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!

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.

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