Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

The Fearless Knitter by Jennifer E Seiffert

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This Fearless Knitting Workbook, The Step-by-Step guide to Knitting Confidence by Jennifer E. Seiffert will truly make you a fearless knitter. She starts with the basics such as tools, gauge and how to get it, how to adjust when you don’t get it, where to sit, make sure there’s a cat nearby, you know, all the basics. Assessing mistakes, blocking, seams.. all the stuff a good knitter needs to know.

Next comes the knit and purl stitch and combining them. She talks you through a ribbed sampler and a checkerboard square, and bam! When your checkerboard square is finished do you realize what has happened? You’ve learned to read a chart! She sneaks that one in there pretty good! Raised stitches in a Maple Leaf and Oak Leaf Squares, and next thing you know, you have a couple of really pretty pillows. Shaping, increases and decreases, cables and crossed stitches, you’ll be an expert in no time.

And then, just when you think you can tackle anything, you get to make holes. Intentionally! Lace! You’ve just knitted lace and there’s no stopping you now. Learn how to knit in the round with either circs or dpns; (knitter speak for circular needles and double pointed needles). Put all of that together and tackle the projects at the end, which by now are easy for you.

This hardcover book, with a spiral binding to keep it open, for reference is indispensible for the newer knitter. Even the seasoned pro can learn a few tips (ask me how I know..). From Interweave Press, here: www.interweavestore.com

Comments

  1. hi jen,
    there was no date so this may be a really old blog entry of yours? i feel your sockknitting pain as of this week. i have tried and tried and tried. i think, if anyone says they knit abunch of socks and love it, hold onto your wallet cause they are lying, LYING!
    =)
    xx
    angelina

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.