Knitting pattern for Frog Mask

Frog Mask

Finished Mask Size: 9.5" (24 cm) long, 6" (15.5 cm) wide at the widest point, 15" (38 cm) tall strings.

Yarn: Cotton yarn in green (MC), white (C1), red (C2) and black (C3) color. For my sample I used Sugar and Cream yarn.

Yardage: 140 - 150 yards (128 - 137 meters) of MC, and 15 yards (14 meters) each of C1, C2, C3.

Recommended Needle Size: US # 7 / 4.5 mm, and DPN US # 7 / 4.5 mm (set of 5).

Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, polyester fiberfill (1 small bag), 10" (26 cm) long and 7" (18 cm) wide rectangular piece of cotton fabric to add layer to the mask.

Abbrevations:
C1, C2, C3 = Contrast Color
CO = Cast On
DPN = Double Pointed Needles
K = Knit
K2tog = Knit two sts together, this decreases two sts to one st.
K3tog = Knit three sts together, this decreases three sts to one st.
KFB = Knit in front and bag of the same st, this creates two sts from one st.
MC = Main Color
P = Purl
PM = Place Marker
RH = Right Hand
Rnd, Rnds = Round, Rounds
SSK = Slip st, slip st, and knit the two sts together, this decreases two sts to one st.
St, Sts = Stitch, Stitches
W & T = Wrap and Turn

Gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.

Techniques:
I-cord:
Bind off with I-cord:
I-cord string:
Short Rows:
Three Needle Bind Off:

Notes: This mask will not protect you. However, it might protect others from your cough.
In time of distress, I tend to find solace in knitting. Over the past week I was talking with my mom via Skype about the current situation in her country. While we were talking, she was telling me about the lack of face masks, and how she and many other people are sewing them from cotton fabric. Based on these conversations I started to make some sketches and decide to create a mask on my own. One that has a bit of whimsy, and has the added layer of cotton fabric. I used cotton yarn for the mask, therefore it's possible to sterilize it.

Instructions:
When casting on leave a longer tail to use later for sewing.

Mask:
With the MC yarn CO 42 sts.
Row 1: K1, P1
Row 2: P1, K1
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: Short Rows sections:
Short Row 1: K37, W&T
Short Row 2: P32, W&T
Short Row 3: K27, W&T
Short Row 4: P22, W&T
Short Row 5: K17, W&T
Short Row 6: P12, W&T
Short Row 7: Knit to end
Row 6: Purl
Rows 7 - 10: Repeat Rows 3 - 6, including the short rows.
Rows 11 - 14: Repeat Rows 3 - 6, including the short rows.
Cut the yarn, leaving the live stitches on needle.

String with the leg:
With the MC yarn and DPN, CO 12 sts. Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the round.
Rnds 1 - 3: Knit
Rnd 4: SSK 6x ( 6 sts total)
Continue to work the sts as I-cord for 14" (36 cm).

Join the live stitches on the mask with the I-cord string and continue with I-cord BO.

After the I-cord BO continue with I-cord for another 14" (36 cm).
Then continue in the rounds:
Rnd 1: KFB 6x (12 sts)
Rnds 2 - 4: Knit
BO in Three Needle BO technique.

Lower Side string (make 2) :
With MC pick up 6 sts along the lower corner of the mask. Make I-cord approximately 14" (36 cm) long.
Then continue in the rounds:

Rnd 1: KFB 6x (12 sts)

Rnds 2 - 4: Knit

BO in Three Needle BO technique.

Repeat for the second string.

Eyes (make 2): 

With MC yarn and DPN, CO 6 sts. Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the round.

Rnd 1: Knit

Rnd 2: (KFB, K1) 3x (9 sts total)

Rnd 3: Knit. Cut off MC, attach C1.

Rnd 4: Knit

Rnd 5: (SSK, K1) 3x (6 sts total)

Slightly stuff the eye with fiberfill. Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining sts on needle, gather up and close the hole, stitch to secure.

Repeat for second eye.

Tongue:

With the C2 yarn and DPN, CO 6 sts. Place the stitch marker on the first st and begin working in the round.

Rnds 1 - 2: Knit

Rnd 3: (K3tog) 2x (2 sts total)

Cut the yarn, leaving long enough tail, and thread the end on a yarn needle. Pull the end through the remaining sts on needle, gather up and close the hole, stitch to secure.

Finishing:

With the tail from the CO sts sew the two eyes to the upper part of the mask about 4" (10 cm) apart, sew the tongue in the middle between the two eyes, about 2" (5 cm) from the top. With C3 yarn (black yarn) embroider the eyes and a fly on the tongue.

Fabric Lining:

Make a template of your frog mask onto a piece of apper. Cut out the template, and make sure it fits inside the knitted mask. Cut the shape 0.5" (1.5 cm) wider than the knitted piece. Lay out the fabric right side out against the knitted piece and pin the two layers together. Fold the cut fabric along the edge. Sew the two pieces along the edges.

See the pictures bellow.

Copyright:

This pattern was design and written by Stana D.S. Please acknowledge the author.

Stay safe.

Thank you.

Frog

Frog

Over the past week so much have happened. Everything is changing and we are trying to adopt on the fly, hoping for the best. I talk to my mom everyday via Skype and am grateful for the technology. It allows me to check on her, even though we are on the opposite sides of the Atlantic ocean. I feel a bit better when I hear her voice, and see her face.
I have  lost two of my jobs, as the country stays in to try to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. I hope it is only temporarily and at some point I will have my work back again. I try not to worry as I keep telling myself we are all alive and breathing.

Knitting is also my solace in this time of distress. I have few real projects on my knitting needles, but I could not help myself not to be affected by everything around me.
While talking to my mom she was telling about the lack of face mask, and how she and so many other people are sewing them from cotton fabric. Based on these conversations I started to draw some sketches and decided to make a mask of my own. A little bit of whimsy, and an extra layer of cotton fabric for the inside.
This mask will not protect you, but it might make you smile.
I have the pattern in PDF form, but I will also typed up the direction as my next post, with some pictures of how I made it.

Thank you.

Attaching zippers - tutorial

Some of my knitting patterns have an option of adding a zipper. Pictured bellow as a sample is my  minion pencil box

minion pencil box

Here is a simple tutorial to make it easier for my blog readers, or visitors.

Step 1. Pin the zipper to the knitted piece, using a sewing pins.

If using a layer of fabric, pin the zipper between the two layers of fabric and knitted fabric.

Step 1 - pin together zipper and knitted fabric

Step 1 - pin together zipper and fabric and knitted fabric

Step 2. Using a needle and a tread sew together the layers with easily removable thread. The stitches can be long and slightly loose as they will be later removed. Remove the pins.

Step 2 - loosely sew together the zipper and fabric layers. 

Step 3. Using a sewing machine, or by hand,  sew the zipper firmly to the knitted fabric, and (if using) to the fabric.

Step 3 - zipper sewn by hand

Step 3 - zipper sewn on a sewing machine

Step 4. The zipper should be securely attached. Remove the loosely sewn thread from Step 2.

Finished project

Thank you for visiting.

Watermelon Coasters - attaching the fabric tutorial

Step 1

Step 1. Lay the knitted piece on top of fabric with wrong side facing each other, and right side being opposite.

Step 2

Step 2. Pin together the two layers with pins or safety pins.

Step 3

Step 3. Cut out the fabric approximately 1.5" (4 cm) larger than the knitted piece.

Step 3 - detail

Step 4

Step 4. Using a thread, sew the two layers together along the edge, folding the extra fabric inside.

Step 4 - detail

Step 4 - both sides view

Step 5. Sew the two layers together using sewing machine or by hand.

Step 5 - finished coaster.