Knitting Stashbusters E-Book

Fiona Goble

• Herausgeber: CICO Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Seitenzahl: 118

Beschreibung

For knitters who want to know how to make use of their stash and avoid waste, this collection of patterns has the answer. Every knitter knows that sometimes you have yarn left over after finishing a make – maybe a whole ball, often slightly less than a ball, but either way too much to just throw it away and not enough to return it to the seller. Then there's the yarn you buy without a particular make in mind, just because it's a beautiful colour, or you love the feel of it, or it was in a flash sale. But what can you do with all these lovely bits and pieces? Knitting Stashbusters has the answer: 25 lovely projects specially chosen to use up your yarn. Some can be made with one ball, others use up smaller amounts of several different shades, but all of them are chosen to save you from wasting what you already have in store. You can make a cute garland of hearts to brighten up a room, or knit a penguin toy for a new baby. Perhaps you'd like to make all sorts of cosies, or knit storage pots and a pencil case. Or you could choose to make a cute cottage doorstop using colours that match your own house. And once you've reduced the size of your stash, what better excuse could you have to go out and buy more yarn!

Leseprobe

knitting

Stashbusters

knitting

Stashbusters

25 GREAT WAYS TO USE UP YOUR YARN LEFTOVERS OF ONE BALL OR LESS

FIONA GOBLE

Published in 2020 by CICO Books

An imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

20–21 Jockey’s Fields

London WC1R 4BW

341 E 116th St

New York, NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text © Fiona Goble 2020

Design, illustration, and photography © CICO Books 2020

Patterns in this book have previously appeared in one of the following titles by Fiona Goble: Cute and Easy Knitting; Knitted Animal Nursery.

The designs in this book are copyright and must not be knitted for sale.

The author’s moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress and the British Library.

eISBN: 978 1 78249 912 1

ISBN: 978 1 78249 835 3

Printed in China

Editor: Marie Clayton

Photographers: Caroline Arber and Terry Benson

Stylists: Nel Haynes, Sophie Martell, and Rob Merrett

Illustrator: Stephen Dew

In-house designer: Eliana Holder

Art director: Sally Powell

Head of production: Patricia Harrington

Publishing manager: Penny Craig

Publisher: Cindy Richards

Contents

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

For the Home

Cottage doorstop

Owl storage baskets

Coat hanger covers

Wash cloths

Jam jar cover

Mug cozy

Egg cozies

Coasters

Napkin rings

Potholder

CHAPTER 2

For Baby

Mouse mittens

Cow print bib

Tiger hat

Rabbit bootees

Hanging birds

Lamb snuggle blanket

Penguin toy

Aardvark toy

CHAPTER 3

Bits and Bobs

Heart garland

Woodland key rings

Pencil case

Tablet cozy

Phone cozy

Wallet

Owl lavender bag

Techniques

Suppliers

Index

Introduction

If you’re a big knitting fan, you’ll know how it happens. You’ve got a ball left over from this project… a half-ball left over from that project…. And in no time at all, you’ve got a big bag or a box (or in my case quite a large closet) overflowing with odd balls of yarn. You don’t want to give them away—you love them too much—but you can’t think exactly what to do with your precious knitting stash.

That’s where this book comes to the rescue, with a collection of patterns that use a maximum of one ball of each type or shade of yarn. I have included details of the yarn I used for the original pattern, but so long as the yarn you use knits up to the same gauge (tension), you should be absolutely fine, even if the finished result has a slightly different look. (For more information on substituting yarn, visit yarnsub.com, and also see page 81.)

I’ve divided the book into three sections. There are projects for the home, including my personal favorite, the Owl Storage Baskets (page 14). And there are things to knit for baby—you’re going to find it hard to resist those cute Rabbit Bootees (page 46). Finally there’s a section I’ve called Bits and Bobs, with patterns to create a range of quirky objects, including some fabulous heart bunting (page 62).

Most of the projects are suitable for adventurous beginners and some even for knitting newbies, but before you begin, have a look through the pattern to make sure everything’s clear. The Techniques section (pages 80–94) includes instructions for anything you are not familiar with.

For me, one of the best things about knitting is that with a bit of confidence and experimentation, it’s so easy to add your own touches to a basic pattern and get fabulous results. You can simply change a color or use a yarn with a different look. So please, check out your stash, soak in some inspiration—and create something to fall in love with.

Fiona Goble

fionagoble.com

CHAPTER 1

For the Home

Tip

If you’re feeling adventurous, whynot try making the variationdoorstop on page 13?

Cottage Doorstop

Why use an ordinary old doorstop when you can knit yourself a pretty little cottage? Knitted in two strands of light worsted (DK) yarn, the cottage comes together much quicker than you’d think. We’ve chosen to knit our cottage in cream—but it would also work well in white, pale yellow, or pastel pink.

YARN AND OTHER MATERIALS

Patons Diploma Gold DK (55% wool, 25% acrylic, 20% nylon; 131yd/120m per 1¾oz/50g ball) light worsted (DK) yarn

1 ball of shade 6142 Cream (A)

Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% merino wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere; 127yd/116m per 1¾oz/50g ball) light worsted (DK) yarn

1 ball of shade 277 Tittlemouse (B) (dark gray)

Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (100% merino wool; 115yd/105m per 1¾oz/50g ball) light worsted (DK) yarn

Small amount of shade 12 Scarlet (C)

Small amount of shade 09 Apple (D) (green)

For the variation

Small amounts of light worsted (DK) yarns in shades:

Light turquoise (E)

Yellow (F)

3–4 small decorative buttons

Approx. 2½ cups (8oz/500g) uncooked rice or dried lentils

Medium size polythene bag

Approx. 2oz (50g) 100% polyester toy filling

NEEDLES AND EQUIPMENT

Size US 8 (5mm) knitting needles

Size US 2/3 (3mm) knitting needles (for variation)

Yarn sewing needle

Large-eyed embroidery needle

Water-erasable pen

GAUGE (TENSION)

18 sts and 26 rows in stockinette (stocking) stitch to a 4-in (10-cm) square on US 8 (5mm) needles, using yarn double.

MEASUREMENTS

The doorstop is 6½in (16.5cm) high.

ABBREVIATIONS

approx.

approximately

beg

begin(ning)

k

knit

k2tog

knit two stitches together

kwise

knitwise

p

purl

ssk

slip one stitch, slip one stitch, knit slipped stitches together

st(s)

stitch(es)

st st

stockinette (stocking) stitch

Cottage

FRONT/BACK PANEL

(make 2 the same)

Cast on 22 sts in A, using yarn double.

Work 14 rows in st st beg with a k row.

Row 15: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (20 sts) Work 9 rows in st st beg with a p row.

Row 25: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (18 sts)

Row 26: P.

Fasten off A and join double strand of B.

K 2 rows.

Work 2 rows in st st beg with a k row.

K 2 rows.

Rep last 4 rows once more.

Row 37: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (16 sts)

Row 38: P.

K 2 rows.

Bind (cast) off.

SIDE PANEL

(make 2 the same)

Cast on 16 sts in A, using yarn double.

Work 14 rows in st st beg with a k row.

Row 15: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (14 sts) Work 9 rows in st st beg with a p row.

Row 25: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (12 sts)

Row 26: P.

Fasten off A and join double strand of B.

K 2 rows.

Work 2 rows in st st beg with a k row.

K 2 rows.

Rep last 4 rows once more.

Row 37: K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (10 sts)

Row 38: P.

K 2 rows.

Bind (cast) off.

BASE

(make 1)

Cast on 22 sts in A, using yarn double.

Work 20 rows in st st beg with a k row.

Bind (cast) off.

TOP

(make 1)

Cast on 16 sts in B, using yarn double.

Work 12 rows in st st beg with a k row.

Bind (cast) off.

Strap

(make 1)

Cast on 4 sts in B, using yarn double.

K 22 rows.

Bind (cast) off.

Making up and finishing

Using A, sew one side panel to each side of one of the front/back panels with mattress stitch (see page 92). Sew the second front/back panel to the side panels, again using mattress stitch. From the inside, oversew (see page 91) the base in place along four sides and oversew two sides of the top in place.

Put the rice or dried lentils into the polythene bag and insert into the doorstop. Fill the remainder of the doorstop with fiberfill toy filling and stitch the remaining two sides of the top. Oversew the ends of the strap in place.

Mark the position of windows and door using the water-erasable pen. Using B, work the window frame and cross bars in straight stitch (see page 93). Using C, work the door outline in chain stitch (see page 93). Using D, work the stems of flowers in straight stitch. Stitch on buttons for the flowers.

Variation

Make up the cottage and strap as before, then knit the windows and door as follows:

WINDOWS

(make 2)

Cast on 7 sts in E.

Work 7 rows in st st beg with a k row.

Bind (cast) off.

DOOR

(make 1)

Cast on 8 sts in C.

Work 15 rows in st st beg with a k row.

Bind (cast) off kwise.

Making up and finishing

Oversew windows and doors in place using matching yarns.

Using B, work four straight stitches from the center of the window to the mid-point of each side. Using F, work the flowers in lazy daisy stitch (see page 93). Using B, work French knots (see page 93) for the flower centers. Using D, work each flower stem in straight stitch and each leaf in a single lazy daisy stitch.

Owl Storage Baskets

These handy storage baskets not only look lovely, they’ll also keep all your bits and pieces tidily stashed away, ready for when you need them. The owls are knitted in a simple seed (moss) stitch to create an interesting texture, and although I’ve chosen a robust citrus shade for mine, you could use whatever color would complement your décor. Did I mention that the pattern includes baskets in two sizes?

YARN AND OTHER MATERIALS

Debbie Bliss Roma (70% wool, 30% alpaca; 87yd/80m per 3½oz/100g ball) super-bulky (super-chunky) yarn

1 ball of shade 008 Citrus (A)

Small amounts of dark gray (B) and orange (C) light worsted (DK) yarns

Very small amount of off-white light worsted (DK) yarn

2 x ½-in (12-mm) pale blue buttons for larger basket

2 x 5/16-in (8-mm) pale blue buttons for smaller basket

Black sewing thread

Very small amount of 100% polyester toy filling

NEEDLES AND EQUIPMENT

US 15 (10mm) knitting needles

US 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles

Yarn sewing needle

Large-eyed embroidery needle

Standard sewing needle

GAUGE (TENSION)

10 sts and 13 rows in stockinette (stocking) stitch to a 4-in (10-cm) square on US 15 (10mm) needles.

MEASUREMENTS

The finished larger basket stands 6½in (16.5cm) tall and the smaller one 3½in (9cm) tall.

ABBREVIATIONS

beg

begin(ning)

k

knit

k2tog

knit two stitches together

p

purl

p2tog

purl two stitches together

psso

pass slipped stitch(es) over

rem

remain(ing)

rep

repeat

sl1

slip one stitch from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without knitting it

ssk

slip one stitch, slip one stitch, knit slipped stitches together

st(s)

stitch(es)

st st

stockinette (stocking) stitch

[ ]

work instructions within square brackets as directed

Large basket

BODY

Using US 15 (10mm) needles, cast on 34 sts in A.

Beg with a k row, work 4 rows in st st.

Row 5: [K1, p1] to end.

Row 6: [P1, k1] to end.

Rep rows 5–6 twelve times more.

Row 31: [K2tog] to end. (17 sts)

Row 32: K.

Row 33: K1, [k2tog] to end. (9 sts)

Row 34: K.

Break yarn and thread through rem sts.

WINGS

(make 2)

Using US 15 (10mm) needles, cast on 5 sts in A.

Row 1: [K1, p1] to last st, k1.

Rep row 1 five times more.

Row 7: P2tog, k1, p2tog. (3 sts)

Row 8: P1, k1, p1.

Row 9: Sl1, k2tog, psso. (1 st)

Fasten off.

EYE BASES

(make 2)

Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles, cast on 20 sts in B, using yarn double.

Row 1: [K2tog] to end. (10 sts)

Row 2: [P2tog] to end. (5 sts)

Break yarn, thread through rem sts, and secure.

BEAK

Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles, cast on 8 sts in C, using yarn double.

Beg with a k row, work 2 rows in st st.

Row 3: K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. (6 sts)

Row 4: P2tog, p2, p2tog. (4 sts)

Break yarn and thread through rem sts, and secure.

Small basket

BODY

Using US 15 (10mm) needles, cast on 22 sts in A.

Beg with a k row, work 4 rows in st st.

Row 5: [K1, p1] to end.

Row 6: [P1, k1] to end.

Rep rows 5–6 five times more.

Row 17: [K2tog] to end. (11 sts)

Row 18: K.

Row 19: K1, [k2tog] to end. (6 sts)

Row 20: K.

Break yarn and thread through rem sts.

WINGS

(make 2)

Using US 15 (10mm) needles, cast on 3 sts in A.

Row 1: K1, p1, k1.

Rep row 1 four times more.

Row 6: Sl1, k2tog, psso. (1 st)

Fasten off.

EYE BASES

(make 2)

Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles, cast on 16 sts in B, using yarn double.

Row 1: [K2tog] to end. (8 sts)

Row 2: [P2tog] to end. (4 sts)

Break yarn, thread through rem sts, and secure.

BEAK

Using US 7 (4.5mm) needles, cast on 6 sts in C, using yarn double.

Beg with a k row, work 2 rows in st st.

Row 3: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

Break yarn and thread through rem sts, and secure.

Making up and finishing

Join the lower and back seam of the basket using flat stitch (see page 91).

Oversew (see page 91) the wings in position at the sides.

Oversew the eye bases in position. Using off-white yarn, work 8-point stars on the eye bases of the larger basket and 6-point stars on the eye bases of the smaller basket, using the photograph as a guide. Sew the buttons in place using black thread.

Sew the long seam of the beak, leaving the lower edge open. Stuff very lightly and oversew the beak in place.

Weave in all loose ends.

Coat Hanger Covers

Why hang your favorite outfits on boring old coat hangers, when with a small amount of leftover yarn and a bit of imagination you can hang them on a coat hanger with its very own knitted cover? As well as looking gorgeous, these knitted covers will make sure your best dress does not slip off the hanger in your closet and become damaged!

YARN AND OTHER MATERIALS

For the striped cover

Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (100% merino wool; 115yd/105m per 1¾oz/50g ball) light worsted (DK) yarn

1 ball of shade 76 Rose (A) (pink)

1 part ball of shade 09 Apple (B) (green)

For the cable stitch cover

Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (100% merino wool; 115yd/105m per 1¾oz/50g ball) light worsted (DK) yarn

1 ball of shade 54 Mint (C) (pale green)