Valentine's Hearts Cardigan

The ruffle is from the heart-motif cardigan by Zoe Mellor, which comes from an amazing book called Adorable Knits for Tots. The method for attaching the sleeves to the cardigan and the decreasing formula are taken straight from the wisdom of guru Elizabeth Zimmerman's book Knitting Around. So here is my almost entirely seamless no nonsense fair isle cardigan. Enjoy.

Valentine's Hearts Cardigan

Gauge:
20 sts =5 inches and 23 rows=4 inches

Materials:
size 5 circular or straight knitting needle(s)
size 5 dpn's
yarn darner
stitch markers
MC 1.5 skeins Cascade 220 Superwash (red)
CC 0.5 skeins Elann superwash worsted (cream)

Abbreviations:
pm-place marker
skpo-slip, knit, passed slipped stitch over
psso-pass slipped stitch over
yo-yarn over

Size and Measurements:
1-2 years old, Chest 24”, Total length 12”, Sleeve length (from armpit) 9”.

Body:
with CC co 240 sts
Row 1: P.
Row 2: [P3, skpo, k3, k2tog] to end.
Row 3: K all k sts and p all p sts.
Row 4: [P3, skpo, k1, k2tog] to end.
Row 5: As 3rd row
Row 6: [P3, sl 1, k2tog, psso] to end
Row 7: K3, p1 to end

Switch to MC
Buttonhole row: K1, p1, yo, p2tog, k1, (pm), k to last 5 sts, (pm), k1, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 9: P1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k to last five sts. P1, k1, p1, k1, p1.
Row 10: K1, p1, k1, p1, k to last four sts, p1, k1, p1, k1.
Repeat rows 9 and 10 placing a buttonhole row every 8th row, until piece measures 7” or to desired length to the armpit.
Last row: (armhole bind-off) K 20, bo sts 4, K 44, bo 4 sts, 24

Sleeves: (Make 2)
with CC and dpn's co 60 sts
join yarn being careful not to twist
Round 1: Knit.
Round 2: [P3, skpo, k3, k2tog] to end.
Round 3: K all k sts and p all p sts.
Round 4: [P3, skpo, k1, k2tog] to end.
Round 5: As 3rd row
Round 6: [P3, sl 1, k2tog, psso] to end
Round 7: P3, k1, to end

Switch to MC
K around for four rounds
Kfb at the beginning and end of every fourth and sixth rounds respectively until you have increased five times.
Work sleeve to desired lower armpit length
Last round: K to last two sts, b.o. two sts and next two sts of beginning of next round.

Joining sleeves to body
Note: Make sure to continue working seed st for first and last five sts of body and buttonholes every eighth row throughout

Work 5 sts seed sts, K to first armhole bo, begin knitting live sts on first sleeve to body, k to next armhole bind off, add second sleeve and k to marker, 5 rows seed st.

Yoke
Work 2 rows of MC even
work fair isle pattern incorporating decreases as follows:

Decreases
Row 4, Dec 1: K2, K2 tog to end
Row 10, Dec 2: K1, K2 tog to end

Fair Isle Pattern (six stitch repeat):

cc	cc	mc	mc	cc	cc	12
cc	cc	mc	mc	cc	cc	11
mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	10
mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	9
mc	cc	cc	mc	cc	cc	8
mc	cc	cc	cc	cc	cc	7
mc	mc	cc	cc	cc	mc	6
mc	mc	mc	cc	mc	mc	5
mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	4
mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	mc	3
cc	cc	mc	mc	cc	cc	2
cc	cc	mc	mc	cc	cc	1

Work four or five more rows of stockinette stitch

Dec 3: K2, K2 tog to end

Collar:
Row 1: With CC only, continue seed st on to marker, K to next marker, work seed stitch to end
Rows 2-5: Work seed stitch to end incorporating one last buttonhole on third round
b.o. All stitches in seed st pattern.

Asian Inspired Cold Pasta Salad Recipe

Asian Inspired cold pasta salad

1 carrot, cut like match sticks
2 stalks celery sliced thinly on the diagonal
1 cucumber, deseeded and cut in match sticks
2 green onions, thinly sliced
½ cup slivered almonds, toasted*
¼ cup sesame seeds, toasted
1 pound meat, marinated (recipe follows), grilled, and cut into small strips
1 pound thin whole wheat spaghetti or soba
Dressing (recipe follows)

Marinade
2 tbs rice vinegar
4 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs sesame oil
2 tbs Oyster sauce

Dressing
4 tbs. sesame oil
6 tbs. soy sauce
6 tbs. lemon juice
8 tbs. teriyaki sauce
4 tbs. rice vinegar

Method:
Marinade meat over night; chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu will work. If you are using shrimp, you don’t need to cut the shrimp, just add it whole.
Cook past according to directions. Rinse well in cold water and drain well. Cut pasta, I use a pair of cooking scissors and cut it right in the bowl. Add all veggies and toss. Add dressing. Grill meat and cut into strips and add to salad. Refrigerate if desired, but allow to warm a bit before serving. Add more dressing if needed.

*To toast nuts, use a frying pan with no oil added. Turn heat to med/high. Add nuts and shake pan constantly until nuts are light brown. Do not leave pan unattended! Nuts will burn fast and they brown within a few minutes. Sesame seeds brown especially fast and taste disgusting when they burn. Can you tell, I’ve had experience with this?

Summer petals cardigan from Summer Interweave Crochet

Spanish Dancer

Top down cotton girls' dress

Size
10 child

Yarn
MC: 8.5 skeins patons grace, (50 grams) black
CC: 2 skein patons grace, (50 grams) red

Gauge
22 sts and rows =4”

Tools
• size 2 (2.75 mm) 29”circular needle
• size 1 (2.25 mm) 29” circular needle
• crochet hook size D (3.25 mm)
• yarn needle
• stitch markers


With MC, C.O. 88 stitches, join being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark beginning of row.

Neckband
Row 1: K1 P1 around for 1”

Raglan Increases
Row 1: K22, pm, K22, pm, K22, pm, K22, pm
Row 2: K to one stitch before marker Kfb, sm, Kfb, repeat around to marker
Row 3: K
Repeat row 2 and 3 41 times, OR until armhole depth is deep enough to fit under armpits (mine measured 8 ½ “ from neck ribbing to bottom of armpit)
End at the beginning of any stitch marker.

Divide for Sleeves

Leaving stitch marker in place, Slip stitches between two markers onto scrap yarn, remove one stitch marker, leaving one remaining, K to next marker, Slip stitches between two markers onto scrap yarn, remove one stitch marker, leaving one last stitch marker to mark beginning of row.

Count your stitches. You should have a multiple of four. If not, decrease or increase stitches evenly around until you have a multiple of four stitches. Continue knitting in the round until top is at desired length to begin the waist. In example, I began waist ribbing when piece measured 11” from neckband. End at a stitch marker.


Waistband
Begin K2, P2 ribbing around for 2 ½”

Skirt
Row 1: Kfb around
Row 2: K around for 2 ½”
Row 3: Purl around
Row 4: K for 3”
Row 5: P around
Repeat row 4 and 5 three times more, or until desired length.

B.O. loosely in purl.

Skirt edging
Row 1: With CC, join with a sl st, ch 1, Sc 296 sts around (or a multiple of 8 stitches) , join with a sl st
Row 2: Chain 5, sk3, *dc 3 ch2 dc3 in next st, ch2, sk3, dc in next st, ch 3* repeat *to* around. (37 shells)



For other ruffles
With right side facing, using every other free loop from purl rows, follow the same method for bottom ruffle, except, for every single dc, on the last loop through, bring the crochet hook through the dress and pull the last loop through. This makes sure the ruffle doesn't flare up and lies flat.

Sleeves (make 2)
Row 1:With MC, b.o. all stitches
Row 2: with CC, sl st, ch 1, sc 64 sts around, join with sl st
Row 3: *sk 3 sts, 6 dc in next sc, sk 3 sts, sc in next st* repeat * to * around, join with sl st to last dc. (8 shells)

Flower
I used the flower from this pattern. http://crochetme.com/patterns/rose-choker

Sew underarms if needed.

Weave in all ends.

Lexi

Lexi
Top down girl’s raglan ruffled top

Size
8/10 child
Finished bust approximately 26”

Yarn
MC:1 skein Caron Simply Soft 7oz (366 yards), purple
CC: 1 skein Caron Simply Soft 7oz (366 yards), white

Gauge
14 sts and 18 rows =4”

Tools
• size 4 (3.5 mm) 24”circular needles
• size 4 (3.5 mm) dpn (if not using magic loop method)
• yarn needle
• stitch markers
• two stitch holders

With CC, C.O. 68 stitches, join being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark beginning of row.

Neckband
Row 1: P
Row 2: K
Repeat 1 and 2 and then 1 again

Raglan Increases
Switch to MC
Row 1: K17, pm, K17, pm, K17, pm, K17, pm
Row 2: K to one stitch before marker Kfb, sm, Kfb, repeat around to marker
Row 3: K
Repeat row 2 and 3 13 times

Divide for Sleeves

Leaving stitch marker in place, Slip 43 stitches onto stitch holder (you don’t really have to count, the stitches are already marked from your markers you used to increase), K to next marker, Slip 43 stitches onto stitch holder and leave last stitch marker to mark beginning of row.

Continue knitting in the round until top is at desired length to begin the waist.

Waistband
Switch to CC
Row 1: (K4, P2, K4) around to last 4 sts, P2 tog, P2 tog
Row 2: (K4, P2) around
Row 3: (Cn2F, P2) around
Row 4-6: Repeat row 2
Row 7: (Cn2B, P2) around
Row 8-9: Repeat row 2

Repeat until 4 full cables have been made, ending with row 7
Repeat row 2 once more

Switch to MC
Next row: Kfb around to marker
K around until one inch from desired total length

Ruffle
Switch to CC
Row 1: P
Row 2:(Kfb, M1) around
Row 3-5: K
Bind off in purl with needle at least two sizes larger (I used size 9)


Sleeves (make 2)
Row 1:With MC, K1 round
Row 2: (K6, K2tog) around to last three sts, K3
Switch to CC
Row 3: (K4, P2) five times, K4, P2tog, P2tog
Row 4: (K4, P2) around
Row 5: (Cn2F, P2) around
Row 6-7: Repeat row 4
Row 8: (Cn2B, P2) around
Row 9-10: Repeat row 4
Row 11: Repeat row 5
Row 12: Repeat row 4
Bind off with needle at least two sizes larger (I used size 9)

Sew underarms if needed.

Weave in all ends.

Navite

Navite
Top down girls’ raglan striped dress.

Sizes
2 (4, 6, 8, 10) Shown in size 10

Yarn
MC:1 skein Caron Simply Soft 7oz (366 yards), navy
CC: 1 skein Caron Simply Soft 7oz (366 yards), white

Gauge
14 sts and 18 rows =4”

Tools
• size 4 (3.5 mm) 24”circular needles
• size 4 (3.5 mm) dpn (if not using magic loop method)
• yarn needle
• stitch markers
• two stitch holders

With MC, C.O. 63 (63, 70, 70, 78) stitches, join being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark beginning of row.

Neckband
Work 4 (4, 6, 6, 8) rows of garter stitch

Divide for raglan
(switch colors, from this point on, work two rows of each color unless otherwise noted)
K11 (11, 13, 13, 14) sts, pm, K21 (21, 22, 22, 25) sts, pm, K11 (11, 13, 13, 14) sts, pm, K21 (21, 22, 22, 25) sts

Row 1: *K to one st before marker, Kfb, sm, Kfb* repeat from * to *around

Row 2: K around

Repeat rows 1 and 2 3(5,4, 5, 5) times, then continue knitting until armhole slant measures 4, 4.75, 5.5, 5.75, 6”) from beginning of raglan increases, do not remove stitch markers

Divide for sleeves
Slip 17 (21, 21, 23, 24) stitches onto stitch holder (you don’t really have to count, the stitches are already marked from your markers you used to increase), leave one stitch marker to mark right side, K to next marker, Slip 17 (21, 21, 23, 24) and leave one stitch marker to mark left side.

Continue knitting in the round in color pattern. If your child has a small waist, you may which to make waist decreases, otherwise, skip to waist band instructions.

Waist decreasing
Row 1: K to 2sts before marker, K2tog, sm, ssk, repeat once more.

Row 2: K around

Waist band
When top measures 6.5 (7.5, 8.5, 10.5, 12)” begin waist

Switch to MC
Row 1: K around
Row 2: P around

Repeat row 2 until waist band measures 1 (1, 1.5, 1.5, 2)”

Next Row: K around

Skirt
Switch to CC

Kfb around
Continue knitting around in color pattern until skirt is 2” shorter than final desired length.

Switch to MC
K 4 rows
Work 6 rows of garter stitch, bind off in purl stitch.

Sleeves (make 2)
With MC, K1 round
Work 4 rows of garter stitch, bind off in purl.

Sew underarms if needed.

Weave in all ends.

Scarlet twists

Free cabled sweater
Scarlet Twists

Sizes
32 (36, 40, 44) Picture shown shows a size 40” with about 4 inches of negative ease.

Yarn
Elann superwash worsted (50 grams/1.76 oz) 45296 Candy Cane Red: 7(9,11,13) skeins

Gauge
Two rows of horseshoe pattern 4” on larger sized needles

Tools
• size 5 32”circular needles
• size 3 32” circular needles or dpn’s
• yarn needle
• cable needle (cn)
• two stitch holders
• closure (zipper, snaps, or buttons)

Special Stitches
CNB: Sl 3 sts to cn and hold to back, k3, k3 from cn
CNF: Sl 3 sts to cn and hold to front, k3, k3 fron cn

Yoke Pattern (worked over 40 stitches)

Row 1 and 5 K2, P2, K12, P2, K4, P2, K12, P2, K2
Row 2, 4, 6 and 8 P2, K2, P12, K2, P4, K2, P12, K2, P2
Row 3 K2, P2, 3CNB, 3CNF, P2, 2CNB, P2, 3CNB, 3CNF, P2, K2
Row 7 K2, P2, K12, P2, 2CNB, P2, K12, P2, K2

Horseshoe Pattern (for body)
worked over 14 sts
Row 1 and 5 P2, K12 across to last 2 sts, P2
Row 2, 4, 6 and 8 K2, P12 across to last 2 sts, K2
Row 3 P2, 3cnf, 3cnb, repeat to last two sts, P2

Sleeve pattern
Row 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 P3, K4, P3, K12 repeat around
Row 3 P3, 2cn back, P3, 3CNF, 3CNB around
Row 5 P3, 2 cn back, P3, K12

Yoke
Cast on 40 stitches with larger sized needles. Work yoke pattern until piece measures 33 (35, 37, 39) cast off in pattern

Body
Beginning at side seam, with larger circular needle, pick up 226 (254, 282, 310) sts )
14 (16, 18, 20) horseshoes

Divide for Sleeves
Setup Row (ws) K2, P12, repeat 3 (4, 4, 5) times, place 28 sts on stitch holder, K2, P12, 6 (6, 8, 8) times, place 28 sts on stitch holder, K2, P12 to last two sts, K2

Row 1 (rs) P2, K12, 3(4, 4, 4) times cast on 14 (14, 14, 28) sts, P2, K12, 6 (6, 8, 8) times, cast on 14 (14, 14, 28) sts, P2, K12 across to last 2 sts, P2
Row 2 K2, P12 across to last 2 sts, K2

Repeat rows 1 and 2 working in horseshoe pattern until piece measures 14.5 (15.5, 16, 16.5”) OR 1.5 inches less than desired length.

Ribbing
Switch to smaller needles. P2 K2 around, continue until ribbing is 1.5” or desired length.

Arms
Slide arm stitches onto larger needles. Pick up an and additional 38 (60, 60, 60) sts

Place marker to mark beginning of row
Row 1 P3, K4, P3, K12 around
Repeat until you have five horseshoes

Next row
P1, P2tog, K4, P1, P2tog, K12 around to marker

Next row
P2, K4, P2, K12 around
Repeat until 8 horseshoes have been made

Next row
P2tog, K4, P2tog, K12 around

Next row
P1, K4, P1, K12 around
Repeat until 11 horseshoes have been made

Next row
K2tog around

Ribbing
K2, P2 around until ribbing is 2”
Bind off in pattern.

Button Band
Beginning in top right corner, pick up 56 (60, 62, 64)
Sizes 32, 36, and 44
Row 1 K2, P2 to end
Row 2 P2, K2 to end
Repeat until band measures 2”

Size 40
Row 1 K2, P2 to last 2 sts, K2
Row 2 P2, K2 to last 2 sts, P2

Repeat for left corner, adding button holes if desired.

Neck
Beginning in corner of yoke, pick up one st every other space.
Row 1 K2 tog around
Row 2, 4, 6 P around
Row 3, 5, 7 K around
Row 8 P2 K2 around
Bind off all sts in pattern

Weave in all ends

Add closure desired (buttons, zipper, hook and eye, etc)