Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Lion Brand Offers Patterns for Curvy Girls

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curvy girl knitting patternsIt can be difficult for knitters who need to knit larger sized garments to find projects that are sized to fit them and attractive. Lion Brand Yarn is trying to make that a little easier with the introduction of the Curvy Girl collection.

These patterns — a tunic and a cardigan, one each in knitting and crochet — aims to particularly flatter women with curves.

Susan Haviland, Lion Brand’s design editor, said most Lion Brand garments go up to a size 3x, but they aren’t always designed specifically with full figures in mind.

The Curvy Girl Cabled Cardigan designed by Bobbie Fitzgerald is a long coat worked in Homeland that features cabled edgings on the cuffs and cardigan edges. Heather Lodinsky’s Curvy Girl Tunic is worked in self-striping Textures yarn and has openings at the shoulders for extra fun. (I really like the crocheted tunic, too.)

Both are available in four sizes ranging from 47 or 48 inches to 59 to 60 inches.

What do you think of the patterns?

[Photos via Lion Brand Yarn.]

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.

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.