Nerdy Knits: Whovian Alphabet for Knitting

As I said last week, I am continuing my series of geeky alphabet charts for you yarn crafters out there. You can find my first two installments here: Potter! Twilight!

This week's alphabet is near and dear to my heart, the Whovian Alphabet.

Now, I am not caught up. Seriously. I don't have cable, so I watch on Netflix, or occasionally elsewhere on the internet, so I haven't seen anything since the Ponds left. That said I am seriously excited for Peter Capaldi's take on our favorite Madman with a Box.

Let me know if you use my lettering, I want to see what you make! If you want to sell what you made, just link back here. (And please, don't try to sell my charts.) You should also consider checking out my fob watch inspired baby rattle.

So who are my fellow Whovians? Sound off in the comments, but please no spoilers. ;)

Nerdy Knits: Twilight Alphabet for Knitters

It's been well over a year, but my Potter Alphabet continues to be my most popular post, by far, outstripping all other posts combined. In that vein, I have decided to continue with a series of sci-fi/fantasy fonts so that you lovelies can let your own creativity shine. SO with out further ado, I present, the Twilight font:

I chose to do all lower case, as the book titles are all written in lower case.

As always, you are free to use this pattern in any way you see fit, provided two things:

1.) Do not sell my charts directly
2.) If you sell an item made using my charts, please credit it back to this page

Other than that, it's free, always will be. Have fun!

New! A Doctor Who font!

Nerdy Knits: Baby Corset

I'm finally getting around to posting more of that outfit I made for my sweet niece, V.

  

I hear she was the hit of the steampunk wedding. I made the dress, too, but that was just adjusting some seams on a 2T snap side turtleneck, and making poof sleeves out of the excess fabric. I then used a bit of lace to create a bustle, and a small rosette for the neck, tacked down with a scrolly silver button. The meat of this was the corset. 

It took me about a day to complete, beginning to end, and I really enjoyed the challenge. I improvised the whole thing, and, luck for you, wrote it down as I was going. It ended up being about a 9-12 month size, but with the lacing, that's kind of flexible.

As before, If you find an issue, please tell me so that I may correct it. The "boning" is created by simple striping, and the slanted "boning" utilizes short rows to maintain a rectangular shape. I used size 4 needles, but you can size up or down for fit.

co14 mc
k 3 rows
k1 [yo k2tog] 6 times k1
k 5 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 8 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 8 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 8 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 4 rows
k11, turn and k back
k8, turn and k back
k5, turn and k back
k2, turn and k back
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 1 row
k2, turn and k back
k5, turn and k back
k8, turn and k back
k11, turn and k back
k 8 rows
k11, turn and k back
k8, turn and k back
k5, turn and k back
k2, turn and k back
k 1 row
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k2, turn and k back
k5, turn and k back
k8, turn and k back
k11, turn and k back
k 4 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 8 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 8 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 8 rows
switch to cc
k 2 rows
switch to mc
k 5 rows
k1 [yo k2tog] 6 times k1
k 3 rows
Bind off

I then picked up all of the stitches on the bottom, and knit a simple ruffle, though, alas, I didn't document it. This part is optional anyway.

Weave in all ends, lace up with a complimentary color of cording or ribbon. Enjoy your elegant infant!

(My sister-out-law with her beautiful baby)

Two Milestones!

First, I'd like to welcome my one and only follower, Mrs H, who has an awesome blog I can't wait to read more of. Hello, you!

Second, holy crap on a crap stick, this blog has more than 2000 page views! How did that happen? Fairly certain it has to do with my Potter Alphabet, and you guys. I am SO GLAD you all seem to love it so.

It's been a hectic and germ full few months here, but I promise more updates soon. Just wanted to say I love you guys, and you ROCK.

Nerdy Knits: Doctor Who Fob Watch

So. Recently I made a steampunk outfit for my adorable niece Vi to wear to a theme wedding. It was fun and easy to make, and holy crap is she cute in it. I mean, vomit inducing cute. Pictures to follow as soon as I have them, I promise.

Her father is possibly a bigger Whovian than I am, so when I got the idea to add a pocket watch to her costume, I knew which one it had to be. The Doctor's watch. The Fob. Since the idea made me giggle, I figured the finished project would be fairly epic. It was also an insanely quick knit, finished in one evening. I simplified the map of space time to be easier to embroider with something as bulky as yarn.

DISCLAIMER: Only I have knit this and only once. If there are mistakes, let me know and I will happily fix them. This is my very first written pattern, so be gentle.

Materials used: Caron Simply Soft in heather and black, the back of a plastic grocery bag, cut to size

Gauge and needles: About 4st/inch. I used size 3, use whatever you need, or size up or down for desired size.

Abbreviations used: co-cast on; st-stitches; k-knit; p-purl; k1fb-increase by knitting into the front and back of one stitch; k2tog-knit two together. Got it? Good, moving on.

The pattern:
For both the back piece and the watch cover start here-
Using the longtail method, co 5st
Row 1: knit
2:k1, k1fb, p1, k1fb, k1
3:knit
4:k1, k1fb, p3, k1fb, k1
5:knit
6:k1, k1fb, p5, k1fb, k1
7:knit
8:k1, k1fb, p7, k1fb, k1
9:knit
10:k1, k1fb, p9, k1fb, k1
11:knit
12:k2, p11, k2
13:knit
14:k2, p11, k2
15:knit
16:k1, k2tog, p9, k2tog, k1
17:knit
18:k1, k2tog, p7, k2tog, k1
19:knit
20:k1, k2tog, p5, k2tog, k1
21:knit
22:k1, k2tog, p3, k2tog, k1
23:knit
24:k1, k2tog, p1, k2tog, k1
25:knit
(Bind off here for cover, keep knitting for back)
26:k1, s1, k2tog, psso, k1
27:knit
28:purl
29:knit
30:k1, k1fb, k1
31:knit
32:k1, k2fb, k1
33:knit
34:k1, k2tog twice, k1
35:k2tog twice
2 stich icord 2 inches or so
k2fb
4 stich icord 4 inches or so (to fit the baby's hand)
k2tog twice
k2tog
trim yarn, pull through final loop
double over the 4 stitch icord, sew down end

See diagram for picture to embroider w/contrast color

Sew two pieces together w/cc, stuffing with plastic bag, adding rattle if desired.

For more Who goodness, check out my new Doctor Who font!

Nerdy Knits: Potter Alphabet for Knitting

I have been knitting some Hogwarts inspired items lately, and wanted to incorporate lettering. I looked high and low, but, to my astonishment, I couldn't find anyone who had charted the lettering for my knitting use. Therefore, I have spent the last couple of days hunched over my laptop, recreating, as faithfully as possible, the iconic Potter font in knit chart form. I know my fellow crafty fans will make great use of it, so I wanted to freely give it to you.

With a few exceptions (M, W, etc...) I have tried to block them in a simple 15x15 grid. This might make smaller items impossible, but you can't get a whole lot smaller without losing too much detail. If there is demand, I can post individual letters, but the resolution will be the same. I hope you guys enjoy using these!

Update:
I have also posted a chart for a Twilight inspired font for the Twi-hards, and a Doctor Who font for you Whovians.