All of our Easter decorations are a little too fragile for Meri and Audrey to play with. Audrey can help me put up the Easter tree, but since many of the ornaments are glass, I then put the tree up high. Lately, I have been thinking about knitting up a few eggs for the girls to play with. They loved to throw the knitted ornaments about when I made those, so I figured eggs would be just as fun.
The first egg I made using some cheap acrylic yarn. I bought it for the girls at Walmart because they *loved* the color and begged me to get it. I figured it would be a great way to let them play with yarn and not mess with my fancy yarn. So far, I have used it to make a heart garland for Audrey's bed for Valentine's Day. I let the girls make necklaces using this yarn and various cereals (cheerios, fruit loops, apple jacks), they both like to "knit" (make knots in yarn with needles), and generally tie their toys up and drag them about the house.
Back the eggs, I made an egg out of this yarn because I knew the girls would love a hot pink egg. Even though I did not really enjoy working with this yarn, I will probably make another one, because they really do love it. I found myself wishing that I had other colors of acrylic so that I could do a little fair isle into the egg...
I also pillaged my cotton yarn supply. I have a weakness for cotton yarn. I love homemade dishcloths, so whenever I see a cool colorway for a dollar or two, I just grab it. At least I used to, until I realized I had an entire large tub full of cotton yarn... So I started raided the cotton yarns stash and grabbed bright spring colors. I love the way these eggs are so bright and colorful with the variegated cottons.
Basic Knit Eggs
Yarn: worsted weight
Needle: size 4 DPNs - 4 needles
Abreviations:
k: knit
k2tog: knit 2 together
kfb: knit front and back of the same stitch
ssk: slip, slip, knit together the slip stitches through the back
st: stitch(es)
Directions are the same for each needle, the instructions are given per needle.
Cast on 12 stitches using long-tail cast-on method. Being careful not to twist the stitches, spread the stitches over 3 needles (4 st per needle) and join.
Bottom of the egg
Row 1: k
Row 2: kfb, k, kfb, k (6 st)
Row 3: k
Row 4: kfb, k3, kfb, k (8 st)
Row 5: k
Row 6: kfb, k5, kfb, k (10 st)
Row 7: k
Row 8: kfb, k7, kfb, k (12 st)
Body of the egg
Knit in the round for 12 rows
Top of the egg
Row 1: k, ssk, k6, k2tog, k (10 st)
Row 2-3: k
Row 4: k, ssk, k4, k2tog, k (8 st)
Row 5-6: k
Row 7: k, ssk, k2, k2tog, k (6 st)
Row 8-9: k
Row 10: k, ssk, k2tog, k (4 st)
Row 11: k, ssk, k (3 st)
Cut yarn and pull through the remaining 9 stitches as if to knit. Secure the yarn and pull the end into the egg.
Stuff the egg with fluff from the bottom. Using the rest of the cast on tail catch the end of each stitch and pull it tight. Secure the yarn and pull the end into the egg, trimming as necessary.
Variations:
- The main body of the egg is just begging for a bit of color work. I would love to do some little flowers or animals - a bunny or chick - something in the main body with fair isle.
- Sock yarn and size 0 needles would be really neat for smaller eggs.
The first egg I made using some cheap acrylic yarn. I bought it for the girls at Walmart because they *loved* the color and begged me to get it. I figured it would be a great way to let them play with yarn and not mess with my fancy yarn. So far, I have used it to make a heart garland for Audrey's bed for Valentine's Day. I let the girls make necklaces using this yarn and various cereals (cheerios, fruit loops, apple jacks), they both like to "knit" (make knots in yarn with needles), and generally tie their toys up and drag them about the house.
Back the eggs, I made an egg out of this yarn because I knew the girls would love a hot pink egg. Even though I did not really enjoy working with this yarn, I will probably make another one, because they really do love it. I found myself wishing that I had other colors of acrylic so that I could do a little fair isle into the egg...
I also pillaged my cotton yarn supply. I have a weakness for cotton yarn. I love homemade dishcloths, so whenever I see a cool colorway for a dollar or two, I just grab it. At least I used to, until I realized I had an entire large tub full of cotton yarn... So I started raided the cotton yarns stash and grabbed bright spring colors. I love the way these eggs are so bright and colorful with the variegated cottons.
Basic Knit Eggs
Yarn: worsted weight
Needle: size 4 DPNs - 4 needles
Abreviations:
k: knit
k2tog: knit 2 together
kfb: knit front and back of the same stitch
ssk: slip, slip, knit together the slip stitches through the back
st: stitch(es)
Directions are the same for each needle, the instructions are given per needle.
Cast on 12 stitches using long-tail cast-on method. Being careful not to twist the stitches, spread the stitches over 3 needles (4 st per needle) and join.
Bottom of the egg
Row 1: k
Row 2: kfb, k, kfb, k (6 st)
Row 3: k
Row 4: kfb, k3, kfb, k (8 st)
Row 5: k
Row 6: kfb, k5, kfb, k (10 st)
Row 7: k
Row 8: kfb, k7, kfb, k (12 st)
Body of the egg
Knit in the round for 12 rows
Top of the egg
Row 1: k, ssk, k6, k2tog, k (10 st)
Row 2-3: k
Row 4: k, ssk, k4, k2tog, k (8 st)
Row 5-6: k
Row 7: k, ssk, k2, k2tog, k (6 st)
Row 8-9: k
Row 10: k, ssk, k2tog, k (4 st)
Row 11: k, ssk, k (3 st)
Cut yarn and pull through the remaining 9 stitches as if to knit. Secure the yarn and pull the end into the egg.
Stuff the egg with fluff from the bottom. Using the rest of the cast on tail catch the end of each stitch and pull it tight. Secure the yarn and pull the end into the egg, trimming as necessary.
Variations:
- The main body of the egg is just begging for a bit of color work. I would love to do some little flowers or animals - a bunny or chick - something in the main body with fair isle.
- Sock yarn and size 0 needles would be really neat for smaller eggs.
1 comment:
Wow, these are great! Love that this pattern is your own creation. A and M are lucky to have such a clever, resourceful mom. :)
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