Memories of Center Street - a free pattern

While browsing this morning, I came across "Center Street," a free pattern from CJOriginals just posted this month. The oversized boatneck sweater is very similar to a very first knitting project I took on about six decades ago, believe it or not. The yarn was a brown worsted and the jumper pattern was worked in the round with raglan sleeves. But the best part of "Center Street" is the interesting detail worked with very simple stitches along the sweater bottom edge and on the back.

That's the "Spirit" a new hat pattern

When knitting a new original hat, the goal is that several
other knitters will like the way it looks and feels as much as I do. The hat pattern should be interesting to knit, not in the least bit boring. This time I wanted it to be a warm beanie, cozy around the ears, yet loose and comfortable around the crown. This hat pattern uniquely meets those requirements. So, I decided to write up this new pattern and called it "Spirit."

Norwegian knitting thimble - new blessing for Fair Isle patterns

photo by Craftsy.com

The Norwegian knitting thimble is a new blessing - a knitting guide for stranded knitting when making Fair Isle projects that use two colors of yarn. Watch a demonstration in the video below from YouTube.

Knitting a cowl pattern to suit your every whim

photo Gretchen Tracy

Adjusting a knitting pattern to suit your tastes and yarn at hand is simply done, especially with an easily adaptable pattern.
This free cowl pattern by Gretchen Tracy, uses a US 8 (6mm) circular needle, 2 skeins of DK yarn or about 218 yds (200 meters). Gretchen has used a silk yarn for knitting her Ridge and Furrow cowl prototype pictured here.

No fuss summer knitting - two free patterns

A free shawl pattern and a free scarf pattern, suitable for a man, both perfect for summer warm weather knitting, both interesting no-brainers.  No oxymorons here, it's true: interesting patterns you don't have to think about. So whilst sitting at the beach, talking to friends and family, you can still keep knitting without losing your place in the pattern.

Both of these projects are extremely portable and won't take up much room in your travel bag. Don't stop knitting and get ahead on your gift list!

Free knitting patterns spring forward from unlikely sources

Rowan photo

Spring and Easter knitting patterns may include bunnies, chicks, and eggs for baskets, cheerful shawls and baby sweaters, too. These free patterns should keep you knitting for a while longer this Spring.

Martin Storey is a "storied" designer and many of his knitting patterns are posted for free. They range from small toys, home decor, child to adult-sized sweaters and jumpers.

Try this clever Easter bunny pattern, fast and ever sweet - Rebecca Danger's "Bunny Nuggets."


Read on for the links.

It's a Magic Spring for Shawls!

On the Spice Market - Melanie Berg

Every season has its knitting pattern favorites. New patterns for shawls and baby sweaters are often posted and knitted in spring. And this year is no exception. Recently, I have been knitting a second "On the Spice Market" by Melanie Berg, which was all the rage last spring. I just finished her "Sunwalker" shawl pattern after many months of moving house, yarn stash and all. Katerina Bobkova's new "Magic Spring Shawl" is my next challenge, it's a free pattern, great for beginners and a terrific stash-buster.

Magic Spring Shawl pattern by Katerina Bobkova