Hygge Nook

Freebie download: Cable knit hot water bottle pattern

 
Judging from the amount of hits my freebie knitted hot water bottle pattern has received, a lot of you have really enjoyed making it. (I hope.)

I took a few minutes today to turn it into a PDF pattern so you can download it and print it out.

Download HyggeNook Cable knit hot water bottle cover

****NOTE: If you emailed me to let me know row 5 was wrong, I've just checked it and this is the correct line (Aug 26th 2011) This has been updated on the download too: 5th [RS]: K2, P2, [C8B, P4] x2, [C8F, P4] x1, [C8F, P2] x1, K2 *****

Perhaps it's time I designed a new one for this year?

New Amy Butler yarn

Amy Butler is one of those go-to sources of fabric for anyone who wants something vibrant and exciting. Now, though Butler has turned her hand to new ranges of yarn and wallpaper which should excite crafters and decoraters alike. There's even a bunch of free downloadable patterns to get you started here - I love the sexy hexy patchwork quilt, love and peace wall art, Amy's Mid Mod quilt, Nigella silhouettes and the yoga bag.

Seeing as my sewing skills are pretty basic, let's look at the yarn instead. Amy has collaborated with top yarn company Rowan to create Belle Organic, a range of - you guessed it - organic yarns in DK and Aran in both cotton and wool.

 
There's also a pattern book called Midwest Modern knits with some stylish modern knits that are really a cut above the often so old-fashioned knitted garments that are still touted by other yarn companies and publishers. I think this scarf and gloves will be popular items but there are some nice blankets and cushions to make too. The 50g balls will cost around £5 each so it is pricey but not much different to other quality yarns.

Will you be trying out this new range of yarn? What will you make?

Books for the weekend

I don't want to keep apologising for the lack of posting. Sometimes life just gets in the way. Lots of work on, schools closed due to the beautiful but freak snow, things to pursue, make, do and bake. All make for a busy bee.

I'll leave you with this picture of a little stack of books I'll be looking through this weekend (aren't the yarn colours yummy?) - a rare weekend with no work to catch up on and lots of time for crafting, dozing, watching DVDs along with the more mundane household things.

Have a lovely weekend xx

My adventures in crochet land

I had some down time last week. So, what better to do than learn to crochet. Ever since I spotted a prettily coloured crochet granny blanket at Cath Kidston and then followed a forum discussion (I forget where) on how people could make their own using much nicer yarns, I was determined to learn.

Then I stumbled across these very lovely blogs - Henhouse, Do You Mind if I Knit and Attic 24 - and cooed and wowed over their lovely crocheted creations. Hen of Henhouse (whom I found after reading about her home in a magazine) had learnt how to crochet very recently and was making pretty pieces, so I decided it couldn't possibly be too late for me too. Do have a look at their blogs and see the beautiful things they're making.

Yes, I made these!

I've always toyed with the idea of learning but haven't had anyone to teach me. Books didn't make sense either when it came to the basics. Then I turned to YouTube and *ping* I found a video, watched a couple more and that was it... I could crochet. It was that easy! I opened up a book and looked at the pattern for granny squares... Hey, it was just single chains and trebles. I could do that!

Surprisingly I found I understand the diagrams far better, than I understood the written instructions. I am the opposite when it comes to knitting. There, diagrams bamboozle me. Here in crochet land, diagrams are my friend. I love seeing exactly how the pattern should look on paper.

The pink and white square on the bottom left above was my first attempt. See, how I messed up the first couple of rounds? The square on the right was were it all came together.

After I made my first granny square, I got a bit over excited and made a sunburst circle (what does one do with these?), then a hexagon.

 
Then another square that didn't look quite as appalling as the first one. I'm quite proud of this one.

Then I went to John Lewis and eBay, went mad and bought a whole bunch of other yarns and Amazon for some pre-Christmas crochet books for moi. Heaven help my house, because it stands a good chance of being covered in as much crochet as knitting now. Still, we shall all be so very warm and snuggly.

And best of all, I have succeeded in my ambition to crochet. Now, where's my hook and that lovely new yarn?

Freebie pattern: cable knit hot water bottle cover

 

From me to you - step by step instructions to make this cosy hottie cover.
Copyright: Camilla Chafer

 

I wanted to start this week off with a little 'give back.' I get a lot of entertainment and inspiration from the many talented blogs I read (take a look in my sidebar, scroll down a bit) so I thought it would be nice to share a little pattern I made - I hope you like it.

Please feel free to make and share this pattern. I only ask that you don't use it for commercial purposes.

Here goes!

Materials:
100g DK wool (any DK should be fine for this, I used an acrylic so that it would be machine washable and also has less stretch than other yarns).
4mm needles (UK)
Cable needle
Sewing needle

Skills:
Knit, purl, cable, basic sewing

Abbreviations:
K = Knit
P = Purl
RS = Right side
WS = Wrong side
Sts = stitches
C8B = [cable 8 back] slip next 4sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 4 sts from left needle then knit the sts from the cable needle.
C8F = [cable 8 forward] slip next 4sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 4 sts from left needle then knit the sts from the cable needle.

The finished cable-knit cover

 Pattern [body]:

Cast on 52 stitches.

 

1st [RS]: K2, P2 [K8, P4] x3, K8, P2, K2
2nd [WS]: K4, [P8, K4] x4
3rd [RS]: K2, P2 [K8, P4] x3, K8, P2, K2
4th [WS]: K4, [P8, K4] x4
5th [RS]: K2, P2, [C8B, P4] x2, [C8F, P4] x1, [C8F, P2] x1, K2 {updated to add correct line! - Aug 26th}
6th [WS]: K4, [P8, K4] x4
7th [RS]: K2, P2 [K8, P4] x3, K8, P2, K2
8th [WS]: K4, [P8, K4] x4
9th [RS]: K2, P2 [K8, P4] x3, K8, P2, K2
10th [WS]: K4, [P8, K4] x4

 

Repeat these 10 rows until the panel covers the base of the hot water bottle to just covering the shoulders. Cast off. Make two panels.

Sew three sides together (mattress stitch will give a nice flat seam) leaving the top side open. Then...

Pattern [neck]:

Pick up 26 sts across the middle of the front panel. Knit in a double rib [K2, P2] until length can be folded in half so that it reaches to the top of the bottle neck and back again to meet the cast on edge.

Turn. Repeat on the back, picking up 26 sts across the middle and knitting in a double rib until length matches the other side.

Sew shoulders and sides together. Fold over neck and sew a couple of stitches at either side of neck base to secure the cuff.

Double rib cuff neck

 

Fold your hot water bottle lengthwise and insert.

Fill with hot water and cuddle.

EDIT: You can download a PDF for this pattern here.

NOTE: While this pattern is made for you to knit, you do not have permission to use it for commercial purposes. This pattern is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This pattern may not be resold. Copyright: Camilla Chafer

 



Hand knits for the home

I've talked a bit lately about my refound love for knitting and some of the things I've been making. I may well have said that I was inspired by the lovely cable knit cushions that are currently omnipresent and knew that I could make my own version for much, much less along with the unmeasurable satisfaction of knowing that I made said cushion myself.

I've been keeping an eye out for other lovely handknit items and I'm amazed by the breadth of skill and the designs around. One of my current favourites is Ruth Cross, who is currently rather well known for being responsible for the chunky mittens that Bella wears in Twilight (they're so popular they even have their own blog). I'm also rather fond of the snug-looking wraps and cable-knit gilets. 

The company, headed up by Ruth Bridgeman, has a team of 50 knitters who create the fabulous pieces, and it seems much of it is made to order. I think the nursing chair seen here, recovered in handknitted lambswool is simply fabulous. I see a simple central cable flagged on each side by what I think is a vertical arrow lace pattern and smaller braids and cable. I've never wanted to knit a cover for a chair more. In fact I'm eyeing up the seat pad of the armchair in my living room now and feel a project coming on...

Innocent's Big Knit

I like to do my bit for charity when I can and Innocent's Big Knit was a fun challenge. The event has been running for a few years now and the idea is that people whip up cute little knitted or crocheted hat that Innocent pop on their smoothie bottles and sell with some proceeds going to charity. I was reminded of the Big Knit by Henhouse so I quickly whipped up four hats (I would have made more but I spent the weekend being ill and sorry for myself) and I'll be posting them off today for Friday's deadline.

 The two bobble hats are from the patterns online, the flower one is simply a flower sewn on to a simple hat (remember this flower, it's going to pop up in a future project) and the owl is based on Amy Gaines Knitted Owl but miniaturised. I'm not entirely sure anyone buying it will know what it is though!

Check out the Flickr group for what other people have made - amazingly crafty!

Vintage knitted "sausage dog" draught excluder

I'm so pleased to share my sausage dog with you. I've never knitted anything toy like before but my dear Nanna set me the challenge to knit her something that would stop the draughts from whooshing under a door in her house. Each piece - body, head, two front paws, two back paws, tail and a pair of ears - are knitted seperately, stuffed individually and then sewn together to create this (it's a bit scrunched up because it's so long) and it was amazingly easy to do:

Let's take a close up of the doggy's lovely little face. The safety eyes and nose were bought from my local haberdashery for 40p. Bargain!

But wait, what's missing?

Every dog needs a cute collar, but it looks a little plain...

That's better!

The flowers were a first for me too. I found the pattern in Let's Knit (August 2009) and it was super duper easy to follow. Each petal is made individually...

When they were sewn together and a button added to the centre, I attached it to the collar. Isn't it cheery? I got a bit carried away with the flower making and made another one then attached a brooch pin on the back and turned it into a lovely brooch for a boring cardigan of mine that needed jazzing up. Do you like it? I do.

I hope my Nanna likes her pressie. It is nice to receive something handmade especially for you, isn't it? Almost as nice as making something for someone you love.

Getting crafty with Ravelry.com

I saw Ravelry.com mentioned on a professional networking form I'm a member of and then promptly forgot about it (as you do). Yesterday I finally got round to checking the site out and signing up. It really is a crafty mecca for those of us who like knitting (me), crochet, sewing and other crafts. You can sign up for your personal space to record your projects, both completed and 'work in progress'. There are groups for things you particularly enjoy, free patterns and lots of crafty eye candy.

I've signed up as HyggeNook and you can keep track of my crafty projects there - so far I've added a bunch of knitted pillows and I'm keeping track of the afghan I'm slowly making. Do feel free to add me as a friend if you're already a member and don't hesitate to check Ravelry out if not!

Oh, and this cushion? It's from the Debbie Bliss' 'Home' book and is my first intarsia project with a big white spot on the front and blue and white stripes on the back.

BOOK REVIEW: Blankets and throws to knit

I've recently got back into knitting now that my hands have recovered from several years of carpal tunnel. I'm really glad to see that the craft has enjoyed a huge resurgence of popularity in recent years and nice yarns and patterns are becoming more widely available. One of the first books I snapped up was Debbie Abrahams' 'blankets and throws to knit: patterns and piecing instructions for 100 knitted squares' (£9.09 Amazon) and I love it.

There's patterns to make up 12 designs from the girly sweet 'queen of hearts' to a gorgous 'beside the seaside', a stylish 'mosaic' and a fun 'candy mixture'. I'm not kidding when I say it took me over a month to decide which one to start on - I've opted for the candy mixture though I am using different colours from my yarn stash rather than buy the recommended colours. I'm also having a go in acrylic as it's considerably cheaper than using the more expensive yarns recommended. I'm only on my first square so it'll take me a while to make enough squares for a blanket though I love that I can knit a square a day which is very satisfying even if I'm watching TV at the same time.

What are you making?