shave it for later

So, a recent obsession with all things moustache has now joined my eternal love for beards.
I have decided to inflict this upon others, in the form of knitted gifts.
They have (fortunately) been well received.

 

I got the pattern here for free

Knitting Pattern: Ipod Case

Here's a super easy, super quick little pattern I made up to create a knitted bag for my friend to store her iPod in.  It can also be used for most cameras, iPhones, mobiles or to give a small present in to make it a little bit special. 

Materials & Tension:

Any DK yarn - I used an acrylic that was varigated for a really fun looking bag that can also be chucked in the wash easly enough.  I knitted mine using 3.75mm needles; although the tension is not so important because the rib pattern allows for stretch.

Pattern:

CO 25 sts

Row 1: (RS) K3, P2, repeat to end

Row 2: P3, K2, repeat to end

Repeat these two rows until bag measures desired length.  I knitted mine for 15cm/6".

Cast off in rib.

Finishing:

Sew up side seam, using a darning needle and main yarn, preferably using mattress stitch.

Thread darning needle with matching coloured elastic and sew around top edge of bag; using running stitch is just fine.  Pull tight so that bag will hold phone etc inside but will happily stretch to allow objects in.  Knot tightly and weave in all yarn/elastic lose ends.

(Here's the bag with an iPhone inside it; first image shows it storing a Blackberry).

The nice thing about a simple pattern is not only the time it takes to complete; but the possibilities it gives to experiment with it.  You can alternate between yarns to create stripes, use a mulit coloured yarn as I did to create effect; sew a button/buttons onto the bag, replace the elasticated edge with a thin ribbon drawstring.... Whatever you feel like!

See it on Ravelry here

Knitted Bikini

I recently had the dilema of what to make for a friend who is off to Australia for a year. It's got to be handmade, obviously and preferably knitted (to remind her of me!), yet remain practical for her adventure...

The answer, of course, was a knitted bikini:

I found a free pattern called the BVI Bikini on Ravelry.

I followed it true to word, until it came to adding the straps (I'm still getting used to crochet patterns; so sometimes it's easier to freestyle it still).

The ties were a row of chain stitch which I then worked dch (double chain stitch) into.

It was nice and quick to knit up, I think I'll have to make one for myself too.

 The best tip I picked up fron this pattern, is after the cups have been knitted, you should hand sew elastic around the edges of them.  This will make them stay in place and give them the hold that commerical bikinis made from synthetic fabrics have.

I'm happy to say that my friend absolutely loved it ("The best present ever!") and it fitted her perfectly!

Just a special something for those cooler, nightime beach parties perhaps?

All the best, Saz!

xxx