Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Stash-Busting Cowl Patterns

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I included a couple of cowls in my scarf roundup the other day, but they really do deserve their own day of focus because there are so many great ones out there. Plus, I’ve been wearing the heck out of my Striped Garter Stitch Cowl, which would be perfect as a stash-buster, that I felt I just had to share.

I think it’s funny that the first thing that pops up when you search stash cowls on Ravelry is the famous Honey Cowl from Madelinetosh, because it’s not typically worked in stripes. But of course stash busting means using anything you’ve been holding onto and doesn’t have to mean working in stripes or multiple colors. And it is a beauty regardless. Kristin Kapur uses slipped stitches on a smaller scale in her Chickadee Cowl, which I really like, too.

There’s also Jen Geigley’s GAP-tastic Cowl, again worked in a solid color in the original but it would use up a good bit of chunky yarn if you have a couple of skeins of the same color.

The Mockingjay Cowl by Stash Studio is a lot more what I think of when I think of stash busting; it’s worked in lots of different colors but is still really pretty with a multicolored slip stitch pattern. Laura Aylor’s Carrousel Cowl is another one that uses a slip stitch pattern to great effect.

Ami Madison’s Stacked Eyelet Cowl would be pretty in one color or stripes (the Favorite Cowl by Tajie Maxedon is similar), and the Sock Yarn Scrap Bag Cowl is perfection for people who knit a lot of socks (this one is by dorisann allenson).

The This Way Up Cowl form purl3agony is worked flat with a provisional cast on our of all sorts of leftovers, so it’s great when you need to get rid of odds and ends. (And it’s cute, too.)

If you have a skein of sock yarn you’ve been holding on to that you don’t really want to use for socks, try the Willow Cowl from Amelia Lyon.

There’s a fun roundup of stash-busting cowls, scarves and the like at the FitzBirch Crafts blog, which is sure to give you more ideas.

See anything you like? I’d love to hear how you’re enjoying the series or if anything has caught your needles yet!

Looking for more cowl patterns? Check these Pattern books out.

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.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

Comments

  1. I’m really enjoying the series – the only time I’ve commented to something on CraftGossip. I currently have socks on the needles but an eyeing my stash for the future.

    Darla

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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.