Yay for FOs - Easy Tank Top

I'm bad at writing out my work so let me know if you have any questions

Needles
One set US 8 circulars
One set DPN US 8

Yarn
Caron Smiply soft in the color(s) of your choice - 2 skeins

Other
Darning needle
safty pins

Gauge
4 stitches x 6 rows = 1 inch

Size
Small (33 inches around)
increase stitches for larger sizes (sorry i don't know how to do sizing!)



Pattern

body
Cast on 160 st with MC on circular needles.
Join round and Knit.

knit for 10 inches
work stripes as follows

Knit 3 rounds with CC
Knit 5 rnds with MC
Knit 1 rnd with CC
Knit 3 rnds with MC
Knit 6 rnds with CC
Knit 1 rnd with MC
Knit 9 rnds with CC
Bind off

peice should measure 16 inches.

setting up for straps

Lay body flat and place safty pin or marker at each side corner to mark the middle of underarm.

place markers 3 inches from each center underarm marker. you will work attached icord from marker to marker

straps
With MC cast on 6 sts on DPN
work 1 inch icord

work attached icord as follows

work first 5 stiches of icord, slip the last stitch, pick up and knit one stitch along the top of the tube, slip slipped stitch over the new stitch.

continue attached icord to next marker.

work 10 inches icord

attach icord to tube in the way the first side was done (making first strap)
work attached icord to marker

work 9 inches icord.

pick up 6 stitches on the cast on edge to form live stitchs. Kitchener stitch the two together

Finishing

sew in ends

Hem bottem of top

Recovery Buddies

Here is the pattern for the recovery buddies for the Recovery Buddie Project
let me know if you have questions ok?

© Bethany Mills 2010
Cast on 80 stitches (or if using circulars, enough to go around)
Knit in the round for 8 inches or desired length
Bind off using a three needle bind off


If not using circulars:
Row one : Knit
Row two: purl
Repeat for 8 inches or desired length
Bind off
Fold in half and sew so that it has one open side


Arms : Cast on 5 stitches on double pointed needle or circular
Work i-cord for 2.5-3 inches
Legs: cast on 6 stitches on double pointed needle or circular
Work i-cord for 3 inches

Finishing:
Stuff pillow and sew shut.
Sew on arms and legs
Sew on face


Helpful links
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques -> knitting in the round
http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips _> icord

FINISHED!!

Finished Tubey!

YAY!

it turned out a little bigger than i wanted. Sharayah is going to see if it will fit her. but its done!

I have sharp pointing sticks....

... And I'm not afraid to use them.

The games have begun. I cast on my tubey sweater at 10am yesterday. I have the first sleeve done and the second one is in progress and coming along well. I really like this pattern so far. its easy. and I'm loving that there is no sewing other than to weave the ends in. i hate sewing so much.



<---Lindz got the surprise I made her yesterday. I have to say it made me so feel so good to do anything to be able to brighten her day. if only just a little bit. the photo is of me hugging Georgie before i sent him her way. It makes me feel good to know that he will be there to hug her even if i can't be.

I also wrote down a bunch of quotes and positive affirmations for her to hang up around her room. Could you all keep Lindz in your prayers? she still has a long road ahead of her.

I need to take photos of my WIP Tubey. Iwill later. Promise.

I think thats all for right now.

Love you guys,
Bethany

Sharp Pointy Objects Turn Me On ... :P

My fingers a just itching to cast-on. Its down to a matter of hours now.

I've rolled all the yarn into center pulls and they are all sitting on the coffee table just staring at be begging to be wrapped around the sharp pointy sticks.

I'm having a dilemma tho deciding on what project to cast on first. I think Tubey will be the first because its the one i'm itching to knit the most. But part of me says i should get the tote out of the way first cause I should be able to knock that one out in a day or so. But I'm dieing to start Tubey. So I don't know. and I know I'm not going to stick to one project at a time either. I can't. I've tired, and it drives me insane.

I still can't believe tomorrow is the starting day. I need to make a countdown ticker for the closing ceromonies. Or maybe i won't because that might put a bit more pressure on me. *thinks*

I've been working on the pinwheel baby blanket i started last night. almost 1/4 of the way done. Its a fast and easy pattern. So i like it. I've been listening to Twilight and Knitting the blanket. Its all i've done all day. I should take new pictures of it caue i've done a lot since last night.

I didn't sleep well last night. I had really weird dreams. Most of them where about someone trying to kill me. After the worst one I woke up around 5am and couldn't get back to sleep. then i feel asleep watching the dogs around 10 and slept for a few hours. I just didn't sleep well.

So i'm a bit tired. And I've had a nasty headache that i think is turning into a migraine for 3 days now. My head feels like its going to explode. I hope i don't feel this way tomorrow. its hard to knit when it hurts like heck to sit up. Meds are my friend i know, but i've already taken a lot of ibuprofen.

So yeah, I've done like nothing today. Layed on the sofa, knitting, cuddling with the dogs, and listening to Twilight. Good bood by the way. If you haven't read it yet i would recomend it. I'm about halfway done with it now. It is very well writen.

EEEEK!!! I can't wait for tomorrow.

Don't expect to many blogs durning the next 17 days. I'm going to be knitting like my life depends on it. ha.

Bethany

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Now playing: Avril Lavigne - He Wasn't
via FoxyTunes

Put another dime in the jukebox baby...

Oh how much I love mindless easy knitting. even more so when I'm as stressed as I am.

Honestly? what would I do without my knitting.

I've decided on pinwheel baby blanket [pattern].So i started that. I've made this pattern before and it is so EASY! I love it so much. It's something I can very easily knit while I watch tv, or in the case tonight, listen to the twilight audio book.

Yes, it's true. I've started reading twilight. about time right? I was going to read my sister's copy, but Jama borrowed it and is still reading it. So i've bored Mel's and i'm about 4 chapters into it. So far I am enjoying it. It's very well written.

Have I said before how much I love audio books? I love them because they leave my hands free to knit. So i can knit and listen. This is one of my favorite ways to spend and evening.

The Ravelympics start in 2 days!!! OMG!! I'm starting to wonder if maybe i've bitten off more than i can chew. if I can just get one event of the 3 that I'm signed up for compleated that would be awesome. I can't wait to cast on. Its seriously tempting to cheat. ha. I'm not going to let myself do that because i won't be able to forgive myself for it later. I know that it will be more fun if I play by the rules.

In other news, I had my Mercy Ministries phone interview today. I feel that it went well. So I just want to thank all of you that prayed for me and for that. It means a lot. Thank you all. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as i try and get the application process completed.



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Now playing: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - I Love Rock and Roll
via FoxyTunes

ack. stress knitting

I'm a little stressed right now. So I thought that I would grab and easy knitting project and knit. right?

well mom had asked me to make a baby blanket for a baby boy. So I grabbed some yarn and set off looking for a fun pattern. I normally despise following a pattern, at least when it comes to things like baby blankets. (have I mentioned that before?). I would so much rather just figure it out as I go. and if i do use a pattern it has to be something that i can easily memorize.

Well I decided to try crocheting something (cause i couldn't find the right needles, and kinda wanted something different.) and i decided on the Baby Stargan [pattern here].

So off i set. and I got about 6 or 7 rounds into it. when i looked at it and decided that crochet just wasn't want i wanted to do for a whole baby blanket right now.

so.... it hopped off to the froggy pond.

Bethany

Run Run Run... As Fast As You Can....

You can't catch me I'm the Stinky-Cheese-Man!!

So I've had several emails and requests for this pattern. So I've decided to post it.


Mr. Cheese
by Bethany Mills
Difficulty [Hard]

Being a fan of children’s stories, I have always loved The Stinky-Cheese-Man. The doll is a pretty faithful representation of the Stinky-Cheese-Man. Even though it is not the easiest pattern to knit, with some bit of courage, anyone with intermediate knitting experience should be able to bring The Stinky-Cheese-Man to life.

Not being a huge fan of finishing, I decided to knit the entire body in the round. The legs and arms are worked first then joined together to make a seamless body.

SIZE
One size

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: about 13 inches

MATERIALS
Caron [%100 Acrilic; 157 yd/143 m per 3oz. /85g skein]
[MC] color: Mango; 2 skeins
[CC] color: Sage; 1 skein
[CC] color: Rubine Red; 1 skein
[CC] color: Off white; 1 skein

1 set US #4/3.5 mm double-point needles
1 set US #6/4mm straight needles
Tapestry needle
Stitch markers
Safety pins
Scrap yarn
Tip holders

notions required
3” 8 x 8 polly foam.


GAUGE
22 sts/30 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch (on US #4)
20 sts/ 28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch (on US #6)

PATTERN NOTES
The olives are worked in crochet.

This pattern can be a bit tricky, So I really suggest reading all the way through it first.

PATTERN

Top and Bottom of head (make 2)
With MC, CO 18 sts on oto US #6 straight needles
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: purl.
Row 3: K17, W&T.
Row 4 and all even numbered rows: Purl back.
Row 5: K16, W&T.
Row 7: K15, W&T.
Row 9: K14, W&T.
Row 11: K13, W&T.
Row 13: K12, W&T.
Row 15: K11, W&T.
Row 17: K10, W&T.
Row 19: K9, W&T.
Row 21: K8, W&T.
Row 23: K7, W&T.
Row 25: Knit all stitches (Knitting stitches together with wraps)
Row 26: Purl all stitches
Repeat rows 3-26 five times.

Shape Slice
Work rows 3-14. BO.

Side of Wheel

With MC, CO 15 st on US #6 straight needles

Work in stockinette stitch for 20 inches.

Legs (make two)
Using provisional cast on, and scrap yarn, CO 21 sts on DPN
NOTE: I find it easier to leave CO sts on one needle, work one row, and then join on DPNs. The provisional CO is so that later you can close the hole like you would the top of a hat.
Work 15 rnds in ST st.
Rnd 16:K1, m1, K7, m1, K7, m1, K6.
Work 4 rnds in ST st.
Rnd 21: K1, m1, K8, m1, K8, m1, K7.
Work 12 rnds in ST st.
Break yarn, place sts on scrap yarn.

Arms (make two)

Using provisional cast on, and scrap yarn, CO 21 sts on DPN
Work 15 rnds in ST st.
Rnd 16:K1, m1, K7, m1, K7, m1, K6.
Work 9 rnds in ST st.
Break yarn, place sts on scrap yarn.

Closing bottom of arms and legs
Using darning needle, pull tail through CO sts, remove provisional CO, pull tight, and sew in.

Leg Join
Place both legs on 2 needles as follows: place the first 14 st of leg 1, and the first 13 st of leg 2, on needle A. and the last 14 st of leg 2, and the last 13 st of leg 1 on needle B. 27 st on each needle.
Rnd 1: K14, CO 6, K27, CO 6, K13.


Body
Working sts on to 3 or 4 needles (to make the work less awkward), woke in ST st for 3 inches

Arm Join
Evenly divide stitches for first arm and place them on needles (as follows, place last 12 on first needle of body and last 12 on working needle) This is going to be the beginning of your round. Place safety pin or something here to indicate this.

Join Rnd 1: pm (to indicate beginning of rnd), Knit first two stitches of arm together, k 10, pm, k2tog, k27, place last 12 sts on back needle, and first 12 sts on working needle, pm, k2tog, k10, k2tog, pm, k to next arm join, pm, k2tog, knit to end of rnd.

Shoulder Decrease
Knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, knit to next marker, k2tog, knit to 3rd marker, ssk, knit to last marker, k2tog
Repeat 8 times.

Rnd 1: ssk, ssk, k1, ssk, k29, k2tog, k1, k2tog, ssk, ssk, k1, ssk, k28, k2tog, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2tog.
Rnd 2: ssk, k1, ssk, k27, k2tog, k1, k2tog, ssk, k1, ssk, k26, k2tog, k1, k2tog.
Rnd 3:ssk, ssk, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2tog, ssk, ssk, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1.
Rnd 4: k1, ssk, k20, k2tog, k2, ssk, k21, ssk, k1.
Rnd 5: k1, ssk, *k3, k2tog* (repeat from * to * till end of round)
Rnd 6: k1, ssk, *k3, k2tog* (repeat from * to * till end of round. You should have 31 st)
Work one round even.
BO.

Bacon

With red yarn, CO 36 st, onto US #4
Knit 6 rows in garder st.
Change to white yarn and work 4 rows in garder st
Knit 2 rows with red
Knit 2 rows with white.
BO



Olives
Sc = single crochet
Ch = chain

With green yarn, Ch 7
Slip stitch into first chain to form a circle.
Sc 7 (round one)
Sc 7 (round two)
Sc 7 (round three)
Sc 7 (round four)
Sc 2, skip one ch, sc 2, skip one ch, sc 1, tack down with slip stitch.

Olive pit
With red yarn, ch 6.
Work in sc for 5 rows.
Fold in half, picking up bottom edge of fabic and top, slip stitch to sew together.

Stuff red pit into green olive.

FINISHING
Weave in ends. Stuff body with fiber fill. Cut foam to shape of wheel. Sew top, bottom, and side of wheel around foam. Attach wheel to body. Sew on face.

If you have any problems just comment and let me know!

OMG! 4 DAYS TO GO!!

YAY!! Only 4 days till the ravelympics start! WEEE!!

I'm really excited. I've picked out colors for my Tubey sweater. Lime green, pink, yellow, and white. I can't wait to get it started. Its gonna be awesome.

I've also enrolled in yet another project, a baby blanket. I need to knit one anyway. So yes, i'm taking on 3 events. haha. It's official I'm insane. I think you all already knew that tho. ha.

Its really hard to type right now because I have Emma and Bella (the puppies) cuddled together on my lap. they are way to cute to move.

I've not decided on what tote to knit yet, but I'll figure it out. I think that I'm going to knit Knitty's everlasting-baggstoper. I've already started a bag for lisa, I've decided that to not make hers the ravelympic project, cause i just wanted to start it and get it done. I have it about 50% of it done.

I'll probably just end up doing a simple square baby blanket too.

I can't believe that I'm taking on 3 events.

Don't expect to hear from me at all during the olympics. ha.

Bethany

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Now playing: Lily Allen - Absolutely Nothing
via FoxyTunes