Funky Cable Pencil Case with Corsage



This cute pencil case is easier to make than it looks. It is made by knitting a rectangular shape of fabric and folding it twice sewing the sides together to create the pouch, similar to the construction of the Little Knitted Pouch in my March 2009 blog entry. The pattern for the corsage will be given in a later blog entry.

So lets get down to the 'knitty' gritty...

To make this pouch you will need:

• 1 x 50g ball of DK yarn (colour of your choice)
• 1 pair of 3mm knitting needles
• 1 cable needle
  
• A piece of fabric for the lining approx. 25cm x 25cm
• 4 small wooden or plastic toggles or buttons
• Sewing thread (the same colour as your yarn)
• 1 sewing-up needle

Abbreviations:

• K = Knit
• P = Purl
• C2f = Cable 2 to the front. Slip next stitch onto a cable needle and leave at the front of your work. Knit the next stitch from the left-hand needle and then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
• C2b = Cable 2 to the front. Slip next stitch onto a cable needle and leave at the back of your work. Knit the next stitch from the left-hand needle and then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
• C4f = Cable 4 to the front. Slip next two stitches onto a cable needle and leave at the front of your work. Knit the next two stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
• C4b = Cable 4 to the back. Slip next two stitches onto a cable needle and leave at the back of your work. Knit the next two stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
• Alt. = Alternate

Here's how to make it:

Cast on 60 stitches and knit 8 rows.

Begin pattern:
1st row: K6, p2, c4b, k2, p2, k6, p2, k4, c2f, c2b, k4, p2, k6, p2, c4b, k2, k6.
2nd and every following alt. row: [P6, k2] 3 times, p12, [k2, p6] 3 times.
3rd row: K6, p2, k2, c4f, p2, k6, p2, k2, [c2f, c2b] twice, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, c4f, p2, k6.
5th row: K6, p2, c4b, k2, p2, k6, p2, [c2f, c2b] 3 times, p2, k6, p2, c4b, k2, p2, k6.
7th row: K6, p2, k2, c4f, p2, k6, p2, [c2b, c2f] 3 times, p2, k6, p2, k2, c4f, p2, k6.
9th row: K6, p2, c4b, k2, p2, k6, p2, k2, [c2b, c2f] twice, k2, p2, k6, p2, c4b, k2, p2, k6.
11th row: K6, p2, k2, c4f, p2, k6, p2, k4, c2b, c2f, k4, p2, k6, p2, k2, c4f, p2, k6.
12th row: [P6, k2] 3 times, p12, [k2, p6] 3 times.
Repeat these 12 rows 6 times more, or until work measures approx. 25cm.

Knit 8 rows and cast off.

Lining
Your piece of lining fabric should be slightly larger than your knitted fabric. The next thing you need to do is sew a 1cm hem all the way around your lining fabric and pin it to the knitted fabric so that there is a border of approximately 5mm of knitted fabric (see diagram below).

Now sew the edge of the lining to the piece of knitting using small stitches. When you have completed this, stretch the knitted fabric so that the two layers of fabric lie flat and then press with an iron.

The next step is to fold the fabric from the bottom edge up, creating the pouch for your pencil case, remembering to allow about 4cm for the opening flap. Sew the two side seams together with the same yarn you used for the knitting.

Fastenings
The last step is to make the fastenings. For the toggles I have used cocktails sticks. I cut them into 1cm lengths and then filed down the ends and also the middle, creating a little notch (see pic below).

Alternatively you can use buttons. Sew them onto the front of the pouch and then sew some loops onto the flap making sure that they are a good fit with your toggles or buttons.

The pencil case is now complete.

Easter Bunny

Easter is on its way, so why not have a go at making this cute little Easter bunny rabbit? It is easy to make and is a lovely personalised gift that you can give to friends and family*. Once you get the hang of constructing the body, head and arms you can alter the ears to make it into a teddy bear.

Here's how to make the Easter rabbit:


You will need:

• Yarn (any colour and thickness)
• 1 pair of knitting needles which are a suitable size for the yarn you have chosen
• Length of satin ribbon (approx. 30cm)
• Black embroidery thread
• Pink embroidery thread
• 1 embroidery needle
• 1 sewing-up needle for your yarn
• Polyester stuffing
• Small piece of felt fabric

Abbreviations:

• K = knit
• K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• St/sts = stitch/stitches
• Psso = pass slipped stitch over the stitch just knitted
  

Step 1:

Start by making the legs, body and head. Cast on 10 stitches and work in stocking stitch for 10 rows. Break the yarn and leave your work on the needle (i.e., don't cast-off). Repeat this process once more but do not break the yarn this time.






Now, knit across the 20 stitches you have on your needle so that the two pieces are joined together at the top.






Continue in stocking stitch for a further 17 rows finishing on a purl row.





Break the yarn approximately 20cm away from your work so that you have a nice long piece of yarn to sew up with. With your sewing-up needle, thread the yarn through the 20 stitches (slipping them off your knitting needle as you go) and draw them together (like a drawstring bag). Secure it by sewing a few stitches.

Step 2:

You now have the legs, body and head. The next step is to give your bunny a face. Cut a small circle out of your felt fabric and place it behind where the bunny's face is going to go. Use your black embroidery thread to make two eyes and the pink thread to make a nose.





Step 3:

Sew up the legs and then sew the two sides together making sure that you leave an opening of approximately 3cm so that you can stuff the bunny rabbit with the polyester stuffing. I usually use the end of a knitting needle to push the stuffing down the legs. When you have done this, sew the hole up.

(N.B. I usually sew things up so that they are inside-out to begin with. This means that the stitches look neater when the work is turned to right-way-out again.)





Now take a length of yarn and wrap it tightly around where the neck needs to go. This completes the head.


Step 4:

The next step is to make the arms. Cast on 8 stitches and work in stocking stitch for 9 rows ending with a purl row. Break your yarn and thread through the stitches as you did with the head and secure it with a few stitches. Repeat this process once more and then sew up the seams.





Stuff the arms with the polyester stuffing (using the end of a knitting needle to poke the stuffing into the arms) and sew them onto the body.


Step 5:

It is now time to make those all important bunny ears!

Cast on 7 sts.
1st row: Knit.
2nd row: Slip 1 st knit-wise, purl to last stitch, K1.
Repeat these two rows twice more.
7th row: Slip 1 st, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1 (you should now have 5 sts).
8th row: As 2nd row.
9th row: Slip 1 st knit-wise, k2tog, psso, k1.
10th row: slip 1 st knit-wise, k2tog, psso.
Cast off.

Repeat this process once more. You should have two triangular-shaped pieces. At the bottom edge of the ears, fold in half and sew together. This should create an ear-shape.





Sew these ears to your bunny and finish by making a bow around the neck with the satin ribbon.

I hope you enjoy making this Easter bunny rabbit. Once you getthe hang of making the basic body shape you can alter the ears to make a teddy bear, and you can give it accessories. The possibilities are endless! The only restriction is your imagination.

Happy knitting!

Little Knitted Pouch

This attractive little knitted pouch is lined with gingham fabric and is great for storing small items. I use mine to hold my nail scissors and nail files but it could be used for jewellery or even your MP3 player and earphones.

To make this pouch you will need:

• 1 x 50g ball of DK yarn
• 1 pair of 3mm knitting needles
• A piece of fabric 32cm x 13cm
• 2 small wooden or plastic toggles
• Sewing thread (the same colour as your yarn)

Abbreviations:

• K = Knit
• P = Purl
• Yf = Yarn front
• P2tog = Purl 2 stitches together
• K3tog = Knit 3 stitches together
  

Here's how to make it:

Cast on 31 stitches and knit 8 rows.

Begin pattern:
1st row: K7, yf, k1, [p3, k1] 4 times, yf, K7.
2nd and every following alt. row: K5, Purl to last 5 sts, K5.
3rd row: K8, yf, k1, [p3, k1] 4 times, yf, k8.
5th row: K9, yf, k1, [p3, k1] 4 times, yf, k9.
7th row: K10, yf, k1, [p2tog, p1, k1] 4 times, yf, k10.
9th row: K11, yf, k1, [p2tog, k1] 4 times, yf, k11.
11th row: K12, yf, k1, [k3tog, k1] twice, yf, k12.
12th row: K5, P21, K5.

Repeat rows 1-12 11 times more or until work measures 30cm. Knit 8 rows and cast off.

Sew in all yarn ends.

Take your piece of lining fabric and make a 1cm hem all the way around. Lay your knitting face down and place the fabric on top (face up). Sew the fabric to the knitting with a running stitch all the way around the edge.

Now fold your work making the pouch and leave about 7cm for the flap. Sew the two edges together. Sew the two toggles to the front of the pouch and then, with your yarn, make two loops and sew them to the flap.

Finished!