Menu Close

Tag: free knitting patterns

Wheat Pattern Bedspread Back after 110 years!

Knitted wheat ear quilt square

The first 23 rows of today’s knitting pattern graced the pages of a newspaper way back in 1908, followed by a description of the remaining 200-ish rows and the instruction to send in to the newspaper for the remainder of the pattern.

I fell in love with the wheat stitch in the photo so I decided to see if I could work out the rest. It’s not exactly the same as original as my decrease row didn’t fall on the same number row as the newspaper stated, but I’d say it’s super close. So after 110 years, you can knit the Wheat Pattern Quilt from 1908 again.

Sarah

I’m Glad it’s not a Real Spider

For some reason, in the 1890’s many small repeat knitting patterns that were used to knit the centre of shawls were called spider stitches. Stitches a bit like this:

A knit swatch of arachne stitch

Of course, if one had a classical education, one could be all fancy and call them arachne stitch instead, which is the knitted stitch pattern I’m sharing with you today.

The original version had yarn overs at the beginning of each row, to create the chain selvage sometimes needed when adding a border. I’ve included both this, and the more modern way of doing it with a slipped stitch. As always, I’ve updated the language used and added a chart for each.

Sarah

Together Again At Last

Don’t worry, I’ve finished nagging you about Christmas crafts! Today I’m bringing together updated versions of two patterns that were originally published almost exactly 115 years ago.

Six years ago I posted the pattern for the rather stunning knitted edging, Wave, Rose and Strawberry Lace, with the intention of following up the next week with the matching insertion pattern. Which I promptly forgot. Oops.

But!

I have finally done it.

Wave, Rose and Strawberry Insertion

Wave, Rose and Strawberry Insertion repeats the “wave” section of the lace in a 25 stitch wide insertion. I’ve updated the language used, charted it and tested it for accuracy. I guess after 109 years, another 6 wasn’t going to make too much of a difference 😉

Sarah

Flashback to Toyland

We’ve knit Winter warmers and Christmas stockings, decorated our trees with hand embroidered felt baubles, now for my final “OMG it’s almost Christmas!” post, I thought I’d feature a few toys that you still have enough time to knit.

Sure you do. Sleep is for suckers. 🙂

Hand knit doll

Bliss’s dolly was the first pattern I ever put online, way back in 1996. I’d designed her to be knit with any yarn as my gift to the Knitlist email group in 1995. The pattern has stitch by stitch instructions to knit her with dk weight yarn, and a recipe for knitting her with any gauge yarn of your choice. The original pattern includes undies and a dress, and there’s a separate pattern for Bliss’s netball uniform for the sporty types. In fact, if you add a couple of pom poms, the netball uniform would make a cute cheerleader’s outfit too.

Knitted doll with lavender mohair shirt and pink variegated pants

If you’d like a doll that’s faster to knit but just as cuddly, my easy knit doll pattern is a quicker knit. Knit in dk weight yarn, she’ll measure 12 inches tall, but I’ve written the pattern out in rows rather than measurements so you can make her with any yarn that you have, at any gauge.

If you just want some little stocking stuffers, why not knit a Pebble Baby or twelve? They’re great stash busters, and if you add a bit of catnip to the stuffing, they make fabulous cat toys.

Soft toy monster in a pink flowery skirt

Florentine the monster is a quick sew pattern I designed when I found an unfinished pyjama top at a local re-use shop. She can be pink and frilly, furry and fabulous, or left plain and packaged with fabric pens for a DIY decorating project!

Felt Betsy dolls

Finally, check out the Betsy Dolls, available in three sizes. Full size (about a foot tall), can be made from any fabric, a slightly smaller size (shown) is designed to fit on commercially available sheets of felt, and a Betsy Doll Christmas tree decoration that can be made from scraps of felt and hung on your tree.

These are just a few of the toy patterns here on Knitting-and.com. If you’d like teddy bears, cats, clowns, bunnies and more, check out the knitting patterns for toys, and the sewing and embroidery projects pages. And remember, when it comes to Christmas crafting – sleep is optional!

Sarah

Some Christmas Favourites!

There are only three weeks until Christmas, is it time to panic yet?!? Of course not. We all know you’ve got everything under control, right? If not, here are a few quick Christmas projects to get you back on track.

One Hour Scarf

The One Hour Scarf. Knit on honkingly big needles, you can make the one hour scarf with tassels, a full fringe, or darn the ends for different looks. A super quick and useful present, and a stash buster too! This is always one of the most popular patterns on Knitting-and.com once Christmas approaches.

Intarsia Christmas stocking with trees, Santa Claus and children.

Do you have a new member of the family who needs their own stocking? Check out the Personalized Christmas Stocking from 1945. Updated and charted in colour. Go. Now. You still have time!

Christmas cookies

Do you like to give Christmas cookies biscuits as gifts? Here’s how to wrap up your cookies, ahem biscuits, without risk of turning them into a tin of crumbs.

Handspun ribbed hat, spun and knit by Sarah Bradberry

If it’s Winter in your part of the planet, why not knit a hat, or some mittens or gloves to keep your loves ones warm?

Now get knitting people! There are only three weeks until Christmas. It’s time to panic!!!

Sarah