Bond Buzz, Issue #51
December 11 , 2008
Free from Bond America

With everyone thinking holiday thoughts and gifts, I thought this month’s Buzz should be fun, especially for gifts for kids.  Fun Flaps are just that – fun to knit, fun to give and fun to wear.

But before we get into the technique, I thought I’d share this photo with you.  In 2000, Bond America shot an infomercial for the USM with Q-Direct, at that time an infomercial division of QVC.  This paillette dress, all knitted on the Sweater Machine, was worn by my daughter, Naima, in the show.  I brought the dress to Montpelier’s wonderful “gently used” clothing store who featured it in their window.  Two days later, it was sold.  If there are some of you who would like to know how to knit paillettes onto your knitting, just let me know and perhaps we can cover that in a future issue of the Buzz.

Now onto Fun Flaps!

FUN FLAPS: Triangular pieces worked separately and added to project for fun decoration.

NOTE:

Do not use hem. Use open CO Method with WY and work first few rows by hand - then use one claw weight. You will be doing the Garter stitch by reforming stitches every other row. Do not reform end stitches.

Using open CO and WY, CO 8 sts. COR. K 6 R. Break off. RC=000.

Using yarn indicated, K 2 R and reform sts on last row (use latch tool to drop sts down, reform and replace on ndls.)

Here’s what the stitches will look like with all converted.

K 2 R, reform sts on last row and dec 1 st each side.

Repeat step 3 twice. K 1 R. RC=009.

Thread yarn through rem 2 sts and remove work, leaving 10" tail of yarn.

Optional: Use tail of yarn to sew a bead to end of flap when project is completed. Weave in end.

CHILD'S FUN FLAPS SCARF
designed by Kathy Perry

FINISHED SIZE
Approx 8" wide x 50" long / 20.5 cm  X 127 cm

MATERIALS
Caron International’s Simply Soft® Brites (100% Acrylic, 6oz/170g, 315yds/288m): 4 ounces (MY), 1 ounce (A), 1 ounce (B), 1 ounce (C) and 1 ounce (D)
Shown in: #9610 Grape (MY), #9605 Mango (A) #9608 Blue Mint (B),  #9604 Watermelon (C), #9607 Limelight (D)
USM/ISM KP#3 or appropriate tension to obtain gauge
Suitable for USM/ISM/Bond Classic
Single prong transfer tool
Latch tool
Claw weights (4)
Waste Yarn (WY)
Yarn needle
Optional: 2 dozen beads with large holes

GAUGE
In Stockinette stitch, 16 sts and 20 rows = 4”/10 cm

STITCHES USED
Stockinette stitch (St st): Knit side = right side
Garter stitch (See technique instructions) used on Fun Flaps only
Pattern stitch (*K 4 R, reform sts on 2nd & 3rd ndls from both ends, repeat from *)

NEEDLES REQUIRED 32

SCARF

• Make 12 Fun Flaps (3 ea of colors A, B, C & D). Set aside
• Hang bottom 4 Flaps: Hang hem. With WS facing, hang the open sts from Flaps (1 ea A, B, C & D) on 32 ndls.  Push sts back.  Put ndls in FWP. COR. RC=000.
• Start Pattern st: Using MY, work to RC=012. *Take work off on WY. Do not cut yarn or remove hem.
• Hang 4 additional Flaps: With WS facing, hang the open sts from Flaps (1 ea D, C, B & A) on 32 needles. Push sts back.  With WS facing, hang open sts from Scarf on top of Flaps (2 sts on ea ndl) and put ndls in FWP. *
• Cont Pattern st: COR. Using MY, work to RC=024. Repeat from * to * placing Flap colors in A, B, C, D position.
• Cont Pattern st: COR. Using MY work to RC=204. **Take work off on WY. Remove MY from carriage but do not cut yarn. Remove hem or weights.
• Rehang 8 MY sts from right-hand side of WY. Use 1 claw weight.  Make a Flap with D. Work across 8 sts at a time making 3 more Flaps with C, B & A.  Do not remove WY.  Rehang all 32 MY sts from WY. Use 4 claw weights and remove WY. **
• Cont Pattern st: COR. Using MY work to RC=216.
• Rep from ** to ** placing the Flap colors in the opposite direction.  
• Cont Pattern st: COR. Using MY work to RC=228. Take work off on WY.
• Hang bottom Flaps:  Rehang 8 MY sts from right-hand side of WY. Use 1 claw weight.  Make a Flap with D. Work across 8 sts at a time making 3 more Flaps with C, B & A.  Remove WY.

FINISHING

• Optional: Add beads
• Weave in ends.
• Steam sides lightly to flatten.

Bobbles & Bead Child's Pullover
Here's a great way of creating a super-easy—and wonderfully colorful —Bobbles & Bead Child's Pullover. It's also an interesting—and easy—way of starting your sweater: just hang the flaps and knit away! Such a great gift too - especially if you use a holiday charm for the bead and make the sweater in holiday colors.

Enjoy!

Cari Clement
Bond America

P.S. As a subscriber to Bond-Buzz, I'd like to invite you to subscribe to the FREE e-mail newsletter—Caron Connections from Caron® International. Just visit the Caron site (http://www.caron.com) and enter your email address. It's that easy. As a subscriber to Caron Connections, you'll receive monthly emails filled with the latest inside scoop on Caron's new fashion yarns and free patterns.