Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Patterns are Stash Too!

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I am a pattern collector. I’ve downloaded every free pattern on the internet at least 3 times. I’ve classified them, filed them, drooled over them, and promised all of them that they’d be next. All of them. Yeah, you heard that right! Because I have 75 hours every day that I can devote to knitting. (what? You don’t?)

And, with the seasonal changes, my knitting mojo has returned. This is a good thing. It’s probably the impending fall weather. (i say impending with a grain of salt because the other morning when I rode my bike to work it was just barely not frosty. The actual temp registered was 35. Yup. 35! But we’re used to that up here, and its just a stark reminder that the white stuff is right around the corner.

So what do I have on my list for fall and winter knitting? A Trendsetter sweater that’s due the 3rd weekend of Sept. And since it will be on display and not just on me I might frog it and re-knit. Just to get a closer to gauge fabric. Then there’s a really cool jumper from reynolds.
Oh, and since we’ve already established my addiction to the Red Wings, and hockey season is albeit 6 weeks away, there’s got to be a hockey project……

I’ve always kind of used my patterns as a guide, rather than a standard and just figure it out as I go. Seat of my pants kind of gal! The kids say I do that with recipes too.

For example, on the almost done, really cool hoodie, it was supposed to be a pullover but I wanted it to be a cardi. No problem! I’ll do a bit of math (which I’m allergic to by the way) and split the front. I don’t want to be bothered with knitting a band later, so I’ll add the extra stitches on each front. Originally (after I changed it) it should have been knit in 3 pieces (2 fronts and the back) but I don’t like seaming so I started to knit it in one piece. Oops, this will need the stability of a side seam so we’re back to 3 pieces. The recipient is a tall girl so I knit it in a small women’s size and go down a size in the needles.

There is a point to my rambling…
Don’t be afraid to change things up a bit. If it doesn’t work out, chances are you’ll know why and how to fix it next time.

What’s on your winter knitting list? Leave me a comment here at knitting.craftgossip.com and let me know!

T.

Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

Comments

  1. Since I knit this year’s Christmas Ornaments in January (I’m weird like that), I’m scarfing up dishcloth patterns. So far I’ve completed 3 different designs and have another half-dozen to knit through. Since I’m the only one in the family who knits/crochets/tats, handmade items are highly fought over during the family White Elephant Gift Exchange. I can’t wait!

  3. oh my gosh it’s like you climbed into my head and wrote down what i go through on a daily basis!

    my fall/winter knitting will consist of like ten sweaters. all for little kidlets, so don’t panic and think i’m the greatest american hero at knitting. i am not. i want to do something vaguely February Baby Sweater, but sized up to fit gals anywhere from one year to nine years old.

    all by christmas.

    while i write for Recycled Crafts here, my personal blog, and try to work full time and take college classes.

    so by november, can you please send someone to pull me out of the fetal position i will most likely be in?!

  4. My knitting list will probably have fingerless mittens and some headbands to make with destashed yarn. A couple of baby hats for gifts. Actually, it’s all gifts I think.

    I’ll check my ravelry list to see what I noted there and my huge list of patterns saved on my harddrive, too.

    Since I started crocheting, I’ll add amigurumi animals and some ornaments to my list, too.

    I always have to have a project in my bag in case I’m left waiting for my kids during their afterschool activities.

  5. I thought I was the only one!!!!
    My daughters make fun of me and my 8 superlarge binders of free patterns for knitting and crochet.
    But when they are looking for something to make, say a hat, and they go to mom’s hat pattern binder it’s not funny right!

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.