Knitting

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Using Yarn Leftovers to Make a “Magic Ball”

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magic ball scarf knittingI’ve been thinking a lot this year about using stash, and sometimes stash means little odd balls of yarn that are only a few yards long. What can you do with those little pieces?

One thing that is fun to try is making your own magic ball, in which yarns of varying types and different lengths are tied together to make one ball of randomly changing color.

I used a purchased magic ball to make a funky cowl, but you can make your own quite easily to make a really interesting cowl or scarf.

One of the problems with a magic ball, though, is how it is made. Because you’re using knots to attach the lengths of yarn to each other, and you’re not supposed to have knots in knitting, right?

Clara Parkes has a great solution on her blog in what’s known as the Fisherman’s Knot. This is a knot that is strong, small, easy to make and the yarn can be trimmed right up close to the knot, so you have no extra ends to weave in. Sounds good to me.

The Classic Elite Yarns gang recently had a magic ball making party — which is a great way to destash and get some yarns into your ball that you would not have bought on your own — and the results can be used for all sorts of things. Check out their magic ball scarf “recipe” for starters, as well as a feather and fan version.

Have you ever made or used a magic ball? I’d love to hear what you did with it.

[Photo via Classic Elite Yarns.]

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Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.