Teapot Sweater Pattern


Here is the pattern for the teapot sweater It's my first time writing down a pattern so please excuse any errors. Let me know if there are any problems with the pattern so I can fix them. Also let me know if you try this pattern - I would love to know how it turned out.

Teapot Sweater

Yarn: Galway Irish worsted knitting wool, 100 wool, 100g 200m - 1 ball (used just over half the ball)

Supplies: 4.5mm (US7), Cable needle, Pins, contrasting ribbon.

Gauge about 6.25 stitches per inch wide in cable pattern and 5.5 stitches per inch tall. Gauge is not that important as it will stretch.

Dimensions – My teapot is about 20 inches in diameter at its widest and 8 inches high. Measure your teapot and add a few rows or omit some as needed. Play around with the increases and decreases, just remember to twist the cable every 6 rows.

Front and back (make 2 identical pieces)

CO 38 stitches

Row 1 (WS) – *K2, P4, rep from *, K2

Row 2 (RS) - *P2, K4, rep from *, P2

Row 3 (WS) – Rep row 1

Row 4 – Rep Row 2

Row 5 (WS) – K2, *P4, K1, M1, K1, rep from *, K2

Row 6 – P2, *C4F, P3, rep from * ending with P2

Row 7(WS) - K2, *P4, K3, rep from * ending with K2

Row 8 – P2, *K4, P3, rep from * ending with P2

Row 9 – K1, M1, K1, *P4, K1, M1, K2, Rep from * ending with K1, M1, K1

Row 10 – P3, *K4, P4, Rep from * ending with P3

Row 11 – K3, *P4, K4, rep from * ending with K3

Row 12 – P3, *C4F, P4, rep from * ending with P3

Row 13 – rep row 11

Row 14 – P3, *K1, M1, K3, P4, rep from * ending with P3

Row 15 – K3, *P5, K4, rep from * ending with K3

Row 16 – P3, *K4, M1, K1, P4 rep from * ending with P3

Row 17 – K3, *P6, K4, rep from * ending with K3

Row 18 – P3, *C6F, P4, rep from * ending with P3

Row 19 – Rep row 17

Row 20 – P3, *K6, P4, rep from * ending with P3

Row 21 – Rep row 17

Row 22 – Rep row 20

Row 23 – Rep row 17

Row 24 – Rep row 18 (cable twist)

Row 25 – Rep row 17

Row 26 – Rep row 20

Row 27 – Rep row 17

Row 28 – Rep row 20

Row 29 – Rep row 17

Row 30 – Rep row 18 (cable twist)

Row 31 – K3, *P1, P2tog, P3, K4 rep from * ending with K3

Row 32 – P3, *K5, P4, rep from * ending with P3

Row 33 – K3, *P2, P2tog, P1, K4, rep from * ending with K3

Row 34 – P3, *K4, P4, rep from * ending with P3

Row 35 – K3, *P4, K1, K2tog tbl, K1, rep from * ending with K3

Row 36 – P3, *C4F, P3, rep from *

Row 37 – K3, *P4, K3 rep from *

Row 38 – P3, *k4, P3 rep from *

Row 39 – Rep row 37

Row 40 – P3, *K4, P1, YO, P2tog, rep from * ending with P3 (eyelet round)

Row 41 – Rep 37

Row 42 – Rep row 36 (cable twist)

Row 43 – Rep row 37

Row 44 – Rep row 38

Row 45 – Rep row 37

Row 46 – Rep row 38

Row 47 – Rep row 37

Row 48 – Rep row 36 (cable twist)

Row 49 – Rep row 37

Row 50 – Rep row 38

Bind off all stitches in batten.

Finishing – Pin the two pieces together on one side only at the top (cast on edge) and bottom (bound off edge) only. Try the sweater on the teapot by slipping the spout between the pins. Mark on the other side where the handle fits and sew up the side leaving a gap large enough for the handle. Make the spout side the same way and sew up the edge leaving a gap large enough for the spout. Weave in ends. Cut a length of ribbon and thread through the eyelets and tie into a pretty bow.

I really can’t get the hang of this blogging thing - while in theory I like the idea of an online journal, I can’t seem to keep up with it. So here we are 2 months since my last post, and I finally get around to posting again.

And as usual, the only things I post about are FO's......

Here are my newest finished objects, three items I am very, very proud of.

First, a baby sweater for my brand spanking newborn cousin in Virginia

Yarn used is Bernat Handicrafter. This is so cute it painful. I wish I could see it on the baby, but alas, I will be mailing it instead of delivering in person.



Next is The Marseilles Pullover form IK Summer "06. I don't understand why this sweater was in a summer issue. Especially since the pattern calls for Alpaca. Can you imagine wearing Alpaca in the summer? Maybe in other climates, but not appropriate for Toronto. This was easily the most complicated cable pattern I have ever attempted, and took me a while because it’s cabled on the back to, but I had a lot of fun making it. I ran out of yarn and since I purchased this yarn In Victoria BC I didn't have high hopes of getting the dye lot again. I made the sleeves shorter instead, and I really like the way it turned out. The fit is amazing, the yarn is so gorgeous....the colour, the feel. I am in love with this sweater.

Yarn used is Cascade 220 the Heathers, Colour plum heather. Used 4 Skeins.






My last one is a solution to a problem. I have been drinking a lot of tea of late while suffering from the dreaded winter. The result of the cold weather was that the tea in my teapot was always cold before I could even get my second cup poured. I decided it was time for a tea cozy. After looking at lots of patterns I could not find one I liked, so I designed one. My very accommodating teapot allowed me to take lots of measurements and try it on her often (teapots are much more accommodating than husbands or sons) and it in end we have the cutest tea cozy I have ever seen. My son calls it the teapot sweater, and it is just darling. And...It works. I no longer have cold tea at the bottom of the pot. I am happy, my teapot is happy, A happy solution to an everyday problem.

Behold the Teapot sweater. I am thinking about posting the pattern is anyone is interested.



Current projects in the works are Simple Knitted Bodice in Simply Soft, and my third branching out (I love that pattern) in Bernat cool crochet (interesting yarn by the way, makes a nice draped shiny branching out, and costs about $2.50).




That’s all for now.

2 shawls to talk about today.

1 - I finished and blocked my Swallowtail Shawl. Here is a pre-blocked shot



and some nice after blocking pics.



I love those lace close-ups. I am very proud of myself on this one cause it’s my first lace shawl and because it’s the first time I used charts instead of written out directions for knitting. Yarn is Knit Picks Shimmer in flower garden. I used the variegated yarn because I figured it would hide all the mistakes I assumed I would make. Not I kinda wish I had used a solid colour, so the pattern would pop more. I do love the colours though. Not what you would call subtle.

2 - I finished a really quick chunky shawl for my mom in 2 days! Yarn is Bernat Illusions, colour Radiant Red. I really did not enjoy working on this. I hate knitting with textured yarn and I did not have high hopes for the finished project. It turned out nice in the end though. Very cozy, and so quick to make!



I am still plugging away and my Christmas knitting. Khalil and I are leaving for a week in Atlanta on Saturday so that will either mean no time to knit, or a hell of a lot of time to knit.

And finally, the prize for the cutest picture today is Khalil...who insisted on wearing the shawl for a photo.


Cheers!

Finished Projects Galore!!!

Okay finally I got off my lazy ass and photographed my recent finished objects. Here they are:

1 - Starsky sweater. I love this sweater and I am very proud of myself with how it turned out. I am getting the hang of this knitting thing... here are some pics including me in sweater in picturesque Whistler B.C.

2 - Tony’s never ending sweater. Finally finished. I started this baby in August 2005. Finally finished just before we went to BC. I was made to match Khalil's hoodie sweater that was finished in July 2005. Thankfully, Khalil's sweater still fits so was able to take a pic of the boys in their matching sweaters.

3 - Vacation Sweater. So named because I knit most of it while on my vacation in BC. On the plane, in Vancouver, in Whistler and in Victoria. I got the pattern here.


I have some other finished projects but I am not going to post pictures because they are Christmas gifts and I’d like to try to keep a surprise.....

But I will show you these...
My 3 -year old Khalil, is OBSESSED with Star Wars (Tony and I are very proud - he is already showing very advanced geeky tendencies). One day he asked me to knit him a toy and I came up with these Star Wars finger puppets. The idea was to make many more, which I will do, once my Christmas knitting is done. So far we have (from left)

Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, Padmé, Obi-Wan Kenobe and Mace Windu.
They are a big hit with little one and know I have to deal with daily "can you make more Star Wars finger puppets?"

Other than Christmas presents, right now I am working on the Swallowtail shawl. I am interested to see what this will look like off the needles and blocked, since right now it just looks like a tangled pink mess....



And finally, here is the little guy in his Halloween Costume - Price Philip from Sleeping Beauty. What a handsome young prince.




Ciao for now!

Aunty Meredith gets Married!

Date: Sunday October 8th 2006
Place: Ward's Island, Toronto
Weather: Unbelievable gorgeous considering it was October

Only Meredith would choose to have a beach wedding in Toronto in October. And only Meredith would have the power to ensure a 24 degree warm sunny day. The wedding was beautiful. The location was stunning. And the ring bearer was handsome...and believe it or not, well behaved.


Those who are well acquainted with my handsome son know that he is not exactly a calm child. Not really a child that will walk carefully and slowly when required. At the wedding rehearsal that day before, he walked down the aisle with his light saber killing imaginary storm troopers on the beach. Thankfully, Meredith (being a loving aunt and all) finds him funny and did not mind if he chose to kill storm troopers at the actual wedding.


But he did not. He calmly walked down the beach with his little ring pillow. He behaved. All were shocked indeed.

And in other earth shattering news...I baked a pie last week. Wasn't it gorgeous? Tasty too!

WIP…
So on account of the cooler weather and a sale at Michaels on Patons classic wool, I started a new project. I am attempting the Starsky sweater form Knitty. In all the stores and fashion mags this season everyone is wearing these longish sweaters with skinny pants. I couldn’t afford any of the sweaters that I liked, so I decided to make one. I love the starsky sweater, but I am concerned because this is the biggest thing I have attempted (save the vast never-ending Tony sweater). Unlike the Tony sweater, however, it is not a boring knit. So hopefully I will not get bored before it’s done. So far the back and the left front are done.

Here is the progress:


The yarn is Patons Classic Wool, colour, burgundy. Although the yarn is finer than the yarn called for in the pattern, I was getting the right gauge with the 6mm needles so I went ahead with it. I know it looks really narrow in the picture, I think it will stretch quite a bit with blocking. The stockinette pieces are curling under too, which makes it look so narrow. I hope this does not turn into my first gauge accident. I am making the medium (I usually wear a small) so maybe it will be okay. This is a fun knit though.


An addition to the starskey cardigan, also working on the never-ending Tony sweater, and a stole for my mom. Here are some progress pics of those...




For the Tony sweater, the yarn is Bernat denim style. This piece is the back. I put the cat on it for scale. She is a small cat, but really, this thing is huge. I mean I know Tony is a big guy, but not that big. This sweater is designed with lots of ease. It will be comfortable, but it’s such a boring knit. All that vast stokinette. I promised him I would have it done by Christmas, and all that’s left is half a sleeve and the kangaroo pocket, but I'm still not sure if I will make it. Knitting this sweater makes me sneeze. The cotton/acrylic fibers like to go airborne...


The stole is with knit picks shadow, colour jewels. One this I like about this pattern is that there are only 4 rows to remember and two of them are purls. So I only had to memorize 2 rows, and I don’t have to follow a chart or a pattern. This makes a lace project that is easily transportable. What I don’t like is that it’s my first time using real lace-weight yarn and the stuff really is finicky...takes some getting used to.

Anyway, we are all excited here because of two new developments in the household. They are:

1 - tomorrow we are expecting a new addition to the family. Our brand new, much anticipated lazy boy recliner will be delivered then and then will begin the fights about who gets to sit on it.

2 - We are going on vacation in October! Hurray! 1 week in Vancouver with 2 of the days spent in Whistler for a large family gathering. We are soooo excited....

I have finished so many projects recently...it’s given me a new found sense of purpose and accomplishment. Who cares if the house is a mess, I have a finished lace tank.

Here are some...



Fetching fingerless gloves. Destined to me a gift, I think.


Rolie Polie Olie sweater. This is the result of me asking Khalil, "what kind of sweater do you want me to make for you?". Remind me not to ask him that again. Also remind me not to do intarsia again.

Branching out scarf. Done in Garnstudio Alpaca, this is the softest and lovliest thing I have ever knit. I am so proud of myself. I made Lace! Now I have to decide to keep it or give it away.



Four washcloths and an altogether cleaner 3 year old.

Lotus Blossom Tank. In SWTC Bamboo. I love this colour and it was really fun to knit. It's a little disconcerting to have so much air conditioning around my belly, but the fit is amazing. I love the drape of this yarn.



This is a little tank I whipped up using 2 balls of Patons Decor. I'm happy with it.

And in the not knit category...


Handmade beaded stichmarkers. I used the prettiest beads for my stash of beads from when I used to call jewelery making my favorite hobby (before I discovered knitting). They are so pretty I just love to stare at them.

That's all. It's nice to have a bit of extra time to knit lately. I wish there was time for housework too though...

It's like my favorite saying, a spotlessly clean house is a sign of wasted time.