Knit projects that can be worn two different ways mean that you get twice the reward for your effort! Depending on how you feel like accessorizing you can draw the i-cord tight and wear it as a hat, or let it hang loose around your neck. We’re not even certain those are the only two uses you can get out of this versatile piece. And the best part? It’s an easy knit.

If you’ve never knit in the round and want some help getting started, we’re offering two classes this month that you can check out here.

Finished measurements: 19” circumference unstretched around, approx 11” tall

Materials:
Any worsted weight yarn (we used 2 balls of a store favorite: Trendsetter Tonalita, 52% and 48% acrylic, 100 yards) about 200 yards total.

US size 8 (4.5 mm) 16″ (40 cm) circular and a set of 2 size 8 double pointed needles.
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette st

Pattern:

CO 96 sts, join in the round being careful not to twist, place marker at beginning of round.

Work K1, P1 rib for 1 ½”

Switch to stockinette stitch and work until piece measure 9” from the cast on edge.

Eyelet Round: *Yo, k2tog, k5* repeat around until 5 sts remain, yo, k2tog, k3.

Continue in stockinette for another 2”, BO loosely

Work 3 stitch I-cord for 30”, thread through eyelet row and knot at each end.

Download the pdf version of this pattern here.

We’ve been seeing this adorable, clever, and classic owl cable design everywhere lately — from baby hats to adult sweaters. Unable to resist, we came up with our own FREE PATTERNS in both a CHILD size and an ADULT size to fit any owl lover in your life!

This cabled hat is cleverly designed to look like there are adorable owls encircling it– you can add buttons for eyes if you wish, or omit them for a more subtle effect. The child’s hat pictured here is knit in the super soft Lobster Pot Cashmere and the adult size is done in Rowan Coccoon.

We are also offering a class to help the cable-nervous get started.

Wise Old Owl Hat – Child Version

Finished measurements: 19” unstretched

Materials:
Lobster Pot 8ply cashmere or any worsted weight yarn with a gauge of 4.5-5 sts per inch
Size 7 circular needle and dpns
stitch markers
4 small buttons for eyes (optional, you can use more, less, or none at all)
sewing needle and thread.

Gauge: 4.5 per inch in stockinette stitch. The cabled owl sections will tighten up your gauge.

Abbreviations:
C4F: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle
C4B: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle

Owl Cable pattern:
(multiple of 11 sts)
Rounds 1-3: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end
Round 4: *p3, C4B, C4f, repeat from * to end
Rounds 5-11: same as round 1
Round 12: same as round 4
Round 13: same as round 1
Rounds 14-15: *p3, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1. repeat from * to end
Round 16-17: same as round 1
Round 18: same as round 4
Round 19: same as round 1

Directions:
Cast on 100 sts, join in round and work in 2×2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Switch to stockinette and work for 5 rounds, decreasing 1 st evenly spaced in row 3.
99 sts.

Work 19 rows of owl cable pattern over all sts.
Knit 1 or more rows and increase 5 sts.- 104 sts.

Continue in stockinette stitch until work measures 5 inches including ribbing or to desired length.

Decrease as follows:
*K 11 k2tog, repeat from * to end.
K1 round plain.
K 10 k2tog.
K1 plain.

Continue decreasing in this manner until 56 sts remain.
Then decrease every round until 8 sts remain.
Cut yarn and pass through remaining sts to fasten off.

Weave in all ends and block.

Sew buttons over the purl sections within the cable pattern that form the owl’s eyes

Wise Old Owl Hat – Adult Version

Finished measurements: 20” unstretched

Materials:
1 ball Rowan Cocoon or any chunky weight yarn you can get 3.5 sts per inch gauge with
size 10 circular needle and dpns, stitch marker
4 small buttons for eyes (optional, you can use more, less, or none at all)
sewing needle and thread

Gauge: 3.5 sts per inch

Abbreviations:
C4F: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable neeedle
C4B: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle

Owl Cable pattern:
(multiple of 11 sts)
Rounds 1-3: *p3, k8, repeat from * to end
Round 4: *p3, C4B, C4f, repeat from * to end
Rounds 5-11: same as round 1
Round 12: same as round 4
Round 13: same as round 1
Rounds 14-15: *p3, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1. repeat from * to end
Round 16-17: same as round 1
Round 18: same as round 4
Round 19: same as round 1

Directions:
Cast on 88, join in round and work in 2×2 ribbing for 1 inch.
Switch to stockinette and work for 5 rounds.

Work 19 rows of owl cable pattern over all sts.
Knit 1 or more rows and increase 2 sts.- 90sts.

Continue in stockinette stitch until work measures 6 inches including ribbing or to desired length.

Decrease as follows:

*K9, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

K1 round plain.

*K8, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

K1 round plain.

*K7, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

K1 round plain.

Continue decreasing in this manner until 40 sts remain.
Then decrease every round (no plain rounds) until 8 sts remain. Cut yarn and pass through remaining sts to fasten off.

Weave in all ends and block.

Sew buttons over the purl sections within the cable pattern that form the owl’s eyes.

Liz is a bit of a perfectionist and loves to knit scarves in reversible patterns. When the scarf is wrapped the back and front stitchery is the same. This inspired her to create the Harris Tweed Hat and Scarf FREE PATTERN set. Seen here in Rowan’s Cocoon- a beautiful, soft and luscious blend of wool and mohair. This is a stitch pattern style that guys especially love with it’s modern and graphic look.

If you’re curious about reversible stitch patterns, we’re offering a class this month.

Finished measurements: Hat: Head circumference: 22”

Scarf: 7″ x 60″

Materials:

Hat: 1 ball Rowan Cocoon

Scarf: 2 balls Rowan Cocoon (or any chunky yarn that gets gauge)

Needles: Size 10 16” circular and Size 10 double points or size to get gauge

Stitch marker

Gauge: 3.5 sts = 1 inch in St st

Abbreviations:
P: purl

K: knit

M1P: Make 1 Purlwise

Hat Pattern:

Cast on 83 sts, join in round and place marker at beginning of round.

Round 1: *K2, P2, rep from* to last 3 stitches, K2, P1

Repeat Round 1 for 1”, on the last round:

Set-up Round: M1P, *K2, p2, rep from* to last 3 stitches, K2, P1

Round 2: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.

Round 3: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.

Round 4: P

Round 5: P

Begin Harris Tweed stitch pattern:

(multiple of 4 sts)
Round 1: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 2: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 3: K
Round 4: K
Round 5: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 6: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Round 7: P
Round 8: P

Knit in pattern until piece measures 7 ½ inches from cast on ending with row 7 of the pattern (P row).

Decrease as follows:

Round 1: *P2, Ptog, rep from* 63 sts left

Rounds 2-4: *K2, P2, rep from* to last 3 sts, K2, P1.

Round 5: *SSK, P1, rep from* 42 sts left

Round 6: *K1, P1, rep from*

Round 7: *SSK, P2tog, rep from*, K last stitch, 25 sts left

Round 8: *K1, P1, rep from*

Round 9: *SSK around, K last stitch, 11 sts left

Round 10: *SSK around, K last stitch, 6 stitches left.

Weave in all ends and block.

Scarf Pattern:

Cast on 28 sts.

Row 1: K2, *K2, P2, rep from* to last 2 sts, K2

Row 2: K2, *K2, P2, rep from* to last 2 sts, K2

Row 3: K2, P across row

Row 4: K2, K across row to last 2 sts, K2

Begin Harris Tweed stitch pattern:

(multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 2: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 3: K
Row 4: P
Row 5: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 6: *K2, P2, rep from* to end.
Row 7: P
Row 8: K

Knit in pattern until piece measures 60 inches from cast on ending with row 6 of the pattern. DON’T FORGET to knit 2 K stitches at each end of every row!

Weave in all ends and block.

Enjoy!

Liz made this lovely, versatile mobius scarf in anticipation of our massive Baby Alpaca Grande shipment… this pattern is perfect for the yarn!  The Mobius Scarf can be worn looped around the neck a couple of times or as one long circular scarf with a natural twist created by the unusual cast on. It’s great for both men and women and almost impossible to lose! Check out our FREE PATTERN!

***Please note: There was an error in the pattern which is now corrected. We were contacted by a customer who ran out of yarn before the pattern was complete, and her scarf was much wider than the pictured scarf. The corrected pattern below will give you the size pictured here, we apologize for the confusion!***

The scarf pictured takes only two skeins of Baby Alpaca Grande, but is just as beautiful in any number of our worsted or chunky weight yarns. If you’d like some guidance with the pattern we will be offering a class on the Mobius Cowl in December, as well as many more simple projects for holiday gift knitting… stay tuned!

Pattern:

We have always been fascinated by the mobius style and technique. Once you’ve watched Cat Bordhi’s very informative “Intro to Mobius Knitting” tutorial on YouTube you will be on your way to knitting a great scarf that can be wrapped double around your neck for cold weather or worn long and drapey! It’s a fun and fast project and makes a great gift.

If you want a longer scarf just cast on more stitches. You can also make your mobius wider –just add an extra skein! This scarf is equally beautiful knit in just garter stitch.

Size:
60″ long circumference x 7″ wide

Materials:
2 skeins Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande (100% baby alpaca)
US 10 or 101/2 /40″ or 47” circular needles
1 Stitch Marker

Gauge:
3 stitches per inch

Technique:
Intro to Mobius Knitting tutorial by Cat Bordhi on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4

Directions:
Using Cat Bordhi’s mobius cast on technique, cast on 152 sts. Place marker and join careful not to twist the stitches. See Cat Bordhi’s tutorial for directions.
Knit the 1st st tight to avoid a gap at the join. Knit the first round as directed by Cat.

Important: Round begins when you get to the stitch marker.

Knit for 3 rounds.
Purl 4 rounds
Knit 4 rounds
Purl 4 rounds
Knit 3 rounds

Cast off knitwise. Weave in ends.

Do you know a stuffed animal or American Girl Doll in need of some accessories? Well, good thing you decided to read our blog today!  Our free pattern for a ribbed cap and garter stitch scarf is just what you need. Both use worsted weight yarn, and can be coordinated or contrasting according to your tastes.

Making these little items is a great way to use up some odds and ends sitting in your stash… I know I have plenty of little balls of yarn too small to knit a full-size project but too substantial and lovely to just get rid of.

The hat will fit dolls or stuffed animal heads with a circumference of 11.5″ or smaller, and it’s ribbed so the fit is flexible.

If you’ve never made a hat, this would be a great introduction without the yarn and time commitment of a full-size hat. All you need to know is Knit, Purl, and Knit 2 together on double pointed needles (or magic loop if preferred).

We are also offering a class based on these projects if you want some personal attention and assistance learning these useful skills!

The scarf is my favorite kind of super-easy, fantastic scarf: garter stitch knit the long way. It looks so much more finished and elegant with those long stripes and smooth edges. This kind of scarf is great for full-sized humans too, although the cast-on amount would of course be increased to accommodate larger creatures.

The yarn used for the hat is Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi, and the scarf is one of our absolute favorites, Koigu Kersti Solid, but it would also look fantastic in Kersti Multi.

Enjoy!

Leah

Coming up with the perfect Kippah pattern is harder than you might imagine. Our first several attempts came out flatter than pancakes. We tried to tell ourselves that somehow, magically, they would fit onto someone’s head despite their lack of shaping. When we went to photograph it a few days ago, reality had to be faced. The pancake-kippah would not be the new style.

Leah, probably the most meticulous of us, took it upon herself to go back to the drawing board and start from scratch. Over the weekend she played around with her decreases until she got a kippah with the proper concave shape, so when we placed it on our model the fit was perfect.

So now we are happy to offer our free Kippah Pattern, great for those on the Bar Mitzvah “circuit” and in time for the Jewish High Holidays. Fast, fun and easy this pattern takes less than one skein of the Koigu KPPPM (or similar weight yarn) and then you have a wonderful family heirloom.

Knitculture.com’s Kippah Pattern

Finished measurements:
4 ½ ” diameter
If you would like a larger Kippah, you can knit with larger needles or increase your cast on in multiples of 10.

Materials:
1 skein Koigu KPM or KPPPM

Size 0 dpns
Darning Needle

Gauge: 8 sts = 1 inch in st st

Instructions:
Loosely CO 100, join in the round without twisting.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K8, K2tog, repeat around
Rows 6-8: Knit
Row 9: K7, K2tog, repeat around
Rows 10-12: Knit
Row 13: K6, K2tog, repeat around
Rows 14-15: Knit
Row 16: K5, K2tog, repeat around
Rows 17-18: K 2 rounds
Row 19: K4, K2tog, repeat around
Row 20: Knit
Row 21: K3, K2tog, repeat around
Row 22: K 1 round
Row 23: K2, K2tog, repeat around
Row 24: K1, K2tog, repeat around
Row 25: K2tog, repeat around
Row 26: K2tog, repeat around (5 sts remain)
Break yarn and put onto tapestry needle, cinch final stitches closed.

Download the PDF version here.

We absolutely love knitting with Blue Sky’s Organic and Dyed Cotton– it is so soft, lofty, and delicious. This yarn is a joy.

If you’ve been in the store lately, you may have seen Leah knitting this little creation. We thought a hooded baby sweater would be a great project for this yarn, so we decided to whip one up and offer it as a free pattern!

The sweater has a rolled hem, and is knit bottom up in the round. The sleeves and trunk are joined at the yoke in a nice seamless construction. Basic color work around the middle adds to the fun — or can be omitted easily.

The yoke features raglan shaping for the shoulders, and is worked flat once the neck placket is started. The hood is also worked flat and seamed across the top. Finally, a crochet edging and adorable braided ties are an adorable detail.

Leah took pictures of her work in progress. Below you can see when she had joined the sleeves and the trunk and was starting to work on the yoke. She put some stitches in the armpit on some green scrap yarn in order to graft them together later — this will make sure the garment fits.

Don’t be intimidated by the description above, every step of the sweaters creation is detailed in our free pattern, which can be downloaded below.

Baby sweaters are such satisfying projects — and even those of us with short attentions spans can stay focused long enough to finish them! Leah loved working with this yarn and we all loved the way the sweater came out.

Download our Free Pattern Here!

The Drop Stitch Scarf is one of those patterns I love, deceptively simple, elegant and never boring. The perfect spring scarf because it is light and airy, so it will keep away the brisk chill morning without leaving you sweaty. Best of all  — it’s fun! We’ve seen it done in solids and multi’s and it comes out fantastic every single time.

Yarn: This pattern looks great in many yarns. Pictured is Manos Silk Wool in the Wildflowers colorway. You’ll need approximately 200yards.

Needle Size: The recommended size for the yarn.

Abbreviations:
K- Knit
CO- Cast on
YO- Yarnover by wrapping the yarn around the right-hand needle from back to front counterclockwise before knitting the next stitch.

Pattern:

CO 26 stitches (or any multiple of 10 plus 6) Knit 4 rows Start pattern:

• Row 1: K6, *YO, K1, YO twice, K1, YO 3 times, K1, YO twice, K1, YO, K6*, repeat between ** across.
• Row 2: Knit across, dropping all the yarnovers off the needle as you go.
• Row 3 & 4: Knit
• Row 5: K1, *YO, K1, YO twice, K1, YO 3 times, K1, YO twice, K1, YO, K6*, repeat between ** across, ending with a K1 instead of K6.
• Row 6: Knit across, dropping all the yarnovers off the needle as you go.
• Row 7 & 8: Knit

Continue these rows until almost out of yarn, or until scarf is as long as you want it. End with another 4 rows of garter stitch. Weave in your ends.

Download a pdf version here.

Knitted flowers are quick, simple, and lovely. A hand-knit flower can be sewn onto another knitting project or made into a brooch, hair ornament, or given on its own as a gift. The best part– they use very little yarn, and are a great way to use up beautiful scraps! Here is a pattern I cooked up for a flower with individual petals– you can see it at the center and bottom left of the photo above.

Yarn: Pretty much anything with stitch definition (not too fuzzy or novelty). For the pictured flowers, I used Debbie Bliss Pure Silk DK (white) and a double strand of Rowan Kidsilk Haze (pink). The tutorial flower below was done in fabulous Noro Cash Iroha.

Needle Size: A few sizes smaller than the yarn calls for. I used size 2 for both the flowers above and size 5 for the purple Cash Iroha flower below.

Abbreviations:

K- Knit

CO- Cast on

ssk- Slip slip knit. Slip one stitch as if to knit, the next as if to purl, transfer them back onto the left needle and knit them together through the backs of the loops

k2tog- Knit two together

sts- Stitches

Pattern:

CO 6 sts using a knitted cast on.

Row 1: *K1, CO1 on right needle as shown, K1, CO1, K1* repeat once more. (10 sts)

Row 2 and all even rows: Purl across.

Row 3: *K1, CO1, K3, CO1, K1* repeat once more. (14 sts)

Row 5: K1, CO1, K4, ssk, k2tog, K4, CO1, K1. (14 sts)

Row 7: K5, ssk, k2tog, K5. (12 sts)

Row 9: K4, ssk, k2tog, k4. (10 sts)

Row 11: ssk, K1, ssk, k2tog, k1, k2tog. (6 sts)

Row 13: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. (4 sts)

Now you have a petal! Don’t bind off, just break the yarn leaving a tail to wind in, and setting it aside by sliding the 4 stitches to an extra needle. If you are knitting on a circular needle, you can push the completed petals to the middle of the cord and let them hang as you work on additional petals. When working your final petal, leave a longer tail that will be threaded on a needle and pulled through the other petal stitches to bring them together. I wove in all my ends except the long tail to make it easier to see what I was doing.

Once you have the number of petals you want, carefully place them face-up in a circle, with the live stitches in the center. You can take them off their holders if that makes it easier, just be careful not to drop stitches. Thread a tapestry needle with the long tail of your final petal and run it through each set of 4 stitches in sequence (see picture). Once you have completed the circle, pull the thread tight. Weave in the tail and it’s done!

Download a PDF version here.

If you are searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your friend, sweetheart, or yourself (why not?) take a look at this lovely Heart Scarf.

Liz made this one out of two skeins of Noro Cash Iroha and used divine Lantern Moon Needles. The finished scarf could be given as a gift in itself, but the yarn, Lantern Moon needles and free pattern below would make a lovely gift that any knitter would be thrilled to receive.

Any worsted weight yarn would do, we think this pattern would be fantastic in Malabrigo Worsted or Koigu Kersti as well.

Come check out this lovely scarf and let us help you pick out the perfect yarn and needles for this project!

KnitCulture.com Lace Heart Scarf

Yarn: 2 skeins Noro Cash Iroha
Needles: size US 7 or size to get gauge
Gauge: 4 stitches per 1”

Abbreviations:

k-knit
k2tog-knit two stitches together
k2tog tbl-knit two stitches together through the back loop
P: purl
rs-right side
ws-wrong side
sk2p-slip 1, knit 2 together, pass the slipped stitch over

Pattern:

All even rows are RS
All odd rows are WS

Cast on 24 stitches

Row 1: k across row

Row 2: k across row

Row 3: k2, *yo, K2tog, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k2tog,yo, k2

Row 4: k2, p across row, k2 (repeat for all even rows)

Row 5: k2, yo, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 7: k2, yo, k2tog, k7, yo, K2tog tbl, k7; k2tog, yo, k2

Row 9: k2, yo, k2tog; k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, K2tog tbl, k6, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 11: k2, yo, k2tog, k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, K2tog tbl, k5, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 13: k2, yo, k2tog, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, K2tog tbl, k4, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 15: k2, yo, k2tog, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, K2tog tbl, k3, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 17: k2, yo, k2tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, K2tog tbl, k2, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 19: k2, yo, k2tog, k2, yo, K2tog tbl, k2, yo, sk2p, yo, k2, k2tog, yo, k3, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 21: k2, yo, k2tog, k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k3, yo, sk2p, yo, k 4, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 23: k2, yo, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, yo, k2

Row 25: k2, yo, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, yo, k2

Repeat above from Row 4 until desired length;

Repeat Row 3 and knit 2 more rows (garter) and cast off.

(c) Knitculture.com

UPDATED 2/7/09, get the latest, corrected version of the pattern here.

When this amazing beaded silk yarn arrived at the store, we wracked our brains (after picking our chins up off the floor) to find the perfect pattern to showcase the beautiful texture and sheen.

This classic Lace Leaf pattern is a lovely configuration of branching lace and stockinette. The rich color and luxurious feel of this yarn and the addition of sparkly beads knit up into a sweet scarf with depth and a lovely, drapey texture.

Liz knit this beauty in one night, using a single skein!

This scarf is the perfect easy, quick-knit holiday gift.

Pattern:

Yarn: Art Yarns Regal Beaded Silk

Needles: Size 9

Size: 6″ x 48″

(gauge is not critical but knit a swatch to determine approximate width of scarf)

CO 20 stitches

Knit 2 rows and begin lace pattern

Row 1: and all WS rows: Purl (wrong side rows not charted)

Row 2: RS P2, *k9, yo, k1, yo, k3, [sl1-k2tog-psso], p2.

Row 4: P2, *k10, yo, k1, yo, k2, sl1-k2tog-psso, p2.

Row 6: P2, *k3tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, k3, [yo, k1] twice, sl1-k2tog-psso, p2.

Row 8: P2, *k3tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k9, p2.

Row 10: P2, *k3tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k10, p2.

Row 12: P2, *k3tog, [k1, yo] twice, k3, yo, k1, yo, k4, sl1-k2tog-psso, p2.

Knit until scarf is desired length (or until you are almost out of yarn) and allow for 2 knit rows; bind off loosely, wash and block.

Have fun and happy holidays! Leah

Download a pdf version here.