Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Easy Projects to Knit for Father’s Day

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If you’re looking for something to knit for a dad in your life, check out this list of easy Father’s Day knitting patterns (which of course would be fine to knit for any other occasion).

I wanted to offer a mix of kinds of projects so you can make something that the guy in your life will like without being too stereotypical about what dads are supposed to like.

This basketweave vest from Red Heart/Yarnspirations is easy to knit and a classic style, available in five sizes, free pattern.

The Morton Street Scarf is a pretty Garter Stitch pattern from Lion Brand where the yarn really makes the project shine. You can use whatever multicolored yarn you have on hand or even make an odd ball using scraps to knit this project. Free pattern.

Dana Addy’s Campwear Hat for KnitPicks is a cute and easy-to-knit design for the whole family. Inspired by enamel camping mugs, you can knit one for dad and for all his favorite little campers.

Port is a classic “grandpa” cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers for Berroco. It comes in 7 sizes and has a zipper closure and patch pockets.

A pair of knit gloves is an awesome gift for anyone, and Julie Old Crow has a great, easy and super warm pattern for men’s gloves in her Etsy shop.

Knitting a tie is immensely better than buying dad a tie, and this free pattern from Universal Yarns by Rachel Brockman looks great and is easy to knit.

And because of course your dad is number one in your heart, maybe you should just knit him a washcloth with that sentiment? This free pattern is from Kris Knits.

Do you have a favorite project to knit for the guys in your life? I’d love to hear about it!

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Knit a Great Button Down Shirt

Just about anything you can make in fabric you can make in knitting, but there are some styles that you just don’t see that often translated into knitting. 

For example, a button down collared shirt. This is a classic design, of course, and it looks great in a knit version, but it’s just not something you see much of. 

Noma Ndlovu’s Guglethu shirt is the pattern to try if you want to knit your own button down shirt. This one is inspired by cashmere tops (though the sample was made out of yak yarn, not cashmere, and uses two strands of lace weight yarn held together) and includes lots of high-fashion details like double-knit cuffs, collar and shoulder seams. 

It has a patch pocket on the front and 10 buttons including the button band and the cuffs. 

The designer says you can also use a DK weight yarn held singly if you’d rather, and that the shirt looks good in a variety of yarns. There is another version on Ravelry that uses Berroco Remix Light, which is a mix of nylon, cotton, acrylic, silk and cellulose fibers. It has a more relaxed look but it still really pretty. 

The pattern has 12 sizes, with a full bust measurement ranging from 32.35 to 72.25 inches, or 82 to 183.5 cm. The designer suggests 2 to 6 inches, or 5 to 15 cm, of positive ease when you pick your size. I could totally see knitting one that’s even bigger to wear more like a jacket, because I do that a lot with button down shirts I already own.

I love all the details on this shirt, which isn’t necessarily difficult to knit, but might introduce you to some things you’ve never knit before (like those cuffs with the plackets, or a shirt collar like this). 

To learn more about this shirt and grab a copy of the pattern for yourself, head to Ravelry. 

[Photo: Noma Ndlovu]

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