Knit Pattern: Cat Hoodie

August 11, 2018August 13, 2018 ~ kristinMroach ~ 2 Comments

The Making me Purr Cat Hoodie. It’s one of those patterns that was so much of a joke between Jason and I that I almost didn’t write it down. I almost didn’t share it. It’s become a classic. Knit from stash yarn and lots of laughs it’s the most popular pattern I’ve ever written to date. Originally published in December 2009. Available for purchase on Ravelry

I made Molly a cat hoodie quite some time ago. Jason and I thought RapCat (checkers’ commercials) was just too ridiculous and therefore, pretty funny. We invented a scenario where RapCat was Molly’s secret lover and it was a long standing, pretty bizarre, joke. We even joked about Molly wearing RapCat’s hoodie, you know, the blue and blue one. We laughed so hard about it…. and then I made one for her and we laughed some more. And the really funny thing is she doesn’t mind wearing it at all!

Here she is for her fitting before I picked up stitches and knit the legs.

Now I know that a lot of cats would have serious objections with any kind of hoodie being put on them, even if knit with the most love. So some other ideas for the hoodie – Big Panda Plushies, A willing stout puppy dog (a little pug maybe?), you get the idea.

I think Miss Molly will enjoy it this win- ter for running outside (we walk with her outside in the morning, it’s too cold in the winter and she gets all stir crazy). Maybe some kitty booties will be in the near future too!

Want to knit a cat hoodie? Purchase it on Ravelry.

Knit Top Notch Simple Socks

August 11, 2018 ~ kristinMroach ~ Leave a comment

As I’m turning the heel of the second sock using this pattern, I thought it was a good time bring it back to life here on Craft Leftovers. It’s my go to pattern for making a classic sock that fits my foot every time. No fancy needle work here. Just socks. Originally posted 09/19/2014

At any given time I have a brainless knitting project going, something to work on while I’m watching Lucy play, or chatting with a friend, or just taking a brain break. Knitting that is not easy to mess up AND easy to fix if I do.

This is my favorite brainless knitting sock pattern. They are top down socks in a 3×1 rib for the cuff and top of the foot. It’s such a lazy sock I even use a 3 needle bind off for the toe instead of kitchener stitch, which is usually my preferred method. (hello bee, wasp, oh you are dead from the frost we had last night, I will draw you later).

I cast these socks on when I found out I was pregnant. Almost two years ago. By the time this summer rolled around I hadn’t even finished the first sock. I started getting that crafting itch and away I went. Knit knit knit purl… And in pretty short order or at least comparatively to the two years it took me to get three-quarters of the way done with the first one, I am the happy owner of a new pair of socks.

The yarn? I don’t remember. I think I bought it a few years back from a shop in San Francisco. It was nice to work with, a good bounce and it wasn’t too split prone. I used size 1 US needles, bamboo thank you. I think crystal palace, though possibly clover.

It feels good. And they feel great on my feet. Just in time for the cold snap fall headed our way. Which is happily not here today. Instead it was the PERFECT fall day. Warm, but not hot, breezy, but not windy. Sunny, but only partly. Ahh, if only we could have a months of this weather instead of days.

If you want to try out some Top Notch Socks, you can get the pattern over on ravelry.

Until next time…

Kristin

ps – My hands are covered in paint because I was finishing the new to me cabinets for my studio. Pictures of the redress and install soon. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Knit Pattern: Thrummed Lady Moss Mittens

December 12, 2017December 12, 2017 ~ kristinMroach ~ Leave a comment

This is one of my favorite winter patterns and I still wear them every cold weather season. I’ve also made them larger for Jason which he refers to as his ridiculously warm mittens. It was first published November 11, 2007

I usually start the summer to fall to winter layering with fingerless glove, a light scarf, and a jacket or thick sweater. Then it goes to a hat, thicker scarf, full gloves, and a medium coat. Now I’m moving into the winter coat, thick wool hat, long warm scarf, and thick mittens. There is only one issue. Late last winter/early spring I lost my mittens! What am I to do?

Well how about whip up some new ones with some stash yarn. I’m feeling particularly cold this year and wanted some extra warmth. My friend had just told me about this technique called thrumming. Perfect! Lets give that a shot too. I must say I really enjoy them, they are super warm and really cute to boot! The neat thing is that as you wear the mittens, the roving will felt and it will make a super warm, somewhat water proof mitten. Hooray! Perfect for anybody in the winter.

Lady Moss Mittens Knitting Pattern

Ingredients
75 grams worsted merino wool MC
50 grams worsted merino wool CC
25g merino wool roving
Size 3.5mm dpn (US 4); Set of 5
3 place markers

Notes about the yarn choice: I used yarn that was my first shot at natural dyeing with lettuce. It didn’t turn out so hot, but with the green roving in there, it perks right up. I would say that Cascade 220 would be similar in weight and texture.

Gauge 22sts x 30 rows = 4” x 4” in stockinette stitch

Abbreviations
CO = cast on
CC = contrasting color
St(s) = stitch(es)
rnd = round
MC = main color
K = knit
P = purl
Kfb = knit through the front and then the back of the same stitch (increase stitch)
Pm = place marker
M1 = make 1 st
Ssk = slip, slip, knit (Decrease stitch)
K2tog = knit 2 sts together (Decrease stitch)
BO = bind off

Thrumming When knitting in the roving, just use a thin teased out piece about the length of your pinky. When you get to the stitch that is done with the roving, place your main color yarn over the needle as if to knit, then loop the roving over the needle next to the MC yarn, knit the stitch. On the next row knit the roving and the MC yarn together as if one stitch. If you work them separately you will make an increase.

Directions
CO 36 sts with CC and arrange evenly on 4 needles; 9 sts on each needle.
Join in the round and work 1 x 1 rib (K1, P1) for 3 inches.
Change to MC and start working the chart.
Rnd 1: (k1, kfb, k to last 2 sts on needle, kfb, k1); K1, kfb, k2, kfb, k2, kfb, k1; repeat ( ) 2 more times; 45 sts on needles.
Start of Thumb Gusset
Note: Work chart, but skip over the gusset stitches and continue chart after the second place marker.
Rnd 2: Knit 22sts, place marker, m1, k1, m1, place marker, knit to end.
Rnd 3: Knit all (as in knit all stitches in round three).
Rnd 4: Knit 22sts, slip marker, m1, knit to pm, m1, slip marker, knit to end.
Rnd 5: Knit all.
Repeat Rounds 4 and 5 five more times – 14 rounds worked.
Knit all for three rounds.
Repeat Round 4.
Knit all one round.
Knit to marker, remove marker and place gusset (stitches between the two markers) on to scrap yarn, remove second marker, knit to end.
Knit all until piece measures to just above the little finger.
End on row 1 or 4 of the chart. The remainder of the mitten is worked with just the main color.

Decrease Round
Rnd 1: K1, ssk, knit to the last three stitch on needle two, k2tog, k1; k1, ssk, knit to the last three stitches of needle four, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 2: K all.
Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 two more times.
Repeat Rnd 1 until 20 sts remain.
Arrange sts evenly on 2 needles and use the kitchner st to BO all sts.

Thumb
Pick up sts on scrap yarn and arrange evenly on 3 needles.
Rnd 1: K to end of needle 3, pick up and k one st at gap between needle 3 and 3.
Rnds 2-6: K all.
Rnd 7: (K1, k2tog, k to end of needle) repeat to end.
Rnd 8: K all.
Repeat rnds 7 & 8 two more times.
Cut yarn and thread through sts on needles, tighten up the hole and weave in all ends.
Repeat all steps for the second mitten.