Thursday, 30 April 2015

Drawstring Knitted Bag With Lining



Do you like a girlish drawstring knitted bag with lining? Here is a pattern that you can try out. This bag is features a heavy-knit ruffled edge with picots at the top. It is easy to knit and the knitted roses is a great finishing touch. Whether you are looking for a bag to hold cosmetics or your favourite accessories, this bag will not disappoint.

materials:
1. colored yarn (100%  acrylic, weight 40g )
2. a pair of  circular needle size 4mm
3. three knitted roses or any knitted flowers
4. sewing needle & tapestry needle.
5. matching thread
6. a piece of lining fabric


knitting abbreviations :
K - knit
P - purl
Kfb - knit front and back
K2tog - knit two together
SSK - slip slip knit


Knitting pattern :

Gauge : 22 rows = 2" ; 13 stitches = 2"  in garter stitch



Part one : Base
* use circular needles as straight needles at this part.

 row 1 : K8
row 2 : K1, Kfb2, K2, Kfb2, K1 .......... (12 sts)
row 3 : K12
row 4 : K1, Kfb2, K6, Kfb2, K1 .......... (16sts)
row 5 : K16
row 6 : K1, Kfb2, K10, Kfb2, K1 .......... (20sts)
row 7 : K20
row 8 : K1, Kfb2, K14, Kfb2, K1 .......... ( 24sts)
row 9 : K24
row 10 : K1, Kfb2, K18, Kfb2, K1 .......... (28sts)
row 11 - 23 : K28
row 24 : K1, SSK2, K18, K2tog2, K1 ..........(24sts)
row 25 : K24
row 26 : K1, SSK2, K14, K2tog2, K1 .......... (20sts)
row 27 : K20
row 28 : K1, SSK2, K10, K2tog2, K1 .......... (16sts)
row 29 : K16
row 30 : K1, SSK2, K6, K2tog2, K1 .......... (12sts)
row 31 : K12
row 32 : K1, SSK2, K2, K2tog, K1 .......... (8 sts)
row 33 : K8

Part two : body
* use circular needle as normal to knit rounds.

Don't bind off the stitches on row 33 and use the existing needle to pick up 68 stitches evenly along the edge ( don't pick up any stitches on row 33 because the stitches on the row are considered as the picked-up stitches). So, you should have 76 stitches in total.

Put a marker at the beginning of the round

row 34 : P76
row 35 : K76
row 36 : P76
row 37 : *(Kfb, K3 ) repeat from * until the end of the round .......... (95sts)
row 38-40 : P95 one round, K95 one round, P95 one round
row 41 : *(Kfb, K4) repeat from * until the end of the round .......... (114sts)
row 42-44 : P114 one round, K114 one round, P114 one round
row 45 :  *(Kfb, K5) repeat from * until the end of the round .......... (133sts)
row 46 - 86 : P133 one round and K133 one round alternately until you reach row 86 (40 rounds)
row 87 : *(K2tog, K5) repeat from * until the end of the round .......... (114sts)
row 88-96: P114 one round and K114 one round alternately until row 96 .......... (9 rounds)
row 97 : *(K2tog, K4) repeat from * until the end of the round .......... (95sts)
row 98-100 : P95 one round, K95 one round, P95 one round
row 101 : *(K2tog, K7, K2tog, K8) repeat from * until the end of the round .......... (85sts)
row 102 -108 : K85 for 7 rounds
row 109 : Kfb every stitch .......... (170sts)
row 110 : Knit one round
row 111 : Kfb every stitch .......... (340sts)
row 112-113 : Knit two rounds
row 114 : Kfb every other stitch .......... (510sts)
row 115 : Knit one round
row 116 : Picot bind off


After you have finished the picot bind off. Knit two straps about 10.5 inch long and 0.5 inch wide for the handles. I use the reversed stocking stitch as the right side of the straps but it is optional.

Then, knit a drawstring about 48 inches long with the I-cord stitch.

Now, fold a 1 inch hem (excluding the ruffled edge) along the top edge with the ruffled edge facing outside and sew along the hem with the same color yarn, this will be the drawstring channel. Remember to leave two holes at the left and right side of the bag respectively so you can thread a drawstring through the channel.

Sew a 1 inch hem, leave two holes at the left and right side.


Then, sew the two straps in place where below the 1 inch hem of the top edge in the middle part on the front and back side of the bag respectively (space the two ends of each strap about 2 inches apart ) and sew the knitted flowers at the appropriate places according to your preference at the front of the bag.

Sew the straps and knitted roses on the appropriate places.


After you have attached the straps and flowers on the appropriate places, you can now start to make the lining of the bag. First, place the bag itself on the fabric, leaving about half-inch seam allowance along the side of the bag and trim (do not need to leave extra seam allowance for the top edge, you have only need to follow the height of the bag itself because it is enough for you to fold a hem). Then, sew the curve shape with hand stitch or sewing machine.

Cut out the lining pieces along the seam allowance.


Now, stuff the lining into the bag wrong side out and fold the top edge of the lining out (the raw edge of the lining should be facing to the knitted fabric so it can be hidden). Pin the folded top edge of the lining about 1 inch below the top edge of the bag. You will find that all the ends of the straps are sandwiched between the lining and knitted fabric so the inside of the bag will look neat. Thread your sewing needle and sew the lining on the knitted fabric along the top edge of the lining with running stitch or back stitch.

Stuff the lining into the bag and sew it in place along the top edge of the lining.

Final part - thread the drawstring into the channel two rounds and tie the ends (or you can sew the both ends of the drawstring together).


This bag is knitted according to my own taste, I'm welcome your comments if you have any suggestions or better ideas for this kind of bag :).





Tuesday, 28 April 2015

How to Make a Picot Bind Off


Picot bind off is a very nice knitting method to add some girlish flair to an edge. This method will create small points on an edge that look sweet and cute. It is great for baby socks, drawstring bags, skirts, wrist warmers, blankets and a variety of lace knitting projects. I love picot edging, especially the ruffled edge with picots.

The picot bind off can be varied depending on the size and how far apart you want the picots to be. The picot can be made with just one stitch if you want a subtle look or it can be made with more stitches if you want it to be impressive. Of course, the size of picots may vary depending on the type of yarn you are using.

I am going to show you how I make a two-stitch picot ( cast on two stitches and bind off four stitches for each point)


Instruction:

step 1 : Knit two stitches and make a normal bind off one stitch.
step 2 : Transfer the single stitch on the right needle onto the left needle. Knitted cast on two stitches.
step 3 : Normal bind off four stitches.
Repeat step 2 to step 3 until you are out of stitches to bind off.



  • Photo no. 1 shown is what your stitches look like after you have made the two stitches knitted cast on.
  • Photo no.2 shown is a picot that created on an edge after you have made a normal bind off 4 stitches.


note :
  • This method is requires a bit of extra yarn and it may take a bit more time than a normal/plain bind off.
  • If you want to make a bigger picot, cast on more stitches.
  • The picots can be spaced further apart by binding off more stitches after you have bound off the cast on stitches.





Thursday, 16 April 2015

Knitted Rose




I had not thought of the uses of these knitted roses while I was knitting them. I love roses so I knitted roses at an impulsive moment...


materials:
1. colored yarn (100%  acrylic, weight 40g )
2. a pair of straight needles (4mm)
3. two pieces of knit leaf.
4. tapestry needle.




Knitting pattern :

Cast on 64 stitches (or any multiple of 8)

row 1 : knit one row
row 2 : purl one row
row 3 : *( Knit one stitch and then slip this stitch back onto the left needle. Pass the next 7 stitches over the top of this stitch one by one and off the needle and knit the first stitch again). Repeat from * to the end of the row.
row 4 : Knit one row
row 5 : Bind off and leave a 6" end.

Roll up the knitting piece to form a rose and sew in place at the back with the yarn tail coming from the bind off row. In order to let you understand better about the steps of creating a rose with the knitting piece, please refer to the photo and instruction below.





 1. This is the knitting piece I have just made.








2. With the cast on row facing up, and the reverse stocking stitch facing to the outside, roll up the knitting piece from left to right.





3. Thread the tapestry needle with the yarn tail (the 6" end) coming from the bind off row and sew the petals in place at the back of the work







4.  Sew two pieces of simple leaf at the back. Done.












Tuesday, 14 April 2015

How to Knit a Simple Leaf Pattern



How to knit a leaf ? Here is a very simple knitted leaf pattern for beginner. I am sure you can do it, it is a piece of cake.

Don't look down upon this super simple leaf pattern, it could set off the knitted flower and give you an effective outcome.

What you need is a pair of straight needles and yarn. You can use the needle size 2mm or larger. The larger the size of the needle the larger the leaf.




knitting abbreviations :
K - knit
Kfb - knit front and back
K2tog - knit two together
K2togtbl - knit two together through the back loops




Knitting pattern :

 cast on 3 stitch

row 1 : Knit one row
row 2 : Knit one row
row 3 : Kfb, K1, Kfb
row 4 : Knit one row
row 5 : Kfb, K3, Kfb
row 6 : Knit one row
row 7 : Knit one row
row 8 : Knit one row
row 9 : K2togtbl, K3, K2tog
row 10 : Knit one row
row 11 : K2togtbl, K1, K2tog
row 12 : Knit one row
row 13 : slip one stitch, K2tog, pass the slipped stitch over and fasten off.






 

Friday, 10 April 2015

Knitted Porcupine


I am crazy with loop stitch these days. You would find that my recent posts are talking about loop stitch. Today, I am going to show you the way I knit a mini knitted porcupine with the I-cord knitting technique and loop stitch.

I-cord is a narrow tube of knitting. It is generally made using 3 - 6 stitches. Anyway, I am going to make a daring attempt. I apply the basic technique of the I-cord method to a knitted animal - a mini knitted porcupine. The number of stitches that I use in some of the rows in this knitted animal is 16 stitches!! Of course we couldn't get an I-cord effect using such a number of stitches, it will create a wide gap at the closed up point, that is why I use some scraps of yarn to stuff this knitted porcupine instead of using poly-fill material.


materials:
1. colored yarn (100%  acrylic, weight 40g )
2. a pair of double-pointed needles (2mm)
3. two small black beads
4. black thread
5. scraps of yarn


knitting abbreviations :
K - knit
Kfb - knit front and back
K2tog - knit two together
lp - loop stitch


Instruction:

Don't turn your work to the back every time you have finished knitting one row. Slide all the stitches along the right needle from the left to the right needle tip and then transfer this needle to your left hand. It is seem that the tail is coming from the wrong end. Actually, it is right. Pull the yarn across the back of the stitches and knit the next row. Make sure to pull the first and last stitch tightly. You can knit through the back loop for the first and last stitch of every row if you want to get a tighter and neater stitch at the closed up point.

cast on 4 stitches
row 1 : K4
row 2 : K4
row 3 : K1, Kfb2, K1
row 4 : K2, Kfb2, K2
row 5 : K1, Kfb2, lp2, Kfb2, K1
row 6 : K3, Kfb, lp4, Kfb, K3
row 7 : K3, Kfb, lp6, Kfb, K3
row 8 : K3, lp10, K3
Repeat row 8 four times.

Then, stuff up the body with scraps of yarn and continue knitting (refer to the photo below).

row 13 : K1, K2tog2, lp6, K2tog2, K1
row 14 : knit a row
row 15 : K2, K2tog4, K2
row 16 : K8
row 17 : K8
row 18 : K2tog4
row 19 : K1, K2tog, K1
row 20 : Knit one stitch and then slip this stitch back onto the left needle. Pass the next 2 stitches over the top of this stitch and off the needle and knit the first stitch again. Now, pull the yarn to tighten up and fasten off. You can trim the loops of the porcupine to get a different look.

Now, weave in ends and sew the nose and eyes in place. Done.



  1. After you have finished knitting row 12, you will get a cone shape as shown in the photo no.1
  2. Take some unwanted yarn or scraps of yarn and simply tied in a bundle.
  3. Stuff up the cone (the body) with the bundle of yarn. It looks full now. Then, continue your knitting to row 20.






Wednesday, 8 April 2015

How to Knit an I-Cord


Usually, we use a simple knitting technique called I-cord to create a narrow tube of knitting on double-pointed needles. This is a stitch used for making handles on a knitted bag, as edging or embellishment on a project, ties on a hat and dozens of uses. It is very easy and simple to make, what you need is two double-pointed needles and yarn.



Instruction:



1.Cast on several stitches (normally 3-6 stitches).

2. Do not turn your work to the back. Slide all the stitches along the right needle from the left to the right needle tip and then transfer this needle to your left hand.

3. Now, the end/tail of the working yarn is coming from the last stitch on the needle, it is seem that the tail is coming from the wrong end. Actually, it is right.

4. & 5. Pull the yarn across the back of the stitches and knit the next row. Make sure to pull the first stitch tightly.

6.  Repeat step 2 to 5 until you have the I-cord of your desired length.









Saturday, 4 April 2015

Knitted Flower : Daisy


These cheerful blooming knitted daisies might instantly bring you a good idea to brighten up some of your handmade projects. They are not only the useful ornamental accessories for a project but can also be the unique accessories for your outfits or body if you turn them into brooches, hair clips, hairbands or wristbands.

  You can knit a variety of daisies with a simple loop stitch. So you must know how to knit the loop stitch before you start making a knitted daisy. I had posted the loop stitch knitting method on my previous post, click here or click the highlighted word above to read more about the instruction of how to make a loop stitch.

materials:
1. yarn     : colored yarn (100%  acrylic, weight 40g )
2. needle :  a pair of single-pointed needle size 2mm and a yarn needle/blunt needle.




Knitting pattern :

Cast on 24 stitches.

row 1 : Knit one row.

row 2 : Knit a row of loop stitches as shown in the first photo.

row 3 : Purl two together until the end of the row. Now, you have 12 stitches on your right needle

row 4 : Knit a row of loop stitches. (The second photo shown is two rows of loop stitches)

row 5 :  Knit one row.

row 6 : Knit one stitch and then slip this stitch back onto the left needle. Pass the next 11 stitches over the top of this stitch and off the needle (refer to photo no.3) and knit the first stitch again. Now, pull the yarn to tighten up and fasten off. Remember to bring the yarn tail to the back of the work.
            
There is another yarn tail that hanging at the beginning of the cast on row. You can thread the yarn needle/blunt needle with the tail of yarn and use this tail to bind the both edges of the knitting piece to form a complete round shape (refer to photo no.4).



If you want to change the color of the stamens for your knitted daisy, you can change color or join a new color at the beginning of row 5. You can also sew a button or beads on it to create a different pattern according to your creativity. I believe each inspiration for your knitting project would bring you an unique creation.