North Star {Ice Queen Dress Blanket Knit}
This is the fifteenth post in my North Star November series….a soul centered discussion about depression. Each day this month, I’ll be sharing a piece of my soul’s journey, along with a free pattern to thank you for taking part in such an important conversation! Catch up by reading Day 14. Jump forward to Day 16.
Parents are always SO busy.
Whether it’s putting the next meal on the table, cleaning up the latest destruction zone, or shuttling someone to the next school event….parents never stop!
Sometimes the sheer volume of tasks to do makes self care seem insurmountable. If you’re anything like me, you also have a cacophony of negative voices in your head telling you all the reasons these things you need to do are so important.
Guess what??
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do for the people around you is to take care of yourself.
If you’re constantly feeling run down, negative, and sad, how are you supposed to show up for the people in your life as your best self?
In the midst of learning this lesson myself, a prior co-worker made an eye-opening statement to me.
“Uh oh,” she said, “You forgot to fill the watering can so you can keep watering the flowers!”
Wow. What a simple metaphor for the lack of love I’d given myself over the years.
Comment and tell me…
Have you been filling your own watering can? Or have you been totally focused on the flower garden you’re watering?
{Though I do try to check all comments here on my blog regularly, it is not monitored 24/7. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help! This suicide hotline is available 24 hours a day to support you: 1-800-273-8255}
Another fun pattern….
Many of you, like me, love to “fill your watering can” through knit or crochet. So sharing these free patterns throughout the month has been a really fun way for me to feel like I could be helping you do that. Today I’m sharing my knit Ice Queen Dress Blanket Pattern.
Please Share!
1. Head over to Ravelry, add this pattern to your favorites and queue the pattern listing. This is a great way to help designers connect with new customers, and we always super appreciate you taking that extra moment!
You’ll find the Ravelry listing here.
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3. Scroll down to view the pattern OR if you’d like an ad-free PDF copy of this pattern (or to add the pattern to your Rav. library), simply input your email address into this form and I’ll email one over:
Ice Queen Dress Blanket Knitting Pattern
Measurements:
26” (66cm) Circumference
34” (86cm) Length
28” (71cm) Circumference
42” (106.5cm) Length
32” (81.25cm) Circumference
46” (116cm) Length
Materials
- Yarn: Approximately 1600-2700 yards of worsted (4) weight yarn (I used Knit Picks’ Brava Worsted for mine) See detailed yarn suggestions below. Suggestions are approximations only.
- Knitting Needles: Size 5.5 mm (US 9) 32-40” circular needle & Double Pointed Needles (or use the Magic Loop Method) OR whatever size is needed to achieve gauge
- Yarn or Tapestry Needle
Gauge
9 sts = 2 inches (5 centimeters) in Stockinette stitch
***It is important to check your gauge!***
Abbreviations
- KFB2: Knit each of the next two sts through both the front and back loops.
- K2tog: Knit two stitches together
- P2tog: Purl two stitches together
- **: Repeat the section in between the two stars as specified
*This pattern is written in US terms*
Detailed Yarn Suggestions:
Toddler (1-3 Years):
- 700 yards of Color 1 (dark blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
- 700 yards of Color 2 (light blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
- 200 yards of Color 3 (grey blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
Child Small (4-7 Years):
- 900 yards of Color 1 (dark blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
- 1000 yards of Color 2 (light blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
- 200 yards of Color 3 (grey blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
Child Large (8-10 Years):
- 1000 yards of Color 1 (dark blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
- 1500 yards of Color 2 (light blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
- 200 yards of Color 3 (grey blue) worsted (4) weight yarn
Toddler Pattern
Cast on 118 sts on Circular Needles using Color 2 yarn.
Join in the round. Place stitch marker.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: K2tog, K26, KFB2, K26, K2tog, K60 (118 total sts)
Repeat Rounds 1&2 until your project measures approx. 12 inches (30.5cm) in length from the cast on edge.
Drop and cut Color 2 yarn and pick up Color 1 Yarn
Round 3: KFB each stitch around (236 total sts)
Round 4: *KFB1, K58* Repeat around (240 total sts)
Round 5: *K1, YO, K10, slip 2 sts together (as if to k2tog), K1, Pass the 2 slipped sts over, K10, YO* Repeat around (240 total sts)
Round 6: Knit
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Drop and cut Color 1 yarn and pick up Color 3 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 6 Color 3 rounds
Drop and cut Color 3 yarn and pick up Color 1 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Drop and cut Color 1 yarn and pick up Color 2 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 6 Color 2 rounds
Drop and cut Color 2 yarn and pick up Color 1 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Continue to Repeat this alternating color sequence until your project measures approx. 34” (86cm) from the cast on edge (measure along side of bodice). End after a repeat of a Color 1 Round 6 (the full 12 rounds).
Bind off in Round 5 pattern. Secure and weave in all ends.
Child 4-7 Year Pattern
Cast on 124 sts on Circular Needles using Color 2 Yarn
Join in the round. Place stitch marker.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: K2tog, K28, KFB2, K28, K2tog, K62 (124 total sts)
Repeat Rounds 1&2 until your project measures approx. 14 inches (35.5cm) in length from the cast on edge.
Drop and cut Color 2 Yarn and pick up Color 1 Yarn
Round 3: KFB each stitch around (248 total sts)
Round 4: *KFB1, K14* Repeat 15 more times, K8 (264 total sts)
Round 5: *K1, YO, K10, slip 2 sts together (as if to k2tog), K1, Pass the 2 slipped sts over, K10, YO* Repeat around (264 total sts)
Round 6: Knit
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Drop and cut Color 1 yarn and pick up Color 3 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 6 Color 3 rounds
Drop and cut Color 3 yarn and pick up Color 1 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Drop and cut Color 1 yarn and pick up Color 2 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 6 Color 2 rounds
Drop and cut Color 2 yarn and pick up Color 1 yarn
Repeat Rounds 5&6 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Continue to Repeat this alternating color sequence until your project measures approx. 42 inches (106.5cm) from the cast on edge. End after a repeat of a Color 1 Round 6 (the full 12 rounds).
Bind off in Round 5 pattern. Secure and weave in all ends.
Child 8-10 Year Pattern
Cast on 144 sts on Circular Needles using Color 2 Yarn
Join in the round. Place stitch marker.
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: K2tog, K34, KFB2, K34, K2tog, K70 (144 total sts)
Repeat Rounds 1&2 until your project measures approx. 15 inches (38cm) in length from the cast on edge.
Drop and cut Color 2 Yarn and pick up Color 1 Yarn
Round 3: KFB each stitch around (288 total sts)
Round 4: *K1, YO, K10, slip 2 sts together (as if to k2tog), K1, Pass the 2 slipped sts over, K10, YO* Repeat around (288 total sts)
Round 5: Knit
Repeat Rounds 4&5 until you have a total of 12 dark blue rounds
Drop and cut Color 1 yarn and pick up Color 3 yarn
Repeat Rounds 4&5 until you have a total of 6 Color 3 rounds
Drop and cut Color 3 yarn and pick up Color 1 yarn
Repeat Rounds 4&5 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Drop and cut Color 1 yarn and pick up Color 2 yarn
Repeat Rounds 4&5 until you have a total of 6 Color 2 rounds
Drop and cut Color 2 yarn and pick up Color 1 yarn
Repeat Rounds 4&5 until you have a total of 12 Color 1 rounds
Continue to Repeat this alternating color sequence until your project measures approx. 46 inches (117cm) from the cast on edge (measure along side of bodice). End after a repeat of a Color 1 Round 6 (the full 12 rounds).
Bind off in Round 4 pattern. Secure and weave in all ends.
This design, a written work and images are a copyright of
©MelodysMakings and may not be copied or reproduced in any way.
You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but please leave a link to my website, www.melodys-makings.com, in your product listing specifying that I am the designer of this pattern. Thank you for supporting me as a work at home mother!
At times I’m focused on watering the flower garden which become unappreciated and some of these nasty flowers are unappreciative and only think of their selves of being all good, but now I always keep my own water can filled and my flower garden is much more blessed!
Awesome 🙂 I bet suddenly the garden is more beautiful too.
Thank you for your comments yesterday. Today is a bit better. Some who thought they were helping were stressing me more. Literally had to say NO to several people yesterday and that word is hard for me. But it was worth it. Still no heat but we have a plan today. Hope you and all your are touching through these posts have a good day today. And thank you again for everything!
SO glad to get an update and to hear that things are improving a bit! Why is it so difficult to say no?? I don’t know, but I’m happy to hear you’re doing what’s best for you. Way to go!
I’m just coming to terms with this. Until I can look after me I can’t give the best me to those who deserve it. Try g to start my journey out of this slump instead of just digging deeper.
I read “The Power of Now” right when I was really needing help getting out of my slump…it talks a lot about living in the present moment. If you’re a reader, perhaps check it out? Sending love and peace <3
My mother, God love her, was a bit of a martyr, which was the part of her I should have ignored but I took her model to heart. It wasn’t until my kids were grown that I learned two incredible lessons: kids are responsible for their own happiness and boredom, and no one likes the martyr. It’s freeing, actually. My kids turned out to be good people, even if they weren’t in every sport, activity or private lesson, and management has learned to listen when I tell them there’s a problem. Working extra to hide or compensate says you aren’t doing the job in the time allotted. That’s a management problem. My monkeys and circus look different, and I get to be with them.
Hi!!!
I know this isn’t the place to ask for help on a another project but idk where else to go??
Do you ever make videos to help with the patterns? Lol. I bought the truck slipper pattern but this is my first time following pattern only and I’m not doing it perfectly. Lol.
I don’t have a video for that one, I’m sorry! If you have specific questions, though, I’d be happy to try and help. You can contact me at [email protected]
That is so the truth. I know it but when there is no there to help you, you basically keep going until you can’t any more. This just happened to me just yesterday. I take care of my father. He will be 80 on Friday. He has had doc appt everyday for the past week and a half. I’ve had to take him. He doesn’t drive. We are gone up to 4 hours a day. He also wants to go shopping, etc. I clean, cook, laundry, among other things. Oh yeah I’m also married. No help on that end. Well I laid down about 4 yesterday after we got home from an appt and I woke up this morning at 11. WOW. I guess I was exhausted. I told my husband I need your help. He just looked at me and walked away. I didn’t know what else to say.
I just want to thank you for sharing this journey with all of us. As a mom of 4 and a grandmom of 1, I have days where I question if I failed my family in any way, but I never wonder if I have failed myself. Like my own mother, I never stop to think about myself, but always my children. I have let my own physical and mental health fail and realize that I need to take care of me so that I can continue to take care of them. By sharing your journey, you have opened the eyes of so many people, including me. Thank you so very much for doing this.
I’m doing pretty well keeping the balance between giving to other lately and taking care of myself but there is ONE area that I struggle in. I need to get more sleep at night. I am an early riser so I can exercise but need to set myself a better bedtime. Thank you for the reminder.
This is an area I’ve really been working hard on lately too. Getting enough sleep is so important…yet it feels hard to “give up” those evening hours. Lately I’ve started to embrace my 8pm-ish bed time though, and things go much smoother in the day.
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