Tag Archives: small

Inspiration: Small Projects

I feel like I’ve been working on giant, slow projects for the last three months.  My cable sweater is just about done (finally).  And, I’ve been working on a couple secret projects (designs that aren’t quite finished yet), and they’re all HUGE!  I guess I just have a thing for oversized sweaters, blankets, and anything that takes more than a dozen skeins of yarn. And, I’m thinking my Ravellenic Games project is going to be pretty big, too!

But sometimes you just want to knit something quick.  Something fun and easy.  And since I’m not “supposed to” be spending my knitting time on fun little things, let’s look at adorable pictures instead.  (OK, I might take a break this afternoon and make up a tiny something… don’t tell my boss.)

These tiny bunnies are too cute.  I love their two-tone fur, and their teeny pink noses.

Dutch Rabbits by Rachel Borello CarrollIMG_8726_medium2[1]Little House on the Prairie was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and these Half-Pint inspired mini mitten bookmarks are too perfect for words.  (Pa called Laura “Half-Pint,” which in my opinion is the sweetest pet name in the world.)  I usually read on my kindle or listen to audio books, but I think I still might need a pair of these mittens.

Half Pint Mittens by Susan B. Anderson1427650926147_medium[1]And, these bracelets are so cool!  I’m not really a bracelet person (I feel like they get in the way), but I might knit up a handful of these beauties.  So simple, and such a great way to use up those pretty leftovers that you can’t bear to get rid of.

easy knitted bangle by Ambah O’Brienbangels_8_medium[1]What do you make when you want some instant gratification?

Inspiration: Fast Projects

I’ve been so busy- I have a half-dozen patterns in various levels of done-ness and with various deadlines (some of which are coming up faster than I would like).

So, with all these deadlines, my knitting has become a bit of a chore.  (Which is lame.  I want knitting to be fun.  Obviously.)

What can I do to make knitting more fun?  Quick, little, projects I can do in an hour or two with a couple dozen yards of yarn.   Want to join me?

These bunnies are so adorable and would be a great way of using up little bits of leftover yarn.  Look at their tiny faces!

Bunny Nuggets by Rebecca Danger

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These little gnomies are so super fun.  (I’ve actually made a few for friends with matching baby sweaters for fantastic new-baby presents.)

Gnome Baby by Tonya L Gunn

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I don’t need this crown, but I think I might need this crown.

A Very Regal Crown by Kayleigh LeBlanc

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Look at these fantastic little fish!  How amazing would a  school of these be hanging from a mobile?

My Little Goldfish by Sara Elizabeth Kellner015_medium2[1]Aah… I can feel the inspiration washing back over me! Yay!

In-Between

I finished my Ravellenic Sweater!  And, with days yet to go in the Olympics!  It’s cool to see how fast you can knit when you are working up against a deadline.  It’s blocking now, but when it’s dry, I’ll post some pictures.

But for now, though, I am a little bit at loose ends.  Do you feel the same way when you finish a big project?  I don’t really know what to do with myself.  I have a pair of half-finished socks, but all those little tiny stitches seem daunting right now.  I don’t want to go spend money on more yarn for another sweater.  And working on my afghan seems like too big a project.  Ugh.  I’m in a sorry state.

What I really want, is something that I can sit down, and in an hour or two have a completely finished project.  Something useful, and nice, and not too taxing on my brain.

I’ve got it!  The perfect in-between-projects project: washcloths!

Knit washcloths are great for in the kitchen, or for face washing (they’re super gentle on skin).  They also make really great gifts; wrap up one or two with a fancy bar of soap, and you’ve got a really nice little gift.  (Keep a few on hand, in case you forget someone’s birthday.)

If my brain is super-fried, I’ll just make a square of garter-stitch out of some pretty dishcloth cotton (like Sugar n’ Cream, or KnitPick’s Dishie).  Or, if I have a lace/cable/texture pattern bouncing around in my head, I’ll make a swatch of that pattern, sort of doodling with yarn.

Or, if you want a pattern, try one of these:

The Almost Lost Washcloth by Julie Tarsha

firsttakecloths11_small_best_fit[1]Leafy Washcloth by Megan Goodacre

leafycloth5_medium2[1]Grandmother’s Favorite by Traditional Design

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