Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Stitch up Something for Hanukkah

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While some other winter holidays get more attention, the Festival of Lights (aka Hanukkah) is coming even sooner, and it’s a perfect holiday for crafting as well.

Last year I knit a dreidel, which admittedly doesn’t spin very well, but it’s still pretty and fun to knit. (Amanda Kaffka has a felted dreidel pattern you can buy on Ravelry for $4.95 Canadian.)

So I thought I’d see what else was out there for faithful knitters, and I didn’t find a whole lot. If you know of other Hanukkah-related knitting patterns, I’d love to hear about them.

There’s a free Star of David washcloth at Aunt Kathy’s Place.

Knit Picks has a knit menorah table runner that makes a pretty, modern statement and a special place for votive candles to sit during the festival.

Sandra Wollin has knit a lovely illusion knit Chanukah blanket/wall hanging decorated with a menorah and the sides of the dreidel. It costs $9.

Alan Dart’s delightful Hanukkah Hiram is a knit lion with a driedel and a Star of David accessory. It’s available from Ravelry for $8 or direct from Alan Dart’s website for £4.

O Hanukkah! by Samantha Dart is a whimsical dog sweater decorated with all sorts of symbols including stars, menorahs and dreidels. There’s a lot of colorwork going on here, making it a fun challenge. The pattern is $6.

Finally a couple of patterns from books are also listed on Ravelry, including the Menorah Pillow from Handmade Holidays by Suzanne Atkinson and the Hanukkah Hat from 50 Knitted Gifts for Year-Round Knitting.

Looking for more Hanukkah patterns to knit? Check these out on Etsy

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.