Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Bowling Set Knitting Pattern

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A thing that I love about knitting is that you can make just about anything you want out of the same basic stitches. You can make the most intricate lace shawl, complicated Aran sweater, amazing colorwork, fun toys, simple things, funny things, amazing things just with sticks and string.

I love having the opportunity to share as many of the options as I can with you all, which brings me to today’s post about a knit bowling set.

Take the Toddlers Bowling by Emily Ivey is exactly what it sounds like: a pattern for a bowling pin and ball. The pattern is worked with worsted weight yarn (black, white and red if you want to keep it traditional, but if you’re making it for kids rainbow colored pins are a great choice, too) and worked in the round. There’s a fair bit of shaping on the pins, but it’s not too difficult.

The designer used jar lids in the bases of the pins to help them stand up, and stuffing the ball with bits of old T-shirts gives it a bit of weight to help it knock down the pins. The yarn that was used was made with recycled polyester, which added eve more eco-friendliness, but that yarn has since been discontinued. Use something from your stash if you can and save yourself a trip to the store or your yarn a trip to you.

If I had known about this pattern when my daughter was younger I absolutely would have made it for her for a fun indoor playtime thing to do when it’s cold outside. I’m a little tempted to make one now anyway, even though she’s 15. We could all use some whimsical yarn projects in our life, right? I’m also thinking making them with thinner yarn might make them small enough to make a tabletop-sized bowling set. If you try it let me know if it works!

The pattern is available as a free Ravelry download.

[Photo: Emily Ivey]

Have you read?

Knit a Hammock for Your Fruit

This free knitting pattern falls in the category of cute but maybe not essential, as well as a nice way to use some yarn left over from another project. 

The Briggs St. Fruit Hammock from Mycah Knits is beginner friendly because it’s a big rectangle worked in stockinette stitch on larger needles than the yarn would usually call for (size 11 US/8 mm for DK weight/weight 3 yarn) to provide more air flow around the fruit. 

The idea behind a fruit hammock like this is both that it saves you counter space since it’s meant to be mounted under a cabinet and that air flow around the fruit helps prevent moisture from getting trapped below the fruit, which should keep it fresh longer. They’re also just cute and keep your fruits or veg accessible so hopefully you will eat more of them. 

This pattern also includes I-cord handles, which is how you hang the hammock, and you’ll need to be able to pick up stitches for them, but that’s the only beyond beginner skill required in this project. 

It only uses about 25 grams of yarn, so this is a perfect project for using a little something left over from another project. It would also be cute with stripes, so you can use odd balls from several projects. Or make the I-cord with a contrasting color to add a bit more fun if you like.

The designer does recommend using acrylic yarn for this project because it shouldn’t stretch out of shape with use and is easy to wash should your aspirations for eating fruit outstrip your reality. But they also provide tips for testing the stretch in a yarn you want to use and adjusting the pattern to account for that. 

I don’t have a space in my place for this but it is super cute and a fun way to add knitting to the home, which I’m always a fan of. 

You can grab the free pattern on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Mycah Knits]