Purly Shells Bookmark

Purly Shells Bookmark by Mylyne De Jesus

Copyright © 2009

Supplies Needed:

South Maid (Shades of Blue) or other equivalent No. 10 cotton thread

US#2 (2.75 mm)

Size 9 (0.85mm) crochet hook (or any size that would fit through tassel loop)

Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

Seed st = Row1: knit, purl, knit. Repeat this row.

Yo = yarn over

Wyif = with yarn in front

LH = left hand

P5tog = purl 5 stitches together

P2tog = purl 2 stitches together

Directions:

CO 15 sts.

Bottom Border: Work in seed stitch for 2 rows.

Side Borders: Work first 2 and last 2 row sts in seed st (k1, p1 for the R border and p1, k1 for the L border) throughout pattern unless instructed otherwise.

Pattern:

Work as follows:

Row 1(Right Side): K.

Row 2: P.

Row 3 to 4: Work as Rows 1 and 2.

Row 5: K.

Row 6: P5, k5, p5.

Row 7: K4, (k1, yo, k1) in the next st, k5 wrapping yarn twice for each st, (k1, yo, k1) in the next st.

Row 8: P4, k3, wyif sl 5 sts dropping extra wraps then insert LH needle back into these

5 long sts and p5tog, k3, p4.

Rows 9 to 24: Repeat Rows 1-8.

Row 25 to 30: Work as Rows 1 and 2 to prepare for the next step.

Top Border:

Work in garter stitch.

Decrease right and wrong side rows by working end row stitches as follows: K1, p2tog, k up to last 3 sts, end p2tog, k1.

Continue working decrease pattern until 5 sts remain on needle.

P2tog, k1, p2tog-- 3 sts remaining.

Then p2tog, k1, pull last st through loop.

Leaving a 12-inch tail, break thread. Cut 3 threads (of the same kind) measuring 24 inches each and thread through same loop as top border tail end and knot altogether. Trim to desired length.

Weave bottom tail at back of work.

Block as needed.

Beaded Butterflies and Flower Buds

Beaded Butterflies and Flower Buds Bookmark by Mylyne De Jesus

Copyright © 2009

Supplies Needed:

America’s Best Perle Cotton (Baby Pink) or other equivalent No. 5 Perle cotton thread

US#2 (2.75 mm)

#6/0 Czech Glass E-Beads, 15 total (Crystal Pink Lnd)

Size 13 (0.85mm) crochet hook (or any size that would fit through bead hole)

Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

yo = yarn over

k2tog = knit two stitches together

yo = yarn over

ssk = slip, slip, knit (Slip one stitch, then slip the next. Insert left needle into the front loops of the slipped stitches and knit them together from this position (through the back loop).

pb = place bead (Pick up a bead with crochet hook and insert the hook into the stitch loop making sure the hook is facing you. Pull the stitch loop off the left needle and through the bead. Place the beaded stitch back on the left needle and knit.)

cdd = centered double decrease (Slip two stitches together knit-wise, knit the following stitch, and pass the two slipped stitches over it.)

Directions:

CO 25 sts.

Bottom Border: Work in garter stitch for 2 rows (K right and wrong side rows).

Side Borders: Work first 2 and last 2 row sts in garter st throughout pattern unless instructed otherwise.

Pattern:

On right side rows, work stitches according to pattern. On wrong side rows, purl stitches (except for side borders).

Work Flower Buds as follows:

Row 1(Right Side): K.

Row 3: K3, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k3.

Row 5: K2, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k2.

Row 7: Work as Row 3.

Row 9: K3, k2tog, yo, pb, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, pb, yo, ssk, k3.

Row 11: K.

Row 13: K1, * yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, repeat from * to end.

Row 15: K2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k2.

Row 17: Work as Row 13.

Row 19: Pb, * yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, pb, repeat from * to end.

Row 20: P.

Repeat Rows 1 to 11.

Starting with a Purl row (wrong side), work the next 5 rows in stockinette st. to prepare for the next step.

Work Butterflies Lace as follows:

Row 1 (Right Side): K.

Row 3: K9, yo, cdd, yo, k9.

Row 5: K8, k2tog, yo, pb, yo, ssk, k8.

Row 7: K7, k2tog, yo, k1, pb, k1, yo, ssk, k7.

Row 9: K.

Row 11: K4, yo, cdd, yo, k7, yo, cdd, yo, k4.

Row 13: K3, k2tog, yo, pb, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, pb, yo, ssk, k3.

Row 15: K2, k2tog, yo, k1, pb, k1, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, pb, k1, yo, ssk, k2.

Row 16: P.

Repeat Rows 1 to 9.

Starting with a Purl row (wrong side), work the next 5 rows in stockinette st. to prepare for the next step.

Top Border:

Work in garter stitch.

Decrease right and wrong side rows by working end row stitches as follows: Ssk, k up to last 2 sts, end k2tog.

Continue working decrease pattern until 3 sts remain on needle.

Cdd remaining 3 sts, pull last st through loop.

Leaving a 12-inch tail, break thread. Cut 3 threads (of the same kind) measuring 12 inches each and thread through same loop as top border tail end and braid altogether to desired length.

Weave bottom tail at back of work.

Block as needed.

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

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People seem to be in a great hurry to get somewhere that many rely on the voice from above, the GPS, for fast, accurate direction. Reaching one's destination is so important in our time that in a survey done by NASA on April 21, 2009 concerning what people think are its greatest achievements, finding your way with GPS ranks first on the list.
While my itinerary does not include traveling great distances, I too can benefit from some direction when it comes to completing my projects.
I have, at last, finished my WIP from a few posts ago and was surprised to discover its length doubled from what I originally had in mind, which is a good lesson in knitting a swatch first.


I have also managed to complete my entry for "What's Your Bear's Pursenality?"


Putting together a miniature bear involves crocheting the arms, legs, ears, and head individually.


Then comes giving the head a face after which the ears are sewn next.


Then, finally, jointing the piece together.


For this challenge, I paired Honey Dew bear with the beaded purse brooch from here.

Then out of the blue, my number 2 son decided that he wanted a laptop cover for his laptop and so I enlisted the help of "Cables Untangled" for this commission.


After measuring the dimensions of the laptop, I found a cabled sweater that inspired me to knit the cover.


The color of choice is black with a sideways design orientation.


The cover can be easily slipped on or off as needed.


Here's a close-up of the cross-over stitch.


I'm pleased to report that he is happy with his new laptop cover.
On the other hand, even with the help of a newly acquired book from Amazon.com hopes of finishing my


freeform crochet entry on time faded as I decided to join "Hot Pads! and Potholders-- the Swap" in spirit as their list is full and plan to use these yarns below to make a


pattern called "My Favorite Easy Potholder," featuring this (front and back views) simple, but pretty potholder.

Did I tell you about the Thread Teds Workshop I joined to make a scarf clip? Here's my initial progress.


I forgot to mention that I'm also designing another laptop cover (this time with a hugs and kisses cable) since the first one is a hit among my son's peers.
So with so many WIPs, I can't tell where this is leading or where I am going. Can you? : )

Swaying Spring Leaves Bookmark

Swaying Spring Leaves by Mylyne De Jesus

Copyright © 2009

Supplies Needed:

Coats and Clark Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet #10 (Frosty Green) or other equivalent yarn

US #1 (2.25mm) Knitting Needles (I used a pair of dpn’s I already have)

Tapestry needle

12 inch of 1/8” Satin Ribbons (each of White and Light Green)—Optional

1 ladybug button (Optional)

Abbreviations:

yo = yarn over

cdd = centered double decrease (On right side rows, slip 2 stitches together knitwise, k the following stitch and pass the 2 slipped stitches over it.)

Directions:

CO 29 sts.

Bottom Border: Work garter stitch for 4 rows (K right and wrong side rows).

Side Borders: Work first 2 and last 2 row sts in garter st throughout.

Work Pattern as follows.

Pattern:

On right side rows, work according to pattern. On wrong side rows, work stitches in pattern (knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches) and purl yarn overs.

Row 1 (Right Side): P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k9, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 3: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, yo, k1, yo, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k3, cdd, k3, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 5: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k2, cdd, k2, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 7: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, cdd, k1, p1,yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 9: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, cdd, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 11: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k9, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Rows 13 and 15: Repeat Row 11.

Row 17: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k3, cdd, k3, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, yo, k1, yo, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 19: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k2, cdd, k2, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 21: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, cdd, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 23: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, cdd, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 25: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k9, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 27: Repeat Row 25.

Work on Row 28.

Repeat Rows 1 to 27.

Top Border: Work garter stitch for next 4 rows.

BO. Break thread, leaving a 4-inch tail. Weave in tails.

Block as needed. Lace ribbons through hole at the bottom of bookmark. With thread, sew ladybug between holes.

To Bead or Not to Bead?

To bead! And knitting with it is the answer. There are two ways of introducing beads when working on a piece. One is with the use of a fine crochet hook to pick up the bead and hooked onto a knit loop sliding the bead onto the work (the method I used with the Beaded Butterfly and Flower Buds Bookmark-- pattern to be posted next month).


The other is pre-loading the beads on the thread before knitting the piece, then sliding the bead in between stitches on the wrong side to make the beads appear on the right side. I have to say that it was truly an experience to load it just as much as to knit with it. I followed the instructions on loading that says to tie the bead thread to the knitting thread which I did over, and over, and over, as the finer thread is sensitive to the sliding motion exerted on the bead especially at the junction of the two threads.


And if that isn't enough, since I'm not one to take the easy way in learning things so for this project, I purchased a purse brooch kit (from Purse Paradise) which uses a "0000" (hey, that's 4 zeroes!) or 1.25mm knitting needles.


So, what was supposed to take two hours to finish turned out to be a six-hour adventure-- and every minute was worth it! What do you think?

It's the Little Things

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Little Things

By Ebenezer Cobham Brewer

Little drops of water,

Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.

Thus the little minutes,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.

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“Little Things Mean a Lot." We hear this saying so many times and relate them to gestures, moments, and memories-- the touch of a loved one, watching the sunrise or set, baby’s first word.

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But there are yet other little things that have recently taken its dwelling in the hearts of many modern toy collectors worldwide and have taken a hold of mine. I am speaking of the many faces of miniature thread crochet animals, with emphasis on teddy bears. Yes, bears less than 4 inches tall. Below is an example of a miniature bear by artist, Jessica Felton.

Chrissy by Jessica Felton

While there are a number of online groups that promote this latest trend in teddy bear-making, none is as popular as the Thread Animals Group as it boasts a membership of 1,447 (as of 04/15/09). This group, which is owned by Debbie Nicholas, is unique in that it teaches its members techniques of miniature teddy bear-making, show-casing the volumes of amazing works of members in the group’s website as well as its blog, and holds a monthly raffle for a free artist pattern. In addition, the very creative moderators, Bobbie Ripperger, Berta Hesen-Minten, Beverley McKenzie and the talented owner, Debbie, take turns in thinking up monthly challenges for the members. Let's take a look at some of them.

With so much concern over the state of the economy, Debbie started the year with a January challenge called Bargain Basement Bears using free to almost free and recycled thread as its requirements. “Glitzy,” featured below, was my entry.

Then came February’s Little Red sponsored by Beverley using 75% of red in each entry. Mine was “Prisoner of Love” inspired by the song of the same name and dedicated to the romantic in all of us.

Bobbie thought up with a unique theme for March called March Music Swap featuring minis of instruments, notes, anything music-related. I didn’t join the swap, but not wanting to be left behind I made a trumpet dedicated to Louis Armstrong and his song, “West End Blues.”

April calls for a challenge by Debbie with a theme called “Show off your bear’s ‘purse’nality” using a purse as a prop for a bear. My entry is still a WIP. I’m using a light yellow fingering yarn for my bear and will be making a knit beaded purse brooch from a kit. I will feature the final result in a later post as I’m off taking care of the little things.

Waiting for You

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Remember the song, Right Here Waiting for You, by Richard Marx that goes…

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you
Whatever it takes
Or how my heart breaks
I will be right here waiting for you

That’s exactly what my UFOs (Unfinished Objects) or WIPs (Works in Progress) would have said if they could speak.

Garter stitch scarf yarns

Here’s one example—a garter stitch scarf with 2 kinds of yarn alternating every few rows which I started in November and was supposed to keep me warm for the winter. All I need is to knit a couple of rows, a few finishing rows, then weave the loose threads in and it’s done.

Full shot of garter stitch scarf on needles

Instead I’ve put it aside as an in-between-the-challenges project. Well, winter has passed and they’re still on the needles.(Sigh)

Close-up of garter stitch scarf

I have at least 3 other projects—2 shawls and a stuffed toy bear on the needles hidden away somewhere or deep inside one of my closets. FO (Finished Object), a bag of 7 knitted baby hats for the neonatal unit at the local hospital for charity, that still hasn’t left for the hospital yet because it’s been recently put aside somewhere in the garage by mistake. I only hope that DH (Darling Husband) does not find it and sell it at one of his garage sales. What about you? Do you have anything “in progress” that’s put aside somewhere and waiting for you?

The First Hello Bookmark

The First Hello by Mylyne De Jesus

Copyright © 2009

Supplies Needed:

Patons Silk Bamboo (Moss) or other equivalent sport wt. or fingering yarn

US#5 (3.75mm) or US#3 (3.25mm) for fingering yarn knitting needles (I used 2 dpns I already have)

Tapestry needle

7/8” White Organdy Ribbon (optional)

Abbreviations:

yo = yarn over

cdd = centered double decrease (On right side rows, slip 2 stitches together knitwise, k the following stitch and pass the 2 slipped stitches over it.)

Directions:

CO 15 sts.

Bottom Border: Work garter stitch for 2 rows (K right and wrong side rows).

Side Borders: Work first 2 and last 2 row sts in garter st throughout.

Work Pattern as follows.

Pattern:

On right side rows, work according to pattern. On wrong side rows, work stitches in pattern (knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches) and purl yarn overs.

Row 1 (Right Side): P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, yo, k1, yo, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Rows 3 and 5: Repeat Row 1.

Row 7: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, yo, k1, yo, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 9: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 11: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 13: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 15: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k9, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Rows 17 and 19: Repeat Row 15.

Row 21: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k3, cdd, k3, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 23: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k2, cdd, k2, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 25: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, k1, cdd, k1, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Row 27: P1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, cdd, p1, yo, cdd, yo, p1.

Top Border: Garter stitch for next 2 rows.

BO. Break thread, leaving a 4-inch tail. Weave in tails.

Block as needed.

Lace 12 inches of organdy ribbon through the holes at the bottom of the bookmark. (Optional)

Mark My Words

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It’s the month for the air to give way to warmer weather and light showers and for plants to show some signs of life. In this really cool Yahoo Group called Monthly Threads KAL-CAL Bookmarks, owned by Maile Mauch, leaves are the theme for April. Every month, Maile picks out a few designs for sharing with the members and this month I’m thrilled to have my 2 knitted designs, The First Hello and Swaying Spring Leaves, chosen. I’ve also just finished another bookmark, a beaded one, for May. It has an overall pattern of beaded lace flower buds and butterflies. I will share all mentioned patterns with you after they’ve been posted at the group’s website. I’ll first show you how they look.

Here's The First Hello and below is Swaying Spring Leaves.

Below is Beaded Butterflies and Flower Buds, my first bead knitting piece.