Knit Up a Colorful Patchwork Blanket

The Checkin’ It Twice (see what they did there, it’s a checkerboard!) knit blanket pattern from Yarnspirations is meant to be a holiday knitting project, but it wouldn’t have to be. Instead of making the one big patch that in their version says “Season’s Greetings,” you could make more small patches or add a different sentiment to the big patch.

However you choose to make it, this pattern calls for seven colors of worsted weight yarn (it specifically uses Red Heart Super Saver, but you can use whatever you like). The small patches are knit in garter stitch on the bias, while the large square is stockinette stitch. The squares are all worked separately so this is great TV knitting. Christmas movie knitting? Probably.

Of course that also means there’s a lot of sewing up to do when it’s done, but it’s a pretty easy project even with all of that.

And I’m sure you can guess what I’m about to say next, which is that if you don’t want to go out and buy seven different colors of worsted weight yarn or you don’t already have them in your stash, you can absolutely use more colors to use up odd balls from other projects to make a super colorful blanket.

As it is done now, every other block is white, which really helps it keep a harmonious look even as the other colors are kind of randomly placed. So you can do the same thing and it will still look great even if all your blocks that aren’t the main color end up being different colors.

The blanket is about 56 by 70 inches, or 142 by 178 cm, which makes it a great size for throwing on the back of the couch and using while you’re watching TV or snuggled up with a book. And if you get really excited about stash busting you can just keep making squares and make it as big as you like!

This free pattern is available from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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.

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