Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Winter Knitty is Live

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knitty winter 2014It’s one of the best days of the winter season today, because the new Knitty has just been released. And this one is extra special because it’s the 50th issue of the long-running online knitting magazine. Here’s to 50 more, and many more beyond that.

This time around you’ll find musings on prejudice by Donna Druchunas and a slouchy Baltic-inspired hat designed by Susan Santos; a pep talk and historic knitting pattern for gloves from Franklin Habit; and a set of super-sweet gifts using granny squares, if you happen to crochet as well.

The Dr. Quackers toy really just cannot be resisted (he’s a duck worked in textured stripes and designed by Elizabeth Collins), but I also love Becky Collins’ awesome striped dress Folie à deux. And while I say it’s a dress you can really go your own way with it, making it a sweater or a short-sleeved top, with stripes that vary or are consistent in width, worked flat or in the round. It’s all up to you!

Other great projects include the Winter Doldrums pullover by Carla Pletzer, which is a great bold circular yoke sweater sure to entertain in the knitting and keep you warm in the wearing; Laurie Osborne’s Kayak Cowl, worked in pretty double basket stitch (such a great idea for a cowl!); the double knit Giga Cowl worked in gray and bright green in a cool chain-like pattern by Kalliopi Aronis; and the Comber Shawl by Joyce Fassbender, a reversible lace triangle worked from the center out (I particularly love the self-striping version).

There’s probably something for everyone here, so I’d love to hear what you like, too.

[Photo via Knitty.com.]

Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

Have you read?

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.