DIY: Knitted Sequined Collar

Right side

Wrong side

It's here, it's here!!! The pattern for my latest knitted creation is finally here:

THE KNITTED SEQUINED COLLAR 

Yarn: 1 ball of Moda Vera Ballroom yarn
Needles: 5.0mm
Gauge: I do not make swatches


Pattern:
(Please read the pattern very carefully before casting on! This is not a conventional written knitting pattern. If possible, try knitting the pattern using another yarn of a similar weight first. Believe me, frogging sequined yarn is a real pain in the arse.)

The picture above represents the knitted collar. 

The numbers represents the number of stitches and the lines represents where markers should be placed. For example, count 2 stitches from the beginning and place a marker.

The dots represents where a decrease should be made. For example, decreases should always be made AFTER the stitch marker on the left of the collar and BEFORE the stitch marker on the right of the collar. One dot represents 1 decrease and each decrease should be made as follows:

LEFT of the pattern: sl1, knit 1, psso
RIGHT of the pattern: knit, return, pass, return


Video examples of these decreases can be found here.

Summary: 
1 x Line = 1 x stitch marker

1 x Dot = 1 x decrease

1 x decrease on the left of the pattern = sl1, knit 1, psso

1 x decrease on the right of the pattern = knit, return, pass, return

Not all decreases occur at the same time, so read the pattern carefully! Ready? Here we go!
Cast on 180

Place stitch markers

Row 1 – 4: Knit

Row 5: Purl

Row 6: Knit all and decrease the RED dots.

Row 7: Purl

Repeat Rows 6 & 7 until the collar measures 5 cm from the beginning. End this repeat pattern with a purl row (i.e. Row 7)

Row 8: Knit all and decrease the RED & BLUE dots

Row 9: Purl

Repeat Rows 8 & 9 until the collar measures 6.5 cm from the beginning. End this repeat pattern with a purl row (i.e. Row 8)

Row 10: Knit all and decrease the RED, BLUE & GREEN dots

Row 11: Purl

Repeat Rows 10 & 11 until the collar fits your neck. I stopped when my collar measured 9cm from the beginning, but my neck is probably different from yours!

Cast off loosely. I used the cast off technique shown in this video. 

It is important that your cast off is loose! If not, the collar will fit very tightly around your neck!

Push all the sequins at the back to the front.

Block by pinning it in place and then hovering a steam iron over it for several minutes
Sew hooks.

You’re done! (n_n)

♥

Coming soon: Knitted collar

Knitted collar

Hi everyone! I'm awfully sorry that I haven't written a post for a while. I've been really busy with my uni placement. It's been really exhausting, but I'm starting to feel more settled down. So, here's just a quick update on what's coming up. This is the sequin collar that I knitted a few months ago. I have the pattern written and saved... somewhere on my computer... and I will be posting it very soon! ^_^

DIY: Felt flower brooch (and also other presents I bought for my friends)

In addition to the tiny little embroidered ornaments that I made, I also made (and bought) several other presents for my friends who came over to Sydney just a while ago. Here's the felt flower brooch that I made for one of my friends.

I made this felt flower brooch via the tutorial found on this blog here. I thought of making a brooch for her because she is often wearing cardigans and a simple flower brooch is the easiest way to dress up a plain cardigan! 

I also bought several other things during the post Xmas sale for my friends as belated birthday presents. This bright pink cambridge satchel is from Dotti and it was on sale at 50% off! What a steal. I couldn't resist it and bought one for myself too. I think my life is ALMOST complete. FINALLY!! I OWN A CAMBRIDGE SATCHEL (albeit a look-alike, not the real thing). A while ago, I was very very tempted to buy a bright yellow el cheapo one from eBay. Thank goodness I didn't, because it's likely that the quality would not have been as great. 

This is an eyeshadow palette from Sportsgirl. I like the variety of colours in this single palette. I think the beige (bottom row, centre) and grey-ish palette (middle row, extreme right) are great for a natural look. There's also black (top row, extreme left) and silver (top row, extreme right) for creating smokey eyes and bright colours for a more playful look. More importantly, there's a glittery gold (top row, centre) to enhance all looks! Dammit, the more I think of it, the more I think that I should have bought one for myself. But I really really shouldn't because I have a whole bunch of beauty products and make-up waiting to grow stale... T_T


Ok, that's all for now. My friends have left Sydney. I'm waiting for them to send me all the wonderful pictures that we took during their trip here. I'll write more about our trip around Sydney when I've sorted out the photos and stuff!


xx gwenstella

One word to define 2012: Graduation

// Oversized salmon top, Supre, $5 / Denim shorts, Cotton On, $10 / Necklace, Mum's / Sunglasses, random shop, $10 / Grey plimsolls, Kmart, $8 //

The new year has finally come and I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me. 2011 was kind to me and I hope that 2012 will be just as great. 2012 is really important and significant to me as this is the year that I will graduate. I will be starting another uni placement in a few days' time. But right now, I'm just spending my time frolicking under the Australian summer sun with my friends. 


I hope everyone is also having fun! :)