Knit a Matched Set of Projects with a Fun Double Border

I don’t have the best methods when it comes to deciding what to share with you all. Usually I will see something when I’m scrolling Ravelry, Facebook or Instagram and I’ll grab the link and add it to a very disorganized Google Doc. Sometimes I’ll notice a theme and add it to my schedule to do a roundup of certain kinds of patterns. And sometimes by the time I get back to a pattern it becomes a roundup all its own.

That’s the case with the NI mitts from Beatrice Mase. Since this pattern was published in 2022 I’m not sure exactly when it got into my list, but at the time it was published there was also a matching snood pattern, and now that I’m getting to writing about it there are also socks and a sweater. So you can knit a whole NI ensemble!

The thing that makes these designs fun is that they have double borders worked in different yarns, as well as a bit of garter stitch striping somewhere in each project. You can knit a batch all using the same colors, or maybe make them all with the same contrasting color but different main colors? Or just choose a single project you like if you don’t want to get all matchy.

They all call for DK weight yarn, except for the socks, which use sock yarn.

Here’s a quick rundown of all the designs (links go to Ravelry):

Snood: This piece looks like a cowl at the top, then increases around the shoulders to cover the tops of the arms. It comes in one size.
Mitts: These fingerless gloves have a little coverage for the thumb and go about to the low set of knuckles on the hand. This pattern is also one size.
Socks: The double border on these is meant to be folded over the top of a low pair of boots, or you can wear it folded regardless of what/whether shoes are involved.
Sweater: This short-sleeved sweater has a bit of a puffed sleeve, a drawstring at the neckline, and a contrasting color faux seam along the sides. It’s worked from the top down and comes in nine sizes (this was actually made with two strands of fingering weight held together, but you can also use DK).

[Photo: Beatrice Mase]

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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