Brick Facecloth

Another facecloth for Chris, why buy them when I can knit one! This one was made in Sirdar Spree Marshmallow using the Brick Stitch Pattern, details of which I’ve included below the picture. Chris has a thing about bricks, it’s rare that we walk past a building without him commenting on whether it’s Flemish Bond or some other exotic style! And yes there is some pink, Chris likes pink, but not as much as he likes bricks!!

brickfacecloth

I cast on 40 stitches and knit 40 rows with the following pattern:

Brick Stitch
Multiple of 8

Rows 1 and 3: * P6, k2 *
Rows 2 and 4: * P2, k6 *
Rows 5 and 7: K2, * p2, k6 *, p2, k4
Rows 6 and 8: P4, * k2, p6 *, k2, p2

Tricolour Square Blankie

I’ve taken the brave decision to use this pattern to make a nice warm blankie for me and Chris for winter. With fuel prices rocketing, this is a nice cosy way to save money :)

It took some working out what size crochet hook to use, I finally settled on an 8mm with chunky yarn. It’s going to be multi-coloured, as you may have noticed and more than tricolour if you count the black! This cuts down on cost as well because I can source the yarn on ebay when bargains are available. They are approximately 10″ square.

Recycling plastic bags

We have stacks of asda plastic bags that we keep forgetting to give back to the driver when they deliver the groceries. So suddenly being overwhelmed by an ambitious urge, I decided to tackle knitting this Recycled Plastic Carryall.

The most time consuming part is cutting all the bags into continuous strips to make the ‘yarn’ to knit the bag. Chris rose to the challenge and set about making little ‘yarn’ balls out of the plastic bags, here he is in action, if you want to see his hands close up (and who doesn’t!), click on the picture for a larger image.

The pics show work in progress with some of the ‘yarn’ balls, and the first completed side. The second side is underway, it’s quite easy knitting with plastic if you don’t apply too much tension and take a bit of extra care.

I now expect everyone to start recycling their plastic bags :)

Funky Zebra Purse

This is a very simple and adaptable pattern for a small purse. I used 2 strands of wool, one Aran, one Chenille and 8mm needles. The size of this one is 4″ square, or 4″ diamond to be precise!

CO 4 stitches
knit one row
next row, k1, inc into next stitch, k to end of row (5 stitches)
repeat row 11 times (16 stitches)
then knit one row
next row, k1, k2tog, k to end of row (15 stitches)
repeat row 13 times (2 stitches)
knit one row
next row, k1, inc into next stitch, k to end of row (5 stitches)
repeat row 11 times (16 stitches)
then knit one row
next row, k1, k2tog, k to end of row (15 stitches)
repeat row 12 times (4 stitches)
cast off

Fold in half and blanket stitch in yarn to match or contrast with yarn used, but only sew round the bottom from left point to right point leaving the top half open. Finish with either a button or a knitted ball, and a chain or cord to go round the fastening.

As this is the first time I’ve managed to write a pattern, if there’s any errors, please let me know :)

edited with many thanks to Fromtheashes on Ravelry :)