Lotus Knit Baby Blanket Pattern
Size 32″x32″
Gauge 18 sts x 20 rows = 4 inches in stockinette
Materials  300 grams (3 skeins) Cascasde 220 wool or similar worsted weight yarn (100 grams, 220 yards)
 Size 8 (5 mm) 32” circular needles
 Size 8 (5mm) 60″ circular needles
 Darning needle
Abbreviations
 K – Knit
 P – Purl
 K2tog – knit 2 together
 Ssk – Slip 2 stitches knitwise and k2tog
 Sl, k2tog, psso – Slip on st to the right needle, k2tog, pass slip stitch over
 K1f&b – Knit 1 in the front and back of the stitch
 K tbl – Knit through back loop
 YO – Yarn over
 PM – Place marker
Notes
Throughout pattern, slip markers as you come to them.
Switch to longer circulars when needed.
This blanket is knit using the magic loop method, (video)
Some knitters have reported the center portion of the flower puckering up a bit. To avoid this, you may want to knit the “Center Flower” section on smaller needles.
A knitter created a video showing how to knit the first 4 rows on DPNs.

Directions
Cast on 8 sts using the disappearing loop method (another tutorial!). Pull the cable through so you have 4 sts on each needle.
Center Flower
Work the following instructions four times on each round. If you choose to use DPNs, you would work the instructions below once on each of the four needles. Using the magic loop, as I did, I recommend placing a marker to designate where the pattern ends.
1. K, 2yo, k
2. K2, p, k
3. K2, yo, k2
4. K2, k1f&b, k2
5. K2, yo, k2, yo, k2
6. Knit (32)
7. K2, yo, k4, yo, k2
8. K3, k2tog, ssk, k3
9. Yo, k2, yo, k2, yo, k2, yo, k2
10. K3, k2tog, k1, k1f&b, k1, ssk, k2
11. K tbl, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo
12. K4, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, ssk, ssk, yo, k3
13. K tbl, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k2, k1f&b, k2, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo
14. K8, yo, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k5
15. K tbl, yo, k3, yo, k1, ssk, k1, sl1, k3tog, psso, k1, k2tog, k1, yo, k3, yo
16. Knit
17. K tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo
18. Knit
19. K tbl, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo
20. Knit
21. K tbl, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7, yo
22. Knit
23. K tbl, yo, k9, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, k9, yo
24. Knit
25. K tbl, yo, k11, yo, ssk, k10, yo
26. Knit
Petals
Work the following pattern between each marker.
1. Ktbl, *yo, k tbl, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 1 st before marker, yo, k tbl, yo, slip marker.
2. Knit
3. Ktbl, *yo, k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 3 sts before marker, yo, k3, yo, slip marker.
4. Knit
5. Ktbl, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k7* Repeat from * to * until 5 sts before marker, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, slip marker.
6. Knit
7. Ktbl, *yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 5 sts before marker, yo, k5, yo, slip marker.
8. Knit
9. Ktbl, *yo, k7, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog* Repeat from * to * until 7 sts before marker, yo, k7, yo, slip marker.
10. Knit
11. Ktbl, *yo, k9, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso* Repeat from * to * until 9 sts before marker, yo, k9, yo, slip marker.
12. Knit
13. Ktbl, yo, k11, *yo, ssk, k10* Repeat from * to * until marker, yo, slip marker.
14. Knit
Repeat the petals pattern 4 more times, for a total of 5 repeats.
Outer Edge
 Increase round: Ktbl, yo, k until marker, yo, slip marker.
 Even round: Knit
Alternate increase and even round for ten total rounds. Work 5 additional rounds in seed stitch.
 Seed stitch increase: Ktbl, yo, *k, p* repeat from * to * until marker, yo, slip marker.
 Seed stitch even round: P, k around.
Cast off loosely in pattern.
Will have pictures later have only finished the center. Is really cut though.
Happy Knitting
Kaitlan

Happy New Year and Hello Kitty

Happy New Year... I thought I would start the year out right with a post. I know I am bad at posting, this is usually because I am knitting all the time.

Today I have started yet another project, yes my WIP's are great in number but I have been working on them too. I can only do so many projects and when I run out of needles or cables which is more the case, I work on older projects. Today is Hello Kitty. I would post the pattern here but is copy written so here is the web address on Ravelry where you can find it http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hello-kitty-7 . I am making this for my granddaughter she is just a doll at six weeks so I make toys for her now because grandma's are suppose to spoil their grandchildren.

I have finished the main part of the head and am working on the ears. Now that is a pain for sure. Picking up all the stiches and then knitting them, the first few rows was a pain in the bum but thankfully I work in Magic Loop so am not working on DPN needles but have a long cable and that helps a lot. I will keep you posted on the progress. It shouldn't take to long now that I have the biggest part finished, the head.

Well good luck on whatever you are working on and good luck on Roc day which is coming up soon this month.

Happy New Year and Happy Knitting

Kaitlan

Knitting Backwards

How many of you do entrelac knitting? Do you like it? or is it to fussy flipping the work all the time?
Have you thought about "knitting backwards"? Really it isn't that hard to learn and it does go faster once you have learned it. Knitting backwards would work anytime you have to purl. So if you don't like to purl this is one way to not have to every again. Purling is not my favorite thing to do either but is a need when knitting. Here is a great video on how to knit backwards or purling in reverse. Knitting Backwards or "mirror knitting" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIo-m6vfd-U this is a great video for learning and there are many different ways to do it but this is one of the better ways.
This is the Entrelac Shawl I am making http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triangle-entrelac-shawls. You can find it on my Ravelry page as well. I am using size 8 needles and think and chunky yarn by Lion for this project.

A baby for my Granddaughter Annja

Finally I finished... well except for the hair. Since most babies are born bald is okay. I did pay for this pattern which is unusual for me but the pattern was so darn cute.

The outfit she is wearing is of course, knitted. It is a baby onsie and a little over skirt. I found them both on Ravelry I do believe. I just have to put the snaps on the onsie. Since the baby is a newborn size, the outfit will also fit my granddaughter and is just really easy to make.
I hope you enjoy.
Happy Knitting!
Kaitlan

Finished ... Finally

Remember when I started that round baby blanket? Well I finished it yesterday.

It got easier the second time for sure. Though 1 1/2 rows from finishing I ran out of yarn. That sucks right? Well I went to the same store I bought it from and of course they didn't have anymore. So I chose a baby purple and just finished. Looks good and looks intentional.

Of course, it still needs to be blocked but you can see how it turned out. I hope you like. Please look back for the pattern in the history of this blogg.

Happy knitting

Kaitlan

Casting on ....the long and the short of it

Everyone seems to have problems when it comes to casting on a large number of stitches. It isn't rocket science but it sure seems that way. How many times have you had to cast on over 50 stitches and run out of tail yarn when doing the long tail cast on? A lot right, I know I have many times and have to pull if off and start all over.

The long tail cast on is the normal cast on I use unless the patterns states otherwise. To do the larger amounts of stitches needed I do the following. Use two skeins of yarn. Yes two skeins, tie a slip knot with a loop with both the yarns held together slip it on the needle. This does NOT count as the first stitch, now you have a "tail" and a working yarn. Cast on as usual, when you are finished and have the right amount of stitches (count them again just to make sure) then cut off one of the skeins.

Now just continue to knit the pattern. When you get to the last stitch, the one that has two loops, take it off and unknot it. Now you have no excuse for not doing a long cast on for an afaghan or sweater.

There is also a cable cast on which will help as well, Very Pinks has this video that will help you.

There is also the backwards loop cast on as well. I bet you didn't realize there were so many cast ons. I know of many people that have been knitting for years and didn't know so you are in good company. Is always good to learn the different types of cast ons. You never know when they will come in handy like the middle of the work or to hide the cast on. Each is there for a different reason.

Happy knitting,

Kaitlan

Fair Isle video

As I have said practice is what it takes to do fair isle color work. This is the video I used to learn to do it two handed. I use the same technique for weaving in my ends in the beginning in a lot of cases. Two-handed Fair Isle knitting.

Happy Knitting

Kaitlan