Patterns
Why not try your hand at making an item that will help someone else? Drop off items at our meeting sites or call to make other arrangements. Our patterns are provided for use by our members. It's easy to join and doesn't cost you a penny! Just email or call us to sign up. Our membership is not limited by geographic borders. If you are not a member, you are welcome to use any of these patterns for charitable purposes.
Our patterns are contributed by members and friends - some of them, like the Old Shale Pattern below, have been around for generations!
Scarf/Shawl/Afghan
Old Shale - Traditional Celtic Knit Pattern For 4 ply yarn, use sixe 8 or 9 needle (24-36"circular needle works well as it allows knitter to keep bulk of work in front, reducing arm fatigue). Adjust needle size according to weight of yarn (smaller needles for lighter weight yarn).
Scarf: Cast On 42 Stitches (gives 2 pattern ripples and a 3 stitch border on each side).
Shawl or Afghan: Cast on stitches in multiples of 18, plus 6 stitches to desired width (most afghans 150, 168 or 186 stitches).
Pattern: Row 1 & 2) Knit across. Row 3) Purl across. Row 4) Knit 3 stitches, knit 2 stitches together 3 times, *yarn over and knit 1 stitch, 6 times, knit 2 stitches together 6 times*, repeating directions between *s until 9 stitches remain. With those 9 stitches, knit 2 stitches together 3 times, and knit 3 stitches.
Repeat these 4 rows for pattern. End work with Row 2. Cast those stitches off, being careful not to cast off too tighly. Lacey affect of pattern is seen best when solid color yarn is used
Crochet Hat
Size G hook and about 2(2-3-4) ounces of worsted weight yarn
Chain: x-small - 50
small - 55
medium - 60
large - 65
x-large - 70
Being careful not to twist chain, join last chain to first chain with slip stitch. Chain 2 and continue working in rounds as follows:
Rnd 1: 1/2 double crochet in each chain. Join with slip stitch. Chain 2.
Rnd 2 : 10: 1 double crochet in each stitch. Join w/slip stitch. Chain 2.
Rnd 11: *double crochet (dc) in each of first 7 stitches, then dc in
stitch 8 and 9 together. One decrease made. Continue from *
(will not end in even sets of nine) Slip stitch to join. Chain 2.
Continue to decrease as follows:
Round 12: dc in 6 stitches, dc in 7 & 8 tog
Round 13: dc in 5 stitches, dc in 6 & 7 tog
Round 14: dc in 4 stitches, dc in 5 & 6 tog
Round 15: dc in 3 stitches, dc in 4 & 5 tog
Round 16: dc in 2 stitches, dc in 3 & 4 tog
Round 17: dc in 1 stitch, dc in 2 & 3 tog
^Tie off, leaving 12" to draw through last row of stitches, pull to inside to gather for top of hat. Tie off, but don't cut yarn. Using kitchener or railroad stitch, seam the two sides, being careful not to pull too tight. Seam should be straight, not curved. Work end into BODY of hat, not edge, as this prevents end from coming loose during laundering. Snip off excess. Turn hat right side out and hand shape.
Stretchy Knit Hat
Requires about 2(2-3-4) ounces worsted weight yarn and size 7 or 8 needles. Cast on 69 stitches(multiples of 4 + 1 stitch).
All rows: Knit(k) 3, Pearl(p) 1, end with k1 ontinue till piece is 9" then shape top as follows:
Row 1 : K2 together(tog) across,ending with k1
Row 2 : Purl across.
Row 3 : Repeat row 1.
Row 4 : Purl across.
Row 5 : K2 tog across.
Leave 8 - 10" tail, tie off, stitch seam, work end into BODY of hat, not around edge (^for finish details see previous pattern).
Two Needle Mittens (side seam)
Make cuff: cast on 20(24,28,32) stitches. Work in knit 2 st, purl 2 st rib for 12(14,16,18) rows.
Next row: knit acrossincreasing 1 stitche at = intervals for a total of 4 increased stitches for row.
Purl one row.
Thumb Gore: Knit 11(13,15,17) stitches. Place marker on needle. Increase 1 stitch in next 2 stitches, place maker on needle, knit to end of row (4 stitches tween markers). Always slip markers as you knit more rows.
Purl next row. Continue in stockinetter stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row), increasing one stitch after the first marker and increas-ing one stitch before the last marker, until there are 10(12,12,14) sts between markers, knitting to end of row.
Place Thumb Stiches on Holder
Next row, purl 12(14,16,18) stitches and place on stitch holder. Purl next 8(10,10,12) for thumb, and place remaining 12(114,16,18) stitches on a second stitch holder.
Working on thumb stitches only, work in stickinette for 5(7,8,10) more rows. Break yarn, leaving 6: to draw yarn through stitches on needle, fasten and sew thumb seam.
Make hand: Join yarn at beginnning of second stitch holder on wrong side. Purl to end of row.
Next row, knit 12(14,16,18) stitches. Then knit 12(14,16,18) stitches from first stitch holder. THere are now 24(28,32,36) stitches on needle.
Continue woirking in stockinette for 12(16,30,24) more rows.
Decrease for tip:
Row 1) *Knit 2 stitches together, knit 2 stitches, repeat from * across row.
Row 2) Purl
Row 3) *Knit 2 stitches together, knit 1 stitch, repeat from * across row.
Row 4) Purl 2 stitches together across row. Break yarn, leaving about 12" to finish.
Finish: Draw yarn through stitches on needle, pull and fasten, then stitch seam using kitchener or railroad stitch to create a flat seam.
Make second mitten.
Mastectomy Pillows
These pillows provide post surgical comfort and are simple to make. They do not have to be exact sizes; we recommend a 6-8" square, but rectangular pillows of a similar size are okay. Be sure to use fabric and yarns which are clean as these pillows are not wahsed before packaging.
Choose your favorite stitching method:
To Sew: Cut 2 same size pieces of fabric, placing right sides together, and machine or hand stitch a 1/2" seam around the edges, leaving the last edge open about three inches to allow for filling. Turn right side out, smooth out corners and fill with fiber fill. With hand sewing needle and thread to match fabric, close the opening.
To Crochet or Knit: Stitch a rectangle in either a knit or crochet stitch that is fairly close (single crochet, seed stitch, garter stitch, stockinette - any stitch that does not leave openings that filling willeasily pass through). Fold the worked piece in half. Stitch the open sides, leaving about three inches open to allow for stuffing with fiber fill. Use a stitch that will allow a "finished look" such as railroad stitch or you can crochet around the edge. When stuffed, finish stitching the opening.
Attach a strap: This is important as it helps to keep the pillow in place. Create a strap for the pillow by crochetting a 20" chain (you can in many cases, use your crochet hook to push through the fabric at one corner, chain, and push through at the opposite corner, and tie end off, tucking end of yarn into pillow). You can also use a length of cloth ribbbon (such as gross grain).
You can be as creative as you wish with these pillows, trim with lace, use complimenting colors for front and back, quilted pieces, crochet a shell around the edge, whatever you like.
Crocheted Easter Chicks
(using 4 ply worsted yarn and I hook - if using sport wt yarn, you may need a small hook like g or h and add one or two stitches to your beginning chain and perhaps an extra round to achieve the dame size)
Body: Chain 20, slip stich closed to form a round. Chain 2, single crochet a stitch in each chain around for a total of 20 stitches. Slip stitch to beginning of round. Continue for 7 rounds. After 7th round, fold body in half, and slip stitch across top opening 10 times to close. Chain three and turn.
Head: Make 7 double crochets in the first stitch of the last row. This shell creates the head. Slip stitch to anchor head to back of chick (about 3 or 4 chains in). Cut a 2 inch end, tie off and tuck end into body. You should see the shape of the head and body at this point.
Tail: Make a 1-1 1/2 inch pom pom for the tail. Anchor the tail to the end of the slipped stitches you made to close the opening. Use care not to add it at the last stitch, as the weight of the pom pom can make the "tail" droop.
Add beak and eye in desired colors (black, yellow, orange) with large eyed needle.
Color suggestions - make body one color, use complimentary color for head and tail. OR use a solid color for body and a varigated color for tail. YOu can stuff these chicks with hard boiled eggs or plastic Easter eggs available at most discount stores. HAVE FUN!
2011 Focus Project Baptismal Shawl
4 ply worsted white yarn (softer yarn good, but if results are rough, siften with fabric softener)
Knit: size 9 needles - cast on 65 stitches, Crochet: size I hook - chain 70
Knit 6 rows.
1st Pattern row: *Knit 1, Yarn Over, repeat from "across, ending with K1.
2nd Pattern row: *Knit 1, drop YO stitch, repeat from * across, ending with K 1
Knit 4 rows.
Repeat pattern rows *1 & 2, then knit 4 rows* repeating between the *s until the piece measures 69 inches, end with knit 6 rows.
This reults in a rib and lacy look. It is purposely long, as this particular shswl is draped around the parents and the baby during the baptism.
Crochet: Douuble Crochet in 3rd chain from hook, and each chain after for total of 68 DC.Chain two and turn. Repeat this row two more times.
Next row: Skip first and second DC of previous row and DC in third DC. Then go back to the second DC and DC in that stitch. This forms an X or cross stitch. Continue in this way across the row, making 34 Xs and ending with a DC in last stitch of previous row.
Alternate three rows of DC and 1 row of cross stitches until desired length is reached, ending with three DC rows.
To finish shawl, backstitch the perimeter in singlecrochet using an H hook, spacing stitches so as not to pull too tightly or leave too loose.
