A Few Simple Sweaters for Gift Knitting

When it comes to gift knitting, sweaters can be a bit intimidating. But don’t let that stop you from creating a beautiful and thoughtful gift for someone special. There are plenty of simple sweater patterns out there that are perfect for gift knitting, even if you’re short on time.

One example is Nutmeg, a free pattern from Jennifer Stark. This pattern is worked in bulky yarn, making it a fast knit. The simple instructions and the luscious alpaca yarn used in the sample combine for a lovely, quick knitting experience. This sweater is perfect for those cold winter days and will be sure to keep your loved ones warm and cozy.

Another great option is the Simple Garter Stitch Pullover, a free pattern from Purl Soho. This sweater is worked in a worsted weight yarn and features a classic design that is timeless and versatile. The garter stitch makes it easy to knit, even for beginners.

If you start today, or, you know, soon, you still have time to knit a sweater for a (very) special someone for the holidays. I know I knit Nutmeg, a free pattern from Jennifer Stark, in just a couple of days a few years back. Bulky yarn, simple instructions and the luscious alpaca yarn I used combined for a lovely, quick knitting experience.

The rest of these I haven’t knit but they look relatively straightforward and quick to work up:

Jordana Jacobs’ Essential Sweater is another bulky beauty (the pattern costs $6.50, or dig out the 2010 easy issue of Knitscene)
I’ve always wanted to knit the Garter Stitch Swingy Sweater from Feminasina, but it’s more of a recipe than a pattern, so beware if you don’t have time for math right now
Jennifer Stark has another great looking simple sweater called the Super Birthday Sweater that would be great for other gifting occasions as well
Nati by Lucy Hulett is a super-bulky beauty that’s perfect for new knitters and will run you not quite $5 American (£3.50)
I don’t know if I buy it, but this vintage sweater pattern claims to only take three hours
And if you have access to the book Speed Knitting, the Cap-Sleeved Summer Sweater is a great choice (I think it’s the only pattern I copied before I gave this book away)

Do you have a favorite quick-knitting sweater pattern? I’d love to hear about it.

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.

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