Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Enter Dad to Win a “Cable Knit” Sweater Vest

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Dads in cliche are known for their terrible jokes, and their hoarding of cables and other technological bits and bobs that no one really knows the use of or if they’ll ever be needed again.

Staples is giving a few lucky dads a chance to make their dad joke dreams a reality. Through June 10, 2024, anyone who takes cables to a Staples store for recycling can enter to win a cable knit sweater vest, complete with real cables woven in.

Cables, cords and other tech are eligible for this giveaway, and everyone who recycles gets an instant $10 off coupon for a purchase of $30 or more, so you can shop for a less punny gift while you’re there. Or get some new cables. Who am I to judge?

After you do your recycling, head to the Staples website with your receipt to enter to win the vest. There will be a total of five winners.

I know this doesn’t really have a lot to do with actual knitting, but this is a funny idea for the person in your life who loves puns, or to make for a white elephant gift exchange. You could add cables to your cables on all sorts of projects. I also like the idea of this as a last-minute Halloween costume: just add some cables and cords to a purchased sweater, vest or hat to make it “cable knit.”

Also I’ve crocheted with clothesline before, which is almost like a cable, so you could try knitting with some of those cast-off cables and cords, too, to make a full accessory (I’m thinking a bangle bracelet) or even a larger garment. Taking the idea of cable knit vest to a whole different place!

Is this something you would wear? Or try to make yourself? I’d love to hear your ideas for crafting with cables and cords!

[Photo via Staples]

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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.