KT’s Red Sweater

KT is my 18-inch Madame Alexander doll but this outfit should fit any 18-inch doll. However, the doll’s head  (plus hair in pony tail) has a wider circumference and she’s a mite taller and heavier, so I’ve had to make modifications and in the end, the pattern is so much different than when I started. It’s trial and error (a lot of errors) as I don’t do the math prior to knitting. But with a little TLC and some tweaking, I’ve managed to make them fit.

Written by: Susan Gerdes 10/22/14
Machine: Brother Standard 4.5mm

Gauge: 7 stitches=1”    11 rows=1”
Tension:  T6
Yarn: Left over 3-ply—brandname disappeared a while back. I had just enough to complete the sweater but not the neck.



BODY. COR. Double E-wrap cast on 50 st (L25-0-R25), then knit 2 rows (K2R).
Pull to Hold position needles L19, L10, L1, R9 and R18; set carriage to Hold. K6R (TIP: Before knitting each row, pull forward needles on each side of those on hold so that the stitch is just resting on the latch to ensure stitch does not drop).
Take off hold, K9R (RC016).
Move stitches on L15, L10, R10 and R15 to neighboring needles and leave out of work. K3R.
*
Work cables:
Using 2-prong tool, transfer L14 and L13 to one tool, L12 and L11 to the other tool.
Cross and transfer stitches from tool in right hand onto L14 and L13 and tool in left hand onto L12 and L13. Repeat for stitches on R11 and R12, and again on R13 and R14, but this time transfer left over right.
K6R.*

Repeat ** 3 more times ending with K3R the 3^rd time (RC042). Bring all needles to work position transferring a purl stitch from a neighboring needle to avoid a hole.
Bind off 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Decrease 1 stitch each side every other row until 26 stitches remain (RC062).
Take off on garter bar or waste yarn (make 2).

SLEEVES. COR. Double E-wrap cast on 44 st (L22-0-R22), then knit 2 rows (K2R).
Pull to Hold position the 5^th needle from left edge and every 6^th needle thereafter; set carriage to Hold. K6R (TIP: Again, before knitting each row, pull forward needles on each side of those on hold to ensure stitches don’t drop).
Take off hold, knit to RC016.
Move stitches from L3 and R3 to neighboring needles and leave out of work. K6R.

*Work cables:
Using 2-prong tool, transfer L2 and L3 to one tool, R2 and R3 to the other tool.
Cross and transfer stitches from right tool onto L2 and L3 and right tool onto R2 and R3.  K6R.*

Repeat ** 3 more times (RC041). Bring all needles to work position transferring a purl stitch from a neighboring needle to avoid a hole and knit to RC040.

Bind off 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.
Decrease 1 stitch each side every other row until 14 stitches remain.
Take off on garter bar or waste yarn (make 2).

STEAM both bodies and sleeves taking care to pull scalloped hems.

FINISHING:
Tension 8.
Thread machine. I used a different speckled yarn as I ran out of red--actually made it look better.
Partially pull 88 needles and with wrong side facing, rehang live stitches of body-sleeve-body-sleeve.

*Leaving live stitches in front of the latches, pull out all needles
Crochet cast on behind the stitches hanging last crochet on last needle behind work.
Thread carriage and K1R. Take of yarn.
Set machine to partial knit and do a free pass to the right.*

Repeat * * 3 more time times, but on last crochet row, change tension to T10 then K1R.
Do a crochet bind off (see below).

SEAM BODY and SLEEVES

For the finishing touch, I threaded my main yarn color on the neck edge and pulled tight to close the neckline.

CROCHET BIND OFF

Slightly pull out the needles leaving stitches on the hooks.
Using a latch tool, insert into first stitch to bind off.
Pick up yarn and pull through but leave stitch on the needle.
Insert latch tool into 2^nd stitch and pull stitch thru (this will be tight).
Pick up yarn and pull through only as tight as needle space allows again leaving stitch on the needle.
Repeat until all live stitches have been crocheted through.

KT’s Summer Dress

Pattern by: Susan Gerdes 10/16/14

KT is my 18-inch Madame Alexander doll but this outfit should fit all 18-inch dolls. I started this pattern to try and figure out the shaping and techniques inspired by a style that was a hand knitted top so that I could convert it to a similar machine-knit top for myself. And I am glad to say that it was a successful venture.

Machine: Brother Standard 4.5mm

Gauge: 7.5 stitches=1”  11 rows=1”

Tension:  T6 (or as required for your gauge; yes, a swatch is needed!) Schematics are included so you can measure your doll and come up with your own.

Yarn used: Mary Lou Harmony 3-ply purple, a 2/24 blue and Mary Lou Solo for the trims (sorry to say I was playing around and unknowingly used different yarn weights; I was trying to match the colors!)

RIGHT PART. COR. E-wrap cast on 56 st, knit 1 row (K1R). COL.

Pull all but 3 center needles in hold position; set carriage to Hold. K1R.

*Place needle on carriage side back to Knit (this will also auto-wrap) and K1R.* (Use finger weight or hang a weight and keep moving it up or your last stitch will pop off.) Repeat * until all stitches are off hold and knitting. Reset carriage to Normal.

Set RC000. Decrease 1 stitch both sides every 8 rows 2 times.
Then -1 every 6R until there are 46 stitches left. COL.
Place 22 stitches left of needle L1 on scrap. (Advanced: hand knit on ravel cord placing each needle out of work and let hang on left side)

FRONT ARM HOLE. On left edge, bind off 2 stitches, K2R

Decrease 1 stitch every other row 4 times (or -1, EOR, 4x). K1R. COR.
ADD FRONT NECK SHAPE. On right edge, bind off 2 stitches, K2R, 2 times.
Then -1, EOR, until 5 stitches left. Scrap off.

BACK ARM HOLE. On right edge, rehang stitches from waste yarn or ravel cord back onto needles.

On right edge, bind off 2 stitches, K2R.
-1, EOR, 4x. K17R. COR.
ADD BACK NECK SHAPE. On left edge, bind off 8 stitches, K4R.
Then -1, EOR, until 5 stitches left. Scrap off.

LEFT PART. Repeat above, revising the arm hole and neck instructions from left to right and vice versa.

Rehang front and back neck stitches with right side facing each other and join.

FINISHING:

JOIN LEFT and RIGHT PARTS
(I used the trim based on an idea from Machine Knitting Inspiration, Issue #76 published by Rocking Horse Farm to join the left and right parts of the outfit. )
 
Thread machine with desired yarn.

HANG LEFT PART. Take the back edge and with wrong side facing, using 3-prong tool from the top edge, rehang on 3 needles.

HANG RIGHT PART. Take the back edge and with wrong side facing, using 3-prong tool from the top edge, hang on 3 needles beside the left part.
E-wrap cast on same 6 needles. K6R.

*LEFT PART. Using 3-prong tool, take the next 3 stitches of left part and hang on same 3 needles of left part.
RIGHT PART. Using 3-prong tool, take the next 3 stitches of right part and hang on same 3 needles of right part.
K6R.*

Repeat between * * until the backs are fully joined together. Bind off after hanging the last 3 stitches of both sides.

EDGE TRIM

Use your desired edging. I used a simple pie crust.
Thread machine with desired yarn.
With wrong side facing, using 3-prong tool, take any 3 edge stitches and rehang on 3 needles.

E-wrap cast on same 3 needles. K6R.

*Using 3-prong tool, skip a stitch then take next 3 stitches and hang on same 3 needles. K6R.* Add a loop for the button as desired by knitting 12 or so rows instead to fit your button.
Repeat between * * until all edges have the trim. Bind off after hanging the last 3 stitches.

BLOCK and STEAM

 

Bubbles & Pops Shawl Scarf

I first tried this free pattern from Ravelry as it was written but on a bulky machine. 

It was very nice. However, it was not long enough to be a throw and it was too wide to be anything else as I ran out of yarn after 2 big balls (1lb each).
Stared at the finished project (not bound off yet), had lunch and then it hit me (duh!) that I should have just cast on only half of what was called for in the pattern. You know, divvie up beacuse original pattern was on a 4.5 mm and went up to a 9mm needle distance. So I unraveled the whole thing. Cast on half the number of stitches. But man, it was still huge--and yet not long enough to wrap around.

Okay. Stared at it again. Had dinner. Went to bed. Got up the next morning, had breakfast and then it hit me again (double duh!). Do only half the bubble!!!
Before unravelling this time, I really, really studied the possibilies. Did the math, sounded good. Add a third more number of rows--sounded doable. So I went for it! And it looks wonderful!!!

Thanks to Tanya from Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bubble-pops)!

Versatile Cowl

Another cowl made from the same yarn as the Twisted Cowl that my friend G-a-y-l-e gave me.
Knitted on the SK-155, a bulky KM and washed at the same time as the Twisted Cowl in very hot water. But this of course did not felt as I had intended as it was not 100% wool. Knitted on every other needle at tention 10. I took one needle out of work close to one edge to give it a different look and seamed the 2 edges together.  Not too bad.

Can be work many different ways -- double twist around the neck; a real sassy lady can wear it as a mid-riff (do they still wear those?); and as a cowl (of course). The yarn is real soft--but (sigh) not felted as orginally intended...but I did like it if I may say so myself.

Lacy Frills in Pink

been remiss and not blogging.  actually lost my blog address (early dementia).  but now I can share some of my projects, which definitely look better than my words.

This was knit on a bulky machine using the entire bed with short rowing and a tuck pattern, giving it the nice lacy look and soft drape. This dress yarn fought me all the way by jumping out of the needles if I let go just a little (I used my hand weight aside from the claw weights)… see same pattern different yarn at Lacy Shawl #2.

Is it ever white...

A friend had been inviting me to attend with her the lady's night at her church. Tonight was the 3rd year I've gone with her. And for the 3rd time each year, I've come home feeling blessed, free, and loved.

Tonight I brought home the gift of baby Jesus, shared by a lovely mother. As Christmas time becomes more of a commercial enterprise and less of a celebration of life and family, the lovely mother found a way to bring Christ back into Christmas...with an empty manger. For each secret kindness done, one places a piece of hay in the manger. By Christmas day, it was hoped that there would be enough hay added to welcome baby Jesus and provide Him a comfortable crib to lay on. This was their gift to Christ. Amidst all the lights, the spending, the overextending, find a way to remember why we celebrate that day...

Of course, she told it better.

Little Taal

I'm like the little volcano back home. Only a little bit of the top visible, the rest under water. Very deceptive looking. Beautiful view all around. Nice blue placid lake. Surrounded by bright green trees. Calm. Peaceful. Serene. Then without warning, she blows. Never giving anybody warning. No chance to prepare. Red, hot, spewing lava suddenly running over, destroying everything in its way. And just like that volcano, I appear normal, then without warning I suddenly erupt.