Mar
11

I Love to Create: Knitted & BeJewelled Shamrocks!

With only 6 days left until St. Patrick’s Day, this Irish lass (ok, I’m more Spanish than Irish, but that’s not really the point now, is it?) has clover on her mind.  For this week’s I Love to Create

column I combined my sweet spot for shamrocks with two other things I dig: finding uses for luxurious yarn scraps that I can’t bare waste, and combining regular craft supplies with knitted pieces.  These lucky leaves are quick to stitch and fun to bedazzle.  Make a bunch, give ’em out to your friends and listen for the chants of “Erin Go Braugh!”

MATERIALS
Scraps of Green, Sock Yarn

Size US 2 (2.75mm) Needles
Tapestry Needle
Large = 3 1/2″ tall
Small = 2 1/2″ tall

How to Knit:
MITERED LEAVES (Make 3..or 4, if you’re feeling lucky!)
CO 18 (20) sts.
Larger Size Only
Row 1: K8, ssk, k2tog, k8.
Rows 2,4,6,8: Knit
Both Sizes (for smaller size, treat Row 3 as 1)
Row 3: K7, ssk, k2tog, k7.
Row 5: K6, ssk, k2tog, k6.
Row 7: K5, ssk, k2tog, k5.
Row 9: k4:ssk, k2tog, k4
Row 10: Ssk, BO to last 2 sts (you’ll still have one st on the RH needle as well), ssk, BO remaining sts.
Using a tapestry needle, sew leaves together.
Pick up 3 sts at base of shamrock and knit a 1 1/2″-2″ i-cord stem (for an i-cord refresher, see my how-to video).  BO.
Curve stem with your fingers.  Weave in ends.
How to BeJewell:


1. Use a heatproof surface such as a ceramic tile to rest heat tool on between applications and while cooling. Set slightly away from work area to prevent burns.
2. Move button to ON position and hold button down to heat. Press tip on tissue or paper. When ready, a scorched spot will appear.
3. Hold tool straight up and touch top of embellishment. Hard pressure is not needed, heat will melt glue. Too much pressure will cause tip to slip and burn your knitted piece! 
4. Allow tool to heat up again if laid down or finger is removed from button.
Ideas for What to Do with Your Shamrock:
  • Hot glue or sew a pin to the back, and wear it as a “Don’t Pinch Me” brooch.
  • Use a little Tacky Glue to paste it on a card front, for a one-of-a-kind St. Patty’s Day greeting.
  • Use as an applique by hand tacking or using decorative embroidery to sew your “shams” onto a tote bag, pillow, t-shirt, onsie, and more!
  • Make neck garland by knitting a whole slew of shamrocks and attaching them to a long piece of ribbon or crochet chain.  See my Love Rocks garland for inspiration.
No matter what you do with yours though, you won’t be saying “Shamrock”– you’ll be screaming, “Sham-wow!”  😉
From my house to yours, wishing you the luck of the Irish.
xo,
Vickie

filed under Free Projects, Holidays/Home Decor, ilovetocreate.com, Knitting/Crochet.

33 Responses to “I Love to Create: Knitted & BeJewelled Shamrocks!”

  5. Lil Knitter

    You must be a mind reader! I was looking for a shamrock pattern (knit cuz I can’t crochet to save my life 😛 )and there you are…a thousand thank yous!!!! I made a couple last night and my daughter loves it!! Gotta make a few more for her friends. You’re the best!
    Hugs!

  6. Vickie Howell

    Hey guys! If you make these, I’d love to see them! Post a link here to pictures you’ve uploaded on Flickr, Photo Bucket, Facebook, Ravelry, etc.

    Thanks!!

  7. Anonymous

    I am trying this out right now. For some reason I am getting a bump out in the middle of the leaf on the first row instead of a bump in, if that makes any sense. What am I doing wrong??

  8. Vickie Howell

    I’m not sure i understand the question. It shouldn’t matter which way the bump is facing. Can you explain a little more so I can help you? Thanks!

  9. Anonymous

    Thanks for the quick response! The bottom edge of my work comes to a point in the middle. It sort of looks like this { if this was turned on its side 🙂 Looking at your finished product it looks like the middle of each leaf should have an indented point in the middle.

    ——–^——– This is mine
    ——–U——– This is what I think it should look like.

  10. Anonymous

    OK! Crisis averted! I was having a complete brain lapse. I get it now! Thanks!!!

  11. Anonymous

    what’s the difference between an ssk and Ssk in this pattern? I know what ssk is, but what is Ssk?

  21. Kitsune Kyuuketsuki

    What method of seaming did you use to sew the leaves together?
    I tried mattress stitch, and it came out looking horrible, so I was like “Ok, I’ll just wing it and see what happens.”
    Well, that turned out ok, but it’s still obvious that there’s seaming there.

  24. veradoyle@hotmail.com

    Vickie
    Tried to do Shamrock but could you tell me what
    SSk means
    and also BO
    As I would love to do them for my family

    Thanks Vera Dublin

  25. Vickie Howell

    SSK means, slip two stitches (one at a time, purl-wise); then knit them through the back loop. It’s a left slanting decrease.

    BO means, bind off. Hope that helps!

  26. Christel Trulson

    Have to tell you, was asked to make some shamrocks for 3 soliders overseas, this is perfect!! I have them blessed for protection and going overseas next weekend.

  27. Anonymous

    Just want to be sure of the size. What is the amount of stitches for large and small to cast on?.

    • Debbie

      hpotter You can learn how to knit. 6months ago, I started learning how to knit online without any physical help. Today, I can fairly knit about any human written pattern. Funny enough, the part of the world where I am,i have access to only one type of yarn(it’s so skinny dt i use 6strands as 1) and only size 12 needles(i’v never seen circular needles in real life) but all this have not derailed me in anyway. With straight pin i knit most circular patterns and i use crotchet pin as dpn,i call it smart improvising. So my long story = You can do all things you put your heart to, no matter the challenge. 🙂

  31. Debbie

    Vicky you totally rock. I love your patterns. I first knitted your tie-knot shawl where a lady wt short black skirt and a sweet red jacket modeled it. You’r patterns are simply fearless. Thanks for the Shamrock, it’s simply bella. Can’t wait to fix more to my waffle hat