here's the link to the pattern for the cardigan: Click here
Parrot to Cockatoo in a few moves!
Hello!
I've adapted my Galah Parrot Pattern to create a Cockatoo - for you!
The colour changes and small alterations to the pattern are written below…
PARROT PATTERN UPDATE
FROM PARROT TO COCKATOO!
Yarns:
HEAD
A - Drops Kid-Silk shade Off-White
B - Drops Alpaca shade Wheat
C - Drops Alpaca shade White
YELLOW MARKINGS AND QUIFF
D -Rico Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk shade Yellow
E - Drops Flora Shade yellow
BODY
F -Drops Sky shade White
BEAK
G - Drops Alpaca shade Dark Grey
H - Drops Alpaca shade Mid-Grey
I used 4mm needles for the Body & 3.25mm needles for the Upper Beak.
Casted on with yarn ABC but dropped yarn AB for DEC for the yellow cheek ‘short rows’ detail.
From Page 7, I worked with yarn ACF.
BACK & TAIL (Page 14) I knitted with yarn ACD.
On Page 15, from Row 37 I worked 7 rows stocking stitch (for a longer tail).
BREAST & UNDERTAIL (Page 19) I knitted with yarn ACF.
And to match the tail length from Page 19, Row 27, I worked 7 rows stocking stitch.
THROAT (Page 23) I knitted with yarn ACF.
And for the Lower Beak (Page 24) I kept with needle size 4mm and worked with yarn ACF (I wanted the Upper Beak to look
as though it was nestling in the throat feathers).
Finally, for the Upper Beak I used yarn GH and smaller 3.25mm needles.
Here's the pattern for the QUIFF:
This is joined after you've completed the whole bird to the end of the pattern and after having made all the changes:
RIGHT SIDE
With bird's Right Side facing you, pick up and knit three stitches from A to B (moving towards the head back) (see Fig. 2)
Row 1 inc) Cast on three (or more if you want a longer quiff)
Work short rows as follows: (NOTE: work the same numbers even if you've added more cast-on stitches)
Short Row 1 P5, W+Tp
Short Row 2 K5
Short Row 3 P4, W+Tp
Short Row 4 K4
Cast off all Quiff sts. purl-wise.
Join the two side together all around (see Fig. 3).
Dampen the quiff, rub to matt the yarn and shape as desired.
NOTE: I actually felted my entire bird as follows:
NOTE: This will only work if you've used natural yarn as the yarn I used above.
Fill a washing bowl with very hot tap water and a little gentle hand soap and immerse the toy into the water to start the felting process - leave it to soak until the water cools enough for you to pull out the toy with your hands. Rub a little more soap into the toy as if you were giving it a good wash. Rinse out the soap then squeeze and gently wring out the water. Please note - your toy at this stage will look totally unrecognizable and unshapely! Rub the toy in between your hands as you do this the yarn matts together to give you the felty look you’re after - if the toy is still very damp do can this in between a towel. Continue with the rubbing/agitating and moulding until the toy is quite dry and quite felted and re-shape and mould for a final shaping - use the Shape Template to match with if you like, before placing on a radiator to dry completely.
I also glued in 8mm black eyes and then stitched blue mohair around and around the black eye to create the oval markings.
Easter Eggplant vs Aubergine!
Something a little different for your Easter table?
Or just a little fruity objet d'art?
Your choice entirely - here's the link to your free pattern whatever your penchant
A Cardigan For Tuppenny
Here's a very quick and simple little cardigan to fit your little Guinea Pig:
For this cardigan I chose yarn with a similar tension to the guinea pig (15 rows and 13 stitches over 5cm with 3.75mm needles)
I used Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk, shade 15, Light Sea Green with 3.75mm needles
Beginning at the Neck
Cast on 25 sts for Neck Edge
Rows 1-4 Work four rows stocking stitch
Sleeves set-up
Row 5 inc) K3 (Left Front), kfb, k1, kfb, k2 (Left Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k3 (Back), kfb, k1, kfb, k2 (Right Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k3 (Right Front) - 33sts
Rows 6, 8, 10 & 12 Purl
Row 7 inc) K4 (Left Front), kfb, k1, kfb, k4 (Left Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k5 (Back), kfb, k1, kfb, k4 (Right Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k4 (Right Front) - 41sts
Row 9 inc) K5 (Left Front), kfb, k1, kfb, k6 (Left Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k7 (Back), kfb, k1, kfb, k6 (Right Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k5 (Right Front) - 49sts
Row 11 inc) K6 (Left Front), kfb, k1, kfb, k8 (Left Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k9 (Back), kfb, k1, kfb, k8 (Right Sleeve), kfb, k1, kfb, k6 (Right Front) - 57sts
DIVIDE SLEEVES
Row 15 K9 (Left Front), k12 (Left Sleeve), Turn (flip work over so purl side faces)
Row 16 Purl 12, Turn so knit side faces
Continue to work on 12 Left Sleeve sts as follows:
Left Sleeve
Rows 17-18 Work two rows stocking stitch
Row 19 dec) K1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1 - 10 Left Sleeve sts
Row 20 Purl
Row 21 dec) K1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1 - 8 Left Sleeve sts
Rows 22-23 Beginning with a purl row work two rows stocking stitch
Cast off all 8 Left Cuff sts purl-wise.
Right Sleeve
RS facing, rejoin yarn to remaining stitches on your needle, continue as follows:
Row 15 K15 (Back), k12 (Right Sleeve), Turn so purl side faces
Row 16 Purl 12, Turn so knit side faces
Continue to work on 12 Right Sleeve sts as follows:
Rows 17-18 Work two rows stocking stitch
Row 19 dec) K1, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k1 - 10 Right Sleeve sts
Row 20 Purl
Row 21 dec) K1, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k1 - 8 Right Sleeve sts
Rows 22-23 Beginning with a purl row work two rows stocking stitch
Cast off all 8 Right Cuff sts purl-wise.
Right Front
RS facing, rejoin yarn to 9 Right Front sts, continue as follows:
Row 15 inc) K9 (Right Front)
You’ll now work to join Right Front; work under right sleeve and so across Back; work under the left sleeve and so across Left Front as follows:
Row 16 WS) P9 (Right Front), p15 (Back), p9 (Left Front) - 33sts
Row 17 Kfb, k7, k2tog, k13, k2tog, knit to last st, kfb
Row 18 Purl
Row 19 inc) [Kfb, k3] eight times, kfb - 42sts
Rows 20-24 Beginning with a purl row work five rows stocking stitch
Cast off all 42 Hem sts.
To make up simply mattress stitch the sleeve seams and weave in the ends.
And of you like, add a length of ribbon around the collar.
SANTA CLAWS - or - How to turn your Siamese Cat into a Persian Cat...
Free ROBIN Pattern
As part of my recent {Advent Event} on my Instagram account here is the link - CLICK HERE - to the pattern to knit this seasonal little feathered fellow for FREE!! NOTE - for the robin pictured I used different yarns to the ones mentioned in the pattern - basically yarns from my stash:Orange Drops Kid Silk and dark orange Drops Alpaca, Beige Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk and white Drops Sky plus white Kid Silk… And if you'd like the mouse too - the pattern is here - MOUSE IN A SWEATER
Feeling is believing - the softest cat you'll ever knit...
This is the ‘Yarn Code’ and small changes for the furry Siamese Cat pattern.
You might want to print this off (there is a link here to the pdf version of this text) and have it by the side of you as you knit from the original pdf pattern if you want to knit this cat.
Also, there are a couple of small changes, for example I’ve added another row so that the fur yarn becomes purl row on the right side – fur works better on the purl row.
I hope this doesn’t confuse you too much…
Just follow the pattern with this next to you and you’ll be good to knit the furry version!
These are the yarn substitutes but you also need to follow the code written below it; the colours I used are written in Italic and there is a substitute brand at the end of this list:
A 1 x 25g/ 9ox ball light pink mohair/ lace-weight yarn Drops Kid Silk shade 03 Light Pink
B 1 x 25g/ 9ox ball light beige mohair/ lace-weight yarn Drops Kid Silk shade 20 Light Beige
C 1 x 25g/ 9ox ball off-white mohair/ lace-weight yarn Drops Kid Silk shade 01 Off-White
D 1 x 25g/ 9ox ball off-white mohair / lace-weight yarn Drops Kid Silk shade 01 Off-White (yes, same as Yarn C – so where it may say Yarn CD – use 2 x white)
E1 x 25g/ 9ox ball brown yarn brushed DK/ light worsted yarnDrops Brushed Alpaca shade 05 beige (listed as an aran but knits like a DK)
F1 x 100g/ 36oz ball light pearly-grey Faux Fur yarn King Cole Luxury Fur shade Wolf – the gauge for this particular fur is 20 rows/ 16sts over 10cm with 5mm US 8 needles
SUBSTITUTION YARN TYPES:
To substitute the Drops Kid-Silk you can use either Rowan Kid Silk Haze or Rico Essentials Silk loves Mohair
To substitute the Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk you can use Rowan Alpaca Classic DK
For the Fur you need to find a yarn that matches the given gauge
YARN CODE:
Head:
Yarn AB= Pink and Beige Mohair
Yarn AC = Pink and Off-White Mohair
Yarn AD = on Pages 10 & 12 change yarn in pattern to yarn CD from list above so using off-white and off-white
Eyes:
I started the pick-up row and worked the first row with yarn CD then switched to yarn E, beige brushed DK for the remainder of the eye
Page 15 Sew up with yarn C
Forehead:
Yarn DE = Pink and Beige Mohair
Yarn AC = Pink and Off-White Mohair
Yarn AD = on Page 18 change yarn in pattern to yarn AB from list above so using Pink and Beige Mohair
Back:
End of Page 18 – do not switch needles yet
On Page 19, Row 10 switch to larger needles and change yarn to ABCE from list above (pink, beige and white mohair plus brushed DK)
Page 21 Rejoin yarn ABCE
Page 28 Rejoin yarn ABCE up to Tailthen switch to yarnF – fur yarn, so reverse the stocking stitch as follows:
Row 1 becomes Knit row
Row 2 Purl row (cast on 6 sts, purl to end) etc…
Belly:
Yarn CDF = on Page 31 change yarn in pattern to yarn F from list above therefore using Fur yarn for the entire belly, so add another row at the beginning of the belly as follows:
Row 1 Knit
Therefore Rows 2, 4, 6 & 8 Purl
Etc. etc.
Breast:
Yarn EEF = on Page 33 change yarn in pattern to yarn F from list above therefore using Fur yarn for the breast, so continuing from the row count as above (with that extra row) you’ll cast off for the Breast purl-wise …
And with WS facing pick up knit wise in the fur so that the fur is worked purl-wise on the right side.
Row 1 Knit, Row 2 Pfb, p to last st, pfb etc… (working reverse stocking stitch on other words)
Chin:
Yarn CDF = on Page 34 change yarn in pattern to yarn CDD from list above (that’s 3 x off-white mohair
Foreleg Backs:
Yarn DEF = on Page 36 change yarn in pattern to yarn ABCE from list above (that’s 3 x off-white mohair
Lower Forelegs:
Yarn AAEF = on Page 36 change yarn in pattern to yarn BCDD from list above (that’s one beige and 3 x off-white mohair)
The Paw colour stays the same as the lower leg so:
Yarn AAB = on Page 37 change yarn in pattern to yarn BCDD from list above (that’s one beige and 3 x off-white mohair)
Hind Leg Feet:
Yarn AAB = on Page 37 change yarn in pattern to yarn ABCE - pink, beige, white mohair and brushed DK, from list above
Ears:
Outer Ear
Yarn AB = on Page 50 change yarn in pattern to yarn ABCE from list above
Then change colour on Row 11 to BCD and work with these yarn to the ear peak
Inner Ear
Yarn F = on Page 50 change yarn in pattern to yarn CD from list above
For the nose embroidery I used a peach coloured embroidery thread.
For the claws and nose details I used a strand yarn E
I also threaded a length of the fur yarn inside the outer ear for a little extra fur in the ear.
And please ask if any of this doesn’t make sense!
FINE LITTLE BOBBLE HAT FIT FOR A MOUSE
BOBBLE HAT PATTERN
I used tiny amounts Drops Brushed Alpaca (which equates to a DK-weight mohair yarn) with 2.50mm knitting needles.
You'll also need either a tiny bell or a little felted ball for the top of the hat.
I used tiny amounts Drops Brushed Alpaca (which equates to a DK-weight mohair yarn) with 2.50mm knitting needles.
You'll also need either a tiny bell or a little felted ball for the top of the hat.
FYI:
W+Tk bring working yarn to the front of the work, slip next stitch knit-wise onto the RH needle, take working yarn to the back, slip the slipped stitch back onto the LH needle, turn the knitting = W+Tk (wrap and turn knit)
W+Tp take working yarn to the back of the work, slip next stitch purl-wise onto the RH needle, bring working yarn to the front, slip the slipped stitch back onto the LH needle, turn the knitting = W+Tp (wrap and turn purl)
With the top of the hat colour cast on 12sts
*Row 1 RS) K9, W+Tk
Row 2 WS) P9
Row 3 K6, W+Tk
Row 4 P6
Row 5 K3, W+Tk
Row 6 P3
Rows 7-8 Work two rows stocking stitch **
Rows 9-10 Repeat last 8 rows from * to ** 3 times. Cast off.
Match the cast-off edge with the cast-on edge (WS together) and join the seam with mattress stitch.
For the Rim - with the second colour cast on 24sts
Rows 1-2 K1, p1 all around. Cast off in k1, p1 rib.
Join the cast-on edge of the rim to the row ends at the base of the hat. Turn the rim up and over the rim-to-hat seam.
Join the little bell or the pom-pom ball onto the point of the hat.
Slip the hat over the mouse's ears to make him lovely and cosy!
All about Suri
Wanting more/ to know and learn more I looked it up -
Suri is a type of alpaca and it’s characteristics are this: Suri alpacas appear angular and slender due to their long, lustrous fibers that hang down against their bodies creating a beautiful, lustrous yarn ~ At this point I have to add it is naturally at the more expensive scale as far as yarn price goes but then a little goes a long way - 2 kittens from one skein for example... and if you shop wisely, many Suri yarn sellers pelt their own alpacas 🦙 and dye their own yarn so it’s a friendlier way to get a little luxury into your knit:
Some favourites I’ve found on Etsy ~ with the addition that some sellers will wind the skeins into cakes for you ~ YESSS to that!!!
LoomWool (UK)
LavenderCupcakes (Canada)
TheCamelsYarn (Cornwall/ UK)
MaisonLoopy (USA)
Zakami (UK)
BanjoRidgeSuriAlpaca (Australia)
LilyandPineFibreArts (Canada)
These are but a few and I’ve picked them because of the way they display the yarn in their photos - let me know if you or someplace you know sells Suri yarn and I’ll add to my list.
Pick up a FREE PENGUIN
There's also a how-to-make-up tutorial - see post below
And yes, penguins can fly!
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