Oliver Fox cushion and other free toy patterns by Amanda Berry

Oliver Fox, knitting pattern by Amanda Berry
Lets Get Crafting Issue 52

Not being an avid toy pattern collector or cushion pattern knitter, you can imagine the angst felt yesterday when a Facebook reader of Knit and Crochet Patterns ask where to find Amanda Berry's Oliver Fox free knitting pattern as published in Let's Get Crafting Magazine Issue 52. Google was a first choice with no luck. Then reluctantly visited a busy knitting forum, which often trades free patterns back and forth, and as well, known for its lack of copyright decorum, and found that they were unable to locate the free animal knitting pattern either. Um, what to do?

courtesy Let's Get Crafting

Nutty Irishman gets last minute knitting nod

With Christmas gift holiday knitting nearly finished, the Nutty Irishman's 'Graham,' for men and women, an easy slouch hat pattern that fits children and adults, is the perfect free pattern to use for one nutty Irishman on the list. (There more than just a few!) Here's a photo from the designer's web site, NuttyIrishmanKnits.

NIK 2011

Christmas star knitting pattern

Mindlessly knitting the smaller eight-point star, it occurred to me that several of them strung together with a simple crochet chain for a garland would be the perfect decoration for our sitting room this Christmas. So I enlarged the star pattern that I wrote about before to knit a 5 1/2" star ornament and did just that, adding some large tassels to the ends. Made a few pom poms for the wreath and voila! The Christmas star ornament pattern is below.

Knit and Crochet patterns even on Facebook

Check out knitnscribble's knitting and crochet Facebook page for knit and crochet pattern highlights, oddities, and freebies.

One hat pattern for the whole family

The "Toque Times Two" is a traditional hat pattern designed so that one knitting pattern accommodates thewhole family. It has a no-itch interlining, nice and soft, knit in cotton, and is complemented with a jaunty knitted braid and tassel. The unisex pattern is written for two sizes which will fit a child four years old to adult. Often worn as a ski hat, this worsted weight stocking hat pattern is knit for a sturdy hat that will last forever with proper care.

Eight point Christmas star pattern

courtesy Anna-MarieB

Browsing Facebook yesterday, discovered a lovely photo of eight point stars knit with colorful Noro Kureyon. With the variegated colors, they could even pass as leaves. Great as a Christmas tree ornament, coasters, or hung together as a garland. A pattern for a six point star was referenced, which didn't work at all. This star pattern needed 8 points!

So I trotted out to my LYS this afternoon and found a skein of Kureyon yarn. Plymouth Yarns 'Gina' will work as well, as will Poems 'Silk,' but probably on a larger needle. First, I blew up the original photo and counted the rows of purl bumps. Using the first pattern for the 6-point star, I was able to write the eight point Christmas star pattern below.

New baby blanket pattern: quick, affordable, and washable

Discovered a new baby blanket pattern this week knitnscribble can't wait to knit. It's a free knitting pattern from Purl Soho's blog Purlbee. Soft, warm, and squishy in brioche stitch, it's also quick, affordable, and washable. Knit with Cascade Yarns Superwash 128 chunky yarn on US 10.5 (6.5mm) needles, the pattern promises a fast baby shower or new baby gift in a couple of days knitting.

photo courtesy Purlbee/Purlbee.com

Please find the free pattern for "Fluffy Brioche Baby Blanket" pattern here. Great instructions for brioche stitch here.