Poppy Field for Remembrance Day 2018

This will be my second charity pattern for Remembrance Day.  The first one was written a few years back and it was a pair of mittens in black, red and green decorated with crochet poppy flowers.

This year, the design is more on the solemn side with two rows of graves and a big two petals poppy flower on the right hand corner.  It was inspired by the military cemeteries around the world.  Rows and rows of gravestones or crosses arranged neatly like the marching parade, but in the cemetery, it is the lost of young lives and unfulfilled promises.  Remembrance Day is about sacrifice, lost lives and the price we pay for peace and freedom.

My furballs and I would greatly appreciated if user of this pattern (either in full or in part) to donate generously to the local veteran associations.  Thank you for your support :)

Enjoy the pattern and happy knitting :)

 

Furballs' Charity Pattern 02/2018

Poppy Field

Materials

Yarn, worsted weight, non mercerized 100% cotton (2.3 oz / 63.8g, 101.8 yd / 93.1 m) OR acrylic (1.8 oz / 51.7 g, 86.2 yd / 78.8 m)

 

	Yarn A	Yarn B (Poppy flower)
Cotton	2.1 oz / 59.4 g 94.8 yd / 86.7 m	0.2 oz / 4.4 g 7.0 yd / 6.4 m
Acrylic	1.7 oz / 48.4 g 80.7 yd / 73.8 m	0.1 oz / 3.3 g 5.5 yd / 5.0 m

 

Knitting needles, straight, circular or double point, size 3.50 mm  / US 4 , one (1) pair
Crochet hook, size 3.75 mm / US F,  one (1)
Scissors and yarn needle

Gauge (Pre block, stockinette stitch in situ)

4" x 4" / 10 cm x 10 cm                  20 sts x 32 rows

                                                             (for both cotton and acrylic)

Measurement (Pre block)

Length x Width                 10.5" x 10.5" / (no) cm x (no) cm (cotton)

                                                10" x 10" / 25.5 cm x 25.5 cm (acrylic)

Abbreviations

BO             Bind off (p1, ppso)

CO             Cast on

K2tog       Knit two (2) stitches together

K3tog       Knit three (3) stitches together

Kfb            Knit the front and back loop of the same stitch

k                 Knit

m1p          Make one (1) stitch in purl

MB            Make Bobble

p2tog       Purl two (2) stitches together

p                Purl

ppso         Pass previous stitch over

psso          Pass slipped stitch over

RS              Right side

sl1             Slip one (1) stitch purlwise with yarn in front

sl1kw       Slip one (1) stitch knitwise

sl1wyib   Slip one (1) stitch purlwise with yarn in back

ssk            Slip, slip, knit

st(s)          Stitch(es)

WS            Wrong side

 

Specialty stitch: Slip one (1) stitch knitwise / part of selvedge (sl1kw)

Working on both RS or WS,

Step 1   With the first stitch on the left (holding) needle, use the right (working) needle and slip the stitch knitwise holding the yarn in front of the right needle

Step 2   To set up for the next p stitch,  bring the yarn to the front through the left side of the slipped stitch.  To set up for next k stitch, leave the yarn in front

Continue to knit according to pattern

Specialty stitch: Default make one purl or make one purl (leaning to the) right (m1p / m1pr)

Working on the RS and knitting up to the m1p / m1pr in the pattern,

Step 1   Identify the string of yarn running in between the stitches on the right (working) and left (holding) needle

Step 2   Using left (holding) needle, pick up the string of yarn from the back to the front forming a loop / stitch on the needle. Note that the loop / stitch will have the forward leading arm at the back, the following  arm in front

Step 3   Using right (working) needle, purl into the following arm of the loop / stitch from the right and in front

Specialty stitch: Make Bobble (MB)

Working on the RS and knitting up to MB in the pattern

Step 1   Using right (working) needle, (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1) into the same stitch on the left (holding) needle.  Drop the mother stitch and turn the piece

Step 2   Working on the five (5) stitches on the left (holding) needle, slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front and purl the remaining four stitches  (sl1, p4).  Turn the piece

Step 3   Continue working the five (5) stitches, slip, slip, knit, knit the next stitch, knit two (2) stitches together (ssk, k1, k2tog).  Turn the piece

Step 4   With three stitches now on left (holding) needle, slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front and purl the next two (2) stitches (sl1, p2).  Turn the piece

Step 5   Finally, knit the three (3) stitches together on the left (holding) needle (k3tog). One (1) stitch remaining on right (working) needle

 

Using 3.50 mm knitting needle and yarn A, CO 53 sts using long tail cast on

Knit according to the written instruction below

Row 1 (RS)    sl1kw, k to the last 2 sts, p2tog (52 sts)

Despite increase and decrease, the stitch count will remain at 52 sts at the end of each row (except the last bind off row)

Row 2 (WS)     sl1kw, m1p, k to the last 2 sts, p2tog

Repeat Row 2 two (2) more times

Row 5   sl1kw, m1p, p to the last 2 sts, p2tog

Row 6   sl1kw, m1p, k to the last 2 sts, p2tog

Row 7   sl1kw, m1p, p9, (k1, p5) x 5, k1, p9, p2tog

Row 8   sl1kw, m1p, k8, (p3, k3) x 5, p3, k8, p2tog

Row 9   sl1kw, m1p, p7, (k5, p1) x 5, k5, p7, p2tog

Row 10    sl1kw, m1p, k6, p to the last 8 sts, k6, p2tog

Row 11    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 12    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p4, k13, p to the last 6 sts, k4, p2tog

Row 13    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 14    sl1kw, m1p, k2, p8, k9, p to the last 4 sts, k2, p2tog

Row 15    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 16    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p9, k3, p to the last 6 sts, k4, p2tog

Row 17    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 18    sl1kw, m1p, k6, p7, k3, p to the last 8 sts, k6, p2tog

Row 19    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 20    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p9, k3, p9, k8, p to the last 6 sts, k4, p2tog

Row 21    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 22    sl1kw, m1p, k2, p11, k3, p11, k4, p to the last 4 sts, k2, p2tog

Row 23    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 24    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p9, k3, p12, k2, p to the last 6 sts, k4, p2tog

Row 25    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 26    sl1kw, m1p, k6, p2, k13, p7, k2, p to the last 8 sts, k6, p2tog

Row 27    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 28    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p4, k13, p7, k2, p7, k5, p3, k4, p2tog

Row 29    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 30    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p4, k13, p4, k8, p5, k3, p4, k4, p2tog

Row 31    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 32    sl1kw, m1p, k6, p7, k3, p9, k8, p6, k1, p3, k6, p2tog

Row 33    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 34    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p9, k3, p12, k2, p9, k1, p5, k4, p2tog

Row 35    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 36    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p9, k3, p12, k2, p7, k5, p3, k4, p2tog

Row 37    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 38    sl1kw, m1p, k6, p to the last 12 sts, k1, p3, k6, p2tog

Repeat Rows 11 - 38 one (1) time (Rows 39 - 66)

Row 67    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 68    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p to the last 6 sts, k4, p2tog

Row 69    sl1kw, m1p, p3, k to the last 5 sts, p3, p2tog

Row 70    sl1kw, m1p, k4, p to the last 6 sts, k4, p2tog

Row 71    sl1kw, m1p, p5, k to the last 7 sts, p5, p2tog

Row 72    sl1kw, m1p, k6, p to the last 8 sts, k6, p2tog

Row 73    sl1kw, m1p, p7, (k5, p1) x 5, k5, p7, p2tog

Row 74    sl1kw, m1p, k8, (p3, k3) x 5, p3, k8, p2tog

Row 75    sl1kw, m1p, p8, MB, (k1, p5) x 5, k1, p9, p2tog

Row 76    sl1kw, m1p,k to the last 2 sts, p2tog

Row 77    sl1kw, m1p, p to the last 2 sts, p2tog

Row 78    sl1kw, m1p, k to the last 2 sts, p2tog

Repeat Row 78 three (3) more times

Row 81    sl1kw, p1, psso, BO purlwise to the end of row

Cut yarn leaving 6" / 15 cm tail

Pull yarn tail through the stitch to secure

Weave in all loose end (s)

Blocking recommended

To make the Poppy Flower

Using 3.75mm crochet hook and yarn B, CO 8 sts using magic ring cast on. 

Transfer the eight (8) stitches onto 3.50 mm knitting needle (either circular or double point) as in knitting in row.  DO NOT tighten the ring

Working on the last stitch of the cast on, CO 4 sts using knitted cast on

The following will be knitted in short row manner without wrapping

Row 1(WS)   sl1, p2. Turn

Row 2 (RS)    sl1wyib, kfb, k1. Turn

Row 3   sl1, p2. Turn

Row 4   sl1wyib, kfb, k1. Turn  

Row 5   sl1, p2. Turn

Row 6   sl1ywib, kfb, k1. Turn

Row 7   sl1, p5, p2tog. Turn

Row 8   sl1wyib, k6. Turn

Row 9   sl1, p5. Turn

Row 10    sl1wyib, k5. Turn

Row 11    sl1, p4. Turn

Row 12    sl1kwyib, k4. Turn

Row 13    sl1, p3. Turn

Row 14    sl1wyib, k3. Turn

Row 15    sl1, p2. Turn

Row 16    sl1wyib, k2. Turn

Row 17    sl1, p1. Turn

Row 18    sl1wyib, k1. Turn

Row 19    sl1, p5, p2tog. Turn

Repeat Rows 8 - 19 one (1) more time (Rows 20 - 29)

Row 30    sl1wyib, k6. Turn

Row 31    sl1, p5. Turn

Row 32    sl1wyib, k2, k2tog, k1. Turn

Row 33    sl1, p2. Turn

Row 34    k2tog, k1. Turn

Row 35    sl1, p2. Turn

Row 36    k2tog, k1. Turn

Row 37    sl1, p1, psso, p1, ppso, p2tog, ppso

Slip the remaining one (1) stitch on the right (working) needle to left (holding) needle

Then working on the slipped stitch on left (holding) needle, CO 3 sts using knitted cast on

Repeat Rows 1 - 37 one (1) more time

Cut yarn leaving 6" / 15 cm tail

Blocking recommended

Finish

"Button" the bobble on the main piece through the centre magic ring of the poppy flower.  RS of the main piece and flower (stockinette side) should both be facing front

Tighten up the ring by pulling on the cast on tail of the magic ring

Weave in all loose end(s)

 

Sprinkler Furballs

Furballs' Little Handkerchief was inspired by my furball when he sneezed and spitted at my forearm while I was knitting up a coaster.  I looked at him with disguise but he did not seem to feel apologetic or anything. I know.  It was my fault in the first to have my arm right in front of his face *sigh*.

This is a charity pattern, and I hope to, at least, put out two before the end of 2018, to help with the cats and animals in shelters to have a good holiday season in December.  So if you are using this pattern, please donate generously to your local cat / animal shelter.

This little coaster came from me holding a KAL for a guest week in a dishcloth forum in Ravelry.  I chose a pillar / column stitch dishcloth pattern and find that it was, as expected, titled to one side when done.  Along the knitting, I also felt that there was a critical height whereby the tilting seemed to be more obvious, and for me, it is around 4 - 6".

Being a lazy person myself and always like to make something with blocking as a preference, I rethought the whole thing and came up with the following two solutions:
1. Either make peace with the pattern, knowing its limitation and find a project that does not require much height building.  Coaster quickly came to my mind and the following is the fruit of my attempt.  It works really well and I added in a little weird knitting technique to make it to perfection (at least to my eyes)
2. Or I could try to use the "law of physics" and balancing out the pull direction of the yarn.  That will be a dishcloth pattern I wrote up and put to test later.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to put in the photo tutorial (adding arrows etc. in the pic.  I can do it in word processing document though.  One day I will figure out, but for now, SORRY :( ), so the specialty stitch will come without the photo tutorial.

This pattern is also available as a paid download from Ravelry (knitting chart and photo tutorial included)
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Furballs' Charity Pattern 01/2018

Furballs Little Handkerchief

Materials

Yarn, worsted weight, non mercerized 100% cotton  (0.3 oz / 9.9 g, 14.1 yd / 12.8 m) OR acrylic (0.3 oz / 7.7 g, 12.8 yd / 11.7 m)
 

Knitting needles, straight, circular or double point, size 3.50 mm  / US 4 , one (1) pair

Scissors and yarn needle

Gauge (Pre block, garter stitch in situ)

4" x 4" / 10 cm x 10 cm                     20 sts x 32 rows (for both cotton and acrylic)

Measurement (Pre block)

Length x Width           3.5" x 3.5" / 9 cm x 9 cm (for both cotton and acrylic)

Abbreviations

BO         Bind off (k1, ppso)

CO         Cast on

K2tog     Knit two (2) stitches together

k             Knit

myok      Make yarn over for the row below in knit

myop      Make yarn over for the row below in purl

p             Purl

ppso       Pass previous stitch over

psso        Pass slipped stitch over

RS          Right side

sl1          Slip one (1) stitch purlwise with yarn in front

sl1wyib  Slip one (1) stitch purlwise with yarn in back

st(s)        Stitch(es)

WS         Wrong side

yo           Yarn over
 

Specialty stitch: Slip one (1) stitch purlwise / part of selvedge (sl1)

Working on both RS or WS,

Step 1  With the first stitch on the left (holding) needle, use the right (working) needle and slip the stitch purlwise holding the yarn in front of the right needle

Step 2  To set up for the next  k stitch,  bring the yarn to the back and the left side of the slipped stitch.  To set up for next p stitch, leave the yarn in front

Continue to knit according to pattern

Specialty technique: Make yarn over for the row below in purl (myop)

Working on the WS and knit up to myop in the pattern,

Step 1  Identify the string of yarn that run between the stitch on right (working) and left (holding) needle

Step 2  Keep the working yarn in the front

Step 3  Bring the right (working) needle from back to front and right to left under the string of yarn

Step 4  Wrap working yarn around the right (working) needle as if to purl (over the needle from front to back, then bring the yarn under and to the front)

Step 5  Bring the right (working) needle together with the wrapped yarn to the back in reverse order

Continue to knit according to pattern

Specialty technique: Make yarn over for the row below in knit (myok)

Working on the WS and knit up to myok in the pattern,

Step 1  Identify the string of yarn that run between the stitch on right (working) and left (holding) needle

Step 2  Hold the working yarn in back

Step 3  Bring the right (working) needle from front to back and right to left under the string of yarn

Step 4  Wrap working yarn around the right (working) needle as if to knit (under the needle from back to front, then bring the yarn over and to the back)

Step 5  Bring the right (working) needle together with wrapped yarn to the front in reverse order

Continue to knit according to pattern

 

 

Using 3.50 mm knitting needle, cast on 21 sts using long tail cast on

Follow the written knitting instruction below
Row 1 (RS)     sl1, k to the end of row

Repeat Row 1 three (3) more times

Row 5 (RS)   sl1,k3, (yo, sl1wyib, k2, psso the previous k2) x 4, k2tog, k3 (20 sts)

Row 6 (WS)  sl1, k2, p1, myop, p to the last 3 sts, k3 (21 sts)

Repeat Rows 5 - 6 nine (9) more times (with Row 24 being the last row in the repeats)

Row 25 sl1,k3, (yo, sl1wyib, k2, psso the previous k2) x 3, k2tog, k3 (20 sts)

Row 26  sl1, k3, myok, k to the end of row (21 sts)

Repeat Row 1 three (3) times

Row 30  sl1, p1, psso, BO purlwise to the end of row (option: perform the last BO knitwise)

Cut yarn leaving a 6" / 15 cm tail

Pull tail through the stitch to secure

Weave in all loose end(s)

Blocking optional