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Knitlist FAQ 3, popular knitlist projects

Overhauled July 9, 1999

Contents

This is FAQ #3 of four knitlist FAQs (short for "Frequently Asked Questions"). This FAQ includes information about popular knitlist projects. The other three FAQs include the rules and regulations of the knitlist; sources for some of the specific patterns frequently mentioned on the knitlist; and general knitting information.

  1. What are the Peacock, Lillehammer (Lilleh), and Enchanted Forest?

  2. Why knit facecloths (or washcloths)?

  3. What is a fruit cap and where can I get the pattern?

  4. What about the five-hour baby sweater (5HBS)?

  5. And Joan's Wool-Ease Socks?

  6. And Rosemary's Bell Shawl?

  7. And Leigh Witchel's Puzzle Box Aran?

  8. And the Rambling Rows Afghan?

  9. And the Seaman's Scarf?

  10. And the Wonderful Wallaby?

  11. And the ribwarmer?

  12. Where can I get patterns for the Teletubbies?

  13. Where can I get the Princess Diana sweaters?

What are the Peacock, Lillehammer (Lilleh), and Enchanted Forest?

The Peacock is a facecloth. The pattern was re-worked by Medrith Glover and appeared in Knitter's magazine no. 26, Spring 1992; this issue is now out of print. However, the pattern is available from the author directly and costs US $2.00 plus postage and handling (about US $1.00; call to confirm):

The Woolroom
PO Box 353
211 Lawrence St.
Quincy, CA 95971
+1 (530) 283 0648

Also, there has been a little bit of confusion on what the instruction "P 2 needles" means. It means that, after turning, you purl across one needle (the side needle), then purl across the stitches on the top needle.

The Lillehammer is a Norwegian ski sweater designed by Dale of Norway and done for the Norwegian Ski Team to wear to the 1994 Olympics in Lillehamer, hence its name. It has the figures of Odin and other Norse gods on the front. One source for the pattern is Patternworks (address to follow). The Lilleh is knit in the round and has machine stitch-and-slash armholes.

There are several Forest sweaters, all unique.

  1. The DKNY Enchanted Aran Forest is in Fall VK '92, of which VK has no more back issues. The sweater (more like a jacket) is a single color, and the scene is depicted entirely using cables and knit and purl stitches.

    Since this has been a popular sweater to make, but many seem to have lots of questions about making it, Sandy Sheppard (cna00012@mail.wvnet.edu) has put together a survey for people who have worked on the EFA. The survey contains yarns used, finished sizes, and tips on knitting this sweater. There are three ways to obtain a copy of the EFA Survey Responses:

    1. Look elsewhere in the FAQs for a list of people who are willing to send back digests. The EFA Survey Responses are in digest #922 (last message).
    2. Jean Chang's "The Knit Review" web page: (Note: After "mac" is a "number one", not a letter.)
    3. Text copy available through anonymous FTP: 
      ftp address:  devbio-mac1.ucsf.edu
user name:  anonymous
password:  guest
directory:  /pub/knit
file name:  efa.txt
      This works out to ftp://devbio-mac1.ucsf.edu/pub/knit/efa.txt
    Update: The DKNY EFA has been republished by VK! They have reprinted it, and you can purchase the reprints for $4.00. Also available are three other patterns, the adult and child's version of the cat sweater, Floral Tapestry, and Map of the World. Here's how to get them:

    +1 (800) 766 3619

    This phone number should work in the US and Canada. If you are in another country, perhaps a cyberfriend would call and ask for a pattern to be sent to you. Big thanks to Mary Thompson for finding this out.

  2. There is an Enchanted Forest in Knitter's no. 37, designed by Nadia Severns. This is a Fair Isle type sweater worked in the round with armhole and neck steeks (stitch and slash).

  3. The Sherwood Forest is in Fall VK '93, designed by Sasha Kagan, and has leaves in instarsia with cables. This issue is still available.

    Vogue Knitting
    P.O. Box 1072
    Altoona, PA 16603
    World Wide Web: http://www.vogueknitting.com/

Why knit facecloths (or washcloths)?

Why? Because they're fun and quick. Some say that they clean better than commercial washcloths. There are some washcloth patterns at Cate Williams' Web site from the 1995 knitlist gift exchange, and more at Wool Works.

What is a fruit cap and where can I get the pattern?

A fruit cap is a little hat, usually for toddlers. There are several patterns. There is a group of patterns put out by Fiber Trends, including "A Berry Cute Hat" (designed by Beverly Galeskas, owner of Fiber Trends), "Patrick's Pumpkin" (designed by our own Lee Ann Bonson! Her son is the model), and a pineapple hat (by Lisa Carnahan). There are even mittens to match these hats (Lisa Carnahan designed these too). The others are by Ann Norling, who also has a set of flower caps.

Check your local knitting store. If they carry Ann Norling or Fiber Trends patterns, they probably carry these too.

In addition, our own Schuyler has made up some patterns for sweaters to match the fruitcaps. One is available at:

Email Schuyler with questions at SchuylerM@aol.com.

What about the five-hour baby sweater (5HBS)?

This is a baby sweater calling for worsted weight yarn. Originally Sue Hulbert offered this pattern, but it can be found at Lois Baker's FiberLink and on Wool Works. Lois also has the matching bonnet and booties, which were originally posted to the list by Anne Stoddard, and the matching hood, from Gwen S.

If you received the original pattern that Jo Azary posted to the list, there is a slight correction to the pattern: where it says to K1, inc 1, and repeat, the inc 1 ought to read: increase in the next stitch, which you can do by: k1, p1 in the same stitch; or k1 in front of loop and k1 in back of loop.

Joan Hamer has rewritten the 5HBS for newbies. Evidently, there are a lot of versions out there in cyberspace that are inaccurate. You may get a copy of the newer, better 5HBS from Joan herself, at JHamer6926@aol.com , or at FiberLink or Wool Works.

Marilyn Roberts has pictures of the 5HBS at:

And Joan's Wool-Ease Socks?

These are simple, warm socks designed by fellow knitlister Joan Hamer. They're available in at least three places:

And Rosemary's Bell Shawl?

The person who contributed the Bell shawl pattern is Rosemary Hoffer, hoffer@ridgecrest.ca.us. There are several places to get it.

Marilyn Roberts has pictures of the bell shawl at:

And Leigh Witchel's Puzzle Box Aran?

The pattern for Leigh's sweater is in the Fall, 1997, issue (issue #48) of Knitter's Magazine. You can order this issue from the Knitter's Web site, at Leigh has also compiled a list of tips for making this sweater; they are available at the Wool Works Web site:

And the Rambling Rows Afghan?

The Rambling Rows Afghan is a pattern by Cottage Creations. Here's their address:

Cottage Creations At the Farm on Deer Creek
Carpenter, IA 50426-0070
+1 (515) 324 1280

You also might check your local yarn shop to see if they carry Cottage Creations patterns.

And the Seaman's Scarf?

The Seaman's Scarf is a short scarf consisting of a relatively narrow section of ribbing draped over the back of the neck and a more decorative section at either end that can be worn over the upper chest. Originally worked from a charity pattern, these scarves were knit as gifts for merchant seamen who found themselves in cold weather ports in the North Atlantic States during the winter holidays. The original pattern has garter stitch at either end. Interweave Knits published a feature about the Seaman's Scarf and some patterns for it in the Fall 1998 issue. The IK variations offer geometric openwork and lace alternatives to the garter stitch ends.

Many thanks to Maureen Moran for this information.

And the Wonderful Wallaby?

The Wonderful Wallaby is a "hooded sweater for all ages." The basic design is a seamless sweatshirt, with or without a hood, and a pocket in front. You can get this pattern directly from Cottage Creations (address above), or you can ask at your local yarn shop.

There is a picture of the Wonderful Wallaby on the World Wide Web:

Thanks to Bev in Alabama for finding the URL.

Angela Danielle Batiste has assembled a FAQ about the Wonderful Wallaby, including a list of yarn stores that stock the pattern:

And the ribwarmer?

The ribwarmer is a garter-stitch vest (or waistcoat), originally designed by Elizabeth Zimmermann. Sidna Farley's updated version, knit in one piece, appeared in Knitter's Magazine in their fall, 1997, issue. Here is the URL for a picture:

Where can I get patterns for the Teletubbies?

There is a pattern for Teletubby dolls on the World Wide Web:

Where can I get the Princess Diana sweaters?

The Princess Diana sweaters were designed for the Princess of Wales before her death. From a post by Mary to the knitlist:

Many people have been asking for the mail address for Princess Diana sweaters. Here is the email for Tracey Baldwin at Woman magazine. She sent me the copy of Princess Diana sweaters I received.
Editor's note: please include your snail mail address.
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Emily Way (emily@woolworks.org)