Napkin Ring / Bookmark

Sometimes you make a project that you just really like and think is cute.  This is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  I think it is because it was Tina's idea to begin with, and it turned out exactly as we hoped.  If you have read through my blog, you may recognize this pattern.  I'll explain.

We set a table for a special event at Tina's church.  We used her mother-in law's china.  As a party favor she had the idea of a napkin ring that could come apart and be used as a bookmark, for people to take home with them.  I remembered the Smidge Headband pattern (shown in the previous post from October, 2012).  I adapted the pattern to make this project.  I made eight of them, one for each place setting.  As I got the hang of it, I was able to knit one napkin ring in about an hour and 10 minutes (while watching TV :).  So, you may be faster than I at picking and throwing.  Either way, have fun.  

The pattern is outlined below:

Napkin Ring / Bookmark

Materials:
Size 2 needles
Crochet Thread.  For this project I found the perfect colors - I love when that happens.  I used Bernat Handcrafters Crochet Thread in the color Divan.

Instructions:
Cast on 11 stitches.
Rows 1-4: Knit in garter stitches (all knit stitch, on both sides)
Special Note:  In Row 5 we begin to make a "button hole" slit which we will slip the pointed, or decreased, end into in order to make the Napkin Ring.
Row 5: Knit the first 3 stitches, then cast-off the next 5 stitches, then knit the remaining 3 stitches. 
Row 6: Knit the first 3 stitches.  Turn work, so that the needle holding the first three stitches is now in your right hand.  The three remaining three stitches are now on the left needle.  With the thread in the back, as if to knit, and using the third stitch on the left needle to start, cast-on 5 stitches.  Turn the work again and knit the last three stitches on the left needle.  You should now have a total of 11 stitches back on the needle.
Row 7: K2, P7, K2 (wrong side)
Row 8: K2, YO, K2, S1, K2tog, PSSO, K2, YO, K2 (right side)
Continue with Rows 7 and 8 for the pattern, until project measures about six inches.
Decrease Rows: (garter stitch to the end of the project)
K the first two stitches together in each row (right side and wrong side), until 1 stitch remains and tie off.  
Finish ends.
Lightly block the Bookmark by pressing widthwise.  
To form Napkin Ring, tuck the decreased end in through the button hole slit.  

(Having read these instruction over several times, they make sense to me.  But, I am only one person.  If this sounds crazy and you want further assistance, don't hesitate to write a comment and I will get back to you.)

Checkerboard Variegated Throw

Ah, March.  After taking a break from the blog because of our move, I am finally posting  a new project. 

The Checkerboard Variegated Throw below I made for my sister to raffle-off to raise money for her Relay For Life team.  The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life raises money for Cancer Research. The region for this walk is Relay For Life of West Marion, and Lisa (a survivor!!!) has a team named: Breast Friends Forever (get it?).  If you would like to support this cause you are welcome to go to the website and make a contribution!

The idea for this throw came from the pattern Checkerboard Wrap by Laura Bryant, featured in Knitter's Magazine (I think December 2012, sorry my copy is packed away at the time of this writing).  The throw is worked with 3 strands of one variegated yarn which transitions into 3 strands of another.  The edge is finished with two rounds of single crochet in a contrasting color. Below are the photos followed by the pattern.  When finished the throw measures 40" x 63", is very soft and fluffy.

Checkerboard Variegated Throw

Materials: 

Size 35 needles

Color A:  3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun (Mixed Berries)

Color B:  3 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun (Ambrosia)

Color C:   1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun (Plum)

Special Notes:

1.        Because this project is worked with 3 strands of yarn I found it best to create center-pull balls for each skein.  This kept them from getting tangled and allowed me to easily use both ends of a ball of yarn (inside and outside), as needed.

2.       The checkerboard pattern for this throw is:   8 stitch repeat, altering knit and purl, for 8 rows. 

	-	Knit on RS, Purl on WS
	-	Purl on RS, Knit on RS

16
																	15
14
																	13
12
																	11
10
																	9
8
																	7
6
																	5
4
																	3
2
																	1

3          The Stripe Blends for this throw are: ("stripes" are a total of 24 Rows)

4	B	B	B
3	A	B	B
2	A	A	B
1	A	A	A

        For each stripe, hold 3 strands together and work the Checkerboard pattern for a total of 24 rows.  Color C is used for the boarder.

Instructions:

With 3 strands of Color A, cast on 48 stitches.

Stripe 1:  Work in Checkerboard pattern of 8K, 8P, 8K, 8P. 8K, 8P (six changes) with AAA for 24 rows.
My checkerboard is based on altering 8K and 8P stitches for 8 Rows.  Then in the 9th row I switch and knit the purl stitches and purl the knit stitches.  In the 10th row, repeat row 9 and follow this pattern for the 8 Rows.  And repeat this process throughout. 

Stripe 2:  Cut 1 strand A, join 1 strand of Color B and work pattern for 24 rows with AAB

Stripe 3:  Cut 1 strand A, join 1 strand of B, and work pattern for 24 rows with ABB

Stripe 4:  Cut 1 strand A, join 1 strand of B, and work pattern for 24 rows with BBB

To Finish: With Color C, crochet in 2 strands together, single- crochet stitch around the edge of the piece twice.