Knitting Marathoner Hits New Personal Best in NYC

I’ve written before about David Babcock, the knitting marathoner who holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the longest scarf knit while running a marathon (12 feet, completed at last year’s Kansas City Marathon).

Babcock ran the New York City Marathon earlier this month, in part to raise money for the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and while he was knitting while running, he wasn’t going for a record this time.

For one thing, he wasn’t allowed to use knitting needles, which are considered a security risk. So he had to knit with his fingers. (He was supported by Lion Brand Yarn and his training included running on a treadmill while knitting, which you can see if you click on the link below.)

For another, he was double knitting a scarf with his fingers with the words “I’ll Remember for You” worked into the scarf that he was knitting while running a marathon.

He finished the scarf around mile 19.

Which is probably why he was able to finish up the race besting his fastest time by almost a minute.

If you want to support his fundraising efforts, you can still visit his page and make a donation before the end of the month. His goal is to raise $3,000 and he’s about 80 percent there.

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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