Sunday, June 23, 2013

Knitted Knockers in the Round

When ds was born, I was determined to get the breastfeeding thing right the second time around.  I was fortunate enough to find an amazing IBLC staff and a wonderful breastfeeding support group at Pekin Hospital to help me.  DS nursed until he was 38months old.

Recently, the head lactation consultant put a call out for knitted breasts.

This is my version of the pattern by Carolyn Westcott IBLC, but using circular knitting and thicker yarn.

Yarn: worsted weight acrylic
Gauge 5sts per inch
Needles: 32” or 40” circular needle in the size needed to get gauge and a tapestry needle for grafting

Pattern:
Using long tail cast on, cast on 60 sts. Divide sts for magic loop knitting. Mark the beginning of the round.
Knit 15 rounds.

Decrease Rounds:
Rnd 1: (K4, k2tog) 10 times (50 sts)
Rnd 2 and all even rounds: knit
Rnd 3: (K3, k2tog) 10 times (40 sts)
After Round 4, change to darker colored yarn and continue
Rnd 5: (K2, k2tog) 10 times (30 sts)
Rnd 7: (K1, k2tog) 10 times (20 sts)
Rnd 9: k2tog 10 times (10 sts)
Rnd 10-13: knit
Break yarn leaving about 6” tail and pull through all sts. Pull the tail through to the wrong side of work and run it through some sts around the base of the nipple. Pull gently to create definition at the base of the nipple. Tie off.

Base:
With right side facing you, pick up and knit 60sts along the cast on edge. Divide sts for magic loop knitting. Mark the beginning of the round.

Rnd 1: Knit
Rnd 2 and all even rounds: Knit
Rnd 3: (K4, k2tog) 10 times (50 sts)
Rnd 5: (K3, k2tog) 10 times (40 sts)
Rnd 7: (K2, k2tog) 10 times (30 sts)
Rnd 9: (K1, k2tog) 10 times (20 sts)
Stuff with filling of your choice.
Rnd 11: k2tog 10 times (10 sts)

With sts divided on 2 needles, break yarn leaving a 12” tail. Kitchener graft remaining sts closed.

You can also start with ribbing, add stockinette rows, and omit the base to make a baby hat ;)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Rainbow Invasion!

About 9 months ago I introduced some self-striping rainbow sock yarns to my Etsy shop: Munchkin Knitworks.  Since then, I have barely had a chance to take a break from dyeing.

These are the four main versions that I can repeat reliably.  Clockwise from top left: Rainbow Princess, Bright Rainbow, Mellow Rainbow, and Sassy Rainbow.


 Here is a swatch I knit with "Mellow Rainbow."  It is 64sts around and approx. 9sts per inch.
Thanks to dh for being my photography assistant ;)

 

I do enjoy surrounding myself with rainbows, but I am planning some new self-striping colorways for spring.

And another pair of Bright Rainbows sold while I was typing ;)