Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

My Waaayyy Cute Sweater Jacket and A Note About Sizing.

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This is one of the projects currently on the needles here at knitting.craftgossip.com

It’s from Sandra, The Knitting Magazine, Dec. 03. (pretty bad scan, the magazine is close to totalled). I ran into a snag, as the pattern is supposedly written for a size 12/14. Not so much, unless over in Austria, their sizes differ markedly from ours. I guess the lesson here is pay attention not only to sizing but measurements. So after trying it on and finding it way too small (probably a size 6 I would guess) I decided to add a 2×2 rib panel on either side of the front, between the design squares and the fur yarn border. We’ll see how that plays out, I just finished the bands this morning.

This was a quick knit, enjoyable and easy, not boring but not too intensive either, I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, which I adore!

Now to find the perfect closure! Any ideas?

A note came across my desk about adopting a puppy or kitten for a Christmas present. I love critters, I’d have a houseful if I could get away with it, (hubby would not be happy), but I would love to encourage you, if you’re thinking along those lines, to visit either the local kennels or a rescue center. These animals are probably not the cute puppies and kittens, but they desperately need loving homes. Another option, you know all of those leftover swatches, squares and unfinished afghans, or the yarn you can’t stand to knit with that you don’t want to throw away? Why not whip up a blanket and donate it to your local animal shelter.

Off my soapbox now, off to knit some more, spin some more, and cuddle with Bu-Dawgh, my 60 lb lap dog shar-pei/spaniel thing. He has wrinkles! Lots of them! And he’s cute!

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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.