Free pattern - Fair Isle tank-top/vest

This was promised a fair while ago! And finally, here it is - the free knitting pattern for a child's Fair Isle tank-top or vest. It's on Google Docs and you may need to download it before printing it off.


My husband saw a small boy today wearing 'my' Traffic Jam Tank Top in navy and red. I can't tell you how thrilled it makes me feel to think that people actually go to the trouble of knitting up one of my patterns! Chelsie, on my Facebook Fan Page, made up a divine version for her son - the additions are so cute! If the Fair Isle tank top proves even half as popular as the Traffic Jam tank top, I'll be one happy blogger.

Knit & Natter coming to Balsall Common

I'm starting a Knit & Natter group in Balsall Common. The first meeting is next Tuesday 2nd February at Haig's Hotel starting at 7.30pm. I'm feeling a bit apprehensive because I'm not sure I've done enough publicity and it may well be me, my needles and the barman! Anyway, off today to the local paper shop to put up a flyer and I'll also try John Lewis & Beatties in Solihull, which would be our local yarn shops. Otherwise - watch out barman! you're going to learn to knit...

It's a new day and a New Year!

After a handmade Christmas, I had an only slightly less handmade New Year. I have been thinking for a while about doing boys' clothes for the shop and I started the new year by making a shirt for James to wear to a New Year's Eve party. I am so tired of seeing him trot along to parties in t-shirt and jeans, no matter how nice they may be, when the little girls are arrayed in their sparkly twirly finery. His friend Benny attended the last party in a super-smart shirt and tie, and while James wouldn't be persuaded on the tie, he did think he'd like to have a nice shirt. So I got out Winifred and set to work. It's a very simple short-sleeved shirt (both James and I being new to this shirt business). I put my foot down on the yellow theme and made the shirt in a good quality quilting fabric featuring helicoptors! He really likes the print and while it'd look a bit naff on a 10 year old, it's cute for a 4 year old. He doesn't like buttons, in common with quite a few of his classmates (what IS this button thing about? I really don't get it...) so I used poppers. I have a smarter version planned with cuffs, collar stand and back yoke. Time to do a bulk buy of cheap muslin I think!

Anyway, here's a little gallery of the Christmas and New Year makes. Everyone got at least one handmade present, even if it was only a hat, and everyone seemed to really like what they got. So I had lovely holidays too!

Socks for Nigel. The self-striping yarn was such fun to use I didn't even mind making the socks extra long for my husband's extra-long feet. No pattern required because these were pretty simple, but I unfortunately did one sock in 3+1 rib and the other in 2x2 I and didn't notice until I was wrapping them up. Nigel doesn't mind though.

Milo Armadillo for Laura. My first attempt at a soft toy. He looks a bit lumpy in the tummy but that's just the photograph.

Two pairs of socks for my mother in law. She asked me for socks and I thought "Aha!" She is thrilled with them. The patterns came via Ravelry - there are so many gorgeous free patterns out there for socks - the internet knitting community is uber-generous.

Walking socks for my father in law. No pattern required - it was very simple!

Hat for sister's boyfriend - the free Lillehammer pattern found somewhere on the internet.

Beret for my sister (no pattern - it's just a beret with stripes!).

Self-drafted dressing gown pattern for Label Bear, James' special bear.

A fleece jacket from James. It's a much modified Ottobre pattern and is going to be modified more. I lined it with microfleece and so it's a little snug. It could also be reversible if it weren't for the zip. So I am going to take out the zip, add some width with a yellow placket and put on poppers. The blue microfleece is the perfect colour for my boy, so we'll both be happier once I've done the alterations.

Cabled cardigan for Laura. Hold your breath because I actually bought this pattern! Mind you, I did serious searching for a free version first before biting the bullet and parting with the cash. It's Sirdar pattern and was lovely to make and lovely to wear. I am about to start a version for myself using the Cable Luxe free pattern from Lion Brand.

I even made an Ottobre top for myself, which I absolutely adore. In fact, I've ordered 2 more Ottobre Woman magazines on the strength of it.

Hat, scarf and mittens to go with Laura's upcycled coat.

Laura in her Mary costume for the Los Posadas party. Very cute though not exactly a masterpiece of stitchery. I used one of Nigel's old t-shirts for the tunic, which is worn over James' old t-shirt.

James wore his innkeeper costume to Los Posadas.

An experiment in making bloomers. Very cute and practical. Super for soft play! I just embellished an RTW t-shirt to go with them because tempus was seriously fugiting.

Laura's Christmas outfit including the pettiskirt (I had yet another hack at it to improve the proportions... I reckon there's 14 hours of sewing gone into this one skirt.) A fleece hoody from the Olivia pattern, with some fun fur around the sleeve edges. A pair of viscose leggings completes the outfit. It is even cuter in real life - we were mobbed coming out of Mass by people wanting to tell her she was a gorgeous little angel!

Fleece digger romping trousers for James. Self-drafted pattern.

A skirt for my sister (no pattern required - just two skirt shaped pieces attached to an FOE waistband). I made her another one from an old jumper of Nigel's. This is more of a spring weight skirt, in some aqua and orange hearts I got from Nature's Fabrics Black Friday sale.

A Fair Isle beret for my mum. It was a rush job (I only started it on 21st December!) and I made a screamingly obvious mistake in the pattern. But it's still a nice beret and she really likes it.

So that's the Christmas stash. I'm looking forward to a handmade 2010, with lots of ideas for the Spring collection for both boys and girls. I hope you're looking forward to a 2010 filled with whatever it is that you do that makes you happy.

Milo Armadillo

This is just the cutest book by one of my favourite authors, Jan Fearnley. Unlike many of her books, everybody in this one survives right to the end, which is excellent news because Milo Armadillo is completely adorable, as is Tallulah, his owner. They also both have excellent dress sense - very a la Lulu's Clothes (another gorgeous book).

When I saw that Walker Books had published a free downloadable knitting pattern for Milo, I had to have a look at it and as you would expect, it is super-cute. It also looks like a stash-busting project (as long as you've got lots of pink in the stash, that is) and it doesn't squeak or need batteries. I shall definitely be making Laura one of these for Christmas. And if you'd like to make one for your Milo fan, then here is the link.

Free knitting pattern for a Traffic Jam Tanktop

TRAFFIC JAM TANK TOP (Download and print  from https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BysBb2pJoYVwUm9uclZvVVAyQU0/edit?usp=sharing
You will need to download it to print it!

This is a lovely tank-top for a digger mad 4-5 year old. It features an intarsia traffic jam that goes from front to back, embellished with buttons and embroidery details. The garment would look even more striking with a stripy rib at the welt, armholes and neck. If you (or the recipient!) are not much into tank-tops then the 77 stitch/37 row chart is easily adapted for use in your favourite sweater pattern. By using 4ply yarn and 3.25mm needles, the pattern should be suitable for a 2-3 year old, and aran/worsted yarn and 5mm needles will make it suitable for a 5-6 year old. Probably.








I used Debbie Bliss’ Pima (I think it’s been discontinued) for this tank-top. Any DK weight yarn would do. You will need between 150g to 200g of the main colour (I went just over 150g) and one ball of each of the other colours, though you will only use a tiny fraction of each ball. The pattern is therefore hard on wool but you can always use the leftovers in a nice stripy sweater later. You will also need a pair of 3.25mm needles and a pair of 4mm needles. Also a cable needle, though you won’t be doing much with it, a safety pin, a stitch holder and a wool needle. To embellish, you will need a variety of small flattish buttons to use as wheels and the flashing light on the police car.

BACK
*Using 3.25mm needles cast on 77sts

Row 1 k1 (p1 k1) repeat to end
Row 2 p1 (k1 p1) repeat to end

Repeat these two rows another 3 times more

Change to 4mm needles and work stocking stitch (knit a row, purl a row) for four rows. Place chart. Then continue in stocking stitch until work measures 10 ½ inches from the beginning, ending with a purl row

Shape armholes
Next row; Cast off 7sts (70 stitches left)
Next row: Cast off 7sts (63 stitches left) *

Next row: k2, p2tog, knit to last 4sts, p2tog, k2
Next row: Purl

Repeat these two rows another 6 times until 49sts remain. Continue without further shaping until work measures 7 inches from start of armhole shaping, ending with a purl row

Shape shoulders
Cast off 6sts at the beginning of the next two rows and 6sts at the beginning of the following 2 rows. Cast off the remaining 25sts

Weave in the many loose ends if you haven’t done so already. Yes it’s dull but this is the best time to do it.



FRONT
Follow instructions for BACK from * to *

SHAPE RIGHT V-NECK AND RIGHT ARMHOLE  by working only on the first 31 stitches as follows:
Firstrow: k2, p2tog, k23, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline and armhole)
turn, leaving remaining 32 stitches on a stitch holder.
Next row: Purl to end (29sts)
Next row: k2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the armhole and the neckline)
Next row: Purl  (27sts)
Next row: k2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the armhole and the neckline)
Next row: Purl (25sts)
Next row: K2, p2tog, k to last 3sts, p1, k2 (decreasing at the armhole only)
Next row Purl (24sts)
Next row: k2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the armhole and the neckline)
Next row: Purl (22sts)
Next row: K2, p2tog, k to last 3sts, p1, k2 (decreasing at the armhole only)
Next row Purl (21sts)
Next row: k2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the armhole and the neckline)
Next row: Purl (19sts)

Next row:   Knit to last 3 stitches p1, k2
Next row:  Purl
Next row: Knit to last 3sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline only)
Next row Purl

Keeping armhole edge straight, repeat the last 4 rows until  12sts remain., ending with the final purl row.

Then:
Next row: Knit to last 3sts, p1, k2
Next row: Purl

Repeat the last 2 rows until work measures the same as BACK to shoulder shaping, ending at side edge

Shape shoulder
Cast off 6sts at the beginning of the next row. Work 1 row. Cast off the remaining 6sts.


SHAPE RIGHT V-NECK AND RIGHT ARMHOLE  by working on the 32 stitches from the stitch holder as follows:

Slip the centre stitch onto a safety pin. Join the yarn at the neck edge to the remaining stitches from the stitch holder. Continue working on these stitches.

First row:  K2, p2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline and armhole)
Next row: Purl (29sts)
Next row: K2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline and armhole)
Next row: Purl (27sts)
Next row: K2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline and armhole)
Next row: Purl (25sts)
Next row: K2, p1, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (deceasing at the armhole only)
Next row: Purl (24sts)
Next row: K2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline and armhole)
Next row: Purl (22sts)
Next row: K2, p1, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (deceasing at the armhole only)
Next row: Purl (21sts)

Next row: K2, p2tog, k to last 4sts, p2tog, k2 (decreasing at the neckline and armhole)
Next row: Purl (19sts)

Continuing decreasing on the neckline only as follows:

Next row:   K2, p1, knit to end
Next row:  Purl
Next row: k2, p2tog, knit to end
Next row Purl

Keeping armhole edge straight, repeat the last 4 rows until 12sts remain., ending with the final purl row.

Then:
Next row: K2, p1, knit to end
Next row: Purl

Repeat the last 2 rows until work measures the same as BACK to shoulder shaping, ending at on a knit row

Shape shoulder THIS WILL BE A PURL ROW
Cast off 6sts at the beginning of the next row. Work 1 row. Cast off the remaining 6sts.

NECKBAND
Join right shoulder seam. With right side of work facing and using size 3.25 needles, pick up and knit 48 stitches down left side of neck, knit centre stitch and mark it with a coloured thread, pick up and knit 48 stitches up right side of neck then 25 stitches across back neck.

WRONG SIDE ROW Work in p1, k1 rib to the stitch before centre stitch, slip that stitch onto RH needle, slip centre stitch onto cable needle and leave it at the back of the work, place the stitch on RH needle back onto LH needle and then place stitch on cable needle back onto LH needle and purl all three stitches together. Rib in k1, p1 to end

RIGHT SIDE ROW Rib to the stitch before the centre stitch, slip next stitch onto RH needle, slip centre stitch onto cable needle and keep it at the front of the work, slip next stitch onto RH needle then place stitch on cable needle back onto LH needle, then place both stitches from RH needle back onto LH needle and knit these three stitches together. Rib to end.

Repeat these two rows either twice or thrice more depending on how ‘filled in’ you like the neckline to be. Then repeat the first row once more. Cast off in rib decreasing at the V as before.

ARMHOLE EDGINGS

Seam left shoulder seam and neckband. With right side of work facing and using 3.25 needles pick up and knit 96 stitches evenly around armhole edge. Work 5 rows in k1 p1 rib and cast off in rib.

Join side seams with mattress stitch

Block and press, embroider the details and add the buttons for wheels and you’re done. Try it on child and wait for gratitude or otherwise.




The Charts. These are really easy to knit but they were really hard to create and they're not great yet. But it's the best I can do! The lines for the tow-truck etc are to be embroidered using chain or running stitch. The big circles representing wheels are just where the buttons would go. The yellow tow truck starts on the front and goes over to the back. The crane is going the wrong way, something my son was keen to point out to me. I explained that it was the crane that was causing the traffic jam but he isn't convinced.

BACK



FRONT


This pattern is free to print but the charts print out really badly. However, I have done a PDF, which Blogger won't let me upload. BUT if you go to the link at the top of this post then  I am assured by the kind people at Google Docs that the PDF file is yours to download and print! I couldn't get it to print direct from Google Docs but once it's downloaded it prints fine.

You may also knit up individual examples to sell if you want – heavens knows, I’ll never have time to! But if you do sell them, please include somewhere an acknowledgment that the pattern is mine! A link to this page or http://www.lespetitsanglais.co.uk/ would suffice.