Free Pattern: Sweet Striped Arm Warmers (knit)

Posted on January 27, 2012 by moogly

Brrr! I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in the American Midwest, winter has finally hit. Lots of snow and bitter temps that make wearing your robe all day seem like a really good idea. Even the kids are feeling it, so let’s do something to keep their cute little limbs toasty warm, eh? And bonus – this is a great stash buster, using only about 80 yards each of two different skeins!

Sweet Striped Arm Warmers – Do it for the kids!
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This pattern should fit most children aged 8 to 12 (with a loose fit on the 8 year old, and a slim fit on the 12 year old, of course). The pattern is initially worked flat, and then joined to work in the round at the end of Row 15. For increases, I used kfb, but you can use any increase stitch you like. I carried the yarn along inside the arm warmers, so in the end you’ll have only 4 ends to weave in!

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, 2 colors (you will use about 80yds of each skein)
Needles: US 5 – 3.75 dpns
Gauge: 6 sts x 7 rows = 1 inch in stockinette

RIB PATTERN (FOR ROWS 1-14):
Row 1: [k2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2
Row 2: [p2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2

Rows 1-14:
With Color A: Cast on 34 using long tail or other stretchy cast on. Leave 12” tail.
Work in 2×2 rib pattern for 14 rows (7 pattern repeats).

Row 15: With Color B, purl across the row and then pm and join to work in the round, distributing sts evenly on dpns.
Row 16-23: K all sts.
Row 24: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (35 sts)
Row 25: With Color A, p to m.
Row 26-30: K to m.
Row 31: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (36 sts)
Row 32-34: K to m.
Row 35: With Color B, p to m.
Row 36-37: K to m.
Row 38: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (37 sts)
Row 39-44: K to m.
Row 45: With Color A, p to m.
Row 46: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (38 sts)
Row 47-51: K to m.
Row 52: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (39 sts)
Row 53-54: K to m.
Row 55: With Color B, p to m.
Row 56-58: K to m.
Row 59: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (40 sts)
Row 60-64: K to m.
Row 65: With Color A, p to m.
Row 66: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (41 sts)
Row 67-72: K to m.
Row 73: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (42 sts)
Row 74: K to m.
Row 75: With Color B, p to m.
Row 76-79: K to m.
Row 80: Inc 1 on first stitch, then k to m. (43 sts)
Row 81-84: K to m. Break end of Color B, leaving tail to weave in later.
Row 85: With Color A: p to m.
Row 86: Work 2×2 rib to last 2 sts. On second to last st, inc 1. P last st. (44 sts)
Row 87-95: Work in 2×2 rib.
Cast off loosely, in rib pattern, to maintain stretchiness. Back at the wrist end, use the 12″ tail you left to sew up the first inch of the opening, creating the thumb hole. Weave in ends. Now do it all again to make the second one!

Be sure to check out and like the moogly facebook page to get all the latest updates, fun links, sneak peeks, and to order your own ooak moogly items! Written pattern copyright mooglyblog. Please include links to this blog post when sharing this pattern with others.

Video Tutorial: The Bobble Stitch – dc5tog

Posted on January 24, 2012 by moogly

Finally! Remember last year, when someone in the comments asked for a video? And then this year, when I said I wanted to start making video tutorials? Well! It’s taken much longer than expected, but what started with this…

…and included a whole lot of swearing, sweating, nervous laughter, and general crochet shenanigans, has born crochet video goodness!

There was much trial and error, a week of dithering on the music selection (what is “moogly music”? Anyone?), and suffice to say, I am so lucky I decided to marry a video production guy! We hope to make more instructional videos in the future… and now that we’ve got the basics hammered out, it should go a lot quicker!

Now, may I present, the first official moogly instructional video! How to crochet the Bobble Stitch, or dc5tog, as seen in the Blackberry Salad Striped Baby Blanket and Afghan!

Someday I hope to stop feeling like a doofus whenever I hear my own voice. And boy do I have a heck of a midwestern accent there, eh? But it was SO much fun, I think it shows how to make this type of bobble very well, and I can’t wait to do more! Any requests? What stitches have you perplexed?

Don’t forget to like moogly on facebook for sneak peeks, early releases, insider info and photos, fun links and more! And of course, to order your very own one of a kind moogly handcrafts!

A Scholarship… for Knitting! (and a couple of sneak peeks)

Posted on January 23, 2012 by moogly

Hey all you knitters! You may have heard about Interweave Knitting Lab, four days of knitting classes, schmoozing, and other fun yarny stuff.

Interweave Knitting Lab, the event you’ve been waiting for, is a four-day knitting event that explores every facet of our complex craft. Enjoy small technique and project-based classes, provocative panel discussions and fascinating lectures presented by knitting luminaries. Special evening sessions and the Knitters’ Market round out this exciting event-one unlike any other the yarn world has experienced!

Sure, great, you think… but who can afford that? I’m not made of money!

Never fear! Just apply for the Interweave Knitting Lab Scholarship!

To be eligible for a Interweave Knitting Lab Scholarship, one must demonstrate that he/she is actively involved in developing their knitting skills and sharing their knowledge with the larger community. The applicant’s involvement may be related to any kind of knitting practice; enrollment in any sort of formal training course is not required. Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply.

I wish I were going! Alas, it’s not for me. But it could be for you – good luck!

Things on my hooks, needles, and tentacles this week:

Another Felicity, this time in green, for my sister’s birthday. Which is about a week away – eep!

A new free pattern for striped knit arm warmers – for all the cool kids! Coming this Friday! (Just gotta make that second one to check my work…)

And another free pattern to be released February 3rd – my first crochet cowl! Wonder Woman not included.

Oh, and if you love that Keep Calm poster as much as I do, check out jenniegee’s etsy page, where you can order posters and bags with her clever take on the meme.

Be sure to check out and like the moogly facebook page to get all the latest updates, fun links, sneak peeks, and to order your own ooak moogly items!

Free Pattern: Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy

Posted on January 20, 2012 by moogly

Today’s free pattern is one I came up with a while back – when my middle child started taking a lunch to school! Rather than a plastic thermos, we went with a stainless steel water bottle. Good for the environment, it fit perfectly in his lunchbox and didn’t leak a bit. The one complaint we had was all the condensation. But that was an easy enough fix – with the Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy!

Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy
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This pattern was made to fit a water bottle that is just over 9″ in circumference, but the Super Stripey Water Bottle Cozy is stretchy enough to accommodate most standard size metal water bottles. This bottle was one of the short ones, so rather than knitting for a set number of rows or stripes, just work until you have covered your own water bottle.

Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream or any worsted weight cotton yarn, 2 colors
Needles: US 8 – 5.0 mm dpns

Using color A, cast on 32 sts using long tail or other stretchy cast on.
Distribute sts among dpns, and join to work in the round.
Work 1×1 rib for 6 rows.

Stripey Pattern:
Change to color B, purl one row.
Work in stockinette for 6 rows.
Change to color A, purl one row.
Work in stockinette for 6 rows.

Continue with Stripey Pattern as above, purling each row of the color change, until desired length is achieved.
To decrease for the bottom, *k3, k2tg* around for one row, k the last two sts. (26 sts)
Work *k2, k2tg* around for the next row, k the last two sts. (20 sts)
Work *k1,k2tg* around for one row, k the last two sts. (14 sts)
Work k2tg around. (7 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving 12″ or so of length. Thread this length on a yarn needle and take each stitch off the dpns, pulling tight to close the bottom of the cozy. Weave in ends.

Now pack a lovely, eco-friendly lunch!

For the rest of the set:

Circle Cloth – I was downsizing this for a preschooler’s lunchbox, so I cast on only 28 sts, and just worked the repeats until it was square.

Apple Cozy – I made the smallest size, since we buy the small apples, but 3 different sizes are provided.

Something a little different – please take a moment to read.

Posted on January 18, 2012 by moogly

Today is a big day for the internet. It’s the internet blackout day to protest SOPA and PIPA. I’m not going to shut down today, but I DO urge you to join the fight against these bills that would destroy the web as we know it, silence free speech, and won’t even do the job they are meant to do. Please consider going to this link and signing this petition. It takes only a few moments of your time.

End Piracy, Not Liberty

Bags Bags Bags! (Links, WIPs, and more)

Posted on January 16, 2012 by moogly

This month I’ve been working on getting things organized… including all my WIPs (works in progress). And there is one major type of project it seems I have the hardest time finishing – bags! I love bags and have made a bunch, so I thought I’d share some of what I think are the best knit and crochet patterns out there today. Some bags don’t require much in the way of finishing – which I love!

The Lacey V Shopping Bag is HUGE, gorgeous, and so handy! It’s a repeat of just a few rows, but it’s sure to impress!

The Hana Hana Cotton Summer Bag is one of my very favorite quick crochet mesh bags. Not too big, not too small, this Japanese pattern is charted using international symbols, and stretches to fit whatever you stuff in it!

The Starling Handbag is worked in super tight stitches that give the bag a ton of structure. You can line it of course, but you don’t have to!

The Deep Sea Flower Dice Bag is small, it’s true. And perfect for not just dice, but all those little bits that need organizing. I keep it in my purse, filled with Lego minifigs and pieces, for when I need emergency child distraction.

Inga’s Häkelbeutel is a popular bag among those who love the crochet square. This bag works up shockingly fast – I made this one just using all the last bits of kitchen cotton… and had a gift ready within 24 hours!

And then… there are the bags that I’ve lined, and been so glad I did! They were totally worth it! Some I kept, and some I gave away, but these are a few examples:

The Fat Bottom Bag is featured in Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker, which is a fantastic resource for new crocheters – and shown here in ribbon yarn, it’s a favorite purse of mine!

The Lined (and Adorable!) Cabled Change Purse is so cute, and a great intro to cabling for those who’ve never tried it! This bag gets nearly daily use here at moogly!

Square Cake is a fun bag to make, with an unusual shape. And best of all, it comes with lining instructions, so you don’t have to do the math!

The Bobbling Along Aran Tote was so fun, and a fantastic way to learn crochet cabling! Getting around to the lining took ages, but it’s a great winter bag finally finished!

And last but certainly not least… and weighing most heavily on my mind… sitting at the top of my Ravelry project page… are all the bags I haven’t finished yet! The knitting and crocheting is done, but the lining and handles lay in wait.

The Honeycomb Crochet Purse – still looking for the perfect handles for this one. Not sure this one will need a lining though.

The Nordstrom Crochet Hobo Bag – I have the handle, and the beads to string on it, but one of them needs coring to make it bigger, and of course there’s the lining.

The Brea Bag – so much cabling goodness here! I think I finally found the right handle for this one. But the shape has me nervous about the lining!

So what projects are WIP-ing you? What can you not quite bring yourself to finish? Is it bag linings, or is it second sock syndrome? Deep breaths, all together now… let’s make this the year of the FO!

Have you liked moogly on facebook yet? Check us out there for more fun links and the latest updates, and to order your own custom moogly-made products!

Free Pattern: Kindle Cover Cozy – Two for Two!

Posted on January 13, 2012 by moogly

E-readers and tablets have become the hot gifts to give and to get over the last couple of years. Last year, mr. moogly got the Kindle with e-ink as a yule gift. And then this year, someone else gifted him the Kindle Fire!

I have to admit to coveting both, and borrowing them often… well, when I can get them away from the kids. I love being able to read without holding the book in my hands (more craft time!), and of course the apps are a blast. Not to mention taking them outside, to bed with me, for travel… But all this fun tech needs protection – especially when it leaves the house. And so, the Kindle Cover Cozy was born! A simple knit pattern, that can be finished in two ways, and in no time at all! Use something non-scratchy and non-shedding (I used a soft cotton), do some stash busting, and you’ll have a snazzy looking e-reader or tablet by the end of the weekend! (And it makes a great Valentine’s gift for a lucky sweetheart!)

Kindle Cover and Cozy
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This cover fits both the Kindle and the Kindle Fire. I haven’t had the opportunity to try it on the Nook Color in person, but from the specs online it looks like it’s about the same width, and just an inch longer, so just keep knitting to add length until it fits! Here are directions for the two styles shown. Feel free to mix up colors or use up that last random skein – this pattern is easy to customize!

Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn, less than 120 yds.
Needles: US 8 – 5.0 mm dpns
Gauge: 16 sts/24 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch (Don’t worry too much – it’s stretchy, and length is easy to adjust!)

FOR BOTH STYLES:
Cast on 40 st. (I used long tail, use your own preferred stretchy cast on method.)
Distribute on dpns to work in the round.
Work in 2×2 rib for 6 rows.

FOR LOTS OF STRIPES:
Knit around in stockinette stitch, changing color every 3 rows, without cutting yarn.
Continue for 8″ from the cast on edge, or approximately 15 stripes / 51 rows.

FOR SIMPLE DOUBLE STRIPE:
Knit around in stockinette stitch with color A for 35 rows, or about 5.75 inches.
Work 1 row in color B.
Work 2 rows in color A.
Work 5 rows in color B.
Work with color A for another 8 rows or until 8” from cast on edge.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ENDING:
You can use the kitchener stitch or 3 needle bind off, whichever you prefer. The kitchener is pictured on the blue and white double striped cover, while the green and yellow stripey version features a 3 need bind off with the seam on the outside of the work.
Instructional Video for Kitchener Stitch
Instructional Video for 3 Needle Bind Off

Thanks for reading mooglyblog! Don’t forget to fan moogly on facebook for the latest updates, sneak peeks, and fun crafty links, and to order your own custom moogly knit and crochet items! Written pattern copyright mooglyblog. Please include links to this blog post if sharing this pattern with others.

Updated! The Blackberry Salad Striped Blanket CHART!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by moogly

I’ve had a request for the charted version of the Blackberry Salad Striped Blankets. Now, I don’t have that fancy crochet software, but I DO have a sharpie and paper. It’s not the prettiest chart, but it should get the job done.

Obviously, this isn’t a chart for a full sized blanket – more like a nice little scrubby washcloth. But it should give you the idea. The starting chain is a multiple of 4, plus 3 which count as the first dc. In the chart, it’s 16 stitches (4 x 4), plus 3, for a starting chain of 19. So, for the Blackberry Salad Striped Baby Blanket, it’s 112 stitches (4 x 28) , plus 3, for a total of 115 in the starting chain. For the Blackberry Salad Striped Afghan, it’s 164 stitches (4 x 41), plus 3, for a starting chain of 167.

I hope this helps, and clears up any confusion! I know charts have helped me visualize a project more than once. Have a great weekend!

You know what to do! Like moogly on facebook for all the updates and news, and to commission your own unique items today!

Free Pattern: Blackberry En Español!

Posted on January 11, 2012 by moogly

In high school, I took French. Four years of high school French would’ve been a good start, but… I didn’t quite become a gourmet chef or move to Paris, and somehow living in Iowa didn’t afford me all the opportunities to keep up you might think. And so, unless you want a blog in laborious pig latin, American English is all you’ll get from moi.

But the web is nothing if not a wonderful, multi-lingual, multi-national, muIti-craftual salad. I was recently contacted through Ravelry, by the brilliant Ana at Hasta El Monyo. It seems my Blackberry Salad Stiped Blanket pattern has caught the eye of those who prefer to craft in Spanish! Awesomely, Ana herself translates English patterns for her blog, and contacted me offering to do so.

Thus, I’m proud to present…!

Ensalada de Moras – Manta para bebé

MATERIALES

Aguja de 5mm. y hebra de 7 colores

Punto burbuja o Dis5PAlto

PUNTO BURBUJA

Los puntos de burbuja se hacen cuando se teje por la cara trasera de la manta (cara trasera: CT).

Teje 5 Paltos en un mismo punto, pero dejando el último bucle de cada punto en la aguja (sin tejer el último bucle de cada punto). Asi tendrás 6 bucles en la aguja, entonces pasa la hebra y sácala a través de los 6 bucles de la aguja. Teje fuertemente en este punto y tan pronto como hagas el siguiente PB, la burbuja aparecerá en la parte delantera de la manta.

PATRÓN

Hacer 115PC

Ronda1 (Cara delantera): PA en el 4º punto contando desde la aguja (el punto de inicio de cada ronda cuenta como primer punto). PA en cada punto hasta el final. 1PC girar (112 puntos)

Ronda2 (Cara trasera): PB en los primeros 4 puntos, *Dis5PAlto en el siguiente punto, PB en los 3 siguientes puntos* repetir de * hasta * toda la ronda, terminando con un PB en lo alto del punto primero (el punto de giro).

Ronda3: Cambia al segundo color. 3PC, girar. PA sobre cada punto de la ronda hasta el final, salta el punto de giro de la ronda anterior. 1PC, girar

Ronda4: PB en los 2 primeros puntos, *Dis5PAlto en el siguiente punto, PB en los 3 siguientes* Repetir de * a * hasta que solo queden 3 puntos en la ronda. Termina la ronda con un Dis5PAlto y un PB en los dos últimos puntos (el último punto sobre el punto de giro).

Ronda5: Cambia a otro color. Repite la ronda3

Rondas de la 6 al final: Repetir las rondas de la 2 a la 5, cambiando colores en las rondas impares hasta finalizar.

~~~~~~~~

If you like to craft en Espanol and want to see more great translated patterns, or if you have questions about this Spanish version of the Blackberry Salad Stitch Blanket, please head over to Hasta El Monyo! Ana is super nice and her site looks great, and even has Spanish stitch tutorials. And with any luck, we’ll get to work together on more patterns in the future!

Here at the homestead I’m in the middle of some commissioned projects, wrapping up a video tutorial that will be up on the site ASAP (hopefully the first of many!), and finalizing that free Kindle pattern for Friday! So stay tuned!

To stay up to date with the latest from moogly, be sure to like our facebook page! And to order your own commissioned moogly knits and crochet items, just drop me a pm! Taking orders now!

Organized yarn stash? Sign me up!

Posted on January 9, 2012 by moogly

When it comes to most things, I’d like to think I’m a pretty organized person. A place for everything, and everything in it’s place. To that end, about a year ago, I splurged on the Martha Stewart Living Shelves from Home Depot. I started with the most loving intentions, planning to keep my yarn stash well organized, sorted, and ready at a moment’s notice. And maybe if Martha herself had come WITH the shelves, she would’ve kept me on track. But then, well, somewhere between yarn sales, holiday madness, and the vagaries of daily living… this happened.

The Shame! The Shame! *sob*

It starts out kind of okay at the top… and then deteriorates to a giant mess on the floor, where the only organization involved is “still in the bag.” I’m not proud. I need help.

So today! I am happy to find that Amazon is giving away FREE KINDLE EDITIONS of Absolutely Organize Your Family, which is supposed to be “full of practical and effective solutions for all of your family’s organizational challenges.” Will it help? I’m going to find out!

Our family loves our Kindles, but even if you don’t have a Kindle of your own, Kindle books can be read right on your computer. Anyone out there read this one already? What did you think?

And speaking of the Kindle… look for a new free pattern from moogly on Friday the 13th! We’re also in the process of editing some exciting videos that I think are going to add a lot to the site. It’s a whole new experience for me, and I hope you will like it!

Stay up to date with moogly on facebook, for even more interesting links and craft ideas! And you can send pms through the facebook page to order your own, custom made, one of a kind moogly items!