Coffee Cozy - free pattern

I had been looking for a coffee cup cozy pattern for fingering sock weight yarn for long while, and couldn’t find one. So, easiest solution – make one up! This cozy should fit small through large size cups.

Ravelled here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/coffee-cozy-4
PDF here - http://nantucketknitter.com/cozy.pdf

YARN: Fingering weight sock yarn. The most important thing is it should be machine washable. I used yarn from the wonderful Storied Yarns – http://storiedyarns.etsy.com .
NEEDLES: US size four DPNs or circular long enough for magic loop.
GAUGE: 1” = 7 sts
NOTIONS: Tapestry needle to weave in ends.

INSTRUCTIONS:
- Cast on 62 sts, and join to begin knitting in the round, being careful not to twist.
- Work in K1, P1 ribbing for five rows.
- Knit five rounds.
- Next round: K1, K2tog, K to last three sts, SSK, K1.
- Next: K all sts
- Repeat these two rounds three times more. 8 sts decreased, 54 sts remain.
- Knit five rounds.
- Work in K1, P1 ribbing for five rounds.
- Bind off all stitches.
FINISHING: Weave in all ends.

Pattern and images copyright Natalie Gonzalez, 2012. Please do not reproduce and redistribute pattern. Please do not make these items to sell unless for charity. www.nantucketknitter.com

A Giveaway

I have decided to host another giveaway. No special occasion. Just 'cause...well partly inspired by my forays into hand dyeing yarn.
I am giving away a kit I put together, supplies you need to hand dye one skein of yarn. You get yellow dye, citric acid, a skein of undyed 100% peruvian highland wool (bulky, 137 yards), and a printout of my dying instructions.
Plus, as in all my giveaways, you get some chocolate! A bag of Nantucket chocolate covered cranberries to be exact!
This kit is perfect if you want to try dyeing yarn, but aren't sure about making the investment.

(Not the best quality picture, but a photographer I am not!)
(You will need a teaspoon, a big enamel or cast iron pot, and a thermometer.)
As always, you can enter up to three times. One, just leave a comment. Two, become a follower and leave a comment saying you've done so. And three, share this post (your Blog, Twitter, Facebook, a forum, etc) and leave another comment telling me!
I'll leave this contest open until Saturday the 19th, around noonish.
Good luck!

Hand Dying Yarn 101

A great and creative activity!

You can e-mail me for a pdf at natalie@nantucketknitter.com
You will need:
- a teaspoon
- a big enamel or cast iron pot
- a thermometer
- white, cream or light coloured wool yarn
- dye
- citric acid

STEP ONE: Wash yarn. Follow washing instructions on yarn.
STEP TWO: Fill large enamel or stainless steel pot with warm water, you want it about 100 degrees. Tap water should be sufficient. Add yarn and soak for fifteen minutes.

STEP THREE: Dissolve between 1/4 - 1/2 tsp (depending on how intense you want the color) dye in a small paper cup with warm water, and add dissolved dye to yarn bath. Stir to incorporate, and soak for ten minutes.

STEP FOUR: Slowly raise temperature to 175 degrees F, and soak at consistent 175 for ten minutes.
STEP FIVE: Add one teaspoon of citric acid and stir to dissolve. Slowly raise temperature and stir until water is cleared. If water is not cleared in a few minutes add another teaspoon of citric acid. If the water is almost clear, by the time the water is cool, it should be clear.

STEP FIVE: Once water is clear, remove pot from heat immediately. Let cool, then rinse with cold water and let the yarn dry.
CONGRATS! You have now dyed yarn!

A great yarn dying kit to start with

(This last picture was dyed one solid color following these instructions, and then it was repeated again on half of the yarn sing a darker color. It produces a long striping pattern.)
Photos © Natalie Gonzalez

Owl Washcloth

You can view the PDF here: Sorry the website is down, please e-mail me at natalie.knit@gmail.com for the pdf.) YARN: Knit Picks Dishie, less than one ball, any color. (Shown in #25404, Crème Brulee)
NEEDLES: US size 6 straight or circular
NOTIONS: Needle to weave in ends
GAUGE: Doesn't really matter

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cast on 50 stitches. Work chart, starting with five rows of garter border (K every row) and remembering to K5 at the beg and end of every row. BO. Weave in ends. (Remember, first row is the "right" side.)

Pattern © 2011 Natalie Gonzalez. Please contact me at natalie.knit@gmail.com if you wish to make these to sell. Do not reproduce and redistribute pattern. Any questions or comments? Feel free to e-mail me!