Knitted Baby Starfish

I took a trip to London Zoo a couple of months ago and was so very impressed by the aquarium. The weird looking sea creatures are all different colours, shapes and sizes... it's hard to believe that some of those strange beings are actually alive. I was so impressed, I felt inspired to knit an aquarium for myself (as I'd never be able to afford a real one). I was particularly impressed by this one picture of the starfish and those fluffy looking things (that are probably not that fluffy really).

So, I've started by creating a very simple design for a knitted starfish. It's really really easy. All you need to be able to do is cast on, knit and cast off. It really is that simple. You can try different sizes too, once you get the hang of the pattern. I knitted one on the train on the way to work this morning.

Materials: 2.75mm needles, doulbe knit yarn in any shade that takes your fancy, scissors and a knitter's needle.

Directions: Cast on 10 stitches

Row 1: Knit 10

Row 2: Knit 10

Row 3: Cast off 7 stitches, knit the remaining 3 stitches

Row 4: Knit 3, now turn the needle round and now cast on 7 stitches. This splits the row to make the gaps between the legs.

Row 5: Knit 10

Row 6: Knit 10

Row 7: Cast off 7 stitches, knit the remaining 3 stitches

Row 4: Knit 3, now turn the needle round and now cast on 7 stitches.

Row 7: Knit 10

Row 8: Knit 10Row 9: Cast off 7 stitches, knit the remaining 3 stitches

Row 4: Knit 3, now turn the needle round and now cast on 7 stitches.

Row 10: Knit 10

Row 11: Knit 11

Row 12: Cast off 7 stitches, knit the remaining 3 stitches

Row 4: Knit 3, now turn the needle round and now cast on 7 stitches.

Row 13: Knit 10

Row 14: Knit 10

Row 15: Cast off 7 stitches, knit the remaining 3 stitches

Row 4: Knit 3, now turn the needle round and now cast on 7 stitches.

Row 16: Knit 10

Row 17: Knit 10

Cast off 10 stitches

You should now have a knitted piece with 5 legs. These need to be stitched into a star shape as in the picture.

Now you have your very own knitted starfish! I have also adjusted pattern to make the fish bigger, by knitting the legs at a length of 15 stitches instead of 10. I kept the number of stitches always cast on at 3. See more pictures here.

I plan to have the knitted aquarium completed later in the year. Watch this space....

Knitted Tank Top Vest

I have to admit, my first attempt at a jumper was pretty rubbish. The sleeves and the body didn't look like they belong on the same garment.

I thought I'd give this tank top vest from the Stitch n Bitch book a go, as it looked nice and easy and was suitable for this summer we've been having in England.

When making a garment such as this, the back and the front must be identical, so that when sewn together, they fit propperly. Otherwise you end up with a lop-sided seam that gets all twisted up. The neck areas obviously differ; often the front neckline will be slightly lover than the back.

This vest top is knitted in a rib-stitch, (k2, p1), which gives a really nice effect, as you can see here. I did notice, however, that my merino yarn started to turn my bamboo needles green...

I actually finished knitting this before I went on holiday but have only just got round to taking pictures. It's any easy top to knit and doesn't take too long either.

The straps are attached to one another using a three needle bind-off, which I had never tried before. Instructions are in the Stitch & Bitch Nation book on how to do this. The three needle bind-off is supposed to give you a invisible seam. I can see why this is so, but my first attemot was a little bit lumpy.

The sides are sewn together using a 'blanket stitch' (I think). As you can see, my sewing skills are not too great, but they're getting better, slowly. One day my seams will look seamless...

Anyway the final product is knitted without any mistakes, which I am very pleased about. The only thing is, it's a bit small for me. It's short around my belly, which isn't too bad, but it's the neckline where it is noticeable. I really like this design though, as it is quite a flattering top. I haven't decided whether to unravel it all and make the bigger size, or whether to give it to someone smaller than me....

Home Made Pizza Recipe

I love pizza and I espeically love those dough balls that you get in certain pizza restaurants that they serve with garlic butter. All they are, are the off-cuts from the pizza dough, so I thought I'd try making some dough for myself. Much cheaper. Here is how I made this feast....

Ingredients:


For the dough...

• strong white flour 500g, plus extra for dusting the work surface




• 2 teaspoons of salt




• 2 teaspoons of easy-blend fast action yeast




• 2 tablespoons of olive oil




• 2 teaspoons of honey or sugar




• 300ml of warm water




• olive oil to grease the tin

Equipment: Large mixing bowl, tablespoon, teaspoon, measuring jug, wooden spoon, flat large baking tin, cling film or tea towel.

Directions:

1. Sieve the flour into the mixing bowl, add the salt and the yeast granules and stir with wooden spoon til they are all combined.




2. Spoon the olive oil and sugar/honey into the measuring jug, add the warm water and stir well.




3. A little at a time, add the water mixture to the flour mixture. Mix with spoon or hands, working the water into the flour and gradually bringing it all together into a mass of soft, slightly sticky dough. If the dough wont come together, then work in some more water. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour.




4. Now you need to kneed the dough for around 15 mins. If you don't have strong arm muscles, you will by the time you've finished.




5. After kneeding your dough should have a slightly bouncy feel to it. It should not be too sticky or too dry. Put the mass of dough into bowl and cover with a slightly damp tea cloth and leave for 1 hour. (Do not put it in the fridge)




6. After an hour, the dough will have risen. Take it from the bowl and kneed a little more, to remove the air. It will be easier the second time round. Again cover and leave for an hour.




7. Remove dough from bowl and roll out to make pizza bases.

For the tomato sauce:

Ingredients:

• a generous helping of tomato puree (about 5 tablespoons)




• a few tablespoons of oilve oil for frying




• 1 can of tinned tomatoes




• 2 or 3 cloves of garlic, use a sprinkle of salt to crush




• worcester sauce (a few of splashes)




• dried basil




• 1 medium finely chopped red or white onion




• black pepper

Directions for making the sauce, which will cover the pizza base:

1. Fry the onions in the olive oil until soft. Make sure there is plenty of oil in the pan, so that the mixture doesn't become too dry whilst frying (but not too much, or it will be too oily!)




2. Add the crushed garlic cloves a fry for another 2 mins.




3. Add the dried basil an black pepper and stir.




4. Then add the tomato puree and stir.




5. Now add the tinned tomatoes and stir further, with a few splashes of worcester sauce




6. Now, as your mixture is well stirred, you can cover the pan and simmer for approx 20-30 mins, stirring occasionally.




7. Allow the tomato sauce to cool down. Then spoon the mixture over the pizza bases and add your desired toppings.




8. Bake your pizzas in the oven at 190 degress on a baking sheet.

Topping suggestions:

• Tuna, sweetcorn, green peppers, sliced red onion.




• Sliced smoked sausage, pineapple chunks, red pepper thinly sliced




• Ham, pineapple, sweetcorn




• Pepperoni, black olives, red onion and green peppers




• Spinach, goats cheese, carmelised red onion




• Roasted peppers, corgette, fresh basil leaves, topped with shavings of parmesan and cracked black pepper

The dough balls:

Use the off-cuts of pizza dough and make small round balls, approx 1.5" in diameter. Bake on a greaseproof sheet for 6 mins.

The garlic butter:

Crush 1 clove of garlic with a little salt in a pestle and mortar or garlic crusher. Mix this with your butter in a small dish and add some chopped parsley. Serve dough balls with a small dish of garlic butter for dipping.

You could also try a few different dips for the dough balls, such as pesto or a cheese sauce.

Army of Ladybirds

As it's summer there's less need for big wooly jumpers and scarves, so it seemed like the perfect time for knitting models of my favourite insect - ladybirds. The pattern is really easy...

Materials: 2.5mm needles; red and black double knit yarn (doesn't have to be anything fancy); 1 darning needle, stuffing.

Cast on 3 stitches

Row 1: starting with red yarn, purl 3

Row 2: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 = 5 stitches (RS)

Row 3: purl 5 (WS)

Row 4: k1, m1 alternately until you have 9 stitches

Row 5: purl 9

Row 6: k1, m1 alternately until you have 17 stitches

Row 7: purl 17

Row 8: k1, m1, k15, m1, k1 = 19 stitches

Row9: purl 19 stitches

Row 10: k1, m1, k15, m1, k1 = 21 stitches

Row 11: p21

Rows 12 to 28 St st

Row 29: k1, k2tog, k15, k2tog, k1 = 19 stitches

Row 30: p19

Row 31: k1, k2tog, k13, k2tog, k1 = 17 stitches

Row 32: p17

Row 33: change to black yarn, k1, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k1

Row 34: p15

Row 35: k1, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k1 = 13 stitches

Row 36: p13

Row 37: k1, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k1 = 11 stitches

Row 38: p11

Row 39: k1, k2tog, k5, k2tog, k1 = 9 stitches

Row 40: p9

Row 41: k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1 = 7 stitches

Row 42: k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1 = 5 stitches

Row 43: Cast off purl wise

This gives you the top of the ladybird.

Underneath side:

Cast on 6 stitches

Row 1: Purl (WS)

Row 2: k1, m1, k4, m1, k1 = 8 stitches (RS)

Row 3: p8

Row 4: k1, m1, k6, m1, k1 = 10 stitches

Row 5: p10

Row 6: increase as above = 12 stitches

Row 7: p12

Row 8: increase as above = 14 stitches

Row 9: p14

Rows 10-13: St st

Row 14: Increase as above = 16

Row 15: P

Row 16: k16

Row 17: p16

Row 18: k16

Row 19: p16

Row 20: k16

Row 21: p1, p2tog, p12, p2tog, p1 = 14 stitches

Row 22: decrease as above knitwise = 12 stitches

Row 23: p12

Row 24: decrease as above knitwise = 10 stitches

Row 25: decrease as above purlwise = 8 stitches
Row 26: decrease as above knitwise = 6 stitches

Row 27: p6

Row 28: K2, k2tog, k2

Row 29: p5

Row 30: k5

Row 31: p2tog, p2, p2tog = 3 stitches
Cast off

Now, using the black yarn, make the ladybird pattern on the top side of the ladybird (a black line through the middle and vlack dots, see picture)

Now, holding the two pieces against one another (RS facing one another), sew togther, three quarters of the way around the perimeter, turn the right way out and stuff the ladybird. Then sew up the remainder of the seam. And now you have your very own knitted ladybird! You can also sew a broach pin to the back, so that it can be pinned to your favourite bag or cardigan.