The Sweatshop of Lovers Blog

Madison Hand Warmers Kit!

I was packaging the Madison Cowl and Hand Warmers kits up the other day and I was blowing myself away with how amazingly cute these things are!

I mean that in a non braggy way, of course. It is kind of like when you finish knitting something and someone compliments it, and you yell out immediately, ‘I know! Isn’t it amazing?!’ Because you are just so surprised it turned out so well. Kind of like you weren’t even responsible.

As you can see, this kit here to my left is about to get packaged up! It’s a gray hand warmers kit.

The hand warmers take about half a skein of yarn, so that ball is wrapped up with a Sweatshop tag. The laminated instructions (see that laminated shine?), designed by Tara, is popped into the drawstring project bag.

Buttons!

I was always terrified I was going to forget the buttons every time I packaged a bag up. I’m pretty sure I double checked every bag.

Ready to Go!

See the cute Illinois stamp in the corner? And that the color of the draw string is the color of the kit? Yeah, we kinda thought of everything.

Madison Cowl Kit

For the Madison Cowl Kit, each project bag gets a full skein of yarn, again with our cute tag!

Instructions!

Buttons!

Again, laminated instructions and fabric covered buttons round out this kit!

One of my favorite parts of this project was pairing the fabric for the buttons with the colors we chose for the cowls.

See all the button/cowl match ups here!

Ready to Go!

Our tag on the bag makes it happen! This kit is ready to go!

We got our first feedback yesterday! Lori said:

I love everything about it! The bag, the pattern with your notes, all the tags, the buttons, everything! You and Tara did such an excellent job on those!

Thanks, Lori! Order your own kit on our etsy page.

I could not be more excited to introduce to you The Sweatshop of Love’s latest endeavor: Knit Kits!

The Sweatshop of Love, along with the ridiculously talented Tara Shade, are ready to premier our first batch of Knit Kits – the Madison Cowl and Madison Hand Warmers!

Take a peek to the right at our Etsy Mini Store! These kits are all available at our Etsy store, or send me an email at allyson[at]thesweatshopoflove[dot]com and I’ll hook you up.

Madison Cowl and Hand Warmers!

You’ve gotten a little peek of these patterns in the newsletters because both the Madison Cowl and Madison Hand Warmers are classes in April. This is the perfect opportunity for knitters not in Chicago to get in on the Sweatshop fun!

Madison Cowl Kit

Gray

Green

Red

Blue

Madison Cowl Kit – (rav page) As fun to knit as it is to wear, the Madison Cowl is a super cute way to work your hand knits into your wardrobe! Using a seed stitch boarder and an intuitive lace pattern throughout, this Cowl is a great way to master chart reading and lace work. Never read a chart pattern? Our easy to read instructions will make it a cinch.

Finish the Madison Cowl with handmade fabric buttons designed to stand out no matter which color Madison Lace Cowl kit you decide on.

Included in this kit is:

An easy to read pattern
Yarn
4 handmade fabric buttons
A nifty drawstring project bag

You will need:

Size 7 needles
Stitch markers or scrap yarn
Yarn needle

Madison Cowl!

Need this Madison Cowl around your neck immediately?! We know you do! This kit is only 36 bones! And don’t forget the matching Madison Hand Warmers. Need the full set? Get both Madison Kits for $54!

Madison Hand Warmers Kit

Madison Hand Warmers Kit- (rav page) A great introduction to following a chart pattern, these Madison Hand Warmers are a super quick knit and fun to wear! And handmade fabric button accents make these hand warmers stand out from the crowd.

Knit on straight needles and seamed around a thumb opening, the Madison Hand Warmers are perfect for beginner and intermediate knitters looking for a quick, fun, easy to wear project. Never read a chart before? No problem with this easy to read pattern with step by step instructions to get you some cute hand warmers with no head aches.

Included in this kit:

And easy to read pattern
Yarn
2 handmade fabric buttons
A nifty drawstring project bag

You will need:

Size 7 needles
Yarn needle

Madison Hand Warmers!

See yourself rockin’ these adorable hand warmers? We do to! This kit is only $24. And don’t forget the matching Madison Cowl! Need the full set? Get both Madison Kits for $54!

Now can you see why I’m so excited?! These kits rock! And this is just our first round. Stay tuned for more Sweatshop Knitting Kits in the near future.

My Bow Headband!

I can’t stop wearing it, and now you can knit your own and wear it like a crazy person, too! I finally got it together and wrote the pattern for my Bow Headband.

Finished Measurements:
Length: I-Cord Tie is between 16-18 inches long. Bow is 5 inches long.
Width: Bow is 4 inches wide and 1 inch wide at Bow’s Loop.

Materials:
Yarn: Leftover amounts of Fingering/Sock weight yarn. I used Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Luxe Merino Fine in Trafford.
Needles: Size 5 straight needles for Bow and Bow’s Loop. 2 size 3 double pointed needles for I-Cord Tie.

Gauge:
On larger needles, 24 sts and 36 rows = 4 inch square in Double Moss Stitch, but gauge isn’t very important in this project.

If you’ve got any questions about the pattern before or after you buy it, be sure to send me an email. The pattern is included in the price of my Bow Headband Class! See if it fits into your schedule here.

(Eric) Man-Beanie

(Eric) Man-Beanie

(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap

Finished Measurements:
(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap – Length: 10 inches Width: 10 inches
(Eric) Man-Beanie – Length: 7 1/2 inches Width: 10 inches

Materials:
Any worsted or bulky weight yarn
Set of 5 size 11 double pointed needles

(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap

Directions:
With two strands of worsted weight yarn or one strand of bulky weight yarn, CO 50 sts. If knitting the beanie, skip down to (Eric) Man-Beanie.

(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap Only:
Round 1: P3, [K1, P4] to last 2 sts, K1, P1
Round 2: [P2, K1, P1, K1] around

Repeat both rounds 5 times total. Purl 1 round. Continue following (Eric) Man-Beanie instructions.

(Eric) Man-Beanie (both hats):
Round 1: K3, [P1, K4] to last 2 sts, P1, K1
Round 2: [K2, P1, K1, P1] around

Repeat both rounds for 5 inches, ending with a round 2.

Begin Cap Decrease Rounds

(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap

Round 1: [K2, P2tog, K1] around – 40 sts total
Round 2: [K3, P1] around
Round 3: K2, [P1, K3] around
Round 4: [K2, K2tog] around – 30 sts total
Round 5: [K2, P1] around
Round 6: K all sts
Round 7: [K2tog, P1] around – 20 sts total
Round 8: K all sts
Round 9: [K1, P1] around
Round 10: [K2tog, P2tog] around – 10 sts total
Round 11: K all sts

Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts and secure.

Finishing:
Weave in ends. Make sure to give this hat to a winner!

(Eric) Man-Beanie

(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap, Brim Up

(Eric) Man-Stocking Cap, Brim Down

Slouchy Cabled Beret

I’ve knit or started to knit a few of these and have never been completely satisfied with the result. They are either too slouchy, or not slouchy enough, or use tiny needles, or the brim is too big for my head. Or it’s too lacy for winter. Something is always wrong with it!

I wanted big needles, big cables, and a hat in like six hours. So I did it myself!

11/21/09 Edit: Lots of people were getting a hat that was too small for their heads! I added Large Size Hat sizing that will add 4 inches to the width of the band and 3 inches to the depth.

12/5/09 Edit: Added a gauge!

The Sweatshop of Love

Slouchy Beret Pattern

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn, two strands held together, or a bulky yarn. I used two strands of Caron Simply Soft held together, about half the skein.
Set of 5 size 11 double pointed needles.

Gauge: 13 stitches and 12 rows= 4″ square in St st.

Size: S 16″ around at band, 10″ deep un-stretched (L  20″ around at band, 13″ deep un-stretched) – shown in size small

Directions:

Beret After Blocking on the Plate

CO 46 (56) sts with two strands of worsted weight yarn held together, or one strand of bulky weight yarn. Divide between 4 needles and join, PM.

Work in K1P1 rib for five rounds. At the end of the 5th round, K last 2 sts together.
K2 rounds even.

For Small Size Only :

Begin Cable Pattern:
Cable Round 1: [Sl 3 sts to CN and hold to back, K3, K3 sts from CN, K3] around.

K2 rounds even.

Inc Round: [KFB, K4, KFB, K3] around. 55 sts total

K1 round even.

For Both Sizes:

Cable Round 2: [K3, Sl 4 sts to CN and hold to front, K4, K4 sts from CN] around.

K2 rounds even.

Inc Round: [KFB, K1, KFB, K8] around. 65 sts total

K1 round even.

Cable Round 3: [Sl 4 sts to CN and hold to back, K4, K4 sts from CN, K5] around.

K4 rounds even.

Cable Round 4: [K5, Sl 4 sts to CN and hold to front, K4, K4 sts from CN] around.

K4 rounds even.

Cable Round 5: [Sl 4 sts to CN and hold to back, K4, K4 sts from CN, K5] around.

K4 rounds even.

For Large Size or Slouchier Hat:

Repeat Cable Round 4, K4 rounds even. Each repeated 5 round repeat should add 3 inches to the depth of the hat, so if you choose, repeat Cable Round 5 and K4 rounds even, then Cable Round 4 and K4 rounds even, as many times as you’d like.

Slouchy and Cabled Goodness

Begin Decreasing for Top of Hat:
Decrease Round 1 / Cable Round 6: [K2tog, K1, K2tog, Sl 4 sts to CN and hold to front, K4, K4 sts from CN] around.
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: [K9, K2tog] around.
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: [K8, K2tog] around.
Round 6: [K7, K2tog] around.
Round 7: [K6, K2tog] around.
Round 8: [K5, K2tog] around.
Round 9: [K4, K2tog] around.
Round 10: [K3, K2tog] around.
Round 11: [K2, K2tog] around.
Round 12: [K1, K2tog] around.
Round 13: [K2tog] around (5 sts remain).

Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts, and secure.

Finishing:
Weave in ends. Block hat over a large plate to stretch it and make it nice and slouchy!

Cute (and Secure!) Ribbing

Pretty Braid Cables

I’m proud to bring you my pattern for a knitted toilet lid cover! This pattern is based on the Knit Picks ‘Glub Glub Goldfish Toilet Lid Cover’ pattern designed by Knit Picks Design Team. This pattern uses worsted weight yarn instead of DK weight, because a knitted toilet lid cover should be a quick and easy weekend project.

The Sweatshop of Love Toilet Lid Cover Pattern

Finished Measurements:
One size fits most lids
Length: approximately 15 in
Width: approximately 12 ½ in

Materials:
Any worsted weight yarn, about 100 grams.
Various scraps of worsted weight yarn for your duplicate stitch pattern.
Size 5 needles.
About 2 feet of ¼ inch elastic.

W&T (Wrap and Turn) Directions:
On the knit side, when you get to a W&T direction, you sl the next st purl wise from your left needle to your right needle. Bring your yarn to the front, then sl the st back to your left needle. Turn your work to the purl side and bring your yarn to the front to purl next sts.

On the purl side, when you get to a W&T direction, you sl the next st purl wise from your left needle to your right needle. Bring your yarn to the back, then sl the st back to your left needle. Turn work to the knit side and bring your yarn to the back to knit next sts.

Directions:
CO 43 sts

Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches
Row 2 and all WS rows: K5, P to last 5 sts, K5.

Inc Row: K5, KFB, K to last 5 sts, KFB, K4

Rep this Inc Row every 4 rows 10 times total (63 sts), then every 10th row 4 times (71 sts), ending with a WS row.

Short Row Sequence:
K5, K57, W&T
P53, W&T
K49, W&T
P45, W&T
K41, W&T
P37, W&T

K to end, picking up wraps and working them with their st as you come to them.
K5, P to last 5 sts, picking up wraps and working them with their sts as you come to them, K5.

These 8 rows make up the Short Row Sequence. Repeat this sequence 4 more times. BO all sts.

Knit Picks Duplicate Stitch Fish Pattern

Finishing:
Duplicate Stitching is like cross stitch! You just follow the stitches of your knitted project with a tapestry needle and the color of your choice. For a really great Duplicate Stitch tutorial, check out this Purl Bee Duplicate Stitch Tutorial.

Find a duplicate stitch pattern or make your own using graph paper! The original Knit Picks Toilet Lid Cover used a fish pattern you can find on their pattern, but I had trouble making it actually look like a fish. When I knit this again I’m going to make my own pattern. Try to find the center of your Toilet Lid Cover and the center of your design, and have at it! Make sure your Toilet Lid Cover’s BO edge is facing down, as that is the bottom of your Cover, so your pattern will be facing the correct way.

To attach the elastic, eyeball a circle with the elastic that is about 30% smaller than the outside edge of your Toilet Lid Cover, cut elastic to that size, and pin both ends together and to the top of your Toilet Lid Cover. Stretch the center of the elastic opposite of where you already pinned to the bottom of your Cover. Pin each center side of elastic to each center side of your Cover.

Using a sewing machine, start sewing around, attaching the elastic to the Cover by stretching the elastic to the size of the Cover, and not stretching the Cover. This will make the elastic pull the Cover in so it sits snuggly over the toilet lid.

Throw it over your toilet! Repeat pattern for everyone you know.

I couldn’t be more excited to share this pattern with everyone! I’m quite proud of it, and the finished product couldn’t be cuter, if I say so myself.

If you have any questions feel free to email me at allyson@thesweatshopoflove.com and I’ll be happy to help. Trouble with the pattern all around? Sign up for a group class and knit it with my help!

The Sweatshop of Love

Cabled Change Purse Pattern

Finished Measurements: Length 4 inches, width 6 ½ inches

Materials:

• Any worsted weight yarn; I used Vanna’s Choice
• Size 10 straight needles
• Six inch zipper in matching color
• 8×10 inch piece of fabric, for lining
• Needle and thread, for sewing lining
• Fabric pins

Stitch Patterns:

Seed Stitch

RS: K1, P1 across

WS: K the Ps, P the Ks across

Cable 1: SL4 sts to cable needle and hold to front, K3, K4 sts from cable needle, SL3 sts to cable needle and hold to back, K4, K3 sts from cable needle.

Cable 2: SL3 sts to cable needle and hold to back, K4, K3 sts from cable needle, SL4 sts to cable needle and hold to front, K3, K4 sts from cable needle.

Directions:

Cast On 30 sts. P1 row (ws).

Purse Pattern Rows:

Row 1 (RS): K1, work 7 sts in seed st, K14, work 7 sts in seed st, K1

Row 2 (WS): P1, work 7 sts in seed st, P14, work 7 sts in seed st, P1

Repeat these 2 rows 2 times more.

Cable Row 1 (RS): K1, work 7 sts in seed st, work Cable 1, work 7 sts in seed sts, K1

Work 3 Purse Pattern Rows, starting with a WS row.

Cable Row 2 (RS): K1, work 7 sts in seed st, work Cable 2, work 7 sts in seed sts, K1

Work Purse Pattern Rows, starting with a WS row, until purse measures 6 inches from beginning, ending with a WS row.

Repeat Cable Row 1.

Work 3 Purse Pattern Rows, starting with a WS row.

Repeat Cable Row 2.

Work 5 Purse Pattern Rows, starting with a WS row.

K 1 row (RS). Bind off.

Finishing:

Seam sides of purse.

Pin Zipper in Place

Fold material in half with right sides together and pin side seams together. Fold the top of the material on one side down about ½ an inch. With the right side of the zipper facing up, pin zipper to folded edge of material. Repeat for second side of bag. With a sewing machine or by hand, sew up side seams, then sew zipper in place.

Yay Cute Bag!

With bag lining unzipped, push lining into bag and pin in place. Sew in lining, being careful not to get the lining or knit portion of the bag too close to the zipper. I think it is easier to hand sew lining into place, but if you prefer machine sewing go ahead!

Cut strings! Love forever.

I really can’t think of a better way to start off the new Sweatshop blog than by knitting Happy Poos.

Happy/Sad Poos!

Please note that this pattern is my knitted version of the crocheted Happy Poo Pattern by Puchitomato.

Finished Measurements: Height 3 1/4 inches, Width 2 1/4 inches

Materials: Any brown worsted weight yarn

Size 4 double pointed needles

Fiberfill

Extra yarn for face

Directions:

Be sure to stuff Happy/Sad Poo as you go!

CO 6 sts and divide evenly.

Rnd 1: Inc 1 st around, 12

Rnd 2: [K1, Inc1] around, 18

Rnd 3: [K2, Inc1] around, 24

Rnd 4: [K3, Inc1] around, 30

Rnd 5: K all sts

Rnd 6: [K4, Inc1] around, 36

Rnd 7: K all sts

Rnd 8: [K4, K2tog] around, 30

Rnd 9: K all sts

Rnd 10: [K3, K2tog] around, 24

Rnd 11: [K2, K2tog] around, 18

Rnd 12: [K1, K2tog] around, 12

Rnd 13: [K1, Inc1] around, 18

Rnd 14: [K1, Inc1] around, 24

Rnds 15-17: K all sts

Rnd 18: [K2, K2tog] around, 18

Rnd 19: K all sts

Rnd 20: [K1, K2tog] around, 12

Rnd 21: K2tog around, 6

Rnd 22: Inc 1 st around, 12

Rnd 23: [K1, Inc1] around, 18

Rnd 24: K all sts

Rnd 25: [K1, K2tog] around, 12

Rnd 26: K2tog around, 6

Rnd 27: K all sts

Finish stuffing. Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts, secure. Make up the face on the bottom poo lump with scrap yarn of embroidery thread or googly eyes or whatever!