Monday 7 May 2012

The Crafter’s Way 226–Simple Knitting Ideas

 

This week I’m sharing some knitting ideas for your left over yarns. These simple patterns are also ideal for introducing a newcomer to the craft as they are completed quickly and introduce some key skill; casting on/off, decreasing and adding another yarn.

knitted pendant 1

Idea 1: For this pendant I used a variegated 8 ply yarn for no other reason than I had it in my stash. Feel free to use whatever yarn you have on hand. Cast on 20 stitches. Knit 20 Rows or until piece measures 6cm. Knit a further 8 rows, this will form the casing for the cord to thread through. Cast off. Fold over 4 rows to wrong side and stitch down with coordinating thread. I used satin cord for the necklace.

knitted pendant 2

Idea 2: Similar idea to the pendant above. Again I cast on 20 stitches. This time however only knit 12 rows before casting off. Turn the piece 45 degrees so the short side is top and bottom. Fold over one edge to form casing. Finish as before.

knitted pendant 3

Idea 3: This idea introduces the concept of decreasing the number of stitches. Cast on 15 stitches. Knit 8 rows. *On the next row knit 14 stitches, cast off the last stitch. Next Row: knit 12 stitches, cast off last stitch. Next Row: knit every stitch. Repeat from * until you have 3 stitches remaining. Cast off. Form casing for cord as above.

knitted pendant 4

Idea 4: I saved my favourite for last. With this pendant you will be changing yarns. I used 8 ply for the solid colour and an inexpensive novelty acrylic for the feature. Cast on 20 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Without casting off the solid colour on the next row add in the novelty yarn. I completed 4 rows using both yarns together. You may need to vary how many rows you do depending on your choice of novelty yarn. Continue knitting 15 rows. Cast off. Using a large eye needle secure the novelty yarn into the body of the piece. Form casing for cord as above.

Now don’t go out and buy yarns especially to make these, experiment with the bits and pieces you have left over from other knitting projects. You might surprise yourself with the results.

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