Fair Isle Knitted Bobble Dot Pattern

I shared this knitted item on our Facebook page and many of you said that you'd like to see the pattern.

This is my first time writing a pattern so forgive me if there are mistakes.

I would love to see photos if you decide to knit this.

And let me know your feedback on how easy/difficult it is to read the pattern.

Let me know if any of you know of an easy to use online knitting graph. I made this one in Paint Shop and PicMonkey. But it was tedious.

Materials:

5 double pointed needles size US 5 3.75mm

Worsted weight yarn cream and burgundy

Darning needle

Small crochet hook

sts - stitches

k – knit

m – make

c1 – color 1

c2 – color2

k2tog – knit 2 together

ssk – slip, slip knit

Cast on 12 sts in dominant color leaving a long tail of yarn about 12” to sew up opening at the end of project.

Divide the sts between 4 needles, each having 3 sts.

Row 1: Knit all sts c1

Row 2: For each needle c1: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 ( 5 total sts per needle)

Row 3: Knit all sts c1

Row 4. For each needle c1, k1, m1, k3, m1, k1 (7 total sts per needle)

Row 5: Knit all sts c1

Row 6: For each needle c1, k1, m1, k5, m1, k1 (9 total sts per needle)

Row 7: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 8: For each needle all c1: k1, m1, k7, m1, k1 (11 total sts per needle)

Row 9: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 10: For each needle all c1: k1, m1, k9, m1, k1 (13 total sts per needle)

Row 11: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 12: For each needle all c1: k1, m1, k11, m1, k1 (15 total sts per needle)

Row 13: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 14: Knit all sts c1

Row 15: For each needle knit 2c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, 2c1

Row 16: Knit all sts c1

Row 17: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 18: For each needle k1, k2tog, k9, ssk, k1 (13 sts per needle)

Row 19: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 20: For each needle k1, k2tog, k7, ssk, k1 (11 sts per needle)

Row 21: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 22: For each needle k1, k2tog, k5, ssk, k1 (9 sts per needle)

Row 23: For each needle knit c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1, c2, c1

Row 24: For each needle c1: k1, k2tog, k3, ssk, k1 (7 sts per needle)

Row 25: Knit all sts c1

Row 26: For each needle c1: k1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1 (5 sts per needle)

Row 27: Knit all sts c1

Row 28: For each needle c1: k2tog, k1, ssk, (3 sts per needle)

Pull a length of yarn about 10” and thread through a darning needle. Sew through the 12 sts left on needles to bind off and pull to cinch.

Stuff the bobble with polyfill through beginning opening. Then use the tail to sew through the rim and pull to cinch.

Using a small crochet hook crochet the tail creating a loop for the bulb to hang. Sew the end to complete the loop.

Work in remaining tails. 

Photo Friday: Christmas Season

Here's what happened this week. A mix of Christmas, nature and poultry. Enjoy!

Iron Oak Farm 2014 Facebook Christmas Tour!

How I would love to have a Christmas Party and invite all of our readers. We could sing carols and drink hot cocoa... it would be marvelous. Since location makes that impossible, I would like to share our home with you via the internet. Visit the Iron Oak Farm Facebook Page to take a virtual holiday tour of our home. Welcome, and Merry Christmas! Iron Oak Farm 2014 Facebook Christmas Tour!

Silver and Gold Tablescape

Traditionally, I wouldn't think of Amber Glass as a typical holiday color. Red...green...that sort of thing is the usual scheme of the Christmas table. My mom (like so many mom's) has the white china Christmas set with the holly and berry border and the gold leaf trim, (you know the one).

CC Post, A Tropical Chicken Christmas

Photo Credit: CC Editor Taylor Miller

Are you looking for a Chicken themed warm weather getaway? Then read my latest Community Chicken's Post, A Tropical Chicken Christmas and join me this Christmas for a bit of free ranging... Island Style!

DIY Vintage Paper Church

Many years ago, before I was born, my grandmother had a Christmas village of paper houses, churches, and barns. They were hand painted, mostly in brick reds and turquoise, the turquoise being my favorite. I liked it because it isn't a traditional Christmas color, and for some reason, looks more vintage to me.

Home Made Candy Canes

This is a re-post from last year, but I have to say that it was so much fun I wanted to share it again! As you kneed the candy, and the air gets incorporated, it develops a sheen. It goes from clear and kinda drab, to a shiny almost opalescent candy. So pretty. And it's really fun to play with, (think glossy Silly Putty!)

CC Post: Chicken Wire Potpourri Ornament

Give your Christmas tree a boost of holiday scent with this chicken inspired holiday ornament! Read my latest Community Chicken's post to learn how. Chicken Wire Potpourri Ornament

A Case of the Christmas "Girlies"

First...before I get ahead of myself...I apologize to the men who follow Iron Oak Farm. This post will probably seem less than interesting to you. I'll have Zach write something Blacksmith-ish soon to balance things out.

Anyway...

I'm not a girly-girl by any means. But something happens to me at Christmas time and my "Santa Baby" side comes out suddenly and without warning. I've been known to wear make up even on a weekday, coordinating underwear, and this year...in a severe flareup... bought a pink sweater to wear to holiday gatherings...PINK! Usually it goes away in January when I go into "houseplant mode", and resume my drab ensemble of grey, tan, olive green and "earth toned" clothing.

But like the "decorations" of my person...the house undergoes a similar transformation. When decorating for Christmas I really subscribe to two modes. Plain, natural and earthy like in my Gathering Greens post (and subsequent others) or I like  vintage, glittery and slightly obnoxious.

The bathroom is one outlet for this inner feminine eruption.

Our bathroom is a light warm grey with lots of white accents. Very monochromatic. I have a white eyelet shower curtain and my plan is to someday put an ornate, white vintage vanity in this room and bead board half way up the walls with wainscoting...but this is probably my Pinterest side of me talking...all in good time.

My mom bought me this miniature feather tree a few years ago. And for the longest time I simply displayed it -as is. The delicate feathers with vintage hat-pin-like pearl tips were pretty enough.

Then I found this collection of miniature bulbs with decorative silver hooks and my girly condition got really bad. The following year I found a vintage reproduction pink glittered reindeer. In my opinion...everyone needs one!

In the bathroom I have an area of wall space that I've hung a different wreath depending on the season. I have a dried lavender wreath for spring, a wheat wreath for fall and for Christmas, I made this inexpensive snowflake wreath last year.

$2 plus the cost of glue from the glue gun. I bought two packs of plastic glittered snowflakes at the Dollar Tree and laid them out in a wreath pattern, large ones on the bottom, smaller ones in-between and glued it together. Very simple. Plain, but still...glittery.     

   

Sugar Plum Fairy

I remember as a little girl going to the Fox Theater in Detroit to see the magnificent Nutcracker ballet at Christmas time. Woodward Avenue would be decked out in Christmas lights, and the whole evening seemed magical. The fox is a beautiful theater, the walls are adorned in intricate carvings of cherubs and scrolling leaves. Gold leaf and heavy velvet draping makes it feel as though you've stepped inside an antique music box.

I love the theater. Especially the ballet,... it is timeless and breathtaking. A perfect mix of poetry, beauty, strength and art.

As a child it is overwhelming, and I longed to be like the dancers on stage.      

In the spirit of this memory, I made this tutu for my 4 year old niece for Christmas. She loves to dance and dress up, so I thought this would be a perfect gift. She's a peanut, so this giant fluffy skirt will swallow her up like a cotton candy cloud. So fun! I can't believe how easy and inexpensive this project was!

I purchased 1 yard each of different "girly" colored tulle. I caught a 50% off sale at Jo-Anns and it was only $.88 a yard! I threw in a sparkly pink tulle to add a little something extra.

I took each of the yards of tulle and bunched it up so I could cut it into strips with one swipe of the scissors. Snip, snip, snip all the way down the length of the yard about 2 to 3 inches wide. You can be somewhat careless as the multitude of tulle will hide any flaws. Then I took 1 1/2 yards of a pink ribbon, glittery on one side, satin on the other, (this will be the waist band) and began tying each ribbon of tulle onto the band. Like a slip knot. Once tied I slid it tight down the waist band and sort of smashed it into the other tulle knots, this gives the skirt lots of volume.

It took a while to tie on all the bands. So I hung it in the kitchen and would tie at odd times, as I waited for coffee to brew, or the milk to filter etc. and in no time it was done. I hope she likes it...secretly...I kinda want one too. He he!    

Wreath Making

Lately I've been gathering greens to make holiday decorations. To learn more about my sources, read my post Gathering Greens. I have a nice assortment of Blue Spruce, Black Pine, Cedar, Juniper, Frasier Fir, Variegated Holly and Holly with red berries.

Last year I bought a beautiful wreath for our front door at the Orchard down the street from us. I saved the wire wreath frame so I could make something myself this year.

Turns out, wreath making with this type of frame is very easy, and the project comes together rather quickly.

There are 16 pairs of wire teeth around the form. So I made 16 bunches of greens, alternating material each time. Each bunch started with Spruce (because that's what I had the most of) cut about 6 to 7 inches, then I layered Black Pine, Cedar and the red berry Holly. The alternating bunch was Spruce, Frasier Fir, Juniper and the Variegated Holly.

I would hold the bunch in place and simple curl the wire teeth around the bunch with pliers. Each bunch covers the stems and wires of the bunch before.

On the last, you simply lift the first bunch and tuck the last one underneath. I can't decide if it needs a bow...I kinda like it plain and natural...what do you think?

Oh Christmas Tree

Yesterday was such a great day! We visited Trim Pines Farm in Grand Blanc, Mi. where we spent the day wandering through all the beautiful pine trees.

What an awesome place, and environmentally friendly too!

I love that the setting is very natural. You feel as though you're in a forest not a farm. The trees grow haphazardly and you are free to wander the natural landscape.

We started the adventure in a horse drawn wagon. Two beautiful Friesian horses (I think, horse people help me out here, Friesians?) brought us out into the pine woods. A cove opened up where there was a small cafe with hot cocoa, warm cider and smores kits. 

They had a small petting farm with this adorable miniature donkey and even a place to take pictures with Santa!

The smoky fire mingled with the evergreen scent as we toasted our marshmallows

and enjoyed a snack before we headed out into the woods on foot,

with the trusty saw in tow.

Trim pines farm has a beautiful assortment of trees to choose from including Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Noble Fir, Spruces, Balsams and Concolour,

a lovely tree with long silvery needles that smells citrusy.

While the Concolour seemed interesting,

I was after a fir. I love the soft needles, the deeper color, and the smell.

It's a little early to get a tree,

but ours will be displayed on our enclosed porch which stays rather cold, so the tree should make it through the holiday season.

One of the workers explained that Firs retain their needles the best, but Spruces are sturdier for heavier ornaments. 

After wandering through the woods we found a beautiful specimen. A Noble Fir.

It seemed to call to us... like in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

(I have to admit, we quoted from that movie quite a bit yesterday.)

"You see kids, this is what our four fathers did. They walked out into the woods, they picked out that special tree and they cut it down with their bare hands." ~Clark W. Griswold

Anyway...We hauled the tree back through the woods to the cove where we loaded it onto the wagon, and the horses brought us back to the main entrance area. 

The workers at Trim Pine Farm shook the debris from our tree and wrapped it in twine. 

So we could load it onto the roof of the Jeep.  
It was an awesome day!!!