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.

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If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.

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