Ruby Knits

Little Lion Newborn Photo Prop

2014-05-02T14:53:00.005-04:00

Find it on Ravelry

Unicorn Hooded Cowl

2014-03-27T16:45:00.001-04:00

Find it on Ravelry

Circulo Cowl

2012-12-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

Circulo Cowl

This pattern can be found at: Etsy and Ravelry

Cable Slouch Hat

2012-11-17T10:40:00.002-05:00

Free Pattern - Cable Slouch Hat

Loving this one! I used Nature's Choice Organic Cotton for this, which is ridiculously soft and pretty un-structured. The result is a super soft and warm hat with bulky cables.

Find it on Ravelry

Enjoy!

Printable PDF's for patterns

2012-11-10T11:11:00.002-05:00

I've been knitting projects from my own patterns lately, and I realized it's a pain in the neck. So, I started with my most popular pattern (the Seed Stitch Rib Hat - everyone seems to love a soft slouchy hat!), and made it into a printable PDF. I also added baby and children's size pattern modifications

The newest PDF can be accessed here.

I'm working through the other patterns to convert them before adding any new material. Quality over quantity, right? Enjoy!

2012-08-16T08:42:00.000-04:00

Alright, I've taken a long enough break from blogging. Hubby and I moved to a new state, and I'm just about 4 months pregnant. So, you guessed it - I've been working on baby projects! It's been tough because I don't know if it's a boy or a girl for another month and a half, so I've been starting unisex things, which are TOTALLY not as fun. I want to know if I should be putting ruffles or puppies on these things! I haven't written down any of my patterns yet, so I've got nothing new for you, except a couple finished projects and the linkback to one of the patterns I used.

Pattern: Baby Sophisticate by Linden Down

I'm waiting to put buttons on this gray sweater so I can use either boy or girl colors. I made a couple modifications to the pattern, and when I knit another (which I probably will), I'll make other changes. I eliminated the ribbing at the waist. One of my only issues with this pattern is that the body and shoulders are written with back and forth knitting, and then the arms are continued in the round. Knitting in the round makes stitches look neat and pretty, and back and forth they look a little messier. I'm not a fan of the contrast between the two in the shoulders. Next time I'll knit the arms back and forth and then sew up the seams, no big deal. I'm still loving it. I think I might also do a version of this in an organic cotton yarn as a pullover, rather than a cardigan. This is the pattern I used.

This one I just winged. I'll post the pattern soon, but there about a million and a half owl hats posted online, so I'm not giving you anything new if I do. I love it though, it's made with organic cotton and is SUPER soft.

So, that's the story. I just started a new sweater (literally just a cast on so far, or else I'd post a photo), and I'll have that up next week. Turns out, baby sweaters are crazy fast to knit. This kid is going to live in photo props.

A little Self-Promotion :)

2012-06-26T14:47:00.000-04:00

Completely unrelated to knitting are my dogs, Willy and Ruby, who I've started blogging about here. If you have dogs, you should probably read it and give me advice when I ask. You're gonna love it.

Three Cable Fingerless Mittens

2012-05-31T13:20:00.000-04:00

Three Cable Fingerless Mittens

I switched the yarn to Nature's Choice Organic Cotton, which I'm in love with.

They're made to be super soft and bulky.

You're gonna love 'em.

Get the pattern: Ravelry

errata, errata, errata

2012-05-27T07:53:00.001-04:00

After a crazy first semester back at school (I took a little 6 year break... turns our retail is not a better career option), I'm finally ready to get back to Ruby Knits. Of course, the way life works out, immediately after school finished my husband got a new job 2 hours away, so we're moving. And you know how time consuming moving is. So, I need something to de-stress!

Rather than writing new patterns right now, I'm going to run through what I've got up and make some corrections. I know there have been some issues, especially with some of the gloves, so it's time to fix them. If you've knit any of my patterns, where did you find mistakes? Comments to this post about what you've come across as you knit would be very helpful!

Thank you!

Owl Ear Warmer

2012-01-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

Get the pattern here: Ravelry

Website is up!!!

2012-01-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Ahhh so excited! www.rubyknits.com is finally up, and it's got a little bit more organized archive of my patterns. Plenty more to come, but I'm so excited for this first step! Check it out!

Bulky Button Neck Scarf

2012-01-11T17:52:00.000-05:00

This pattern has been moved to www.rubyknits.com

Pea Pod Knit Photo Prop

2012-01-01T11:54:00.002-05:00

Get the pattern here: Ravelry

Cabo Mittens

2011-12-11T09:30:00.002-05:00

This pattern has been moved to http://rubyknits.com/

Horizontal Thumb and Button Hole

2011-12-11T09:27:00.000-05:00

Hello, thumb hole!

When knitting a horizontal thumb hole, I’m usually knitting in the round. One the first round of the hole, I bind off the bottom edge of the thumb area. On the next round, I cast on the number of stitches I bound off, and then continue knitting like nothing happened. Easy peasy!

Although I'm usually knitting in the round when I need to make a horizontal thumb hole, it's easier to demonstrate on straight knitting. This is also an easy technique for a button hole, which you'll use much more often with straight knitting, but the concept is the exact same either way. Start on the row before your thumb hole is to

begin, I'm working with an example with basic stockinette stitching.

On the row where you'll begin the thumb hole, knit until the space will begin, bind off your stitches (I'm using four stitches here), and then continue knitting.

On the next row across, knit until the bound off stitches, cast on the same number of stitches you bound off, and then continue knitting. Be sure to cast on tightly or your thumb hole will be much too loose. Scroll down to the second half of this post to see an explanation of casting on with only one strand so that you have no new loose ends.

Ta-da!

Casting on with one strand to avoid any new loose ends:

Be sure to make each stitch on the tighter side, otherwise your new stitches will be much too loose.

Winter Giveaway Contest!!!

2011-12-10T18:23:00.001-05:00

***UPDATE***

We have a winner! Check out our Facebook page for more details, and for future contests! Another starts mid February, so make sure to check back often!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! From now until the end of January, Ruby Knits It is running a contest on Facebook, ending with a giveaway of a kit to make a Thick and Quick Ribbed Cowl (or two!), including two skeins of Charisma Loops and Threads yarn in dark blue, and a Takumi 29" bamboo circular needle.

To win, you need to 'Like' Ruby Knits It on Facebook, and post a photo of your current knitting project (finished or not!) on the wall. Entry will be open until January 31st, and a winner will be chosen at random from those who have posted. The winner will be contacted via Facebook for further information.

One entry will be accepted per person, although I'd love to see everything you're working on - I've always got at least a few projects going at once, so post away!

Free Pattern - Facil Button Cowl

2011-11-20T14:50:00.001-05:00

This pattern has moved to www.rubyknits.com

Volumoso Infinity Scarf

2011-11-19T12:33:00.002-05:00

Volumoso Infinity Scarf

This pattern has moved to www.rubyknits.com

Painted Family Plaque Tutorial

2011-11-13T19:45:00.001-05:00

Materials: Unfinished wood plaque

Craft Paint: One color for background, one for lettering

Brushes: One larger for painting the background, one tiny for lettering

Four thumbtacks

Small round latches from hardware store, picture wire

I found an unfinished piece of pine at Michael's Crafts.

In order to paint the entire top and let it dry without smudging anything and getting all of the crevices, I pushed four thumbtacks into the back to raise the plaque up off of the table.

Paint the whole top side your main color. I chose brown, and white for lettering. Let dry completely.

Print out the writing you'll be painting on the plaque. I found it easier to make it an outline, you'll be tracing it. Secure to plaque with tape.

Using a ball point pen, trace the outline of your letters to make indents in the wood. This will give you an outline to follow when painting.

You can very faintly see the indentation here. Just be sure that you can see the outline clearly of all letters.

Using your secondary color and a very small brush, paint your letters. I found it easier to first outline a letter, and then color it in. I had a small to medium size brush, and really could have used an even smaller one. Let dry completely, and you're done!

How to make a Huge Long Sleeve TShirt Fitted

2011-11-12T10:12:00.000-05:00

There are TONS of variations you can do on this idea, and I'll throw them out there as I go through this tutorial!

Front Pleated Scoopneck

V-Neck Back

Turned around, V-Neck Front

Start with a giant long sleeve t-shirt. My husband has had this sitting in his drawer since before I met him, and I've never seen him wear it.

First you're going to cut the sides. I held it against myself to make sure I wasn't going too small before I cut. I started at the bottom, and started cutting three inches away from the original seam. As I moved up towards the arm, I decreased the distance between my cutting and the seam, until I got an inch or so from where the torso meets the arm. This inch gives you room later to bring your new seam to meet the arm and not worry about gaps.

When I pinned the side to sew, I gathered the fabric a few times at the bottom to create some texture. If you don't do this, you may need to also bring the bottom hem up so it's not too long. This picture is the left side pinned in comparison to the right unpinned side.

This is both sides pinned. Sew each seam.

Sleeves next. Measure out the amount in the wrist you need to take in so that you can still get your hand through. I left the upper arm area larger to give it a dolman sleeve. After I cut the first arm, I folded the shirt symmetrically and used the first arm as a template for the second.

Pin and sew the sleeves.

The collar is up to you. If you're happy with the original, you're done! I gave mine a pleat on one side and a deep V on the other, making it reversible. I first cut out the original collar.

Then I cut a V on the back side.

Pinned the edges. I sewed a half inch in from the edge around once, and then an inch in to give the edge a little more stability.

Sewing Machine Pin Cushion

2011-11-07T19:33:00.001-05:00

I keep seeing versions of this on different sites and only remember it while I'm working on another project. It is easily customized to your own ideas, but step-by-step this is how I made my own Sewing Machine Pin Cushion.

Materials:
Two 2" x 4" scraps of fabric
One set of hook and eye latch
Needle and thread
Small amount of stuffing

Start with one of your 2" x 4" pieces of cloth.

With the pattern side facing down, fold each long side in to the middle and pin. The edges should only overlap a little tiny bit.

Place this first piece on top of the second piece, which is face up. Pin.

Sew this top edge.

After that, you're going to pair the bottom edge up exactly the same, pin, and sew. You'll have a tube with one short, flat side, and one large, extra fabric side.

Stuff it with stuffing, leaving a half inch or so on each end without any stuffing in it.

Cut two pieces of elastic longer than you know you'll need to reach around the back of your sewing machine. You're going to attach one to each end of the pin cushion, and then fasten at the back of your machine with your hook and eye latch.

On each end of the cushion you're going to fold the raw edge inside. You can leave this a long end, or fold some inside as shown. In these photos I hadn't stuffed the cushion yet, but afterwards I realized I should have done that first. After you've folded the ends so there is no raw edge, pin them.

After closing your ends with pins, also pin an end of each elastic to get ready to sew the elastic in as you sew the cushion shut. I found this easier to sew when I did it quick by hand first to fasten and not have a pin in the way when I sew it down with the machine. Sew both ends to close and fasten elastic in place.

Holding the cushion in place in front of the machine where you want it, and pull elastics around back to measure how long you'll need them to be. Cut to length.

Fasten hook and eye to each end of elastic.

Gloat that yours is prettier and more neatly and carefully sewn than mine is!

Free Pattern Friday is BACK - Crochet To Go Cup Holder

2011-11-04T14:27:00.002-04:00

Get the pattern here: Ravelry

Common Knitting Abbreviation Explanations

2011-10-22T17:43:00.000-04:00

One thing I love about using Blogspot is that I can see the search keywords and phrases that lead people here to my blog. Sometimes they're the names of my patterns, sometimes they're vague, like 'free mittens pattern', and sometimes they make me feel super guilty for using abbreviations and not explaining them, like 'what does c4f mean?'. I figured before I check out and head on vacay for another couple weeks here, I'd try and give some clarification to those who happen upon my blog looking for explanations.

C4F - Literal: Cable Four Front

You're knitting a cable that in total consists of four stitches. Using a cable needle (or a circular needle if you're lazy and don't feel like getting up from the couch... or a double pointed needle if you're really lazy and don't mind it being annoying to knit the stitches), transfer 2 needles to the cable needle and let the stitches sit in front of your work, just hanging out. You're then going to knit the following two stitches with your regular right needle, and then knit the two on the cable needle after them. Ta da, cable! If the instructions had been C6F, you would have transferred THREE to the front cable needle and then knit the next three, then knit from the cable needle.

C4B - Literal: Cable Four Behind

Just like C4F above, except you hold the stitches on the cable needle behind your work instead of in front. It will cause your cable to look like it's twisting in the opposite direction, i.e. clockwise instead of counterclockwise.

PM - Literal: Place Marker

Place one of your circular place markers on the right needle, between your stitches, to mark a division. You may be working with sets of 10 stitches, for example, and this makes it MUCH easier to follow your pattern with these easy markers. When you come to a place marker as you're knitting, just slip it from the left needle to the right, between the stitches.

What else am I missing? What have a written quickly in my patterns that may not make sense? Let me know and I'll get it fixed or explained! Until then, have fun knitting!

First Post as a Mrs!

2011-10-20T17:18:00.000-04:00

I'm married! What a weekend... between his family staying at our house for the weekend, finishing up all the prep work, and the actual 'getting married' detail, I'm exhausted! Thank goodness for the honeymoon next week, I'm ready to shut the phone off and just chill out for a week. Well, I may have a few internet and texting withdrawals, but nothing a couple-margaritas-in-the-hot-tub-on-a-boat-to-Bermuda can't fix, right? On the upside for YOU, I have a long train ride to the port and back, which will be filled with knitting. I have three hats owed to some special little ladies in my life, and a cowl for my mom for her birthday in November ( Mom, if you're reading this, pretend you didn't see that last line.)

Speaking of crafts, I was about to renounce crafting altogether by the time the wedding got here. Sure, at the time it sounds like a GREAT idea to make things for the reception. And, with the internet being so in-your-face (Pinterest, anybody?) with great ideas, I started many projects that involved glue and dexterity. Neither of which is fun after awhile. But, everything of course came out gorgeous, and you know I'm going to flaunt it...

Place cards and thumb print tree -

The good - Thumb print tree from Mom! She's a fabulous artist, and I recruited her to do this part for me. She painted an empty tree, and we gave the guests ink pads to put leaves on it and sharpees to sign their name. Now, I just have to frame it. Love it!

The obnoxious - "I'll just glue on two little leaves, their name, and their table number"... way more annoying than it sounds. 75 guests means 150 leaves, 75 names, 75 table numbers... this is 300 tiny pieces to glue. Not counting CUTTING OUT 150 LITTLE LEAVES BY HAND. Why do I do this to myself? There are stamps to cut out little leaves, why didn't I decide to do it that way? Live and learn. They came out cute though.

Mr and Mrs Signs - These I liked, and were super easy. They went on our chairs at the reception, and then were used for photo props later.

Card box - I sort of bought the materials before I decided what I was going to do with it. It came out alright, but again, live and learn. Maybe. I'll probably do the same thing again in a week, and have to improvise again.

Lastly, I'm counting my photography as a craft. One of my bridesmaids is an AMAZING photographer, and I knew I'd have gorgeous photos. If you're in the MA/RI/CT area, definitely check out http://www.decisivemomentdesign.com for weddings, family photos, new babies... pets... parties... everything. No lie, she's amazing. This photo is one of my favorites she took, but check out a few more on her Facebook page.

Alright... I'm going to go make an amazing dinner for my Husband, and then it's back to the knitting for some new Free Pattern Fridays! I'll see you the first Friday of November!

Have you missed me?

2011-10-04T15:28:00.001-04:00

Guess what? I'm getting married in 12 days!!! I know this sounds crazy, but I've been a little busy. It's been coming up quicker and quicker as time goes on, and now we're down to less than two weeks until the big day. I am 100% ready to shut the phone off and check out for a week for our honeymoon and just relax.

So, between the final wedding prepping, the big day (Oct 16th!) and the honeymoon, I'll be out of knitting commission until the end of the month, and won't have a new pattern until the first or second Friday of November.

You're worried. I know. But, don't worry. Just because I won't be working on anything new doesn't mean others aren't pumping out some amazing new projects, and you know I'll be checking them all out while I'm making favors and place cards and stuff. In place of my own patterns for Free Pattern Friday, I'm going to post some other fab new things that I've seen and need to show someone.

Enjoy!

Diamond Leaf Cowl by Darlene Joyce- You know I love an easy cowl, and I love the easy lace look and this color is one of my favorites this season.

Spatwarmers by Emma Lehman - I want something like this to be one of my next projects. I wear my flats as long as I can in the winter, but I'm not going to lie, my ankles get cold. Picture cute flats and skinny jeans. Maybe fun buttons. Love them.