I have become a bit of a fingerless gloves pattern connoiseur.  I made my first pair of fingerless gloves about 10 years ago.  I rarely used quality yarn at the time.  I tended toward middle end acrylics...think Michael's and Wal-Mart.  Then, I had this friend who wanted to learn to knit Fetching fingerless gloves by Cheryl Niamath, and she had found these lovely skeins of yarn online for $18.  I almost choked, but...I splurged, for my friend's sake. Thus began my affection for fine things - especially fine yarn.  I still only splurge on fine yarns occasionally.  (I have a mountain of second-hand acrylics I use to make blankets and items for donation...projects I work just to keep my fingers moving.)  When I do splurge on a high end skein, I love to make fingerless gloves.  They feel so nice on my hands on a spring or fall evening.  They keep me warm and keep my fingers free, so I can continue knitting...or typing.  And above all...

Thrift Store Sweater Socks I saw this knit sweater at a local thrift store and fell in love with the colors.   I had the idea in mind that I would look for cheap sweaters to recycle the yarn. The tag on this one claimed it to be 100% shetland wool. It is a little scratchy and it the sweater was stretched out, so I thought it would upcycle nicely into a pair of knee-high socks. I purchased the sweater for less than $10. Step 1:  Find the Seams On each side of the sweater, I stretched the seam to find the yarn that bound the front and back together. Step 2: Remove the Seam Stitches On this sweater, it was not too difficult to find the seam stitches, since they were done in gray, and there were a lot of other colors in the sweater.  I used a darning needle to pull out the seam yarn section by section, so I could salvage it, as well. Once I got the seams separated, I looked for a starting point on the bottom hem of ...

(Print Now) I designed this pocket scarf and fingerless glove knitting pattern set to match my original earflap hat knitting pattern .  The pocket scarf is super long, so that it can wrap around your neck and still reach to hip length - a handy little feature that allows you to keep your fingertips warm when you are not using them to knit...or text...or any other activity that typical gloves won't allow.  Happy Knitting! Fingerless Gloves Knitting Pattern Gauge 8 stitches and 12 rows per 2 inches Materials One skein Impeccable yarn 5 US size 7 dpn (double pointed needles) Small stitch holder (or large safety pin) Instructions Main Glove Cast on 28 stitches and divide onto 4 needles (7 sts. per needle). Join round and knit in rib (K1, P1) 12 rnds. Continue knitting in stockinette (knitting all stitches) M1, k14, m1, K14. Knit 2 rounds. Continue as established, increasing at the beginning of the 1st and 3rd needles every third round, six more in...

Free Knitting Pattern Flashback: August 28, 2012 Earflap Hat Knitting Pattern This hat was one of my first original free knitting pattern designs.  It is knit in single rib stitch with pick up stitches to add the earflaps.  The ties are made from 3 braided i-cords.  The hat is finished with a border and home-made pom-poms on the top and tails.  (Learn how to make a pom-pom with Vickie Howell here ). I haven't made an earflap hat from this knitting pattern in awhile...may have to add one in my Ravelry queue.  I remember it as a fun knit.  I enjoyed experimenting with fun color combinations (see more pics below).  As always, I would love to see your finished products!  I hope you enjoy the free knitting pattern.  Happy Earflap Hat Knitting! Gauge : 18 sts and 24 rows per 4 inches Materials : Impeccable Yarn - 1 skein mc, 1 skein cc US size 7, 24 inch circular needles 5 US size 7 dpn Instructions : Cast...

Well, I finally fell onto the wagon.  I have fallen in love...with Harry Potter.  Honestly, after finishing the series, I don't know why it took me so long.  My darkest fears of being snatched into the sacrilegious, have been completely eradicated.  In fact, I've stumbled upon many embedded biblical themes in the magical, albeit fictional, world. I have to admit, I'm glad I saved the series for now.  This year is the exact year that I desperately needed to escape into an amazing fictional world...to leave behind my own challenges, triumphs and heartbreak, for a bit, and enter into someone else's. Harry's world has given me respite, and more...many new things to knit!  Here are the best (and most realistically worth my time) Harry Potter Knitting Patterns - Free I have found. Harry Potter Knitting Patterns - Free 1.   Hogwarts Scarves Knitting Patterns by Studio Knit Studio Knit provides a lovely Free Gryffindor Scarf Knitting Patt...

A sweet pattern from the early days of my knitting design.  I hope you enjoy the free girl's beret knitting pattern, with matching scarf and mittens! Materials 1 skein Lion’s Wool (100% wool) by Lion Brand Yarn, shown in Cadet Blue #110 2-4 skeins specialty yarn to gauge * 5 pairs US size 5 double pointed needles 5 pairs US size 10 ½ double pointed needles 1 pair US size 19 straight needles Stitch holder *Note: I originally knit this pattern with the lovely yarn pictured called "Ragdoll." It was, sadly, discontinued. Isaac Mizrahi has a similar gauge specialty yarn at Michael's that would be a reasonable replacement. Gauge Using 10 ½ needles (or sized to gauge) and specialty yarn in SS: 12 stitches per 4 inches Using Lion’s Wool and size 5 needles in (K2,P2) rib: 21 stitches per 4 inches Abbreviations and Explanations K2tog = knit 2 together P2tog = purl 2 together * * = repeat from * to * until the end of the round Rib = knit 2...

Materials 1 skein Lion Brand Fun Fur (Shown in Hot Pink) 1 skein Lion Brand Lion Wool (Shown in Rose) 1 pair size 6 needles 1 pair size 10 ½ needles Darning Needle One button Beads (optional) Gauge 18 stitches x 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using Fun Fur and size 6 needles. 12 stitches x 24 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch using Fun Fur and Lion Wool and size 10 ½ needles. Purse Knitting Pattern Using Fun Fur and size 6 needles, cast on 54 stitches. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch. Knit 25 rows in stockinette stitch. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch. Bind off. Sew bottom and sides together so that the garter stitch creates a border on the top and bottom. Sew in loose ends. (Option not shown) Sew strings of beads spaced evenly around the top edge. Purse Handles : Cast on 4 stitches with the size 6 needles. Knit in garter stitch until the strap measures 7 1/2 inches (or desired length). Make 2 straps. Sew each end of one strap in the inner...