Tag: knitting

Columbian Coffee Cozy - FREE Knitting Pattern

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Columbian Coffee Cozy

By: Bo Peep’s Bonnets

The pattern and photographs contained in this document are the property of Bo Peep’s Bonnets. This pattern is available for personal use only. If you need any help with my patterns, please feel free to contact me www.etsy.com/shop/BoPeepsBonnets

Copyright Bo Peep’s Bonnets© 2013

Materials needed:

  • US. 13 (9 mm) straight needles
  • Approx. 60 yards of super bulky weight yarn - Lion Brand Thick and Quick Pictured
  • Two natural wood buttons
  • Two elastic hair bands
  • Needle and Thread
  • Finishing needle

Gauge: 2.5 stitches = 1 inch

This pattern is designed to fit a standard 8 cup French press with a diameter of 4 inches. The pattern can easily be adapted to make a taller or shorter cozy. Just add or subtract the number of stitches you cast on by 4 when altering the pattern to your desired height. If you want to make a cozy for a press with a larger diameter knit additional sets of the pattern sequence until desired width is achieved.

Abbreviations and Stitch Explanations:

K – Knit

P – Purl

Baby Cable - K2tog (knit two together) but do not drop stitches off left hand needle, knit the first stitch again, then drop both

Pattern:

With the U.S. 13 needles cast on 14 stitches.

Row 1: P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2

Row 2: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

Row 3: P2, Baby Cable, P2, Baby Cable, P2, Baby Cable, P2,

Row 4: K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2

Repeat this sequence 10 times. Bind off in pattern. Weave in ends.

Attach Buttons – Sew two natural wood buttons in between the 3 cable rows, 2 inches from the top and bottom of work.

Attach Button Loops – Turn work to the back side (non-cabled side). On the second row of work from the cast on edge use a finishing needle to thread an elastic hair band through two stitches, 2 inches down from top of work. Tie the elastic band into a slip knot. Do the same with the second elastic band 2 inches from the bottom.

The Chicago Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

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I’m always so thankful for the love and support my Etsy customers show me. To show my appreciation I’m offering this knitting pattern for The Chicago Cowl for FREE! Happy Knitting Friends!

THE CHICAGO COWL by Bo Peep’s Bonnets

Materials needed:

  • U.S. 17, 24 or 16 inch circular needles
  • 100 yards of Super Bulky weight yarn in the color Butterscotch (Pictured Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)
  • 40 yards of Super Bulky weight yarn in the color Wheat (Pictured Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick)
  • Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 2 stitches = 1 inch

PATTERN

With the US 17 needles and the Butterscotch yarn cast on 48 stitches. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist your stitches.

Round 1-4 : *Knit 2, Purl 2 repeat from * all around

Next - Repeat the following Pattern Sequence 6 times

  • Pattern Sequence Round 1: Knit all stitches with butterscotch
  • Pattern Sequence Round 2 -* Knit 1 with wheat, Knit 3 with butterscotch repeat from * all around
  • Pattern Sequence Round 3 - Knit all stitches with butterscotch
  • Pattern Sequence Round 4 - (Knit 2 with butterscotch) *Knit 1 with wheat, knit 3 with butterscotch, *repeat until last two stitches then knit 1 with wheat, knit 1 with butterscotch

After you have repeated the above pattern sequence 6 times knit one round with butterscotch. Next work in a Knit 2 Purl 2 rib for 4 rounds with butterscotch. Bind off all stitches. Weave in all ends.

If you enjoyed this pattern please check out my Etsy shop for more patterns and cozy knits. The sales from my Etsy store completed fund my charity for cancer patients - Hand Knits for Hope. If you or someone you know is currently dealing with hair loss due to cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatments please CLICK HERE to request a free hat for them. XOXO - Bo Peep

 

The Katniss Cowl Coincidence

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Can you believe our best selling Huntress Cowl was actually just a coincidence? It’s true!

Here’s the story. It was early November 2013 and my mother-in-law had graciously volunteered to watch our daughter for a few days so my hubby and I could spend some much needed alone time together.

We put on our finest, hit the town, and partied all night! Just kidding - we sat on the couch, sipped wine, and binged watch Netflix - it was glorious. One night as we were on our sixth episode of Sherlock I decided to knit myself something for once. Am I the only knitter that never knits anything for themselves? What’s up with that?

I had gotten this beautiful pewter yarn at Michaels and was eager to work with it. I whipped up the first huntress cowl in two nights, all the while noting the pattern in my pink psychedelic notebook (you know the kind where you look at it and it looks like it’s spinning - yeah - that’s where I keep all the goods).

I wore it back to Virginia to pick up my daughter. While we were there we stopped to see my grandfather-in-law. He was just the sweetest. He told me he thought the scarf was beautiful. When we got back I thought - hey why not - I’ll list it and make reproductions and see what happens. I called it The Silver Fox.

listing photo

Original listing photo for The Silver Fox

A week or two went by - and no one ordered one. Then it all changed. My girlfriend mentioned this little movie called The Hunger Games (you may have heard of it). She was raving about it so I checked it out. When I saw Katniss’ knit cowl I thought to myself - I think I could wrap my Silver Fox Cowl to look like that… I tried it and - Voila! It worked! It didn’t look exactly the same - but it gave you the same feeling - and it was versatile!

Fast forward and now it’s one of our best sellers, and my original pattern for The Silver Fox turned Huntress Cowl is number one in our shop!

So that’s the back story my friends! That cowl has been such a blessing to us - and to think it was all coincidence…although I have a feeling God had a hand in this one. That pattern came to me so quickly and easily - I think I’ll give the credit to Him 🙂

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The Huntress Cowl Product - https://www.etsy.com/listing/169791485/huntress-cowl-hand-knit-cowl-infinity

The Huntress Cowl Pattern - https://www.etsy.com/listing/170787987/instant-download-knitting-pattern-the?ref=shop_home_feat_2

My design style: As easy as possible for an effect that’s as cool as possible

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People often ask me what is my “design style.” How do you come up with these ideas? How do you make them come to life? What’s your “signature?” What do you want people to think when they hear the name Bo Peep’s Bonnets?

I’ll tell you my friends! I want them to think: That girl creates freaking awesome and original knits in ways that are are so stinkin’ easy. KNITTINGPATTERN

Before I started writing my own patterns I was so discouraged by my lack of pattern reading skills. I would pull up a lacy shawl on Ravelry, take one look at the 5 page, 8 point font pattern that appeared to be written in Chinese and promptly slam my laptop screen closed.

There’s got to be a better way!!!

When I have a vision for a new design my first thought is always - can I do this while a 5 year is tugging on my sleeve, while the phone is ringing, while my husband is rehearsing a monologue in the background, while I have dinner in the oven, and while I have a Barbra Streisand album on full blast (yes that’s right - I’m 28 and I love Barbra Streisand).

If I can’t know where I’m at in a pattern with all that going on - I figure out a different way of designing it. I’ve discovered the best way is to stick with simple stitches, arrange them in new and fresh ways, and most importantly have a pattern that repeats in some form or fashion. Why? Because the more you repeat - the more you naturally memorize what’s written on the page.

A memorized pattern is a good pattern.

I also love when you can take a simple knit shape and fold/sew/button it in such a way that you have a cowl, sweater, shrug, or wrap that requires you to only knit one piece.

Currently I’m working on a shrug that’s just a huge circle. You fold and sew it in such a way that you have a collar - sleeves - and a back! I’m so excited!

I also love knitting for the ones I love. My daughter, hubby, and my two cats Buddy and Harry have inspired some of my best selling creations. I designed my best selling cat hat after a day of snuggled up with my furry friends and watching my favorite Doris Day movie Pillow Talk (that’s right - I’m 28 and I love Doris Day). That design has led me to my biggest project to date - I’ve designed custom cat hats for the upcoming feature film Jem and the Holograms (more about that in a future post)! P1100763

Lastly, I always love to work with super bulky yarn. It’s all the rage right now and I love that it knits up fast. There’s just something about a chunky knit that feels so modern. I love when you can see each big beautiful stitch. I’m a stickler for perfectly even tension. I always say a hand knit item should look like a machine made it but with the love of a persons hands added to the mix. LANCASTERPDF

One more thing - I stay true to myself! I only knit things I would wear. Things I would want my daughter to wear. I truly believe that when you design what YOU love other’s will love it too. Let’s face it - we’re all fabulous in our own ways. We all have something different to offer. I create what I love and I hope you love it too.

You can see all Bo Peep’s designs by visiting her shop - www.etsy.com/shop/BoPeepsBonnets

PATTERN

How knitting saved my life

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Okay so maybe that’s a little extreme - but I used to be an actor so I like the added drama. This was the situation - my husband had just lost his job, my mom had just been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, we had a 2 year old - and I didn’t know what the heck to do.

My mom lives 4 hours from me so I felt helpless. I couldn’t go there everyday to help and I didn’t know if she was going to make it through the chemo. I had just seen my Grandma lose her battle with uterine cancer and I couldn’t bare the thought of losing the other the woman in my life who I held so dear.

My mom, me, and my daughter after her first chemo treatment

My mom, me, and my daughter after her first chemo treatment

We needed money. My husband had been working as a professional actor for a decade and now there was no contract to be seen. Despite the financial woes all I could think was - I have to help my mom - I have to help all the people who are going through chemo - I have to do something - and I have no money to work with (don’t worry it gets better).

A shop had just moved in down the road called Sweet Charity (which is now Fresh Vintage by Amy if you want to check it out). They sold artisan made products that were dedicated to giving back. Immediately, I knew what to do. I walked down to the shop with 5 handmade hats and a mission to donate one free hat per five sold to Nemours Children’s Hospital. The owners graciously excepted my work (which is a far cry from what I offer today) into the shop and the rest is - as they say - history.

One of the first hats I ever sold

The first hat I ever sold on Etsy

The first five hats I took down to Sweet Charity - oh how far we have come!

The first five hats I took down to Sweet Charity - oh how far we have come!

The demand for product got bigger so I started to sell on Etsy. The need for donation hats that could be shipped straight to patients became apparent so I coded my own website that would allow that.

All of a sudden I needed to hire staff, order in bulk, turn my cat closet into a knitting studio, and knit round the clock. God had turned what I had seen as curse into a blessing. I had all the money I needed to completely fund the charity thanks to my wonderful Etsy customers and I had enough left over to help pay the bills.

My knitting studio

My knitting studio

Now for the important part - my mom is healed! After extensive surgery and two years of chemo she is alive - beautiful - and healthy! Praise the Lord! As for me I must also praise the Lord. I am able to stay at home with our daughter while running a legitimate business. A business that I would have never thought of had difficulty not struck our lives.

Me and my mom a few months ago

Me and my mom a few months ago - in matching hand knit cowls of course

So be encouraged my friends. Someone high above and mighty is looking out for you. He loves you. He cares about you. And he will provide for you.

Work hard. Pray hard. He will show you the way.

Some of our popular current designs

Some of our popular current designs

LABADIE LOOMS

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This shop full of locally sourced hand-dyed yarns and fibers in Lancaster County is a quaint spot filled with lots of great threads and gives you with that warm fuzzy feeling we all crave. Upon entering the shop my daughter I were greeted by the owner, Donna, with a warm spirit and an obvious love for fiber arts. She told me all about the weaving and spinning classes she offers (note to self - must take lesson) and even showed us a bit of weaving on her beautiful loom.

The back room filled the hand died roving is absolutely delicious. The colors are rich, original, and I wanted to buy one of everything!

Looms and wheels of all shapes and sizes are always just an arms length away and freshly died fibers are soaking in tubs along the ground. We entered the yarn area full of fun and different yarns - almost all hand died - and lots of great variety and sparkle (which of course my little one loved).

We selected a lovely Lancaster County Rain yarn - a 420 yard wool with sparkle sport weight hand dyed yarn for $24. Donna was kind enough to spin it into a ball for us which was entertaining and educational.

I would highly recommend this shop to any fiber enthusiast. Make sure you leave enough time to soak in all the goodness the shop has to offer and to enjoy a chat with the owner. Now off to design a new original cowl pattern with the yarn I bought there for Bo Peep’s Bonnets! Tootaloo for now ❤ Bo Peep

Store website - http://www.labadielooms.com/

FLYING FIBERS YARN SHOP

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Flying Fibers is a shop with a fun name, a huge selection, a great location, and a knowledgeable and kind staff. When my daughter and I walked in the doors I had to stand motionless at the entryway for a few moments just to take in all the beauty and cleanliness of the shop.

The store is laid out perfectly and offers a large assortment of locally hand dyed yarns and roving of all kinds. In the center of the shop there are wheels and looms situated around an inviting leather sofa that beckons to take a seat and browse a great pattern book for your next project.

The prices are spot on - and I can assure of this because I have bought directly from some of the brands they carry. I was especially excited to see that they carried my favorite Pennsylvania made yarn - Perfection by Kramer

.

While the beauty, cleanliness, and selection are all great reasons to stop by this shop, my favorite part - and the reason why I would highly recommend it - is because of the lovely store manager I had the opportunity to meet - Ellen. Ellen was very friendly and knowledgeable and was more than happy to offer me special order services that are hard to come by. She told me all about the spinning classes she teaches (which are offered at a great price) and she said when you take her class you even get to keep the drop spindle you learn on!

After soaking in all the goodness the shop had to offer Little Bo Peep and I popped over to the cafe right next door and enjoyed an iced coffee for mom and a cupcake for the little one. The two being located so close to each other is a special bonus. Coffee, chocolate, and yarn all in one spot? Now that’s a Bo Peep kind of day!

Shop website - http://www.flyingfibers.com/