Knit It

Here is a pattern for a cute and very easy Teddy Bear:

He's knitted in one piece, starting at his legs.

Garter stitch used throughout (knit every row) with 4mm needles.

Cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows.

Break off yarn and cast on 8 stitches and work 16 rows to form other leg.

Knit across both legs (16 sts) and complete 8 rows.

Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Work 8 rows.

Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Now work 38 rows on these 16 sts.

Cast on 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows.

Work 8 rows.

Cast off 8 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. Work 8 rows.

Using only first 8 stitches, work 16 rows and then cast off.

Return to remaining 8 stitches and work 16 rows and then cast off.

Fold knitted piece in half lengthways. The fold becomes the top of the head.

Join seam around teddy, leave a small gap between the legs. Turn right side out.

Backstitch a diagonal line across corner of head to form ears.

Stuff and slip stitch closed area left for stuffing.

Embroider a face on teddy.

Take a double thickness of yarn and thread around neck, going in every few stitches, (making sure there are no loops that little fingers can get into). Draw up yard tightly to form neck and secure ends. Do the same around his arms.

Dress him up with a little scarf or hat (or coat, or bow tie...)!

Knit It

Knitting doesn't have to be done only with yarn or wool. I had this idea awhile ago, to knit with plastic bags. I planned on making a hand bag or a pencil case, but never got around to finishing it (I get distracted pretty easily).

Here is how I made the plastic yarn:

The bags I use are shopping bags with handles, in bright colors (I like Old Navy bags the best).

Flatten the seams and smooth the wrinkles.

Cut off the handles.

Cut open one side and the bottom, so you have it opened up completely.

Start at one corner and cut a strip, about 1/2 an inch to 1 inch, depending how thick you want your yarn (the thinner the easier to use).

When you get up to the first side, simply turn and keep cutting it one length. This will make a big spiral.

It's a good idea to wrap the "yarn" into balls, so it's easier to work with.

Here are some items for sale on Etsy made out of plastic bags:

Handbags

Bracelets

Crazy Clutch

I would love to see some finished projects, so feel free to email me pictures, and I'll post them!

Knit It

One of my favourite and easiest knitting projects is this dish cloth. It's a good beginner pattern, and is a lot of fun to make (and quick to finish).

You can really use any size needles, but I use my trusty #7's

This is started from the corner, so it gets bigger by one stitch each row you knit. When you get half way through it, you start decreasing each row by one stitch.

Here are the instructions:

cast on 4 stitches
knit 1 row
Next row, knit 2, yarn over, knit to end (this is to increase each row by 1 stitch)
Repeat the k2, yo, k to end until you have 44 stitches on the needle
Next row, knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end
Continue to do this, decreasing each row, until 4 stitches are left on the needle.
Then bind off the 4 last stitches.

* If you are just starting out, here is a great How To guide.