Knit & Crochet Accessories for Face Coverings

Face masks are here to stay for the foreseeable future, and we've seen many crafters answer the call to make their own cloth face coverings - even some folks who have never sewed before! Vickie Howell has a fabulous round-up of free sewing patterns and tutorial, which also includes some no-sew options. Click here to check it out!

Even if you don't sew, you can still put a crafty spin on your face coverings. Many crafters are using up leftover bits of yarn to make face mask adapters to keep masks secure and reduce irritation by keeping elastic away from the skin behind the ears. Click the links below to check out these FREE knit & crochet patterns to try (Ravelry links where noted)!

Knitting Patterns for Face Mask Adapters

Knitted Ear Savers by Kimberly Nichols

Knit Mask Holder by 4 Elli

Healthcare Headbands by Susan Policastro (Ravelry Link)

Crochet Patterns for Face Mask Adapters

Quick Crochet Ear Savers by Moogly

Crochet Ear Savers by Left in Knots

Headband Mask Helper by Fiber Flux Blog

Face Mask Neck Cords

Here's another problem-solving idea from Vickie Howell: a crocheted face mask neck cord! In this free tutorial, Vickie shows how to crochet a Romanian cord which can be used to keep your face mask easily accessible around your neck for whenever you need it. So clever! 

Knitters could make a similar cord by knitting an I-cord and then following the finishing steps shared by Vickie in the previous link above. Check out the tutorial video below for the steps on making an I-Cord if you need a refresher on this technique!


Don't see your favorite pattern here? Share it with us below in the comments. We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe this summer!

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Tips for Changing Seasons & Spring Pattern Round-Up

As the seasons change in the northern hemisphere, it's time to pack away warm winter woolens in favor of lightweight, breathable garments and accessories. But before you store your handmade projects for the season, make sure to wash everything first!

There are many specially-made wool washes on the market that condition fibers while removing dirt and grime which can attract unwanted pests. Your nearest Knitter's Pride retailer should be able to recommend a wool wash, along with any other supplies you may need - we always recommend keeping a set of Blocking Mats and Knit Blockers handy, and if you knit a lot of lace, you may want to add a set of Blocking Wires to your toolbox as well. We have a free tutorial on washing and blocking handmade projects here our blog archive for anyone who needs a refresher on the washing and blocking process.

Moths, in particular, are something that every wool lover dreads; for tips on mothproofing your woolen wear, check out this post on the Martha Stewart website. Should you discover an infestation at any point, don't panic! Click here to tips on managing the situation on the Red Handled Scissors blog.

Warmer weather may also mean changes in the kinds of projects you like to knit and crochet! While many of our fans craft year-round (and some will even keep making sweaters no matter how hot it gets!), some folks set their needles and hooks aside for the season. But with all of the extra time at home this spring, why not keep your hands busy with a project that fits the season?

Smaller projects like socks, fingerless mitts and hats are quick to make and won't make you hot by resting in your lap the way a larger project would. That doesn't mean that shawls and sweaters are out of the question, though! Look for patterns which use lighter weights of yarn (think lace and fingering) and incorporate more breathable fibers such as cotton, bamboo, and flax, into your wool routine (even blending these fibers with wool will help!).

Let us inspire your next project with one of these fabulous free patterns!

Free Knitting Patterns

Brighten up your living space or home office with a Mini Rainbow by Amanda Davies! If you have any loved ones who must wear a face mask for prolonged periods of time,  use up leftover bits of yarn to knit a few of Lady C's Ear Savers to reduce irritation caused by the elastic loops which hold the mask in place. The Fadewalker Fingerless Mitts by Elizabeth Abiate is perfect for gradient or self-striping yarns in your stash, or rounding up several coordinating colors if you prefer. Practice your intarsia skills with The Ombis by Amy Singer, which appears in the Spring + Summer issue of Knitty. The Twilight Cowl by Sara Anthony-Boon has an interesting construction and is inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Sock knitters will enjoy the bold geometric design found on the Mitsuuroko Socks by Raeli Masina. Or, join our current charity craft-along, which has a color work theme and a fabulous free cowl pattern, A Precious Resource by Michael Harrigan!

Free Crochet Patterns

The Easiest Ear Savers by Jessica Underwood is a beginner-friendly pattern that's also great for using up scrap yarn. Scrunchies are making a comeback, and you can quickly whip up an entire rainbow of with the Ruffled Scrunchie by Crochet n' Create. The Crochet Rainbow by Crafting Happiness can be made with scrap yarn in your stash and proudly displayed in your window or used as a wall hanging.  Whip up a pair of lightweight, lacy fingerless mitts with the Evies Eternities Gloves by Heidi Eisner. Vickie Howell's Singles Summer Scarf is a beautiful project designed especially for the fingering weight singles lurking in your stash. Keep cool with the Off The Shoulder Crop Top by Designs by Key, which comes in sizes ranging from XS-5X. For our fans who love both Star Wars and crochet, check out Amilyn by Rebecca Velasquez, which is inspired by a special-occasion dress worn by Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo that is translated into a lacy open-work top.

Wishing you a safe & happy spring - make sure to share what's on your Knitter's Pride needles and hooks by using #knitterspride in your posts!

Free Knitting Pattern & KCAL: A Precious Resource Colorwork Cowl

Our next Charity Craft-along for 2020 is here! Many of us are spending more time at home, and we invite all of our fans to give color work knitting a try using this new free pattern from designer Michael Harrigan!

About Our Featured Designer

Michael Harrigan is a knitwear accessory designer based in Bangkok, Thailand. He enjoys traveling the world for inspiration for his designs and specializes in lace knitting and stranded colorwork.

Over the past several years he has designed patterns for accessories, such as scarves and cowls, shawls, other types of wraps, and hats. Many have been self-published, several have been produced for major yarn companies, and others have featured in online and print magazines.

Michael has been certified by The Knitting Guild Association as a Master Knitter, Knitting Technical Editor, and Knitting Judge.  If you'd like to learn more about Michael and his designs, visit his website or view his Ravelry page here.

Explore more of Michael's designs during this KCAL with coupon code Rainforest150, giving you $1.50 off any single pattern until June 30, 2020 - click here to shop Michael's Ravelry store.

Free Knitting Pattern: A Precious Resource by Michael Harrigan

A Precious Resource is knit in the round and is suitable for anyone with basic colorwork knitting skills – as only two colors are involved on any round. This cowl / neck warmer features stranded colorwork patterns inspired by the world’s endangered rainforests - in fact, one of Michael's favorite charities is The Coalition for Rainforest Nations, which is dedicated to helping tropical governments and communities responsibly manage their rainforests to combat climate change and incentivize conservation. 

Click here for a free PDF download of Michael's new colorwork cowl pattern, A Precious Resource.

Please note, you will be subscribed to the Knitter's Pride newsletter; if you already get our emails, simply enter your address to confirm and download the pattern.

How to Participate

• Knit ANY of Michael's colorwork patterns or Crochet a colorwork design of your choosing during the course of this KCAL, which takes place Friday, May 8 through Friday, June 26, 2020. 

• Share your finished photos here in our Ravelry group, or post them on Facebook or Instagram using the #knitterspride and #KPCharityKCAL hashtags to be entered in our prize drawing (more on that in a moment!).

• Donate your finished project to someone in need! If you need a few suggestions, try checking with local organizations such as hospitals, shelters or hospices, or you can send your donations to Wool Aid, where they will be given to those who need them most. 

Colorwork Charity Craft-Along: Prizes

We have 3 great prizes up for grabs: a Deluxe SmartStix Interchangeable Set, a Size 12 Rainbow Row Counter Ring, and a set of Nirvana Pom Pom Makers. 

All projects meeting the requirements above which are finished between May 8, 2020 - June 26, 2020 will be eligible in our prize drawing. We will randomly select our 3 lucky winners from those who have shared their finished sock projects here in our Ravelry group, or on Facebook or Instagram using the #KPCharityKCAL hashtag. We will notify the winners via direct message after June 26. 

We can't wait to see what you make!

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Free Knit & Crochet Patterns for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and we've spotted several fun, free patterns to celebrate the day - just grab some yarn and your favorite Knitter's Pride needles or hooks and get ready to stitch something sweet for the one you love!

Free Knitting Patterns: Accessories
Valentine Mitts by Schibot Garne or the Valentine Mittens by Anita Viksten will keep hands warm; for toasty toes, try the Have a Heart Valentine Socks by Denise Bein Kroll or the V for Valentine Socks by Ellie Jones. If you're looking to knit a hat, try Milda by Claire Slade, the Valentine's Day Hat by Lisa Overby, or the Cupid's Mix Beanie by Jamie Hoffman. If you're short on time, whip up a super bulky Valentine Cowl by Sandra Nesbitt.
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Free Crochet Patterns
Keep your valentine warm with the Mini Heart Knit Look Hat by Kelsey Daughtry or the Valentine Beanie by Krystle Lindsay. If you're crocheting for wee ones, try the child-size Hearts and Stripes Forever by Christina Ramirez  or the Little Sweetheart Valentine's Day Hat by Lace Kennedy Crochet. Or, keep chills away with the Scarf Love Fringe Scarf by Jeris Swanhorst or the Madly In Love Cowl by Tamara Kelly.

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All Things Heart-Shaped
For knitters, the Love Note Valentine Pouch by Angelina Panozzo is perfect for stashing away special messages; add a festive flair to your craft room with the Easy Knit Heart Garland by Cassandra May; hang up a few stuffed No-Sew Hearts by Mary Anne Walters or decorate with a rainbow of Hearts in a Hurry by Frankie Brown; or use up leftover bits of yarn to knit a cute Knit Heart Pendant by Sarah E. White.

Pin these patterns!

For crocheters, decorate with a few Valentine's Day Heart ornaments by GoldenLucyCrafts; whip up a few heart-shaped baskets with the Forever Love pattern by DROPS design; make a colorful collection of Candy Conversation Hearts by ChiWei Ranck or try the Brioche Heart by Tatsiana Kupryianchy; or, whip up a few Light Heart Dishcloths by Naztazia.

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For more Valentine's Day pattern inspiration, check out our Pinterest board here.

Last-Minute Gifts to Knit & Crochet

Christmas and Hanukkah are less than two weeks away, but there's still time to bust out a few more handmade gifts for your loved ones. Today we round up a few of our favorite free patterns which can be knitted or crocheted in a jiffy for last-minute holiday gifting!

Quick Knitting Accessories
For a basic hat that will look good on just about anyone, try the 0815 Hat by Stadkindknits. The Flausch Mitts by Kristin Barbato holds two strands of yarn together to make a super-warm pair of fingerless gloves, perfect for using up leftover bits of yarn in your stash. The Polar Bear Mittens by Love Life Yarn would be an adorable gift for children. Try the Snowy Afternoon Cowl for a quick-knitting neck warmer you can make in a day! If you're really pressed for time, the Main Street Chunky Ear Warmer Headband by Michele Costa is a quick pattern you can make in less than a day.

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Quick Crochet Accessories
The Diamonds Slouch Beanie by Jennifer Pionk is sized from Toddler through Adult Large, ensuring everyone on your list will be stylishly warm this winter! If you're looking to use up leftover bits of yarn in your stash, check out the Hump de Bump Beanie by Cre8tion Crochet. Keep hands toasty warm with the Slip Stitch Mittens from Joy of Motion Crochet. The Essen Cowl by Michele Costa features beautiful textured stitches that work up quickly in bulky weight yarn. Make a matching headband using the Essen Chunky Earwarmer crochet pattern by Michele Costa.

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Spa Gifts to Knit & Crochet
A washcloth is a great companion gifts to soaps, bath salts, or scented body wash. We have a free knitting pattern for the Spa-Riffic Wash Cloth found here in our blog archive, or you can try the Vertical Dish Cloth by Cecelia Famelli. For crocheters, try the Farmhouse Spa Set by Sunflower Cottage Crochet for a variety of spa-related patterns to make, or the Sakura Face Scrubbies by K.A.M.E. Crochet for a colorful option. Round things out by knitting a Lash Sleeping Mask by Arianna Frasca or crocheting a Deluxe Beauty Sleep Mask by Rhondda Mol.

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Holiday Ornaments & Decor
These smaller projects are quick to knit or crochet and full of holiday cheer! Use up leftover bits of yarn to  whip up some pretty ornaments for your holiday display, or to add the perfect finishing touch to your gifts. For knitters, try Jul by Anniken Allis or Tiny Tree Ornaments by Cate Carter-Evans; for crocheters, check out the Christmas Baubles pattern from Thoresby Cottage or the adorable Penguin Ornament from Spin a Yarn Crochet. No matter what you celebrate, you can't go wrong with pretty snowflakes and stars! Try Vickie Howell's Crocheted Sock Yarn Snowflakes or the knit a few stars using the Luxury Holiday Garland pattern by Kristin Ashbaugh-Helmreich. 

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We look forward to seeing what holiday crafts you make with Knitter's Pride needles and hooks, make sure to use the #knitterspride hashtag in your posts!

If you need a few last-minute gifts or stocking stuffers, we have some suggestions! Small notions such as stitch markers, cable needles, repair hooks, circular needle protectors and row counter rings are all excellent choices, and you can find them at your nearest Knitter's Pride retailer. Happy holidays from all of us at Knitter's Pride!

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Free Knitting Pattern: Undaunted Hat

In the last year we have been inspired to knit for charity and one of the causes that has come to our attention is Hat Not Hate, an anti-bullying campaign launched by Lion Brand Yarns in 2018. Lion Brand asks knitters to donate blue knit (and crochet) hats and teams up with schools around the country to distribute hats to students in October of each year for National Bullying Prevention Month.

Though the deadline for 2019 donations has passed, designer Laura Cameron was inspired to create a simple hat pattern in honor of Hat Not Hate. Today we’re sharing this pattern with you so you can knit one for yourself or donate one to a charitable cause near you.

Undaunted

By Laura Cameron

Thecornerofknitandtea.com

Finished measurements: To fit head circumference of 20” (22”)

Gauge: 20 sts & 32 rows = 4 inches St St

Supplies:

• US 6/4 mm and 8/5 mm - 16”/40 cm circular SMARTSTIX needles
• 1 skein TreasureGoddess Treasured Warmth Worsted Weight (100% superwash merino, 218 yards/100 grams), color: Swimming with the Fishes
• Darning needle
• Stitch Marker (to indicate Beginning of Round)
• Blocking Mats
• Nirvana Pom Pom Maker (Optional)

To make hat:

With US 6/4 mm needle, CO 84 (90) sts. Join to work in the round being careful not to twist and place stitch marker to indicate beginning of round.

Brim

Work in (P2, K1) rib until your work measure approximately 1.5”/4 cm from cast on (you can use your SMARTSTIX needles to measure!).

Hat:

Switch to US 8/5 mm needle.

Begin Pattern Stitch:

Rounds 1 & 2: Knit all stitches. 

Round 3: (P2, K1) to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1-3 until your hat reaches 7 (8)”/18 (20) cm or desired length before working crown.

Crown

Round 1: (K2tog, K4) to end of round. 70 (75) sts.

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

Round 3: (P1, K1, P2, K1) to end of round.

Round 4: (K2, K2tog, K1) to end of round. 56 (60) sts.

Round 5: (P1, K1) to end of round.

Round 6: (K2tog) to end of round. 28 (30) sts.

Round 7: Knit all stitches.

Round 8: (K2tog) to end of round. 14 (15) sts.

Round 9: (K2tog) to last 0 (1) stitch, K0 (1). 7 (8) sts.

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Using a tapestry needle, run tail through remaining stitches twice and fasten off.

Pom Pom (optional)

Weave in ends and wash with your favorite fiber wash. We recommend using Knitter’s Pride Blocking Mats to block your hat for the perfect finish.

Allow to dry, then enjoy your new hat or donate to the charitable cause of your choice!

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Designer Spotlight: Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied + Winner

Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied
wearing the Faux Woven Cowl

This month, we are proud to have sponsored YarnCon, Chicago's Indie Fiber Festival. To celebrate, we're featuring another Chicago-based knitwear designer, Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied. 

Heidi is a part-time librarian with a passion for all things crafty. On the Hands Occupied blog, you'll find knitting and crochet patterns and tutorials, project ideas for other yarn crafts, and plenty of inspiration, too! Crafters of all skill levels will find lots of useful information, from the Knewbies tutorials to tips and tricks geared towards more advanced knitters and crocheters. 

How long have you been knitting, and how did you get started designing? 

I first learned to knit at age 8 from my grandma who saw in me an anxious kid who could benefit from a relaxing hobby. Plus, I was a total freak for crafts as a kid - it made perfect sense. While I didn't fully latch on to knitting regularly until I was in high school, I have technically been knitting for almost 20 years, despite being 27.

I started designing my own patterns for myself in college, but it didn't occur to me to start sharing my patterns, let alone start publishing my patterns, until a couple years ago. I ultimately became a designer because of my blog, Hands Occupied. I started the blog when I was 23 as a way to more actively participate in the online crafting and DIY world. What I wanted to do from the beginning was really start a knitting blog, but I was too chicken. I blogged about general craft tutorials and inspiration for the first couple years of my blog. During those years I learned how to code so I could make my own changes to my site as needed, I learned how to take decent pictures, and I learned how to market my content online. What was missing from the equation those first couple years was the level of passion I feel for knitting and crochet design.

The Long John Cowl, a free pattern from Hands Occupied

About 18 months ago, I started blogging knitting patterns since, dammit, that's what I wanted to do. I think I just had to get to a certain age to get the confidence (and skills) I needed to finally take the plunge into design. The blog gave me a chance to put patterns out there for free, which gave my readers the chance to share what they liked or didn't like about a given design and let me know if I made an error in my pattern, which was a really effective way to learn quickly what pitfalls to avoid in designing! It was interesting how much my experience marketing general craft DIYs like Mod Podging fabric on a shelf helped in marketing my patterns. The photography experience and social media network have proven especially useful.

Where do you get inspiration?
I like to make patterns that are practical. Of my free blog patterns, the most popular have both been cowls that I designed during the deepest, coldest days of Chicago's last two winters. One, the Faux Woven Cowl, was designed to be virtually windproof for my husband's daily walks to and from the train he takes to work. And the Long John Cowl was inspired by my need for extra warmth on my own way to work, but it also rolls down to be worn as a neck warmer when my workplace is freezing. 

Outlander Chevron Shawl,
a free pattern from Hands Occupied

Since I like to design with an eye toward practicality, I'm often inspired by the yarn I'm working with. I love getting my hands on a new-to-me yarn, swatching with it, and having a spark of an idea when I understand how the fiber would behave as a garment. Sometimes I'll swatch with a laceweight and notice a fluidity to how the swatch lays/handles, and I'll know just the right type of garment to design with it. (Maybe this makes me sound crazy/artsy fartsy or doesn't make sense, but for me, there's just this gut feeling thing that happens with certain yarns that's super inspiring for me as a designer.)

How do you balance your own design/blogging career with your part-time job as a Librarian? Do you have any helpful hints for ways to maximize crafting time for those who are pressed for time? 

Pardon the pun, but at this point I could write a book about how complicated balancing my job as a Librarian and balancing my creative career is. (For a short version of the anxiety and compromise and whatnot that leading a dual career lifestyle entails, check out this post I wrote on the subject.) Most people assume I do all of my blogging and design work on top of a full time Librarian gig, but it's not the case. I chose a couple years ago to take a part time job that still required my library science Master's degree in order to achieve a better balance between my creative career and being a Librarian. That's the key. I still work way more than 40 hours a week, but based on what I can tell from friends' careers and my husband's most of us work way more than 40 hours a week. I just try to keep my Librarian job to around 20 hours, and design with the rest of it. Luckily audiobooks exist to help me keep up with all of the reading required of my bookish job. :)

The first few years I blogged, I was working full time in libraries and attending grad school. I also got married and moved to Chicago from Michigan in there one year too. That was shenanigans. I thought that it was necessary to be sleep deprived and ultimately a little unhappy in order to pursue any career, especially a creative one. I don't recommend that.

Heidi's Picks of the Week for April 10

What I do recommend for finding more time to create, even if it's just for yourself, is this:

• If you get a full hour for lunch, bring something you can eat in 15 minutes. Then plug in some headphones to zone out with your craft for the other 45.
• If you can take transit or carpool, do! I bring knitting and crochet on the train all the time. I recommend avoiding DPNs since those can drop and roll away from you, but circulars and crochet projects can be your commuter crafting BFF.
• If you get frustrated by a never-ending project, consider alternating working on those with an easy-to-finish project like a chunky hat or socks or mittens. Switching up your routine can help you feel more productive and avoid frustration, particularly when time isn't on your side.
• Use a calendar. When I was in grad school, working full time and blogging too, I would schedule myself time to create, even in just half hour chunks. I'd try to create for a little while after work but before I shifted to homework time to help give myself a mental break.
• If you're in school, particularly if you're taking online classes, knit while you watch your lectures. Crochet while you get reading done via audiobook. It takes some balancing, but you can find little bits of creative time without losing sleep!

Vintage Checked Mittens,
a free pattern from Hands Occupied

What are you most looking forward to in 2015?

I'm going to my first needle arts industry conference in May, and I couldn't be more pumped! I hear I will come away with some excellent design inspiration and lots of new friends.

Do you have any knitting horror stories/mishaps?

The first time I designed a baby blanket, I completely took for granted that what I thought was a piece of cake to make could just as easily be translated into a written pattern. That was a big, facepalm-inducing moment for me that helped me really understand the process behind designing and proofing a pattern. Nothing feels worse than when a dedicated reader and internet knitting friend ends up confused when they trust you and your work as a designer. Luckily, my blog readers are amazing and ended up teaching me a lot the first few months I released patterns on my blog. Nowadays, I've published a few patterns in print, have signed with a book agent and am opening my own indie pattern shop online, and thanks to the feedback from readers, I know what they like about my designs and how to work with a tech editor and test knitters!

April Blog Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to AnnBan, who won a Waves Crochet Set in this month's giveaway. We will get in touch with you to arrange for the delivery of your prize. Be sure to visit the Hands Occupied blog for another chance to win a fabulous prize from Knitter's Pride!