Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Cute Kerchief Knitting Patterns

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A lot of people ask (me, and the Internet, more generally) what you can knit when the weather gets warm. I guess that’s because most people start knitting scarves, hats and mitts, and maybe have the goal of knitting a sweater, but they don’t see the possibilities for knitting things they’ll be able to use when it’s warmer outside.

Of course there are a lot of different options (washcloths, market bags, headbands to name a few) but one that’s been on my mind lately is kerchiefs.

These little triangles of knitting are great to wear as little scarves or to hold your hair back. They might give you a little warmth for cool mornings, but they aren’t so stifling you can’t wear them when it’s warm out.

Some of them you could even fashion into a wearable for your dog, if you’re into that.

The pattern that got me thinking about kerchiefs was Mollie Conrad’s Walnut (available on Ravelry), which is a lacy little scarf worked with two strands of fingering weight or a DK weight yarn by itself. It’s worked from right to left and includes an integrated I-cord edge. This one also includes fun skills like knit 3 together and a centered double decrease.

If you’re looking for something a little easier, this plain and pretty little triangle from Darling J’Adore on Etsy is a great option. It’s perfect for beginners because it’s just a simple stockinette triangle, and it’s a fast little project that only uses about 100 yards of sock yarn.

Add a little bit of texture with a simple repeating knit and purl pattern like on this scarf from Whole Cloth Patterns. It’s knit from the top down to the point and uses fingering weight yarn and a fun diamond design.

The Triangular Miter Kerchief from Lion Brand Yarn throws in another fun technique of working decreases at the center as you would for a mitered square. It also calls for using two colorways of yarn and alternating every two rows to give a pretty watercolor look. You can get the free pattern from Lion Brand.

Indre Ju on Etsy has another cute little triangle that uses eyelets to make it more breathable for summer weather. This one calls for a light weight yarn and particularly a cotton/bamboo blend to keep it cool.

Or try the Borrowed Light scarf from Dutiers Patterns. This one has an allover lace pattern and comes in three sizes depending on the size of your neck and how you plan to wear it. It calls for fingering or sport weight yarn.

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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.