Free Knitting Pattern...Festive Dog Collar Sleeve!

If you're dog is not the clothes wearing type, here is a fun alternative...a knitted dog collar sleeve!  Simply slip it over their collar and your doggie will look festive in no time!  Knit in one size to fit a variety of collars, it can be knit in any color for any occasion.  

It is important to note that the sleeve is not seamed and does not join to make a ring...this allows the collar clasp and tags to still be visible for safety purposes.  Kind of like a dog "scarf" that wraps around their neck!

Festive Dog Collar Sleeve

By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• Small amounts of yarn in colors of your choice (note: it is advisable to use a machine washable hard-working yarn, as dogs like to roll around, etc...nothing too delicate!)
• 4 US 8 DPNs (click here for a photo tutorial on knitting with DPNs)
• Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends

Sizing:

• Width: 1.75 inches wide (Note: this sleeve is meant to be used for many sizes of collars...it will slip easily onto smaller collars and fits larger collars as well...my dog is huge and wears the largest width collar available!) After completing the first few rounds, you can try slipping it on to be sure you have the best fit.
• Length: Any length you desire...measure the length of your dog's collar first, then subtract the length of the clasp from it.  Clasp is meant to be exposed for easy removal of collar and visibility of identification tags.

Instructions:

CO 18 sts and distribute stitches evenly around 3 DPNs
Join in the round, being careful not to twist, PM.
Knit all rounds for as many inches as you need to cover the collar. Collar shown has 8 rounds of each color. BO all sts, weave in ends.

Click here for a photo tutorial for knitting with double pointed needles (DPNS)



*Special thanks to my sweet doggie for being such a patient model! I woke him up from a nap for these photos! :)

How to Whip Stitch

Whip stitching is a common way to join two pieces of crochet or knitting together.  I often use it because it is simple to do, virtually invisible, and lays nice and flat.

Here I am using a contrasting color to show you the stitches, normally you would use yarn of the same color so the seam stays hidden.

To begin you'll need the two pieces you will be joining together, a length of yarn, and a tapestry/yarn needle.  Thread your needle with a tail as shown and tie a knot at the end (note: I like to leave enough yarn at the knot so I will be able to weave it in later),

Now align your pieces so that are both facing inward...I like to "sandwich" my pieces together, some people like to lay their pieces flat and side by side on a table and seam it that way, sandwiching it together is my personal preference, you can do it either way.

Going through both loops (front and back) of both pieces, bring your needle up from the bottom as shown,

And pull through.  Again, you'll want to leave a long enough tail here to weave it in later.

Now repeat what you've just done...go through both loops (front and back) of both pieces, bringing your needle up from the bottom as shown.

And pull through.  Here's your first stitch!

Now just keep repeating...

...until you get to where you want to stop.

When you are finished, you can open it up and check out your handiwork.  Normally I would have done this in the same white yarn so everything is invisible and clean looking.  However, if you want to show off your stitches, feel free to use anything you like!

Merry Little Grannies

I'm working on some granny squares...aren't they cheerful?  There's something about a granny square that warms my heart.  They are so simple in design and construction, but so beautiful and timeless...

I'm going to sew these together in a bit to recreate something from my childhood that I remember fondly...I'll be sure to share it soon!

If you want to make you own granny squares, here's a tutorial:

Granny Square Photo Tutorial

Free Knitting Pattern...Strawberry Jam Neck Wrap!

The Strawberry Jam Neck Wrap is a pretty and festive accessory that adds a punch of color to a gray day.  A simple five row stitch sequence is super simple for beginners, but is equally engaging for seasoned knitters as well.  A pretty eyelet row adds to the visual appeal, and this project has no purling whatsoever!  Worked with larger needles, the result is a very quick project that is warm, lofty, and beautiful.

Strawberry Jam Neck Wrap
By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• 1 skein Lion Brand Hometown in Cincinnati Red
• US 15 (10.0 mm) Straight Needles
• 1 button (the button shown is 1 inch wide and that size worked really well.  Please be sure to pass your button through one of the eyelet holes before sewing it on)
• Tapestry Needle

Sizing:

• Length: 20 inches
• Width: 9 inches

Instructions:
CO 20 sts
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: K2, *yo, K2tog; rpt from * to last 2 sts; K2
Rpt rows 1-5 fourteen more times, for a total of 15 repeats.  Work rows 1-4 once more.
BO
Break yarn, weave in ends and block as desired.

Finishing:
Sew button to corner as shown below. Eyelet holes are used for the button hole, so before sewing button to your piece, be sure that the button can pass through.

Here are a few more ideas for wearing your neck wrap!

With the button at your shoulder, simply fold down the collar a bit...

Spin the entire wrap around so the button is in the back, making a cowl-like silhouette,



Or you could wear the button in the front middle, like a shawlette or capelet...fun!




Here is a similar pattern for crocheters too...
Click Here for the Key Lime Neck Wrap Pattern 

© Jennifer Dickerson 2012
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.
If you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog.

Mobius How To...add a fun twist to any scarf or cowl

 The other day I shared the Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl pattern:

Click here for the Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl pattern!


Here is a more detailed photo tutorial on making the twist, or mobius part of the pattern, I thought it would be good to add a little more directions and how-to photos in case you needed them.  This is also a great tutorial for transforming any scarf you already have into a mobius too!

To start, all you'll need is the scarf, a tapestry or yarn needle, and scrap yarn of the same color as you used in your project:

Begin by unrolling the scarf so that is flat,

Now you'll want to put a half twist in it as shown,

Here is how it looks now...it looks like a big "V"

Now fold the sides in as shown.  See where the needle is pointing in the picture below?  That is where we'll stitch it up.

Thread a tapestry needle with the same yarn used to make the scarf,

Now whip stitch it up so it will lay nice and flat.

All finished!  Easy as pie, and makes a lovely cold weather accessory.

Thankful...

As many of us are celebrating a day of thanks today, I just wanted to take a moment to thank each of you, dear readers. I feel so lucky to be part of this wonderful community of stitchers, here's to more yarny adventures ahead!

Free Crochet Pattern...Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl!

The Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl is a bulky cowl with a twist...literally! This cowl is chunky, lofty and warm, but also has the added advantage of laying perfectly flat because of the "mobius" or twist made before seaming it together.

This is the perfect project for those who like to be toasty without any unnecessary bulk. It is the perfect companion for a v-neck coat (like a pea coat) too.

Instructions are provided in two different sizes as shown above, a shorter version and a longer version. Cowl is crocheted flat, then twisted and seamed.

The stitch sequence was inspired by the Mulberry Shawl. If you like this pattern be sure to check this shawl out too!


Click here for Mulberry Shawl Pattern



Cloudy Sky Mobius Cowl
By Jennifer Dickerson

Materials:

• 1 Skein Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick (Cowl is shown is the "Glacier" colorway) 
• N (9.0 mm) crochet hook 
• Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends) 

Sizing:

• Shorter Version: 5.5 inches wide and 28 inches long 
• Longer Version: 5.5 inches wide and 38 inches long 

Note: Both versions each used less than one skein of the yarn, I had about roughly 1/3 of the skein left after the short and 1/4 left after the long. If you desire a longer cowl, keep going until all of the yarn is used up or you could always use a second skein if you like for an even longer piece, like an infinity scarf for example.

Instructions:

Ch 12.
Foundation Row: dc in the 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each ch across row.
Row 1: Ch 3 and turn, dc in first space and each space to end of row.
Row 2: Ch 3 and turn, dc in first space, ch 2, skip one space, *dc in next space, ch 2, skip next space, rpt from * to end of row, dc in last space (ch 3 turning space)
Row 3: Ch 3 and turn, 2 dc in first space (ch 2 space from previous row), 2 dc in each ch 2 space across row, 1 dc in last space (ch 3 turning space)
Row 4: Ch 3 and turn, dc in first space and each space to end of row.
Row 5: Repeat row 4.

Repeat rows 2-5 until cowl is desired length (see sizing above for the size and look you like best), weave in any ends.

Finishing:

After weaving in ends, twist the piece once and seam the ends using a whip stitch.

***Click here for a more detailed photo tutorial on how to make the mobius twist***


© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages).  Thank you!

An amazing gift...

Our family received the most amazing gift the other day...

A beautiful tree skirt!  My mother in law lovingly crocheted it for our tree...isn't it lovely?



It is a beautiful cream colored yarn with all of these pretty scallops and interesting textural stitches...



It is our new family heirloom, I really, really love it!!  We can't wait to put it under the tree.