free pattern

Here are the directions for turning those freezer paper stenciled blocks into a toasty warm blankie. Of course, you are welcome to make up your own quilt pattern, too. Just a head's up, this isn't a step-by-step tutorial on how to quilt (I didn't take photos along the way and actually... this is a pretty old project, completed a couple cameras ago, so please forgive the photos ;) ... but I do have all the measurements and such that you will need to recreate the snowflake lap quilt. If you need more advice on how to quilt, check out our Quilting Basics Series or read over our Pinwheel Quilt Tutorial for help :)

Snowflake Freezer Paper Stenciled Lap Quilt... Finished size approx. 46" X 67"

Materials Needed:
FABRIC...
Navy A - 1/2yd
Navy B - 1/2yd
Navy C - 1/2yd
White - 1 2/3yd
Med Blue - 2 2/3yd

White Fabric Paint
Stencil Brush
Freezer paper
Batting
Embroidery Floss (gold)
Embroidery Floss (med blue - opt)
Embroidery Hoop
Thread to match
Snowflake Pattern (120%)
click here for tips on enlarging
---------------------------------------

Pre-Wash Fabric (very important!) Due to the high contrast of Navy and White I also used a 1/4 cup of vinegar when washing the blues to help color set the fabric. Remove fabric promptly from the dryer to reduce/eliminate wrinkles. Iron if needed.

Cutting Directions:

Medium Blue:
Cut Two Pieces 34.5" wide by 47" long for backing
Cut 15 squares 3" x 3"

Navy (each):
Cut 2 strips 9" x 42", then trim to eight 9" x 9" squares
(you need 24 Navy 9" x 9" squares total)

White:
Cut 2 strips 5" x 60"
Cut 2 strip 5" x 47"
Cut 7 strips 3" x 60" then trim strips to 3" x 9" (need 38)

Quilt Directions:

Stencil the Snowflake design on 12 of the Navy squares (4 of each color) following our Snowflake Stencil directions.

Assemble the quilt top following the pattern chart bellow using a 1/2" seam allowance (the stars represent the snowflakes).

Add backing and batting (you can follow the backing/batting directions from our Pinwheel Quilt pattern). You will need to sew the two pieces of medium blue together to make a backing large enough to fit (approx 68" x 47").

Use safety pins to hold the layers in place while you quilt.

Quilt around each snowflake with gold floss.

I also used a wax pencil and traced a snowflake in center of each plain navy square. (Very hard to see in photos!) I quilted the snowflake in those squares with navy thread.

I also used 6 stranded of blue embroidery floss to tie off the small medium blue squares and white floss to tie the border.

Now, grab a book, some steamy hot beverage, and snuggle under your new Snowflake Lap Quilt!

Hehe, this is one of those projects that didn't turn out exactly as I had planned... but totally has it's own charm about it. Of course the trolls add just the right factor of whimsy. There is just something about that hair with the fuzzy pouch...

I knitted up this purse project as a demo for a pattern I am planning for my knitting class, put it in the washer to felt and was then besides myself with giggles when it came out. BOY did it felt! Well it wasn't going to work for an adult or even a tween purse... but it was magically transformed into the perfect little treasure pouch. Pixie quickly found the perfect use for it. Unfortunately I forgot to snap a pre-felted photo.

Materials
size 10.5 needles
7 colors 100% wool worsted weight yarn (I used scrapes of several different brands)

Gauge = 3.75 sts per inch

CO 35 (work in stockinette stitch).
Work color A for 10 rows.
Work colors B, C, D, E, F for 8 rows each.
Work color G for 20 rows.
Work colors F, E, D, C, B for 8 rows each.
Work color A for 10 rows.
Bind off.
You should now have a long rectangle.
Fold over two rows on the top and bottom edges. Using the tail yarn, tack them down so that they are attached on the wrong side and that color A only appears 8 rows long on the right side. This will give the opening a slightly firmer edge.
Fold the rectangle in half in the middle of color G and sew up the sides.
Pick up 5 stitches on the top edge, near one of the side seams and knit an I-cord (or work in st st) for 40” (you don't actually need to work in an i-cord... because the st st curls... it will felt as an i-cord in the wash).
Bind off and attach the strap to other side.

Finished, sewn up but non-felted dimensions = approx 9” wide x 11” long.

Felted it ended up approx 6.5” wide  x 5.5” long with a 30” strap.

BTW - Those of you who have been following along with my knitting lessons will find some new lessons posted again after the holidays. We will learn a new way of casting on, some basic increase and decrease stitches for minor shaping, we will also learn about felting and how to dye our own yarn.

Have you been working on your knit blocks for your Block-Work hat? My kids are going to be completing the ones that they have been working on for the last couple weeks, this week in class. I've updated the pattern below to include all the finishing directions.

I designed this hat project as part of our Newbie Knitting series. It is purposefully made of many repeating blocks to help us review everything we have learned so far. This hat requires you to complete casting on, knitting, binding off and seaming multiple times. For this project you will need to make 4 rectangular blocks. Two will be completed in a solid color yarn, two in a multi-colored yarn.

It is a one size fits most.

Click here to add the Block-Work Hat to your Ravelry Queue.

Materials:
One skein Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Soft Worsted Prints Yarn and
one skein Deborah Norville Collection Everyday Soft Worsted Solid Yarn in a color to match
or 2 skeins of worsted weight yarn
size 8 needles
Yarn needle

Directions:
Cast On 40 stitches.
Knit 4 and 1/2 inches.
Bind Off. Leave yourself a 18-24" tail for seaming later.
(make 4 total, 2 solid color, 2 multi-color)

When you have completed all 4 blocks, sew them long sides together in a solid, multi, solid, multi pattern. Then sew the outside two seams together to form a complete a circle. Lay the hat flat and seam up the top edge. Make 2 pom-poms (click here for Pom-Pom making directions), one for each corner. Thread one of the long tie yarns from the pom-pom onto your yarn needle. Pull it through to the back. Do the same with the other tail. Flip the hat inside out and tie a knot to hold the pom-pom on. Trim the yarn, repeat for the other pom-pom. Flip the hat right side out and fold up the brim approximately an inch. Congrats on completing your first hat!

 

 

Newbie Knitting Lesson Four : Making Pom-Poms

If you are following along with our Newbie Knitting series you will need to make two pom-poms to complete your Block-Work Hat.

There are a couple different ways you can make pom-poms. I've included a pattern and directions for using a cardboard homemade pom-pom maker or using the Susan Bates Easy Pom-pom tool. The homemade, cardboard version works ok if you just need to make one or two, if you want to make a lot of pom-poms I would suggest buying a tool.

First print out the Pom-pom pattern (I used the medium template) or draw a circle about 1/2" to 3/4" larger than your desired Pom-pom. Draw a 3/4" circle in the middle and create a cut-away notch. Cut out two matching disks in cardboard. I used a cereal box but if you want to make several pom-poms you might want to use a more durable cardboard. (If you use corrugated cardboard, you can get away with using only one disk).

Cut out two yarn pieces about 12" long and center them between the two disks.

Holding everything together start wrapping the disks with your yarn at one end. A little triangle of cardboard at each end will not be covered. Wrap the whole thing tightly... I like to wrap about 3 layers... at this size, with worsted weight yarn approximately 140 times.

Once it is completely wrapped, trim the wrapping yarn even with the outside edge of the disks. Then tie the center yarn pieces into a loose knot.

Carefully slide the tip of your scissors in between the two disks and snip the wrapped yarn. Go all the way around. Be careful not to trim you cardboard. Tighten and double knot the center pull yarns

Carefully remove the cardboard disks.

Trim up any yarn strands that are sticking out further than the rest.

You can use the center pull yarn strands to attach your pom-pom to your knitwear. (Note my pom-pom below is a little anemic... I should have wrapped it a bit more but I was more worried about taking photos than counting my wraps. But you get the idea).

These directions go with the Susan Bates Easy Wrap Pom-pom Maker set.

Obviously, I'm using the pinkish colored disks. What you need to do is take them apart so you have 4 pieces and then set them up so that you have two facing sets... bumps to smooth side with the feet sticking out as pictured below.

Hold one pair together and start wrapping the yarn around. It is awkward at first, but gets easier after a few times around. For this size I like to wrap the yarn around about 70 times.

When you have completely wrapped the first set, cut the yarn and do the same for the second.

Once you have both sides ready, flip them over and look at the feet.

You need to slide one set of feet into the other to make a complete circle. One side will slip into the folded opposite side as seen below. (Note mine is pictured off centered just so you can see how they fit together better. You will want yours to line up straight).

Carefully slide you scissors in the grove between the disks and cut the yarn.

Once you have gone all the way around, slide two 12" pieces of yarn in between the disks and tie them tightly with a double knot.

Carefully removed the plastic pieces.

Trim up any bits that are sticking out too far.