Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Are You Knitting in Public?

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craftsy knitting in publicWorld Wide Knitting in Public Day has expanded through the years from a couple of days to now more than a week. This year’s event celebrating knitting outside the home is taking place from June 8 through the 16 with all sorts of events happening all over the world.

Click on the website linked above to search for events in your area or to start one of your own. You’ll have to create a free account and jump through a couple of hoops to do so, so if you already know of events happening where you live you might want to skip it. You can also check the Craftsy meetup page to find yarn-related meetups in your area or to start one.

I participated in a local event once a few years ago — as well as a yarn bombing a different year for International Yarn Bombing Day, which happens around the same time — and both were a lot of fun. It’s nice to get to know other knitters in your area, but it’s also just nice to take your knitting out and let people see you knitting.

I knit in public a lot, so this isn’t too strange to me, but if you don’t I want to encourage you to give it a go. Be warned that people will react to you, but it’s mostly positive, and it’s a great way to spread the word about this awesome craft that we love.

Comments

  1. I’ve been knitting in public for a while and it always generates a conversation – living in London, I love that it gets people chatting on the tube. It’s also a great way to bring knitting to a wider audience. Like getting children to understand that vegetables grow in the ground, they always react with excitement when they see a sock on the needles. To those who haven’t knit in public before, I say grab those sticks and get out there; knit al fresco!

  3. I have tried to knit the Sunburst Sling Bag and end up taking it out several times and finally putting it away for later, Can some one put a tutorial on this project, I can’t seem to master it and it is frustrating. Thank you Katie Wells

  4. I bring my project bag everywhere – I really enjoy it when young kids show interest in knitting and I encourage them to learn.

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.