Free Pattern- Felted Baby Banner

I think knitted banners are just the bee's knees.  This one is easy and quick to work up in knit or crochet and is an adorable addition to a nursery decor.

Materials needed:  (1) ball of  DK weight wool yarn (I used Telemark from Knitpicks ), size 6 knitting needles or size G crochet hook, Grosgrain ribbon in a coordinating color, contrasting yarn for embroidering (scraps will work for this) ,yarn needle, sewing needle, sewing thread

Step 1:  Knit or crochet flags and machine felt in hot, sudsy water. You will make as many flags as there are letters in the word you want to spell.  Names would be very cute but for display purposes I did a generic 'baby'.   Don't worry about yarn tails- once the fabric felts you can just trim the off.  (Patterns are below)

 Step 2:  Embroider lettering onto flags with scrap yarn and yarn needle.  Do not worry about perfect lettering- this is supposed to look folksy and handmade ;)

 Step 3:  Using the lettering yarn, stitch the flags together at the corners.  

Don't stitch together tightly but allow some space bewteen the flags so that they will have a drape to them.  Knot off on the ends.

 

Step 4:  Measure out a length of yarn that is going to fit you banner with about 7-8 inches on the sides.

To make it a bit more decorative, you can stitch some little loops on the side.  These can also hide whatever you use to hang it with or be used on hooks in the wall.

Step 5:  Using your sewing needle and thread, tack the flags to the ribbon.

Ready to hang! 



Knit pattern:  Cast on 20. 

Rows 1-4: knit all

Row 5:  knit 9, K2TOG, knit 9 (total 19 stitches)
Row 6:  Knit all.
Row 7:  knit8, K2TOG, knit 9.

 Row 8:  Knit all.
Row9:  Knit 8, K2TOG, knit 8.

Row 10:  Knit all.
Row 11:  Knit 7, K2TOG, Knit 8.

Row 12:  Knit all.
Row 13:  Knit 7, K2TOG, knit 7. (total of 15 stiches).
Row 14:  Knit all.
Row 15:  Knit 6, K2TOG, knit 7. 
Row 16:  knit all.
Row 17:  Knit 6, K2TOG, knit 6.
Row 18:  Knit all.
Row 19:  knit 5, K2TOG, knit 6.
Row 20:  knit all.
Row 21:  knit 5, K2TOG, knit 5
Row 22:  knit all.
Row 23:  knit 4, K2TOG, knit 5.
Row 24:  knit all.

Row 25:  knit 4, K2TOG, knit 4

Row 26:  knit all

Row 27:  knit 3, K2TOG, knit 4

Row 28:  Knit all

Row 29:  knit 3, K2TOG, knit 3

Row 30:  knit all

Row 31:  knit 2, K2TOG, knit 3

Row 32:  knit all

Row 33:  knit 2, K2TOG, knit 2

Row 34:  knit all

Row 35:  knit 1, K2TOG, knit 2

Row 36:  knit all

Row 37:  knit 1, K2TOG and bind off. 

Crochet Pattern:  Chain 20.  

Rows 1:  SC across making sure to chain 1 at the end of each row in the pattern before you turn.

Row 2:  SC 9, sc2tog, SC 9.

Row 3:  SC 8, sc2tog, SC 9.

Row 4:  SC8, sc3tog, SC 8.

Row 5:  SC 7, sc2tog, SC 8.

Row 6:  SC 7, sc2tog, SC 7.

Row 7:  SC 6, sc2tog, SC7.

Row 8:  SC 6, sc2tog, SC 6

Row 9:  SC 5, sc2tog, SC 6.

Row 10:  SC 5, sc2tog, SC 5.

Row 11:  SC 4, sc2tog, SC 5.

Row 12:  SC 4, sc2tog, SC 4.

Row 13:  SC 3, sc2tog, SC 4.

Row 14:  SC 3, sc2tog, SC 3.

Row 15:  SC 2, sc2tog, SC 3.

Row 16:  SC 2, sc2tog, SC 2.

Row 17:  SC 1, sc2tog, SC 2. 

Row 18:  SC 1, sc2tog, and fasten off.

Simple vs. Complicated Patterns

     I am a pretty simple person by nature.  I like my percolated coffee in the morning, my garden, my yarn, hooks and needles.  And simple is the way I like my needlecraft.  Some people look forward to the challenge of a new, complicated pattern.  For someone with ADD (no, I'm not joking about that, lol), complicated is the equivalent to taking a kid to a toy store and saying "pick one".  It seriously messes with my mind.  Not that I don't envy those of you out there that make these beautiful pieces.  (Green is not a good color for me) But simple and uncomplicated is the way to go for me.

     Sometimes simple is the right thing to do, though.  Those of you who are experienced with selecting fibers for projects know this.  You can buy a beautiful art yarn or variegated yarn and the effect can be ruined by an overly complicated and textured pattern.  It is important when choosing yarn for projects (or as I do it- choosing projects for yarn) that you listen to the fiber itself and pay attention to what it is telling you.  (Now obviously if your yarn is actually speaking to you , you may need more than yarn therapy can provide).  There is such a thing as having too much going on in a piece; texture combined with a complicated stitch pattern, multiple colors... it is too much for the mind to process all at once.  A single color may scream out for more of a textured stitch but even these can look quite lovely in a simple garter or stockinette.  Especially when you may spend close to $20 a skein, you want to make sure that you choose the right pattern that will showcase the fibers you have purchased.  This is a good reason to get an opinion on your pattern and yarn.  It is also an important reason to shop your local yarn store every once in a while as well.  These stores are full of people who know their stuff and are eager to help.  You can also join a group online (I would recommend the Yarn Therapy Group on FaceBook located on the sidebar, but that is just me) where you are able to get opinions from others who are just as interested in your craft as you are. 

     While I usually keep it simple all the time, remember to keep it simple some of the time.  Your yarn and your hard work will thank you :D