Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit Accessories Inspired by Ballet

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This week’s free pattern is actually four free patterns, all from Wool and the Gang, all inspired by accessories a ballerina might wear, but that you can also enjoy even if you’re not a dancer.

First, there’s the ballet scrunchie pattern, which uses two colors and a ribbed pattern. It’s rated for intermediate knitters and the post says it takes about two hours to knit, which makes it perfect as a stocking stuffer for girls and ladies of all ages in your life. Make them in different colors and fibers to bust some stash, too.

Pair that with the Perfect Sense wrap, which is basically a long-sleeved shrug, or an extremely cropped pullover. It has a funnel neck and a relaxed fit through the arms. It’s worked from the top down so you could make the body as long as you like if you want more coverage.

If you like a more traditional ballet style sweater look, check out the Elliot Sweater, a classic wrap sweater beloved by ballerinas and others who want to be cozy and stylish at the same time. This intermediate knitting pattern is worked in a super fluffy alpaca blend yarn for extra coziness, and you’ll want to slip it on over everything all season long.

Of course you can’t talk about ballet-inspired patterns without having some legwarmers (though honestly I think legwarmers should be more popular than they are; that little extra bit of warmth always makes me happy when I wear them). The Wilkinson leg warmers pattern calls for the same yarn as the Elliot sweater above, and uses two kinds of ribbing for a stretchy, slouchy fit that still holds onto your leg where it needs to. This pattern is easy and a great one for newer knitters.

[Photo: Wool and the Gang]

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.