Try Some Fun Colorwork with the Sonesta Sweater

There are so many different things you can do with stranded knitting, from delicate little repeating patterns of just a stitch or two to elaborate, intricate colorwork or even some big, bold designs like this sweater.

The Sonesta Sweater by Chinua “Chin” Matthews features a neutral background highlighted by fun wedges of colorwork that look sort of like feathers. Worked in a multicolored yarn, it gives a bold effect without any more work on your part.

The project is worked in sport weight yarn as a tube from the bottom up, with steeks for the armholes and neckline. There’s a video tutorial included in the pattern to help you set up and cut your steeks if that’s something you need help with.

I know steeks can be intimidating, but it’s actually great in this project because it keeps you from having to do colorwork in purl, which I know a lot of people don’t like.

There are 12 sizes to choose from, ranging from a finished garment chest measurement of 30.25 to 81.5 inches, or 77 to 207 cm. The pattern suggests choosing the size that works for you with the amount of ease that you like.

It doesn’t look like it’s worn with a huge amount of ease in the photos, but it’s up to you how you would like to wear it. (I like a few inches of positive ease since I generally wear a shirt under my sweaters.) The pattern also includes tips for size modifications if you need a different fit. Click through the projects to see how it looks on different people.

You can learn more about the pattern and buy it on Ravelry. If Ravelry isn’t your thing, you can also buy it on PayHip. Learn more about the designer at his Instagram page, chin2tog.

[Photo: Chinua “Chin” Matthews]

Make Your Mittens with Colorwork

Knit Matching Colorwork Hat and Mitts

Colorwork Cardigan 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.

Have you read?