Knitting

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Knit a Plaid Cowl with a Built in Pun

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As  long-time word nerd, there’s not a lot I like better than a pun. And what’s better than a pun in writing? A pun in knitting, because it really requires you to commit to it for as long as knitting the thing takes. 

If you think that it’s not possible to knit a pun, please allow me to introduce you to the Plaidypus Cowl by Mary P. Hunt. 

This is admittedly a pretty niche item to be sharing, but you know I have a thing for whimsy, and I don’t know that I’ve seen much lately as whimsical as a plaid knit platypus cowl. 

The project includes three different plaid options for you to choose from, and while the pattern calls for sport weight yarn its suggested you could also use DK weight if you prefer something a little heavier. 

There’s one size in the pattern, which makes a pretty deep cowl to fit a whole platypus (I mean plaidypus) on it. The sport weight version is 15 inches or 38 cm deep, which is definitely longer than the average neck. The DK weight one would be 17 inches/43 cm long and 27 inches/68.5 cm around, while the sport weight one is 23 inches or 58.5 cm in circumference.

That means it’s not easy to see what’s going on when you wear the cowl, but I actually think that’s part of the fun, too. When someone complements your cowl you can show them the secret!

I would also note that color selection seems to be really important in this project. Looking at the finished projects on Ravelry, on some it is easy to see the design and on others it is not. High contrast is important if you want the platy to be obvious, or you can choose an option that makes it blend in if you want. 

You can see finished projects and grab the pattern for your own on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Mary P. Hunt]

Have you read?

A Nostalgic Christmas Pudding Knitting Pattern for Your Handmade Decorations

There are some Christmas decorations I’ll always have a soft spot for, and a little knitted Christmas pudding is definitely on that list. Brown yarn, white icing and a cheerful red cherry—it’s a simple combination, but it brings back that lovely feeling of unpacking the handmade decorations each December.

This Christmas pudding knitting pattern from CraftBits is a small decorative project worked on straight needles. If you enjoy knitting Christmas ornaments but prefer to avoid working in the round, the flat construction makes this one worth a look.

A Small Project for Leftover Yarn

One of the appealing things about this project is its modest materials list. The pudding uses brown and white 8-ply yarn, with a little red yarn for the cherry and green felt for the holly leaves. You’ll also need 4 mm needles, stuffing and your usual sewing-up supplies.

It’s the sort of project that sends me straight to the leftover yarn basket. Those small balls that seem too useful to throw away finally have somewhere to go, and you can choose a rich chocolate brown or a softer, more muted shade depending on your Christmas colours.

The felt leaves are a practical finishing touch, too. They give the pudding its familiar festive appearance without adding another fiddly knitted component.

How the Knitted Pudding Comes Together

The pattern begins with 40 stitches and a brown stocking-stitch section. Colour changes introduce the white icing, followed by a white top that decreases towards the centre.

Once the knitting is finished, the piece is sewn together, stuffed and gathered at the bottom. A separately knitted cherry and the felt holly leaves complete the decoration.

I like projects where the finishing makes such a difference. A flat piece of knitting becomes a rounded little ornament, and those final details give it personality. It would look lovely tucked into a Christmas shelf display or sitting among greenery on a mantelpiece. You could also add a securely attached hanging loop for the tree.

A Pattern Detail to Check Before Starting

The design is charming, but the published instructions would benefit from a clearer technical edit. Some readers have reported difficulties with the colourwork rows, particularly the stated row endings.

I haven’t knitted a sample myself, so I wouldn’t describe this as a tested recommendation for a first colourwork project. Before starting, read through the pattern and check that each colourwork row accounts for all 40 stitches. Keep the carried yarn loose enough that the fabric can expand when stuffed.

A little more detail about the cast-on colour, finishing and finished measurements would also make the tutorial easier to follow.

A Lovely Idea for a Traditional Handmade Christmas

What appeals to me most is the pudding’s old-fashioned simplicity. It doesn’t need beads, elaborate embellishments or a perfectly coordinated decorating scheme. The knitted texture and little holly topper do the work.

For knitters comfortable checking a pattern and sewing up small projects, it’s a sweet source of festive inspiration. I’d be tempted to make a small collection in slightly different browns, keeping that lovely homemade character rather than trying to make every pudding identical.

Find the Christmas pudding knitting pattern at CraftBits and read through the instructions and reader comments before casting on.