Cat Knitting Pattern and Tutorial

Hello friends, as promised, I have a sweet little cat pattern to share with you today.
His name is Beans and he is a friendly little fellow:)

I have knitted him in the round in the Magic Loop but you can also knit him on dpns in the round or knit him flat and simply sew him up at the back, if you prefer to knit on 2 needles. If this is what you would like to do then just knit the pattern in stocking stitch, flat with 2 needles.

He could also be a cute owl, just give him bigger eyes, a beak and don't add a tail:)

Materials:
Oddments of variegated dk wool
4mm circular needle or dpns or 4mm straight needles
Sewing up needle
Fleece for stuffing



Abbreviations:
kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch to increase
dpns: double pointed needles
knit 2 tog: knit 2 stitches together

Pattern:
Cast on 10 stitches and join for knitting in the round with the magic loop or on dpns
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: kfb into each stitch (20 stitches)
Round 3: kfb into each stitch (40 stitches)
Rounds 4-15: Knit
Round 16: (Knit 1, knit 2 tog) across the round knit 2 stitches on the end (26 stitches)
Rounds 17-26: Knit
Cast off


Finishing Off:
Hold the top of the cast off edge together flat and sew in and out, closing the top of your cat's head.

Stuff Beans and make him plump!
Once you are happy with the firmness, sew around the open base of his body and pull tight to close.

Take a needle and wool, sew into the base of Beans, secure the wool and push the needle up through his body and pull it out the top of his head, sew back down again and pull. This is going to make a nice big concave depression that will form his two ears.

Once you have sewn back down, pull the needle and wool out the base of the body, pull tight and sew the wool securely onto the knitting, ensuring the depression remains at the top of the head.

With a felting needle and some black and pink fleece, needle felt on 2 eyes and a nose.

Tail:
With 2 dpns (double pointed needles) cast on 5 stitches and knit an i-cord for the tail, I knit mine about 5 inches long and cast off.
Sew on the tail at the back of Beans to the side so that it can wrap around his body.

If you would like to add whiskers, just sew some on with a needle and wool in a rug stitch.

You are finished
Happy knitting!
Linda

This is a copywritten pattern, please do not sell this pattern, you may sell items knitted from this pattern providing that I, Linda Dawkins am credited as the designer and you link to my Etsy shop www.mamma4earth.etsy.com
Thank you so much.

Joining in with Ginny for the Yarn Along

Guest Post by Amber Smith from Mama Nature and a Giveaway

Today we have Amber joining us for a guest post on Natural Suburbia, she is a very creative and talented woman who loves nature and blogs over at Mama Nature.

In Amber's words:

Who I am: I am simply aesthetic, spiritual, intuitive and imaginative. I support our local Farmer's Markets.  I am a newly discovered community artisan! I believe in creating physically and spiritually. I want to inspire people to take whatever idea I share and make it their own and make it personal to them.

What I create:  I have been creating for my family the past year and it wasn't until recently that I felt very encouraged by my friends and community to branch out and sell some of my creations. Things I create for my family: garden art, felt toys, polymer dolls and jewelry, knitted clothing (my favorite being the little red riding hood), upcycled patch-work clothing, quilt mandalas, illustrations for there bedroom walls, and stories that teach real value. Yes, I am a busy lady and I always try to involve my children in what I do. Most people may think being this busy might make life more complex but for me and my family it actually brings a simplicity and balance! It exercises our self-sufficiency, self discipline, self-awareness, self-discovery, our heart, our family's quality of time and of course our creativity. I'm so thankful for the opportunities I've received in my life and I'm even more thankful for the supportive people in my life!

                        

 

 "Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture your heart..."

Native American saying

What inspires me: Three things that inspire me: my children, my community and mama nature. I don't think you can get any more simple than that! My favorite musician is Jack Johnson and we start nearly every day listening to his music and allowing it to ground us and prepare our hearts for the day. I also have been a member of his All At Once Community for a couple years now. Other things that inspire me: my heritage & home, this waldorf, and wildlife

What is my crafting space like? Space is so important. It's nearly a source of inspiration itself! A majority of my art doesn't happen in my home - it happens outdoors or in our community! Occasionally, in the evenings or early morning I will construct a new felt creation. And my family has been very supportive in giving me quiet time for a couple hours Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. This is when I blog, craft and reach out to people outside of our home.

Craft Tutorial: 

This is a very open craft tutorial. If you aren't afraid of using your intuition and prefer being natural over uniform and perfect - then you may really enjoy this tutorial!  There are no real rules for this but I will try to share how it worked for me! Go ahead and free your creativity - exercise your problem solving skills and make something unique and creative!

SUPPLIES:

flexible tree branch

multiple strands of yarn

HOW:

#1 First bend your branch into a circle. Then use some yarn to creatively wrap and hold the ends together. Next use a second piece of yarn to create grass by wrapping it half way down one end and up the other.

#2 Now choose the color for your tree. Once you have selected the color yarn of your choice cut 5 strands of equal length depending on the size of your branch. The center strand must be about 12 inches longer than the rest because you will use the center strand to wrap around all 5 pieces to create a tree trunk effect.

#3 Attach the longest strand to the center using the larks head knot technique

#4 Attach the remaining pieces *two on each side of the center strand* using the same larks head knot technique.

#5 Gather the strands at the bottom of the branch tightly. Use the long center strand to wrap and attach to the bottom of your branch.

#6 Once the strands are securely attached at the bottom continue to wrap the long center strand up about half way and back down again. Tie the center strand tightly.

#7 Choose a variety of colored yarn. The yarn can be all lengths or you can cut them to equal 24 inch lengths. Attach the yarn to one end near the larks head knot.

#8 Begin weaving and adding more yarn until finished!

Links for Mama Nature:

Blog

Facebook

Etsy Shop

Pinterest

MAMA NATURE - GIVEAWAY

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs.

Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do it.

Because what the world needs are people who come alive."
-my grandma/Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

Amber is giving away this incredibly cute handmade Bigfoot toy. If you would like to enter this giveaway, please like her facebook page and leave a comment below saying you have liked the page:) If you are not on Facebook, you can Tweet about the giveaway or choose one of the additional entries below:)

For additional entries you can choose to either 'share' her Facebook page, follow her blog Mama Nature or heart her Etsy shop.

Please remember to leave a comment for each entry.

The winner will be announced here in this post on Sunday, please ensure you leave an email address so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

Congratulations to:

MelMay 31, 2012 2:45 PM

I love every shop you all feature. So many creative people out there, Mama Nature included. I just went by and "liked" their facebook page. Thanks for the giveaway!

Amber, thank you so much for sharing here today on Natural Suburbia.

Linda

Strawberry Knitting Pattern and Yarn Along

I have been wanting to knit a little strawberry for ages!
So here it is, knitted from yarn scraps, I have knitted it in the magic loop technique, or DPNs would work just as well too:)

Materials:
Red and green oddments of yarn
4mm circular needles
Merino stuffing
Sewing up needle
4mm DPNs to knit the stalk i-cord

Pattern:
Cast on 4 stitches and join for knitting in the round.
Round 1:Knit
Round 2: Kfb all stitches. (8 stitches)
Round 3: Kfb all stitches. (16 stitches)
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: (Knit 2, kfb) across the round, knit 1. (21 stitches)
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: (Knit 2, knit 2 together) across the round, knit 1 on the end. (16 stitches)
Round 10: Knit.
Round 11: (Knit 2, knit 2 together) across the round. (12 stitches)
Round 12: Knit
Round 13: (Knit 1, knit 2 together) across the round. (8 stitches)
Round 14: Knit
Start stuffing your strawberry now.
Round 15: (Knit 1, knit 2 together) across the round, knit 1 stitch on the end. (6 stitches)
Cut thread, thread needle and put stitches on the sewing needle, make sure you have stuffed the strawberry sufficiently, pull the stitches tight.
Finish off.
Sew in any ends.

Green Top:
Cast on 4 stitches, join for knitting in the round.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: kfb into all stitches. (8 stitches)
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: kfb all  stitches. (16 stitches)
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: (Knit 1, kfb) across the round. (24 stitches)
Round 7: Knit 3, ***turn, purl 3, turn, knit 1, knit 2 together, turn, purl 2 together, turn, put the first stitch from the left needle over onto the right needle.
Pick up 2 stitches along the left side of the knitting on the right needle.
Cast them off by knitting them across onto the right needle one by one and passing the right stitch over each knitted stitch.
Place the right needle's stitch on the left needle and knit 2 stitches together, knit 2.***
Knit from *** to ***

Continue to knit this way until all the stitches have been knitted.
Cast off the last 2 stitches down the side of the little leaf, finish off and sew in ends.

The strawberry and its green fringed cap.

Sew the green cap onto the strawberry.
With 2 double pointed size 4mm needles, pick up 2 stitches on the top of the green cap and knit a small i-cord for a stalk.

This pattern is for personal use only.

Joining in today with Ginny's Yarn Along.

Enjoy!
Linda

Sponsor Giveaway and Tutorial from Armadillo Dreams

Today I am bringing you a lovely post and giveaway from our wonderful sponsor Armadillo Dreams. Dustin is going to share the steps of his creative process with us. He is going to show us how he creates a beautiful and magical treasure form wood.

Now in Dustin's words...

Step 1 - Trace the design on wood from a pattern that Amanda draws and cuts out.

 

Step 2 - Cut out the design on my scroll saw.

Step 3 - Drill the holes for the wheel axles and the hole for the pull cord.

 

Step 4 - Sand the front, back and sides super smooth.

Step 5 - Hand sand all edges to round them so that there are no sharp edges for little hands.

 

Step 6 - Wood burn details into the wood using a 1000 degree wood burner.

 Step 7 - Paint using AP certified non-toxic watercolors.

 

Step 8 - Apply beeswax cream and then polish off.

 

Step 9 - Attach wheels to axles.

 

Step 10 - Measure and attach pull cord.

  Finished.

Dustin and Amanda, your wooden creations are just gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial with us.

Links for Armadillo Dreams:

Email

Website

Armadillo Dreams Etsy Shop

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Giveaway:

Dustin and Amanda are very generously offering this beautiful wooden Pirate Ship that was made for the tutorial, to one blog reader!

They are also offering a 10% discount in their shop, Armadillo Dreams, just use this discount code when making a purchase, "NATURALSUBURBIA"

Such a wonderful giveaway item!

To enter the giveaway, please leave a comment in this post.
If you are reading this post as an email from a reader, please could you visit this post on Natural Suburbia and leave a comment to have your entry counted by the Random Generator.

To gain more entries:
Tweet
Blog
Facebook
Pin
Each time you share about the giveaway, please return here and leave extra comments so that I can enter you more than just once. (Leave extra comments for each share).

The giveaway will close on Wednesday the 9th of May and the winner will be announced here in this post.


Congratulations to:

Melissa B (melissamberry@hotmail.com)May 6, 2012 5:14 PM

I like Armadillo Dreams on Facebook

Have a lovely weekend.

Natural Dyeing with Onion Skins

I have really been enjoying all the knitting that has been going on around here and felt I really wanted to knit a cowl with naturally dyed wool with an autumn theme. I have been saving onions skins in a packet in the veggie drawer and I finally had enough today to dye some wool. It is such fun watching the colours develop in the dye pot and attach to the wool. So if you feel you would like to give natural dyeing a try, I took some photos of the process to share here...

Materials:
About 5 handfuls of red and brown onion skins
Stainless steel pot used only for your dyeing
Vinegar
Merino wool

Wind your wool into a skein if it isn't already in one. Soak the skein in a bowl of water for a few hours, making sure the water reaches every part of your skein. Then place some vinegar in the water and leave this to stand for another hour or so.

I love the look of these onion skins!
Fill your pot half full with water and place the onion skins in the water. Push the skins under the water and turn on the heat. Bring the pot to almost boiling point, don't let it boil as I find this ruins the vibrant colour. Then turn down the heat and let it cool a little. It is always a good idea to let the wool and the dye bath be the same temperature when the wool is placed in the pot so that it isn't 'shocked' as this will negatively affect the colourway.

Lovely rich colour.

Place the skein of wool in the dye bath and allow the pot to simmer gently, don't let it boil or the colour will become a dirty brown and the wool will felt. Let it simmer for about 45 minutes until there is a beautiful rich colour on the wool.

When you are happy with the colour, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool completely.

When your wool has cooled, remove it from the dye bath and rinse it in a basin of water.

Gently squeeze out the water from the skein and hang it out to dry.

And that's all there is too it:)

PS. this embroidered tea towel is one I sewed when I was in primary school...

Happy wool dyeing! :)

Valentine Heart Coaster Knitting Pattern, Colour Work

I've been working on a little (almost, not sure if it is really) Fair Isle colour work for a Valentine heart coaster, you could even attach some yarn and make it into a picture to hang up or make a little banner with a few of these attached to it, or a garland. I haven't written a pattern for colour work before, so please bare with me, I hope it makes sense, if not just send me an email and I will answer any questions:) lindadawkins@mweb.co.za Also if you find any errors do let me know and I will sort them out.

Here we go:

Materials:
Oddments of beige and red hand spun or DK yarn, DK would look better as it is even.
4mm straight needles
Needle for sewing in ends

Pattern:
Cast on 17 stitches in beige wool.
Knit 5 rows in garter stitch
Row 6: knit 3 purl 11, knit 3
Row 7: knit
Row 8: knit 3, purl 11, knit 3
Row 9: knit 8 attach red, k 1 in red, twist yarns, leave red,  knit 8 in beige.
Row 10: knit 3 in beige,  purl 4 in beige, twist yarns, purl 3 in red twisting the beige and red as you go, twist yarns, leave red, purl 4 beige, knit 3 beige.
Row 11: knit 6 beige, twist red and beige yarns and knit 6 stitches in red, carrying the beige at the back, twist and leave red, knitting in beige to the end.
Row 12: knit 3 beige, purl 2 beige, twist red and beige on facing side of work and purl 7 in red, twist red and beige yarns, leave red and continue, purl 2 beige,  knit 3 beige on end.
Row 13: knit 5 beige, twist yarns knit 7 in red carrying the beige at the back, twist yarns, leave red an knit 5 beige to end.
Row 14: knit 3 , p 2 in beige, twist and purl 7, twist yarns together across, leave red and purl 2 beige, k 3 beige.
Row 15: knit 5 beige, twist red and beige, k 7 red, carrying beige at the back, twist yarns, leave red k 5 in beige.
Row 16: knit 3 beige, purl 2 beige, twist yarns, purl 7 red, carrying beige along, twist yarns, leave red, purl 2 beige, knit 3 beige.
Row 17: knit 6 beige, twist yarns, knit 2 red, twist yarns, knit 1 beige, twist yarns, knit 2 red, twist yarns, knit 6 beige.
Row 18: knit 3, purl 4, twist yarns, purl 1 red, twist, purl 1 beige, twist, purl 1 red, twist, p 4 beige, k 3 beige.
Row 19: knit
Row 20: knit 3, purl 11, knit 3 all beige
Row 21: knit all beige
Row: 22: knit 3, purl 11, knit 3
Row 23: knit
Row 24: knit
Row 25: knit
Row 26: knit
cast off

Sew in all your ends and block by dampening your coaster slightly with water and then pinning it into a square shape with pins on a suitable surface, remove when dry.
And there you go.
I am sure this would be much easier as a chart, still working on learning how to chart patterns:)
Happy Monday and enjoy knitting:)
Linda

Tea / Coffee Cup Cozy Pattern / Tutorial

I really need to start Jenna's Harris Shrug, (which I will be starting later today, I can't wait to begin this project!) but in the meantime I had an idea for a cup cozy, and I built a light box yesterday for taking photos and I really wanted to try it out! I had so much fun building this light box, but I will write about that soon. I have knitted this cozy in Colourspun DK cotton, I love the rainbows!

It's an easy pattern, knitted in the round part of the way and then flat.

I have knitted the beginning of my cozy with a curl at the base, but if you would like it to lie flat, just purl a few rows in the round instead of starting with knit rows:)

Materials:
A small amount of DK cotton
4mm circular needles or DPNs
Sewing up needle
Button
Crochet hook to crochet a small chain for a loop

Pattern:
I have knitted this cozy in the Magic Loop but DPNs would also be perfect:)

If you would like the first few rows to lie flat, purl 4 rows of your cozy instead of knitting them in garter stitch, mine has a little curl for effect:)

Here we go:
Cast on 46 stitches and join for knitting in the round.
Knit 5 rows in the round.
Now, to make the opening for the handle you will no longer be knitting in the round, but rather back and forth as for flat knitting.
Rows 6-24: You will be knitting back and forth on your rows, not in the round. Alternate purl and knit rows, starting with a purl row and ending with a purl row on row 24.  Eventually, as you progress along the rows, you will manage to have all the stitches on one needle.

Measure your cozy around the cup a few times to make sure it fits.

Row 25: Knit row and increase four stitches evenly across the row. To increase without being able to see the increases, simply pick up a stitch between two of your stitches as seen in the photo above. Place this stitch on the left needle.

Once the stitch is on the left needle, knit into the back of the stitch as seen in the above photo. You will now have an increase and not be able to see it at all! :)

Rows 26-30: Knit, this will give you an attractive edging.

Cast off loosely.

Sew on a button on one side at the top of the opening of the cozy. Sew in all the ends. On the opposite top edge of the cozy crochet a small chain, attach and sew into a loop to button the cozy closed.

You are finished!!
This cozy is perfect to gift to someone, don't you think? It knits up so fast, I would say it took me half an hour from start to finish:)
Have a lovely week.

Please note this pattern is for personal use only, thank you:)

Fried Egg Knitting Pattern, Tutorial and Backwards Loop Cast On Technique

Today I thought I would knit a pattern involving food, just a quick little fried egg... It really doesn't take long at all and can be used for so many things, as decor or in a play kitchen etc... I have just used scraps of natural and yellow wool for this project and I thought it would also be fun to learn a new cast on technique at the same time or you can cast on the regular way if you like:) I have used the backwards loop cast on and you won't believe how easy it is to do.

Pincushion!!

This was a suggestion by Linda from Dallas, thank you Linda, I think this little fried egg could be a sweet pincushion too:) (I am also taking part in the pincusion swap over on Shannon's blog.)

Materials:
Scraps of natural and yellow wool
4mm / 6 US straight needles
Wool sewing up needle
Fleece for stuffing the egg yolk
Backwards Loop Cast On Technique: (You can either cast on this way or the regular way, but I thought it would be nice to learn a new technique).

Attach your wool to your needle.

Hold the needle in your right hand and the wool in your left hand.

Make a little twist with the wool so that you have a loop.

Place the loop on the needle.

Pull tight.

And there you have it, the backwards loop cast on:) Can you believe how easy that was??? You just keep on adding loops to the needle for the amount of stitches you will need for a particular project.
Pattern for the Egg White:
Cast on 8 stitches with the backwards loop cast on technique or the regular way.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Cast on 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (10 stitches)
Row 3: Cast on 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (12 stitches)
Row 4: Cast on 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (14 stitches)
Row 5: Cast on 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (16 stitches)
Row 6: Cast on 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (18 stitches)
Row 7: Cast on 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (20 stitches)
Rows 8-13: Knit
Row 14: Cast on 1 stitch, knit to the end of the row. (21 stitches)
Row 15: Cast on 1 stitch, knit to the end of the row. (22 stitches)
Rows 16- 20: Knit
Row 21: Knit 2 stitches together, knit to the end of the row. (21 stitches)
Row 22: Knit 2 stitches together, knit to the end of the row. (20 stitches)
Rows 23 to 27: Knit
Row 28: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (18 stitches)
Row 29: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (16 stitches)
Row 30: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (14 stitches)
Row 31: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (12 stitches)
Row 32: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (10 stitches)
Row 33: Cast off 2 stitches, knit to the end of the row. (8 stitches)
Row 34: Knit
Cast off

Egg White...

Egg Yolk Pattern:

Cast on 4 stitches
Row 1: Cast on 1 stitch, knit to the end of the row. (5 stitches)
Row 2: Cast on 1 stitch, knit to the end of the row. (6 stitches)
Row 3: Cast on 1 stitch, knit to the end of the row. (7 stitches)
Row 4: Cast on 1 stitch, knit to the end on the row.(8 stitches)
Rows 5-8: Knit
Row 9: Knit 2 stitches together, knit to the end of the row. (7stitches)
Row 10: Knit 2 stitches together, knit to the end of the row. (6 stitches)
Row 11: Knit 2 stitches together, knit to the end of the row. (5 stitches)
Row 12: Knit 2 stitches together, knit to the end of the row. (4 stitches)
Cast off

Egg white and egg yolk...

Place the egg yolk on the centre of the egg white and sew onto the top of the egg white.

Leave a small opening in the yolk and stuff with fleece... Sew the opening closed.
Sew in all the ends.

You are finished!

Ta-da! One fried egg:)
I hope you enjoy this little pattern.
xo
Linda
Please note, this pattern is for personal use only.