Free Knitting Pattern: Pierre de Coubertin’s Mustache

Now that the Fourth of July is over, the next big even ton the minds of Americans and many others around the world is the Olympics, which start three weeks from tomorrow (July 27).

The founder of the modern Olympics is said to be Pierre de Coubertin, a French aristocrat who founded the International Olympic Committee and is credited as being one of the people who helped restart the Games (and, according to Wikipedia, he was awarded a gold medal for literature at the 1912 games for his poem “Ode to Sport.” Now there’s an Olympic contest I can get behind!).

All of this does have something to do with knitting. A little bit. Isabelle Dutailly, the bilingual knitter behind Aiguilles magiques (Magic needles), designed a mustache chart inspired by de Coubertin’s prolific facial hair that you can use to embellish all sorts of knitting, from a simple dishtowel or washcloth to a pair of wrist warmers or a hat. I’ve been wanting to do a coffee cup cozy with a mustache on the side, and this chart may just inspire me to get started.

Are you excited about the Olympics? What event is your favorite? Spill it!

[Photo by Aiguilles magiques.]

While no one would likely use a knit backpack for school, knitting a backpack is a fun way to show off your knitting skills and carry around your project or everyday essentials instead of using a purse. Check out these cute backpack knitting patterns and stitch one up for your next project.

I couldn’t resist sharing this adorable bunny backpack (you can also make it without the ears) that is made on a circular knitting machine. This pattern is from Orange Olive Road and you can use a 46 or 48 needle machine for the bag but will also need a 22 needle machine if you opt for the bunny version.

If you prefer knitting by hand, check out the bucket bag pattern from WoolFans Knitting. This one calls for super bulky yarn in two or three colors (you could make it all in one color, too, if you’d rather) and it looks like the base is knit flat and then the sides are worked in the round.

You know I love a stashbuster, and that’s what you get with the Whidbey Bag from Wool and Pine Designs. This one calls for DK weight yarn for the body of the bag, which is actually worked in a single color from the top down. The colorful bits are woven in after the knitting is done, allowing you to use up all sorts of odd balls quickly.

Adding hardware to a knit bag makes it look that much more interesting, and the combination of leather accents and a sari silk yarn makes Le Backpack from Vanrey Knits a lot of fun. This pattern is on Ravelry and uses a super bulky yarn and seed stitch for a ton of texture.

Mama in a Stitch has a great free pattern for a little backpack with a flap closure. This one is worked in worsted weight cotton yarn with two strands held together for extra stability. It starts with a flat base with the body worked in the round and a knit flap and I-cord straps.

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