Take it Easy with the Sandstone Scarf Knitting Pattern

A new year is a great time to learn new skills, and if you’re just now taking up knitting (welcome!) or are reminding yourself how to knit because it’s been a while (welcome back) or even if you’re trying to teach someone else to knit, starting with something really basic is a great thing to do.

The garter stitch scarf is a classic first knitting project because it’s relatively quick and easy and it doesn’t have to come out a particular size. It’s also not the end of the world if your tension isn’t perfect, or if your edges are a little wonky.

If you’re looking for a beginner project with just a little bit more flair, try the Sandstone Scarf from Mirella Moments.

It uses super bulky yarn (which is my preference for beginners because it’s easy to handle) in three colors, which means you’ll learn how to change colors straightaway. It also has fringe, which is an easy way to make a simple project a little more fun.

And even if you are a knitter with a few projects under your belt, this is a nice meditative project for working while watching TV or when you need something that isn’t going to require a lot of thought. This would be a great charity knitting project or a way to get a jump on your gift knitting for next year (it’s really never too early!).

You can grab the free pattern from Mirella Moments.

Looking for more easy knitting patterns for beginners? Check out this post I compiled last year of easy garter stitch knitting projects to take you beyond scarves. Here are some more fun garter stitch projects, because apparently I write a post about garter stitch knitting patterns every year. Probably because even as a not-beginner, I still love knitting garter stitch from time to time. How do you feel about garter stitch? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[Photo: Mirella Moments]

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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