Kristen Shanna

So...we are "celebrating" the first Christmas without my sister, who died of liver failure this summer.

I really can't believe the words I just typed.  I am still so stupefied.

...man, that is REALLY a good word for grief!  Stupefied:  What happened?!  What happened?!  How can this have happened?!  How can this be real?!

Grief is trying to bring back order from the chaos that remains in the wake of the hurricane that was her life and death.  It is overwhelming and confusing and hard.  It is very, very hard.

While she was dying, I became oddly obsessed with her feet.  I don't know what it was about her feet.  Perhaps it was just that everyone wanted to be up by her face, and her feet were out of the way.  I could stay there and be close and not feel like I was hogging up the last moments of her.

I had this image in my mind of a lady at the feet of Jesus. (It was probably a Mary.) She was weeping. She knew His death was imminent, and she poured out her heart upon him.…

Materials5 US size 10 ½ double pointed needlesUS size 10 ½ circular needles ( 24 inch)8 - 2 oz. rolls 100% cotton yarn (Shown in Peaches and Creme Pink Lemonade and Pink Lilacs)Stitch markers, if desired.
Gauge 3 stitches and 4 rows per inch

Finished Measurements 14 inches wide; 24 inches long (before adding straps)

Dress Knitting PatternKnit with two strands of yarn at once using double pointed needles. Cast on 70 stitches.Knit 22 rounds in stockinette stitch. Switch to circular needles.M1, k 35, m1, k to the end of the round.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k36, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k37, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k38, m1, k to end.Knit 4 roundsM1, k39, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k40, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds,M1, k 41, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k 42, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k 43, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k 44, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k 45, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k46, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds.M1, k47, m1, k to end.Knit 4 rounds. (96 stitches)P…

Materials

2 skeins Lamb’s Pride Bulky (85% wool/15% mohair), shown in Blue Skyways M-230 (3 skeins total if making gloves)

5 US size 10 ½ double pointed needles

Stitch markers, if desired


Gauge

4 ½ stitches per inch; 4 rows per inch




Knit Hat Pattern

Cast on 68 stitches. Knit 30 rounds in single rib stitch. Continue knitting in single rib. Begin decreasing:
K7, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k7, skspk2tog, k6 skspk2tog, k7, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k7, skspk2tog, k6, skspk2tog (60 stitches)*K6, k2tog, k5, k2tog* (52 stitches)*K5, k2tog, k4, k2tog* (44 stitches)*K4, k3tog, k3, k2tog* (36 stitches)*K3, k2tog, k2, k2tog* (28 stitches)*K2, k2tog, k1, k3tog* (20 stitches)*K1, k2tog, k2tog* (12 stitches)K2tog, knitting between needles as necessary (3 stitches)K2tog until 1 stitch remains

Cut yarn and draw through the loop to secure. Sew in loose ends.


* * These signs are used to designate areas to be repeated. Repeat the stitches from * to * until the end of the round.


Scarf Knitting Pattern

Cast on 16 stitches. Co…

I love using these small knit washcloths!  They fit right in the palm of my hand.  The cloths work great as coasters, since they absorb condensation from iced drinks.  They also make cute gift sets when tied up in a bundle.


Materials
100% cotton yarn
US size 2 needles





Small Washcloth Knitting Pattern
Cast on 30 stitches.Knit in garter stitch for 6 rows.Begin knitting in stockinette stitch: Knit one row, Purl one row with a 4 stitch border on each edge (K4, purl until 4 remain, K4).Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for a total of 35 rows.Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.Bind off.
Explanations

Garter stitch: knit every rowStockinette stitch: knit one row, purl the next, repeatK = knit, P = purl

When I first found out about Sophia's conception, I knew the pregnancy was going to require a serious prayer battle. Karla, who had a history of miscarriage, was already spotting. My heart ached. I'd had four miscarriages myself, and I didn't want Karla to have to go through another one.
I knew this baby was worth the battle, but I had no idea how hard we would have to fight. When precious Sophia was finally born, her doctors discovered she had a serious heart malformation (tetralogy of fallot). She had to have open-heart surgery as a newborn, and she faced two more in her lifetime.
As she and her parents spent many weeks in the hospital, I prayed over them daily. One night, it dawned on me that I HAD to knit Sophia a blanket, and I HAD to have it done by the time she came home. I went to the knitting store and found the softest, prettiest yarn and an intensely soft backing material. It was an overly…

Free Knitting Pattern in Scalloped Pattern(Print Now)

Perfect to hold your soap and hang in the shower, this scrubbie is also designed to fit on your hand. It makes a very versatile gift!





Materials

US Size 7 needles
Cotton Yarn, such as Lily Sugar and Cream



Scalloped Pattern:
P2, *s1, k2, psso*, p2.
K2, *p1, yo, p1*, k2.
P2, *k3, p2*, p2
K2, *p3, k2,* k2









Knitting Pattern
Cast on 52 stitches.Repeat scalloped pattern 11 times.Knit 10 rows SS.Bind off.Make a loose crochet chain about 35 stitches (or a 10 inch i-cord). Add tassles to the ends of the tie. Weave the tie into the open spaces of the top scalloped pattern.




Abbreviations/Explanations
* * - Repeat from * to * until the last two stitches.s - slip stitch knitwise (See video instruction.)psso - pass slipped stitch over (video)yo - yarn over (video)

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver brand, or similar gauge (Gauge on package is 17 sts and 23 rows to 4 inches with size 8 needles.)
Checkers Board Knitting Pattern: 1. Using mc, cast on 50 stitches. 2. K7 mc, k6cc, *k6 mc, k6 cc,* repeat once, k6 mc, k7 cc. 3. P7 cc, p6 mc, *p6 cc, p6 mc,* repeat once, p6 cc, p7 mc. 4. Repeat rows 2 and 3 three times. 5. Switch color positions. Knit in cc over mc and in mc over cc. Knit in SS for 4 rows. 6. Switch colors every 5th row six more times. (You will have 8 rows of squares.) 7. Bind off in blue.

Checkers Board Borders 1. With wrong side facing, pick up 49 stitches across top of work. 2. P 1 row. 3. K 5 rows. 4. Bind off. 5. Repeat steps 1-4 at the bottom of the work. 6. With wrong side facing, pick up 48 stitches on the side of work, (including 4 per edge at top and bottom borders). P 1 row. K 5 rows. Bind off.








Checkers Board Backing: 1. Cast on 50 stitches. 2. Knit in SS for 76 rows. 3. Bind off.











Finishing: Tuck in loose ends. Sew backing to t…

Knit Flat with Seam(Print Now) 

I had a lovely ball of Cascade Superwash yarn just sitting in a basket with no purpose.  Fortunately, I found this lovely pattern for a newborn sweater.  Written by Kelly Brooker, the Puerperium Cardigan pattern is available for free on ravelry.

Of course, once I had completed the sweater, I realized my little guy would need a matching hat.  So, I wrote this simple pattern to be completed on straight needles (or knit flat with circulars…my favorite!).

Happy Newborn Knitting!

Materials

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade 220 Superwash Sport wool yarn (or yarn with same gauge)

Needles:  1 pair US size 5, 1 pair US size 3

Stitch Markers
Gauge: 22 sts/4 in. – SS


Newborn Hat Knitting Pattern
CO 68 sts., using size 3 needles.K garter stitch 6 rows.Change to size 5 needles.  K SS until work measures 4 in., starting with a purl row.

Begin Decrease:*K6, k2tog, PM, K7, k2tog, PM.* Repeat * to * across row. (Obviously, no m…

(Print Now)
Materials 1-2 skeins Lamb’s Pride Bulky yarn (85% wool/15% mohair), shown in Blue Skyways M-230 (3 skeins total if making the hat and scarf)
5 US size 10 ½ double pointed needles
1-3 stitch holders

Stitch Markers, if desired
Gauge 4 ½ stitches per inch; 4 rows per inch
Glove Knitting Pattern (Make two alike.)
Cast on 20 stitches. Divide stitches between four needles. Knit in the rib stitch for 10 rounds.

Begin increase, using m1 option 1:
M1, k10, m1, k10 (22 stitches)M1, k11, m1, k11 (24 stitches)Knit two straight rounds.M1, k12, m1, k12 (26 stitches)M1, k13, m1, k13 (28 stitches)Knit two straight rounds.M1, k14, m1, k14 (30 stitches)M1, k15, m1, k15 (32 stitches)Knit two rounds straightM1, k16, m1, k16 (34 stitches)M1, k17, m1, k13 (36 stitches)

Separate last 4 stitches of the last needle and the first 4 stitches of the first needle for the thumb. Join remaining stitches together. Knit 5 rounds. Shift all stitches onto 2 needles (or stitch holders…

(Print Now)

I designed and knit these leg warmers with a vintage yarn. Be sure to choose a yarn and needle size that matches gauge. DK weight on US 5-7 needles or Sport Weight on US 3-5 needles should work.

Guage: 6 stitches and 10 rows per inch
Yarn: One skein each of three colors.
Abbreviations/Explanations
M1: Make one stitch.
SS: Stockinette Stitch (*knit one row, purl the next,* repeat).
Rib: Knit one stitch. Purl one stitch. Repeat across the row. (Purl one, knit one across the back of the work.)

Leg Warmers Knitting Pattern (make two)
CO 56 stitches.K in rib for 14 rows.Next row: Knit 14, m1,k28, m1, k14.Knit 11 rows in SS (starting wi th a purl row, since you just knit a row).K14, m1, k29, m1, k15.Continue increasing every 12th row, following the succession below: K15, m1, k30, m1, k15. K15, m1, k31, m1, k16. K16, m1, k32, m1, k16. K16, m1, k33, m1, k17 K17, m1, k34, m1, k17 K17, m1, k35, m1, k18 K18, m1, k36, m1, k18 K18, m1, k37, m1, k19 Knit 14…