Lark Crafts Post: Granny Square 101!

My latest post us up over at LarkCrafts.com, featuring a full tutorial on gettin' your granny square on. Click here, to get hooked!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Twitter: @vickiehowell

FB: facebook.com/vickiehowell

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/craftrocklove

Ravelry: VickieHowell

Movie Monday (Web Show Edition): Dr. Horrible

This week's pick comes from Buy.Caron.com's Luke Limbrunner, who e-mailed to remind me about the convergence of two entertainment fantasmas, Neil Patrick Harris and Joss Whedon. Ladies and gentlemen, they call it: Dr. Horrible! It's available for your viewing pleasure on the web; it's part fan-boy/part fan-kick; one of the characters wears knitwear. Need I say more?

So hey, there's already a sing-along happening, so why not start a Dr. Horrible, knit-along? Wait, why not design a Dr. Horrible scarf (the Dr. Who scarf can be its accessory nemesis), for said knit-along? Don't tempt me, people, I'll do it! Oh, I (might) do it...

Felicia Day as "Penny", wearing a delicate, mohair

Cardigan with Flutter Sleeves & Neckline

"Penny" wearing, Stockinette Stitch, Striped Wrist-warmers

Recommended Knitting:

Long Striped Hand Warmers, by Whit Knit for The Purl Bee

Diovani Gloves, by Marilyn Losee for NaturallyCaron.com

Purple Skein Wristwarmers, by me for VickieHowell.com

Nice Baby Jacket, by Melissa Matthay for NaturallyCaron.com

Cielo Shrug, by Susan Shildmyer for Naturally Caron.com

Eva Cardigan, by c2Knits

Happy viewing; happy knitting!

See over 55 more, Movie Monday posts here!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Twitter: @vickiehowell

FB: facebook.com/vickiehowell

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/craftrocklove

Ravelry: VickieHowell

Escape to Knit Mountain

Over the years you may've heard me mention the online knitting group that I'm a part of. It's a small group of knitters/crochets, of completely different backgrounds, ages and life spaces, who've been together for 8 years and frankly, would suck to have to live without. We chat almost daily via group boards, on (but mostly off) topic, and meet up at various events whenever we can. Work and parenting life usually keeps me away from these get-togethers, so I was THRILLED to be able to join in the latest retreat with them in Rhinebeck, NY. So much so in fact, I thought I'd share are a few pictures from the weekend with you here.

8 out of 14 of the "MEOWers" in Rhinebeck.

Me & Claudia. She loves complicated lace shawls and punk music. I *heart* her.

The house we rented for our mini, knitting retreat.

My favorite part of the trip was getting to just relax and knit with buddies.

Lori (VK's Patterns Editor), Deb &

Karen (remember her from the Furry Cuff Mitten & Sweet Sweater episodes of Knitty Gritty?)

The view from the rental house kitchen.

See photos from inside the Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival in my post over on LarkCrafts.com!

Craft.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Twitter: @vickiehowell

FB: facebook.com/vickiehowell

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/craftrocklove

Ravelry: VickieHowell

Knitty Gritty Pattern: Karen Baumer's Sweet Sweater

Materials
Dale of Norway "Heilo" yarn (100% new wool, 110 yards/50grams):
1 ball Sage (#9335)
1 ball Cream (#0020)
two sets of double-pointed knitting needles - U.S. size 2.5 (2.75 mm) and 3 (3.25 mm) or sizes needed to obtain gauge
stitch markers
tapestry needle
sharp scissors
steam iron
sewing machine

Finished Size

13" chest circumference, 5" height - designed to fit a 13" tall teddy bear with an approximate 9" torso circumference.

Gauge

6.25 sts and 7.25 rows per 1" in the round with knitting needles U.S. size 3

Directions
Body
With size 2.5 dpns and Sage yarn (#9335), cast on 80 sts.
Work St st in the round (knit every rd) for 5 rds.
Purl one rd to create a folding edge.
Switch to size 3 dpns and work one rd plain.
Work 35 rds of body chart (figures A and B) using the Fair Isle method of your choice.
Purl one rd.
Cast off knitwise, placing a marker at the start of the rd and another marker after 40 sts to indicate side seams.




Sleeves (make 2)
With size 2.5 dpns and Sage (#9335) yarn, cast on 44 sts.
Work St st in the round (knit every rd) for 5 rds.
Purl one rd (this will create a folding edge).
Switch to size 3 dpns and work 22 rds of sleeve chart using the Fair Isle method of your choice.
Purl 5 rds for sleeve top facing.
Cast off purlwise.

Finishing
Turn body and sleeves inside out; Weave in ends.
If you have tails of Sage yarn at the beginning or end of the pieces, leave them loose; You can use them later to sew the sweater together.
Steam pieces lightly from the inside, applying delicate pressure only and being careful not to move the iron around (to prevent felting).If you have a sleeve-pressing board, this is an excellent time to use it. Be sure to steam the bottom (plain green) edges flat, but try not to flatten the purled folding rows.

Turn pieces right side out. Place one sleeve alongside the side edge of the body where one of the stitch markers has been placed. Position it so the open top edge of the sleeve is perpendicular to the body, just as it will be once it is sewn in. Mark sleeve depth with a pin or a stitch marker. Repeat on the other side with second sleeve.

Sewing
Set sewing machine to straight stitches, about 12 per inch.
Mark the column of stitches on the body that runs straight down from the marker at the top edge to the point where you marked the sleeve depth. In the column of stitches just next to that center column, use the sewing machine to stitch down the center of that column to the marked point.

Pivot and stitch across the middle column and to the center of the column of stitches on the other side of the middle column. Pivot again and stitch back up to the top edge through the center of that column.

Stitch once more over your existing stitches.

Repeat on other side for second sleeve opening.

Use scissors to cut open the fabric within the machine-stitched boundaries you've created, fashioning front and black flaps.

Sew shoulder seams by abutting the top, cast-off edges together, right side up, so the purl bumps are showing. Each row of purl bumps is staggered, with one bump closer to the cast-off edge alternating with one bump slightly further from the cast-off edge. You will be working only with the bumps closest to the cast-off edge.

With Sage yarn and tapestry needle, starting at armhole (cut) edge, sew shoulder seam for approximately 1" by inserting needle into the first purl bump and across the seam itself through the corresponding purl bump on the other side, so your needle is crossing over the cast-off edge as you do so.

Bring needle back over the top of the seam and repeat the same sewing motion through the next set of purl bumps, going in the same direction. Remember, you are skipping the "outermost" bumps and only sewing through the sets of "innermost" bumps. It may help to visualize this as whip-stitching the seam together through the purl bumps.

With right sides out on all pieces, insert a sleeve into sleeve opening so that the first purl row of the upper sleeve facing is visible but the remaining part of the facing is stuffed inside the sleeve opening. You will be using only that first row of purl stitches as you sew in the sleeve. Anchor the sleeve in place with safety pins (3 or 4 should be enough).

With Sage yarn and tapestry needle, sew in sleeve by sticking needle through a purl bump at top of sleeve with the tip of the needle going towards the body of the sweater. Stick tip of needle sideways through the "V" made by the first stitch on the body that is completely outside the machine-stitched column of stitches. Bring needle back to second purl bump on sleeve top and repeat, going through the "V" immediately above the one you just stitched through. Do this all the way around the sleeve (you will have to fudge a little at the top, where the shoulder seam is). Every 4th stitch or so, SKIP one of the "V" stitches on the body (otherwise you will run out of purl bumps before you run out of "V" stitches). It is important that you be consistent and stitch through the same column of "V" stitches as you go along, to ensure a straight, tidy seam.

When both sleeves are sewn in, turn garment inside out and lightly sew down the sleeve top facings over the raw edges that were created when you cut open the knitted fabric. Fold up the bottom facings of the body and sleeves along the purl rds and sew lightly in place.

This pattern posted courtesy of the sweater's designer, Karen Baumer. All rights reserved.

6 Last Minute Halloween Crafts for Kids!

DIY Spooky Tree

Skull Caps

Doodle Emroidery

Tubes of Terror

Wicked Stitch Totes

Handprint Halloween Bib

Movie Monday: Barry Munday

Being married to the founding editor of a movie review website can have its perks, one of which is sometimes getting advanced screeners of great flicks. This was the case with film festival darling, Barry Munday. With a supporting cast that includes veteran favorites Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell (Fun Fact: I met him when I was 19 0r 20 and an extra on the video game he starred in, Wing Commander 4.) and Cybill Shepherd, it'd be hard to not to create a fun, film experience. Director, Chris D'Arienzo, delivers with a delightfully quirky finished project that'll leave you smiling...and not just because of all of the onscreen yarnwear. ;-)

Oh, and I hear that star, Judy Greer (who's great in this, btw), is a knitter herself!

Jean Smart as "Carol, wrapped in a Crocheted Afghan

Judy Greer as "Ginger", wearing an over-sized Fair Isle Sweater

Crocheted Vest

Ribbed & Cabled Pullover

Pullover Tunic

Recommended Stitching:

Simple Tunic, by Kim Guzman

Openwork Vest by, Kim Rutledge

Chocolate Sky Afghan, by Rachael Chua

Pletzer Cable Cardi, by Dots & Yarn

Happy viewing; happy stitching!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Twitter: @vickiehowell

FB: facebook.com/vickiehowell

Flickr: flickr.com/photos/craftrocklove

Ravelry: VickieHowell

FREE PATTERN:Skully Crocheted Applique!

Materials
1 ball worsted weight yarn
U.S. size H hook
Tapestry needle
Embroidery thread and needle (optional)

Abbreviations
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = single crochet two stitches together
st(s) = stitch(es)
sk = skip

Directions
Small Version
Ch 14.
Row 1: Sc in end ch from st and every st to end. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in base of ch, sc to last st, sc 2 in last st. Turn.
Rows 3–6: Repeat row 2.
Rows 7–8: Ch 1, sc in next st and every st to end. Turn.
Row 9: Repeat row 2.
Row 10 (eyes): Ch 1, sc in base of ch, sc 5, ch 3, sk 2, sc 4, ch 3, sk 2, sc 5, 2 sc in last st. Turn.
Row 11: Ch 1, sc 6, 2 sc in ch sp, sc 4, 2 sc in ch sp, sc 7. Turn.
Rows 12–13: Ch 1, sc2tog (base of ch and next st), sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn.
Row 14 (nose): Ch 1, sc 8, ch 4, sk 3, sc to end. Turn.
Row 15: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc 7, sc 3 in ch sp, sc 7, sc2tog. Turn.
Rows 16–19: Repeat row 12.
Row 20 (mouth): Ch 14, sk 10, sc in last st. Turn.
Rows 21–23: Ch 1, in next st and every st to end. Turn.
Row 24: Ch 1, sc2tog (base of ch and next st), sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Tie off.

Large Version
Ch 18.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from st and every st to end. Turn. (17 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in base of ch, sc to last st, sc 2 in last st. Turn. (19 sts)
Rows 3–7: Repeat round 2. (29 sts)
Rows 8–10: Ch 1, sc in next st and to end. Turn.
Rows 11–12: Repeat round 2. (33 sts)
Rows 13 (eye row): Ch 1, sc in base of ch, sc 7, ch 6, sk 5, sc 8, ch 6, sk 5, sc to last st, 2 in last st.
Row 14: Ch 1, sc 8, sc 5 (in ch space), sc 8, sc 5 (in ch space), sc 7. Turn.
Rows 15–16: Ch 1, sc2tog (base of ch and next st), sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (31 sts)
Row 17: Ch 1, sc 13, ch 5, sk 4, sc to end. Turn.
Row 18 (nose row): Ch 1, sc2tog (base of ch and next st), sc 12, sc 4 (in ch space), sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog. Turn. (29 sts)
Rows 19–25: Repeat row 15.
Rows 26–27: Ch 1, sc2tog (base of ch and next st), sc2tog, sc to last 4 sts, sc2tog (twice). Turn.
Row 28 (mouth row): Ch 15, skip to last st, sc. Turn.
Row 29: Ch 1, sc in next st and every st (including all chs) to end. Turn. (14 sts)
Rows 30–35: Ch 1, sc in next st and every st to end. Turn.
Rows 36–37: Ch 1, sc2tog (base of ch and next st), sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog.
Tie off.

Weave in ends. Attach to tote bag, jacket, pillow or whatever else your spooky heart desires!

*This project was originally seen in my video for myLifetime.com's CRAFTED web series.

KNITTY GRITTY RE-RUNS AIRING

With Karen Baumer from the Sweet Sweater Episode, re-airing 10/6.

Hey, all. Just found out that they're currently airing re-runs of Knitty Gritty, 5 mornings a week at 8:00am ET/PT. Click here to get this week's line-up!

Craft.Rock.Love,

Vickie