Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Swirly Square in Any Size You Like

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This swirly square stitch knitting pattern from Studio Knit is a lot of fun, and it looks kind of complicated without being difficult at all. 

The swirly nature of the block comes from regularly placed increases, as the pattern is worked in rounds from the center out. Switching between sections of all knit stitches and all purl stitches (which gives you stockinette and reverse stockinette respectively when worked in the round) adds to the off-kilter flair but makes it really easy to knit. 

You can work it in a single color or change colors regularly. This isn’t really a change colors randomly kind of pattern just because it looks better if you work a full repeat in a single color, but you know there are no rules so you can do whatever you want. 

You can also make it any size you like, and indeed use any yarn you want. This one is blanket sized and used five colors of worsted weight yarn, but you can use any yarn and corresponding needles (you’ll need double pointed needles and circulars of various lengths, depending on how big you want to make your square). 

For a start, why not grab some cotton yarn and stitch up a swirly washcloth? You could still use a couple of colors if you want, jsut for fun. 

Once you try that, you’ll probably want to make a bigger version, and you could definitely use more colors than Kristen did (or just one color if you prefer), you just need to make sure you change colors at the beginning of the pattern repeat to keep everything looking good. 

If you’re ready to start (and I know I am!) you can grab the free pattern and check out a video to help you get started at Studio Knit.

[Photo: Studio Knit]

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Knit an Adorable Set of Sea Creatures

Amigirumi may be more popular in crochet than it is in knitting; there are certainly more patterns for cute creatures, food and whatever else you can think of in crochet than there are in knitting. 

But that doesn’t mean you can’t knit amigurumi or that there aren’t a lot of patterns for fun toys and critters out there that are knit. 

Case in point: this adorable trio of knit sea creatures from Natasha Wildly. 

The pattern includes a turtle, octopus and manta ray, all worked in DK weight yarn. The finished projects are about 10 cm or 4 inches long. You could make them bigger if you want by using heavier yarn and a correspondingly larger knitting needle.

The patterns are rated for beginners, and from the look of the suggested materials they’re all worked flat and seamed. The pattern is described as “a perfect project for those who love small intricate knits” and that contains “useful photos for the tricky bits.”

These would be so cute to knit just as they are, in natural colors or whatever colors you have on hand. A scrappy stripey octopus with legs of different colors would also be cute. You can make them to be toys or make one or two of each critter and turn them into a mobile for an ocean themed baby’s room. 

Of course you could also just knit the turtle for your turtle loving friend. 

Whatever way you go with these, you’re sure to have fun and enjoy seeing what the world of knit amigurumi is like with these cute and easy patterns. 

You can grab your copy of the pattern from Love Crafts.  

If you’re looking for more knit amigurumi patterns, check out these patterns that are all worked in worsted weight yarn, or this collection of Christmas themed amigurumi. 

[Photo: Natasha Wildy via Love Crafts]