Friday Freebies and Cast Offs
Yes, I know I missed last Friday! 
I felt bad about it but I just didn't have time to post what I had so I'll post it all now, OK?
For starters, we can all use another stretchy Cast Off to add to our repertoir, especially for collars, hat hems, and toe-up sock cuffs. For years I used Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn cast off but I never really liked using it. It looked fine and it was stretchy but I hated having to sew. I also hated having to try and guess how much yarn it would take to sew all the stitches - especially if I ran out! (yes, I think we've all done it!).
So today I have not one but TWO stretchy cast offs to share! The first is from Susan at Dog Lover's Yarn. She left this link for a Russian Bind Off from Wendy Knits in one of her comments so I'm re-posting it, it's so good! The other link is a direct link for Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off at Knitty that I mentioned before. I finally dug out the sheets and got the address. Here's a tip - rather than trying to print out all the pages for this technique, I use the "Save Page as" function of my browser. Then you can access the page complete any time without having to be on the internet to do it. Just click on "File" and select "Save Page as" from the drop down menu. The really nice thing about this function is that you will always have that page - even if the website becomes defunct - although I suspect Knitty will be around for some time to come - but it's pretty handy to use all the same.
For patterns I have a Scarf. Yes, strange coming from me since in my entire knitting career I've only ever knit 2 - yes, TWO scarves. But this one is pretty nice.
It's called the Pebbles Scarf from Tahki Stacey Charles. Yes, I'm seriously considering knitting it. (Both pattern links will take you right to the pdfs so I hope they load OK for everyone.)
The second pattern is a cowl from Classic Elite Yarns called Basket Whip (yes, slightly odd name). I'm rather "into" cowls right now. I like this pattern for the basic cowl instructions in this weight of yarn and may dig through my handspun stash for something suitable although I think the spacing of the lace looks kind of dumb. It's not symetrical and the triangular shape of the lace makes it look sort of improvised. If I decide to knit it I might use a different lace insert like a leaf or something that flows more. Time to browse my lace stitches books I think!
Both these patterns could be knit as gifts before (this) Christmas so I hope they give you some inspiration!
I felt bad about it but I just didn't have time to post what I had so I'll post it all now, OK?For starters, we can all use another stretchy Cast Off to add to our repertoir, especially for collars, hat hems, and toe-up sock cuffs. For years I used Elizabeth Zimmerman's sewn cast off but I never really liked using it. It looked fine and it was stretchy but I hated having to sew. I also hated having to try and guess how much yarn it would take to sew all the stitches - especially if I ran out! (yes, I think we've all done it!).
So today I have not one but TWO stretchy cast offs to share! The first is from Susan at Dog Lover's Yarn. She left this link for a Russian Bind Off from Wendy Knits in one of her comments so I'm re-posting it, it's so good! The other link is a direct link for Jenny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off at Knitty that I mentioned before. I finally dug out the sheets and got the address. Here's a tip - rather than trying to print out all the pages for this technique, I use the "Save Page as" function of my browser. Then you can access the page complete any time without having to be on the internet to do it. Just click on "File" and select "Save Page as" from the drop down menu. The really nice thing about this function is that you will always have that page - even if the website becomes defunct - although I suspect Knitty will be around for some time to come - but it's pretty handy to use all the same.
For patterns I have a Scarf. Yes, strange coming from me since in my entire knitting career I've only ever knit 2 - yes, TWO scarves. But this one is pretty nice.
It's called the Pebbles Scarf from Tahki Stacey Charles. Yes, I'm seriously considering knitting it. (Both pattern links will take you right to the pdfs so I hope they load OK for everyone.)
The second pattern is a cowl from Classic Elite Yarns called Basket Whip (yes, slightly odd name). I'm rather "into" cowls right now. I like this pattern for the basic cowl instructions in this weight of yarn and may dig through my handspun stash for something suitable although I think the spacing of the lace looks kind of dumb. It's not symetrical and the triangular shape of the lace makes it look sort of improvised. If I decide to knit it I might use a different lace insert like a leaf or something that flows more. Time to browse my lace stitches books I think!
Both these patterns could be knit as gifts before (this) Christmas so I hope they give you some inspiration!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 11/27/2009 4:43 PM 
Categories: free patterns,Stretchy Cast Offs
Tags: scarf stretchy cast off cast off
Categories: free patterns,Stretchy Cast Offs
Tags: scarf stretchy cast off cast off
I like the scarf, but I just finished one, and they get always so boring, because of the length. I like the lace pattern for the cowl. I like cowls too, but have only knit one so far.
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