Knit a Lacy Duster Perfect for Spring

I have never knit a full length anything, but I have to admit this Silver Spring Duster pattern from Lovely by Lee is definitely tempting.

This full length, lace covered duster is worked from the bottom up in one piece (and I think the sleeves are then worked in rounds from the armholes down). It has a drop shoulder design and straight sleeves. The upper body is worked in stockinette stitch.

The designer calls it “a long, earthy-chic style cardigan” that’s “folksy, whimsical and elegant.” I agree.

The only skills needed for the pattern are knitting flat and in the round, making yarn overs and decreases and picking up stitches. She rates it an intermediate knit.

Notes on the sales page indicate the pattern includes a chart for the lace. The pattern also includes a video tutorial and a link to a blog post that helps explain how to do the edging (which looks like a folded hem but it’s hard to tell what’s going on from the photos).

The pattern includes five sizes to fit a bust range of 28-34 inches (71-86 cm) for the smallest size and 62-68 inches (157.5-173 cm) for the largest. It’s intended to be worn with 2 to 10 inches/5 to 25 cm of positive ease (so for example the smallest size is actually 38 inches/96.5 cm so you can choose the fit you like from there.

This project looks like a lot of fun to knit and maybe not as time consuming as it seems because once you get the lace pattern down it should be smooth knitting. The pattern calls for a worsted weight cotton yarn, which is the only thing about the project that gives me pause because cotton is known to stretch, so you’ll probably want to knit it shorter than you think if you choose a cotton yarn.

You can see some other versions of the project on Ravelry, and buy a copy of the pattern from Lovely by Lee on Etsy.

[Photo: Lovely by Lee]

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.

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