by row and don't pull the yarn too tight. Photo no.2 shows the shape of the piece after binding the two edges. There is a hole at the centre. Now, turn to the wrong side, close the hole by basting the edge of the small hole evenly and pull the yarn tight as the photo shown. Then, make a knot and cut the yarn.

Next, make a pompon for the hat. First, wind the yarn round your hand until you reach your desired thickness. Then cut through the yarns at the both ends and tie the bundle of yarns at the center. Now, fluff the yarns by breaking up the fibres of each strand with a needle so that you have a complete fluffy ball. After that, slightly trim your pompon and sew it onto the center of the hat.

Done!

knitting abbreviations :

K - knit

Kfb - knit front and back

M1L - make one left

M1R - make one right

P - purl

Pfb - purl front and back

P2tog - purl two together

Yarn    : 100%  acrylic, weight 40g 

Needle : 2 pairs of single-pointed needle (size 4.5mm and 2mm)

Knitting pattern for pompon hat

row 1  :  Cast on 29 stitches
row 2  :  P29
row 3  :  Kfb, K3, M1R ,K1, M1L, *( K4, M1R, K1, M1L ) *4 times, K3, Kfb
row 4  :  Purl the whole row
row 5  :  Kfb, K5, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K6, M1R, K1, M1L ) *4 times, K5, Kfb
row 6  :  Purl the whole row
row 7  :  Kfb, K7, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K8, M1R, K1, M1L ) *4 times, K7, Kfb
row 8  :  Purl the whole row
row 9  :  Kfb, K9, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K10, M1R, K1, M1L ) *4 times, K9, Kfb
row 10:  Purl the whole row
row 11:  Kfb, K11, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K12, M1R, K1, M1L ) *4 times, K11, Kfb
row 12:  Purl the whole row

row 13:  K7, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K14, M1R, K1, M1L ) *5 times, K6
row 14:  Purl the whole row
row 15:  K8, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K16, M1R, K1, M1L ) *5 times, K7
row 16:  Purl the whole row
row 17:  K9, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K18, M1R, K1, M1L ) *5 times, K8
row 18:  Purl the whole row
row 19:  K10, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K20, M1R, K1, M1L ) *5 times, K9
row 20:  Purl the whole row
row 21:  K11, M1R, K1, M1L, *( K22, M1R, K1, M1L ) *5 times, K10

row 22:  Purl one row 
row 23:  Knit one row
Repeat row 22 and row 23 alternately about 15 times ( 30 rows in total ). You can change other different color yarn alternately at your desired rows here to create your own pattern.

row 24:  P1, P2tog, P9, P2tog, *( P12, P2tog ) *9 times, P9
row 25:  Knit the whole row

row 26:  *( P2, K2) * repeat until the end of the row.
Repeat row 26 fifteen times with another pair of smaller size needle at this part.

row 27:  Bind-off

Lifted Increases

For me, lifted increases are the most invisible increase method. These kind of increases also have both right-slanting and left-slanting versions on the knit side and the purl side. The special way of doing an lifted increase is making an increase through a stitch in the previous row, rather than a stitch in the currant row. Let me show you how I do the lifted increases today.


Right-slanting and Left-slanting Lifted Increase on the knit side



a.) Right-slanting Lifted Increase on the knit side (RLI-K)

1. The forth stitch is the stitch where I wish to make an increase (RLI-K). So, I knit the first three stitches as usual to the right needle before reaching the forth stitch.

2. & 3. Now, start to make an increase stitch at the desired stitch (the forth stitch) by using the right needle and lift the stitch one row below the stitch on the left needle and place it back onto the left needle without twisting it.

4. There is now a new stitch on the left needle.

5.  Insert the right needle into the new stitch through the front loop from front to back.

6. Knit it as usual and slip it off the left needle.

7. Now, there are four stitches on the right needle. Then knit the next stitch.

8.  An right-slanting lifted increase stitch is completed. From the photo, you can see there are five stitches on the right needle. Obviously, one stitch is increased at the forth stitch.





b.) Left-slanting Lifted Increase on the knit side (LLI-K)

1. The forth stitch from the end is the stitch where I wish to make an  increase (LLI-K).

2. Knit the desired stitch (the forth stitch), then slip it off the left needle. Now, the desired stitch is on the right needle.

3. Insert your left needle tip into the stitch two rows below the stitch you have just knitted on the right needle. 

4. Now, there is a new stitch on the left needle.

5. Insert the right needle into the new stitch through the back loop from front to back.




  
 6. Knit it as usual and slip it off the left needle.





 7. An left-slanting lifted increase stitch on the knit side is completed.

                                                           ****************************************************

                                      

Right-slanting and Left-slanting Lifted Increase on the purl side



a.) Right-slanting Lifted Increase on the purl side (RLI-P)

1.  The forth stitch is the stitch where I wish to make an increase (RLI-P) . So, I purl the first  three stitches as usual to the right needle before reaching the forth stitch.

2. & 3.  Now, start to make an increase stitch at the desired stitch (the forth stitch) by using the right needle and lift the purl bump one row below the stitch on the left needle and place it back on to the left needle without twisting it.

4. There is now a new stitch on the left needle.

5. Insert the right needle into the new stitch through the back loop from back to front.

6. Purl it as usual and slip it off the left needle.

7. Now, there are four stitches on your right needle. Then purl the next stitch.

8. An right-slanting lifted increase stitch is completed. From the photo you can see there are five stitches on the right needle. Obviously, one stitch is increased at the forth stitch.





 b.) Left-slanting Lifted Increase on the purl side (LLI-P)

1. The forth stitch from the end is the stitch where I wish to make an  increase (LLI-P).

2. Knit the desired purl stitch, then slip it off the left needle. Now, the desired stitch (the forth stitch) is on the right needle.

3. Insert your left needle tip into the purl bump two rows below the stitch you just purled on the right needle.

4. Now, you have a new stitch on your left needle.

  

5. Insert your right needle into the new stitch through the front loop from back to front.





6. Purl it as usual and slip it off the left needle.





7. An left-slanting lifted increase stitch on the purl side is completed.