A Shawl to Knit to Get through the Current Calamity

I generally write most posts for Craft Gossip several weeks in advance of when they go live, so I’m writing this not knowing what calamitous events might be happening in the world or in your life when you read it. But I can pretty safely assume, given the current timeline, that something will be happening to stress you out, and you might just need the calm of some straightforward knitting and a super pretty project that doesn’t take a whole lot of thought.

Corin Purifoyis here for you in the form of their Calamity Shawl, a simple triangle worked in Andalusian stitch (a simple knit and purl combo that I don’t think gets used enough) along with some eyelets, mesh and it looks like a bit of garter stitch, too.

It’s meant to be worked holding two strands of super fine yarn together, but you can also use a worsted weight yarn by itself, or really whatever weight you want since it’s a triangle, you can just make it whatever size you want or work until you’re about to run out of yarn.

The pattern starts with a garter tab, which is a fun little technique that’s super clever.

The original includes tassels at the points of the triangle, which adds a bit of weight that might help it stay in place, but they’re totally optional. You could also add fringe, or just leave it plain.

This great little bit of comfort knitting will also wrap you up in warmth and comfort when the knitting is done, so you’ll be able to face whatever the world throws at you next with a little more ease. And you can wear it with anything, as a shawl or a scarf, so you’re sure to grab it on your way out of the house again and again.

You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Corin Purifoyis]

Another Great Simple Shawl to Stitch

Knit a Lace Shawl for Cooler Weather

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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