Long Tail Cast On: Quick Knitting Tip!

Tipsy Tuesday Quick Knitting Tip of the Day!

Today's quick tip comes to us from Diana Haines of You and Me Knit. Her tip involves the long tail cast on.

Here's the problem...

How many times have you been casting on using the long tail method - only to run out of yarn on the tail..grrr!  

Diana has a quick tip so that never happens again!

"Try using both ends of the ball instead. Create a slip knot using the two ends and then begin casting on, one strand over your thumb and the other over your pointer finger. You won't run out of the yarn tail again."

Happy knitting!

Have a quick tip you'd like to share? Email me at nancy (at) nobleknits dot com

Trim your tree with a Reindeer Christmas Ornament

I'm a sucker for a cute knitting pattern and this adorable Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer Christmas ornament is right up my alley. I love that it's cute, crafty, and will be perfect for decorating my tree and giving as a sweet knitted gift. I hope you have fun knitting this reindeer, too!

Reindeer Christmas Ornament Free Knitting Pattern

It was designed by Tessa Evelegh and if you'd like more fun holiday crafting ideas, check out her book, "Home-made Christmas: 35 Beautiful Easy to Make Projects"

Happy knitting!

Cyber Monday Yarn Sale!

Happy Cyber Monday - celebrate it with yarn!

Now is the perfect time to kick off your holiday knitting. 

Everything storewide at NobleKnits.com is 20% off today only

Use code: holidayknit at checkout

Hurry! Sale ends at 11:59 pm, Monday 11/26/12

Happy knitting!

Simple Slouchy Hat Free Knitting Pattern

Happy Thanksgiving!
After the Turkey - why not sit back, relax and enjoy some knitting! I whipped up this free hat pattern from Cocoknits using just one skein of Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Yarn. As you can see, my daughter loves the slouchy hat and couldn't wait to start wearing it!

This hat was a quick and easy knit - I made mine in about two hours in the smallest size. It looks like an ordinary 1 x 1 rib, but actually it has a little twist to it that makes the ribs seem to have more stitch definition.

Simple Slouchy Hat Free Knitting Pattern

Sizes: Small (Medium, Large)
Fits Head Sizes: 20 (22, 24)" head circumference

• Download Cocoknits Simple Slouchy Hat Pattern
• 1 (2, 2) skeins Plymouth Baby Alpaca Grande Hand Dyed Yarn
• Size US 6 and 10 circular 16" knitting needles
• Stitch marker
• Finishing needle

Want to see more projects from Cocoknits? Browse Cocoknits Knitting Patterns

Happy knitting!

WWSBD - What Would Santa Bacon Do?

Meet Santa Bacon!
Bacon lovers everywhere will delight in this adorable Santa Bacon Christmas ornament. You can knit just one, or an entire tree adorned with Santa Bacon - perfect as a gift topper, too.

It's a free pattern from our friends at Ewe Ewe Yarns!

Santa Bacon Free Knitting Pattern

Completed ornament measures: 1 3/4 x 7"

You will need: 

• Download Santa Bacon Free Knitting Pattern
• 1 skein each Ewe Ewe Wooly Worsted Yarn in Chocolate, Vanilla,  and Red Poppy (you will have enough yarn to knit several Santa Bacons)
• Size US 8 straight needles
• Crochet hook
• mmm, bacon.

Happy knitting!

Ruffle Yarn Roundup!

Do you know that we carry nearly 20 different ruffle yarns at NobleKnits! These fun to knit (or crochet) scarves are still a hot trend and perfect for gift giving season.

Here's a roundup of our ruffle yarns (shown above)

• Berroco Glee Ruffle Yarn
• Berroco Lacey Ruffle Yarn
• Berroco Ric Rac Long Print Ruffle Yarn
• Berroco Ric Rac Ruffle Yarn
• Plymouth Joy Metallic Ruffle Yarn
• Plymouth Joy Rainbow Yarn
• Plymouth Passion Fur Ruffle Yarn
• Plymouth Scandalicous Ruffle Yarn
• Premier Starbella Ruffle Yarn
• Premier Starbella Stripes Yarn
• Rozetti Flora Ruffle Yarn
• Rozetti Marina Glitz Yarn
• Rozetti Marina Ruffle Yarn
• Rozetti Opus Ruffle Yarn
• Rozetti Organza Glitz Ruffle Yarn
• Rozetti Spectra Duet Ruffle Yarn
• Rozetti Spectra Yarn
• Rozetti Tundra Glitz Yarn
• Rozetti Tundra Yarn

Why knitters love ruffle yarn:

• Ultra quick to make
• Easy knitting project
• Only need one-skein
• Most come with a free pattern
• The finished results are amazing
• Fun way to "wow" your non-knitting friends!

Gala Infinity Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

I just can't seem to get enough of knitting infinity scarves. What's my obsession with them? These scarves are knitted in the round, seamless, work up quickly, and often uses just one or two balls of yarn. They are a great way for me to get a chance to knit with a specialty yarn and a nice break from some of the larger knitting projects I have going.

Want to make your own Gala Infinity Scarf? Here's the free pattern!

Gala Infinity Scarf Knitting Pattern

Completed Scarf Measures: 30 x 6"

You will need:

• 1 skein Adriafil Gala Yarn, shown in color Denim Tee
• Size US 15 circular 16" knitting needles

Cast on 55 sts, join in round begin careful not to twist stitches

Round 1: Knit

Repeat Round 1 until only a few yards of yarn remain

Bind off. Weave in yarn ends.

Happy knitting!

Show a Soldier You Care!

Happy child from Uganda hugging
a crocheted bear from the Mother Bear Project

Knitting Charities

Do you enjoy making things for other? Below is a list of our favorite knitting charities and organizations. They all can use your donation of knitting time and yarn to create blankets and garments for those in need. Many of the projects are small and a great way to use up odd balls and scrap yarn. The list of charities below are great ways to look into knitting for others including America's Soldiers. 

• Afghans for Afghans - Your knitted or crocheted blankets, sweaters, vests, hats, mittens and socks will help provide comfort and warmth to Afghan women, men, and children. They continue to suffer from oppression, war, hunger, poverty, and sickness. You lovingly handmade item sends a message of hope and concern for your fellow human. Guidelines and info available in their site. 
• Binky Patrol - This organization has been accepting homemade blankets "binkies" for more than 14 years. Binkies can be sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted. Binkies are distributed to children born HIV+, drug-addicted, infected with AIDS or other chronic or terminal illnesses, those who are abused, in foster care or experiencing trauma of any kind.
• ChemoCaps - Knit hats to help make a cancer patient in the oncology unit and hospice program feel more comfortable. These caps allow the recipient to feel comforted knowing a knitter cared enough to hand knit a chemo cap for their head. Free chemo caps patterns are available on their website.
• Cubs for Kids - Provides "dressed" teddy bears for children in homeless shelters across the country. Cubs for Kids provides the bear cub and pattern for sweater, hat and scarf. You provide the yarn and knit garments for the bears. In early December, bears are dress, gift wrapped and donated to the children.
• Hats 4 the Homeless - Knit or crochet hats, gloves, socks, and scarves to be donated to the homeless in Winter. The weekend before Christmas, these garments are handed out at St Frances Xavier's Soup Kitchen in New York City.
• Knit-a-Square - Knitting something as simple as a knitted square can help create blankets for some of the 1.9 million children left orphaned in South Africa from the AIDS virus. They they need knitters and crocheters to create 8" squares, hats and garments. Free patterns available on their website.
• Knitting and Giving - This charity provides warm hand knit or crocheted items to those in need. Your hand knitted gifts will be donated to hospitals, homeless shelters and to others in need across the United States and abroad. There is "Call for Items" page on their website that specifies the types of  knitted garments needed.
• Knit Your Bit - Helps honor WWII veterans by creating scarves to keep them warm. Many distributed at VA centers. Lots of free scarf patterns available on their website.
• Mother Bear Project - Hand knit or crocheted bears provide comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations. Knit adorable bears for these kids! 
• Operation Gratitude - Sends care package to US troops. Desperately needs knitted scarves, hats, and cool ties for service men and women.
• Operation Toasty Toes - This group of volunteers can use your help making knitted and crocheted items for soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Greenland, Korea, Japan, Alaska - stationed on a base or on a ship.  Free Patterns are available for the helmet liners, slippers, watch caps, headbands, and dickeys.
• Pink Slipper Project - Create slippers to warm the hearts and toes of women and children living in shelters. Slippers can be knitted, crocheted, stitched with a sewing machine or by hand. Free patterns are available.
• Project Linus - Provides security through blankets for seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. Many free patterns to knit, crochet, or sew blankets. Become a "blanketeer" and help a child in need.
• The Ships Project - The Ships Project sends handmade hats, slippers, and Cool-Ties to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed across the world in the War on Terror. Free patterns to knit, crochet or sew available on their website.
• The Snuggles Project - Provides blankets for small animals, cats, and dogs in animal shelters worldwide. Free patterns to knit, crochet, or sew the blankets are on their website.
• Socks for Soldiers - Love to knit socks? Knit a pair for a soldier serving far from home to let him/her know someone is thinking of him/her.
• Soldiers' Angels - Helps our Veterans by making and sending lapghans (blankets), hats, scarves, trach/stoma bibs, catheter bag covers, ditty bags, wheelchair/walker totes and slipper socks to VA medical facilities around the country.
• Special Olympics Scarf Project - Knit scarves for the athletes, coaches, families and volunteers of the 2012 Special Olympics. Free patterns and official colors are posted on their website.
• Warmth for Warriors - Knit or crochet hats for US soldiers serving in Afghanistan. 

Baby Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Our friends at Ewe Ewe Yarns have created another fabulous knitting pattern! This free pattern is sure to become your new "go-to" baby blanket knitting pattern. It's super easy and perfect for knitters of all skill levels.

The pattern is knitted diagonally, beginning at one corner. Then, you'll keep increasing to the center and then begin decreasing to work to the opposite corner. This style of blanket allows you to easily customize it to create baby blankets in many sizes. Also, the pattern is easy care, soft, and bouncy since it features Ewe Ewe Wooly Worsted yarn. 

Ewe Ewe Serenity Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Completed Blanket Measures: 24 x 24"

You will need: 

• Download Serenity Blanket Free Knitting Pattern
• 6 skeins Ewe Ewe Wooly Worsted Yarn
• Size US 10 circular 24" needles

Happy knitting!

Yarn That Never Goes Out of Style

Art Yarns Beaded Silk Yarn

With the holiday season beginning, ladies are looking for more lustrous fabrics to add some sparkle to those winter ensembles. Rather than adding a rhinestone pin, a garment made from silk yarn is a classier, subtler way to shine. A sweater made from silk yarn will cost more than other conventional yarns, but it will be a luxury item that the wearer will be able to treasure for years to come.

Silk knitting yarn has the best of both worlds in that it is both beautiful and practical. It is soft, shiny, and drapes wonderfully, but it also retains heat and is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. There is a good reason why silk fabrics have been sought after for thousands of years. In fact, the durability of silk has been demonstrated through the recovery of ancient silk garments, still perfectly intact.

If you’re looking for a subtle sheen, silk yarn is perfect. If you really want to stand out though, you can up the ante with beaded silk yarn, which features beautiful little sequins and beads placed intermittently throughout the yarn. The beads are small enough so that they won’t get in the way while knitting and you can add a gorgeous sparkle effect to any garment.

Silk knitting yarn is the perfect way to turn what would have been a normal, boring sweater, scarf or hat into something much more elegant—without even changing the pattern. And with silk’s natural strength and warmth, you won’t be sacrificing any practicality in the name of fashion. If you want to create a one-of-a-kind treasure that is as warm and durable as it is stunning and gorgeous, choose the yarn that never goes out of style.

Marley Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

I was thrilled to get in some much needed knitting time this weekend.  I have several larger projects going, so this quick and ultra chunky Marley scarf was just right for some "instant gratification" knitting. The scarf takes just a couple hours and I love the self striping nature of Marley - not something you often see in an ultra bulky yarn.

Completed Scarf Measures: 5.5 x 70"

You will need:

• 1 hank Plymouth Marley Yarn (shown in color Purple Moon)
• Size US 35 needles

Marley Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

Cast on 7 stitches

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: Knit 1, (yarn over, knit 1). Repeat between ( ) across.

Row 3: Knit stitches and drop the yarn overs created on the previous row - you should have 7 stitches on the needle when you complete this row.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until only 1 yard of yarn remains. Bind off and weave in yarn ends. Give a gentle tug on both ends of the scarf to allow the dropped stitches to fall into place.

Get Bundled Up for Winter

Corkscrew Scarf

With the coming winter season, getting bundled up is a way of adding to your wardrobe while ensuring you will stay warm during the cold months ahead. If you are thinking of adding new scarves to your outfits for the upcoming cold season, you can easily do so on your own. It is easy to find scarf knitting kits to help with saving money while allowing you to get creative during the process.

Getting bundled up this winter with your own handmade scarves from simple scarf knitting patterns is a way for you to show off your own personality and style while also saving money.

Why Make Your Own Scarves?

Aside from showing off your sense of fashion and style and saving money, making your very own knitted scarves is a way for you to choose the type scarf you want to make based on its feel, color and whether or not you plan to incorporate any specific pattern colors into its design. When you make your very own scarf, you can choose all of the colors you want involved as well as the total length, width and other creative aspects that allow you to make your scarf your own.

How to Find Scarf Knitting Patterns?

When you decide you would like to dive into making your own scarves for this year, you have a few options when it comes to finding the ideal simple scarf knitting patterns available to you. Looking for various knitting patterns for scarves is possible by browsing at local craft stores as well as by conducting your own research for the materials you need from home, online. Browsing online for various types of kits and materials needed to complete your scarf has many advantages from shopping locally, including the ability to save time.

Although you can save time by shopping online for various types of simple scarf knitting patterns, you also have many more options than when shopping using a traditional craft store or DIY shop locally. Looking online for scarf kits allows you to compare all of your options based on the style of scarf you envision as well as the budget you have available to spend on the kit as well. The kits available for making your own scarf comes with all of the patterns and instructions you need as well as the actual yarn needed to complete it.

Free Knitting Pattern Friday!

Quick and Easy Chunky Lace Scarf

Here's a quick and easy lace scarf knitting pattern. I used Plymouth's Camino Alpaca yarn which is amazingly soft, a little thick and thin with interesting color variations.

Completed Scarf Measures: 5.5" x 72"

You will need:

• 2 balls Plymouth Camino Alpaca Yarn
• Size US 19 needles

Pattern
Cast on 12 stitches

Row 1: K

Row 2: K 4 sts, (yo k2tog, k 2, yo, k2tog, k 2).

Repeat Row 2 until scarf reaches desired length. 

Knit one more row.

Bind off and weave in yarn ends.

Abbreviations
K - Knit
K2tog - Knit two stitches together
St(s) - Stitch(es)
YO - Yarn over

Happy knitting!