Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Help Funding the Knitting Maine Pattern Booklet

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knitting maine kristen tendykeI love a good knitting-related Kickstarter, and this one from knitwear designers Kristen TenDyke could use our support.

She’s looking for funding for the printing of her lovely looking pattern booklet Knitting Maine. That’s certainly a topic I can get behind because I love Maine (even went on my honeymoon there!) and I love knitting, of course. The designs, from the look of them, are classic with a twist, and Kristin is mindful to use ec0-friendly yarns in her designs, if that’s something you care about. All five designs — four sweaters and a shawl — are knit using yarn produced in Maine.

She’s hoping to raise $5,000 to print the booklet on recycled paper with soy ink with the help of a local, family owned printer. This is such a lovely idea for a project I was sure you all would want to hear about.

As I write this there are 12 days left in the campaign and she’s raised about $2,000. Thank you gifts include PDF and printed copies of the booklet or her previously published patterns, crocheted hearts, beads infused with Reiki energy and distance Reiki healings.

Check it out for more details and information.

[Photo via Kristin TenDyke.]

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.