Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Pom-Poms are Still a Big Thing — Here are Three Ways to Make Them

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ideas for making and using pom-poms on knitting projects.I’ve been seeing a lot of stuff about pom-poms lately, and they are a really fun way to jazz up knitting projects or just about anything else (and often a great way to use up yarn, as well). Here are some tutorials that have caught my eye recently.

The Crafty Crusader was inspired by tutorials she saw online to try her hand at a two-color pom-pom designed to look like a golden snitch from Harry Potter. The effect is pretty cool, and once you understand the basics you can design all sorts of creatures and other fun stuff.

Wronek is a Polish blog, and she has a basic tutorial for the classic way to make pom-poms, but this page also shows an image from Pinterest (no idea the original source) that shows how to turn a hank of yarn into a bunch of pom-poms. This is a great idea when you’re using them for decorative purposes and you want a bunch that are consistent in size and color.

And if you love a giant pom-pom but what something a little different from the usual yarn-wrapped ball, check out this great, super simple tutorial for a faux-fur pom-pom from Sew 4 Bub. These faux-fur pom-poms are super popular on knit hats, and this is a great way to make them.

Do you like using pom-poms on your projects? I’d love to hear how you make them or if you have any special tricks.

Looking for more Knitted Beanie patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking to buy your Yarn online? Check out these online yarn specials.

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.

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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.