Let Them Knit Cake!

To day I completed the Ultimate Blog Challenge! and on August 5th Knitting Galore celebrates it's first birthday so ofcourse we have to have a Knitted cake :)

Frosting

Using 5mm (size 8 US) needles and pink double knitting yarn, Cast on 15sts
Starting with a knit row, knit in st st for 18 rows, ending on a purl row.
19: P across [ridge]
20: P across
21-24: St st
25: K1, k2tog, knit across until the last 3 stitches, ssk, k1
26-28: St st
29: K1, k2tog, knit across until the last 3 stitches, ssk, k1
30-32: St st
33: K1, k2tog, knit across until the last 3 stitches, ssk, 1
34-36: St st
37: K1, k2tog, knit across until the last 3 stitches, ssk, 1
38-40: St st
41: K1, k2tog, knit across until the last 3 stitches, ssk, k1
42-44: St st
45: K1, k3tog, k1
46: Purl across
47: K3tog

 Cake Bottom

In  brown, Cast on 15 sts
Repeat the instructions for the frosting, row 21 through to row 47















Layers
Cast on 7 stitches in  brown, 2 stitches in cream, 7 stitches  brown Continuing with this colour scheme in st st for 24 cm End on a purl row.
Cast off

Frosting Decoration (Make 2)

Cast on 1st
1: Kfb 3 times (6 sts)
2-4: St st
5: Ssk, k2tog, k2tog
6: p3tog
Repeat rows 1 - 6  three more times







Candle
CO 3 in dark pink, and knit i-cord for 2”
Gather stitches together and tie off
 flame  in yellow cast on 3sts knit 1 row, purl 1 row, next knit 2tog, k1. Then p2tog  cut yarn and thread through remaining stitch.
 or cut flame out of yellow felt and attach to tip by means of fabric glue.

Assembly
With right sides facing, line up the butt of the triangle for the bottom with the cast on edge of the frosting. Stitch across and secure, but do not cut yarn. Line up the cake layers facing inward and stitch first along the side, and then across top edge, lining up the side of the cake between the bottom rectangle and the ridge.
Sew half of bottom to cake layers, and turn right side out. Insert stuffing into the middle of the cake. Sew one of your frosting decorations to the bottom of the frosting piece. Attach candle to desired spot on top of the cake.




No calories in this cake!

Birthday Yarn Giveaway!

This Giveaway Is Now Closed


Sunday 5th August 2012 is Knitting Galore's Birthday! We will be 1 year old!
In order to celebrate and thank everyone for their support,  we are having a 
                      Birthday Yarn Giveaway
I have 10 balls (500g) of Noro  'Silk Garden' # 258 (Lime, Pink, Red, Purple, Orange, Rust), worth over 65 pounds (102 us dollar, 83 euro, 185 tl)  to give away!

Noro "Silk Garden" yarn is a beautiful, elegant Silk blend yarn in Noro's unique colour self striping combinations. 45% Silk, 45% Kid Mohair, 10% Lambswool yarn. with approx110 yards per 50g that knits to 4.5 sts per inch on  4.5-5 mm (US 7-8) needles.










All you have to do is leave a comment on this post or 'Like' our Facebook page (or both for two chances ) and I will pick a winner on Sunday, August 5th when this blog will be 1 year old. Please make sure I have a way to contact you via email, Facebook, Twitter or Ravelry. I'm willing to ship internationally so please enter no matter where you are.
Check out our Facebook page regularly as there will be random giveaway's throughout next week.
                    Good Luck Everyone!

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

Another award! Wow! I am so honoured!
Thankyou To Helen Bogun of Helz Design who has given me this award. If you don't know Helz Design please pop across and have a look, Helen is one very talented graphic designer!


Along with the award come a couple of rules.
First All recipients need to thank the giver which I've just done but have great pleasure in doing so again :) Thankyou so much Helen of Helz Design
Next to tell 7 things about myself - ok here goes!
1. I have a beautiful grand daughter - Gracie and am a very proud Nana!
2. I'm a Brit living in Turkey - really love this country and it's wonderful people.
3. I'm married to Mehmet and we will have been married 7yrs in November this year.
4. Although I love to knit I'm really a cook - am a qualified Home Economist
5. Until recently we had a restraunt here in Kuşadasi where I was the 'Chef' (too much hard work in this heat!)
6.I love reggae music - I once dated a famous reggae artist for a couple of years
7. I am missing my daughter Clare, her husband  and my granddaughter SO MUCH! :( at this moment in time.


And now to pass the award on to 7 bloggers of my choice -
So here it gives me great pleasure to present this Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award to :-
Janet Callaway - The Natural Networker who has been a great source of inspiration since I started this blog
Lisa Marie Selow Author, life coach and modern mystic rebel chick.
Susan Wilson at Ripplespillers where you'll find spiritual healing and lots of humour.
Dot Hurley helping you achieve radiant health naturally.
Paula at Stuff I Tell My Sister  for random life thoughts, good books, music, photos and lots more
Michelle S Hawkins the Wirequeen for beautiful Custom Wire Wrapped Jewelry
Melissa Robinson Navarro  making the world a better place at The Bright Side


Here's to you Sister Bloggers!  Congratulations!

Saturday Stitch - Ladder To The Sky Rib

Every Saturday I will share with you a new stitch.
This week's stitch is Ladder  to the sky rib.

A beautiful and simple rib stitch with an eyelet element. Suitable for a cowl, neck warmer, scarf, throws, blankets etc. and even as a ribbing on a sweater or other project.

Instructions

You need a stitch number multiple of 8 + 2 edge stitches.

Row 1: edge st, * p2, k2tog, yo, k2, p2; repeat from * to last st, edge st
Row 2: edge st, * k2, p4, k2; repeat from * to last st, edge st
Row 3: edge st, * p2, k2, yo, sl1kw, k1, psso, p2; repeat from * to last st, edge st
Row 4: same as row 2.

Repeat rows 1 through 4.

Difficulty level: Easy

You can find this stitch and more at craft cookie

Easy Knit Baby Shrug

This baby shrug is an easy, quick knit with minimal seaming, no buttons or zippers.

MEASUREMENTS

To fit ages 3-6(6-9:9-12:12-18:18-24) months.

Actual measurements

Chest 51(55:60:64:69)cm;

Length to shoulder

24(27:29:31:33)cm; Sleeve length 13(15:17:20:22)cm.

MATERIALS

100(150:150:200:200)grms double knitting type yarn

5mm straight knitting needles.

5mm circular knitting needle.

4.5mm circular knitting needle.

TENSION

18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm square over st-st using 5mm needles.

ABBREVIATIONS

m1 make one st by picking up and working into back of loop lying between st just worked and next st;

skpo slip 1, k1, pass slipped st over;

BACK, FRONT and

SLEEVES

(worked in one piece)

With 5mm needles cast on 8 sts.

P 1 row.

Beg with a k row, work in st-st.

Cast on 10(11:12:13:14) sts at beg of next 4 rows. 48(52:56:60:64) sts.

Beg with a k row, work 20(24:26:30:32) rows in st-st.

Change to 5mm circular needle.

Shape sleeves

Cast on 5(6:7:8:9) sts at beg of next 8 rows. 88(100:112:124:136) sts.

Work a further 18(22:24:26:28) rows.

Divide for fronts

Next row K36(41:47:52:58) sts, leave these sts on a holder.

cast off next 16(18:18:20:20) sts, knit to end.

Cont on last set of 36(41:47:52:58) sts for left front.

Work 5(5:7:5:7) rows straight, ending at front edge.

Next row (RS) K3, m1, knit to end.

Work 3 rows straight.

Rep the last 4 rows 2(3:3:4:4) times more and the inc row once more. 40(46:52:58:64) sts.

Sleeve shaping

Cast off 5(6:7:8:9) sts at beg

of next and 3 foll alt rows. 20(22:24:26:28) sts.

Work 8(10:10:12:12) rows straight.

Shape front

Next row (RS) K1, skpo, knit to end.

Next row Purl to end.

Rep the last 2 rows 1(2:3:4:5) times more.

Next row Cast off 2 sts, knit to end.

Next row Purl to end.

Next row Cast off 3 sts, knit to end.

Next row Purl to end.

Next row Cast off 4 sts, knit to end.

Next row Purl to end.

Next row Cast off 5 sts, knit to end.

Next row Purl to end.

Leave rem 4(5:6:7:8) sts on a holder.

Right Front

With WS facing, join yarn to rem 36(41:47:52:58) sts on holder, purl to end.

Work 4(4:6:4:6) rows straight, ending at side edge.

Next row (RS) Knit to last 3 sts, m1, k3.

Work 3 rows straight.

Rep the last 4 rows 2(3:3:4:4) times more and the inc row once more. 40(46:52:58:64) sts.

Work 1 row, so ending at sleeve edge.

Sleeve shaping

Cast off 5(6:7:8:9) sts at beg of next and 3 foll alt rows. 20(22:24:26:28) sts.

Work 7(9:9:11:11) rows straight.

Shape front

Next row (RS) Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.

Next row Purl to end.

Rep the last 2 rows 1(2:3:4:5) times more.

Next row Knit to end.

Next row Cast off 2 sts, purl to end.

Next row Knit to end.

Next row Cast off 3 sts, purl to end.

Next row Knit to end.

Next row Cast off 4 sts, purl to end.

Next row Knit to end.

Next row Cast off 5 sts, purl to end.

Leave rem 4(5:6:7:8) sts on a holder.

FRONT EDGING

With RS of lower right front facing and 4.5mm circular needle, k4(5:6:7:8) sts from holder, pick up and

k22(24:26:28:30) sts evenly round right front to top of shaping, 11(11:13:13:15) sts along straight edge, then

16(18:20:22:24) sts to shoulder, 24(26:28:30:32) sts from back neck, 16(18:20:22:24) sts down left front to beg of neck shaping, 11(11:13:13:15) sts along straight edge, and k22(24:26:28:30) sts evenly round shaped edge, then k4(5:6:7:8) sts from holder. 130(142:158:170:186) sts.

1st row P2, * k2, p2; rep from * to end.

2nd row K2, * p2, k2; rep from * to end.

Rep the last 2 rows once more and 1st row again.

Cast off in rib.

LOWER BACK EDGING

With RS facing and 4.5mm needles, pick up and k54(58:62:66:70) sts along lower edge of back.

Work 5 rows in rib as given for front edging.

Cast off in rib.

CUFFS

With RS facing and 4.5mm needles, pick up and k30(34:42:46:50) sts along lower edge of sleeve.

Work 5 rows in rib as given for front edging.

Cast off in rib.

TO MAKE UP

Join side and sleeve seams.

Design and Knit a Baby Blanket- Part 4

A few weeks ago I was asked if I could design and knit two baby blankets for twin boys. The only directions I had were, could each blanket have the baby's name. Luckily for me both names are short :) Dean and Adam. As these blankets contain many different knitting techniques I thought it would be a great idea to share with you - as a sort of  free tutorial. Therefore every tuesday will be a knitting class, and if you subscribe (free) to this blog at the end of the course you will recieve a free knitting pattern for the completed blanket.

First week was  Lesson 1, the process of chosing the design. 
Week two was Lesson 2 : how to make a knitting motif chart for the boat etc
Last week  Lesson 3 : how to read a knitting motif chart.


This week we have Lesson 4 : Choosing yarn and colours ready to start knitting.



The yarn I'd chosen to use for this blanket is a DK yarn that knits up with a tension of 20 sts and 26 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking stitch on size 4.5mm (U.S.7) needles.

DK weight stands for double knit and is thicker than sport weight. It is primarily a European yarn weight, though several American companies are now importing it under their own company name. When substituting yarn, always choose a yarn from within the same weight category, that is a similar fiber, and has a similar gauge.
Once you know these three things, you can consider other brands of yarn to substitute. Within each of these categories are all sorts of yarn made from many different fibers. The fiber most often associated with knitting is wool. Wool is a beautiful, durable yarn that is a pleasure to work with and holds its shape well. Check the fabric care symbols on the label carefully, many wools aren't machine washable. Before you choose wool, make sure you're willing to care for it properly.
Cotton yarns are very popular because they make a cool and comfortable product. Cotton is usually labeled as hand-wash only. Blends are any imaginable combination of fibers, including natural and synthetic. While most knitters prefer natural fibers, synthetics have their advantages. They are often inexpensive, readily available, offer a wide colour selection, and are easy to care for.
Choose a yarn that's right for your pattern and based on your personal taste. A good tip is to buy one ball or skein (called the ball from here on) of the yarn you want to use before starting the project. Knit up a large swatch in the stitch pattern, and wash or dry-clean it in the same manner you'll use for your finished project. You'll learn several things from this experiment: your gauge, if you like working with the yarn, if the yarn shrinks or stretches after cleaning, and, most important, if the dye runs.

The next question is "How much yarn do I buy?" That information is found in the pattern materials list and on the yarn label. If you buy the brand the pattern calls for, simply check to see how many balls are needed for the size you're making.
When substituting yarns, first determine if the new yarn ball has the same number of yards or meters as the pattern yarn. Check the yarn label to see how many yards or meters the ball contains, and divide this number into the total yardage needed to determine how many balls you need. Round this number up to the nearest ball to make sure you'll have enough yarn.
And then, lastly, there is the issue of colour. I will never deign to tell someone else what colour their project should be, as this is entirely personal, but yarns tend to fall into three groups and I think it is always a good idea to pick a group before embarking on your final colour decision. 

Solids – I’m talking machine-dyed, 100% solid colors. No tonal variations, no hidden depth of color. Semi-solids – These are the hand-dyed version of solids, and they are exceptionally lovely. Within one skein of red, you may find eight different shades, layered one of top of the other and always subtly shifting. Variegateds – These are the anything goes yarns. They can be as mild as combining similar colors (pink, red, white) or wildly different colors (purple, yellow, black). Once you decide if you want your project to be knit in a variegated yarn, a semi-solid, or a solid yarn, your color choices become a little easier, and you can simply pick the color you like best within that range! 

For this blanket I chose solid colour, Royal blue, Azure blue, Yellow and White
Before purchasing, check the dye lot number on every ball of yarn you've selected. Yarn is dyed in huge lots, or batches. When distributed to retail stores, dye lots are often mixed together. You may not be able to see any difference when comparing two different dye lots in the store, but after completing a project, you'll realize just how "off" two balls of "Off-White" can be. The probability of buying or finding matching dye lots months later is unlikely. Check each dye lot number, and buy all the yarn you'll need before you start your project. You'll be very glad you did.
Now that you have your yarn and needles, you're ready to get started!

'Thoughful Thursday' Help 'LILY' Knit Squares

The charity featured today on Thoughful Thursday is very close to my heart. I have set up 'Lily'-Love In the Language of Yarn in memory of my grand-daughter Lily Iris Gibson. Our Mission is To bring love and a smile to all children in need around the world. We provide hand knit and crocheted items for children, mainly orphans but any child in need.

Help us Knit Squares For Syrian refugees especially the children. There are currently more than 43,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey  housed in refugee camps dotting the border.  Most of them fled for their lives in an instant, never imagining their exile would last so long. 




Photo by Tomás Munita for The New York Times


Please consider making a square or two with your odds and ends. Any spare wool you have can be knitted into eight inch squares and then we'll stitch them all together into a blanket. No waste and a child with nothing gets a warm and colourful, cover for their bed!

Knitting Instructions

FOR ONE 8"/20 cms SQUARE, you will need:
Yarn from a 100 gram (3.5 oz) ball of yarn or scraps of yarn 
 worsted weight , double knit or 8ply

Size 4mm needles  10 (USA)
A yarn sewing needle.
 Cast on 32 stitches (try to make your stitches neither too loose nor too tight to help ensure uniform squares)
 Row 1: knit
 Row 2: knit. These two rows form the 'garter' stitch knitting pattern for your square but you use any stitch you prefer, beascreative as you like. Continue knitting  until you have knitted a square
 To ensure you square is 8"/20cm either use a tape measure .

 Cast off
 Use your yarn sewing needle to sew in all the yarn ends using a darning method
VERY IMPORTANT 
Leave a one metre length of your yarn attached to your work after you have cast off. This will be used to join the squares together. but if you're changing colors work in your other tails.  DO NOT TIE AND CUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE KNOT, THAT IS GUARANTEED TO COME UNDONE.  Knot if you want, but leave a tail and work in your ends.



We work with reputable, experienced relief agencies to securely transport and distribute our hand-knit and crocheted blankets for this progect we are working with  Humanitarian Relief Foundation. 
You can also find us at:  https://www.facebook.com/LilyLoveInTheLanguageOfYarn

Please Help If You Can!

'Lily' is supported by businesses and individuals in Turkey, whether it be donations of yarn, Knitting and Crocheting or transportation of completed blankets to receiving agencies.

'Lily' has no paid employees.  All the good work is done on a strictly volunteer basis.

'Lily' wishes to thank all those private individuals and businesses which support us.  Without you, there would be no 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn.  We work hard for the day when we are no longer needed to help keep Children warm.

Dianne Jones - Founder of  'Lily'- Love In the Language of Yarn.

Weekly Knitting Questions & Answers

All beginning knitters have questions about the best way to do things, why different things happen while they are knitting, how to fix knitting mistakes and more. Here are some of the most common questions posed by new knitters, along with their answers. 










Question: How Do I Pick the Right Needle?






Answer:

First, go needle shopping with a project in mind. When you’re a more experienced knitter just looking to build up your supplies, you can buy needles with no particular project in mind, but when you’re first starting out, it’s best to buy only the needles you need. The pattern you choose will say what sized needle was used to complete the project. That’s the size needle you should go looking for. At your local yarn shop or craft store, there will be a limited number of materials for each type of needle, probably plastic, metal and bamboo or wood.

Different knitters like different needles for different reasons. Many knitters love bamboo or wooden needles because of their warmth, the natural feel in the hands, and the comforting but quiet clicking sound they make. They’re also good for knitting slick yarns because the needles have a bit of friction, which can help keep the stitches from sliding off the needles. Wooden needles are a great choice for beginners for the same reason. Metal needles are heavy, sturdy and hard to break. Their slickness makes for quick knitting, but can also make it easy to slide your work right off the needles. Metal needles are also cold, so they’re not great for knitting in the winter. The metallic clicking of these needles is also annoying to some.

Plastic needles are similar to wooden or bamboo needles in terms of lightness and smoothness, but they lack warmth. They’re also very smooth like metal needles so they allow you to knit quickly. They are more flexible than other needles.

Try out different needles to see which kind you like. Odds are you'll have a favorite in no time!

If you have a knitting question for Knitting Galore, please email it to : dbjones5559@hotmail.co.uk  or  Please  post it as a comment here.  All questions will be answered, and many are selected and answered each wednesday here on the Blog. 

Fabulous Blog Ribbon Award

Wow! How wonderful!

Thankyou Katrina of Kat's place for giving me this award and sorry It's taken me a while to write this.

If you've not yet visited Kat's Place please do so It's a realy great blog some wonderful recipes and some very thought provoking and caring blog posts.

The recipt of this ribbon came with some rules of acceptance:

First to thank to blogger who gave the award and link back to them wich I have just done but again I say say Thankyou Katrina I am so touched.

Next is to Name five fabulous moments in your life.

so here goes:

1. The birth of my daughter Clare my pride and joy!

2. Taking the plunge and leaving England to live in Turkey - I so love this country!

3. Meeting and later marrying  Mehmet (3rd time lucky)

4. Becoming a Nana (grandmother) I have the most beautiful granddaughter Gracie :)

5.Recently meeting and spending some time with Orphans in Istanbul, these children realy were amazing!

Name five things that you love.

1. My family 

2. Knitting - can't survive without my knitting it keeps me sane.

3. Music  especially reggae but most kinds you will quite often catch me boogying around the house and I pity my neighbours who have to listen to me sing!

4.Sunshine everything seems better when the sun is shining

5. Cats - I think my neighbours probably call me the mad cat lady I'm forever feeding strays.

Name five things you hate.

1. Wars  It is the children who are affected most by the troubles in regions hit by conflicts and wars.

2. Two faced people 

3. Cruelty to animals - any animal.

4.Brushed nylon sheets on the bed- just can't stand the feel of them!

5.Flies buzzing around my head especially near my ear.

And now to Pass the award to five deserving bloggers.

1 Helen Bogun Helz Design the most amazing designer!

2 Alessa and Tammie (two for the price of one lol) Carolina Heart Strings fab recipes amongst other things.
3 Peggy Lee Hanson Inspire Encourage Support the Dream coach
4 Crazy Train To Tinky Town wonderful writing from a fellow expat living the dream in Turkey.
5 coby Lange Codiart  fabulous artist.


Thanks again to Katrina for this award and thanks to everyone who stops by to read my blog.

Back To The Begining - Knitting Memories

I had the best possible introduction to the world of knitting, I was 6 or 7 years old and it was a magical and fun time with my nana (grandmother). During school summer holidays  I went to stay with her and my granddad in Sandbach, Cheshire. My dad would drive me there  it was only about an hour away but to me it seemed a lot further, an adventure! They lived in the countryside and we lived in a busy town so it was like another world to me. Dad was a butcher and we lived above his shop on a busy main road, my Nana and grandad lived in a quiet village, in a house with a garden …. Heaven! 

She’d always been a knitter had even owned a wool shop at one time and neighbors were always calling around and bringing with them their latest projects, usually for my nana to fix, and she always somehow turned it from a mess into a masterpiece with no problem at all. She was a great  nana and sat patiently with me, hours upon hours, under the huge sycamore tree in her backgarden that shaded  a huge part of it. She was always knitting, and knitted for everyone  family and friends alike for nothing other than the joy of it. She had an endless supply of patience as she taught me to knit (and i’m sure she needed it) i can still hear her voice as she held my hands guiding them and repeating the ryhm over and over -  

In through the front door

Once around the back

Out through the window

And off jumps Jack.


 She gave me plenty loving encouragement which was often needed especially when signs of frustration reared it’s head and i couldn’t quite get it right. And always magically, at the end of the summer hols and it was time to go home, I'd  have a new scarf or dress ready  for my doll and couldn’t wait  proudly show it off to my family and with great pride would tell my friends  that I had made it. I still have that love of knitting and the same sense of accomplishment when i say 'I made this’. Unfortunately my parents divorced a few years later and the visits stopped and sadly i didn't see her and lost touch. But many years later when my daughter was 18months old, i did manage to find her again. Guess what she did! she knit my daughter the most beautiful teal blue aran jacket, her aran knitting was always beautiful. Not long after that she died. I'm just so happy that we got to see each other again and that she got to see her great grand daughter, and i think of her often when i'm sat knitting.
Now I‘m about to become a  Nana myself very soon and am busy knitting in preparation for the arrival of my grand daughter and look forward to teaching her and passing on my knitting skills.
   
Did you learn knitting to a ryhm?  Maybe it was different to mine, if so let me know what it was i'd love to see all the different ones.

Gracie Apron Dress

A little more challenging to knit but so worth it. I really enjoyed knitting this dress and the colours work great together.

SIZES
To fit chest measurement
6 mos 17 ins [ 43 cm ]

TENSION
22 sts and 30 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with larger needles in stocking st.

MATERIALS
Baby Double knit type yarn
Main Colour (MC) (White)
2 balls
Contrast A (Dk Pink)
1 ball
Contrast B (Lt Pink)
1 ball
Contrast C (Green)
1 ball
Sizes 3.25 mm (U.S. 3) and 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needles. Sizes 3.25 mm (U.S. 3) and 4 mm (U.S. 6) circular knitting needles 24 ins [60 cm] long or sizes needed to obtain tension. St holder. Length of¾ inch [2 cm] wide elastic or twisted cord. 2 buttons.

ABBREVIATIONS
M1 = make one st by picking up horizontal loop lying before next st and knitting into back of loop.

INSTRUCTIONS
Note: Knit Rows - right side of work - read chart from right to left                         
Purl Rows - wrong side of work - read chart from left to right
When working from the chart, carry colours not in use loosely across WS of work. When colours must pass over more than 3 sts, weave them over and under center point of color in use. The colours are never twisted around one another.

APRON DRESS
SKIRT
With A and smaller circular needle, cast on 164 sts. Join in round, placing a marker on first st (center back) and proceed as follows:
1st rnd: Purl.
2nd rnd: *K2tog. yfwd. Rep from * around.
3rd rnd: Purl.
Change to larger circular needle.
4th and 5th rnds: With MC, knit.
6th rnd: *K13. M1. K14 M1. Rep from * 5 times more. K2 -176 sts.
Work Chart to end of chart reading rows from right to left, noting 22 st rep will be worked 8 times.

Next rnd: With MC, knit.
Next rnd: *K13. K2tog. K12 , K2tog. Rep from * 5 times more. K2 164 sts.
With MC, cont knitting in rnds until Skirt from beg measures 8¾ ins [22 cm].
Next rnd: *K1 . K2tog. K2. K2tog. Rep from * to last 3 sts. K3 118 sts. Break MC. Place a marker at end of last rnd.
Next rnd: With A, knit.
Next rnd: Purl.
Next rnd: *K2tog. yfwd. Rep from * around.
Next rnd: Purl.
With A, knit in rnds until work from marker measures 1 inch [2.5 cm].
Next rnd: (Fold line). Purl.
Knit in rnds until work from fold line measures 1 inch [2.5 cm]. Cast off loosely.

BIB
With A and larger straight needles, cast on 34 sts.
1st row: (RS). *With A, K2. With B, K2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. With A, K2.
2nd row: *With A, P2. With B, P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. With A, P2.
3rd row: *With B, K2. With MC, K2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. With B, K2.
4th row: *With B, P2. With MC, P2. Rep from * to last 2 sts. With B, P2.
These 4 rows form check pat.
Cont in check pat until work from beg measures 5 ins [12.5 cm], ending on a 2nd or 4th row of pat.
Next row: (RS). With A, knit, dec 3 sts evenly across. 31 sts.
Change to smaller needles.
Next row: With A, knit.
Next row: With A, K1. *K2tog. yfwd. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
Next row: With A, knit.
Cast off knitwise.
Side Edging: With RS of work facing, A and smaller needles, pick up and knit 29 sts along side edge of Bib.
Next row: Knit.
Next row: K1. *K2tog. yfwd. Rep from * to last 2 sts. K2.
Next row: Knit.

Cast off knitwise. Rep on opposite side of Bib.

STRAP (make 2)
With A and smaller straight needles, cast on 9 sts.
1st row: *K1. P1. Rep from * to last st. K1.
This row forms seed st pat.
Cont in seed st pat until Strap measures 8½ ins [21.5 cm].
Cast off in pat.

FINISHING

Fold waistband to WS along fold line and sew in position, leaving an opening at center back to insert twisted cord, attaching Bib to waistband stitching and sewing sides of Bib to waistband on WS. Sew Straps in position. Sew buttons on Straps using eyelet holes of Bib edging to form buttonholes and noting Straps cross at back.
If you need any further advice for knitting with colour please see Colourful Knitting a previous post on this blog.

Happy Knitting!

The Chart

'Thoughful Thursday' Learn How to Knit for Charity

Learn How to Knit for Charity With These Easy Squares!

Knitting blanket squares is fun whether you're trying to learn how to knit or you've been doing it for years.

Do you want to learn how to knit and help others at the same time? Many charities accept simple blanket squares, the perfect projects to help you learn how to knit! Blanket squares whip up easily and simply, and once you learn how to knit more proficiently, you can get creative with different colors, styles, and patterns.

The Basics

In order to start knitting squares for charity, you'll have to learn how to knit the basic knit stitch. To start, get a set of knitting needles (it's a good idea to start with about a size 6mm while you learn how to knit) and some yarn you like. Begin by tying a slip knot in the yarn. The slip knot will be your first stitch.

Hold the needle with the stitch in your left hand and push the right hand needle into the stitch, so both needles are in the same stitch. Wrap the yarn around the bottom needle and pull it back through the first stitch. Now you have two stitches, one on either needle. Put the stitch on your right needle onto the left needle. Now you have two!

 Keep doing this until you have 30 stitches.
This is called casting on.

Keep Going!

Knitting is almost exactly the same as casting on. You make the stitch the same way, but instead of placing the left hand stitch onto the right needle, you slip the right hand stitch right off. That way you'll always have forty stitches (for example, after your first stitch, you'll have thirty nine on the left needle and one on the right). Continue this way until you've completed a row, then turn it around and do the same thing all over again.

 Keep knitting until you have a square that measures 8 inches (20cm) all the way around.

Almost Done!

It's time to cast off. Knit two stitches as you normally would. Then take the first stitch, the one furthest from the end, and lift it over the second stitch, sliding it right off the needle.
 Knit another stitch and repeat until only one stitch remains. Cut your yarn and pass the tail through your last remaining stitch, pulling it tight.

You've now made an 8 X 8 square! Best of all, you can learn how to knit and help those in need at the same time. This 8 X 8 square is exactly the sized used by 'Lily' - Love In the Language of Yarn, an organization that collects squares and makes them into blankets to warm and comfort the Syrian childrn refugees in Turkey. Also by Knit A Square to make blankets for Aids Orphans.







Who'd have thought it: you can learn how to knit and help bring warmth and comfort to the worlds needy, all in a single stroke!