Pattern Notes

Polka Dots & Dolls contains instructions for producing a lined cosy with an i-cord button closure for a large smartphone (S); a mini-tablet (M); and a laptop (L). For all sizes, the cosy is worked in the round with very slight negative ease: once the lining and the colourwork are squished round your device, the fit is intended to be snugly protective. The construction is the same for all sizes: The patterned outer layer is knitted first; ends are neatly trimmed and knotted on the wrong side of the work; a purl turning round is worked; and a plain stocking stitch lining is knit. The bottom of the lining is grafted together, after which the lining is pushed back inside the patterned outer layer. An i-cord button band is picked up around the purl turning round and buttons or toggles, sewn on at the end, are used to close each cosy. For smaller and medium-sized device cosies, Judy’s magic cast on is used at the beginning; for the large size cosy, a provisional cast on is easier to manage and this is grafted together at the end.

Gauge & Needles

for sizes S, M:
28 sts/38 rounds to 10cm/4” over lightly blocked colourwork pattern. Samples knit with 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) needles. You will also need needles one size below gauge for working the linings; use your preferred needles for working small-diameter projects in the round.

for size L:
27 sts/35 rounds to 10cm/4” over lightly blocked colourwork pattern. Sample knit with 3.5mm (UK 9-8/US 4) needles. You will also need needles two sizes below gauge for working the lining; use your preferred needles for working large-diameter projects in the round.

for all sizes:
Work a swatch in the round. When blocking your swatch, soak it in warm water to relax the fabric, then gently pin into shape; you don’t want to have to block this very hard to achieve gauge and are aiming for a nice stretchy fabric.

Notions

1. 2 gauge-size dpns for working i-cord bind off
2. 1 stitch marker for marking beginning of round
3. 6 stitch markers for placing buttons and buttonholes
4. 3 short lengths of smooth waste yarn in a similar weight to working yarn to mark button/toggle placement
5. Smooth waste yarn in similar weight to working yarn for working provisional cast on (size L)
6. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
7. 3 toggles or buttons per cosy. Samples use toggles of following sizes: (S) 2.5cm/1” (M) 2.75cm/11/16” (L) 4cm/1½”

Yarn

Sample set of cosies use Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight
in the following shades and quantities (quantities for each colour are ordered for each size S (small), M (medium), L (large):

S M L
2 (Warm Grey)
2g/10m 3g/15m 9g/45m
4 (Brown)
2g/10m 3g/15m 6g/30m
28 (Mustard Yellow)
2g/10m 3g/15m 9g/45m
54 (Dark Grey)
2g/10m 3g/15m 4g/20m
80 (Deep Brown)
2g/10m 3g/15m 7g/35m
202 (Cool Cream)
7g/35m 9g/45m 35g/175m
1403 (Cherry Red)
11g/55m 16g/80m 80g/400m
9097 (Soft Red)
2g/10m 3g/15m 9g/45m
FC15 (Mid-Blue)
- - 5g/25m
FC43 (Biscuit)
2g/10m 3g/15m 3g/15m
FC47 (Denim Blue)
2g/10m 3g/15m 6g/30m
FC61 (Grey Blue)
2g/10m 3g/15m 3g/15m