Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

A Lovely Cardigan to Knit for Summer

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I love layers all the time, but for a lot of people I know adding layers in the summer isn’t a comfortable option, so you might not wear knit garments in the summer.

I try to share lots of knit summer tops, tank tops and other wearables  to get you through the hot months and dispel the notion that you can only knit and enjoy wearing knit projects when it’s cold outside.

Crosscurrents, designed by Yumiko Alexander, is a project that can help you think about how wearing knits in the summer works.

It’s a boxy cardigan with no shaping, so it’s easy for any skill level to knit and for anyone to wear. It’s mostly stockinette highlighted with a fun lace pattern worked asymmetrically on different pieces of the garment to add interest. And it’s knit with a combination of cotton and silk that makes it cool and comfortable whatever the weather.

The pattern includes lots of design options for you as well. You can make it with a regular or a more boxy fit, and the length can be slightly cropped to long.

There are three size options for the chest measurement (40, 50 and 60 inches, or 101.6,  127 or 152.4 cm) and four for the length: 19.5, 22, 24.5 and 27 inches, or 49.5, 55.9, 62.2 or 68.6 cm. You can also make the sleeves different lengths depending on your preference and how much coverage you like.

It’s meant to be worn open or you can add a button at the very top, so you can decide if you want to have the front panels close enough to be able to close or a more open look depending on your chest measurement.

This cardigan has a really fun look and it also looks really comfortable to wear, even when it’s warm out.

You can grab the pattern in English or Japanese on Ravelry.

[Photo: Yumiko Alexander]

Easy Cardigan Knitting Patterns

 

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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.