BitsandBobs yahoo group

I have received a lot of inquiries about where to get the Fishes Afghan pattern. It is available, for free, in the files of the Bits and Bobs group. This group is for using up stash and bits and bobs of yarn, fiber, fabric, and beads. The link is at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bitsandbobs

This is a small but fun group. It is growing fast, and we hope to have a lot more activity. We are discussing a KAL for the fishes afghan, which I am going to do in dishcloth cotton, or cottonease. I haven't decided which yet. The date I suggested for start is June 15th, then a leisurely knit until the end of summer. I am one of the moderators on the group, so I am quite fond of it!

Take care!

Cathy

PS: I just got my first email from my mom! My sister just taught her how!

Definitely Diagonal Stole finished!!

Hi all! Wow, 2 patterns posted on the same day! I finished the Definitely Diagonal Stole, and I do love it. It is a great pattern for stash-busting, and also because it is adjustable for both petite and ample women. And, there is no shawl-point directing attention to the posterior!!

I hope you all enjoy this pattern, and as always, comments are appreciated!

(Yes, that is me with no makeup, and with my eyes closed. You are supposed to be looking at the Stole!!)

Definitely Diagonal Stole

I used size 8 32-inch circulars

20 oz. stash yarn--I sorted my worsted weight light and medium colors. It works better if you have a yarn 'theme'. Pastels, earthy, darks, jewel tones, or monochromatic. Cut all the yarn into pieces from 12 inches to 3 yds. Tie them LOOSELY end to end and roll balls. As you get to each 'knot', untie it, knit 4 stitches using both strands. This is an easy way to make your color transitions. Periodically, pull all of your yarn ends to the wrong side. Even rows are wrong side.

4 oz. anchor yarn. My anchor was a smoky gray worsted weight. This makes the shawl look more put together, less 'knit in a dark closet'! lol This is all done in garter stitch.

Cast on 1 stitch with stash yarn.

Row 1: Knit in front and back of same stitch. This is KFB, and is your increase stitch.

Row 2: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. KFB.

Row 3: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. KFB. Knit 1.

Row 4: Slip first stitch as if to purl, with yarn in BACK. Knit to last 2 stitches. KFB. Knit 1.

Repeat row 4 until you have done 30 rows. Then attach 'anchor' yarn and continue in pattern of increasing by KFB at end of each row for 6 rows.

The pattern now will be 30 rows of stash yarn, 6 rows of 'anchor' yarn, then repeat. Do this until one leg of the stole measures 24 inches. (If you want the stole more narrow, have this measurement be how narrow you want it) A leg is the part of the stole NOT on the needles.

When you get to 24 inches, end on an even-numbered row.

On next row, an odd-numbered row, slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, and place marker. Knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG (decrease). K1.

Even-numbered rows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, knit to last 2 stitches. KFB (increase). K1.

Odd-numbered rows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK, knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG. K1.

Repeat these two rows until the long edge of the stole measures 75 inches. You will know when to increase and when to decrease by your little marker. If the marker is there, increase. If the marker is not there, decrease.

At the same time, you are gonna keep up the color changes between stash yarn and 'anchor'yarn, 30 rows of stash, 6 rows of anchor.

When the stole measures 75 inches, work each row as follows: Slip first stitch as if to purl with yarn in BACK. Knit to last 3 stitches. K2TOG. K1. Remove marker when you come to it.

Keep decreasing until you get to 2 or 3 stitches. K all together. To finish, either weave in all your little ends (oh my!) or cut the ends, all pulled through to the wrong side, to about 1/4 inch. I dab a little soft fray check on ends to keep them on the wrong side if I am working with acrylic, as it tends to slip. Just a LITTLE bit. Wool sticks to itself enough to not be a problem usually.

Anyway, enjoy! If there are any questions, comments or corrections, please let me know.

© COPYRIGHT 2007 All Rights Reserved by Cathy Brose-please do not post this pattern to another list, or sell for profit. It is perfectly fine to post the link to this pattern.

Meringue dishcloth pattern

Hi all! I finished a dishcloth pattern last week, and want to share it with you all. It is called Meringue, because of the peaks in the rows. Let me know how y'all like it.

Meringue Dishcloth

1 ball dishcloth cotton

size 6 or 7 needles

gauge doesn't matter--it's a dishcloth!

MB means 'make border'--knit 4 stitches

Cast on 41 stitches

Knit 5 rows

Row 1-(MB) *K2, YO, K2, S1K1PSSO, K2TOG, K2, YO, K1* Repeat from * to *, to last 4 stitches (MB)

Row 2-(MB) Purl (MB)

Row 3-(MB) *K1, YO, K2, S1K1PSSO, K2TOG, K2, YO, K2 * Repeat from * to *, to last 4 stitches(MB)

Row 4-(MB) Purl (MB)

Repeat rows 1 through 4, 12 times

Knit 5 rows.

Bind off.

© COPYRIGHT 2007 All Rights Reserved by Cathy Brose-please do not post this pattern to another list, or sell for profit. It is perfectly fine to post the link to this pattern.

I also am almost finished with my Definitely Diagonal shawl--actually, a stole. I will get the picture and instructions for that done tomorrow.

So much fiber, so little time!!

Cathy

Stepping Stones dishcloth

Just finished the May midmonth dishcloth KAL. I like it quite a bit.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MonthlyDishcloths is the groups this pattern is from. Love that group!

I have been working on too many projects! Need to get some FOs done. Let's see.....a shawl that is almost done, just need to weave in the ends. That would give me a sense of accomplishment, even though I won't need to use the shawl until next fall, I think. But it would be another picture to put up, and a free pattern for y'all to use, if you would like. I will try to get that done tomorrow.

Take care!

Fishy Afghan Done!!

Fishy Afghan Done!!! Hi all! So much for good intentions to post each day. Life interferes, doesn't it? Anyway, I finished the baby Fish Afghan I was working on. It turned out beautifully, and the young woman I made it for is thrilled. The best part is, she GETS it. The hours of my life put into the afghan, the love as I thought of her first baby, the fact that I would only put this much time (and money) into this project for VERY few people, people who GET it and appreciate what knitting means. Other people get stuff from Penneys! lol My young friend is also knitting her first sweater, a baby sweater, for her coming baby. She is working from a 1950 Bear Brand pattern, and I am helping her. A knitting mentor! It is working out really well, and she is thrilled.

On the subject of GETTING it, I took a load of stuff up to Goodwill this morning, and there was a pile of knit and crocheted afghans on a table, obviously all by the same person. Perfect workmanship, lovely colors. And marked at 2.99 each. So sad. I left them there, as I don't need any more afghans, and I know some young person with very little money will be excited to get them. But still, so sad. So many hours of the creator's life, not to mention the cost of the yarn. Makes you think, huh?