Gettin’ It Pegged…Loom Knitter’s Clique

Hello!   I’ve been busy…just couldn’t resist whipping up one more Winter Whimsy, and this time it’s just for ME!

There was this really pretty bamboo spun yarn tucked in my stash that I received during the Package in the Post Christmas gift exchange through the Chat Clique and it was absolutely calling my name.  It said, “Beeeeeethanyyyyyy… I’m suuuper sooooft!  Make me into a Whiiiiiiimssyyyyyyy!”

So, of course I obliged, lol!

Here it is all laid out in it’s pink and green glory.  I just love the colors, don’t you?  There’s something about this very mix of hues that remind me of a rose or wildflower garden, and I just want to have them around me.  It makes me feel very pink and pretty indeed, to be able to wear something in this color!    …and oh, so soft!  The yarn was right…it was meant to be a Whimsy, lol.

The buttons I found at the Shibori Dragon…a delicious yarn and fabric store that I am lucky enough to have nearby.  These buttons were amongst the many tubes of pretties, just waiting to be picked for this project.

Of course, I picked a few extras, just in case I needed them in the future and to help fill out my growing button stash. 

Just in case you want to know what this little pretty looks like on… here ya’ go!

I wanted to show you how nice the Whimsy looks with my Heather Rose Wristers, too.  More pink is just blooming all around, lol.   It seems I don’t wear one without the other since the Whimsy came off the loom!

Well…unless I’m using the Whimsy as a Muff, with my hands tucked toasty warm inside.  It’s like having a little blanket just for my hands, a definite plus for someone who always has absolutely frigid fingers. 

As for the little order that I spoke of in the last post… you remember… the one about the sock yarn from Simply Socks??  Well, it came today!  Notice  a bit of a repeat of the pink theme??  I’m very much looking forward to looming up something good with them.  I’ve got that giant loomy sock book that needs some attention, lol.  After having knit two of the samples for this book, I know first hand that the designs are simply fabulous!  I just have to decide which of them would go with what yarn…hmmmm.  It’s a very nice thing to ponder though, isn’t it?

Hope you’re having a stupendous week!

Bethany~

I have to say…I’ve been really enjoying this little loomy get-together and project!    It’s just a straight forward little dealy-bob, but it’s very satisfying the way all those little pieces and steps just fall into place, isn’t it?  I hope you’re all enjoying it as much as I have been.

**As in the previous LAL entries, please make sure to drop a comment in this particular post’s comment section, remembering to check the box that says “notify me of follow up comments via email.”  In this way, we’ll all stay up to date and learning together! 

Remember those “options” I spoke about, way back in Part I?  Well, let me tell you that I’ve explored those options to the fullest in my most recent Winter Whimsy excursion, lol.  Remember this little baby?  This is something that has been lingering on my blue loom…I’m ashamed to admit…but, it’s been there since January 2008!  This is 2 years, folks.    Well…I decided to rescue this very nice project, but neglected just the same, and put it to another purpose.

You guessed it!  I made this baby into a Whimsy!

Because it’s made with Lion Brand Thick and Quick, a super bulky #6 yarn, I definitely didn’t want a lot of extra layers to contend with, so I went with the option of having the 2nd panel made of fleece.  (A super cuteness choice of pattern on that fleece too!  You can’t get much cuter than monkeys, lol!)

Because I didn’t have a double layered panel, I didn’t have that “middle” allowance to thread my I-cord through invisibly, so I created 2 little casing (or tube) panels, in which the I-cord is threaded through, and can be pulled freely from one side to the other.

In case you want to know exactly how I did this, I pulled 5 stitches up through my loom and onto the pegs, from about 5 stitches in from the outside edges at my middle-2.5″ measurements (*see Part II), so that I would be knitting toward the direction of the outside edge.  Then I panel knit 6 rows.  I pulled up the stitches onto the loom that were directly in line from the original ones pulled up, at the 2nd stitch from the end (just like you would for the brim of a hat), and then I used a Basic BO on all pegs, lifting 2 loops over 1.  This is an excellent way to create a casing for any of your projects.  **Please Note!  The number of pegs used and rows knitted will need to be adjusted for different gauges of yarn!!

Alright…that brings us the the next steps for the actual Pattern Part III.

• As you’ve probably noticed in the picture above, you’ll need to create a couple little anchor tubings for your I-cord to travel through at the top of the Whimsy, near the flap.  This step really helps stabilize your Whimsy when it’s being used as a Pocket Purse.  You’ll want to place the anchors about 1.5-2″ below the base of the flap, so that when the 2 panels are placed together, with the bottom (furthest away from flap) edges even, they will sit unseen, just under and inside the top edge of the Whimsy.
• In order to create this anchor tubing, you may use just a simple crocheted chain, or a whipstitch tubing, as described in Part II…just make sure that your I-cord can still be pulled through all of the casings freely.
• Assemble your panels, as hinted at above, with the bottom edges, which are the edges furthest away from the flap, aligned.  You will be stitching them together along the 2 long edges, leaving the ends open, and the I-cord free.  You may choose a variety of ways to do this:  you may single crochet them together (as in the original sample pictures), or whipstitch them together, or use a decorative blanket stitch (as I have used in my newest sample in the completed project pics below).

The neat thing about this process of blanket stitching for me this time, is that I’m intending on giving this Whimsy to my daughter on her 18th birthday coming up in April.  It will go perfect with these! This yellow embroidery thread I’m using was originally used to embroider her nursery items when I was still expecting her arrival!  How cool is that?    Yes…I do tend to hang onto things for a long time.  Have I mentioned that I have a little pack-rat tendencies, lol?  But, I’m ever so glad in this particular case!

• Now for the final touches… adding the buttons!  You’ll need to close up your Whimsy, as you would for both the bag, and the cowl, and decide on the best placement for your buttons.  Mark those places while your flap is held in place, so that it doesn’t get lost once you’ve repositioned for sewing.  Stitch your buttons on securely, making sure to only be sewing through the top panel.
• You’re all done!    It’s time to go try it on in front of the mirror, and play with all the different ways this project can be used…To use as a Bag, you just slide the strap out of it’s hide-y-hole and button the pockets closed.  To convert back into a snuggy Muff or Cowl, just pull the strap back inside by reaching up through the bottom edge and pulling the strap back into hiding…neat!
• Now, it’s only up to your Whimsy how you’ll Wear it!

Enjoy!

Bethany~

Okie-Dokie!  You should by now have completed (or be close to) your 2 panels as described in the last post.  Now you’re ready to create your buttonhole flap and then remove your longer panel from the loom! 

Before we get into that, what you may want to do right now is take the time to subscribe to this particular post’s comments.  If you subscribed to the pattern, Part I, you’ll still need to subscribe again to this post, so that all our comments about the 2nd section will be listed in the same place. 

Need a refresher on how do I do that, you ask??

Easy-Peasy!

Just go to the comments section of this exact post, type your comment that says you’re going to be a participant in the LAL fun, then find the box below the comment box that says: “Notify me of follow-up comments via email.” Put a check in that box before submitting your comment.  You can also check the box that says: “Notify me of new posts via email.” so that you’ll know right when the next bit of the pattern has been released.    In doing these steps, you’ll know when there’s a new question asked and also my response to that question…so we’ll all be learning together and from each other!

Let’s just dive right in, shall we?

Button Flap:

• *You will begin your decreases at the 2nd set of pegs in from the ends (in this first row, it will be your 2nd set and your 11th set).  To do this, you will lift the loops from these pegs (directions are given as a group, but you should do this step one peg at a time), move the loops which are on the ends over to these now empty pegs, then replace the held loops on top of the newly added loops.

• Knit the row with the remaining pegs, knitting two over one on the pegs with 2 loops.

• The next row will be another decrease row, following the same instructions from the *  but, in this case, you will also be moving extra loops to create your buttonholes.  Please move the loops from peg pairs #4 & #7 to peg pairs #3 & #8 of the remaining 10 pairs. 

• Knit the row with the remaining pegs, knitting two over one on the pegs with 2 loops.  You will have 2 peg pairs with no loops…these you will wrap as usual, but will not KO until the next row.
• Continue to follow the decrease instructions from * (minus the buttonhole steps) until you are left with only 2 peg pairs with loops.
• Bind Off the last 2 peg pairs, trim WY, pull through last loop, weave in ends to secure.  For an easy BO, follow these steps:

1. Move the loops from the back side of the loom on top of the loops on the front side of the loom.  KO.
2. Move the loop connected to your WY to the last peg, KO.  Trim yarn, pull tail through last loop, cinch and weave in to secure.

Pocket Purse Strap:

• Create a 2 peg I-Cord with 8″ tails, until you reach the length of 46″ (here is a video tutorial for a re-view).  Remove from loom, and keep stitches unbound (you may place on a stitch holder, or a piece of scrap yarn to secure).
• On the wrongside of your longer panel, find the half way mark, not including the buttonhole flap.
• Measure from the halfway mark up 2.5″ toward the BH flap.  Place some type of marker (stitch holder, scrap yarn, pins, etc…) at the beginning and end of the 2.5″, at the first rows on each end of the panel. (*see diagram)

• Place the CO end of your I-Cord onto a yarn needle and pull through these markers, invisibly inside the double knit thickness, so that you have one continous loop inside your panel (see diagram).

•  Using your I-Cord tails, stitch loop closed end to end.  Weave tails in, up inside the I-Cord.
• ***Note:  If you’ve decided to knit a single layer panel, then in order to attach this cord invisibly to the inside of your panel, you’ll need to create either two smaller panels to stitch down (as a tube) so that the I-Cord can be slipped through, or create a loose casing by whipstitching yarn around the I-Cord and into the inside layer of your panel, along the measurement lines, making sure that the I-Cord is secure, and can still be pulled through easily.  Those of you with crochet skills could create a casing in this manner just as well.

Okay…That’s it for now!  The final instructions will be published soon! 

**Remember that all questions regarding this section of the pattern should be submitted to this exact post, so that we can all keep up and learn from each other. 

Happy Looming!

Bethany~

It’s that time!  We’re going to be starting this fun Loom Along, right here at the blog, so what you may want to do right now is take the time to subscribe to this particular post’s comments.

How do I do that, you ask??

Easy-Peasy!

Just go to the comments section of this exact post, type your comment that says you’re going to be a participant in the LAL fun, then find the box below the comment box that says: “Notify me of follow-up comments via email.” Put a check in that box before submitting your comment.  You can also check the box that says: “Notify me of new posts via email.” so that you’ll know right when the next bit of the pattern has been released.    In doing these steps, you’ll know when there’s a new question asked and also my response to that question…so we’ll all be learning together and from each other!

Okay…heeeeeeerrrrrrreeeeeee weeeee gooooooo!

Winter Whimsy~

Winter Whimsy: Part I

Let’s talk about Options:

I’m always one for changing things up a bit, lol.  If something says one thing, I’m right there ready to suggest an alternative…and this project is no exception!  I’m going to leave the end result up to your own…well, yes…Whimsy!

The original project is knit in double knit stockinette, which provides a nice thick and cozy layer of warmth and stability.  This is twice the thickness of a regular panel of single knit.  When the project is assembled, you will actually have 2 pieces of double knit back to back.  This feels good to me, and I tend to wear my scarves doubled up like this all the time, but you may wish to have the thickness toned down a bit.  Here are a few ideas on how you can accomplish this:

1. Knit only one side double knit stockinette, and the other a regular single thickness panel knit, using the same number of pegs. (If you decide to do this, knit the single thickness panel first at 20″, then knit the double knit 2nd at 21″ and leave on the loom until the next portion of the pattern is published.)
2. Knit 2 panels of regular single knit.  I’m not sure I really recommend this option fully, as it won’t have very much stability when being used as a bag…but if you really prefer the lighter version, or if you are using really bulky yarn, then this is a viable option for you.
3. Knit one panel of double knit stockinette (which would be at 21″ and left on the loom). This panel can then be stitched together with a layer of fleece fabric as the 20″ layer.  I’m actually working on a version of this pattern that will most likely be finished in this manner.

**One more option: If you measure around your neck (or the neck of the recipient) and you find that 20″ is not a comfortable fit (it should be gently snug, but allow room for your hand to slip through easily), then by all means, adjust this number accordingly…just be sure to add one inch to the 2nd panel (or the 21″ panel described in pattern).

Okay, now that I’ve shared with you some ideas…let’s get to it!

• Using your yarn (1 strand if using bulky, 2 strands held as one if using WW) Cast On to all 12 sets of pegs of your pink KK long loom, using the stockinette CO. (see diagram)

• Once you have wrapped 2 x’s around the loom in this manner, knit the bottom loop over the top loop on each peg, then place a length of contrasting waste yarn across the knitted pegs as shown:

This contrast yarn should be long enough to tie end to end across the bottom of the loom and will serve to hold the loops that will be completely bound off later.

• Using the Stockinette Stitch (the same method of wrapping the loom as shown in the above CO) create a length of knitting that measures 20″.

• Bind Off and remove from loom:

1. Beginning at the end opposite of your working yarn, move the 11th peg’s loop of the back row of pegs onto the last back row peg.  KO.
2. Move this loop to the 12th peg on the front side of the loom.  KO.
3. Move the 11th front side’s loop to the12th peg on the front side, KO.
4. Move this loop to the 10th peg on the back side, KO.
5. Move the 9th loop to the 10th back side peg, KO.
6. Move this loop to the 10th front side peg, KO.
7. Move the 9th front side peg onto the 10th front side peg, KO.
8. repeat in this manner until you’ve reached the last loop, trim yarn and pull tail through loop to cinch and weave into your panel to secure.

• Bind Off original Cast On stitches:

1. Using your crochet hook and working toward your beginning yarn tail, insert into the first 2 loops on the waste yarn, pull the 2nd loop through the first.  Now you will have just one loop on your hook.
2. Grab the next loop in line onto your hook, and then pull through the other loop on your hook.
3. Continue in this way until all loops are bound off…pull yarn tail through last loop and weave in to secure.
4. Remove waste yarn.

• Make another panel… this one will be 21 inches in length… BUT DO NOT REMOVE FROM LOOM!  You may finish off the Cast On loops, but leave the panel ON the loom until the Winter Whimsy: Part II is revealed. 

Okay!  Off you go…just remember: Any and all questions or comments should be posted right here in this exact post (that we have all now subscribed to), so that everyone is on the same page for learning and encouraging. This is going to be so much fun! 

Happy looming!

Bethany~