A New Look, A New Name

So once again I've changed my look and my name-this reflects more of who I really am and I have to say-I like it a lot. Found another really cool pattern for Halloween. It will make a fun dishcloth I think....(yes, I'm still on the dishcloth kick....)



You can get the chart for this kitty here:http://www.knittingonthenet.com/patterns/motifblackcatchart2.htm

I also came across the following crocheted spider-I thought he was pretty cute!


Crocheted Halloween Spider

Designed by Catherine Hollingsworth (Copyright 2005)

Yarn: 1 skein Coats Moda Dea Dream (50 grams) in black; 1 skein Caron Glimmer (50 grams) in black.

Needles: #K-10.5 U.S. crochet hook; tapestry needle.

Gauge: finished size is 5 inches wide by 4 inches long by 1 ¼ inches high at 2 SC = 1 inch.

Notions: 2 orange plastic beads with large holes for eyes.

Glossary: sts = stitches

st = stitch

Sc = single crochet

• Legs (make 4): Holding one strand of each yarn together, chain 12. Fasten off. Run yarn ends in.

• Body: With one strand of Moda Dea Dream chain 4. Slip st in the first chain to form a circle. Working into the center of the ring, draw up a loop and Sc around the ring, building layers, until 20 Sc have been worked. Fasten off and leave a 12-inch tail. Draw tail through to the underside of back and weave the ends in.

• Head: With one strand Modea Dea Dream chain 2. Slip st in the first chain to form a circle. Working in the same manner as the back, Sc until 8 Sc have been worked. Fasten off leaving a 12-inch tail.

• Finishing: Sew head to body. Stitch through the middle of the four legs and sew close to body where the head and body join. Using yarn tail, sew plastic beads to front of head for eyes. Run all yarn ends in. Knitted Halloween Spider

Designed by Catherine Hollingsworth (Copyright 2005)

Yarn: 1 skein Coats Moda Dea Dream (50 grams) in black; 1 skein Caron Glimmer (50 grams) in black.

Needles: Two U.S. size 9 double point needles; tapestry needle.

Notions: 2 orange plastic beads with large holes for eyes.

Gauge: Finished size is 4 inches long by 5 inches wide by 2 inches high at 2 to 3 stitches = 1 inch.

• Legs (make 4): Holding one strand of each yarn together, cast on 3 sts. Work I-cord for 5 inches. Fasten off and run yarn ends in.

• Body: Cast on 9 sts. Work stockinette st for 2 inches. Fasten off leaving a 12-inch tail. Using tapestry needle, draw the tail through the stitches on the needle and pull them securely closed. Stuff all yarn scraps into the body, making sure to pad it round. Draw the tail through the center to the top of the body. Run the tail through the cast on stitches, drawing the body closed. Fasten off. The body will look like a little ball.

• Head: Cast on 5 sts. Work like main body until piece measures 1 inch. Finish the head in the manner of the body.

• Finishing: Sew the head to the body. Using another yarn tail, sew through the middle of the legs and stitch the body to the legs at the point where the head and body join. Sew plastic beads to front of head for the eyes. Run yarn ends in.

For those that can't crochet, here is a similar spider that is knit:



Knit Spider

This spider is a variation on the one above, adapted by Lucia. Basically, its one small tube, one large tube and 4 idiot cord legs.
use a technique called “double knitting”. What is double knitting? It’s a way to knit an open tube while working back and forth instead of circular. Try the pattern, and you’ll decide if this is a technique you ever want to use.

My Tubes:

Tube 1:

* Cast on 10 stitches using waste yarn; I used mauve colored yarn. Knit 1 row. Break yarn, attach grey yarn leaving a long tail of grey.
* Row 1: *Knit 1, slip 1 with yarn in front; repeat from *. Note: When slipping, the yarn is positioned as though you are going to purl, and you slip purlwise. Just don’t purl. After you do this the first time, every other stitch will be worked in grey.
* Repeat row 1: until the length of the tube is equal to the width. Note: after the second repeat, all stitches on the needle will be grey.
* Break yarn leaving a long tail.
* Remove waste yarn by snipping individual stitches of waste yarn and pulling the yarn out carefully. The piece will open up into a tube! Thread a tapestry needle with tail of yarn and run through open loops pull tight, anchor. (See right.) Insert tapestry needle through center of the hole you closed and hide the yarn inside.
* Carefully remove work from needle. Run thread through open loops,
* Stuff with yarn or fiberfill. Pull thread to close; it will look sort of like a sphere. Anchor and hide yarn inside the sphere.

Tube 2:

* Decide if the piece you just made is the head of the body based on size. (The head should be the smaller piece.
* If the first piece is the head, knit a body by casting on 20 stitches. Follow the directions for the head, once again knitting until the length is the same as the width.
* If the first piece is the body, cast on 6 stitches. Work as for first piece.

Ok, you have two tubes made my way. Now, follow Cathy Hollingsworth's directions for the sewing the two pieces together and attaching the legs(see above pattern. (Use cord legs about the length of the body, but varied the lengths.)

I thought they were fun and so had to share. Now I'm off in search of a Witch and pumpkins to make (knit or crochet)

Happy Halloween Crafting!!!