Sporty Raglan Baby Cardigan

Happy New Year! It's been ages since I've added any patterns. Well, guess what? I'm adding one today. I've written my first baby sweater pattern.

I came up with this pattern to use for charity knitting. I make a lot of baby layette sets and wanted a cardigan that was a little more masculin for baby boys.

This sporty little cardigan is knit from the top down. It features raglan shoulders and 1 by 1 ribbing for the collar, bottom welt, sleeve cuffs, and button bands. It’s a fast and easy knit.

The yoke is done in Intarsia so there will be no floats from changing colors. It is a good pattern for beginning Intarsia knitters to use.

This cardigan requires 1 skein each of 2 colors of worsted weight yarn, but you can use any number of colors you want. You will need 5 half or three quarter inch buttons too. (The buttons on the model: Lets Play Ball buttons)

Stitch markers are required. I highly recommend you use a strand of contrasting color yarn to hold the sleeve stitches when completing the body. I found it is almost impossible to use stiff metal stitch holders because of the nature of how this garment is knitted. If you do not want to use yarn, the Clover flexible stitch holders work great.

I wrote this in 2 sizes, 3-6 and 6-12 months, because those are the two sizes of baby items I regularly make for my charity group.

The pattern is in PDF format and can be downloaded here:

Linky --->>> Sporty Raglan Baby Cardigan 

As usual, I strive to make my patterns error free, but sometimes things can slip by. If you should find one or more in this pattern, please let me know by posting a comment here.

Aran Baby Cardigan and Links

I have finished fixing ALL the broken links to my patterns. I've put Just Peachy on my Google Drive (which I forgot I even had). I've updated the link on the Just Peachy page too.

I also have updated links to a baby aran cardigan pattern that was published by McCalls (remember them?) back in the 70's. I love this pattern and have made many of these little sweaters for gifts.

A few years ago or so I went to a great deal of effort to find the copyright holder to this pattern and it's accompanying hat. I found them-in Japan. McCall's pattern department had been sold a couple times or so and I just followed the trail until I got to the current owner. They gave me ownership of the copyrights for the pattern, which I greatly appreciate.

I've had a post on my regular blog, Beadknitter Gallery, linking to this pattern for quite some time, but decided I need to put it here too, since I've made it available, for free, to everyone. If you want to knit this lovely little sweater:

Here's the link ---->  Aran Baby Cardigan

Here is the link to ----> The Matching Bonnet

I do not have a pic of the bonnet because I don't make it. I don't really like it, to be honest.

Hopefully, I won't have anymore problems with downloading these patterns.

Sweet Niggles Socks

I have a new sock pattern for you today.

This pattern is in two sizes, Ladies Medium and Large, or you could say the second size is a Mens Medium. The socks feature a 1x1 ribbed cuff, a heel stitch flap, Half Hankerchief turned heel, and a Wedge style toe. The 2-color stitch pattern is incredibly easy. You'll be surprised by it. It works best with widely contrasting yarns, variegated and solid.

If you are interested in knitting Sweet Niggles, you can download the PDF pattern here:

Linky -->  Sweet Niggles Socks

I strive to make my patterns error free, but sometimes things can slip by. If you should find one or more in this pattern, please let me know by posting a comment here.

Granite Mitts

I have a new pattern for y'all.

I love the Granite stitch.

It looks so pretty and it's super easy to knit. I came across this stitch a few years ago when I was making a sweater for my son-in-law.

Here is a pattern for a pair of fingerless mitts utilizing the Granite stitch. It's written to be knit on 2 circular needles. The pattern requires about 180 yards of worsted weight yarn. You will also need size 5 needles, a stitch holder, stitch markers, a yarn needle, and scissors. The mitts knit to size Ladies Medium, which means an 8 inch hand circumference, and 7 inches in total length. They feature a thumb gusset for extra comfort. I hope you enjoy it. To download the PDF of this pattern, click on the link:

Linky ---> Granite Mitts pdf

Fuzzy Cuff Ladies Slippers

It's almost the end of 2013. In celebration of the new year, here's a new pattern for you.

These are my take on a very old slipper pattern. They are knit on size 10.5 needles using 2 strands of worsted weight yarn held together. The cuff is one strand of the fur yarn and one strand of the worsted weight yarn. They knit up very quickly. The pattern is written for Ladies size medium foot (8 to 10 inches). It is in PDF format.

Linky here ---> Fuzzy Cuff Ladies Slippers

Little Garter Checks

I have a new pattern to share! I call this Little Garter Checks Mens Mittens.

This fairly easy pattern is written for 2 sizes to fit larger hands, ie. men, and features a knit in thumb gusset for comfort and good fit. The smaller size has a finished length of 11 inches and a hand circumference of 8 inches. The larger size is 12 inches in length and 8.75 inches in circumference.

About 200 to 350 yards of worsted weight yarn and a stitch holder are required for these wonderfully textured mittens. It's written for 2-circular needles in size 5, but converting for double points or Magic Loop should be fairly easy.

To download the PDF of this pattern, click on the link:

Linky ---->  Little Garter Checks Mens Mittens

Ribes Jumeaux

Happy New Year! I have a gift. A new sock pattern! I designed these for my son-in-law. They were his 2012 Christmas present. After knitting them I decided to write up the pattern and share it with the world of knitters. It has been fully test knitted. Thank you to lhensley, MooneTouched, and paolo of Ravelry for testing it for me.

This sock pattern is knit from the top down. It features a twisted rib cuff, contrasting slip stitch heel, and stripes in the cuff and toe.

The stitch pattern in the leg is called Twin Ribs, thus the fancy name for these socks. Ribes Jumeaux is Twin Ribs in French. It's written in 2 sizes- mens and womens medium, which is about a size 7-8 shoe.

This pattern is written for knitting in the 2-circular needle method but can easily be converted to other methods.

The file is in PDF format, 5 pages, and only 220K so it should download fast.

If you are wanting to knit this simple but fun pattern, click on the link:

Ribes Jumeux.pdf

If you should find errors in this pattern, please let me know by posting a comment here.

Happy knitting!

Beadknitter

Fancy Flossy Shrugs

Recently someone donated a large quantity of fur yarn to the local charity knitting group, Knit Wits, which my daughter and I belong to. My daughter and I have taken it upon ourselves to do something with it for the group. I came up with a pair of shrug patterns just for the occasion. After all, there are only so many scarves a person can make.

Modeled by my friend Rosie

These make great gifts and a wonderful donation to nursing homes and life care centers. The finished size of each shrug is 52 inches wide (cuff to cuff) by 18 inches long (which stretches to 24 inches when worn).

Modeled by my friend Rosie

Close up of stitch pattern

They feature 1 by 1 ribbed cuffs and variations of Garter Lace stripes across the body.

Modeled by my friend Rosie

Materials needed are at least 2 different yarns and size 10 and 15 needles, so they are a quick knit. Here are pics of some others I've made using this pattern set.

Rich reds

Detail of stitch pattern

The pattern file is in PDF format and is 574K in size. It includes instructions for both shrugs.

Mint and sea blues

Make the stripes using a contrasting colored bulky weight
boucle' and contrasting cuffs 

This one was made by my daughter Ruth.

Cool blues

Contrasting fur and variegated yarn

If you want this free pattern,

click here ----> Fancy Flossy Shrugs

If you should find errors in this pattern, please let me know by posting a comment here.

Wheat Rib Socks

I have a new sock pattern for you. I designed and knit these socks for my son-in-law. I call it Wheat Rib Socks.

They ended up with contrast heels and toes because I didn't have enough of the main color to do the socks in one color. However, you can knit it solid or contrasting, It's up to you.

 This pattern was a lot of firsts for me. It is the first with a stitch pattern that I created myself.

Looks like wheat stalks.

They are my first toe up socks and feature a short rowed heel.

This is also the first pattern I've had test knitted by someone other than me or my daughter. Some Ravelry members did it for me. The pattern was difficult for me to write and their suggestions were extremely helpful. Thank you to Swong, maggievanderstock, and eledixon (their Ravelry names) for all your help. I appreciate it so much. They have given me permission to post the pictures they took of their test knit socks. All of them, at my request, did solid colors. I have to admit, I like it better than the two color version.

Swong's socks, solid ladies version:

maggievanderstock's socks, solid ladies version:

eledixon's socks, solid mens version:

This pattern is written for knitting in the 2-circular needle method but can easily be converted to other methods.



Click here for the pattern --->       Wheat Rib Socks PDF


If you should find errors in this pattern, please let me know by posting a comment here.

Seed Stitch Stripe Mittens for Men

It's that time of year when our thoughts turn to keeping warm. What better way to keep the man in your life's hands warm than with a pair of hand knit mittens. Here's a pattern for just that situation.

These textural striped mittens are knit with 3.5oz/100gms of worsted weight yarn on two size 5 circular needles.

They are sized to fit larger hands, ie. men, and feature a knit in thumb gusset for comfort and good fit.

These ones were made with 100% acrylic (for charity), For extra warmth, I suggest superwash wool.

If you prefer double pointed or magic loop, it should be fairly easy for you to convert to either of those methods.

To download the PDF of this pattern, click on the link:

Linky --->  Seed Stitch Stripe Mittens for Men

My Precious Friend

This pattern is for machine knitting.


The very first pattern I ever had 'officially' published in a magazine was this one, Precious Friend.

Precious Friend

I wrote it for the Passap E6000 and DM80. A sort of 'in your face' statement to the person who told me I  couldn't make toys on Passap knitting machines. It was published in Machine Knitters Source magazine. I will never forget the day the magazine arrived in the mail with my pattern in it. I was so excited, and proud of myself! It validated my idea that I actually know what I'm doing when it comes to knitting.

I never did get around to translating it to the Japanese made machines. Probably because no one ever asked me to. It was fun while it lasted. I kind of miss those days when I was designing the toys. It was challenging to take something that pretty much had to be knitted flat and turn it into something three dimensional.

In 1999 I bought the needle craft shop in town and didn't have time for designing machine knitting patterns any more. Running a shop is a full time job. I found myself knitting models for the shop, and that was about all I had time for

The doll is about 18 inches tall and made with 3/15 weight acrylic yarn and stuffed with polyester fiberfill. She as some soft sculpture on her for toes, fingers, her face, and even a tiny little tush. Her hair is made of yarn that is sewn on and I have detailed instructions for how to do that. It comes with the pattern for the romper she's wearing too.

If you should happen to download and make this doll, I'd love to see pictures when you're done.

Linky-->     Precious Friend for Passap

Live long and prosper. \\//

A Pillow Pickup for Machine Knitting

This pattern is for machine knitting.

Pillow Pickup by Precious Knits

It was only natural that after making a car, I thought to make a truck. (One of these days I plan to make other vehicles too.)

The Pillow Pickup is written for the 4.5 standard gauge machines like Brother, Studio, Silver-Reed, and Toyota. I know most of these machines are no longer being manufactured, but there are still a lot of people out there who own and use them.

Finished size is about 12 inches long. The tailgate actually opens. The little people are 5 inches tall. Yarn used is a 3/15 (fingering) weight acrylic. It is stuffed with polyester fiberfill. The toy is completely machine washable if you use washable yarn, and safe for babies.  

Linky --->  The Pillow Pickup

I do my best to make these patterns accurate, but even still there might be errors. Please let me know if there are by posting a comment here.

Live long and prosper! \\//

Curly the Bear for Machine Knitting

Curly the Bear has what I think is an interesting story behind it. Before purchasing my first machine, I bought a few magazines. One of them had a pattern for a wonderful teddy bear in it for standard gauge Japanese machines. However, in the end, I bought a Passap double bed machine, which works differently than the Japanese ones. I still wanted to make that teddy bear though. So I asked my teacher about it (my Passap came with 10 lessons) and she said "Oh, you can't make stuffed animals on a Passap." I was quite taken aback by that. I thought the statement ludicrous. I determined to figure out how to do it on my own.

The magazine with the teddy bear pattern disappeared. To this day, I don't know where it is. So I ended up figuring out a way to make one on my own. Curly was the result. I took him to my very next lesson and pointed out that stuffed animals can too be made on a Passap.

This particular pattern, however , is not written for the Passap machine. (I'm not sure I'll even put it up here because I don't think there'd be an interest.) Japanese machine owners kept asking me to convert the pattern for their machines, so I did. For 4.5mm standard gauge knitting machines, I present:

Curly the Bear by Precious Knits

Knit in 3/15 (fingering) weight acrylic, there are instructions for two sizes of Curly. The pieces are knitted flat, then sewn. Polyester fiberfill is used for stuffing. The hair is knit on the machine, then sewn on to the head. I used purchased shank back eyes because once they are on they are impossible to take off, but one could embroider eyes on just as easily. Either way, they should be safe for babies.

Linky --->   Curly the Bear

I do my best to make these patterns accurate, but even still there might be errors. Please let me know if there are by posting a comment here.

Live long and prosper! \\// 

The Pillow Car - A Machine Knitting Pattern

This pattern is for machine knitting.

The Pillow Car by Precious Knits

Back in the 90's I was very much into knitting machines. (At one point I actually owned 9 of them. Now I have just 4- my favorites and the ones I would actually use.) I wrote and published a few patterns. This one appeared in the now defunct Machine Knitters Source magazine. Later, under the name Precious Knits, I sold it at machine knitting seminars (also teaching classes) and by mail order. I have decided to offer the few patterns here that I wrote for free to all those machine knitters who are still hanging in there. I'm starting with this one.

The Pillow Car is written for  the 4.5 standard gauge machines like Brother, Studio, Silver-Reed, and Toyota. I know most of these machines are no longer being manufactured, but there are still a lot of people out there who own and use them.

Finished size is about 10 inches long. The little people are 5 inches tall. Yarn used is a 3/15 (fingering) weight acrylic. The toy is completely machine washable if you use washable yarn, and safe for babies.  

Linky ----->    The Pillow Car

A Rainbow for My Hand

 I have decided to go ahead and put this pattern online even though I'm not quite done with the test knitting yet. I'm just too excited about it.

This design was actually inspired by another design for Entrelac fingerless mitts. I have shortened it, written it for knitting on 2 circular needles rather than double points, and improved the instructions so it fits better, taking care of the problems I had with the other pattern.

 It features 2x2 rib for the cuffs and top with small Entrelac blocks in between. By decreasing and increasing the sizes of the blocks, I have succeeded in shaping the mitt for a better fit. It is written to fit a womans hand with about an 8 inch circumference. Finished length is 9 inches.

This design works best with yarns that have long color repeats. The model was made using Ty-Dy Socks from Knit One Crochet Too. Other yarns I would recommend are Noro Kureyon Sock, Mini Mochi from Crystal Palace Yarns, Poems Sock by Wisdom Yarns, and Zauberball by Schoppel-Wolle. (I'm curious how it would look using some of the Jacquard yarns, though.)


Click on the following link to download:

A Rainbow for My Hands

I do my best to make these patterns accurate, but even still there might be errors. Please let me know if there are by posting a comment here.

Live long and prosper! \\// 

ETA: 4/26/2011 Errors were found in the pattern. Official version now posted.