Clear Hearts, Grey Flowers Sweater Dress knitting pattern available on Etsy

 

            Clear Hearts, Grey Flowers is a fitted top-down raglan sweater dress with long ribbed sections at the cuffs and hem. The simple Fair Isle decoration across the yoke can easily be worked in scrap yarn.  The sweater dress is knit in fingering weight yarn to add warmth without bulk to your figure and includes sizes to fit a 34 - 44 inch bust.  The majority is worked in stockinette stitch and makes excellent TV knitting.  This is a great pattern if you have never tried Fair Isle before.  No fancy techniques are necessary, just simple increases and decreases for shaping.  There are also no seams to be sewn up - Hooray!

            The Clear Hearts, Grey Flowers Sweater Dress is a paid pattern available for sale here on my Etsy.

A look back - Hats

     A look back at all the hats I've knit since 2008.  I have really come a long way since some of those older ones.

Thorpe

 Miss Dashwood













A Better Bucket

Twisted Rib Watchcap

 Nottingham

Oh boy, look at those 2 different shades of black! lol

Beanie with a Bill

-with no bill!

Chapeau Marnier

I sure did mess up that lace, but I still love it

 Promethean Pocket Hat

 Various Sockhead Slouch Hats...

 and variations of...

Hardcore Hat 

Pismo hat

a stripey Opie hat

a Kitty Beanie









and a couple mystery hats

            It's nice to look back and see how much my skill level has improved over time.  From wrong gauge to poor yarn choice and just plain old silly mistakes, I can laugh at them now while celebrating the successes all the more for it.  What silly mistakes have you made while beginning a new hobby ?

Kingston crop top - free pattern

Kingston

(Pictures sans buttons) 

Size
2-3 years
Fits a 23 to 25 inch chest 
2 inches in length from underarm to hem
8.5 inches from underarm to sleeve cuff

Gauge
sts per inch
rows per inch

Needles
US size 5 circulars and dpns

Yarn
1 skein Berroco Sox in color 1477
(440 yards fingering weight)

Extras
5 buttons, stitch markers, row counter, yarn needle, stitch holder or scrap yarn

Key
K1FB - knit into the front and back of the first stitch on left hand needle, creating an increase of 1 stitch.
PM - place marker

Neck
Cast on 62 stitches on circular needles.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit 8, K1FB, PM, knit 22, PM, knit 8, K1FB, PM, knit 22 stitches. Do not join in the round as this sweater will be worked flat for now.
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Knit across increasing 1 stitch before and after each marker. This means you will add 8 stitches.
Row 6: Purl

Repeat rows 5 and 6 until there are 78 stitches each for the back and front, and 66 stitches for each sleeve.

Sleeves
Place the body stitches on hold. Switch the 66 stitches for one sleeve onto dpns and distribute evenly, placing a marker for the beginning of the round.
Rows 1 - 5: Knit
Row 6:  Decrease 1 stitch on either side of the marker, meaning you will decrease 2 stitches.

Repeat rows 1 - 6 a total of 9 times (54 rows total).
There should be 48 stitches remaining after decreases are complete.
Knit 2, Purl 2 for 12 rows and bind off in pattern.

Repeat for second sleeve.

 

Body
Place body stitches onto circular needle.
Row 1: Knit across, picking up 2 stitches under each armpit to close up the gap
Row 2: Purl

Work in knit 2, purl 2 rib for 12 rows and bind off in pattern.

Finishing
Pick up 56 stitches along the left front sleeve edge.
Knit 2, purl 2 for 6 rows.

Row 7: *Knit 8 in pattern, bind off 2* across 'til the last 6 stitches. Knit these 6 in pattern.
Row 8: Knit 6 in pattern, *Cast on 2 stitches, knit 8 in pattern* 'til the end of the row.
Knit 3 rows in k2, p2 pattern and bind off.

Weave in ends and attach button. You're done !

Eggplant - a hat with a pocket - free pattern

Size
(Child) Adult

(16" to 20") 21" to 24"
(size shown is child, crammed onto an adult head to take a proper photo)

Yarn
1 skein of Knitpicks Essential Kettle Dyed in Eggplant, or 231 yards of fingering weight

Needles
US size 2 dpns
US size 2 circular (optional) 

Gauge
8 stitches/inch
10 rows/inch

Extras
1 button approx. 10mm, depending on your button hole size

Pocket
CO 20 stitches on the 1st dpn.
Knit into the front and back of every stitch, doubling to 40 stitches on the needle.
You will now slip every other stitch onto a separate needle. You want to have 20 stitches on each needle. (1st stitch on needle 1, 2nd stitch on needle 2, 3rd stitch on needle 1, 4th stitch on needle 2, etc.)
Knit the pocket in the round until it is as long as it is wide. Cut the yarn and set the pocket aside.

Pocket Flap
CO 6 stitches.
Row 1: Knit 1, knit F&B, BO 2 stitches, knit F&B, knit 1
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit 1, knit F&B, knit 1, CO 2 stitches,knit 1, knit F&B, knit 1
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Knit 1, knit F&B, knit to last 3 stitches, knit F&B, knit 1
Row 6: Purl
Repeat rows 5 and 6 until you have 20 stitches on the needle.
Knit for 4 rows and place on hold.

Hat
CO (120) 152 stitches and join in the round. Knit in 2 x 2 rib for (3) 4 inches.
Switch to stockinette and knit for 3 more inches.
Now you will join the pocket. Holding the pocket inside the hat, against the WS, knit 1 stitch from the hat together with one stitch from the pocket.
Continue knitting 1 hat stitch together with 1 pocket stitch until you have joined the front half of the pocket, 20 stitches. Knit to the end of the round.
Knit one row.
Again knit 1 hat stitch together with 1 pocket stitch, joining the remaining 20 pocket stitches.
Knit the rest of the row.
Holding the pocket flap to the RS, join by knitting one stitch from the hat together with one stitch from the flap. Continue knitting until your hat measures (9) 10 inches long.

Finishing
*K6, K2tog* repeat across row.
Knit 1 row.
*K5, K2tog* repeat across row.*K4, K2 tog* repeat across row.
Knit 1 row.
*K3, K2 tog* repeat across row.
Knit 1 row.
*K2, K2 tog* repeat across row.
Knit 1 row.
*K1, K2 tog* repeat across row.
Knit 1 row.
*K2 tog* repeat across row. Repeat this row once more. Cut yarn and weave through remaining stitches twice, pull tight and weave in end.
Sew button in appropriate place.

Rainbow Gloves - free pattern

Size
One size, fits a palm circumference of 7 inches

Gauge
8 stitches/10 rows per inch

Yarn
 1 skein (215 yards fingering weight) Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in Rainbow

Needles
US 2 dpns

Cuff
CO 56 stitches and join in the round.
Rows 1 - 16: Work in K1, P1 rib
Row 17: Increase 1 stitch in pattern at the beginning and end of the row (58 stitches)
Rows 18 - 20: K1, P1 across
Repeat rows 17 - 20 a total of 9 times (74 stitches).
Row 53: Knit to last 9 stitches and place them on hold, along with the first 9. These will be picked up again later for the thumb. You are back to 56 stitches on the needles.

Palm
Row 1 - 12: K1, P1
Row 12: Knit 22 stitches, place next 12 stitches on separate needles for pinky.


Pinky
Row 1: Working only these 12 pinky stitches, increase 1 stitch at the beginning and end of the row (14 stitches). Join in the round.
Row 2 - 22:  K1, P1
Row 23 & 24: K2 together all the way around. Cut yarn and draw through stitches.

Ring Finger
Row 1: Place the 7 stitches on either side of the pinky (14 stitches) on the needles. Pick up and knit two stitches from the bottom of the pinky to close up the gap between fingers while at the same time increasing 1 stitch at the beginning and end of row (18 stitches) and join in the round.
Row 2 - 30: K1, P1
Row 31 & 32:  Knit 2 together around. Cut yarn and draw through stitches twice.

Middle Finger
Row 1: Use the next 7 stitches on either side for the middle finger. Pick up and knit two stitches from the bottom of the ring finger to close up the gap between fingers while at the same time increasing 1 stitch at the beginning and end of row (18 stitches) and join in the round.
Rows 2 - 33: K1, P1
Rows 34 & 35: Knit 2 together around. Cut yarn and draw through stitches twice.

Pointer Finger
Row 1: Using the last 16 stitches, Pick up and knit two stitches from the bottom of the middle finger while at the same time increasing 1 stitch at the beginning and end of row (20 stitches) and join in the round.
Rows 2 - 28: K1, P1
Rows 29 & 30: Knit 2 together around. Cut yarn and draw through stitches twice.

You may need to add more or less length to your fingers depending on what suits you.

Thumb
Place the 18 thumb stitches back on the needles. Pick up 2 stitches to close up the gap between the thumb and pointer finger. Join in the round.
Row 1 - 22: K1, P1
Rows 23 & 24 : K2 together across

Repeat for second glove. Because the gloves are identical on both sides there is no need to reverse shaping.

 

Digby - free pattern

Size
For 1-2 (3-4) years
21 (23) inch chest
8 (9) inches in length from underarm to hem
7 (8) inches from underarm to sleeve cuff
Gauge
8 stitches/inch
10 rows/inch

Needles
 US size 2 circulars and dpns

Yarn
2 (3) balls Knitpicks Comfy in Whisper (Color A) (fingering weight, 218 yards per skein)
1 (1) ball Knitpicks Stroll fingering weight in Sprinkle Heather (Color B) (you will only use a tiny amount)

Extras
Stitch markers, tapestry needle, row counter

Key
Kfb - knit into the front and back of the first stitch on left hand needle, creating an increase of 1 stitch.
Knitted cast on - with RS facing, knit into the first stitch on left needle. Rather than slipping the new loop off you slide it onto the left needle, creating a new stitch.
C2R - knit the slipped stitch on the left needle, passing in front of the first stitch, then knit the first stitch and slip both off the needle together
C2L - knit into the back of the second stitch on the left needle, passing behind the slipped stitch, then knit into the back of the slipped stitch and slip both off the needle together

Neck
CO 40 (45) stitches in color A. Do not join in round yet. Stitches will be worked flat at first.
Knit 2 stitches, PM A, Knit 7 stitches, PM B, Knit 22 (27)stitches, PM B, Knit 7 stitches, PM A, Knit 2 stitches.
Purl one row.
Row 1: Knit 2 stitches, slip marker A, kfb, Knit to one stitch before marker B, kfb, slip marker, kfb, Knit to one stitch before next marker B, kfb, slip marker, kfb, Knit to within one stitch of marker A, kfb, slip marker, knit remaining stitches.
Row 2: Purl one row.
Repeat these two rows a total of 30 times (2 stitches on each end, 37 for each sleeve, 52 (57) for back)

Row 3: Right side row - CO 50 (55) stitches for the front neckline using a knitted cast on. Knit across these new stitches and 1 stitch before first marker A. Kfb, slip marker A, kfb, knit to within 1 stitch of first marker B, kfb, slip marker, kfb, knit to within one stitch of next B marker, kfb, slip marker, kfb, knit to one stitch before marker A (which now signifies the beginning of round), kfb, slip marker, kfb, knit remaining 1 stitch.
Row 4: Join work in the round and knit one row plain.

Row 5: kfb before and after each marker
Row 6:  knit across
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until you have a total of 61 (71) stitches for each sleeve.

Row 7: Slip marker for beginning of round, kfb, knit across front stitches to one stitch before marker, kfb, slip marker, place sleeve stitches on hold, remove marker, kfb, knit across back stitches to one stitch before marker, kfb, remove marker, place sleeve stitches on hold
Row 8: Knit across
Row 9: Slip round marker, kfb, knit to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, slip marker, kfb, knit to 1 stitch before end, kfb

Row 10: Knit across

You should now have 80 (100) stitches for the back of the sweater and 82 (102) for the front. Slip one from the front so there are 81 (101) on each side. Work in stockinette 'til body measures 6 (7) inches from underarm.

Row 1: Knit across front 81 (101) stitches, turn work
Row 2: Knit first 5 stitches, purl to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 3: Knit across
Row 4: Knit first 5 stitches, purl to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 5: Knit in color B
Row 6: Knit 6, *K3, P3, K4* to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 7: Switch to Color A, Knit 5, *K4, slip 3 purlwise with yarn at back, K3* to last 6 stitches, knit to end
Row 8: Knit 5, Purl 1, *P3, slip 3 purlwise with yarn in front, P4* to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 9: Knit 5, *K4, slip 3 purlwise with yarn at back, K3* to last 6 stitches, knit to end
Row 10: Knit 5, Purl 1, *P3, slip 3 purlwise with yarn in front, P4* to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 11: Knit 5, *K3, C2R, slip 1 purlwise with yarn at back, C2L, K2* to last 6 stitches, knit to end
Row 12: Knit 5, purl to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 13: Knit across
Row 14: Knit 5, purl to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 15: Knit in color B
Row 16: Knit 5, Purl 1, *P1, K7, P2* to last 5 stitches, knit to end. Change to Color A.
Row 17: Knit 5, *slip 2 purlwise, K7, slip 1 purlwise* to last 6 stitches, slip 1 purlwise, knit to end
Row 18: Knit 5, slip 1 purlwise, *slip 1 purlwise, P7, slip 2 purlwise* to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 19: Knit 5, *slip 2 purlwise, K7, slip 1 purlwise* to last 6 stitches, slip 1 purlwise, knit to end
Row 20: Knit 5, slip 1 purlwise, *slip 1 purlwise, P7, slip 2 purlwise* to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 21: Knit 5, *slip 1 purlwise, C2L, K5, C2R* to last 6 stitches, slip 1 purlwise, knit 5
Row 22: Knit 5, purl to last 5 stitches, knit to end
Row 23: Knit all stitches
Row 24: Knit all stitches
Row 25: Knit all stitches
Row 26: Knit all stitches
Row 27: BO

Repeat rows 1 - 27 for the back of the sweater.

Sleeves
Using dpns, pick up and knit sleeve stitches, picking up 2 extra under the arm to prevent a gap. Place marker for beginning of round. K2tog at the end of every other round twice until back to the original 61 (71) stitches. Work in stockinette 'til sleeves measure 5 (6) inches long. You will now knit the sleeve cuffs flat. Knit to end of round, turn work. Work rows 2 - 14 of pattern, knit 4 rows of garter stitch and BO.

Neckline
Using Color B pick up and knit 50 (55) stitches from front neckline, PM, 22 from left edge, 38 (41) from back of neck, and 22 from right edge. PM for beginning of round.
Row 1: Work in K2 P2 rib while decreasing 1 stitch before and after each marker

Row 2: Knit the knit stitches and purl the purled stitches

Repeat these two rows a total of 3 times and BO in pattern.
Weave in the ends and you're done :)

About my patterns

            I want to offer the free patterns on this blog to whomever may want them. Just give credit where credit is due. That means you can knit them up for yourself, knit them and sell the finished product, print them out and distribute them, all for free. You cannot pretend that you wrote them or sell my original patterns.

            In regards to the paid patterns available on my Etsy, the same applies as above except please do not share the patterns themselves.  I have no problem whatsoever if you want to knit these up and make some side cash from the finished product.  What I make (the pattern) is mine and what you make (the finished object) is yours to do with as you see fit.