Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Wrapping up Stash-Busting Month

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stash bustingWhew! When I had the idea to do a “little series” on stash-busting this month, I didn’t quite realize what I was getting myself into. It ended up being 16 posts full of ideas, advice, patterns and inspiration.

I hope that it has been as helpful as it was fun, and if you missed any part of it or just want to have a reference to look back on you can find the whole series in the category Use Your Yarn Stash.

There has been such a great response that I think I am going to try to do another one (maybe not quite as big) next month on the topic of finishing: inspiration to finish those projects, the skills you need to do it well, and whatever else comes up.

Please keep sharing your comments and any ideas you have for things you’d like to learn about. That’s what I’m here for!

Comments

  1. Sarah, I really enjoyed this series,, lots of great ideas and some really great patterns. Thanks for putting this together. But I have to confess did buy yarn today.

  2. Really enjoyed this series you put together! So many good and interesting ideas, both from the posts AND the comments. Still using up most of my stash on a rug, but I’m also experimenting with using up colors of chunky yarn, in hooded cowls…

  3. Right now I am trying to work more projects from my ever growing yarn stash! I have that terrible problem where I go out to buy yarn for one project, and take home extra for hypothetical projects as well! Stopping by via your blog and via the #SITSBlogging thingy (belatedly!)

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.