KnitBits: New Pattern Collections, Geeky Crochet and More

If you’re looking for something new to knit this weekend, you’re in luck. Knitting Daily has a new free collection of five chunky knitting patterns (must be registered to download, which is free), while Yarnspirations has issued a lookbook full of free (knit and crochet) patterns that are perfect for charity knitting or other gift giving. There are little hats, baby blankets, regular-sized blankets and some hat and mitten sets in this sweet collection.

Stranded magazine is a new digital knitting magazine that has just released its first issue. The magazine includes six patterns, as well as tips on choosing the right size in a knitting pattern. It costs $16 and is available from their website or on Raverly.

And if you’re looking for something special to stitch for a mom in your life (I’ll have more on that soon), check out these project ideas from Red Heart. I love the Laid Back Shawl.

The Classic Silk Faux Cardigan (it’s actually a pullover because it doesn’t have buttons) from Classic Elite Yarns is a great choice for spring knitting, too.

I can’t resist this article about mathematical crochet, because it’s just really cool to me that things that can’t be visualized otherwise can be expressed in yarn. (It works in knitting, too.)

And finally, Vickie Howell, who is everywhere and doing all the things, just launched a knitting and fiber-related podcast this week. Called Crafti-sh, three episodes have been released for the launch, including talks with knitter and novelist Rachael Herron, Knitter’s Review owner and author of the recent book (and New York Times bestseller!) Knitlandia, Clara Parkes, and Stephen Frasier of Spoonflower. So fun.

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

Next Pattern:

I know it’s too early to be thinking about warm weather in the northern hemisphere as I write this, but something about this Luxurious Knit Shawl from Yarnspirations has me in the mind of spring.

It’s probably that pretty green color (which the pattern says is Caron Simply Me, a bulky weight acrylic, nylon and wool blend, in color Malachite). Or the combination of squishy warm garter stitch with a wide border of lace that makes me think of sunnier days ahead.

You could wear it with the garter stitch portion dominating while it’s colder outside, and turn it so the lace is more prominent when it’s warmer out. (Check the pictures on the pattern page to see how this works.)

The design is a pretty simple right angle triangle, but the pattern is rated intermediate because of the lace. Still, working lace stitches in bulky yarn is a great way to learn the ins and out of lace knitting without having to deal with tiny knitting needles at the same time.

The project comes out to about 28.5 by 65 inches, or 72.5 by 165 cm. Pattern instructions include a chart and row by row instructions for knitting the lace portion if you aren’t comfortable with knitting from the chart. But this pattern isn’t too difficult once you get the hang of it that you could try working from the chart and using the written instructions to check your work.

Because the garter stitch section is worked first, you could use any weight of yarn you like and make it any size you want, so long as you end up with a multiple of 14 plus 8 stitches for the lace pattern.

This looks like a fun one that would give you a little practice with lace and a lot of mindless TV knitting at the same time.

You can grab the free pattern from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

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