Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Fall ’14 Twist Collective is Out

by

twist collective fall 14The newest issue of Twist Collective has been released, and it’s full of great projects for fall. There’s a lot of heavy cabling, stranded colorwork, textured stitches and other details that make for fun, warm and striking knitting.

In addition to the patterns there are articles about charity knitting, yarn composition and lace knitting, raising mohair goats, substituting yarn smartly and working stranded colorwork like a pro.

There are lots of patterns to love but some of my favorites include Sandi Rosner’s fun zig-zaggy Hullaballo socks; the pretty hat, cowl and mitten set Kokliko by Barbara Gregory, festooned with bright colorwork flowers; Alison Green’s trim Smarty cardigan, which features cool colorwork diamonds and twists on the surface; the cowl neck vest Ashling by Rusty Baker, with a funky woven and holey look; Marnie MacLean’s Heyday, a bottom up raglan with complex little details at the edges; the pretty beaded wingspan shawl Hausti by Susanna IC; Kate Gilbert’s Paria, a simple looking sweater with shaping provided by panels of twisted rib; and of course the cover sweater Greenery by Hélène Rush with its pretty leaf details.

Patterns from Twist Collective are sold individually as PDFs and run between $6 and $7 each.

See anything you like? I’d love to hear about it.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

Looking for Fall patterns to Knit? Check out these Fall knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

 

[Photo via Twist Collective.]

Comments

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.