Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Because Sometimes You Just Want to Knit a Giant Pillow

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chunky knit pillowsOne great way to use a lot of yarn at once is to knit big projects on big needles. Whether you use yarn that was already super bulky or make your own fat yarn by combining multiple strands, it’s really fun to see a project fly off your needles like that.

These chunky throw pillows from Knifty Knittings are a couple of such projects. Originally worked in 2 strands Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, they could just as easily be knit by holding a couple of strands of a different bulky yarn together, or three or more of a worsted weight.

Because they are meant to fit a pillow form, though, you’ll need to check your gauge to make sure your project is going to come out the same size. Or just follow the pattern and make your own pillow form if your size ends up a bit different.

I love the herringbone version, though of course it’s not quite as fast at the Garter or Stockinette options. But any of them would be a lot of fun and add some great, bold knitting to your space.

[Photo: Knifty Knittings.]

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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.