Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Quick Knits to Get You Through the Rest of Winter

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Here in the south we’ve gotten to the part of winter than may be even more aggravating than regular winter. The part when some days are warm and some days or cold. Or it’s way below freezing in the morning and above 50 in the afternoon.

 

Looking for more knitted socks designs and patterns to keep you warm this winter? Check out these knitted sock patterns Etsy. And these Knitting Pattern books on Amazon.

 

No one knows what to wear and everyone has the sniffles, but we’re also all pretty sure there’s still a snowfall waiting for us before spring really arrives.

With that in mind I always like to have a few warm accessories on the needles to freshen up my wardrobe for those late winter cold snaps. And it’s only February so chances are most of us in the Northern Hemisphere still have a lot of winter to go.

With that in mind, here are some great, mostly pretty quick knitting, scarves and other accessories you still have time to knit and use this season.

The Tricolor Scarf from Lion Brand uses a simple stitch pattern and color blocking through intarsia and stripes to make a pattern that looks more complicated than it is (but chart reading for colors is required).

The Big Textures Hat and Shaker Rib Great Cowl from Yarnspirations both use their gigantic Mega Bulky yarn and large knitting needles so you’ll be done — and warm — in a flash.

Susan B. Anderson’s Twister Scarf for Spud & Chloe is a simple looped project with ribbing on one side, a ruffle on the other and Stockinette Stitch in between. On size 9 US needles it will work up faster than you think, too.

The Accordion Scarf from Universal Yarn uses a great self-striping yarn and a welted pattern to make an easy, colorful scarf with a lot of texture.

For a quick project with a lot of interest, try the Manos Maxima Bias Scarf, which features biased Garter Stitch and a ribbed cable edging.

What are you knitting to stay warm this winter? I’d love to hear about it.

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.