Knit Pattern: Cat Hoodie

August 11, 2018August 13, 2018 ~ kristinMroach ~ 3 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.

Grandma Mini Sewing Box

June 30, 2018June 30, 2018 ~ kristinMroach ~ 3 Comments

I’m still in love with this little box, but can’t find it anywhere. Maybe it’s time I make a new one. I brought two posts together to tell the whole story with a few edits for ease of reading. Originally published 09/07/2009.

This weekend I started the daunting task of digging through the remaining few shelves of stuff at my folks house. I am resolved to go through at least a few boxes every time I visit. This weekend I made it through 3 shelves of “stuff”. You know how you move out of your folks for college, but in your new place (dorm or small apartment) there is never enough room to store all the stuff from your childhood? Then you finally graduate and get a “place of your own” and you will be there in a more permanent way. Time to clear the clutter from my parents’ home. I don’t want to be in my 40′s and still have a box of teenage angst under my teenage bed at my parents. Anyway, this weekend I started in the garage, which used to my studio when I lived there. I have one bookcase of boxes in there.

I was delighted to find not teenage angst paintings (yeah, there were some of those in there too), but these great sewing kits made by my Great-grandma Alida.

And this great scissor holder made by my grandma – I think this one (with the original scissors) was the one she kept in her side table by the couch where she did most of her reading, smoking, and crocheting.

I just love the pin cushions, they are actually little bits of garter stitch folded over, and then tucked into each other to make the pin cushion. I think I want to write up the pattern for this, it’s such a great way to use up little bits of leftover yarn. The scissor holders too.

I actually did go on to write it up into a pattern. I’ll post that next I think. It’s pretty stinking cute.

Did you see that pretty crocheted piece in that last picture? My grandma was working on it and I found that in her “works in progress” bin when she passed away. I think I’m going to add it to my works in progress basket and finish it up.

In tribute to my grandma and my great grandma, I’ve added a third generation to this plastic canvas collection. Something to put in my mending basket. You can make this mini sew box and pin cushion in just a few evenings of crafting.

Click here for pattern and charts (pdf) of Grandma Sew Box

Material List
10 Count plastic canvas:
Cut 4 – 20 X 15
Cut 4 – 21 X 4
Cut 1 – 20 X 20
Cut 1 – 21 X 21
Worsted Weight Yarn, 20 yards Color A
Worsted Weight Yarn, 10 yards Color B
1 yard embroidery floss color A
1 yard embroidery floss color B
Embroidery Needle

Click here for pattern and charts (pdf) of Grandma Sew Box

Until next time!

Kristin M Roach

Pattern: Perfect Crochet Dishcloth

June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 ~ kristinMroach ~ Leave a comment

Thank you Cassandra for reminding me of this little gem of a pattern! I’m happy to add things to the website on a per-request basis. And your timing is excellent, I just found a box of peaches n’ creme in my studio clean out. Here the original post with a few edits for ease of reading. Originally published 12/14/2014.

Coming up on Christmas – just 10 days of crafting/baking left – I thought it was the perfect time to give you all some ideas for some last minute gifts. This weekend I’ve spent some time on a hand full of things like scarves, hats, and bootwarmers. But for this first last minute gift, I thought I would go with the one I’ve been making in mass for all my friends and fam: Crochet Dishcloths.

Crochet dishcloths make the perfect last minute gift. You (and I) can tuck it into a basket of baking or tie with a card for extended family, neighbors, co-workers. One evening of crocheting and you can easily have half a dozen or so. And they are useful! And by next year, they should be worn out enough that no one will mind getting more! Excellent! (In theory anyway, unless you have friends who cherish them like gold plated fine china in which case they are making a shrine to your crafting efforts and that’s okay too). Jump to the bottom of the post for the free crochet dishcloth pattern I love to make.

For the most part, I grab my favorite stitch dictionary, select a slightly textured heavy weight pattern, and have a go at it. FYI, if considering stitch dictionaries, I highly recommend Harmony Guides: Basic Crochet Stitches.

I have often wondered what size I should crochet my dishcloth. Sure I could go measure the current ones in my kitchen, but when making them from yarn, there are other considerations. Like how wide should it be if I want to get two out of one ball of peaches n’ creme with no leftovers and have it be a square shape?

It took a few evenings of crocheting, but I finally had the answer to my query. Right drape, right size, right stitch pattern, right amount of yarn leftover (umm, zero!). I liked the drape and texture of this simple half double crochet and slip stitch “scrunch stitch” pattern. I used a size H hook (tried a G, D, and I).

There were four sizes that came out of all this. First I started out with a foundation chain of 27 (#4), then 21 (#1), then 25 (#3), then 23 (#2). Of course the last one I tried, 23, was the magic number that allowed me to make two of the same size out of one ball of peaches ‘n’ creme yarn with no leftovers left.

Free Yarn Maximized Dishcloth Pattern

Notes: If you want to make your own of any of the sizes I played around with, here’s the pattern for it all written up. Make a foundation chain of 23 (bolded), if you want to get two out of 1 ball of yarn.

Sizes: 1(2,3,4) = small (medium, large, x-large)

Material: 1 ball – Peaches ‘n’ Creme Yarn – 100% Cotton Yarn. Worsted Weight. 120yds/109m. 2.5oz/70.9gm

Tools: Size H (5mm) crochet hook

Gauge: 10sc = 4 inches

Abbreviations

st – stitch
ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet

Directions

Chain 21(23,25,27), turn.

Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, *hdc in next stitch, sl st in next stitch*, repeat * * to end, turn; if done correctly, you should end with the slip stitch.

Row 2: Ch2 (counts as 1st hdc), sl st in next st (should be top of hdc in previous row), hdc in next stitch (top of sl st in previous row, repeat * * to end, turn.

Work as row 2 until you have a square. Cut yarn and pull through last loop. Weave in all ends to finish.

Have fun crocheting up a storm!

Until next time!
Kristin

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.