Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit Socks on a Circular Knitting Machine

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My love for the circular knitting machines doesn’t seem to be letting up. I do still knit (and crochet) a lot, but I also enjoy playing with these machines to see what can be done with them and often make things with them that I wouldn’t knit otherwise.

I recently bought a 22-pin Sentro knitting machine, and one thing that I have seen a lot of people do with it is knitting socks. I was skeptical to say the least, but I figured I should give it a try.

I made a simple pair of tube socks in just a couple of hours (the one I stopped to take photos of took 41 mintues) and it was super fun. They’re actually really cozy, too!

These are made with worsted weight yarn (Lion Brand Heartland in a fun tweed colorway) and I need to experiment with using lighter weight yarn (I think a DK weight sock would also fit an average sized foot, but I haven’t tested it yet) and also play with adding ribbing at the top and maybe a heel (which I think would have to be handknit, but I’m not sure).

Since it’s a tube sock, the only part where fit is potentially problematic is around the top; if you have a large calf and your sock top isn’t very stretchy it might not fit. You can also make them shorter than I did so you don’t have to worry about that as much.

I did a single crochet “bind off” at the top of my sock, but if you leave a long enough tail you could also just bind off with knitting, which might also make it a bit stretchier.

You can see my socks and how I made them over at Our Daily Craft. If you’ve made socks on a circular knitting machine before I’d love to hear your recipe and if you’ve done anything beyond simple tube socks. I’ll definitely update you when I’ve done some more experimenting!

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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.