Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Knit Ariana Grande’s Giant Sweater

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Singer Ariana Grande recently posted a TikTok in which she is singing, but if you’re a knitter you probably didn’t even notice the song because you were so distracted by the giant pink knit sweater she was wearing.

Of course knitters everywhere wanted to know how they could make their own massive cocoon of a sweater, and thankfully Lion Brand has the hookup.

Their Ariana Cardigan uses jumbo yarn so it will knit up in a flash, and it’s actually a really easy sweater knitting project, too. It’s worked in seven pieces — the back, two fronts, two sleeves and two halves of the hood — all in super simple knit 1, purl 1 ribbing.

The pattern only comes in one size, which measures around 45 inches in the chest and is 18.5 inches long. You can easily make yours longer with more yarn, and because the pieces don’t have any shaping other than before the cuff on the sleeves, you can make your panels whatever width you like to make it as oversized (or not) as you like.

The combination of simple pieces, an easy stitch pattern and really big yarn means you can knit up this project in no time and be hibernating like a star before the weekend is out. You can grab the free pattern or buy the whole kit from Lion Brand.

Lion Brand used its Wool-Ease Wow yarn for this project, which is a jumbo (weight 7) yarn available in 13 colors if you don’t want to go with the pink of Ariana’s. The wool and acrylic blend makes it super cozy.

Looking for more celeb-style knits? You can knit a sweater like the one Tom Daley made at the Olympics, or like the patchwork cardigan made popular by Harry Styles, or even a sweater inspired by the Broadway show Mrs. Doubtfire. Or how about some Bernie Sanders mitten inspired patterns (including a cowl that I designed)?

[Photo: Lion Brand.]

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Coffee Cozy Knitting Patterns

During the summer (which is what it is where I am writing from) I like to share patterns for things that you can knit and use even when it’s warm out. And sometimes they are things you can use when it’s cold, too, like this collection of coffee cup cozies. Because hot coffee is a must almost any time of year. 

This simple pattern form Darling Jadore is a great one for beginners and could be a good first knitting in the round project. It uses worsted weight yarn and includes video tutorials if you need extra help. 

If you want a perfectly plain cozy that you can jazz up with your own designs, check out the Base Doodle Cup Cozy from Jamie Lomax. This free pattern on Ravelry comes in two sizes (short and long) and is meant to be used with her doodle charts to make it your own. You could also keep it plain, add stripes or design your own motifs to stitch on it. 

Most coffee cozy patterns that I see are just sleeves meant to go over travel mugs, but what if your mug has a handle? This pattern from Stacey’s Knit Wits has an I-cord loop and button so you can use it on a mug with a handle or a travel cup. It uses DK weight yarn.

Coffee cozies are a fun way to play with stitch patterns and learn new techniques. If you’ve never knit cables before, this cozy from Purple Wool Co. would be a great first cable project, as it features simple braided cables all the way around. It uses worsted weight yarn and is worked in the round. 

Try double knitting to make an extra-insulating coffee cozy with this pattern from Tracy Leming. It includes little color changes so you can get the concept of how double knitting works on a small scale. It also can include a little pocket for a tea bag if you want. This one uses worsted weight yarn and is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Or try stranded knitting with the Love in the Air cozy from Danielle Thuen. It features hearts of different sizes and is worked in sock yarn. You’ll need to make sure those floats are nice and loose so it will stretch to hug your cup. You can find this pattern on Ravelry. 

They’re also a fun way to add a bit of flair to an otherwise plain cup. KnitnKaboodle Designs has this lovely leaf-shaped cozy pattern, which you could use for hot or cold beverages by changing up the fiber you choose (that’s pretty much always true). It is made in pieces that are stitched together and can be worked in a single color or choose different colors for each leaf.