Ozark Handspun News

Artisan-crafted homespun yarn made in Missouri, USA.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Pattern: Ozark Handspun Hat

MATERIALS:
1 skein Ozark Handspun yarn
Size US 19 circular needles
GAUGE: 1 stitch per inch
INSTRUCTIONS
Beginner: This makes a very simple hat. Cast on 24 very loose stitches. Knit remainder of skein until 6 inches of yarn left. Draw together. Tie off.
Intermediate: This creates a nice rounded crown. Cast on 24 very loose stitches. Knit about 7 inches. Knit 5, knit 2 together. Continue until 14-15 stitches are left. Draw together. Tie off.
Designed by David Gentzsch for Ozark Handspun
Printing Instructions: To print click Ozark Handspun Hat.

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Saturday, January 20, 2007

Pattern: David's Scarf or Terri's Purse





MATERIALS
2 skeins of Ozark Handspun Yarn
1 rectangular Butterfly Loom
Simple yarn for tying like Encore by Plymouth
Optional: For the purse, a Quick Count Plastic Canvas 10.5" x 13.5" in a complementary color. (These are available at Michael’s.)

DIRECTIONS: Using Ozark Handspun, wrap the loom and then knot with your plain yarn using the ladder stitch according to the directions that come with the loom. Repeat twice more.
FINISHING
The three rectangles will be attached by the short ends for the scarf. The purse will attach the long ends side by side. Put the right sides together with the loops out on the right side. On the wrong side (where the knotting is visible), join the two pieces together by putting the needle through the X on one side, then the X on the other side and back again. Then move up to the next set of Xs. Keeping your tension loose, continue until the two pieces are joined. Add the third piece in the same way.

Directions for the purse are in parentheses. Cut all loops unevenly. If you want to use the yarn for the handle of the purse rather than buy a commercial handle, use 2 strands of Ozark and an N crochet hook, chain stitch for 14" or as long as desired leaving a tail of 2" to attach to the side of the purse. Cut the remaining yarn into 9" (6") lengths, more or less, depending on the yarn. For instance, if there is a beautiful fluffy section, you may want to cut before or after that section. Divide these pieces in thirds and tie the pieces on irregularly throughout the piece. Untie the knot where you joined the end of the Ozark to the beginning and trim the ends to match the length of the other pieces.

Attach the handle or handles securely to each side. You may also use a commercial handle. Lining the purse with the plastic mesh by Quick Count will give it a bit more body. If you were not able to find a complementary color, I would recommend making an envelope of your lining to enclose the plastic mesh. Insert it in the purse and secure around the edge of the top. If you like a softer purse, you may skip this entirely. A magnetic closure, a very large hook and eye or a small piece of Velcro will keep your purse closed.

Design by Carol Porter for Ozark Handspun, Spring 2007

Printing Instructions: To print Dave's Scarf pattern click David's Ozark Scarf.pdf or Terri's Purse click Terri's Ozark Purse.pdf.

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Sunday, January 14, 2007

Pattern: Ozark Capelet



MATERIALS
6 skeins of Ozark Handspun Yarn
1 pair US Size 35 needles, preferably circular
1 Ozark Mane for collar
1 large button

Cast on 84 sts with a #35 needle. Row 1, *k8, inc 1*. Repeat 9 times more, k8 (94 sts).
Knit 23, place a marker, knit 48, place marker and knit 23. Knit 3 rows. Then k21, k2 tog, pass marker, k2 tog, k44, k2 tog, pass marker, k2 tog, k21. Every 4th row, k2 tog before and after the marker for a total decrease of 4 sts on that row. When you are down to 54 sts, k2 tog across the row. Bind off on the next row.

FINISHING
If you are using an Ozark Mane for the collar, pin it in place now. Remember that you are sewing a large button on the top of the left side since that may make a difference in how you place the mane. Sew the mane and the button in place. You may need to tack the mane up a bit in certain areas if it is thin. Not to worry. This will just make your collar more secure. You also have the option of adding buttons so that the capelet closes all the way down the front.

So easy, so fashionable, so flattering. Wear to the market with jeans or to the opera with a long skirt. Enjoy!

Design by Carol Porter for Ozark Handspun, Spring 2007

Printing Instructions: To print click Ozark Capelet

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Pattern: Ozark Tunic

MATERIALS
6 skeins of Ozark Handspun Yarn
1 Pair US Size 35 needles
1 large button

MEASUREMENTS
Width 22.5”(24”, 25.5”)
Length 22” for all sizes

Knitting Tip: Because of the variation in handdyed yarns, I suggest knitting from 2 balls simultaneously, 2 rows from one, then 2 rows from the other. On the last stitch of the second row, carry up the previous yarn so you will be ready to knit the next row with that yarn.

DIRECTIONS:
BACK: Cast on 28 (30, 32) sts. with a #35 needle. Knit 2 rows and purl one row. Then begin pattern: knit 3 rows, purl 1 row. Continue for 22” and then bind off loosely.
FRONT: Cast on 15 (16, 17) sts and knit for 22” using the pattern above. Repeat for the other front.
I like the way the tunic comes over the shoulder a bit. It looks great with a turtleneck underneath it. If you would prefer a more set in look, cast off 1-2 st at 14” and continue in pattern until tunic is 22”.
FINISHING: Using the Ozark Handspun yarn, weave the shoulders together leaving an 8” (8.5”) opening for the back neck and 4” (4.25”) free at the neck edge to fold over to form the collar (see photo). The weave up both sides leaving 8” (8.5”) open at the top for the armholes. When doing the back of the neck, be sure that the opening is not more than 8” (8.5”). Because this is knitted on such a large needle there is a lot of play in the stitches. If you want the neck to be a little snugger, just single crochet around the back of the neck.
Try on the garment and overlap it at the top to mark where to place the large button. Sew it on firmly.

Design by Carol Porter for Ozark Handspun, Spring 2007

Printing Instructions: To print click Ozark Tunic.pdf

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Pattern: Crocheted Ozark Scarf

Photo coming next week!

MATERIALS
1 skein of Ozark Handspun, 2 if you want a longer fuller scarf
4 yards of 5/8" Hanah Silk ribbon
P Crochet Hook
Optional: 2 boxes of Chips or Ruffles by Trendsetter Yarns

Using a P crochet hook, chain 48”. Do 4-5 chains depending on the yardage in the skein. Cut ribbon in 8” lengths. Place all the chains side by side. Tie together the outer two, the middle two, another two, alternating irregularly until all the ribbons are used up. You may want to place the ribbons before tying them to ensure that they are more or less evenly placed.

OPTIONAL
Using leftover yarn, tie on chips and/or ruffles at the end of the chained strands and throughout the scarf.

OTHER VARIATIONS
Use 2 skeins of Ozark to lengthen or double the number of strands.
Use 1” ribbon instead of 5/8” or mix the 2 sizes.

Design by Carol Porter for Ozark Handspun, Spring 2007

Printing Instructions: To print, highlight this pattern using 'click & drag.' Right-click the mouse button and click on 'Print'. Follow the instructions for your printer.

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Pattern: A Mane Project



MATERIALS
1 Ozark pelt
1 skein Ozark Handspun yarn

DIRECTIONS
Using a P crochet hook, chain stitch varying lengths from 3” to 6” and attach them to the pelt around the outer edge of the mane as well as some places in the mane. It is easy to do this by putting the end of the yarn through the mane with a slip stitch. This is also a good way to correct the areas where the mane may be a little thin. You may also leave a tail of several inches since the yarn has so much texture.

This is such an easy piece to do for such a big payoff in style! Wear and start counting the compliments.

Design by Carol Porter for Ozark Handspun, Spring 2007

Printing Instructions: To print in .pdf format click A Mane Project.pdf.

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Thursday, January 11, 2007

And We're Off!

Off to see the wizard? No, not quite. We are, however, going to a comparable Emerald City. Dave and I belong to The National Needlearts Association (TNNA). They host two trade shows each year. The first this year is in sunny San Diego. We leave this afternoon and will return late Tuesday evening. We will be checking phone messages and email on a regular basis while we are away but will probably wait until next Wednesday before answering most messages.

Thanks so much!

Terri and Dave Gentzsch

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