Absolutely Totally Seamless One Piece Stuffed Heart

This is basically a heart for the sock lovers out there,  though I’ve never made a sock before. I decided to make some mini Christmas stockings this year, which will be blogged about soon. So as I was saying, while looking at the completed little socks, I saw a heart-tish shape, especially if I folded this here, shrunk this there, and closed this up.. Interesting..

And so the began the idea for this little pattern.Also, I’ve never found a pattern for a totally seamless heart, which doesn’t involve seaming - duh, or using only one strand of yarn throughout, without having to cut and rejoin the yarn at the 2nd point of the heart.

Thirdly, I was having some problems with holes in my short row heels, and was determined to find a way to end that, and this heart became a sort of short-row experiment.

This heart makes good practice for people who may want to try something small before starting on their first sock, or just for some short-row heel practice! You also get to try out Judy’s Magic Cast-on  for toe up socks! (Instructions on Knitty.com here)

I looked at numerous short-row tutes, and settled for trying out 2 different methods, and as can be seen, the heart on the left has pretty obvious holes, though it was probably cause I messed up halfway through. I can’t seem to find the link to the tutorial I used for the heart on the left, but this is the one I used for the one on the right, and there’s a similar tute here).

There’s also a short-row experiment on Nonaknits, with instructions for 3 different methods of short-row shaping. =)

Anyway, so once you’ve decided on whichever short-row method you’re most comfortable with (or would like to try), here’s the pattern to try it out with:

Note: I used the magic loop method to knit this heart up.

Using Judy’s magic cast on (link above), or whichever cast on method you like, (this and this are another two interesting looking methods for casting-on in the round),

Cast on 6 stitches and place marker to mark beginning of round.

Rnd 1: [K1, M1, K1, M1, K1] twice (10 sts)

Rnd 2: [K1, M1, K3, M1, K1] twice (14 sts)

Rnd 3: [K1, M1, K5, M1, K1] twice (18 sts)

Rnd 4: [K1, M1, K7, M1, K1] twice (22 sts)

Rnd 5-7: K across (22 sts)

Rnd 8: K1, begin short row shaping on the next 20 sts (there will be one st left untouched at the end of this round)

Con’t short row shaping until 4 sts have been wrapped on each side, then work back across wrapped stitches. (The actual short-row tutes will explain this in much greater and clearer detail, do have a read if you’re having problems with short rows)

Rnd 9 - 11 : K across (22 sts)

Rnd 12: [K1, K2tog, K5, K2tog, K1] twice (18 sts)

Rnd 13: [K1, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K1] twice (14 sts)

Rnd 14: [K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1] (10 sts)

Stuff, stuff stuff

Rnd 15: [K1, Slip next stitch, K2tog, psso, K1] twice (6sts)

Cut yarn and graft close, or if you’re lazy like me, just thread yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight. It won’t look as nice though. Hide the yarn end in the heart, and you’re done! No further work needed. Now that is what I call….

Seamless! =D

  

Picked up something new!

Lol I discovered another interest…. Wire work! Well more like the basics of wire work, but it’s fun all the same! It started with this earring making kit that was on sale @ the Reject shop for $1, and I remembered this tutorial for making stitch markers using a earring making kit. And there were some pretty little beads too.

Temptation. But, I had no tools, and who knows how much one set would cost? So off I went to hunt for jewellery making tools, and found a set at lincraft for about $15 iirc. JOY!

Went back to the reject shop,  grabbed the stuff, scouted around online for stitch marker making tutes, and came up with these:

 

My very first stitch markers! The little things are addictive! So I made more….

Yes, I know they’re simple, but I’m new to this stuff.. And simple is good =) I like the bunch of blue beads, they’re really alot prettier in real life. And I tested them all. The little rings fit up to a 5mm (or maybe a 5.5mm, I forgot) needle. They’re perfect on 4mms, which is what I use the most anyway.

 

So in the post-discovery-of-yay-i-did-it-now-what-else-can-I-make excitement, I trawled the net for more tutes on jewellery making techniques, which led to these:  

and these:

 

Yes, I know some of them are kinda wonky, but we learn through our failures yea.. lol And my tree of life pendant is an autumn tree – which is why it’s so naked. Planning to turn most of them into stitch markers oh yay.

 

And I really like the butterflies in the previous picture. There’s a free tute for them and the angels. I improvised on the angels though, cos I didn’t have wingy looking beads, and refuse to fiddle with little bits of ribbon (which i also do not possess), so in a spurt of inspiration, I coiled wires up for the wings.

The bf was made to admire each new piece I whipped up, and he asked for a butterfly to stick onto his laptop, so he got THIS:

 

It is a happy butterfly, and he is very pleased with it. =)

 

And here they are, resting in their little silicon cupcake baking cup when I’m not picking them out to smile at. =)

Pattern for cupcake scarf!

each cupcake is about 5" tall,
and i used 5mm needles, patons powderpuff and dk acrylic.
you can use whatever you like! :)

Here goes!
i used the brioche rib for the brown part, which goes like this:
setup row: sl1p, yo, (k1, sl1p, yo) to last st, k1
r1: sl1p, (yo, k2tog, sl1p) to last 2 sts, yo, k2tog
repeat r1 to desired length.

First cupcake:Cast on 12 sts with brown yarn.
r1: work setup row of brioche rib. (18 sts)
r2-20: work in brioche rib. (18 sts)

switch to frosting yarn,
r21: k acc (18 sts)
r22 & 23: slp kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1
r24 -27: sl1p, k acc. (22 sts)
r28 - 35: sl1p, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (14 sts at end of r35)
r36: sl1p, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (12 sts)
i find that k2tog at the end of the row gives a more convex, rather than straight line, so the cupcake looks rounder

2nd cupcake:switch to brown yarn.
r1: k2tog acc (6 sts)
r2: inc acc (12 sts)
the dec and inc helps to shape the top of the frosting and the bottom of the cake
r3: work setup row of brioche rib
r4-20: work in brioche rib.

switch to frosting yarn and work as for first cupcake.
repeat 2nd cupcake til half of desired length, then place rem sts on holder, then make another string of cupcakes(i made nine cupcakes on each side).

at end of 2nd string of cupcakes:
work another r1-19 of ribbing
r20: (k1, k2tog) acc (12 sts)graft 1st and 2nd string of cupcakes tog, and you're done!

embellish with beads / scraps of felt / puffy paint etc etc if u like, wear and enjoy!

corrections added on the instructions for brioche rib and r36, thanks Gia! =)

and 2 tops

so here is my patternless randomly striped raglan cropped pullover:

and here it is lying flat on the bed.. the ends haven't been woven in yet.. *lazy
funny pose.. hehe like how ancient maids greet ancient emperors in China..

and a knot ugly shrug from HH again! hehe the guage was slightly off, and the sleeves are kinda long, but i like it anyway!

and if u've been reading this blog and wondering why there are suddenly so many FOs which are totally impractical in Sg weather, u're smart!

well actually, i'll be gg over to Melbourne to further my studies, and it's winter there now, so i'm preparing for fight against the cold. hehe plus, it's a chance to knit up some cold wear and actually be able to use it. :)

hats aplenty

newsboy cap from SnB: double stranded in purple acrylic.. it's nice and poofy (like a beret) at the back - si u can stuff my hair in if i have a bad hair day :)
overexposed shot from the flash.. hehe cook effect though.

and here are 3 beanies modelled by 3 cute stuffies: odessa on the knotts berry bear, shedir on little grey bear, and a basic st st beanie on the happy kiwi.
and the same 3 beanies lying flat..
and a calorimetry which is like a headband thingy. it was another very fast knit.. seemed much faster that the panta, though they're about the same size. i wonder why... :)

scarves galore!

scarves...

from left to right: one skein scarf, cupcake scarf, garden scarf

here's the one skein scarf, pattern's from happy hooker. fast piece, but i only just realised the ends havent been woven in though i finished it AGES ago..
next up: garden scarf, also from happy hooker, using panda baby lustre. it has a nice shiny thread running through it.
and my wonderful cupcake scarf! my own pattern, and it's really soft and snuggly!
close up of a cupcake
and the 3 bow knot scarves i made for my mum, grandma and aunty. but they havent been given out yet. hehe i'll prob be stealing one to bring to aussie!

What is this?

so.. what's this?


it used to be this:
now it's this:
Clapotis! the ever popular pattern from knitty. i made slightly less wide than in the pattern, as i was afraid that there would not be enough yarn. i was wrong though.. there was a fair bit of yarn remaining, i think it's enough to make another one of this size.. tempting thought! :)
and pls excuse my shiny chin! this is a very classic, but versatile piece. it can be used as a shawl, scarf, and head wrap! and it's really drapey and warm.. the designer is a genius!

Bold Lace Cardigan

i finished this quite some time ago, and only got down to taking photos today.

pattern's from Fabulous and Flirty Crochet. i used a bulky 100% wool (iirc).
pattern was quite easy and fast, though i didnt note the exact start and finish dates. :)

here it is on the floor: and on me:
i think it's a lot prettier in real life, and the pics look not so nice cos the tank inside is kinda short, and i was to lazy to change out. but it is soft and comfy!
and the back:

and me looking happy and satisfied! i LOVE the shawl collar.

Coco clutch

Pattern is from Magknits, with no modifications except to the yarn and needle size. This bag was knitted for Steph, my classmate - she chose the pattern, yarn, lining and button and i did all e knitting and sewing (ahh i do hate sewing!) :)

I finished the knitting and making up of the clutch quite some time ago, but it took me many many months to summon up the energy and determination to sit down and get the sewing of the lining done, which only happened cos Steph came over to my house to knit! and stared at me with her evil eye... i had no choice!

i have many more bags and pouches waiting to be lined! any volunteers?

here's a pic of the lining, one part's not very even, but it's hidden in this pic i think.

and a closeup of the cables and button. the button's actually alot darker though.

toys 003

toys 003
Originally uploaded by l_i_p_i_n_g.

boy oh boy this is coolllll