Luna Moth Scarf

by Robyn Story

I wrote this pattern with the concepts that it be modular so as to work well with using handspun yarn, and that the module would resemble a moth and its flightpath. You can increase to any number of stitches that you like the look of, I thought 23 was perfect for the worsted to aran weight yarn I was working with. You can block or leave as is.

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• Cast on 5 sts.
• Row 1: k1, yo, k3, yo, k1
• Row 2 and all even rows: k across 
• Row 3: k2, yo, k3, yo, k2

Continue to alternate even k rows and increase rows, with one more st on each side of the center k3 each increase row. Use stitch markers if that helps you.  Continue until you reach 23 sts, then bind off on the even row until you have 5 sts left. Knit remaining stitches. Repeat from the beginning to make more modules until you run low on yarn or reach desired number of modules, then bind off all sts at the end of the last module.

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Wicked Big Christmas Stocking by 222 Handspun

Sit down with some hot cocoa, a kitty, some “wicked big” handspun, and get ready to knit up something bright for the holidays.

This is a pretty easy pattern that will work well with any super bulky thick and thin yarn for a fun afternoon project - the bigger and brighter the better! I used two large skeins of matching corespun neon yarn with jingle bells, mini pom poms, tinsel, and X-mas baubles spun in. There’s a simple ribbed cuff at the top and the rest is straight knitting. I started with circular needles and switched to DPNs for the toe, but you could use whatever you prefer.

Materials:

• 2 Skeins Super Bulky Yarn (about 80-100 yards). Using 222 Handspun Neon Super Bulky Corespun Art Yarn.

• US 15 (10.00mm) Circular Needles (I used Knitter's Pride Trendz US 15 Circular 24 Inch Knitting Needles) or Double Pointed Needles (I used Three Ravens Studio US 15 DPNs)

• 5 XL Stitch Markers

• Tapestry Needle (Optional)

Gauge: 5 stitches / 4"

Abbreviations:                        

• K knit

• P purl

• SL slip stitch

• SSK slip, slip, knit

• K2TOG knit 2 together

• P2TOG purl 2 together

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Using Long Tail cast on, cast on 20 stitches. Place stitch marker.

Ribbed Cuff:

Row 1:  K 2, P 2 to end of row

Row 2-5: Repeat Row 1 (K 2, P 2) knitting in the round for about 5 (about 4 inches long).

Leg:

K 20. Continue knitting in the round until stocking is about 16 inches long.

Heel Flap:

Row 1: K 8 stitches. Place a marker on right needle and turn work.

Row 2: SL 1 as if to purl, P to the end (7 stitches), turn work.

Row 3: SL 1 as if to purl, K to the end, turn work.

Row 4: SL 1 as if to purl, P to the end, turn work.

Row 5: SL 1 as if to purl, K to the end, turn work.

Row 6: SL 1 as if to purl, P to the end, turn work.

Decreasing Heel Turn:

Row 7: SL 1 as if to purl, K 2, K2TOG, K1, turn work.

Row 8: SL 1 as if to purl, P2TOG, P1, turn work.

Row 9: SL 1 as if to purl, K2TOG, K2, turn work.

Row 10: SL 1 as if to purl, P2TOG, P2, turn work.

K2. Placing marker in middle of heel. K2.

Gusset:

Pick up stitches of heel side (3 stitches). Do this by placing needle through both legs of the V, wrapping, and pulling through onto needle. Add stitch marker.

Then continue to knit in the round towards back of heel marker (10 stitches).

Pick up heel gusset stitches in the V (3).

K 2 to back of heel marker.

Start mirror decreasing to original # of cast on stitches

K 2, K2TOG, K 14 to gusset marker, K 1 to marker at start of gusset, SSK

You can mirror decrease down again to 14 stitches starting 3 stitches from center heel marker.

K all around for 5 rows. Transfer to DPNs starting at center heel marker.

K2 , K2TOG, K 4, transfer to DPN, K 4, K 2

K 12 (all)

K 12 (all)

Decrease row 2 stitches in from heel marker

K 2, K2TOG, K2 SSK, K 2, K 2

K 12

Use Kitchener stitch to close toe stitches together.

Weave in ends with tapestry needle.

Attach pom poms or tassels to the toe and cuff. You can knit an icord from leftover yarn to use as a hanging loop.

Block if you like, or don’t if you can’t wait to show it off to all your friends.

Oh, and please make sure to not leave unattended with your furry creatures or offspring.

Enjoy!

© 2016 222 Handspun. All rights reserved.

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Ahoy Cowl

Featured Knitting Stitch Pattern: Sailor Rib 

This is a simple stitch pattern that adds a texture that is deeper than simple ribbing.  It is easy and adds amazing depth to your finished piece; plus it’s reversible.  Try it with some handspun and make a scarf or cowl.  It’s a great unisex stitch pattern, and so many yarns look amazing in this stitch!

Sailor Rib (multiple of 4 + 3 stitches) - see "Mistake Rib Stitch" video below.

• Row 1:  *P2, K2; repeat from * until 3 stitches remain; P2, K1
• Row 2: *K2, P2; repeat from * until 3 stitches remain; K2, P1 

AHOY COWL

Natural burly-spun Icelandic wool handspun gives this cowl a rugged, squishy look knit in Sailor Rib pattern, while the other half is knit with a thick and thin soft alpaca blend yarn that lightens the look of the cowl.   

MATERIALS:

• Approximately 70 yds of a thick and thin Icelandic/gotland lock yarn, or any thickly spun lock yarn, to get a similar look
• Approximately 75 yds of Asana Bulky (50%wool / 50% alpaca, 140 yds), color 406, by Galler Yarns, held double. (chunky yarn, recommended to be knit with a size 10-10.5 needle)
• Length of Sari Silk ribbon (optional, for seaming)
• Size 13 needles, straight or circular*.  Cowl is knit flat then seamed. 
• Yarn needle for seaming.

*Swatch!  Choose the size needle that makes a fabric YOU like.  Sailor rib looks more dramatic knit at a denser gauge.   

PATTERN:

Cast on 15 stitches (or whatever width you’d like your cowl to be) 

Follow Sailor rib pattern for 7-10 inches, or however long you’d like your cowl to be made of handspun yarn (i.e. half length- sample is long enough to wear as a simple cowl)

When the cowl is about half as long as you would like, switch yarn to the Asana Bulky (held double).  Change stitch pattern or continue in Sailor Rib.  

Continue knitting until the cowl is as long as you desire.  Cut loose & get creative!  Make it a long scarf or cowl, to wrap around your neck several times.  Add another yarn or stitch pattern to the piece; the possibilities are endless! This could be a great use of small bits of handspun or a stash buster.   

Bind off.  Seam ends together with a yarn needle and a length of sari silk yarn for a dramatic seam, or to be subtle, seam with the Asana Bulky.    

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Remnants Shawl

A super easy pattern!  You will learn the basics of knitting a triangle with a lace border and get to use up all the remnant yarns in your stash! I used all the handspun yarns from my SPINDLING series in this shawl, and it's such a fun piece to wear!

MATERIALS

• Size 35, 32 inch circular needles (piece will be knitted flat)

• A box of yarn scraps - I used all handspun but feel free to mix with commercial. Any yarns will work for this pattern - any gauge.

• Yarn scraps for fringe (optional / not pictured)

PATTERN

Cast on two stitches

Row 1: Knit 1, YO (yarn over), Knit 1 (now you have 3 stitches on your needles)

Row 2: K1, YO, Knit to end (now you have 4 stitches on your needles)

Continue the pattern of K1, YO, Knit to end until the shawl is as wide as you want it to be. 

Bind off using a stretchy bind off technique (Jeny's surprisingly stretchy bind off, or go up a needle size)

Add fringe if you like.

Weave in loose ends

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Wooli Wellies

Starring Yarn from WARRICK the Sheep from Homestead Wool & Gift Farm.

MATERIALS

• Yarn A: 1 skein (25 yards) of Lashspun Yarn from Homestead Wool & Gift Farm
• Size 15 DPN Knitting Needles (this pattern is knit top-down in the round)
• Yarn B: I used Bernat Maker Home Decor yarn (Bulky, 72% cotton /28% nylon, 317 yds). It has plenty of stretch and stays cool.

Note: From my experience, making boot toppers with a long wool / handspun inner cuff not only makes my boots feel too tight - but it makes my legs too warm.  I prefer a cotton inner cuff of only 1-2 inches that I can put over my knee-high cotton socks when I wear my boots. I love the stretch in the Bernat Maker yarn for this purpose, but use what you have/love. 

PATTERN (Make 2)

Outer Cuff: Cast on 17 stitches on size 15 DPN with Yarn A and knit in the round for 10-12 rows, or until the outer cuff measures 5 inches long. Push all the texture to the inside of the cuff as you knit (we will be turning this inside-out for wearing)

Inner Cuff: Switch to Yarn B and knit the following pattern in the round: K2YO (Yarn Over; this is an increase). This will result in 25 stitches on your needles. Purl in the round for 1.5 to 2 inches. Bind off loosely.

Finishing: Turn the Wooli Wellie inside-out. Fluff up the locks that are now on the outside of the cuff. 

Carpal Cuffs

MATERIALS

• Size 8 double pointed knitting needles, at least 6 inches long

• 30-50 yards of worsted/chunky weight handspun yarn

PATTERN (make 2)

Cast 20 stitches loosely onto your double pointed needles (we recommend 6, 6, and 8)

K2, P2 (rib stitch) in the round until the mitt reaches the length you prefer (make them as long as you want - we like between 8-12 inches)

Bind off using a stretchy bind off stitch (or bind off with a size or two larger needle).

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

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Meet the Designer

“I have been crocheting hats since 2002. My ideas are like butterflies, transforming through a metamorphosis of thought and creativity before becoming wearable art. I use cruelty free, squishy, curly, silky, wools and fibers in my freeform crochet. My favorite wool breeds are Corriedale, Merino, Rambouillet, Cormo, Teeswater, Mohair, Gotland, BFL, Finn, and Icelandic. Many of the fibers I use I buy locally to support my local farms. I am also a dyer and weaver and live at home with a menagerie of cats and backyard chickens. In 2015 I became a SpinOlution Dealer for the Salem, Portland, and Eugene areas of Oregon. I teach freeform crochet and spinning classes around the world.”

— - Heather Lightbody / Girl with a Hook

Cascade Scarf

MATERIALS:

• 30-50 yards of bulky, textured, handspun yarn. For this yarn we used a "twisted" style yarn that left lengths of yarn twisted and hanging free from the skein. You could also get the same effect with a tailspun / lockspun yarn. 
• Size 36 (or 50) straight knitting needles

PATTERN:

Cast on 6 stitches (or less, or more)

Knit two rows

Knit one row eLONGated (see video below)

Knit two rows

Knit one row eLONGated (see video below)

Continue knitting until you are nearly out of yarn. Bind off loosely. 

Wear straight or seam the ends together for an infinity scarf (as pictured)

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Greylee

Greylee is a super warm cowl and shoulder warmer, that uses very little yarn!  Stripe it with multiple yarns, or make it simple and solid. 

MATERIALS:

1. 25 yards of 2 WPI yarn - I used two skeins, Yarn A and B (one had 15 yards and the other had 10 yards)

2. Size 35 circular needles, 32 inches long

3. Gauge: 1.5-2.0 stitches/inch

PATTERN

Cast on 20 stitches (about 40 inches)

Join for working in the round (be careful not to twist!); place marker for beginning of the round if needed

*K2, P2* around

If using Multiple Yarns, you can get the most out of your yardage by switching to Yarn B when you have used up Yarn A. 

To create Stripes:  knit two rows with Yarn A, two rows with Yarn B, and repeat.

Bind Off Loosely after 10 rows (approximately 10 inches) , or when your cowl is the length you prefer.

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

CREATIVE IDEAS

• Use this pattern as a "stashbuster" project to knit up the scraps of textured yarns in your stash.

• Use this pattern with a short yardage of art yarn striped with a commercial yarn.

Elodie

MATERIALS

• Size 35 circular knitting needles, 32 inches long (we will be knitting flat using circular needles)
• 80-100 yards of textured art yarn (I used about 12 different mini skeins of yarn for this project)
• Crochet Hook
• Yarn for Seaming (this can be art yarn or a commercial yarn that blends in with your art yarn)

We will be knitting this bolero from the top down. This means by adding more stitches you will make the sleeves longer, and by knitting more rows you will make the back wider. Feel free to have a friend measure your arms from elbow-to-elbow for a more accurate cast on number, and knit more rows if you want more back coverage. The bolero in this pattern is a small/medium size. 

PATTERN:

Cast on 42 stitches 

Knit 30 rows of garter stitch

Knit 17 stitches, drop 1 stitch, knit 6 stitches, drop 1 stitch, knit 17 stitches. This will created the "dropped stitch" rows across the back of the shoulders. 

Bind off loosely using a stretchy bind off stitch

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. I stretched my bolero to open the stitches when blocking.

Note: after blocking my piece measured 12 inches wide and 45 inches long. 

Seam the sleeves together by folding in half long-ways and crochet a chain of coordinating yarn up the sleeve.  I seamed 13 inches up each sleeve - leaving 17 inches unseamed to be worn across my back.

Flourish

MATERIALS

• Size 17 straight knitting needles
• 25 yards of bulky commercial yarn. I used Wool and the Gang "Crazy Sexy Wool" in Grey Heather.
• 10-30 yards of handspun art yarn in a similar gauge to the bulky commercial yarn you are using. It doesn't need to be exact, but similar.

PATTERN

Cast on 12 stitches of your handspun art yarn

K2 P2 rib stitch with the entire yardage of art yarn (waste not!)

Note: If you use 10 yards of art yarn your "flourish" section will be shorter, more yardage = more flourish. There is no wrong amount of flourish - it's all about what you find pretty. For my cowl I used about the same yardage of flourish yarn and commercial yarn.

Continue knitting with commercial yarn when you are out of art yarn until the length of your piece is 16 inches long. Give or take an inch is fine. 

Bind off. 

Seam the ends together into a cowl.

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Zephyr

Another great convertible piece!  Wear it as a cowl or a shawlette.  Style with shawl pins or other interesting jewelry or yarn. 

MATERIALS

• Size 35 Circular Needles, 32 inches long
• 80-100 Yards of Bulky Handspun Yarn (feel free to combine multiple smaller skeins of yarn for this project)

PATTERN

Cast on 60 stitches; join for knitting in the round (being careful not to twist stitches)

Knit in the round using a simple elongated stitch (see video below)

Knit 22 rows. Feel free to add more rows if you want a longer cape or wider cowl.

Bind off and weave in the ends.

Block with Unicorn Fibre Rinse.  Gently pat dry, reshape and dry flat. 

Floor Urchin

There are many free tutorials for different styles of this floor pillow / ottoman on various websites - but none of them use handspun. Here is the one I came up with that's a little different than all the others - but still has the same principle.

MATERIALS

• Size 19 circular needles , 32 -40 inches (we will be knitting this floor urchin in the round)
• 200-250 yards of handspun bulky art yarn
• Two bags of polyfill stuffing
• One pillowcase (make sure it matches your yarn in case you see it)
• 1 Yard of strong Cotton Yarn
• Large eye Yarn Needle

PATTERN

Cast on 47 stitches. For a larger pouf cast on 60-80 stitches.

Knit in the Round until your tube is 18 inches long (if you're knitting a larger pouf -knit until your tube is 30 inches long)

Do not bind off. Rather, take your yard of cotton yarn and cut it in half so you have 1.5 feet of cotton yarn. Then loop this cotton yarn through all the loops on your needle using a yarn needle to thread the cotton yarn through. Take a loop off the needle, and put the cotton yarn through it. When all your stitches are on the cotton yarn - pull the cotton yarn tight and tie it into a knot to create the bottom of your urchin. 

Turn the urchin inside-out so all the purl stitches are on the outside. If you prefer a knit side, that's fine too. I just thought the purls looked more urchin-like. 

Take the two bags of polyfill and stuff them into a standard sized pillowcase. Try to stuff the pillowcase so it's the shape of the urchin you want (rounded without too many bulges of stuffing). 

Twist the top of the pillowcase tightly into a flat bun-style knot. Now stuff the urchin with the pillowcase with the bun-style knot as the very bottom part of the urchin. 

Take the other 1.5 feet of cotton yarn with your yarn needle and loop it through every other stitch along the cast on edge of your tube. Pull it tight and knot tightly to secure. Cut the ends and tuck them into the inside of the urchin.