Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knits to Celebrate the Olympics

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olympic knitting patternsThe Winter Olympics are right around the corner, and if you’d like to celebrate with knitting there are lots of options available, from knitting the Olympic rings on a project to using your knitting to cheer on your favorite team.

DeAnza Jig knit a fun Olympic ring washcloth for the 2012 Games, but you could easily change the date or leave it off. Bolette J. Ohms also has a washcloth with the Olympic torch on it. So cute!

The Homemade Mama whipped up some adorable knit medals that are perfect for kids who want to pretend they’ve won the gold. And Kathy Murray’s Olympic Ring Necklace would be great for kids or adults who want to show their Olympic spirit.

For a slightly more subtle version of the rings, try the Olympic Bracelet from Yarn Birdy. It uses a fun sparkly yarn to evoke gold medals.

Searching on Ravelry I found lots of knits in support of Team USA and Team Canada but not much else. If you’re from another country you could use these patterns in different colors without the national symbols to make a project that will support whatever team you fancy.

Check out Marlene’s Patriotic Earflap Hat, the USA 2014 Hat by Ann Schneider or Jenni Propst’s Team USA Sochi Hat to support Team USA. The Go USA Hat by Heidi Rosin could easily be altered for another country, as could the Mitts for Medals by Jean Anderson. Oh, and there’s my USA Hat, too, which is ripe for alteration.

Canadian patterns include the O Canada Mittens from Vicky Taylor-Hood and the O Canada Toque by Candise Wilde.

Do you plan any Olympic knitting? I’d love to hear what you’re working on!

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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.