Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Book Review – Speed Knitting

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speed knitting book giveaway

Congratulations to Gill!

I’m here to help you with your holiday knitting problems, with this week’s giveaway of Speed Knitting.

OK, even if I mail this one more promptly than usual, it might be a little late for this year, but I’ll bet you can still ship up a couple of pairs of bulky mittens, a lacy poncho or a skinny scarf before the holiday season is over.

This book includes 24 projects, worked with big yarn and needles, and tries to hit a lot of different gift recipients, from babies to dogs and cats, teens and women, and a couple that would work for men as well. There are garments, accessories and projects for the home.

It’s got a lot of great basic patterns (see on Ravelry) that you’ll enjoy knitting even when you’re not in a huge hurry.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post by the end of the day Sunday, Nov. 28. I’d love to know what you’re working on for gift knitting this year. Other than the requisite warm things for my daughter, I’m not sure I’m knitting anything for anyone, but I’ve been known to change my mind at the last minute!

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

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.

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Comments

  3. Everyone I would knit presents for has moved to warm climates – Floria, Arizona, Dubai – so I’m left knitting just for me, my daughter and husband. And they like hats. Hats, hats and more hats.

  4. thanks for having this giveaway, I would love to have it in my library. I am working on some scrubby’s, and other household helpers for everyone this year.

  6. I’d love to knit from this book! I’m 5′ along in a scrumptious double-knit alpaca scarf my teen requested last year- it WILL be under the tree next month, all 7′ of it!

  8. I’m at the end of a shawl, and there are a couple of sweet Neighbor girls who could use a good Winter hat. I’d love to make one of them something a little on the frilly side, with little curly Q’s on it, so it would make her smile, and possibly get her Mom to put it on her, when the weather is cold enough!! She’s in her terrible 2’s!! This book sounds like it would have some interesting projects in it, and would have some last-minute ideas, too, so you won’t be empty-handed for the Holidays!! Have a wonderful Christmas, and all the best in the coming Year!!

  12. I’m knitting a vest for my husband, but have totally lost my mojo to finish it before the holidays. Maybe I just need some quiet time to get back in the groove, and I should be able to carve some out now that Thanksgiving has passed.

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.