Kunguman- manjal haram [vermilion-termeric necklace]

Aaadi vanthachu Ammannuku oru nal. Today is first Friday of aadi and I dedicate this haram[necklace] to the Goddess in all forms. During the days betwen July 15th to August 15th it is a very special occassion for hindus in Tamilnadu. All the Amman temples gets renovated and there is festivity lasting for 3 days.The festival starts with paal kudam [milk pot] and ends on the 3 rd day with fire walk.People keep fast and walk on fire.This month kick starts for the other festival that will follow

1. The haram

2. Close up of the haram

3. Haram adoring Santhoshi ma

4. Haram adoring Lakshmi ma

PS: I leave the ends loose so that the necklace can be decorated on any god's idol or image

Pattern:

Cast on 1 st

kfb - 2 sts

knit all even rows

K1, kfb - 3 sts

K1,kfb,k1 - 4 sts

K1,kfb,k1,k1 - 5 sts

knit as garter stitch for 8 rows [ get 4 ridges]

Next row knit 1,k1,make a bobble ,k1,k1

Repeat these 2 rows as per your desired length

Then start reducing

k1,k2tog,k1,k1 - 4 sts

knit even rows

k1,k2tog,k1 - 3 sts

k1,k2tog - 2 sts

k2tog

bind off.

The length of my haram is 32 cms.Since the bobble did not come as per my requirements, I did bobble separately and then stitched it on to the necklace. I turned the piece to give a v-shape in the center.

Pompoms

Pompoms are widely used to add as a trimming. Now a days some knitters/crocheters are creating a variety of toys , dishcloth and shawls with pompoms.

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Tassels

Tassels are used at the end of sarees or duppatta. This is very popular with Indian dresses.

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Knotted fringe

Whenever you want to do an elaborate knotted fringe especially for shawls , you will require a knitted fringe like below.

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Simple fringe

Many a times knitted garments can be decorated with fringes.A simple fringe is the perfect finishing touch for a scarf

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Bow -tie

Presenting this bow-tie. I just picked the pattern from page 152 from my book The Ultimate Source book of Knitting and Chrochet stitches from The Harmonay Guides Book. The name of the pattern is Faggoted Panel.
With the help of 2 color yarns knitted the pattern to 65 cms.
Made a knot

1. Bow tie in a straight position

2. Bow tie in a slant position

3. Close view of the knot

All the abbreviations that are used in knitting

All of us require the help of  abbreviations while we follow a knitting pattern. I have gathered as many of the abbreviations I could find. The list is exhaustive sharing some here.

“     Inch or inches

*     Repeat instructions following the single asterisk as directed

**   Repeat instructions between asterisks as directed

{ }   Alternate measurements or instructions

( )   Repeat directions as noted or indicated

alt   Alternate

approx   Approximately

beg   Begin or beginning

bet   Between

Bk lp   Back loop

Blo   Back loop only

Bp   Back post

BO   Bind off

C   Cable

CA   Color A

CB   Color B

CC   Contrasting color

cdd   Centered double decrease

ch   Chain

cl   Cluster

cm   Centimeter or centimeters

cn   cable needle

CO   Cast on

cont   Continue

COR   Carriage on the right

CR   Cross Stitches to the right

cross 2 L   Cross 2 stitches to the left

cross 2 R   Cross 2 stitches to the right

dec   Decrease

decs  Decreases

DK   Double knitting weight yarn

dpn   Double pointed needles

ea   Each

EON   End of needle

EON   Every other needle

EOR   End of row

FC   Front cross

fl   Front Loops

fol   Front loop only

foll   Follow, follows, following

fwp  Forward working position

g/gr   Gram

g st   Garter stitch

grp  Group

hk   Hook

hp   Holding position

in   Inch

inc/s  Increase/s

incl   Including

k   Knit stitch

k tbl    Knit stitch through the back loop

K1 tbl    Knit stitch through the back loop

K1b    Knit stitch through the back loop

k-b    Knit stitch in the row below

k-wise    knit-wise

k1 f and b    Knit 1 stitch in the front, then in the back of the same stitch

kf b   Knit 1 stitch in the front, then in the back of the same stitch

k2tog   Knit 2 stitches together

k2tog tbl    Knit 2 stitches together through the back loops

kll    Knit left loop

kp   Keyplate

krl    Knit right loop

LC   Left cross

LH    Left hand

lp/s   Loop/s

LT     Left twist

M/s   Marker/s

m    Meter

M1    Make 1

M1A   Make 1 away

M1F   Make 1 front left

M1L   Make 1 front left

M1B   Make 1 back right

M1R    Make 1 back right

M1T    Make 1 towards

MB    Make bobble

mc    Main Color

mm    millimeters

no     Number

NWP     Non-working position

oz     Ounce or ounces

p     Purl stitch

p tble     Purl stitch through the back loop

P1b      Purl stitch through the back loop

P1 tble    Purl stitch through the back loop

p-b      Purl stitch in the row below

p-wise     Purl wise

pfb     Purl the front of the stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch

p1 f and b      Purl the front of the stitch, then purl the back of the same stitch

p2tog     Purl 2 together

p2tog tble     Purl 2 together through the back loops

pat/patt/pats/patts    Pattern

pm    Place marker

pnso    Pass next stitch over

pop    Popcorn stitch

prev    Previous

psso    Pass the slipped stitch over

pu     Pick up stitches

RC    Right Cross

rem    Remaining

rep/s   Repeat/s

Rev ST    st Reverse stockinette or stocking stitch

RH    Right hand

rib    Ribbing

rnd   Round

RS    Right side

RT     Right twist

sk    Skip

sk2p    Slip 1 Knit 2 tog or pass slipped stitch over

SKP     Slip, knit, pass

skpo    Slip, knit, pass

s       Slip a stitch

sl       Slip a stitch

sl st     Slip stitch or Slip stitches

sl1, k1, psso        Slip 1, knit 1, pass the slipped stitch over

sl1k       Slip a stitch knit-wise

sl 1 k-wise      Slip a stitch knit-wise

sl1p        Slip a stitch purl-wise

1sl 1 p-wise     Slip a stitch purl-wise

sp      Space

ssk Slip,      slip, knit slipped stitches tog

ssp     Slip, slip, purl

sssk         Slip, slip, slip, knit 3 slipped stitches together

st     Stitch

sts     Stitches

St st     Stockinette or stocking stitch

tble T    hrough the back loop

tog    Together

won     Wool over needle

wp    Working position

wrn    Wool round needle

WS     Wrong side

wy    Waste yarn

wyib     With yarn in back

wyif      With yarn in front

yb     Yarn to the back

ybk   Yarn to the back

yd    Yard

yds   Yards

yfon   Yarn forward and over needle

yfrn   Yarn forward and round needle

yf     Yarn forward

yfwd   Yarn forward

yo   Yarn over needle

yo2   Yarn over twice

yon   Yarn over needle

yrn   Yarn over needle

Source: By: Maria Nerius, FaveCrafts.com Resident Craft Expert
http://www.favecrafts.com/Knitting/Abbreviations-Guide-to-Knitting/ml/1

Types of yarn used for knitting

After a long time I was able to collect articles on the various types of yarns that are used for knitting. Each area has specific type of yarns. Thanks to Favecrafts I was able to get this information and I am sharing it with you.


Different fibers of yarn will result in completely different results in your piece or garment. You want to be familiar with the different kinds of yarn fiber and how they will work in a knitting or crochet project.

Synthetic Fibers
Nylon, rayon, acrylic, viscose, and polyester are all synthetic fibers that appear in yarn. 100 % acrylic yarn is a common choice as it is the most inexpensive yarn. This makes acrylic yarn a good choice for those just learning how to knit or crochet.

Blends
Many yarns blend different natural fibers, synthetic fibers or natural fibers with synthetic fibers, such as for a softer feel. If you want to felt your knitted or crochet project, you must ensure the yarn is at least 80% wool, but the other 20% can be synthetic.

Natural Fibers

Cotton- Made from cotton plants, many types of cotton yarn are treated with chemicals to make them more durable, mildew resistant, and able to accept dyes better. Some environmental concerns have been raised with traditional cotton production though.

Wool- Many different kinds of wool exist and are spun into yarns with different weights and textures. Wool accepts color very well and is very warm. Merino wool yarn is a popular choice in making garments.

Cashmere- As the name suggests it is from Kashmir ,India.Cashmere, from the soft undercoats of cashmere goats, is a more expensive yarn which is especially smooth while still retaining warmth.

Alpaca/Llama- South American llamas or alpacas produce very soft, warm yarn. Llama wool yarn is less soft and bulkier. Alpaca and llama wool is non-allergenic, since it does not have the lanolin found in lamb’s wool. This yarn does not accept color as well as wool though.

Mohair- Mohair is a thick yarn from the Angora goat with an especially fuzzy look.

Angora- Angora is an especially soft rabbit fur yarn which has a fuzzy appearance.

Linen- Linen yarn is made from the flax plant and is a lightweight yarn perfect for summer garments.

Silk- Silk comes from silkworm larvae and is very smooth and light. Since silk does not have much stretch, silk is generally combined with other fibers for yarn, often cashmere for a truly-luxurious yarn.

Eco-Friendly Yarns

Organic Cotton- It is cotton created without synthetic fertilizer or pesticides and, when made into yarn, without chemical dyes.

Bamboo- Bamboo yarn has the feel of silk and is very strong. Bamboo is a renewable resource because it can be harvested without killing the plant, which then regenerates the removed bamboo in a couple of months.

Hemp- Hemp is another renewable resource which can be grown without pesticides or herbicides and is the strongest natural fiber. Hemp yarn garments are softer with each machine washing and can be treated for softness as yarn. Check out LanaKnits to read about and purchase Hemp yarn.

Source: http://www.favecrafts.com/Knitting/Types-of-Yarn-for-Knitting-or-Crochet/ml/1

Tulasi[Basel] leaves garland

Presenting my tulasi[basel] leaves garland. It is to be noted that the plant tulasi brings in good luck and is revered in all Hindu house hold. This is a simple leaf pattern that I had picked up from the net, that was made for cherry.

1. Garland adorning Satyanarayana

2. Close up of Lord satyanarayana

3.The tulasi garland

The Pattern for making the leaf
This is a knit pattern
Cast on one stitch
r1- kfb [2 sts]
r2 - k1, kfb [3 sts]
r3 - k1, kfb, k1 [ 4 sts]

r4 - r6 knit

r7 - k1, k2tog, k1 [ 3sts]
r8 - k1, k2tog [ 2 sts]
r9 - k2tog

Hope you all will be able to follow

Luggage Tags or yo-yo

Hi friends - presenting lovely luggage tags. I was inspired to do this from the pattern of  Lion Brand Yarn craft pattern. I made some modifications to suit for knitting. The cork disc was knitted with a help of size 8 [4 mm] straight needles. The spiral cord was done with size 8 [4 mm] double pointed needles. The braided tie or string was done using size 14 double pointed needles. This was my first attempt with two color yarns.

1. Luggage tag or yo-yo

1.1 Close up of tag

2. Cork disc was converted into a knitted round disc.

2.2 close up of round disc

3. Replaced glue yarn in desired colors in a spiral with an i-cord and coiled it closely to get a spiral effect.

3.1 close up of the coiled i-cord

4. Used an two color i-cord for Braided Tie

4.1 a close of the two colored i-cord.

Unravelling

When mistakes happen more than few rows, the best wave to tackle the mistake is by unravelling

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Unpicking stitches

If by chanse you find a mistake a few rows down, it is posible for you to correct this mistake

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Picking up in a purl

The stitches can be picked up in the purl stitch also

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Picking up a ladder

While knitting even a professional can make a mistake. Hence it is important that we should equip ourself to deal these mistakes effectively,when ever it occurs.
Hence to correct mistakes one should have a crochet hook at your disposable. The crocher hook is used to pick up dropped stitches.
A cable needle is also used sometimes to hold a loose stitch while you are sorting the problem,

It is important that sfter you have corrected the mistakes, recount the stitches to make double sure that you have the right number of stitches

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn

Double cast on

This is how a double cast on stitch is made

Source: The Knitter’s Handbook - Hamlyn