Kristin Nicholas Designs
Little gnomes, elves, wizards, trolls, Santa or Leo Tolstoy - whatever! These little guys sure are cute. I originally designed them as Christmas ornaments but after creating and living with them for awhile, I've decided they have all season appeal for kids and adults. The little guys are quick to knit on double pointed needles in the round.They are a perfect use for all your odds and ends of feltable wool. I, of course, used my Julia Wool/Mohair/Alpaca. Gauge isn't important - use a thicker yarn and your Little Leo will be larger than mine.They are also perfect little wine bottle toppers. Bring one along to your next dinner engagement. I used washed wool for the beards but you can substitute a single ply yarn. And if you are wondering why one of the names for this project is Little Leo Tolstoy, just "google him" and you will see!
Yarn: Kristin Nicholas' Julia from Nashua Handknits: 50% Wool, 25% Alpaca, 25% Mohair, 50 grams (1.75 oz) = approx. 93 yards (85 meters) Yarn Colors and Yarn Amounts Used: Each little guy uses only a little bit. Mix and match your odd bits and work through your stash.I used two colors for each gnome except for the center one below which used a third color for a stripe just above the eyes. Feel free to adapt for yourself! Needles: US size I0 (6 mm) double pointed needles or size to obtain gauge. Gauge: I3 sts = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, before felting.Take time to save time, check your gauge. But honestly, does this gauge really matter? Notions: Pointed tapestry needle for embroidery.A small bit of raw washed wool for the beard.If you don't have access to raw wool, use off-white single ply yarn and brush it out to make it look fuzzy. KNITTING NOTES: The gnomes begin with i-cord. For a good video on i-cord, I recommend Knitting Help's website which shows both continental and English knitting styles. Suggested increase method: I suggest a make I (ml) by placing a backward loop onto the needle. It disappears nicely when felted. To Begin: Using two Size I0 double pointed needles and one strand of Julia Wool/Mohair/Alpaca, CO 4 sts.Work in i-cord for I0 rounds. ·Increase #I: \* K2, ml by backward loop; \* across to give 6 sts. Cont in I-cord for 3 more rounds. ·Increase #2: \* KI, ml;\* around to give I2 sts. Split work onto 3 double pointed needles - 4 sts on each needle. Beg working in the round on the 3 needles, knitting with the 4th. Knit 5 more rounds. ·Increase #3: \* K2, ml;\* around to give 18 sts. Knit for 5 rounds. Change to Color B and knit for 6 rounds. ·Increase #4: \*K3,ml;\* around to give 24 sts. Cont to knit for 8 rounds. ·Increase #5: \* K4, mI; \*around to give 30 sts. Cont to knit for 4 rounds. Purl one round. Knit one round. Bind off all sts in purl st. Weave in ends.
Felting: Set your washing machinetoahotwash and cold rinse. Place the project in a pillowcase if you are nervous.Add some laundry detergent and other items to make a full load. Avoid putting terrycloth towels in the load unless they are
very old (towels frequently shed and the fibers can become imbedded in your project, never to be removed).A half full load will help the project felt better than letting it swish around by itself. Sometimes I add a couple of tennis balls for extra agitation. If you can, remove the project before the load goes to the spin cycle.This sometimes is not possible with front loading machines (unfortunately, I know this from experience). If the project is felted sufficiently, rinse the soap out and let it dry. lf you want the fabric to be more felted,run it through another wash. lf your project is misshapen when it comes out of the washer, swish it around in some hot water, re-shape and dry. Embroidery: Using a pointed tapestry needle, work eyes and nose in satin stitch. Work a single stitch in the middle of each eye. For beard, thread a lock of wool through a tapestry needle. Stitch through to wrong side just under the nose so that the tipped end is on the outside of the gnome.Adjust the beard length and glue the raw wool on wrong side to hold in place. All photos and text @ 2010, Kristin Nicholas
Other knitting patterns featuring my Julia VWool/ Mohair/Alpaca available by PDF Download at www.kristinnicholas.com Left: Cozy Cap + Pullover Knit It, Felt It, Zip It Bag Quarters Cap for Babies to Adults Center: Swirly Twirlies Home Accessories Right: Farmgirl's Stocking Cap Sunflower Pillow Felted Market Bag
Abbreviations
beg - begin(ning) bet - between co -cast on cont- continue dpn - double pointed needle inc - increase k - knit k2tog - knit 2 together m - make I by backward loop meas - measures rem - remain(ing) rep - repeat sl m - slip marker Sp - space St(s) - stitch(es) ①2010 Kristin Nicholas - www.kristinnicholas.com - Page 3 Thank you for downloading my handknitting pattern. I hope you enjoy making it. Visit my website to learn more about my knitwear and stitchery design.There you can purchase my books and other knitting and stitching patterns.Visit your local yarn store to purchase my Julia Wool/Mohair/Alpaca Yarn. It's beautiful to knit with and comes in over 35 incredibly beautiful colors that all coordinate with one another.
www.kristinnicholas.com
To read about my life on our sheep farm in western Massachusetts, visit my blog: http://getting-stitched-on-the-farm.blogspot.com
COMEAND "GET STITCHED ON THE FARM" Knitting and Stitching Immersion Weekends at KRISTIN NICHOLAS' sheep Farm
Kristin Nicholas presents knitting and stitching classes at her family's sheep farm in western Massachusetts. Come and experience a working sheep farm in the scenic Pioneer River Valley, 2 hours west of Boston and 3 I/2 hours north of NYC.Classes are held in Kristin's whimsically decorated antique farmhouse. Experience color as Kristin sees it and learn how to translate it into your own knitwear Come and make a life-long memory, better your knitting skills, learn to embroider on knits, learn about color, eat farm-raised fresh and fabulous food, go on a hayride and experience the fabulous views, pick sunflowers, eat wild blueberries and harvest apples. Each weekend class is centered upon a farm experience depending on the time of year. Learn what it is like to live on a real sheep farm from Kristin's husband Mark and daughter Julia. Classes are limited to six participants. Individual hands-on help will make the experience one that you will remember for the rest of your life. Many students find that they learn more in small groups in a relaxed, informal environment than they do when attending knitting conferences with large class sizes. The focus here is on personal, individual attentionandfun!
Kristin Nicholas is an internationally known designer and author as well as a knitting expert on PBS' Knit and Crochet Today.Her knitwear and interior designs have appeared in Country Home, Country Living, House and Garden, Vogue Knitting, Interweave Knits, and more. Her Julia Yarn is available at yarnstores in the USA. Cost is \$500 for two days of classes and includes three meals, snacks, beverages, a hayride, many supplies and more. Each weekend takes its theme from seasonal local farm products that change throughout the year. These include wild blueberries, sunflowers, apples,and always lamb.The cost does notinclude lodging.Accommodations are available locally at B&B's. See the website for suggestions. For more information about each session, visit http://kristinnicholasclasses.blogspot.com Contact Kristin at kn@kristinnicholas.com for more information.
