A Little Night Cap

Just before Christmas, a couple years ago, a friend of mine asked if I could make little scarves and caps for wine/liquor bottles. She was looking for a new way to present gifts of booze. Before I knew it, I'd made her 10 sets from scrap yarn. I tried to do straight stockinette stitch, but the curling was out of control, so I designed a little mock cable pattern that kept things straight. I think they turned out really cute!

Materials
Scrap yarn - worsted works best, but I made a few with sportweight and a few with Aran or heavier worsted.

Size 5 straight needles for the scarves
Size 5 DPN's for the hats
yarn needle and or crochet hook for pulling ends in

*the project is actually so small - 10 st across - that I worked the scarves back and forth on DPN's as well just to keep the project more portable.

Scarf 1

*RT - K2tog leaving stitches on needle. K 1st stitch, sl both stitches from needle

CO 10
row 1 - K3, P1, K2, P1, K3
row 2 - K1, P2, K1, P2, K1, P2, K1
row 3 - K3, P1, RT, P1, K3

rep rows 2&3 until piece measures 17"
BO in pattern

Scarf 2

CO 10
work K1,P1 rib until piece measures 17"
BO in rib

If stripes are desired, do them in 2 or 4 row increments and carry the unused color up the side rather than cutting yarn.

Scarf 3

CO 110, K until desired width is achieved.

Basic Hat

CO 30, distribute evenly over 3 needles (10 st on each needle)
Join, being careful not to twist work.
Work in K1, P1 rib for 5 rows.
K (st st) for 5 rows.

Dec row 1: K 1st 2 st tog, K to last 2 st on needle, K last 2 st tog. Repeat for each of 3 needles. (8 st on each needle)
Next row: work even

repeat last 2 rows until 2 st remain on each needle. K 2 st tog on each needle, knitting all three stitches onto one needle.

Work 3 st I-cord for approximately 12 rows.

sl 1st st, K2tog, pass second st under 1st. Cut yarn and pull through loop.
Tie a knot in the I-cord, close to the base. Pull excess yarn through to wrong side of work.

Hat Variation

Work as for basic hat, eliminating decreases. Continue in knit stitch for 5 more rows or until desired height is achieved. BO using a 3 needle bind-off. Attach a tassle to each of the 2 corners formed.

Variations:
-you could eliminate the I-cord and add a pom pom or tassle
- you could do the ribbing in a contrasting color
- you could turn it inside out and pull the I-cord through - achieving a sort of 'tam' effect
- any of the scarves could be fringed or not

BMC Wrist bag

This pattern was adapted from one originally found in Stitch 'N Bitch Nation by Debbie Stoller. I'd made a few of the bags following her directions, then made some alterations. Most notably, I added the applique and I made the bag slightly larger. This one can comfortably accommodate my camera, cell phone, notepad, credit card, license, a few bucks and a key chain. Not MY key chain, but a key chain.

BMC Wrist Bag

Materials
black worsted yarn - I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease. 1 skein will make several bags. I think it would work well with nylon, too, and intend to try that soon.

lime green worsted yarn - I used Sugar and Cream because the color was great. You'll just need a small amount of this.

knitting needles size 6

crochet hook size F

beading needle

yarn needle

sequins (green)

seed beads (peridot and amber)

silver beads with an opening wide enough to be strung onto yarn

alphabet beads and/or other charms (optional - mine says BMC, of course!)

4" black zipper

black thread

Bag
- with black yarn, cast on 28 stitches
- work 6 rows garter stitch (k each row)
- begin stockinette stitch (k on front, p on back)
- work even until piece measures 4 1/2 " from beginning (end on k row)
- k next row (on wrong side) this will form a nice fold
- k next row (on right side) - return to stockinette stitch
- when folded work hits garter stitch section, switch to garter stitch and work 6 rows.
- cast off

Lime Applique
- with green yarn and crochet hook, ch 3.
row 1: 5 hdc in 3rd ch from hook
row 2: ch 1, turn, 2 sc in each hdc
row 3: ch 2, turn. Hdc in 1st sc,* fpdc over hdc in row 1, skip next sc, hdc in next hdc* repeat from * to * across
row 4: ch 1, turn. *Sc in first st, 2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * across
row 5: ch 2, turn. Hdc in first 2 st, *fpdc over fpdc from row 3, hdc in next 2 st* repeat from * to * across.
Do NOT turn
work sc evenly across straight edge of applique, easing to fit. Work hdc in back loop only of round 5 as follows: *hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in next st* repeat from * to * across. End w/ slip stitch to first stitch.
cut yarn and pull through loop to secure


Assembling
Place applique on bag in desired position. Tack down neatly with green yarn and yarn needle.

Secure sequins around outer edge with peridot seed beads.

Randomly secure amber seed beads to areas between "spokes" on lime.

Using black yarn, sew or crochet side seams.

Carefully hand sew zipper into place using black thread.

Cut 3 30" lengths of black yarn - secure a knot 6" from one end. Braid tightly until braid measures 14". Draw through opening in zipper pull. Knot one end tightly to the other, forming a wrist loop. Bead silver beads and/or alphabet beads/charms onto each of the 6 loose strands. Varying the length of each a little bit adds charm. Perfection is overrated. Tie a knot securely after each bead has been strund and trim the yarn to your preferred length.

As always, this pattern is mine, so please - feel free to use it to your little hearts content, but don't make a profit from it.

Please contact me with any confusing directions or errata and I will address it (to the best of my ability) promptly.

Nannerpuss Amigurumi

A friend was enchanted by Denny's new spokesman and asked if I could knit her a Nannerpuss. I said I probably could, but I'd rather crochet one.

I added a thin gauge wire around each of the "peels" to make the Nannerpuss poseable. If you are making this toy for a young child, you would need to adapt this pattern by eliminating the wire and the googly eyes.

You can probably find yarn in your stash to make this project. You don't need to use "the good stuff" to make this project cute. Certainly a plus when you're making something on trend and just for giggles.

If you'd like to make one of your own, here's how I did it:

Nannerpuss Amigurumi
Materials needed:
About 1/2 skein Vanna's Choice baby in Duckie (or any worsted weight yarn in a banana-like color)

Small amount dark drown - also in worsted weight

Crochet hook size H

26 gauge wire

2 googly eyes

Small amount black felt

Small amount fiberfill stuffing

Craft glue

Directions:
With dark brown yarn, ch 2
Row 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook (work in the round - do not join work)
Row 2: 2 sc in each sc around. Break off dark brown.
Row 3: Attach yellow. 1 sc in back loop only of each sc
Row 4: (sc in next sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (18 sc)
Row 5: (sc in next 2 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (24 sc)
Row 6: sc in each sc around. Work even until piece measures approximately 5" from the beginning (or to desired length)

When desired length is reached, slip stitch in next stitch.

First "peel"
Row 1: ch 1, sc in front loop only of next 3 sc; ch 1; turn
Row 2: sc in each sc across; ch 1; turn (3 sc)
Rows 3-18: repeat row 2
Row 19: draw up a loop in each sc; yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook. Fasten off

Second through eighth "peel"
Attach yarn to main piece in next sc. Repeat directions for first "peel"

Base
with yellow, ch 2
Row 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook (work in the round - do not join work)
Row 2: 2 sc in each sc around
Row 3: (sc in next sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (18 sc)
Row 4: (sc in next 2 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (24 sc) Do not fasten off.

Stuff "nanner" section lightly with fiberfill. Position base right side up over opening. Slip st base to nanner, tucking in loose yarn ends as you go. Fasten off.

Hold wire along one "peel". Attach yellow yarn at base of same peel. Sc along edges, over the wire. Work up and down along each "peel". When you have gone around all eight peels, join yarn w/ slip st. Fasten off. Cut wire and twist it on itself (attach the beginning to the end). Weave wire through stitches along the base to conceal it. Weave in yarn ends.

Attach googly eyes (1 or 2 - your choice - Nannerpuss has been pictured both ways) with craft glue.

Cut a small moustache from black felt and attach with craft glue.

Pancakes
Materials Needed:
Lion Brand Cotton Ease - 1 skein each maize and almond

Crochet hook size H

Directions:
Holding one strand of each yarn together, ch 2

Row 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook (work in the round, do not join)
Row 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)
Row 3: (sc in next sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (18 sc)
Row 4: (sc in next 2 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (24 sc)
Row 5: (sc in next 3 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (30 sc)
Row 6: (sc in next 4 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (36 sc)
Row 7: (sc in next 5 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (42 sc)
Row 8: (sc in next 6 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (48 sc)
Row 9: (sc in next 7 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (54 sc)
Row 10: (sc in next 8 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (60 sc)
Row 11: (sc in next 9 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (66 sc)
Row 12: (sc in next 10 sc; 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (72 sc)

sl st in next st, fasten off

Make a second disc in the same manner. Hold the two discs together, wrong sides facing. Using one strand of ecru, join then through the inner loops only using reverse sc (crab stitch). Fasten off. Weave in any visible ends.

Make as many pancakes as you desire for Nannerpuss to perch upon. One skein of each of the yarns listed makes about 3.


I am relatively new to actually writing out a pattern, so please be gentle with me. Kindly point out any errata or areas of confusion in the comments and I will address them immediately. As always, this is my work. Please: personal use only. Thanks.