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!

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The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

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