Tuesday 1 February 2011

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wooooo, hoooooooo!

Hello everyone :)

Im very excited because on the 3rd of feb it is Chinese new year, which although im not Chinese I reallllly love becuase it means takeout all round! (this is something we only have very rarely)

As its a special occassion I have created a free pattern for all you readers to enjoy (the first of the two febuary patterns I mentioned :0)

Its a pattern for a chopstick case!!!!!!!!!
If you get started now you could have yours finished ready for the special day!


You will need:
  • 1 pair of 3 1/4 mm knitting needles
  • 50g (not the whole lot will be used) of Red, or any colour DK yarn
  • 1 button
  • 1 yarn needle
  • AND one pair of  26.5cm (standard size) chopsticks to put in your case! :)

Tension:

There are about 7 stitches and 8 rows per 1 inch squared.


Pattern:

Using the 3 1/4mm needles and DK yarn cast on 7 sts

Gst 3 rows

Then stst 154 rows (starting with a P row)

Next Gst 19 rows

Next row: K2tog, k3, K2tog (5sts)

K1 row

K2tog, K1, K2tog (3sts)

Cast off  the three remaining sts.

Abreviations:
  • K= knit
  • Gst = Garter stitch (Knit all stitches on all rows)
  • stst= Stocking stitch
  • st/sts = stitch/stitches
  • K2tog = knit two stitches together
  • P = Purl

To make up:

 Fold your (very long!) rectangle of knitting so that the cast on edge meets with the point where the Gst section at the end of the rectangle starts:



Then carefully oversew down both sides so that a case shape is made. After that create a button hole at the end of the Gst flap, big enough to fit around your chosen button using the following method: http://ysolda.com/support/pictorial-guides/sewn-button-loops/

However only do two loops instead of three.

Then stitch the button to the top of the case, just under the Gst strip near the cast on edge.

At first you may put your chopsticks in and not be able to fold the flap over:


But do not worry just push the chopsticks in harder to stretch the case out a bit and your chopsticks will then fit in nice and snugly:


and you'll be able to fold the flap over and fasten the button :) 


You can add any decorations you fancy, I stuck on some small gems with craft glue:


FINISHED!!!!!!


Enjoy, and have a happy Chinese new year :)

mmmmmmm.... Takeout chinese!

13 comments:

  1. Oh, what a great idea! Thanks for the cute pattern :) My boyfriend is always loosing chopsticks, and these will help keep pairs together.

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  2. Hahahaa! thats ok, glad you like it :)

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  3. I am going to knit this fabolour design On my way to Hull tomorrow, Going to use slightly bigger needles to composate for A)I don't have the right size and b)I'm a very tight knitter

    I'd knit my cupcakes but My mum is coming with me on the train :P

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  4. springmusician: Hehehe, Im gald you like the pattern :-) Have fun in Hull! xxx

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    1. I did :P. I finished the pattern today, sewed it up, but it looked horrible (the sewing) so I tried to unsew it, that was unsucessful ruined the hole thing which unravvelled at the sides on bits, i'm gonna try again another time. after I've finished the cupcakes im knitting

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  5. Springmuscican: Awww, don't worry I have done sewing that went really wrong before! :(

    :0) xxx

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  6. You could knit this pattern in the round to eliminate the sewing bit. I like to work with double point needles, its easier than you think!;-)

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    1. Yes you totally could I just made a pattern for those not too confident with dons (like myself :p) if you do make yours in the round though it would as you say save sewing time :)

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  7. wow, didn't think of in the round ... i have been carrying my chopsticks everywhere as I love the gentility of eating with them, and have had many hard cases, this will be a first. Charming idea. Do you think make the st count 10 or 12 to compensate for no seaming? Probably can even use icord technique? Lots of interesting ideas, like a gold or glittery yarn would be fun.

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  8. ysolda buttonhole link does not work, can you please repost?

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  9. Gung Hay Fat Choy!! Happy New Year! And thank you for the pattern!

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Please do share your thoughts or ask any questions. I always reply, Promise! :)