Queen Bee Knits

Knitting, Living, Loving, Baking, Tips, Tools and Idle Chatter

Sweater Design – CYC Certification, Knit Level 2

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

My Primitive Drawing!

The last step in the certification process (or at least the knitting part of the process) is to design and knit a simple sweater with sleeves for a beginning knitter.

Since I’m already “late” in the process, I decided to knit a tiny sweater for a baby niece who is four months old. She’s small and with the yarn I chose out of my stash, it should be a relatively quick knit and I’ve kept it really simple. All a new knitter would need to know to knit this sweater is cast on, join in the round, knit, increase, decrease and bind off.

I decided to start at the bottom of the body of the sweater and make it a rolled edge (no ribbing). And then to make the sleeves short since my yarn is cotton & could be worn in warmer weather or in cooler weather with a long-sleeve t-shirt underneath.

I’ll write the pattern (it’s required for the last step) and will post in on my Ravelry page (have you checked out Ravelry? I’m Lindar) for free when the certification is finalized and I can publish the pattern!

Here’s what I have knit so far …

Sleeve (one of two)
… like you hadn’t already figured that out!)

Body (bottom to top, knit in the round) with a rolled edge.
Simple enough for a beginning knitter!

The yarn is Araucania (hand dyed in Chile) Tolhuaca Solid in Color 1202. It’s 100% pima cotton, 120 yards per skein. I love the hand on this cotton yarn and it’s denim-y color is something that I thought would match everything my niece wears.

I love rolled necks and bottoms of sweaters but I didn’t want the sleeve to roll (it would feel funny on her little arms and against her little body) so I knit a row, purled a row a couple of times so the sleeves would lay flat against her arms.

Now it’s time to figure out how to get it to all go together. I’ve done one sweater before in this method and I’m trying to use my memory of that to get my pieces to attach to each other!

Gone knitting!

How to Knit i-cord

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I-cord is not a difficult thing to knit and it can be used for so many projects.

Recently, I knitted i-cord ears for a Tiny Baby Bunnies pattern and you can see pictures of my projects on my blog, here, or on my Ravelry page, here.

I’ve also used them for embellishing knitted garments like my Senorita Lolita dress and on an original cowl that I knitted and is for sale in my 3 B Street shop.

Senorita Lolita (Copyright 2011 Prima Dogma by Queen Bee Knits

Butterscotch Cowl
Copyright 2013
Queen Bee Knits Original

I-cord is a spiral “tube” of knitting that is constructed by sliding the working piece from one side to the other side of your DPN.

It’s a great handle for knitted (and felted totes), it’s a great embellishment for knitted garments (and can be formed into flowers or stems or just about anything you can imagine!

It’s also very simple to knit!

Here is what you need to know to be successful when knitting i-cord!

Cast on the required number of stitches to be used for the i-cord (in this case, I used 6 stitches.)

Cast on # of Stitches

Slide your stitches to the right side of the DPN (do NOT turn your needle!)

Slide stitches from cast on position at the left of the needle to the right side

Knit all stitches (to knit the first stitch, you’ll bring the working yarn around the back of your needle and give the first stitch or two or three a good tug to pull the yarn so there won’t be a huge gap but don’t worry too much as the next few rounds will help even it out!)

Note that the stitches will be on the left side of the DPN. Do NOT turn your needle.

Knit all stitches (sorry, it’s a little blurry, but you get the idea!)

Slide the stitches to the right side of the needle and knit all stitches again.

Repeat sliding the stitches from the right to left of the DPN and knitting all stitches until i-cord is the right length for your project. It is also helpful to give the “tail” a tug or two to get the i-cord to stretch out & down.

After a few rows, you’ll start to see the tube starting to take form.

After a few rows of knitting (9 here)

Queen Bee
Knitting Tip

Knitting Tip – When you’re knitting circularly (in the round) on double-pointed or circular needles, in order to keep your knitting from getting “ladders” where the needles meet, remember to give an extra tug (gently, don’t break your yarn!) on the first and second stitches as you start working on a new needle. This will lessen the chance of ladders happening which are unsightly in your knitted garments. Trust me, I’ve got plenty of experience! 🙂

So, there you go! Practice this a few times and you’ll have a great new trick in your knitting arsenal!

Gone knitting!

Knitting … Bunny Nuggets and Tiny Baby Bunnies

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

This weekend I actually started and finished a little project!

It’s an award for my 3rd grade mentee who has reached her learning goals for the end of the year (or near end of the year, we still have 21 days left!) I knitted her another tiny brown bunny awhile back and she requested a pink one.

Tiny Baby Bunnies pattern by MochiMochi

The first one that I made for her and gave to her a few weeks ago got “lost” on the bus on the way home when she was sharing it with her “friends”. I’ve told her that I’ll knit one more but she is not allowed to share it on the bus. Apparently her friends there can’t be trusted. What a shame that children have to learn that! Anyway, I thought I’d add to the little bunny and make her another and when my knitting friend, Terri, brought some Bunny Nuggets to our knitting group the other week, the choice was easy! The pocket is my addition so the little bunny will have a safe home.

Bunny Nugget (by Danger Crafts) with pocket and Tiny Baby Bunny (by MochiMochi)

The patterns are super simple to follow and easy, quick knits.

The Tiny Baby Bunnies pattern by MochiMochi told me that I had to make it in a sock-weight yarn (fortunately I had pink on hand in my stash so I didn’t have to buy more just for this tiny project!). I used US #1 double pointed needles and it came out so cute (both times). Clear instructions and about a ten-minute knit. You do need to know (or learn between now and then) how to knit in the round on DPNs and how to make i-cord. Gotta love those quick-to-knit projects!

The Bunny Nugget pattern, too, is quick and simple. Although, if I’m totally honest, I didn’t make mine in the exact order that is described in the written pattern … and it was only because I was being impulsive and maybe not paying attention! If you follow the instructions, you’ll have no problems at all! 🙂 I made the pocket by picking up eight (8) stitches in the lower belly of the nugget and knitted six or seven rows and then bound off and attached the sides. Easy-peasy! I used some stashed light pink acrylic worsted-weight yarn that I had from an old project. Just about any yarn can be used in this pattern because you can “adjust” it by using needles that are a couple sizes smaller than the yarn requires. I used a US #4 DPN with my worsted weight yarn. For this pattern, knitting in the round on DPNs, picking up stitches (if adding a pocket like mine) are two things you might need to know.

I think it’s a perfect pocket for it’s teeny tiny pink friend!

I hope she’ll love it!

Gone knitting.

Knitting Interrupted

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

This work thing sure has cut my knitting time!

I used to knit for hours each day. Now I’m lucky to have a few minutes here and there throughout the day to even think about yarn. Today I actually took a break at lunchtime and knitted a 2-stitch i-cord for ears of a tiny bunny for my mentee. (Her request; an award for completing her goals!) I only have to give it eyes and a tail and it’s a gift that will be loved.

Sleeves to frog and re-knit (wider to fit the arm holes), a back to re-knit because I must have been “on something” when I changed balls of yarn smack dab in the middle of the back at mid-shoulder height.

Tunic to finish (ha! Maybe by winter!)

Socks for the youngest brother’s 50th birthday – after I replace the chewed needles.

So much knitting … so little time.

Gone knitting!

Not Knitting but Grateful

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

My new school – teaching on a beautiful day!

Well, I’ve once again joined the working world with a temporary job outside of my home.

While I am enjoying working with children in the elementary school environment, I am noticing that I am not knitting enough to feed my passion and art. Partly because at the end of the day I am pretty tired and partly because I still have all my work at the house to do, too. And my little dogs (and now our new big dog) have missed me and need some of my undivided attention … as does their “father”!

I have a pair of socks for my nearly 50 year-old brother on the needles. I reverted to my favorite (go to) sock pattern and have had some lovely green (with a hint of blue) yarn that I bought for exactly this reason last summer. His favorite color is green and this yarn by Plymouth Yarn Co. called “Happy Feet” is a superwash Merino and with my brother’s feet, I bought three skeins (he wears a size 14 shoe!)

Seacolors Yarn …

I have deconstructed the sleeve on my Boxy Cardigan that I started last summer with my Maine wool from Sea Colors Yarns. The pattern was pretty straight forward but someone clearly forgot to have the sweater test knitted – the sleeves are at least two inches too narrow to fit into the shoulder. (You do get what you pay for! This was a free pattern. Lesson learned!) I will unknit them and then add more increases to make up for the two inches and see how that works. I hope I don’t have to start over from scratch because I don’t like it – and I spent a lot of money on the wool and want to love the garment that it becomes!

Dropps Tunic (Pattern #111-21) in Berroco Pure Pima (color 2243)

I still have my Pima Cotton tank on the needles. The back is done and the front is getting close but, honestly, I haven’t worked on it much at all! It’s really time to focus on this garment as we’re getting ready for that sleeveless shirt season!

I have several ideas that I want to knit when I’ve wrapped up a few of my WIPs … a tea cozy by the Queen of Tea Cozies, Loani Prior … it’s the daffodil one. We don’t have daffodils here in Florida and I miss them. A Stash Buster Shawl and I have yarn for a sweater and hat for my niece. I also want to knit myself a Wonderful Wallaby! It would be perfect for those cool (or even cold) evenings in Maine this summer.

I’m so grateful to be working with these great kids who really need the extra support to bring them up to grade level by the end of the year. I love the teachers that I’m working with and I am blessed to have the opportunity to work close enough to my home that I can (well, I could) walk to work. And since it’s temporary, I am hoping to pick up the needles more when I get to Maine after school ends.

Gone knitting!

Wonderful Wallaby – Pattern Review

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I taught the Wonderful Wallaby pattern by Carol A. Anderson as part of the classes that I offered at the Yarn Nook in Lafayette, LA earlier this month. This pattern is so great that I want to make one for myself (and so did the owners of the Yarn Nook … another uniform piece?)

The pattern reads a bit like a story and has cute illustrations. I had a bit of difficulty finding the place in the pattern booklet where they told me what I needed to get gauge and others did, too. But it is there. You may have to “hunt” a little. Once you’ve gotten your gauge swatch knitted and are set to begin, the pattern is clearly written and well written. I have had no difficulty following most of it. I did do and re-do the part where you pick up stitches at the bottom of the “pouch”/pocket. If I had actually READ the pattern, however, it would have been done properly the first time!

I decided to add a bit of a different yarn to my sweater (I knitted the smallest size, a 2T) and make the pocket/”pouch” a different color and I also started the sleeve ribbing in the coordinating yarn. Once done with the body of the sweater, I also decided to use the coordinating yarn for the collar ribbing and on the 5 stitches that border the hood. I wish I had added the coordinating yarn at the first row of the neck stitches in the yoke. (For the children’s sweater, this direction is on page nine at the bottom.) I’d have begun the coordinating color yarn at the place where you purl the ten center stitches between the markers on the front of the sweater.

Students who took this class made good progress and each sweater was very unique. One student was making a green sweater with a pink pouch. Another was making a baby blue sweater with blue and pink stripes on the pouch. They were all cute! One poster on my Facebook pages said that this was her favorite children’s sweater pattern ever. I might be willing to agree with her after knitting this pattern.

The yarns that I used were Berroco Comfort Solid in a beige color (3 skeins for my size) and Classic Elite’s Liberty Wool in a beige/lavender/grey/green colorway. I love knitting with both yarns on this sweater. The Berroco yarn is not too heavy and is washable. It’s worsted weight and not too “splitty” (my pet peeve for yarn!) I think for a child’s sweater, it has to be washable … what mom wants to wash their child’s sweaters by hand? As with all knitted items, I’d suggest drying it flat. Liberty Wool is a soft wool yarn and I love the colorways. I wanted to take home a couple of balls of each just to play with. This yarn is a looser wrap and can split so be careful knitting with it but you’ll love the way it feels. And the way it looks, too!

I am totally pleased with my Wonderful Wallaby and will be sending it on to a very special little girl in our family … she’s going to have a bunch of hand-knit sweaters from her auntie when she is a little bit bigger! Her collection keeps growing … because I keep finding sweet little patterns to knit for her! I have another project all lined up for when I finish one or two!

You can purchase the pattern at your LYS (local yarn shop) or online at Amazon.com or Cottage Creations. You can also call Cottage Creations at 641-324-1280. The pattern is around $7.00 … a great deal considering you get from size (child) 2-T through an adult XXL or “super size”! Trust me, you’re going to want to knit one of these for every member of your family! And don’t forget to check out the different styles and colors that have already been knitted on Ravelry!

Gone Knitting!

More from the Yarn Nook

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I have promised more pictures – and I have a few but have to apologize for not taking enough during the two weeks and 21 classes (I think). We had a few classes that didn’t go but it was a busy time and I thoroughly enjoyed my “Visiting Instructor” (I’m not comfortable referring to myself as a “knitting expert”yet) visit!

I’m so proud of all of my students (over 60 of them!) who gave their best, tried to stay positive and who came into class willing and eager to learn. We knitted toe up socks, cuff down socks, sweaters, dresses, vests, fingerless mitts, flowers, shawls, learned about finishing and fixing mistakes.

Here are all (yes, all … I told you I didn’t take enough!) the photos that I took … happy viewing!

Toe Up … Lesser Evil Socks

Bermuda Shawl (in process)

Angelise and her Maddie’s Little Dress

Barbara and her Fuzzy Feet

Hilda’s Wonderful Wallaby Sweater

Winnie and her Maddie’s Little Dress

Kitty and her Maddie’s Little Dress (nearly finished!) in LSU colors

Another Maddie’s …

The view from “my” chair …

I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach all of these wonderful women and am eager to return to teach again … and will be back as soon as I can. I’ll be reviewing the patterns that we knitted and the yarns that we used in some future posts. I also learned a really wonderful storage tip for those pesky cords that go with your circular needles (particularly the interchangeable sets!) that I will be sharing with you soon.

Gone knitting!

Miranda’s Lesson

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

This is Miranda and the mermaid sweater that she knitted. She knitted it without a pattern. She’s been knitting for about a year. Let me make sure you hear what I’m saying (writing?) … She designed the sweater by herself. Without a pattern! She found the mermaid online and knitted it into her sweater with only about a year of experience. Note that each sleeve is different: One with a two-color cable and the other with fish swimming around the cuff end. I am simply in awe of such a fearless knitter.

I was fortunate to meet Miranda at Knit Night and also to have her in a class last week. She picks up a concept very quickly and even if she is struggling with size 1 (US) needles and sock-weight yarn, she has a great attitude. Telling herself “I can do this” just quietly enough that I could hear her but not loud enough to hear throughout the shop. And I think what I’ve learned from Miranda is that if we practice encouraging self-talk, we can do anything that we want. We should not fear trying new things.

Learning hexipuffs

Miranda’s attitude is in stark contrast to some of the adult students who don’t share the same habit of cheering herself along through a challenging project or technique or just something new. We learned hexipuffs, i-cord … and that when we use positive self-talk, we can accomplish much more than if we beat ourselves down because we aren’t immediately proficient at a task.

A good lesson and an impressive teacher. Thanks, Miranda!

Gone knitting!

“Can Do”

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

I have so enjoyed my teaching experience so far.

Today we had a short day – one class and then lunch with the Yarn Nook girls and off we went to sit at my brother & sister-in-law’s house on the back patio and knit! (Like we don’t get enough of it!) It felt good to have a short day after yesterday which was our marathon knitting and teaching day. We will probably not stay all day next week when I have three classes! Even crazy old me needs a break!

I love the challenge of teaching a student who is really stretching herself in a class. Challenging herself to do something that is really difficult and, perhaps, even something that she may not be ready to attempt yet. Those fearless knitters are the ones I admire. Partly because it’s so gutsy. Partly because I was not that type of knitter. Or at least that’s not how I classify myself.

There is a lot to be said for trying something that’s really difficult. It’s good for our brains, it’s good for our souls. The sense of accomplishment is incredible when you finally “get it!” I am happy with the progress that all of my students have made. They’ve worked hard. They’ve (mostly) had that “can do” attitude and it’s such fun to be teaching such a great group of women!

Gone knitting!

No More Knotted Ear Buds

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Queen Bee Knits

Knitted I-cord Ear Buds by Queen Bee Knits

It’s been awhile since I saw knitted ear buds somewhere on the Internet. I’ve thought about knitting a little “sweater” for mine (so they don’t always get tangled into knots) but, frankly, it hasn’t been high on my to-do list.

But today I guess I needed something brainless to do since I’ve been working so hard on class planning and samples for the classes that I’m teaching in Louisiana. SO … I started work on my ear buds. It’ll be helpful when I’m driving for two days because I don’t like to drive with my phone in my hand.

Basically, I am knitting an i-cord around the ear bud cord. I found this free tutorial on the blog Wonderfully Awkward and I know that there are patterns out there as well if you want to search.

I’m using my Lorna’s Laces Sport in the Spats colorway – it’s left overs from the Jimmy Beans Wool Downton Abbey Mystery Knit Along. I’m using a US 2 DPN which makes my stitches tight enough that I can’t see the white cord through the knitted fabric.

Casting on 4 stitches and started at the bottom of the cord near the plug, I’m just stitching an i-cord all the way up to the split. There I will increase a couple of stitches and then hold half the stitches on a stitch holder for one side while I wrap the other side. (Very simple. If you’ve never knitted an i-cord, I’ll have to write a post about that some day soon but for now you can Google some help! There are several decent tutorials both written and video to help you.)

There you go – that’s what I am up to today!

Gone knitting (i-cord!)