Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Giveaway: Summer Knitting Book and Yarn

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knitting in the sunI know it’s hard for a lot of people to want to knit when it’s hot outside. I have air conditioning and it’s still a struggle just knowing that it’s 100 degrees outside (though we finally got rain yesterday and it’s supposed to be cooler — 80s and 90s — for the next few days!).

Blogger Lime Riot is the same way, and she’s trying to motivate herself to do more summer knitting by hosting a summer knitting giveaway.

All you have to do is comment on her blog about how you’re incorporating crafting into your summer. Up for grabs are a copy of Kristi Porter’s Knitting in the Sun (that link is to my review on About) and two balls of Jo Sharp Soho Summer, a lovely, light cotton yarn. The contest is open through Saturday, June 21.

I’d love to hear how (or if) you’re crafting in the heat, too. Spill it!

[Photo by Wiley.]

Comments

  1. I sit in the shade on a little patio off my bedroom & knit – mostly hats. Seems all I want to do lately is knit. I resent having to do any housework because it takes me away from my knitting.

  2. I sit on my porch and knit, yes its hot our but when one has a 6 month kitten..Right now I working on a baby blanket, baby due soon!

  4. So far I have sat on my front porch and crocheted a wrap and slippers while watching the smoke of a 1200 arce fire which started 1/2 a mile away. It was a way to use nervous energy and keep an eye on the ball.

  5. I sit on the couch in front of a box fan (no AC) and knit/crochet scarves, socks, hats, and whatever doesn’t cover my lap.

  7. I knit dish cloths by the dozen, work on smaller christmas presents (fingerless gloves, scarves), and gather the materials for cozy winter knitting.

  8. I knit regardless of the weather, but I am grateful for my AC. I’m mostly making smaller projects like pillows and afghan squares.

  9. I am in a knitting club once a week and a guild once a month and in-between I knit love new patterns and the opportunity to win yhis lovely book louise

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.