Let’s Get Crafting Cuddly Penguin

I am so thrilled that Let’s Get Crafting will be publishing my new penguin knitting pattern in February.   I loved making this little toy, and I hope you do to.

For more details about Let’s Get Crafting, take a peek at their website at www.letsgetcrafting.com

Happy knitting!

Sweet knitted iphone cosies

If (like most of us) you are now on a diet after Christmas, how about some calorie free knitted sweet treats?  My knitted iphone or ipod cosies are available in peppermint swirl, carrot cake and raspberry ripple flavours.  Yummy!

ipod or iphone knitted cosy in "peppermint swirl"

ipod or iphone knitted cosy cover in "raspberry ripple"

ipod or iphone knitted cosy cover in "carrot cake"

Cosies are available to purchase from fluff and fuzz on Etsy.

knitted toys at the Lazyhill Gallery

I am so thrilled, toys from my designs are now available to buy from the beautiful Lazyhill Gallery in Dorset.  My lovely little Putney Mouse looks so squidgy, thank you to the gallery for such wonderful photos!

This is a super collaboration of knitting and spinning, as the toys are handknitted from my patterns by the super talented Helen J. Barber using  100% softest hand-dyed wool by Skein Queen.

I am so excited about this collaboration, and so honoured that the gallery owner, Rachel, has my designs for sale.  The toys are available online too, so have a sneaky peek here.

Sewing owls

I have a passion for anything owly, and have been sewing owls I designed this month for Christmas gifts. I have made a little owl bag and matching owl toy, and these were really fun to make. I hope my friends and family like their handmade gifts.

How to sew seams in knitting using mattress or ladder stitch

Mattress stitch (or ladder stitch) creates an almost invisible seam, and I use this to sew my knitted toys.

I really look forward to sewing my knitted toys together, but  I know so many of you hate seaming.  I hope that this little tutorial helps a little!

Joining cast on and cast off edges

To join two cast off/cast on edges, lay the two pieces together right side facing outwards.  Bring the needle under the V shape of the stitch on one side.  Then take the needle across to the other side and take under the V shape of the stitch.  Continue zigzagging across the work, pulling the seam closed as you sew.

Joining side seams

To join two edges of stocking stitch, lay the seams side by side, with the right side facing you.  Thread a tapestry needle with a long length of yarn (at least 45 cm).  To sew the seam, take the needle from the front under the 2 “bars” (the horizontal strands of the rows above).   Take the needle across to the other side and take the needle from the front under the two bars on that side.  Continue zigzagging between the two sides.  As you sew, gently pull the stitches up to close the seam. Don’t pull too tightly, or the seam will pucker.

For an easy to print copy of this tutorial, click on this link.  Happy knitting, and I hope this was helpful!

fluff and fuzz patterns are now at baffie.co.uk

I am absolutely thrilled that a selection of my fluff and fuzz knitting patterns are now available from baffie.co.uk, thanks to the wonderful Julia!

‘baffie’ is the Scottish word for soft comfy slippers and baffie.co.uk is a Scottish boutique that revels in the home and all of it’s comforts. Not only does baffie sell some amazing gifts, you can also buy some super knitting and crochet patterns.  The patterns are instantly downloadable, so no waiting for emails or the postman!

baffie.co.uk is a lovely site, and well worth a visit, even if you just fancy a bit of design inspiration.

If you would like to visit my baffie store, here is a quick link for you….

http://baffie.co.uk/category/designers/fluff-and-fuzz/

Happy knitting!

Bliss Crafting Club

I have been busy knitting teddies this month, and have just finished a design for the fabulous Bliss Crafting Club.  Bliss is the only UK national charity dedicated to improving both the survival and long-term quality of life for babies born too soon, too small or too sick to cope on their own.

This little teddy may be small, but he has lots and lots of hugs!

Mini Christmas Stocking Knitting Pattern

I love knitting special decorations for Christmas, and I have created several designs for little stockings to decorate my Christmas tree.  Here are a few patterns that I would love to share with you.

My little stocking is quick to knit, uses a small amount of yarn, and the pattern is designed for newbie-knitters.  The finished stocking is 8 cm high (excluding the loop).

Experienced knitters, please do not have high expectations, this is a beginner’s pattern, but you may also enjoy knitting up this quick project.

If you would like to download a free pdf version of this pattern, it is available by clicking on the link here, and also in my Ravelry store.

Here are the materials you need to make your stocking…

• 4mm straight knitting needles
• Two 4mm Double Pointed Needles (DPNs), or a length of wool or
  ribbon to make a loop
• 10g double knit (8 ply) wool for the stocking in your chosen
  colour.
• 10g double knit (8 ply) wool for the top of the stocking and loop
  in your chosen colour.
• Tapestry needle

Stocking knitting pattern

This pattern is to make the stocking with moss stitch at the top.

Make 1

Start at the foot of the stocking.  Cast on 18 stitches in red.

1. P (18)
2. [KFB] X 18 (36)
3. P (36)
4. K (36)
5. P (36)
6. K (36)
7. P (36)
8. K (36)
9. P (36)
10. K10, [K2TOG] X 8, K10 (28)
11. P (28)
12. K10, [K2TOG] X 4, K10 (24)
13. P (24)
14. K10, [K2TOG] X 2, K10 (22)
15. P (22)
16. K (22)
17. P (22)
18. K (22)
19. P (22)
20. K (22)
21. P (22)
22. K (22)
23. P (22)
24. Change to white wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (22)
25. K (22)
26. P (22)
27. P (22)
28. P (22)
29. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
30. [P1, K1] X 11 (22)
31. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
32. [P1, K1] X 11 (22)
33. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
34. [P1, K1] X 11 (22)

Cast off all stitches in pattern [K1, P1]

To make the stocking, fold the knitted piece in half lengthwise to make the stocking shape, and sew side edges together, and the cast on edges at the bottom of the stocking.  Fold over the top edge to finish the stocking

Stocking Loop

The loop to hang the stocking is made by knitting i-cord on two double pointed needles.  Cast on 3 stitches and make an i-cord approximately 7 cm long and cast off.  Attach the i-cord ends to the top of the stocking to make a loop.

Pattern Variations

This pattern is to make the striped stocking with moss stitch at the top.

Make 1

Start  at the foot of the stocking.  Cast on 18 stitches in red.

1. P (18)
2. [KFB] X 18 (36)
3. Change to white wool at the beginning of
   this row:  P (36)
4. K (36)
5. Change to red wool at the beginning of
   this row:  P (36)
6. K (36)
7. Change to white wool at the beginning of
   this row:  P (36)
8. K (36)
9. Change to red wool at the beginning of
   this row:  P (36)
10. K10, [K2TOG] X 8, K10 (28)
11. Change to white wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (28)
12. K10, [K2TOG] X 4, K10 (24)
13. Change to red wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (24)
14. K10, [K2TOG] X 2, K10 (22)
15. Change to white wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (22)
16. K (22)
17. Change to red wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (22)
18. K (22)
19. Change to white wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (22)
20. K (22)
21. Change to red wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (22)
22. K (22)
23. P (22)
24. Change to yellow wool at the beginning of this row:  P (22)
25. K (22)
26. P (22)
27. P (22)
28. P (22)
29. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
30. [P1, K1] X 11 (22)
31. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
32. [P1, K1] X 11 (22)
33. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
34. [P1, K1] X 11 (22)

Cast off all stitches in pattern [K1, P1]

This pattern is to make the stocking with ribbed stitch at the top.

Make 1

Start at the foot of the stocking.  Cast on 18 stitches in yellow.

1. P (18)
2. [KFB] X 18 (36)
3. P (36)
4. K (36)
5. P (36)
6. K (36)
7. P (36)
8. K (36)
9. P (36)
10. K10, [K2TOG] X 8, K10 (28)
11. P (28)
12. K10, [K2TOG] X 4, K10 (24)
13. P (24)
14. K10, [K2TOG] X 2, K10 (22)
15. P (22)
16. K (22)
17. P (22)
18. K (22)
19. P (22)
20. K (22)
21. P (22)
22. K (22)
23. P (22)
24. Change to white wool at the beginning of
    this row:  P (22)
25. K (22)
26. P (22)
27. P (22)
28. P (22)
29. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
30. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
31. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
32. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
33. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)
34. [K1, P1] X 11 (22)

Cast off all stitches in pattern [K1, P1]

Copyright © 2011 Amanda Berry  

All patterns offered by fluff and fuzz (designed by Amanda Berry) are protected by international copyright laws. These patterns are intended for personal use only. Other uses are strictly prohibited. Any unauthorised copying will constitute an infringement of copyright.  All rights reserved.

I have no objection if you wish to make your stockings from my pattern to raise funds for charity; however please do not knit up for commercial purposes.

How to do Kitchener Stitch

I have been really busy for the last few months working on my fashion business degree, and in my breaks from studying I designed some new knitted friends, my bunny and bear. 

To make the bunny, I used kitchener stitch to finish the top of the foot, and I thought this would be a great opportunity to post another knitting tutorial. 

Kitchener stitch grafts two pieces of knitting together that are still on the needle, and gives a smooth finish to the seam.  It is often used in socks and clothing.  Apparently it is named after Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, who promoted Red Cross knitting of socks for soldiers in the First World War with a grafted toe using this technique.   Whether that is true or not, I don’t know.  Perhaps it should be a question on QI?

Here is the tutorial, and if you would like a pdf version for easy printing please click here.

To start grafting, the two pieces of knitting to be joined should be on two needles.  Place the two needles parallel to each other, with the wrong side (purl side) facing inwards and tips pointing in the same direction.  If you are right handed, hold both the knitting needles in your left hand and sew the seam with your right hand. 

Note that you need an equal number of stitches on each needle for the join.  Here I am joining 5 stitches on the front needle to 5 stitches on the back needle.

 

You will need a length of working yarn at least twice as long as the finished seam, and a tapestry needle.  You can attach the yarn to the knitting on the wrong side, or leave it loose and weave in the ends later (just remember to hold onto the tail when sewing your first stitches so you don’t pull your yarn out).  Use the same yarn for knitting to graft the seam. 

Please note in the pictures, yellow yarn is used to sew the join together so it is easier to see.

To start grafting, make the following two stitches:

STEP A:   Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front knitting needle (the one nearest to you) as if to purl, and pull the thread through leaving the stitch on the knitting needle.

STEP B:    Then insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back knitting needle as if to knit and pull the yarn through leaving the stitch on the knitting needle

 Note that the working yarn (yellow) is kept underneath the two knitting needles all the time.

 Now that the first two stitches are worked, the rest of the stitches are worked using the following 4 steps:

 STEP 1:   Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front knitting needle as if to knit, and slip the stitch off the knitting needle.

 

STEP 2:    Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the front knitting needle (now the first stitch) as if to purl, and leave the stitch on the knitting needle.

STEP 3:   Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back knitting needle as if to purl, and slip the stitch off the knitting needle.

STEP 4:   Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the back knitting needle (now the first stitch) as if to knit, and leave the stitch on the knitting needle.

Now repeat steps (1) to (4) until your last two grafting stitches remain.  I often have to sing this sequence as I sew!

“KNIT FRONT OFF,

PURL FRONT,

PURL BACK OFF,

KNIT BACK”

Then follow steps (1) and (3) to join the last 2 stitches.  This finishes the seam, and you can weave in your ends and secure on the wrong side of the knitting.

And here is the top of my bunny’s foot, to show the finished seam.

I admit it is a bit fiddly and time consuming, but you get a really nice finish to your seams so it is definitely worth a few practice swatches to see how you get on.

And if you like my bunny, the pattern is available to buy from my stores on Etsy, Folksy and Ravelry, and a copy of this tutorial is included with the pattern.

Happy knitting!

Misi Monday

A big thank you to KittyNoir at Magpie Moments for including my Loopy Sheep in the Misi Monday blog post.  Loopy is so happy to be part of your sheep selection!