Lavender Linen Satchel

I've been wanting to make some little potpourri pouches for ages for my linen closets. Even my yarn stash could use a few since it lives in plastic bins in our damp musty basement.

I knew I wanted something simple but pretty. I had a bit of alpaca left over that I had bought from a spinner years ago. It's cream and soft and really lovely. I didn't have much though, enough to squeeze out 6 wee squares.

If you'd like to make these little satchels you will need:
worsted weight yarn
3.75mm needles (I used 2 dpns)
yarn needle
ribbon
old pantyhose
potpourri or lavender


Cast on 19 sts

Row 1-4: (K1, P1) x 8, K1
Row 5: K1, P1, K1, P1, K11, P1, K1, P1, K1
Row 6: K1, P1, K1, P13, K1, P1, K1
Repeat Row 5 and 6, 8 more times
Row 23-26: (K1, P1) x 8, K1
Bind off in pattern

Weave in ends.

They're very plain so I decided since I'm on a needle felting kick to add a few little embellishments. Of course you don't have to do this especially if you're using hand painted yarn. Or you could do some embroidery or sew on a button or ribbon.

I ordered some lavender flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs and pulled some ribbon from my rather large ribbon collection.

I've put the lavender in some old pantyhose (about a teaspoon per pouch) and tied a knot to close it.

Then I put two squares together right sides facing out and seamed the bottom and both sides of squares to form a pouch (I used one of the ends to seam and tucked the other ends into the pouch).

Next I placed one of the lavender bundles into the pouch and wove the purple ribbon through the top to close it. This way when I have to change out the scented bundle I can just undo the ribbon to open the satchel.

Voila! Wee lavender satchels! I only have 3 and I need more! So I'm on the hunt for some more leftover bits of yarn (don't worry, I have tons) and some time, maybe a rainy fall day. This may be the perfect project to work on with a cup of tea...

Scrappy Preemie Hats

Here is another project that I've been doing to try to use up some bits of yarn I have. Preemie hats are really great at using up those tiny balls of soft luxury yarn that are left over from other projects. I usually don't follow a pattern although there are lots of really great ones if you want to mix things up.

Here is my very basic "recipe" for a Preemie Hat

I start by casting on either 56 or 64 stitches (this all depends on how big your needles are and the weight of the yarn you're using) and I personally like a 2x2 rib (again you can do all kind of brims from the rolled to seed stitch). I knit the ribbing for about an inch or an inch and half and then just knit stockinette until the entire hat measures between 4-5 inches. Feel free to do a pattern or stripes or fair isle, what ever floats your boat. You have what amounts to a swatch really, so play around!

Then I decrease the top:
Knit 6, k2tog across round
Knit 5, k2tog across round
Knit one round
Knit 4, k2tog across round
Knit 3, k2tog across round
Knit one round
Knit 2, k2tog across round
Knit 1, k2tog across round
K2tog across round

Break yarn, weave through remaining 8 stitches to close hole. Or if you want an i-cord stem don't break the yarn, do another round of k2togs and place all 4 stitches on one dpn, knit an i-cord for an inch and a half, bind off. Tie the stem in a knot (it's supposed to resemble the umbilical cord but I think it just looks cute).

The little hats in my pictures are knit out of dk yarn so I used 3.75mm dpns. If I was using worsted I'd go up to a 4.5mm. The best preemie hats are the ones that can survive hospital washing, so super soft acrylic and cottons. I'm also careful to try not to pick any yarns that may cause allergies like wool, mohair, angora, etc... And it's important to chose yarns that won't shed as the fibers could interfere with the hospital equipment that help to keep these tiny babies alive.

So now I get to weave in ends. In my case, lots of ends... I think I'll find a movie on Netflix and sit down with a cup of tea tonight...

Happy knitting : )

Cozy Wooly Cabled Scarf

I bought this yarn at Michaels knowing I would be making JoAnn a scarf for christmas. A thick chunky cabled scarf. I also knew I could come up with my own pattern. I mean really... I've been knitting for half a decade, surely I can create a simple cabled scarf on my own by now...

So here it is:

Cozy Wooly Cabled Scarf

Materials: 225 yards super bulky yarn, 8mm (US 11) needles, cable needle

Gauge: doesn't really matter for this scarf. Finished scarf after blocking measures 16cm (6.5in) wide and 180cm (71in) long

C3F - Slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle, hold in front, knit next 3 stitches, knit cable needle stitches

Set Up Rows:
Row 1: P1, K1, P1, K1, P3, K6, P3, K1, P1, K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1, P1, K4, P6, K4, P1, K1, P1
Repeat Row 1 & 2 once more

Pattern:
Row 1: P1, K1, P1, K1, P3, C3F, P3, K1, P1, K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1, P1, K4, P6, K4, P1, K1, P1
Row 3: P1, K1, P1, K1, P3, K6, P3, K1, P1, K1, P1
Repeat Rows 2 and 3  two more times. Then repeat Row 2 once more.

Cast on 20 stitches

Knit Set Up Rows once.

Knit Pattern 38 times or until scarf is desired length. Knit Rows 1 & 2 of Pattern.

Repeat Set Up Rows once.

Bind off in pattern.

Block if desired.

Feel free to shorten or lengthen your scarf by doing less... or more... of the pattern repeats.

If you make one, let me know! I'd love to see a picture!

Cheers!