Spirals Around your Coffee Sleeves

Spirals around your Coffee Sleeve
© Cathy Waldie, January 1, 2009

left over amounts of wool yarn
(US) 6 (4.0mm) , (US) 8 (5.0mm), (US) 9 (5.5mm) double point needles
Chibi needle

C/O = Cast On
K = knit
P = purl
Tbl = through the back loop
B/O = Bind Off
2 x 2 Twisted Rib = Row 1: K2 tbl, P2 around, Row 2: K2, P2 around, repeat Rounds 1 and 2
* * repeat directions between *’s

Bottom Ribbing:
Using (US) 6 (4.0mm) needles and
Color A: C/O 36 stitches and join, being careful not to twist.
Knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.

Middle Body:
Using (US) 8 (5.0mm) needles and
Round 1: Color A: Knit around, increasing 1 stitch in the middle of the round (37)
Round 2: *Color A: K2, Color B: K2* around, end last stitch, with Color A: K1
Round 3: A: K1, *B: K2, A: K2* around
Round 4: *B: K2, A: K2* around, end last stitch: B: K1
Round 5: B: K1, *A: K2, B: K2* around
Round 6: *A: K2, B: K2* around, end last stitch: A: K1
Round 7: A: knit around decreasing 1 stitch in the middle of the round (36)

Top Ribbing:
Using (US) 9 (5.5mm) needles and
Color A: knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.
B/O in pattern.

Cut yarns and weave in ends.
Place around take out coffee cups to help protect fingers and hands from heat.

3rd time around

This is the 3rd time around with this stupid cold. Since yesterday morning, I've gone through 4 boxes of tissues. We won't talk about the condition of my stupid nose.

Man it came on hard and fast this time. How fast? Well.

In 2 days, this is the only knitting I've finished..the inside of one pocket. That's sad. I found this magazine at Barnes and Nobles and want to make the car coat. This may take awhile if I don't get any better.

I am up to 3 of 10 that I committed for the BOL project over at AC4C. I'm using up Lily Sugar and Cream cotton in Grandma's Favorite.

And I finished up another Christmas Eve Scarf out of Hemplewhite in Lion Brand Homespun before I got nailed again with this crud.



On Saturday, I finished 4 more coffee sleeves, but my brain is fighting with me when I try to type up the pattern. As soon as I feel better (or can put together a sentence...I'll get it up.) Can you tell where the new ones are?

Ok, I'm going back to the medicine cabinet. My throat is raw and my nose is just as bed. Stay warm and I'll try not to share the germs.

Hearts on your Coffee Sleeves

Hearts on your Coffee Sleeves
© Cathy Waldie, January 1, 2009

left over amounts of wool yarn
(US) 6 (4.0mm) , (US) 8 (5.0mm), (US) 9 (5.5mm) double point needles
Chibi needle

Gauge: 18 sts/28 rows in 4" stockinette stitch

C/O = Cast On
K = knit
P = purl
Tbl = through the back loop
B/O = Bind Off
2 x 2 Twisted Rib = Row 1: K2 tbl, P2 around, Row 2: K2, P2 around, repeat Rounds 1 and 2
* * repeat directions between *’s

Bottom Ribbing:
Using (US) 6 (4.0mm) needles and
Color A: C/O 36 stitches and join, being careful not to twist.
Knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.

Middle Body:
Using (US) 8 (5.0mm) needles and
Round 1: Color A: Knit around
Round 2: Color A: K4, Color B: K1, *A: K6, B: K1* 4 times, A: K2
Round 3: A: K3, B: K3, *A: K4, B: K3* 4 times, A: K1
Round 4: A: K2, B: K5, *A: K2, B: K5* 4 times
Round 5: A: K2, B: K5, *A: K2, B: K5* 4 times
Round 6: A: K3, B: K1, A: K1, B: K1, *A: K4, B: K1, A: K1, B: K1* 4 times, A: K1
Round 7: A: knit around

Top Ribbing:
Using (US) 9 (5.5mm) needles and
Color A: knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.
B/O in pattern.

Cut yarns and weave in ends.
Place around take out coffee cups to help protect fingers and hands from heat.

Arrows on your Coffee Sleeves

Arrows on your Coffee Sleeves
© Cathy Waldie, January 1, 2009

left over amounts of wool yarn
(US) 6 (4.0mm) , (US) 8 (5.0mm), (US) 9 (5.5mm) double point needles
Chibi needle
Gauge: 18 sts/ 28 rows in 4" of stockinette stitch

C/O = Cast On
K = knit
P = purl
Tbl = through the back loop
B/O = Bind Off
2 x 2 Twisted Rib = Row 1: K2 tbl, P2 around, Row 2: K2, P2 around, repeat Rounds 1 and 2
* * repeat directions between *’s

Bottom Ribbing:
Using (US) 6 (4.0mm) needles and
Color A: C/O 36 stitches and join, being careful not to twist.
Knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.

Middle Body:
Using (US) 8 (5.0mm) needles and
Round 1: Color A: Knit around, decreasing 1 stitch in the middle of the round (35)
Round 2: *Color B: K1, Color A: K2* around, ending last 2 stitches: B: K1, A: K1
Round 3: A: K1, *B: K1, A: K2* around, ending last stitch: B: K1
Round 4: *A: K2, B: K1* around, ending last 2 stitches: A: K2
Round 5: A: K1, *B: K1, A: K2* around, ending last stitch: B: K1
Round 6: *B: K1, A: K2* around, ending last 2 stitches: B: K1, A: K1
Round 7: A: knit around increasing 1 stitch in the middle of the round (36)

Top Ribbing:
Using (US) 9 (5.5mm) needles and
Color A: knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.
B/O in pattern.

Cut yarns and weave in ends.
Place around take out coffee cups to help protect fingers and hands from heat.

Striped Coffee Sleeves

Striped Coffee Sleeves
© Cathy Waldie, January 1, 2009

left over amounts of wool yarn
(US) 6 (4.0mm) , (US) 8 (5.0mm), (US) 9 (5.5mm) double point needles
chibi needle

Gauge: 18 sts/ 28 rows in stockinette stitch

C/O = Cast On
K = knit
P = purl
tbl = Through the back loop
B/O = Bind Off
2 x 2 Twisted Rib = Row 1: K2 tbl, P2 around, Row 2: K2, P2 around, repeat Rounds 1 and 2

Bottom Ribbing:
Using (US) 6 (4.0mm) needles and
Color A: C/O 36 stitches and join, being careful not to twist.
Knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.

Middle Body:
Using (US) 8 (5.0mm) needles and

Choice One:(purple and yellow sample)
Color B: K 2 rounds
Color A: K 2 rounds
Color B: K 2 rounds
Color A: K 1 round

(or) Choice Two: (black and red sample)
Color B: K 3 rounds
Color A: K 1 round
Color B: K 3 rounds
Color A: K 1 round

Top Ribbing:
Using (US) 9 (5.5mm) needles and
Color A: knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.
B/O in pattern.

Cut yarns and weave in ends.
Place around take out coffee cups to help protect fingers and hands from heat.

Plain Vanilla Coffee Sleeves

Plain Vanilla Coffee Sleeves
© Cathy Waldie, January 1, 2009

left over amounts of wool yarn
(US) 6 (4.0mm) , (US) 8 (5.0mm), (US) 9 (5.5mm) double point needles
chibi needle

Gauge: 18 sts/28 rows in stockinette

C/O = Cast On
K = knit
P = purl
tbl = Through the back loop
B/O = Bind Off
2 x 2 Twisted Rib = Row 1: K2 tbl, P2 around, Row 2: K2, P2 around, repeat Rounds 1 and 2

Bottom Ribbing:
Using (US) 6 (4.0mm) needles and
Color A: C/O 36 stitches and join, being careful not to twist.
Knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.

Middle Body:
Using (US) 8 (5.0mm) needles and
Color B: K 6 rounds
Color A: K 1 round

Top Ribbing:
Using (US) 9 (5.5mm) needles and
Color A: knit 5 rounds in 2 x 2 Twisted Rib.
B/O in pattern.

Cut yarns and weave in ends.
Place around take out coffee cups to help protect fingers and hands from heat.

New Year's Coffee Sleeves

Let's see what I decided to do for my New Year's Day project to start off the New Year...and to use up some of the 100% wool 'leftovers' from previous projects. I started with a pile that looked like this:

I prefer to use Double points in sizes (US) 6 (4.0mm), (US) 8 (5.0mm), and (US) 9 (5.5mm). You can choose to use the same, or magic loop or 2 circulars for knitting in the round, or you can chose to knit these flat and then seam them up. It's up to you. I try to avoid sewing up my knitting whenever the chance presents itself. So, double points for me, it has been.

This is the first view that I gave you of how this little project turned out....

But this is what they look like..full on!

Coffee Sleeves! I present to you..several choices. I came up with the idea after making the coffee sleeves for my parents. To recap...

Dad was having an issue with feeling the heat through the cups and the cardboard sleeves while going to his morning Mall Walk with his 'group'. The patterns that I'd found on Ravelry seemed to fit the bill for Mom and Dad, since the cabled pattern matched the cable in their vest and sweater that I'd just made for them. However, looking at the rest of my wool left overs, with the colors from the felted kitchen sets that I've made for the kids and my brother over time, made me think I could come up with a few patterns on my own to mix the colors together. So, here are the first 4 sets in pictures. I have a couple more that haven't been knit up, yet. I'll post the patterns separately as I get them both knit and written up. For now, I'll share with you the pictures of:

Plain Vanilla Coffee Sleeve

Striped Coffee Sleeve

Arrows on your Coffee Sleeve

Hearts on your Coffee Sleeves

One thing I want to show you is why before you begin the top ribbing, you want to do a single round in the knit stitch before the ribbing. It avoids those 'blips' you can see on the left sleeve.

Stay tuned as I get them typed and posted!

Updating the progress

OK we're almost ready to post pattens. Now that my plug for the computer is reunited back with the computer, I am back online. Sheeshhhhhhh....brilliant move.

These, however, have now become my constant companion. I had another brilliant idea of moving boxes around. I should have known better since falling 5 years ago. It ALWAYS brings pain. But, the thought of putting away the Christmas boxes seemed to be the right choice at the time. Right now, they're 'nearly' there. They're out of the house but not up where they belong, yet. Guess that'll have to wait until I get some additional help. Lifting boxes, or pushing them tend to give my bad hip so much pain, it hurts to breathe. And it takes days to get it to quit. We're now at 8, if anyone is keeping score.

In the meantime, I've not been slouching off. The 'knit me something square' has now become a pillow. At the request of the 6 year old.

The Mini mittens are finished. Well, sorta. I hooked them together from the top using and i-chord with the top stitches. But I'm not sure that's how I want them hanging from the Christmas tree next year. Mittens generally are chained together from the cuffs for little guys to wear through the sleeves of their jackets. What do you think? Should I re-do them and hook them via the cuffs? The Miniature Mitten pattern is in the back of the book, "Folk Mittens". I used Encore DK yarn in both the royal and soft white colors, (US) 1( 2.25mm) double point needles.

As is this pair of mittens. They're the Classic Mitten pattern from the Folk Mittens book. I used Encore worsted in the Royal Blue color with (US) 4 (3.5mm) double point needles.

Did you happen to see the moon the other night? I didn't get the pictures at night, but rather yesterday morning. The pictures make it look much father away than it felt with my own eyes. I guess it was the closest the moon is going to be to the Earth. I found it to be just fascinating.

I've started yet another slipper sock for Ship's Support. This one needs the toe grafted and then of course, a mate.

I've started another Christmas Eve Scarf in Hemplewhite. Do you KNOW how much Homespun I still have? I had bought a 'bit extra' years ago to bring with me to teach my knitting class so the new knitters could pick which color to knit with and get started right away. Having the class end unexpectedly (thanks to some major interfering from an outside source with the agreed upon schedule) left me with lots left over. Oh, well...click click click..the needles are busy.

And, as I'm putting on the finishing touches with the pattern writing, here's what I'm using for them. It's said that the best way to improve something is practice. Practice, practice, practice. So, for me, I make more than one of some technique. 2 years ago, I decided that I wanted to learn to make socks and knit better with colors. In 2007 I learned the techniques, 2008 I made something for me in the colors area (Norwegian Star hat) and for 2009, I want to do better all
way around. You'll see in a moment that I've made more than one of each of the patterns I'll post tomorrow (barring any more 'brilliant' moves).

Yes, I'm using double points. Not just one, not two, but three pairs. (US)6 (4.0mm), (US) 8 (5.0mm), and (US) 9 (5.5mm). If you feel better knitting the items flat, you can. If you're happy with the magic loop, knock your socks off. Or use 2 circulars like I do for the crowns on hats. It's up to you how you want to knit these. They are in the round. I would prefer to not have extra seams to sew up. To me, if there's a way to cut down on time and to make something faster, it means in the round. It's up to you. But, at times, I like double points. Even with the new Addi clicks that came for Christmas! For this project, I like the double points. So, while you're digging out the type and size needles you'll need, I leave you with these pictures. Any ideas how to knit up leftovers from your wool ends?

updating the glitches

OK I have to make this short, since I seem to be separated at the moment from my plug for the computer. sheesssssshhhhhhhh....

In order to fix some other glitches, the pattern with the left over wool is being re-written. I was off by stitch, so I'm having to re-vamp some charts. So bear with me here, and hopefully by the weekend, I'll have them all up.

In answer to a question, the mini pizzas were made with a 1/2 of English muffin, jared pizza sause spread to your preference, shredded mozzerella cheese, and then add the toppings of your choice. We used black, sliced olives, pepperoni and mushrooms. Then, pop them in a 400*F oven for 9-12 mins, or until the cheese has melted. Yummy! Perfect for 6 year old baker's helper to make on his own!

Heart for big sister went over very well...Plymouth Encore pink yarn, pattern found here: Little Hearts http://ourknitalong.blogspot.com

More bits of Christmas....Yo Ho Ho Ho!...from Disneyland...and Santa and snowman from the Biltmore Estate...

And check out the yummy surprise from Miss Angela! oh, now to decide which pattern to use!!!!!


More wine charms.

Happy New Year!

Ready for some new patterns? Grab your odds and ends of your wool or wool blends. I've got something up my 'sleeve'....I'm using double points, you might want to use 2 circular needs. I'll give you a little bit of time to go hunt them up.

Baker's Helper has been at the house to day 'teaching' me to make mini pizzas. Right now, I'm off to play Candy Land!

Happy New Year!

(would someone get the U of Michigan football team to Resolve to a having a winning season this year?)

finishing up 2008 just before the stroke of Midnight

A couple of days ago, the Baker's helper was over to the house and watched me crochet on a blue and white afghan. (He doesn't know it, but someday it'll be his when it's finished.) He asked what I was working on and I said I was practicing my crocheting because I'm not as good at it as knitting. He asked if he could have it when I was finished practicing. I told him I thought we could figure something out.


A moment later he asked if I could knit him a square, then wait...a rectangle. With a Star and my name. And a little one like 'this' like a credit card.

Out came the paper and pens and his 'designs' were on paper. The next day we hit the yarn store where he picked out his yarn. And some pink yarn as a surprise for his big sister. He wanted me to knit her a heart.

12 minutes before Midnight tonight, I downloaded the pictures of the 3 important items that had just been finished.

Here's hoping the end of your 2008 is filled with as much love as this little guy shows his big brothers and sisters!