Looking Ahead to 2014

Lion Brand Yarn has released its predictions for the state of knitting in 2014. Based on the recent arm knitting trend, they call for more huge knits, as well as more yarn that does the work for us and more personalization of projects.

Pantone says we’ll be seeing orchid everywhere next year, and this pretty purple is a great shade for knitting and other crafts.

Another big trend Lion Brand and others are predicting is the increasing popularity of knit hats. Which makes sense, because hats are usually pretty quick and easy to knit, simple to personalize with different colors and patterns, and you can knit up a bunch to suit all your winter (and spring, and fall) styles without a huge outlay in time or supplies.

What do you think the world of knitting holds in the new year? Personally, I’m holding onto the colorwork trend (since I’m working on a book on the subject). I’d love to hear what you think.

[Photo via Lion Brand Yarn.]

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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