Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: 60 Quick Cowls

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Get some warmth quickly with 60 Quick Cowls.

Congratulations to Adrienne!

It has been unseasonably warm for a few days here in Arkansas, though it’s going to start getting cold again tomorrow. I’m guessing most of us in the Northern Hemisphere still have some winter ahead of us, so there’s still time to knit some winter accessories to use this year (at least I keep telling myself that as I’m still trying to finish my daughter’s gloves for the year).

So it seems fitting to give away a quick knitting book that will help you knit something to keep you warm now and maybe also some things you’ll still wear into spring.

60 Quick Cowls has a wide range of options, projects of various sizes, using all sorts of knitting techniques. The yarns called for are alpaca/merino blends from Cascade Yarns, but of course you could use this opportunity to knit from your stash as well.

When I reviewed this book the other day, I mentioned that I’m becoming more of a cowl person that a scarf person because I like having all the knitting up around my neck where I need it.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, February 7. I’d love to know if you’re a scarf person or a cowl person, both to knit and to wear.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Comments

  1. I love both. On really cold days I wear a cashmere/merino cabled cowl, but on warmer days I wear either a traditional scarf or an infinity scarf. Love to wear anything around my neck!

  2. I like both to wear both and I make both too. Depends on the weather as I find cowls warmer and cosier – I feel underdressed if I go out without something around my neck!

  3. I love to wear cowls, they’re more practical as there are no loose ends flying around, but I prefer to knit scarves because I feel you can be more creative with them

  7. I have just recently gotten back into knitting. I haven’t knit any cowls yet, but wish I had one these past few chilly days. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Have you read?

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.