Vehnän Mitts - a free pattern

Recently, I was trolling the web for funky ribbing stitches to finish off my Knucks. When I found the prefect ribbing, I kept noticing a beautiful stitch being displayed in the sidebar. The website had dubbed it the "Wind in the Wheat" stitch.
I loved it so much, I had to make some mitts out of it. And, since I have some unexplainable obsession with all things Finnish, I decided to name them Vehnän Mitts; Vehnän being Finnish for wheat. (Well, really, it means "common wheat"). Vehnän Lapaset is roughly translated to Wheat Mitts, but I thought that may be a bit unwieldy on the tongue.

You can knit these mitts in a weekend and they take less than a skein.

What you need
Yarn: Any DK weight. Shown in Gloss DK yarn by KnitPicks, in cream; number 24985
Needles: A Set of US number Five DPNS or circular long enough for Magic Loop method.
Notions Tapestry needle, stitch marker
Note: If you’re making these gloves with only two DPNs or using the Magic Loop method, the stitches will rearrange themselves on the needles. I recommend arranging the stitches back to an even amount on each needle every time you work round 12.

Wheat in the Wind stitch adapted from the instructions found here: http://www.craftcookie.com/knitting-stitches/eyelet-lace-stitches/162-wheat-in-the-wind

Wheat in the Wind stitch
Rounds 1 & 3: p1, k11; repeat from *
Round 2 & all other even rounds: Knit all sts
Round 5: * p1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k4; repeat from *
Round 7: * p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k3; repeat from *
Round 9: * p1, k3, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k2; repeat from *
Round 11: * p1, k4, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, k1, sl1kw, k1, psso, k1; repeat from *
Round 12: Knit all sts
These rounds form the Wheat in the Wind stitch.

- Instructions
Arm/Wrist
CO 36 sts on three DPNs. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate beginning of round.
Work one inch of k1, p1 ribbing. K one row.
Work Wheat in the Wind rounds 1 – 12 three times. A total of 36 rows worked.
Work Wheat in the wind rounds one and two.

Place Thumb
Work 18 sts in patt, knit next six sts with scrap yarn. Move the six sts worked back to the right needle. With working yarn, resume in patt until the end of the round.

Hand
Finish working remaining Winds in the Wheat rounds.
K 3 rounds straight.
Work one inch in K1, P1 ribbing.
Bind off in patt.

Thumb
Carefully remove waste yarn and place resulting live sts on needles; there will be 6 sts below the opening and 5 sts above. Attach yarn and k 6 sts below the opening; pick up and k 2 sts in space between below and above. K 5 sts from above opening; pick up and k 2 sts in space between this needle and lower needle. 15 sts.
K one row.
Next row: K6, K2tog, K to end of round. 14 sts.
Work K1, P1 ribbing for three rounds.
Bind off in patt.

Finishing
Weave in all ends. Enjoy!

Abbreviations
Sl1kw: Slip one stitch knit-wise
PSSO: Pass slipped stitch over
YO: Yarn over
K2Tog: Knit two stitches together

Pattern copyright 2012 Natalie Gonzalez. Please do not make these to sell, unless for charity.

Mini Skein Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed! Finding out the winners now, check back soon!

Hey all you Bee Keeper Quilter's out there! And I won't forget you Mini Mania Scarfer's. Not to mention anyone making ornaments or toys...
Anyone want to win 15 mini skeins?!

I was going through my stash and realized I have way too much yarn, and lots of it is the half skein variety. And I know all of us Bee Keeper's are always looking for new and awesome (awesome!) yarn to add to their quilts. So I thought - why not give some of it away?
I am giving away the 13 pictured plus two surprise solid minis.
Pictures left to right
First row:1-6 are Storied Yarns, 7 is one I dyed.
Second Row: 1-3 are sparkly mini skeins from Knit Picks, 4-5 are random sock yarns, self striping, and 6 is a Madeline Tosh sock yarn.
Same old rules. You can enter lots of times.
- Just leave a comment.
- Share this post then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Follow this blog then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Like me on Facebook, then leave a comment saying you've done so. The link to FB is above in the links section.
That's four chances!
I will leave this contest open for a while, I want any Bee Keeper or scarf maker to have a chance to see this and enter if they so desire.
So, how about Halloweenish?! The contest will close October 30, 'round about noon time est.
If you're leaving a comment as anonymous or are a no-reply blogger, either leave your e-mail (or some other way of contacting you, such are your Ravelry name) in the comment or be sure to check back here on Nov 1st to see if you've won!

New Pattern and a Giveaway!

This contest it closed. Please check back on the 31st to see if you've won! (I am having one entry for both contest winners.)
(Giveaway info towards the bottom)
I just posted a brand new pattern to Ravelry. A trio of awesome soap holders!
I have been knitting away at Christmas stuff, and I have been trying to make a soap caddy type thing for a Winter Swap I am doing. I have all of this wonderful organic homemade soap and nothing to package it in! After going through many patterns I didn't quite like I decided to make my own.
Click here to get knitting!

There is an owl, a woven stitch, and a funky textured one.
These caddies are awesome! They knit up in a flash and are great for newbies to working in the round. Knit out of ‘washcloth yarn’, they can be hung in your shower and double as washcloths. Leave the soap inside for a louffa type thing!

Now for that giveaway! In honor of my new pattern, I am giving away a woven stitch soap holder along with a bar of wonderful Drift Away Soap. Also, you will receive a paper copy of the pattern.
The soap is amazing! A natural scent called Nantucket Gardens (a loverly lavender scent with seasalts and seaweed), by DriftAway Soaps. It is 4.4 oz.
Same old rules. You can enter lots of times.
- Just leave a comment.
- Share this post then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Follow this blog then leave a comment saying you've done so.
- Like me on Facebook, then leave a comment saying you've done so. The link to FB is above in the links section.
That's four chances!
I will leave this contest open til...let's say Saturday the 27th around noon time est.
- Buy a soap holder here: my etsy store
- DriftAway Soaps: www.driftawaysoap.com
- Soap ingredients: Organic extra virgin olive oil, water, organic coconut oil, organic sunflower oil, lye (none remains after saponification), organic avocado oil, organic hempseed oil, essential oils of clarysage, cedarwood, bergamot, and lavender; powdered seaweed, sea salt

I've Been Published

My pattern for Eyelet Fingerless Mitts has been published! And not in one, but two other Blogs! (i didn't realize I had been published in Totally Tutorials until this morning, when I was looking at my stats.)
Nantucket Chronicle has asked me to do a column (for lack of a better word) with patterns, tips and tricks. I already have two more planned in my head. Check the article out
Totally Tutorials also published my pattern, yay!
I am so happy to be have my name out there in the Blogging world more. I am loving these opportunities.
(Oh and new learning opportunities - I discovered I've been spelling 'eyelet' wrong for ages now. I thought it was 'eyelit.' Happy Knitting All!

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

2 x 2 mitts

I have really been wanting to knit some of the yarn I have dyed, but couldn't think of anything I really wanted to create. Then these popped into my head. They're fairly simple, and can be made simpler by using a regular bind off, rather than the picot edge I used on these.
They are so quick, they knit up in less than a weekend.
(FYI - I plan on getting pictures with both of the mitts being worn in one picture in a few days. Right now it is just me and my camera phone, so I could only take one hand at a time!)

YARN: Fingering Sock Yarn, I used a 75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon blend that I dyed myself.
NEEDLES: US size one DPNs or circular for magic loop.
NOTIONS: Needle to weave in ends
GAUGE: Doesn't really matter

Before we start I want to warn you that these are going to look super small as you knit them. However, the 2x2 rib is really stretchy, so don't worry, these will fit any average sized wrist!

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cast on 40 stitches. Divide between four DPNs if using. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work in 2x2 rib(K2, P2) for 5 1/2 inches, or desired length.
Thumb: Work in patt for five stitches, bind off six stitches, work in patt to end of round. Next round: Work in patt for five stitches, cast on six stitches, work in patt to end of round.
Work in patt for another 2 1/2 inches, or desired lenght.

Bind off stitches using picot edge bind off.

Finishing: Weave in ends.

PICOT EDGE BIND OFF:
*Cast on two stitches. Bind off four stitches. Return stitch on right needle to left needle; repeat from* to end of round.

Don't forget my yarn dying kit giveaway

Pattern © 2011 Natalie Gonzalez. Please e-mail 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!
If my fingers appear dirty in these pictures, it's because, well, they are. They're stained with soot. Long story.

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

My new blog!

Well, I have decided to have a seperate Blog just for my knitting. I don't have really anything to say at the moment other than a big "hi!" because I am on a touch screen. Kind of not ideal for Blogging! I was be on the old desktop later today to edit this blog, get some free patterns up, and make a real post!
Happy knitting.