Friday, January 3, 2014

Kids' Star Cowl

Kids' Star Cowl

The last time I went to the knitting store, my four-year-old got on my case about wanting a new scarf (it's been like two months since I knit him anything, so he's getting antsy). And after an agonizingly long twenty minutes during which he attempted to pick out every novelty yarn in the store (including some sort of weird, Packers-colored ribbon stuff), he finally settled on this green cotton. So it's a bit dark to show off the pattern well, but it's better than the alternatives (I promise!). Of course, the next fight involved getting him to agree to a relatively simple pattern ("no, dear, I can't knit a zebra"), and after about four trial runs on the design itself, this star was born. As you can probably tell from the picture, many of the increases and decreases are embedded in the purl fabric, which disrupts it slightly. Stay tuned for a more adult version of this same star riff, as I'm working out a more elegant way to incorporate those same increases and decreases.

Sizes: Ages 2 - 6 (Ages 6 - 12)

Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream (100% Cotton; 120 yards [109 meters]/70.9 grams); #16 Dark Pine – one skein (two skeins)
The star.
Once again, I apologize for the picture quality.
Children were involved.

Needles: 16" circular needle in size 8 (20" circular needle in size 8)

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette 

Cast on 90 (105) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Knit three rows in a k1, p1 ribbing and then we'll move on to the main pattern, for which you'll need the following notation:

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again. Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together

lt (left twist): with right-hand needle behind left-hand needle, skip one stitch and knit the second stitch in back loop; then insert right-hand needle into the backs of both stitches and k2tog-b (knit two together through back loops, inserting right needle from the right)

And now that we're edified, let's get knitting!

Row 1: purl

Row 2: * p3, k1, p7, k1, p3; rep from *

Row 3: * p3, (k1, yo, k1) in next stitch, p3tog, p1, p3tog, (k1, yo, k1) in next stitch, p3 *

Row 4: * p3, k3, p3, k3, p3 *

Row 5: * p1, pfb, p1, k2, ssk, p1, k2tog, k2, p1, pfb, p1 *

Row 6: * p4, k3, p1, k3, p4 *

Row 7: * p3, rt, k1, (slip 1 stitch, [k2tog and leave the two stitches on needle, yo, and then knit the same two together and slide all stitches from needle], and then pass the slipped stitch over your three new stitches), k1, lt, p3 *

Row 8: * p3, k9, p3 *

Row 9: * p2tog, rt, k3, (k1, yo, k1) in next stitch, k3, lt, p2tog *

Row 10: * p1, k13, p1 *

Rows 11 and 12: * p5, k5, p5 *

Row 13: * p1, pfb, p3, ssk, k1, k2tog, p3, pfb, p1 *

Row 14: * p6, k3, p6 *

Row 15: * p1, pfb, p4, sl1-k2tog-psso, p4, pfb, p1

Row 16: purl

Repeat rows 1 - 16 twice (three times), and then knit three more rows in a k1, p1 ribbing. Bind off loosely in your ribbing pattern, as this will keep your bound-off edge from sagging outwards. Tuck in ends.


8 comments:

  1. In row 7 ...what do you mean "knit these same two together" ?? What same two ???
    I did the slip stitch, then K2tog, then I did a YO, (that is 2 stitches) ...how do you get the new 3rd stitch ??
    Great pattern

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello! I agree that this stitch is complicated to describe, so let me try again. First, you slip 1 stitch. Then you k2tog and yarn over, and then knit through the same 2 stitches that you already knit together, which will create three stitches from the original two that you knit together. Then you pass that slipped stitch over those three stitches you created from the two. Does that make any more sense? :)

      Delete
    2. Hummm, I tried and nope...I get 1 soo..here's what I did...
      K2tog (makes one stitch) then did a YO, (makes one stitch) both are now all on the right needle now, where are the 2 stitches that I should knit thru ? ... To make the 3rd ... Thank you for helping ...I really want to get this :)
      Kat

      Delete
    3. Hi Kat! Okay, so you knit 2 together and then yarned over. See those same two stitches that you just performed the k2tog on? Knit the same two stitches together again to get your third stitch. And writing this all out, I know exactly what I'm missing in my instructions - to leave the two stitches from your k2tog on your needle! I will update the pattern. And if this still isn't making sense, I'll try to post a video. I'll need a bit longer to get that done, though :)

      Delete
    4. SUCCESS, SUCCESS :) Thank you :) it was the information I needed...leaving the stitches on the left needle to complete the whole stitch makes 3 :) wahoo My little 7 year friend will get her Xmas gift :) Thank you ..it worked :)

      Now I'm gonna try some of your lovely hats, the colorful slipped stitch pattern (haven't done slip stitching knitting ), thank you again for your quick responses and help. GREAT SITE
      Kat

      Delete
    5. Oh phew! I'm glad I found a better way to explain myself - sometimes I just have to read something over a bunch of times before I realize what it's missing :) And I apologize for my incomplete instructions to begin with.

      Also - slipping stitches is a super fun way to do color work. I think you'll like it! And, as always, let me know if you have any questions about or problems with any of my patterns. I'm always happy to help!

      Delete
  2. Gretchen, you have been communicating with me about the Sailor's Rib Cowl and designing a fingerless glove and cap for me. I want to knit this cowl for my grandson. I am reading the comments. Hopefully you have worked out the bugs. LOL - I'll let you know how I do with this pattern.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I have! And by all means, let me know. :)

      Delete