I-Cord Softie Toy Tutorial

I-Cord Softie Toy Tutorial

 

Take the i-cord straps from your Button Knot Bib (free pattern) or make quantity 3, four (4) stitch, 9" long i-cords.  

(Another option for the i-cord straps is to use a simple knitting machine such as the Embellish-Knit!.  You will make each cord separately, the desired length.  I have a video tutorial and a written tutorial on how to use the Embellish Knit machine for i-cord.)

 

They can be the same color or different colors.  I have used orange, purple and yellow/green.

Step 1.  If you are using the straps from the Bib, then untie the knots at both ends of one of the i-cords.

If you are knitting i-cords, you can just follow the directions from the free pattern, or another option is to use a simple knitting machine such as the Embellish-Knit!.

Step 2. Fold the i-cord in half and re-tie the ends in an overhand knot so that a loop is formed.

       

Step 3.  Insert the second strap with knots at each end through the loop.

 

Step 4.  Tie the third strap or i-cord around the upper third of first i-cord loop (which has formed the "body" of the toy).  These photos show the front and back of the toy.

Now you are finished!!  I attached some novelty yarn at the top to give my toy some wild hair!  You could use leftover scraps of yarn or anything soft to decorate your toy.  Embroider eyes, spots, etc. and away you go!  For safety, please do not sew on buttons or other small objects until your child is old enough not to put things in their mouth and possibly choke

       

Free Pattern: Button Knot Bib or Wash Cloth and Softie Toy? You Decide!!

Knot Just Another Cute Knitted Bib!, the Button Knot Bib:  The Bib That Grows with Baby.

Free Knitted Bib Pattern

I wrote out the directions for the bib for my knitting group and I will share them with you. 

Copyright © Catherine M. Ford July 2007. This pattern may be shared at no cost providing this copyright notice remains intact. It may not be sold, nor may the finished product be sold without prior permission of the author. Images on this page are copyright Catherine M. Ford, 2007.

 

Button “Not” this Bib.  Use the Knots as Buttons to attach the straps, untie when you are finished using it as a bib and you have a cloth that is useful in the kitchen or the bath and a new softie toy for your baby.  Kind of like lost money found!

Here is the tutorial for making a toy from the bib straps. 

 

The Bib that Grows into to a Wash cloth for the Kitchen or the Bath and  a Little Bit More!

 

OVERVIEW:

A garter stitch bib with a visually complex pattern that is easy to master.

This is a great project for the new knitter who wants a quick project that teaches them a few new techniques, has a life after baby has “grown-up”, and lends itself to being made in any combination of colors.

For the experienced knitter it’s a quick baby present and it "grows" as your baby does as it “transforms” into a cloth for either the bath or the kitchen. For an extra treat, the straps turn into a softie toy!   Most knitters know that nicely knitted cloth lasts a long time, much longer than a baby needs a bib, so the Button Knot Bib is the perfect solution.

 

SIZE: One  

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:

Bib:  Approximate, 8”wide, 7” length or “high”
Straps:  9" prior to knots being tied.  Length will vary depending on how tight knots are tied.

MATERIALS :

[MC] Tahki Cotton Classic [100%cotton; 108yd/100m per 50g skein] ½  skein or 45 yards/20grams approx. for bib

[CC1] Tahki Cotton Classic [100% cotton; 108yd/201m per 50g skein] ½  skein 45 yards/20grams approx. for bib

*[CC2]  Optional Tahki Cotton Classic  [100% cotton; 108yd/201m per 50g skein] 12-15 yds/5 grams approx. for straps

Tahki Cotton Classic can be machine washed in warm water and dried in the dryer for this application.

(A good source for Tahki Cotton Classic  is Yarnware.com)
*Note:  CC1 can be used for the i-cord straps instead of a third color (CC2).  The straps will contrast with the top band which is knitted in the MC.

US #6/4mm needles, Straight or circular needles may be used

US #6/4mm DPN for i-cord.  Circular needle can be used as substitute for dpns in this application

Tapestry needle

 

GAUGE:

20sts/19 garter rib rows = 4 inches/10cm in garter stitch.  Note:  20 garter ribs  = 4” (they are easier to count than garter rows.  A garter rib is 2 rows of garter stitch.)
Gauge is not critical for this project but you will want to be somewhat in the ballpark so that the bib comes out the size you want it to.

 

PATTERN STITCH:  8 Rows

With MC Rows 1 and 2: K

With CC1 Row 3 (K1, Sl 1 wyib)* to last st, K1.  Be sure to slip the stitch from the left needle to the right needle purlwise so as not to twist the stitch.

Row 4, (when you are returning, you will knit the stitches you knitted in Row 3 and slip the stitches you slipped in Row 3.)  (K1, S1 wyif)* to the last st, K1

Do not break yarn while working the stripes; simply strand the yarn up the side of your work.  You will be switching colors every other row except at the bottom (before CC1 is tied on)  and top of the bib after you are finished with CC1).  It will make for a nice clean edge. 

With MC Row 5-6 K

W CC1 Row 7-8 K

 

DIRECTIONS for Bib:

With MC, CO 41 sts.  (if you are altering the pattern, an odd # of stitches must be used for the pattern stitch to work)

Row 1-3, K, (garter stitch)

Tie on or change to CC1, do not cut MC.

I use Nancie Wiseman’s (The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques) method for attaching the new yarn color which is called the “Magic Knot.  You tie the new yarn around the old yarn with just a single knot which allows you to slip the new yarn up the strand of the old yarn.  It also allows you to untie it easily should you need to.

 

Using CC1 K the next 2 rows (Row 4-5)

Change to MC, do not cut CC1, and BEGIN PATTERN STITCH on Row 1 of Pattern Stitch (this will be your 6^th row)

Repeat Pattern Stitch six (6) more times.

Change to MC, (you are now on Row 62, garter rib 31 if you are counting!), K

 

Buttonhole Rows:  (This is a 2 stitch buttonhole.  It is made by binding off 2 stitches on the first row, then casting on 2 stitches over the bound off stitches in the next row.  A third row using a special technique finishes off the buttonhole.)

Row 63, K 6 st (when you BO, you need to knit to the 6^th st so that there will be 4 sts left on the edge of the bib when you do the bind off), BO 2 st, (be sure to pull the last cast off stitch TIGHT)  K to the last 5 sts, BO 2 st, K to the end. (Note:  There should be 4 stitches on the bib edge side of each buttonhole.

 

Row 64, K 4, turn and CO 2 sts using the cable cast on method, (Knittinghelp.com is a great resource if you need help with the cable cast on technique) turn and K to the cast off stitches at the other end of the work (4 stitches from the end), turn and CO 2 sts using the cable method, turn and knit to the end.

Row 35, K, pick up the loose thread at the start of each buttonhole, work the next stitch and then pass the picked-up stitch over the worked stitch so that you don’t increase the number of stitches.   Pull the working yarn  firmly after “passing over” to prevent any loops forming.

 

Row 66, K

BO.  You will be binding off from the wrong side of the work.  Weave in ends, either horizontally or diagonally across the wrong side of the bib.

 

DIRECTIONS for the DOUBLE I-CORD STRAPS:

CO 4 sts.  K two 9” i-cords for the straps. (I like to knit them both at the same time.  You will need to use two different strands of yarn, one from the inside of the skein, one from the outside of the skein.  This way, both i-cords will be the same length.)    Knittinghelp.com is an excellent resource if you need help with the i-cord technique.  Weave in ends.  I like to use a tapestry needle and thread/hide the ends of the i-cord up inside the length of the i-cord.  

Another option for the i-cord straps is to use a simple knitting machine such as the Embellish-Knit!.  You will make each cord separately, the desired length.  I have a video tutorial and a written tutorial on how to use the Embellish Knit machine for i-cord.

 ALTERNATIVE DIRECTIONS for SINGLE STRAP:

CO 4 sts.  K one 12” i-cords for the strap.

 

ASSEMBLY:

For the double straps:  Slip the finished end of the i-cord through one buttonhole from the wrong side of the work to the righblt side of the work. Tie a loose overhand KNOT: Overhand_knot at the end of each i-cord strap.  Pull the strap so that the knot on the right side of the bib is snug against the bib.  Do the same thing on the other side of the bib.

           

For the single strap:  Slip the finished end of the i-cord through one buttonhole from the wrong side of the work to the right side of the work. Tie a loose overhand KNOT: Overhand_knot at each the end of the i-cord strap.  Pull the strap so that the knot on the right side of the bib is snug against the bib.  The knot at the other end of the 12” strap will serve as a button fastener.

   

 

You are finished!  A “half” of a square knot, just one strap looped over the other, will keep the bib in place.  The knots at the ends of the straps hold the straps in position.

 

When you are finished using this as a bib, unite the straps, and you have a lovely cloth for kitchen or bath. 

When baby grows up, the i-cord straps can be transformed into Softie Toys.  I attached some novelty yarn at the top to give my toy some wild hair!  You could use leftover scraps of yarn or anything soft to decorate your toy.  Embroider eyes, spots, etc. and away you go!  For safety, please do not sew on buttons or other small objects until your child is old enough not to put things in their mouth and possibly choke.

   

 

Balloon Art can be your inspiration! 

 

I am beginning to assemble other ideas for "life after bib".  No photos yet, but several suggestions "in progress"  from friends have included:

1.  Sundress yoke or top. (you will need 2, one for the front, one for the back).  Knit or sew fabric for the skirt.  I am presently working on a pattern for this.  

2.  Small purse.  Sew 2 bibs together on the sides and bottom and you have a small purse for yourself or a small tote for your child.

3.  Apron yoke or top.  You would basically need 1/2 a sundress plus some ties.  Or you could just purchase this cute apron.

4.  Pillow top.  You would need 4 bibs.  Sew them together for one side, use fabric for the other side.

 

Abreviations/Defintions:

BO = Bind Off

CC = Contrasting Color

CO = Cast On

DPN = Double Pointed Needles

K = Knit

P = Purl

MC = Main Color

S = Slip.  Always slip the yarn “purlwise”, as if to purl the stitch

STs = Stitches

Wyib = with yarn in back of work (this mean that the yarn was away from you or behind the work.  You will do this when you are on the right side of the work so that the bar created will be on the wrong side of the work.  Don’t worry, it seems more complicated than it is.  Once you do it, you will see how easy it is!)

Wyif = with yarn in front of work (this would mean that the yarn was toward you since you are on the wrong side of the work, you want the “bar” created by the yarn on the back of the work)

 

Garter Stitch= knit every row

Cable Cast On:http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/

i-cord:http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/misc.php

Copyright © Catherine M. Ford July 2007. This pattern may be given away at no cost providing this copyright notice remains intact. It may not be sold, nor may the finished product be sold without prior permission of the author. Images on this page are copyright Catherine M. Ford, 2007.

Larger Than MY Life Bag

Larger than MY Life...

Crocheting is like riding a bike. You never really forget how to do it. You may forget the nuances, how to count the stitches, etc., but it all comes back really quickly. It's been 30 years since I switched from crochet to knitting and haven't looked back. In defense of crochet, I learned to do it first and I credit it for teaching me how to keep an even tension in my work and for "teaching" me combination knitting since after crochet, that is what felt most natural to me for the knit stitch (or else I just interpreted the knit stitch incorrectly, but my knitting comes out perfectly, so there you go.) There is a lot to be said for crochet in terms of dropping stitches: there is only one stitch to drop, so no big deal. Great for entry level users of yarn. And, ripping out/back is a LOT easier. And, you can make some cute edges and flowers with it, so all in all, crochet has its benefits.

I am always looking around the web for new ideas for knitted purses when I happened upon Cecily Keim's "Larger Than Life" Bag on various knitters blogs (Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet). I was distracted, obsessed, and determined to make this bag!! They say it is the bag that will turn knitters into crochet-ers. Possibly.

The tale of my Larger Than Life (LTL) bag begins. First I tried out the seemingly simple block the bag is based on. There's a reason this bag is so compelling. It looks simple, but the block it is based on, while not overly difficult, is complex enough to make a knitter want to crochet again. It takes me several (OK, 5!) tries to get it right, plus a trip to Sugar Bunny, who has provided an excellent tutorial on the Willow Block (the square used for this bag from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton (Interweave Press). There is something to be said for the saying, "a little knowledge is dangerous". Thinking or remembering some of my crochet knowledge caused me to either mis-read the directions or skip them all together!! OK, I finally achieved a block that looked like it was supposed to.

Next issue: Gauge. I had pretty much decided to use Tahki Cotton Classic because of the color choices, although Cascade 220 was in consideration. Cotton Classic won out because of the sheen, the wider range of colors, and the stitch definition. The crochet hook specified produced a loose, floppy block, about 6.5 inches square. So, I started ratcheting down hook sizes until I was happy with the result: a 5.5 inch square using a Boye steel hook, Size 1, 2.75 mm.

Before we go any farther on here, let me say that my plan was to deviate from the pattern when it came to the lining of the bag. I have a sewing machine, but I don't really want to use it any more than I have to. I don't usually use bags with zippers, so if I did make a bag, I wouldn't be installing a zipper. I am a fan of the magnetic snap! My inspiration came from Ellen, who posted on the LargerThanLifeCAL. From her post, I got the idea of making the front, back, sides, and bottom as a slip cover for an already existing tote bag. I would then attach (method to be determined) the crocheted "LTL - WORK of ART" to the existing bag and a.) minimize work on my part, and b.) end up with a better lining/inner bag than if I made it myself.

After much looking around, I found a reasonably priced ($5 approx.) black tote bag at Michaels, 17"w x 13"H x 4"D. These were close to the dimensions of the pattern and I thought I could make it work. The top of the bag had an inch "border" made by stitching, where the handles were attached. This ended up serving three purposes. One was as a design feature, the border was the same dimension as the handles, so leaving a canvas border at the top, looked intentional. The other was, by have the canvas bag border at the top, it kept the crocheted material away from the top edge where most the the wear and abrasion happens, so the bags stays good looking longer!!

The third was using up an inch of the 13". With my squares measuring at 5.5 inches, 2 squares would = 11". The crocheted border would add 1/2" to the front/back panel making it 11 1/2" and the rest (getting it to 12") I could make up with blocking and cotton's natural ability to stretch....... it worked.

The handle was just long enough to go over my shoulder but not too long.

Now the fun began. COLOR. COLOR. COLOR. Well, embarking on this project gave me an excuse to purchase every possible interesting shade of Cotton Classic in green, turquoise, red-purple, oranges, reds, and of course chartreuse. I quickly realized a couple of color guidelines for this project:

1. I was going to modify color scheme of the pattern block. There is a center "circle" of one color, then a "ring and petal" (my words) of another color, and finally a border of a third color. For my taste, the middle section was too much of the same color so I modified this section by adding a 4th color, usually in the same color family and value, but different to give this area some variety and depth (but not always, as you can see in these examples!).

   .

2. The centers of the blocks, the "circles" were all going to be green, medium to light green. I chose not to make them identical, but it was an option I considered.

3. The border rounds usually were a darker color, often green, but not always.

4. Originally I was going to have 12 different blocks, no repeats, but for various reasons, I repeated several blocks.

I wish I could say that it all went smoothly. The crocheting was fine, the color choices were not always fine, so there was a lot of ripping out... One trick: instead of cutting the yarn when changing colors, use locking or split stitch markers to temporarily hold the last stitch (as if it were cut and pulled through). When you finish the square, and see all of the colors together, you can decide if you like the combination. If you don't, rip it out, and your yarn is still intact: no pieces of yarn, (which I detest!).

I didn't keep count, but I probably made almost 20 squares before I got the combinations I was happy with. I tend to be a little particular.

Assembling the blocks. Of course, as I was making the blocks, I was putting them beside each other, designing as I went which can make for some exciting moments, but definitely slows down the production process. No pattern to tell you what to do. At some point you just have to get the black yarn out and start whip stitching these puppies together! Of course, after you proudly sew these cute squares together, you have to crochet around them several times...

Now comes the side and bottom band which seems simple (the stitch pattern IS simple) but takes a long time. I think it was made worse by my choice of BLACK as the main color so it was doubly fatiguing to crochet the long narrow band in black. I did figure out that if I put on some magnifiers, things got a lot easier ;*). Again, after you finish the 4 x 41 inch band of single and double crochet you get to crochet around the whole thing! I think you are getting that I got tired of that part of the pattern, although it IS NECESSARY for the bag to have a FABULOUS finished look!

So, I have made the front, the back, the sides, and the bottom. How to attach my "crocheted slipcover" to my canvas tote bag? Originally I thought of snap tape. But, I abandoned that idea, even though it does come in black. Then I thought of Velcro dots. I underestimated the WEIGHT of the completed piece when you do it in cotton. Probably why Cecily chose merino wool. The Velcro dots weren't going to do it. There was going to be a lot of sagging...

Then I remembered how we used to hang quilts in our house. We applied the Velcro strip with the hooks to a piece of wood attached to the wall (a furring strip) and sewed the Velcro strip with the loops to the quilt. That way, you could easily hang the quilt without any sags, pressure points, pulling etc.

So, I decided, that was what I would have to do. I machine sewed (OK, my friend Michelle sewed it because my sewing machine needed some repair) the Velcro with the hooks to the canvas bag. I hand sewed the Velcro strip with the loops to the crochet piece and ...

Side 1 and Side 2

Final Analysis: Would I make this again? I love the end result!!! It was A LOT OF WORK!!!! Much more than I anticipated. Oh, I forgot to mention, weaving in ALL the ends of the MANY COLORS in each very colorful block. And there is a lot of very careful sewing, loop by loop. I kept telling my husband, as I was going along, "If anyone asks me to make this for them, the price is, ..."

Of course, I "went to school" on this one, so the next one wouldn't be quite so entertaining. I think I will settle for teaching others how to make their own LARGER THAN LIFE Bag and let them take their own journey!

Thanks, Cecily, great pattern, great inspiration.

Button Knot Bib

Button Knot Bib

Free Pattern:  Button Knot Bib

 

I've been thinking about how to make the basic bib more basic.    

I started thinking about making bibs again when we recently heard from our friends Damon and Ingrid.  My husband (Jim) and Damon used to work in the same office and they still work for the same company, (but in different cities) but hadn't corresponded for a while.  Of course, our fondest memories of Damon are of his Spicy Chocolate Coffee Truffle recipe!!  Yum.

Anyway, Damon had some NEWS to send us:  He and Ingrid were new parents to Gwyneth!!!  (She's the one with the yellow "braids" on the left!).

I also remember Jim telling me that after Damon and Ingrid moved to California, Ingrid began working in a yarn store.  At the time, I hadn't returned to knitting (I was on a 20 year sabbatical from knitting) so I didn't register a "bond".

 

Back to the bibs...  

The challenge then was how to sit down, finish the bib and not have to go hunting for buttons or decide what color buttons would look best, sewing that button on the bib, and, in the end, how to put a little more LIFE into my bibs. I can't be the only one who has noticed it's similarity to the humble cloth used in either the kitchen or bath. With this twist on the design, I think I may have come up with a solution:

I am calling it my Button Knot Bib but really it should be called the Button Knot Nine Lives Bib.  By positioning a couple of buttonholes at the top of the bib and using i-cords for straps, (which are secured by loose overhand knots at each end) the bib functions as a bib when needed.  When it's useful life as a bib is over, remove the i-cords and you have a wonderful dishcloth, washcloth, etc. with lots of life (and some handy "loops" in the corners for hanging on a hook, (the left over buttonholes)) left in it!

Here are some "instructional" photos for the knot challenged.

               

 

            

Here is a version using a single, longer strap which you button and un-button each time you use it.

 

                       

 

Wondering what to do with those left over i-cords?  Tie them together and you have some simple, washable softie toys for your baby.

       

 

Kind of reminds me of balloon art.  Remember balloon art?  Well, it's been taken to a whole new level!!