Friday, November 22, 2013

Christmas Stocking Cocoon - Free Pattern




It has been so very busy here these last few weeks! Ive been working on this beauty on and off but finally got it finished today in time to share for the holiday season!

This stocking has duel purposes. It is designed first as a photography prop, and so that is what it is sized to. You can also use it as a decoration, or as a regular giant sized stocking.
It will fit a newborn baby inside, up to maybe 10lb. If you have a bigger bub, jump the hooksize up from a 9 to a 10.
Instructions are for a solid stocking but you can very easily make one with stripes, in blocks of colour, with heel and toe in a contrasting. Multiple possibilities!

You will probably find I only have 2-3 more patterns to share this year, as I am gearing up ready for 2014. This year I aimed for a pattern a week and I came mighty close. Next year Id like that to be a reality. There is still a huge lacking of prem and angel sized items out there, it is my mission to fix that! If you have ideas, suggestions or anything that you want to see as far as keepsakes and prem related patterns, by all means please let me know!

You will need:
1 ball of your main colour in DK weight yarn (8ply)
1 ball of yarn in a contrasting colour yarn (dk or.), chenille works great for this
9mm hook
sewing needle.

The entire piece is worked double stranded to make it super thick and chunky.

1. Into a magic ring, ch2, dc 8 times, join. Pull tight (or if you prefer, ch2, dc 8 times into the first chain)

2. ch3, dc twice in the same stitch and twice in each remaining stitch around. join. (16)

3. ch3, dc twice in the same stitch, dc in the next stitch, *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch* repeat around, join. (24)

4. ch3, dc in the same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join (24)

5. ch3, dc twice in the same stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches, *2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 2 stitches* Repeat around, join. (32)

6-10. ch3, dc in the same stitch, dc in each stitch around

If changing colours for the heel this is where you would end off main and attach contrasting yarns. The next few rows are straight rows requiring turning.

11. ch3, dc in the same stitch and the next 17 stitches (18)

12-14. ch3, turn, do in each stitch across

Now we're going to go back to working in rounds
End off your yarn leaving a long tail. Sew up the heel of your work. (see image)

15. rejoin your yarn (if using a contrasting heel, switch back to your main colour) in or close to the seam and chain 3. dc evenly around the entire opening, join, you should have 28 (or close to it) stitches. If not, go back and add a enough extra ones to bring you to 28.

16. ch3, dc, 2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 5 stitches, 2dc in the next stitch, dc in the next 5 stitches, dc2 in the next stitch, dc in the next 5, dc2 in the next stitch, dc  in the next 5, dc2 in the next, dc in the last 2, join.

Now we work on gaining some height with simple dc rounds.

12-17. ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.

End off your main colour and join chenille yarn for the cuff (or contrasting normal yarn)

18-20. ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.

There you have one, one huge sized stocking as a cocoon, or a decoration, or to use as a unique giftwrap perhaps!




Sunday, November 10, 2013

Vest for prems





Hello beautiful people.
Sorry there were no patterns last week. I had nothing scheduled and was so flat out with some other things I simply didn't have time. Its been a very up and down few weeks. 

Today I have a new pattern and something a little different. The idea for this came from necessity as I found myself needing to whip up an outfit for a friend on short notice.
This little vest has side button shoulders to help with dressing and will fit a bub of around 36 weeks gestation or in the 4-5 lb bracket. Of course this will vary from bub to bub but it is easily adjusted. Works as a burial item and as a wearable for a prem that no longer needs tubes or wires. Remember to use nice soft yarn.

You will need: 
dk weight yarn in a main and contrasting colours.
4mm hook
2 buttons
sewing needle

With Contrasting colour
R1: chain 50, join
R2: ch3, dc in each st around, join.
R3: Repeat R2
End off contrasting colour and join main colour.
R4-R8: Repeat R2
R9: slst in the first 3 stitches, dc in the next 20 stitches
R10: ch2, turn, dc in the first 10 stitches
R11: ch2, turn dc2tg, dc in the next 6 stitches, dc2tg
R12: ch2, turn, dc in the first 6 stitches, dc2tg
R13: ch2, turn, dc2tg, dc in the last 5 stitches
R14: ch2, turn, dc across
R15-16: Repeat R14
Finish off, weave in ends.

R17: With front of piece facing you count back 11 stitches from the dc's on R10, join main colour yarn. Dc in the same stitch and the next 9 stitches
R18: ch2, turn, dc2tg, dc in the next 6 stitches, dc2tg
R19: ch2, turn, dc in the first 6 stitches, dc2tg
R20: ch2, turn, dc2tg, dc in the last 5 stitches
R21: ch2, turn, dc across
R22-23: Repeat R21
Finish off and weave in ends.

Making the back:
R24: Withh the front of the vest facing away from you, on R9 join yarn in the second unworked stitch from the RIGHT side, dc in the same stitch and the next 26 stitches
R25: ch2, turn dc2tg, dc in the next 22 stitches, dc2tg
R26: ch2, turn, dc2tg, dc in the next 20 stitches, dc2tg
R27: ch2, turn, dc across
R28-29: Repeat R27
R30: ch2, turn, dc in the first 5 stitches, sc in the next 10 stitches, dc in the last 5 stitches
R31: Repeat R30
End off main colour and weave in ends.

With back facing up change to contrasting colour on right hand shoulder corner.

ch1, sc in the next 2 stitches, sl st in the next stitch, ch10, slst back into the same space as previous slst, sc in the next 14 stitches, slst in the next, ch10, slst back into the same stitch again, sc in the next 2 stitches.

Continue down the side of the armhole and evenly around the entire opening. Join when you get back to the first sc.

Attach buttons to the front of the shoulders, the loops created on the contrast edging round will hold the shoulders closed. Make sure the buttons are down a few cm's so the shoulder seams will overlap a little when it is buttoned up.