Cat Nip Donut

I originally wanted to make this for the two wonderful kittens we were going to get last may, however after completion I realized that it was a bit too large for the size of the kittens.  So I gave them to a friend for her 2 full sized cats, who loves them to pieces.  She reports that they have never been so excited for a toy in a really long time! 

  I found this wonderful and easy pattern from another blogger and am reposting it so its easy to find but all credit goes to knifty knits.

Yarn: I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn to make this beauty, however any cotton yarn would work.  I like using cotton because its absorbent and doesn't fray or have fuzzys that the kittens could chew on.  

Gauge:  The smaller the needle you use the better it is because it provides a tighter stitch so the cat nip doesn't fall out.  I used US size 3 needles. 
 

Directions:
CO 60 sts.
Work in St st for 4 inches, ending with a WS row.
BO all sts.

Finishing:  Simply sew up the seams and stuff as you go.  I added some filling from an unused pillow to stuff it a bit as well, and loaded in the cat nip!  When you get to the end simply sew the two together to create a circle "donut" shape. 

Christmas of 2010

  For Christmas this past year I wanted to knit everyone a little something.  I tried to think of a nice knitted gift that everyone could use and enjoy, so I decided to knit dish cloths.  I did some very basic ones from a free pattern that I got from the Bernat yarn website.  It was very simple and straight forward.  Simply cast on 4 stitches and increase 1 into every second stitch until you reach the desired length of the dish cloth (the mid point triangle) you would like. When you hit the mid point simple then decrease your stitches.  You can find the pattern website by clicking on the Basic Dish Cloth pattern to the left under the projects I have completed.


I also adding a little spin to dish cloths so I decided to make one with a paw print and skull and cross bones one.  Both I feel turned out very nicely.  When I track down the pictures I will post them ASAP.


As Promised here are pictures of the dish cloths!

Paw Print Dish Cloth

Bernat Pattern Dish Cloth

Skull and Cross Bones Dish Cloth

House Warming

My very first dish cloth I made was for my friend as a house warming gift.  This was when I first started knitting and wanted to make something special for her.  I also made a hand towel with the loop to be hung on a stove handle.  I hope she enjoyed them!

Martini Dish Cloth

Hand Towel, Martini Dish Cloth, and Regular Dish Cloth

A Headband That WORKS!

So a few days ago I was searching for a quick new project to complete.  I wanted something that wouldn't take me long to complete and look great, since I like the feeling of accomplishment.  I came across a headband pattern from my "Stitch'N Bitch Nation" book.  I have always loved the idea of headbands but for some reason they always slip off my head which irritates me to no end, so I gave up on wearing them.  UNTIL I made this headband.  It stays put! Just tie the back and it doesn't move.  It rekindled my love for headbands.  The pattern in the book also had a detailing with a huge flower and leaf - which was a bit too much for me.  So instead I just did a basic black headband.  I also changed the pattern slightly, instead of doing a 1x1 rib pattern i did a seed pattern (K1, P1) on RS then (P1, K1) on WS.  Just make sure that you watch your pattern and that you do the opposite stitch.  For example on your left needle if you see a knit stitch then purl that one.  It creates this really neat pattern. 

Headband

 I modified the pattern by using a seed stitch as opposed to a rib stitch.  Both are beautiful and will look amazing as a finished project.  The pattern in the book also provides a pattern to add a flower and leaf and vine to the headband.  I personally prefer a basic and simple headband and decided not to add the flowers.  They are so quick and easy to make and is a good gift for headband loving gals out there!

** PLEASE DO NOT JUST COPY AND PASTE THIS PATTERN INTO YOUR BLOG, PLEASE JUST ADD LINK TO MY PAGE**  THANKYOU

PATTERN

YARN: Patons Knit 'n' Save; Worsted Weight; 50 gram; 100% Acrylic; Colour - black (3210), Lot - 520.
Gauge: 18sts = 10 cm (4") on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

Needles: US size 8 (5mm) double pointed.  I used double pointed since the width of the headband is only about 4 inches approximately and I don't own any smaller (length) single pointed needles.  I found using the smaller needles easier to work with but be aware of the ends and make sure your work doesn't slip off.  To prevent this an easy thing to do is to put needle protectors on one end making them into single pointed needles.    ***NOTE: you do need to use double pointed needles when making the i-cord***




With main colour, on dpns, CO 2 sts.  Work I-Cord for 9".
Change to straight needles or use point protectors.

*slip all stitches purl wise* 
* For seed stitch always do the opposite stitch that you are looking at.  If the stitch you are going to work is a knit stitch, do a purl on this one and vice versa*

Inc Row 1: K1, m1, k1
Row 2: Sl1, p to end.
Row 3: Sl1, m1f, k1, m1b, k1.
Row  4: Sl1, p to end
Row 5: K1, m1f, k3, m1b, k1
Row  6: Sl1, work seed stitch (k1, p1) to last 2 sts, p2
Row 7: Sl1, m1f, seed stitch to last 2 sts, k1, m1b, k1.
Row  8: Sl1, p2, seed to last 2 sts, p2
Row 9: Sl1, m1f, seed to alst st, m1b, k1
Row  10: Sl1, seed to end
Row 11: Sl1, m1f, seed to last st, m1b, k1.

Place marker (PM) on RS of work.  Work in seed stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row purl wise, until piece measures 9 1/2" from beg, ending with RS facing.

Dec Row 1: Sl1, k2tog tbl, seed to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 2: Sl1, seed to last 2 sts, p2
Row 3: Sl1, k2tog tbl, seed to to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Row 4: Sl1, p2, seed to end
Row 5: Sl1, k2tog tbl, p1, k1, p1, k2tog, k1.
Row 6: Sl1, seed to last 2 sts, p2
Row 7: Sl1, k2tog tbl, k1, k2tog, k1
Row 8: Sl1, p to end
Row 9: Sl1, k2tog tbl, k2tog
Row 10: Sl1, p2tog
Row 11: K.


Change to dpns.  With RS facing you work in I-cord on rem 2 sts for 9".
Next row: k2tog, break yarn and draw tail through st to secure.