New pattern alert! New pattern alert!
I liked my new socks so much, that I decided to write them up!
Head on over to my Ravlery page, and grab yourself a copy for free! They’re a super fun, quick knit, perfect for when you have a not-quite-full skein of sock yarn looking for a project.
These li’l guys are knit from the top down with a simple 1×1 rib cuff, a heel flap and standard toe. The cute little lace zig zag is fully charted (not written out).
It’s October 25th… you know what that means. 2 months until Christmas!
That means you have 61 days to get all your Christmas knitting done (or at least started enough to have a good excuse when you wrap up a half-finished scarf in the wee hours of Christmas morning… not that I’ve ever done that).
Might I suggest a few patterns- a few of my free patterns? These are some of my favorites, they’re small, simple, and fun enough (if I say so myself) to whip up a handful in the next two months. Plus, they’re nice enough that even the pickiest gift-receiver will be happy to open them up on Christmas morning.
I love the Snowbank Spa Cloth. It’s a super simple dish-cloth (with almost no finishing-just two ends to weave in!). The pattern calls for fancy-pants cotton yarn to make it a “spa” cloth, but you could use any cotton you have on hand, and just rename it “dishcloth” or “washcloth” depending on how soft your yarn is. It’s a simple repeat of knits, purls, and slipped stitches, surrounded by a nice garter stitch border, so it’s easy to work up. Make a stack of them, or just one and wrap it up with a fancy bar of soap for a lovely gift.
Get the pattern here! 
I’m also a fan of the Snoqualmie Cowl. I can’t wait for the temperature to drop enough so that I can break mine out again. It’s worked with really bulky yarn at a massive gauge, so it works up in almost no time. I used fancy leftover yarn from a big shawl I made years ago, but you can use whatever you have on hand- the colorblocking is perfect for using up leftover bits and bobs of your fancy bulky yarn that you couldn’t bear to throw away.
Get the pattern Snoqualmie Cowl.
If you ever need a super fast gift (for Christmas or otherwise), you’d be hard-pressed to find a simpler (or easier) project than my tiny Coffee Sweater. Worked in the round with just enough cabling to make it interesting, this little guy knits up in an afternoon. Use your favorite yarn, or whatever worsted-weight yarn you have laying around your craft room- it doesn’t take more than an ounce or two. If you start now, I bet you can make Coffee Sweaters for everyone on your Christmas list before Thanksgiving has passed! Wrap up each sweater with a gift card to your favorite coffee joint- and I can’t imagine a better gift!
Get the pattern Coffee Sweater!
What are your go-to patterns for gift giving?
Happy Friday, everybody!
Hope you’ve got a nice weekend planned with plenty of time for some fun and easy knitting!
Might I offer up a pattern for you to try?
How about my brand-new Checkerboard Dishcloth?
It’s a super simple dishcloth knit in a single color featuring subtle texture, courtesy of knits and purls.
It’s simple, timeless, and easy!
Oh, and did I mention, it’s free?
Get the pattern here!
Did you just see the Easter Bunny hop by? Because, I think I did!
And what’s that over there? Is that a special Easter present just for you?
I think it might be!
(Full disclosure: I don’t really celebrate Easter, but any holiday that involves candy, baby animals, and deviled eggs is all right with me!)
It’s my patterns, the Little Knit Doll, and her Easter Set! 
These are some of my favorite patterns I’ve made- I mean, look at her! She’s totally cute! The doll is fully knit, and about 8 inches tall. In the basic pattern, the Little Knit Doll comes with a simple sun dress and a lot of hair. 
And the Easter set includes a cute puffed-sleeve dress, bunny ears, and an adorable little Easter basket.
Usually these patterns are $5 each, but this weekend only, head over to Ravelry and use the coupon code “BUNNY” to get both patterns for free!
Happy Easter!
(Also, this is the first time I’ve tried using coupon codes on Ravelry, so let me know if you’re having trouble!)
Guys! I’ve got another free pattern!
It’s a fantastic (if I say so myself) dishcloth.
The Rippling Diamonds Dishcloth is crazy simple- it’s literally only knits and purls. No slipped stitches, no yarn overs, no shaping of any kind. Its carefully charted pattern of knit and purl bumps make an interestingly-textured washcloth that’s fun (and easy!) to work up. (And, bonus! The pattern is totally reversible, so it looks just as cool from both sides!)
Head over to Knit Picks’ website and download a free copy of the pattern. I’m really proud of it!
Last week, I told you about the kids I teach in my knitting class. They are all doing an amazing job, and they all like making different things. Some want to make tiny little projects they can finish in a day, some want to spend weeks working on a single item. Some only want to make garments for themselves, and some make garments for their stuffed animals.
But all kids love a new stuffed animal. (Or “stuffie” as my students say. Is that a regional thing? Or is it a generational thing. I never called them “stuffies” when I was a kid.”
So, I designed a pattern for two new stuffies, a bear and a bunny, that is easy enough for even an early beginner knitter. 
These two little guys are totally adorable (if I say so myself), and are made without any shaping, purling or other “complicated” knitting. If you can knit garter stitch, you can make yourself a new little friend. And, I’ve included step-by-step instructions, including pictures!
But, I think my favorite part of this pair is their tiny little tails! (The bunny has a teeny pompom and the bear has an even tinier little nubbin. Adorable!)
Are you a very beginning knitter looking to make something more fun than a potholder or a scarf? Do you have a kid itching to take up needles and yarn? Give these two a try!
Surprise! A fun new FREE pattern!
Let me introduce you to my newest pattern, the Zagged Cowl.
It’s knit with Knit Picks’ newest yarn, Woderfluff. It’s super soft and light and cozy, yet surprisingly strong (because it’s not actually spun- it’s a teeny tube of nylon filled with baby alpaca and merino). (But really, you could use any bulky yarn.)
The Zagged Cowl is worked in the round with no shaping, just garter stitch and an impressive-looking oversized cable up one side. The pattern only uses one skein, and works up on big (US 10.5) needles, so it knits up super fast. Talk about a great holiday gift!
Head on over to Knit Picks to pick up a free copy of this pattern (and maybe a skein or two of Wonderfluff)!
I got a lovely surprise in the mail the other day! Apparently KnitPicks made a beautiful book of all the 52 Weeks of Dishcloths patterns that they published for free all last year. ![32978[1]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/329781.jpg)
The book is filled to the brim with literally dozens of patterns for beautiful dishcloths. Some are simple and classy (Checks and Eyelets Facecloth):![55829220[1]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/558292201.jpg)
Some are silly and fun (Pumpking Dishcloth):![55834220[2]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/558342202.jpg)
And everything in-between.
I’ve even got three patterns included in the book, the Maritime Dishcloth:![55807220[1]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/558072201.jpg)
The Pinwheel Dishcloth:![55826220[2]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/558262202.jpg)
And, the Snowbank Spa Cloth (It’s a “spa cloth” because I like alliteration. You could totally use it as a dishcloth):![55831220[1]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/558312201.jpg)
I’ve got an extra copy of the book , so let’s do a giveaway (I love doing giveaways! They’re the best!). To enter, respond below with your favorite dishcloth from the collection! I’ll pick a winner some time next week.
And, if you don’t win, or if you’re too impatient to wait until your copy of the book arrives, all the dishcloth patterns are available here for free!
As promised! Another brand new free pattern! This one’s a little different than my usual knits. You know I love bulky yarn, and anything with wool. I love big winter sweaters, cozy socks and fluffy blankets. Basically, I like anything that you would hibernate in.
This pattern, on the other hand, is a definite departure. It is light and summery, drapey and girly.
It’s the Split Back Tank!
Knit in a lovely washable cotton-linen blend at a nice big gauge, this tank top is both fast-knitting and lightweight. The Split Back Tank is worked from the bottom up in a single piece with literally no sewing-up! (A three-needle bind-off finishes the straps and a row of single crochet closes up the neckline and arm holes.) And, the A-line shape and open back makes it flattering on just about everyone, yet incredibly comfortable. I like to wear mine with jeans and sandals for a cute-yet-put-together look!
Get the free pattern here!
It’s time for a drawing!
Last week I showed you the newest collection from KnitPicks, Petite Presents, and offered up a drawing!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, get ready because now it’s time to do the giveaway!
14 people responded to my post, so I headed over to Random.org.
And clicked on the number generator:
And Commenter Number 10! You’re the big winner! (That’s Chickie Brewer, if you’re wondering.) Chickie, I’ll be emailing you with details so that I can get your copy of Petite Presents to you as soon as possible! That way, you can start working on your Mini Kitty Poufs with your granddaughter!![32768124[1]](https://ontheneedlesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/327681241.jpg)
(And don’t forget, I’m still giving away a Knitting-themed tea towel designed by my mother! Sign up here to put your name in the drawing before Wednesday!)
On the Needles 