The Weekly Swatch: Chevron Rib Knit Stitch

Chevron Rib Lace Knit Stitch

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 8

Time to indulge in more 80s knitting nostalgia. 

Enjoy.

All my other vintage patterns are available via this link.

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Argyll 416 Ladies' Sleeveless Scoop Neck Sweater 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Sirdar Pattern 7175 Ladies' Cardigans 

The Weekly Swatch: Knotted Box Knit Stitch

Knotted Boxes Textured Knit Stitch

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 7

Time for another instalment of 1980s knitting pattern handsomeness.

All my other vintage patterns are available via this link.

Enjoy.

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Patons Pattern 8065 Ladies' Raglan Sweater 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Pattern - Patons Pattern 1994 Ladies' Sweater Pattern

Free Knitting Pattern: Cascade Lace Choker

I’m finally catching up with the pattern posting of my latest knitted lace choker, the Cascade Choker. Just like my earlier lace choker knitting patterns (the Nameless and the Brocade Choker), this is a quick and uncomplicated lace project, ideal for using up tiny amounts of yarn. The choker can be completed in a day or two, including the time it requires to block the finished piece. (And if you decide to knit this choker, blocking is not optional, but absolutely essential to open up the lace.) The simple lace motif is knitted over 6 rows, consisting of knit and purl stitches and a variety of standard in-and decreases. 

Cascade Lace Choker

For this project I used just 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn and 2mm double-pointed needles (dpns). Though it is possible to knit the choker on wood or bamboo needles, I recommend the use of pointy, metallic dpns, especially if you are opting for the use of mercerised cotton yarn with this pattern. This will make the knitting experience much more enjoyable. 

The length of the choker can be adjusted easily for different neck circumferences and I recommend you check the fit whilst knitting. Altogether, you should ensure that the body of the choker covers around 80% of the neck before the piece is blocked. The choker is secured with the help of two dainty i-cords, which each measure approximately 20cm in length. These will be tied to a bow. Beads can be attached to the ends of the i-cords for a more sophisticated finish. 

Cascade Lace Knit Choker

The completed piece should be wet-blocked (to open the lace detail) and left to dry over night. 

If you decide to substitute the mercerised cotton with another type of yarn, the number of lace repeats will obviously differ. As you can check the fit whilst knitting, this should not be a major issue, making this project ideally suited to using up all types of yarn leftovers.

!!Update!!

The pattern for the one-piece i-cord version of the Cascade Choker (picture below) is now available here.

Monster High: Knee Highs

Free Monster High Knee High Stocking Knitting Pattern

After a pair of Monster High doll leggings and tights, it was high time to knit a pair of knee high stockings for the Monsters Highs.

Monster High Doll Knee High Stocking Knitting Pattern

The knee high stockings are knitted seamlessly from the top-down and finished off at the toes with kitchener stitch.

Monster High Doll - Knee High Stocking Knitting Pattern

The Weekly Swatch: Scale Lace Knit Stitch

Scale Lace Knit Stitch

I have been neglecting my weekly swatch activity at the onset of 2020 and, counting from the beginning of January, I didn't post any swatches for over four months. I am now trying to catch-up with my (not so) weekly swatch posts and in an attempt to rectify this situation, I have  prepared another lace stitch for this week: the Scale Lace Knit Stitch. 

This is another easy lace stitch and the finished swatch, which is knitted with Rowan Bamboo Soft, suggests that this could be the perfect stitch motif for a drapey cowl or a wide stole. 

The Weekly Swatch: Feather and Fan Lace Knit Stitch

Feather and Fan Lace Knit Stitch 

After knitting up a few swatches in Scallop Lace Knit Stitch for last week's Weekly Swatch, it felt fitting to follow-up with another classic lace stitch: the Feather and Fan knit stitch. Somehow, I always think of these stitches as being related to one another, with the Feather and Fan Stitch building upon and extending the stitch motif of the Scallop Stitch.

Due to its simplicity, the Feather and Fan Stitch is suitable for yarns of differing weights, including bulkier varieties, as shown in the image below. For the smaller swatch I used Wendy Zena, an alpaca / wool blend with a recommended 4mm needle size. 

Feather and Fan Knit Stitch - 

Knitting Book Review - Montse Stanley's Handknitter's Handbook

Montse Stanley - The Handknitter's Handbook, Publisher: David and Charles

Writing a review on Montse Stanley's Handknitter's Handbook has been on my ever expanding to-do-list for a while now and, thankfully, I am finally getting round to doing so. Since I got my hands on this book, it has become an indispensable companion in my knitting adventures; and despite the abundance of readily available digital resources, I am continuing to enjoy the luxury of having a hardcopy reference on my bookshelf, which I can pick-up, consult and browse without the need for an electronic device.

Stanley's guide claims to be a 'comprehensive guide to the principles and techniques of handknitting' and I wholeheartedly agree. This book does exactly what it says on the tin / cover. Whilst the Handknitter's Handbook is not an instructional book for aspiring or complete beginner knitters, those familiar with the basics and especially knitters, who enjoy designing their own projects, will find this to be an invaluable, encyclopaedic compendium, covering a wide array of topics from the very basics to advanced techniques with clear instructions and a wealth of technical illustrations and diagrams. 

The Weekly Swatch: Scallop Lace Knit Stitch

This week's swatch is an old favourite, the ever popular Scallop Lace Knit Stitch. The Scallop Stitch is a super simple stitch motif. All in- and decreases are worked over six rows and the wrong side rows are either purled or knitted throughout. 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Part 6

I posted my last instalment of vintage 1980s knitting patterns way back at the end of  2018 and felt it was high time to sift through the vintage pattern haul once more, in order to add another instalment to the series of vintage pattern posts.

As most of the patterns are not dated, it's mainly guesswork to determine whether these are really going back to the 1980s. Some might be early 90s and others may be late 70s. If you think I've got it wrong, as always, feel free to leave a comment below. 

All my other vintage patterns are available via this link.

With that said, it's time to kick back, relax and enjoy a trip back in knitting history to colour blocks and batwing sweaters.  

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - Sirdar Pattern c6798 (Odpins) Ladies' V-Neck and U Neck  Top 

Vintage 1980s Knitting Patterns - King Cole Pattern 561 - Ladies Batwing Sweater 

Free Knitting Pattern: Brocade Lace Choker

As promised, here is my latest free pattern for a knitted lace choker - a project ideally suited for beginner lace knitters looking for a sense of accomplishment in a quick and easy lace project, which can be completed in a day or two. 

Brocade Choker - Free Knitting Pattern

The lace motif, which is knitted over eight rows, is simple, consisting mainly of a combination of standard in- and decreases across fifteen stitches. All wrong side rows are a combination of knit and purl stitches. 

Brocade Lace Choker Knitting Pattern - Lace Detail

For this project I used just 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn and 2mm double-pointed needles (dpns). Though it is possible to knit this project on wood or bamboo needles, I recommend the use of pointy, metallic dpns, especially if you are opting for the use of mercerised cotton yarn with this pattern. This will make the knitting experience much more enjoyable. 

The size of the choker can be adjusted easily for different neck circumferences and I recommend you check the fit whilst knitting. Altogether, you should ensure that the body of the choker covers around 80% of the neck before the piece is blocked. The choker is secured with the help of two dainty i-cords, which each measure approximately 20 cm in length. These will be tied to a bow. Beads can be attached to the ends of the i-cords for a more sophisticated finish. 

Brocade Lace Choker - I-Cord Detail

The completed piece should be wet-blocked (to open the lace detail) and left to dry over night.

If you decide to substitute the mercerised cotton with another type of yarn, the number of lace repeats will obviously differ. As you can check the fit whilst knitting, this should not be a major issue, making this project ideally suited to using up all types of yarn leftovers, especially sock yarn.

Brocade Choker 

Brocade Lace Choker

Free Knitting Pattern

Measurements

Before starting this project, measure your neck circumference. The lace body of your choker should cover around 80% of your neck and it will be secured with two i-cords, which should be long enough to tie a bow comfortably 

The knitting instructions for the Brocade choker below will produce a piece which measures 26.5 cm (body of the choker after blocking) and the i-cords each measure 20 cm in length. For a choker measuring 26.5 cm, you will work 16 repeats of the lace sequence for the body of the choker. One repeat measures approximately 2 cm. Adjust the number of lace repeats for a shorter or longer choker.

Brocade Choker Knitting Pattern

Materials and Tools

• 5g of Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush mercerised cotton yarn 

• 2 mm double-pointed needles

• 1.5 mm crochet hook / fine darning needle (for sewing-in yarn ends and attaching bead)

• contrast yarn (for provisional cast-on)

• 2 beads for securing the ends of the i-cords (optional)

• Blocking utensils

Brocade Choker Knitting Pattern 

Instructions

• Cast-on 15 stitches, using the provisional cast-on for the three centre stitches (7,8,9) as shown in the photo below. The three live stitches are located, where the i-cord will be worked later.

Provisional cast-on for i-cord

• Knit 4 rows (garter stitch)

Start of lace pattern:

• Row 1 (right side): k2, p2, k2tog, [k1, yo] twice, k1, sl1, k1 psso, p2, k2
• Row 2 (wrong side): k4, p7, k4
• Row 3: k2, p2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, sl1, k1, psso, p2, k2
• Row 4: k4, p7, k4
• Row 5: k2, p2, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p2, k2
• Row 6: k4, p7, k4
• Row 7: k2, p2, k2, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2, p2, k2
• Row 8: k4, p7, k4

• For a choker body measuring 26.5 cm repeat the above lace sequence 16 times. Adjust the number of repeats according to your own requirements.

• Knit 3 rows in garter stitch, ensuring that the cast-off is started on the wrong side.

• Bind off all stitches up to the three centre stitches, knit the centre three stitches (7, 8, 9) and cast-off the remaining stitches. 

I-cords: 

• Start knitting a 20 cm i-cord with the three remaining live stitches, bind-off i-cord  and attach bead (optional). 

• Pick-up the three centre stitches from the provisional cast-on edge, attach yarn and proceed to knit the  second i-cord. Ensure the i-cords are long enough to comfortably tie a bow.

Brocade Choker - I-Cord Detail

Finishing:

• Weave-in all yarn ends and block piece to ensure the lace is opened up.  

Should you require pattern support, please feel free to contact me via Ravelry, Twitter, Facebook, by e-mail or leave a comment below.

This pattern is for personal use only and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission. Neither may you sell any items made from the directions in this pattern.

Should you wish to knit another choker (and, let's face it, one can never have enough chokers), the pattern for my Nameless Choker (pictured below) is available here and the pattern for the Cascade Choker (last image in this post) is available here.

Nameless Choker

Cascade Lace Choker

© 2020 Clarice Asquith. All rights reserved. http://makedoandmendnovice.blogspot.com

Knitted Chokers - Two New Designs

Update: The knitting pattern for the Brocade Choker is now available here.

Brocade Choker

After completing a huge circular throw I was in need of a smaller knitting project and ended up designing two new lace chokers, the Brocade and the Cascade Choker, which are currently being finished.  

Whilst waiting for the Brocade Choker to complete its time on the blocking board, here are some in-progress images of the designs. 

Free Knitting Pattern: The Picot Circle

Free Knitting Pattern - Monster High Doll Tights

Having recently released a Monster High doll leggings pattern, I wanted to develop this project further and adapt the leggings pattern into Monster High doll tights. The result of my experiment is this pattern.

The tights are knitted seamlessly from the top-down and finished off at the toes with kitchener stitch.

For the tights in the images I used Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light sock yarn in Victorian Gothic, but the pattern should work with any 4 ply sock yarn. 

To achieve snug-fitting tights, I recommend checking the fit on the doll frequently to see whether it's necessary to insert additional knit rows between the calf-decreases.  

Monster High Tights Knitting Pattern

Monster High Doll Tights

Pattern Notes

Materials and Tools

• app 10 - 15g of 4 ply Sock Yarn 

• 2 - 3mm Double-Pointed Needles 

• 4 Stitch Markers

• Scissors

• Safety Pin (x 2) or Scrap Yarn (in contrasting colour)

• Darning Needle (for kitchener stitch), Crochet Hook (for sewing in ends and tidying up)

Monster High Tights Knitting Pattern

Cast on 24 stitches.

Row 1: k1, p1 to end of row.

Row 2 - 4: Divide stitches evenly on 3 double-pointed needles and join in the round, placing a stitch marker at the beginning of the round. Continue in k1, p1 ribbing for another 3 rounds.

Waist Increases: 

Row 5: SM (slip marker), k1, PM (place marker), kfb, k8, kfb, pm, k1, pm, kfb, k10 to last stitch, kfb (28 stitches)

Row 6 - 8: Repeat above increase row three times until stitch count totals 40 stitches.

Continue knitting 5 - 8 rounds in stockinette stitch until the piece has reached the desired length and fits comfortably around the dolls hips. 

Dividing for the legs

Removing markers, at the beginning of the next round place the first 20 stitches onto waste yarn. 

Join the remainder of the stitches in the round, placing a marker at the beginning of the round.

Row 11: sm (slip marker), kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb (22 stitches)

Row 12: k all stitches

Thigh Decreases

Row 13: sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 stitches, k2tog (20 stitches)

Row 14: k all stitches

Row 15: sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 stitches, k2tog (18 stitches)

Row 16: k all stitches

Row 17: sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 stitches, k2tog (16 stitches)

Row 18: k all stitches

Row 19: sl1, k1, psso, k to last 2 stitches, k2tog (14 stitches)

Row 20 - Row 57: continue knitting in stockinette stitch for 38 rows (knitting throughout) until the piece has reached the dolls calf.

Monster High Tights Knitting Pattern

Calf Decreases 

During this section, it's advisable to keep checking the fit on the doll. If you notice that you require more rows for added length, insert these between the decrease rows after checking the fit.

Row 58: k to last 4 sts before end of round, sl1, k1, psso, k2tog (12 stitches)

Row 59 - Row 63: k 4 rows in stockinette stitch 

Row 64: k to last 4 sts before end of round, sl1, k1, psso, k2tog (10 stitches)

Row 65 - Row 68: knit 4 rows in stockinette stitch 

Row 69: k to last 4 sts before end of round, sl1, k1, psso, k2tog (8 stitches)

Row 70 - Row 73: knit 4 rows in stockinette stitch 

Row 74: k to last 4 sts before end of round, sl1, k1, psso, k2tog (6 stitches)

Row 75 to bind off: continue knitting in stockinette stitch until the knitted fabric almost entirely engulfs the doll's foot as shown in the picture below.

When the doll's foot is comfortably covered by the knitted fabric, switch to two double-pointed knitting needles and align them parallel to one another, preparing to bind the last remaining stitches off in kitchener stitch.   

Ready for kitchener stitch bind off 

More in-progress photos of the tights are available here. You may find them helpful to show the bind-off.

When the bind off is complete, insert the needle at the corner of the toes and pull the yarn through to the inside to achieve a bump-free finish. 

The Second Leg 

Proceed to knit the second leg, dividing stitches held on scrap yarn evenly on three double-pointed needles. Using the m1 increase method, pick up 1 stitch at the beginning and at the end of the round to ensure a closed up seam. 

Mark the beginning of the round and start knitting the second leg, following the instructions above. Ensure that the thigh decreases are positioned at the inside of the leg and the calf decreases are positioned at the back of the doll's leg.

When the tights are complete, block the finished object by leaving it fitted on the doll. This will ensure that the fabric is nicely stretched into shape.  

Monster High Tights Knitting Pattern

Monster High Tights Knitting Pattern

Should you require pattern support, please feel free to contact me via Ravelry, Twitter, by e-mail or leave a comment below.

This pattern is for personal use only and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without permission. Neither may you sell any items made from the directions in this pattern.

© 2020 Clarice Asquith. All rights reserved. http://makedoandmendnovice.blogspot.com