Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

What Are Your Knitting Resolutions?

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What to do with yarn scraps and leftoversHappy new year! (I almost typed Happy new yarn, but maybe that’s appropriate, too.)

I hope that amid your resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more and get your place more organized that you leave some room for knitting-related resolutions, too. I’ve outlined a few of my favorites to get you started over at About, and I would love to hear yours (if you haven’t already shared them! I am going to read through all those comments and hope to tailor some of my content this year to what you’re wanting to do with knitting this year.).

I always need to get my knitting stuff more organized, and I’m perpetually trying to lessen my stash by knitting more and bigger projects that will use more of my stash (still working on that scrap afghan pictures above). I also want to knit more for fun, which is not to say that all knitting isn’t fun, just that I want to knit more from other people’s patterns instead of items of my own design. Less thinking = more fun. For me, anyway.

I hope that 2016 brings you new knitting skills and yarny adventures! Happy knitting!

Comments

  1. Here’s mine-
    Not only do I need to be more organized and use up my stash, but I have a goal of creating a pictoral diary of my projects.
    Wish me luck and happy new year!

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Pencil 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.