Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Super Simple Cozy Cowl Shrug

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Just yesterday I was thinking about Fisherman’s Rib, which is a variation on 1 x 1 ribbing, so I guess it’s appropriate that I share this pattern today.

The Saturday Shrug is a lovely and really easy pattern from Jackie Rose available on Ravelry. It’s all 1 x 1 ribbing worked in the round, with a worsted weight yarn and a mohair held together to make a bulky weight yarn. So while 1 x 1 ribbing is a little slower to knit than plain stockinette, it will still go pretty fast because this project is worked on size 9 US knitting needles.

There are lots of variations you can make of this simple cowl/shrug too. The pattern page on Ravelry shows it with wide stripes of two different colors, as well as with a solid broken up by narrow stripes.

You could make it all one color, or use multicolored yarn, or bust your stash and add a bunch of wild stripes.

As meditative as this project would be to work, you might find yourself wanting to make more than one.

It looks like a great winter accessory that can stretch down across the shoulders or be worn more as a cowl (thus me referring to it as a cowl shrug because it can be both or either).

I was going to mention you could also play with the yarn weights, if you have a lot of worsted weight yarn you wanted to work through you could hold two of those together for more of a super bulky project. Then I noticed she actually has another version, called the Sunday Shrug, which is a worsted and bulky yarn held together for a super bulky gauge.

That one looks even warmer and more cozy than the first one, and would be a great way to use up a bit of stash combining yarns. These would make great gifts, or you can just make a bunch for yourself in all your favorite colors from your finished projects.

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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.