Knitty Seeks Artists, Video Columnist

The online knitting publication Knitty is looking for a few good people to help spruce up the place and share knitting techniques in a new way. It currently has two openings, one for shwag designers and one for a video techniques columnist.

The “shwag designer” (and they’re open to working with more than one person) will provide imagery, graphic design and/or typography or other design work to be used on items that will be sold in Knitty’s online shop at CafePress. Designers may submit up to 10 pieces for consideration, and while they say they intend to pick just one “winner” but may choose more. Compensation will be negotiated with the individual artists.

In addition, Knitty is looking for someone to produce technique videos four times a year to replace the “Techniques with Teresa” column that has been a part of the publication for nearly 10 years. Applicants for this position need to be knitting pros, speak clearly and have access to excellent video equipment, as well as having the chops to edit videos for publication. To apply, knitters will need to produce two videos, one on cabling without a cable needle and one of their choice. They’ll also have to provide eight topics for possible future videos. Payment will be $150 per video, and they’re asking for a yearlong commitment (four videos).

The video post will accept applications until August 24, while designers have until August 27 to send in their stuff. These sound like awesome opportunities for the right person!

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.

Have you read?