What Are You Knitting for New Year’s Eve?

New Year’s Eve doesn’t get the crafty build up that Christmas does, probably because frankly we’re all kind of tired after the big event and no one can quite handle another holiday exactly a week later.

But if you’re going to — or hosting — a New Year’s Eve party, it can be fun to knit up a little bling to wear as you ring in the new year.

Here are some projects I found that can help you settle into some selfish knitting and bring a little extra sparkle to your year-end events.

The Cotton Sparkle Infinity Scarf from Knitting Fever uses a shiny yarn and a simple elongated stitch pattern to make quick work of the design, sized to be a cowl, scarf or wrap.

Red Heart’s Diamond Girl Top is a lovely, sparkly little number that’s not all that difficult to knit (it’s rated intermediate) but it also uses pretty big needles so you’ve got plenty of time to finish it.

Looking for a sparkly chevron shrug? (Say that 10 times fast.) Lion Brand has a pretty one that calls for yarns that have been discontinued, but anything sparkly and bulky would look great in this funky pattern.

My beaded necklace from About was originally designed for Mardi Gras, but it would be fun in a shiny or sparkly yarn (or even just a bright color) for New Year’s, too. Or try the simple Adele Triple Strand Necklace from Tahki Stacy Charles. For that matter, pick up any fun yarn you like, knit a long I-cord, sew the ends together and you’ve got a super fun necklace in no time.

Paula Schramm has a pretty sparkly cowl pattern that costs €2, but it looks to be a Stockinette cowl, so you could do something similar with whatever fun yarn you have on hand (I have a pattern for a Multi-Yarn Cowl that was actually made with a purchased magic ball, but you can make your own out of odd balls for a really cool look).

These sparkling fingerless gloves from Mary Garing will run you $5, but they’re a lovely pattern that would also be great for gifts (maybe for next year).

I found a couple of Iris Schreier patterns that I really love, too. Her Sparking Wrap is another pretty simple pattern that’s made stunning by the yarn choice (it’s also $5) and the Sparkling Chevron Scarf and Mitts ($6) are a great addition to an otherwise plain outfit that will make it look really special.

Knitting anything special for New Year’s? I’d love to hear about it!

Next Pattern:

Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

Next Pattern:

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