Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Blocking, Schlocking!

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Blocking is not my favorite part of knitting. Probably because it’s not really knitting. Ya think?  And, being a philosophical sort, I’ve figured out that the reason I really don’t like to block is probably because I’m not all that good at it. You too? All right then! We’ll figure this out together.

In the past, my version of blocking was to soak/wash the garment and spread it out to dry. Since 95% of the garments I make are children’s stuff, it didn’t really seem all that important since I knew that the minute I handed them off, they’d be drug in the mud, thrown in the washer and dryer and well… you know. But it does matter. It does make the garments look soooo much nicer, even fit better.

Berroco to the rescue! Cirilia Rose of Berroco’s Blog has created a blocking tutorial on the Berroco site to help us. And, they’re offering a set of blocking wires and assortment of Soak as a giveaway to get you started.

Be sure to book mark this post, definitely a MVP! (most valuable post ;-), here: http://blog.berroco.com/2009/05/14/blockheads/

Have you read?

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.