A Different Way to Finger Knit, and an Easy Pattern to Try

I recently tried finger knitting with my six-year-old, because she’s really interested in knitting but she can’t get the needles just yet. It’s a fun technique for kids and adults alike, but Julie is Coco and Cocoa has taken finger knitting to a new place that’s more like regular knitting.

She used a long-tail cast on to put stitches on one finger and then knit with her fingers in somewhat the same way as you would knit with your arms. Check out the video for all the details.

She uses the method to make a finger knit Mason jar cozy, but of course you could keep going and make a skinny scarf, or just knit up a length of it to use in some other project.

I really like this idea and will have to try it out soon.

What do you think? Do you ever do finger knitting instead of needle knitting? I’d love to know what you make when you do!

[Photo via Julie is Coco and Cocoa.]

Next Pattern:

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.

Next Pattern:

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