ra-mi

Wheat warmer DIY

2014-01-02T06:12:00.004-08:00

You'll need some light fabric and some cotton fabric for the cover.

Most of wheat warmers in the shops comes without covers, but I chose to have it as you will be able to keep it clean just by throwing into the washing machine.

From light fabric sew a long sleeve leaving it open at one end.

Turn it inside out and sew one line along the middle (i used zig zag stitch).

Pour wheat equally to both sides.

Sew the end leaving some extra room for wheat to move.

You're done with your wheat warmer.

Do the cover of your choice and that's it.

Have nice warming times with your new wheat warmer.

Girls Bobble Hat

2014-01-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

Head circumference 45cm

Knitting bobble
Starting with 2st
R1 *K1 in first st, keeping first st on the needle, knit 1st in the st from the previous row, knit 1st in in first stitch the one kept on the needle*, repeat between ** into the second st, wrap and turn (wt),
R2 P6, wt,
R3 K6, wt,
R4 P6, wt,
R5 K3tog, K3tog.
Ending with 2st.
(don't forget to pick up wt loops when knitting appropriate st).

Cast on 130st with 2mm needles.

Ribbing
R1-6 K1, P1, (add different color double row line in the middle).

Hat
R7 *P5, K2* (adding extra 24st at random), repeat between **. You should end up with 154st in total.
R8-10 *P5, K2* repeat between**, change to 3.25mm needles.
R11 *P5, K bobble, P5, K2* repeat between **.
R12-16 *P5, K2* repeat between **,
R17 *P5, K2, P5, K bobble*
R18-22 knit as R12,
R23 knit as R11,
Continue repeating appropriate row for required length. I did 57rows until started decreasing.

Decreasing
R58 *P2tog, P1, P2tog, K2* repeat between **
R59 *P3, K bobble, P3, K2*, repeat between **
R60 *P1, P2tog, K2*, repeat between**
R61 *P2tog, K2tog, repeat between**,
R 62-64 *P1, K1*, repeat between**
Pull yarn through all st left, and knit one bobble on the top.

My first attempt to hand free machine embroidery

2014-01-02T06:02:00.002-08:00

I thought I'll try hands free machine embroidery

Done some squiggles the evening before and thought that's impossible...

Watched some more videos on you tube before bed.
And today I've done a little trial.

I think it went quite well. ;)
Guess need some embroidery thread and some fabric stabiliser.

Look forward doing some more ;)

Tip on sewing silk perfectly

2013-07-27T14:02:00.001-07:00

Have you always been avoiding silky fine fabrics?

I've done a silk dress few years ago and tried to forget it ever since.

Recently bought a long skirt in silk. Had to cut it and do a narrow hem.
Tried every possible setting on my sewing machine, still it wasn't coming out right.

Got this advise from a sales lady in John Lewis when buying thread.

All you need is some fine paper. The one they wrap your new clothes in shop.

Just cut it in strips and put it underneath your silk when sewing.

Does wonders.

Tear away the paper and you're left with perfect seam.

Hope it helped ;)

Baby socks (free pattern)

2012-11-27T11:06:00.000-08:00

Gauge 30rows=10cm 23st=10cm
Needles 3mm

Cast on 32st
R1-11 *K1,P1* repeat between**

R12-43 Knit Heel (short rows) Work with 16st only put other 16 st on hold
R1 K15 wt
R2 P14 wt
R3 K13 wt
R4 P12 wt
R5 K11 wt
R6 P10 wt
R7 K9 wt
R8 P8 wt
R9 K7 wt
R10 P6 wt
R11 S1 K6 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R12 S1 P7 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R13 S1 K8 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R14 S1 P9 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R15 S1 K10 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R16 S1 P11 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R17 S1 K12 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R18 S1 P13 (picking up the loop on the last st)
R19 S1 K14 (picking up the loop on the last st) K16(which were on hold) K1 picking up the last loop
Knit another 19 rows

Decreases
R1 *SSK K6 repeat between**
R2 *K1 SSK K4* repeat between**
R3 *K2 SSK K2* repeat between**
R4 *K3 SSK* repeat between**
R5 *SSK K2* repeat between**
R6 *K1 SSK* repeat between**
R7 *SSK* repeat between**
Pull yarn through the left st and you're done Happy knitting :)

Baby hat

2012-11-27T10:17:00.002-08:00

I have done this hat for our baby son who is 3.5 months at the moment.

3mm needles
100% Wendy supreme luxury cotton
Gauge 24st=10cm,
34rows=10cm.

Cast on 76st
Row 1-6 *K1, P1* repeat between **
Row7-34 knit,
Row 35-50 divide all st into 5parts, reduse 5st every second row
Row 51-56 reduse by 5st every row Pull yarn through left st.
Decorate as desired.

Happy knitting

Check my other post for baby cocoon.

Knitted Baby Cocoon (free patern)

2012-11-27T10:03:00.001-08:00

Size S (55cm in length, 56 cm in diameter)
Gauge
21st=10cm

Cast on 111st, knit 14rows.
Then purl for 47cm.
Decrease 5st every second row- 10times.
Then decrease 5st every row till you're left with 11st.
Knit 30 rows and bend to make a loop.
Decorate add desired. :)

Knitting in progress with the baby still in a belly :)

Check my other post for a baby hat to go with the Cocoon.

Happy knitting

Girls spring hat

2012-03-13T07:07:00.003-07:00

Here is a free girl cable knit hat pattern.
I've made this for my friends daughter.
Hope she'll be happy with her new spring hat.

Knitted Girls Hat

To fit head circumference of 53cm.
Yarn: Patons 4ply, 100% cotton.
Gauge: 36st x 52 rows = 10cm x 10 cm. (knitted with 2mm needles)
Needles: 2mm & 3.25mm

Cast on 2mm needles 150st. Join in circle.

Ribbing
R1-18 *K1, P1*, repeat between **. Knit every second row in white.

Hat
Change to 3.25 needles.
R19-23 *P5, K10*, repeat between **.
R24 *P5, move 5 knit stitches on cable needle to the back of knitting, K5, K5 from the cable needle*, repeat between **.
R25-36 knit as R19.
R37 knit as R24.
R38-49 knit as R19.
R50 knit as R24.
R51-62 knit as R19.
R63 knit as R24.

Decreases
R64 *P3, P2tog, K10, P5, K10*, repeat between **.
R65 *P4, K10, P5, K10*, repeat between **.
R66 *P4, K10, P3, P2tog, K10*, repeat between **.
R67 *P4, K10*, repeat between **.
R68 *P4, K4, K2tog, K4, P4, K10*, repeat between **.
R69 *P4, K9, P4, K10*, repeat between **.
R70 *P4, K3, K2tog, K4, P4, K10*, repeat between **.
R71 *P4, K8, P4, K10*, repeat between **.
R72 *P4, K8, P4, K4, K2tog, K4*, repeat between **.
R73 *P4, K8, P4, K9*, repeat between **.
R74 *P4, K8, P4, K3, K2tog, K4*, repeat between **.
R75 *P4, move 4 knit st on cable needle to the back of knitting, K4, K4 from cable needle*, repeat between **.
R76 *P1, P2tog, P1, K8, P4, K8*, repeat between **.
R77 *P3, K8, P1, P2tog, P1, K8*, repeat between **.
R78 *P2tog, P1, K8, P3, K8*, repeat between **.
R79 *P2, K8, P2tog, P1, K8*, repeat between **.
R80 *P2, K3, K2tog, K3, P2, K8*, repeat between **.
R81 *P2, K7, P2, K3, K2tog, K3*, repeat between **.
R82 *P2, K2, K2tog, K3, P2, K7*, repeat between **.
R83 *P2, K6, P2, K2, K2tog, K3*, repeat between **.
R84 *P2, K2, K2tog, K2, P2, K6*, repeat between **.
R85 *P2, K5, P2, K2, K2tog, K2*, repeat between **.
R86 *P2, K1, K2tog, K2, P2, K5*, repeat between **.
R87 *P2, move 2 knit st on cable needle to the back of knitting, K2, K2 from cable needle, P2, move 3 knit st on cable needle to the back of knitting, K2, take cable needle K2tog, K1*, repeat between **.
R88 *P2tog, K2tog, K2tog*, repeat between **.
R89 *P1, K2tog*, repeat between **.
R90 Pull out one st through all st left and make a little bobble on the top.

Thanks for viewing and happy knitting :)

Boy Spring Hat + Free knitting pattern

2012-03-10T07:51:00.001-08:00

To fit head circumference of 53cm.

Yarn: Patons 4ply, 100% cotton.

Gauge: 36st x 52 rows = 10cm x 10 cm.

Needles: 2mm

Cast on 150st. Join in circle.

Ribbing
R1-17 *k3, p3*, repeat between **. Add three double row lines of contrasting color.

Hat
R 18-64 knit.

Decreases
R 65-77 K2tog twice at random in each row.
R 78-86 K2tog at three random places in each row.
R 87-onwards divide all stitches in 5 equal parts-put markings, K2tog at each marker (5 K2tog in each row). Continue until 4-5st left, pull yarn through them.

You can add some decorative detail on the top. And also some decoration on the front if you fancy, or you can leave it as it is.

Girl's spring hat same size pattern will follow soon, so please visit blog again.

Thanks for viewing and happy knitting. ;)

Really Easy Neck Warmer Free Crochet Pattern

2011-12-08T06:47:00.001-08:00

Had to go see my friend. And the evening before, we were talking and she mentioned she always likes wearing high neck tops, not to get cold.
So I thought I do her a neck warmer.

It is really easy. Few hours and you're done.

You will need
4ply yarn
Crochet hook
Needle
Few buttons

Start with a Foundation Single Crochet until you have 28-30 chains.
Do about 70 rows in single crochet back loop only (SCBL).
Pull in loose ends, add two (or more) buttons wherever required and you're done.
I have done it quite loose so you will be able to pull the buttons through anywhere.

Happy wearing :)

Kids Neck Warmer (free pattern)

2011-12-02T10:47:00.001-08:00

Have finished this one few weeks ago, but took some time to move the pattern here.

I have done it to my 4year-old boy. It matches the Snow Hat I have made earlier.
I think neck warmers like this is great for kids, as all they have to do is just pull it over the head and neck and chest is perfectly covered.

NECK WARMER FREE KNITTING PATTERN

You will need:
3.25 circular needles/double end needles
4ply yarn of three different colours
Needle
Scrap yarn

GAUGE
24st = 10cm
29rows = 10cm

SOME SHORTENINGS
CO - cast on
R - row
S1 - slip one
K1 - knit one
P1 - purl one
A1 - add one (by pulling a loop from previous row)
K2tog/P2tog - knit/purl two together
LS - left shoulder
RS - right shoulder
WT - wrap and turn
Rep** - Repeat as in between **

FRONT

CO21
R1 - S1; K20,
R2 - S1; A1; P21; A1; P1,
R3 - S1; A1; K21; A1; K1,
R4 - S1; A1; P23; A1; P1,
R5 - S1; A1; K25; A1; K1,
R6 - S1; A1; P27; A1; P1,
R7 - S1; A1; K29; A1; K1,
R8 - S1; A1; P31; A1; P1,
R9 - S1; A1; K33; A1; K1,
R10 - S1; A1; P35; A1; P1,
R11 - S1; A1; K37; A1; K1,
R12 - S1; A1; P39; A1; P1,
R13 - S1; A1; K41; A1; K1,
R14 - S1; Purl
R15 - S1; A1; K43; A1; K1,
R16 - S1; Purl,
R17 - S1; A1; K45; A1; K1,
R18 - S1; Purl,
R19 - S1; A1; K47; A1; K1,
R20 - S1; Purl,
R21 - S1; A1; K49; A1; K1 (53st in total),
R22-R59 - Knit/Purl all row, (I have added a snow flake pattern starting on the 22row, 3-4st from the left side. I have used the same pattern as with the hat, just snowflake on its own).

Front SHOULDERS (knitting both shoulders using short rows at the same time)
R60 - LS - S1; K17; K2tog; move 13 st on a scrap yarn; - RS - take another yarn K2tog; K18,
R61 - RS - S1; P16; P2tog; - LS - P2tog; P17,
R62 - LS - S1 ; K15; K2tog; - RS - K2tog; K16,
R63 - RS - S1; P14; P2tog; - LS - P2tog, P15,
R64 - LS - S1; K13; K2tog; - RS - K2tog; K10; WT,
R65 - RS - P9; P2tog; - LS - P2tog; P9; WT,
R66 - LS - K10; - RS - RS - S1; K6; WT,
R67 - RS - P5; P2tog; - LS - P2tog; P5; WT,
R68 - LS - K6; - RS - S1; K2; WT,
R69 - RS - P3; - LS - S1; P2; WT,
R70 - LS - K3; - RS - S1; K12 (picking up the loops),
R71 - RS - slip 13st; - LS - S1; P12 (picking up the loops).

BACK

CO21
R1 - S1; K20,
R2 - S1; A1; P21; A1; P1,
R3 - S1; A1; K21; A1; K1,
R4 - S1; A1; P23; A1; P1,
R5 - S1; A1; K25; A1; K1,
R6 - S1; A1; P27; A1; P1,
R7 - S1; A1; K29; A1; K1,
R8 - S1; A1; P31; A1; P1,
R9 - S1; A1; K33; A1; K1,
R10 - S1; A1; P35; A1; P1,
R11 - S1; A1; K37; A1; K1,
R12 - S1; A1; P39; A1; P1,
R13 - S1; A1; K41; A1; K1,
R14 - S1; Purl
R15 - S1; A1; K43; A1; K1,
R16 - S1; Purl,
R17 - S1; A1; K45; A1; K1,
R18 - S1; Purl,
R19 - S1; A1; K47; A1; K1,
R20 - S1; Purl,
R21 - S1; A1; K49; A1; K1 (53st in total),
R22-R30 -Purl/Knit (accordingly) all row

Back SHOULDERS (knitting both shoulders using short rows at the same time)
R31 - S1; K48; WT,
R32 - P45; WT,
R33 - K42; WT,
R34 - LS - P8; P2tog; move 19st on a scrap yarn; - RS - P2tog; P8; WT,
R35 - RS - K7; K2tog; - LS - K2tog; K3; WT,
R36 - LS - P2; P2tog; - RS - P2tog; P3; WT,
R37 - RS - K2; K2tog; - LS - K2tog; K12 (picking up loops),
R38 - LS - slip 13st; - RS - S1; P12 (picking up loops),

Put both pieces together facing purl sides together. Use Kitchener Stitch to connects back and front into one piece.
Take a crochet hook and use Crab Stitch to finish all around the body part. I used blue yarn, just as on the hat.

NECK RIBBING

You will use 13st from the front, which were moved onto a scrap yarn and 19st from the back piece. You will also need to pull new stitches on both sides. 28 on the left and 28 on the right. I start with left shoulder's yarns left from Kitchener stitch.

R1 -, Pull out new 14st; K13 (front stitches); Pull new 28st; K19 (back stitches); Pull new 14st. You should have stitches all around the neck. Total 88st.
R2 - R50 - *K2; P2*; Rep**,

FINISHING with Tubular Bind Off. Starting with 2knit stitches.
R51 - *K2; bring yarn to the front; S2; take yarn to the back*; Rep**,
R52 - *S2; take yarn to the front; P2; take yarn to the back*; Rep**,

Move all knit st to one needle and all the purl st to the other. Use the Kitchener Stitch/Grafting to finish off.

Pull in all the loose yarn ends and you have a great finished item.

Free Snow Hat Patern

2011-11-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hello,

At last the promised free winter hat pattern.

"At last I have my hat :)"

I was thinking to do blue, but went for a brighter one - red. Even got myself new bamboo needles. And must admit they really feel better. Warmer to touch and not so slippery.

Thought knitting this hat will take me ages, as it took some time to finish my first one last season. Happily everything went very smooth and I'm able to share my free pattern with all of you. Good this autumn is quite warm everywhere so fingers crossed you will be able to finish your hat before the snow visits. :)

Hope the pattern will be understandable ;) If there will be any questions just drop in a comment.

Happy knitting and happy wearing to all of you who will go ahead with it. Please send some photos of your finished hats.

Our Cat insisted on being in the photo-shoot :)

Happy owner

Photo of yarn label

FREE SNOW HAT KNITTING PATTERN

You will need:
4ply yarn, three different colours
3.25mm circular needles (80cm)
2mm crochet hook

This pattern is to fit 50cm head circumference

Gauge: 24st=10cm; 33rows=10cm

Knitting dictionary:
R-row
CO-cast on
S1-slip one
K1-knit one
P1-purl one
A1-add one (by pulling a loop from previous row)

Start knitting ear pieces, I knit both at the same time, so they come out same size :)

EAR PIECE
R1 - CO10
R2 - S1; K9
R3 - S1; P9
R4 - S1; A1; K8; A1; K1
R5 - S1; P11
R6 - S1; A1; K10; A1; K1
R7 - S1; P13
R8 - S1; A1; K12; A1; K1
R9 - S1; P15
R10 - S1; K15
R11-22 - REPEAT R9 & R10
R24 - S1; A1; K14; A1; K1
R25 - S1; P17
R26 - S1; A1; K16; A1; K1
R27 - S1; P19
R28 - S1; A1; K18; A1; K1
Cut off the yarn of one ear piece, continue with the other as below

HAT
Continuing from the ear piece (we will connect both pieces by casting on 33st in between and then continue knitting in circles)
R28 - CO33; K22 (of the other ear piece); CO16 (put marking, centre of the hat back, row counting point)
R29 - CO17; Knit till marking
R30-36 - Knit in red
You should have 110 stitches in total
R37-69 - Knit the pattern from the picture below, 5 snowflakes in total

R70-90 - Knit in red
R91 - *K2tog*; Repeat ** all the row
R92-93 - Knit in red
R94 - Knit by pulling longer loops (1cm length)
Pull the yarn through all the loops and fasten.
Knit contrasting colour lining in a same way just without the pattern.
Put both pieces wrong sides together and connect them by crocheting the edge in "Crab Reverse Stitch".
Add any decorations, and you're done.
Happy knitting and happy wearing.

Ramune

Multi Way Dress

2011-09-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Again could not find a dress for myself. We were going on holiday end of the summer. All shops had sale, but not many to choose from.
Was disappointed... after I got tired from the shops, I remembered of some stretchy fabric I have originally bought for a top. Good I bought some extra at the time as it was on sale.
So sat down one evening... Well it took me two evenings to have a finished dress :)))

It is very easy to make. I've chosen to go for extra long, but its everybody's own choice.

The fabric I had was 155cm in width.

1 - So the first thing to do is to measure from underneath breasts till the floor. The cut it bend in half and sew sides together. That's it your bottom part done. :)

2 - Next step. Measure around your ribcage, just below your breasts. Cut out a 5-6cm width strap to go around your ribcage. Sow both sides together. Middle part done.

3 - So bottom and middle parts together. Do small equal pleats all the way round.

4 - Top part. Measure from in between your breasts till the underarm. Add 4-5cm for overlapping, and another few cm if required for pleating. I cut out two pieces of 26cm x 155cm(width of my fabric).

5 - Sew two top pieces to the middle piece by overlapping in the middle and pleating if required.

That's it. Your dress is done.

You can wear it in many different ways.

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

Back

Front

Back

My first Maxi

2011-09-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

Last summer I wanted to get a maxi dress for myself.
As I am quite tall there is not much what to choose from on the market. Mostly they were too short. If I managed to find the perfect length, then did not like the design...

As it is my second dress I bought the fabric again from ebay. This time silk.
Oh how hard it was to work with... Searched the web on how to sew silk, watched some videos, but still ended up with some not very nice seam lines...

I did not have any pattern for this one. At that time I got dummy mannequin as a pressent. It came in very handy as I didn't have to try on every time I made some changes.

Following Ra-mi

2011-09-21T16:28:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Now you can follow my blog by email.
All you need to do is type in your email in the box on the top right corner and press submit.
This way you will be notified of new posts on my blog.

Thanks

Ramune

Vintage Dress

2011-09-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hello,

That's the first dress I've made.

For the last few years I am in love with 1950 style. Thought I'll make a dress but was not ready to spend too much on patterns or material.
For the pattern I've searched the web and came up with this gorgeous free vintage dress sewing pattern http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1486_couture/create.php
I have even printed it out at home. Had to cut out the margins and glue it all up together.... I would sugest doing at the printers on a bigger paper format. Will save you time and you will be sure you have exact measurements.
I bought polka dot fabric from ebay. I got it very cheep... the color washed off after first wash, even before starting sewing. As I look at it now I am very happy with the outcome as the faded fabric gives that vintage feeling. :)
The design is really cute.

Big bow at the back

Huge pockets on both sides. My husband managed to put in the few A4 paper while we were out for a walk and did not have a handbag at the time :)

I have made it even a bit longer than the original pattern.

I think it came out lovely. Goes well with red belt and shoes.

Baby Booties

2011-09-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

I have been checking the old photos and found some baby booties. I've made them few years ago, when our little one was still a baby :)

And then I have done another pair for my friends baby girl.

I have been trying to find the crochet pattern I've used, but had no success...

Winter set

2011-09-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

I love these cute winter hats. Last season I have decided to make a set - hat, scarf and gloves - for our boy. Not gonna lye... it took me some time. But I believe would be better organised and planned for the second one.

I have chosen these lovely colours of baby wool. So it is soft to skin. Some of my friends could not believe I have made it myself trying to find a label inside. :)

While making it I was writing everything down, as wanted to add the free pattern. Have found my notes, but they seemed to be so messed up so decided not to go for the free pattern in this blog post.

I do promise whenever I'll do the second one the pattern will be here :)))

Here are some detailed photos for now :)

Boy Waistcoat

2011-09-10T13:45:00.000-07:00

Cute warm waistcoat for those cold winter days.

I have made this cute waistcoat for my 3-year-old boy. I had some green yarn left from my previous project, mixed it with the white and here you are.... :)

Looks nice, keeps him warm. And best of all... he loves it.

Sweater and a scarf in one

2011-09-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have came up with this sweater on the internet. You could buy the pattern, but I've tried and done something similar.

It is interesting.... elegant and very warm. Crocheted using 100% soft wool yarn which doesn't bite too much :)

Work start from one sleeve and finishes at the other, so it is a vertical crocheting. It is done using a single crochet pattern, so is easy to make.

Also comes with this long scarf, so good to wear spring or autumn instead of a jacket.

Decoupage Jewellery Box

2011-09-09T17:37:00.000-07:00

Decoupage is a great way of turning something old and forgotten into something new and beautiful. I had this old jewellery box with some sentimental value, but not going very well with the hose deco. Have a peak how it turned out. I do love it now. Something old but also something new at the same time :)

You could try doing it yourself by following these few simple steps:

1- Prepare the item by sanding it and cleaning with wet cloth. Leave to dry.

2- Use few layers of acrylic gold paint. Sanding in between the layers to keep it smooth.

3- Using diluted PVA glue with water, brush on some cut outs from gift wrapping paper.

4- Brush on few layers with PVA glue.

5- Mix powder of Gum Arabica with water and brush it over the places where you wish the cracks to appear. Dry with the hairdryer. This method of crackling is inexpensive but will require some practice in advance. Leave to dry completely.

6- Using Dark brown oil paint on a peace of felt, rub in the cracks.

7- My box has been finished with a layer of yacht gloss varnish (do not use water base varnish as it will mess up all your hard work)

2011-09-09T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hello,
Just decided to start a blog instead of the website I had, well still do. Changed home laptop and am experiencing some real problems with the website building program. Also the renewal of my domain is about to end... well it's a long boring story...
So I will be trying to move all of the posts from old website into this new blog.
See you soon
Ramune