Free Knitting Pattern: Sx5

(That’s “Short, Self-Striping Summertime Stole”)

After I dyed my first self-striping yarn, I needed a pattern to go with it that would be narrow enough for the yarn to stripe, would make the yarn work as a summer garment, and would only use one skein of yarn. Since I couldn’t find anything quite like that on Ravelry, I had to invent one.

You will need:

• 219 yards worsted weight yarn
• Size 11/8mm straight needles
• Tapestry needle
• Gauge: Not important.

Pattern:
CO 26.
Row 1 (WS): Purl
Row 2 (RS): Knit
Row 3: Purl
Begin dropped-stitch pattern:
Row 4: k6, *yo, k1, yox2, k1, yox3, k1, yox2, k1, yo, k6* Repeat * to end of row
Row 5: Purl, dropping all yarn-overs
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: Purl
Row 8: k1, *yo, k1, yox2, k1, yox3, k1, yox2, k1, yo, k6* to last 5 sts. yo, k1, yox2, k1, yox3, k1, yox2, k1, yo, k1
Row 9: Purl, dropping all yarn-overs
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: Purl

Repeat rows 4-11 until stole is desired length, or until you have almost run out of yarn. End pattern on row 7 or 11.
Knit last row. Bind off.

Block aggressively. Weave in ends.

You can also download a PDF of this pattern for free on Ravelry.

Pattern © White Star Knits 2011. You may not sell this pattern. You may not sell items made from this pattern. You may donate items made from this pattern to charity, even if the charity will sell them.

A special thank you to my sister for modeling the stole.

Beginning Knitting Patterns

As per a request, here are some links to free knitting patterns that look about beginner-level to me. Disclaimer, though: I haven’t tried any of them.

For anyone looking to get into/back into knitting, I really do recommend signing up for Ravelry. You can find a bajillion (that’s a technical knitters’ term for “a whole lot”) patterns for free. It’s been called one of the top social networking sites.

Or, if you don’t want to remember yet another username and password, there’s always Knitting Pattern Central.

Cupcake (Mmmmmm!)

Cushion (Huggable!)

Double Bump Dishcloth (Useful!)

Easy Lace Scarf (Pretty!)

Heart Mug Rug (Cute!)

Free knitting pattern: The March-Warden’s Tootsies

“But there are some of us still who go abroad for the gathering of news and the watching of our enemies, and they speak the languages of other lands. I am one. Haldir is my name. And these are my socks.”

These socks were inspired by Haldir of Lòrien from The Lord of the Rings books, one of my favourite characters. They are also the first socks I have ever designed.

Since The Fellowship of the Ring doesn’t really describe Haldir (other than wearing shadowy-gray and speaking the Common Language rather slowly) I had to resort to the movie version of Haldir. The cables that run down the sides of the socks are supposed to imitate the braids in his hair.

You can also download a free PDF of this pattern from Ravelry.

You will need:

• Set of four/five size 2/2.75mm dpns
• ≈ 255 yards fingering weight yarn
• Cabling needle
• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:
c3b: Slip 1 st onto cable needle, hold at back of work, k2, k1 from cable needle
c3f: Slip 2 sts onto cable needle, hold at front of work, k1, k2 from cable needle
c3r: Slip 1 st onto cable needle, hold at back of work, k2, purl st from cable needle
c3l: Slip 2 st onto cable needle, hold at front of work, p1, k2 from cable needle
c4b: Slip 2 sts onto cable needle, hold at back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle

Pattern:

Using a stretchy cast-on, CO 64 sts. Join, being careful not to twist, and begin knitting in the round.

Work 6 rows in 1×1 ribbing. (Or more if you prefer; I don’t like a whole lot of ribbing on my socks.)

Begin cabling:
Row 1: k8, p5, c3b, c3f, p5, k16, p5, c3b, c3f, p5, k8
Row 2: k8, p5, k6, p5, k16, p5, k6, p5, k8
Row 3: k8, p4, c3b, k2, c3f, p4, k16, p4, c3b, k2, c3f, p4, k8
Row 4: k8, p4, k8, p4, k16, p4, k8, p4, k8
Row 5: k8, p3, c3r, k4, c3l, p3, k16, p3, c3r, k4, c3l, p3, k8
Row 6: k8, p3, k2 p1, k4, p1, k2, p3, k16, p3, k2, p1, k4, p1, k2, p3, k8
Row 7: k8, p2, c3r, p1, c4b, p1, c3l, p2, k16, p2, c3r, p1, c4b, p1, c3l, p2, k8
Row 8: k8, p2, k2, p2, k4, p2, k2, p2, k16, p2, k2, p2, k4, p2, k2, p2, k8

Repeat rows 1-8 5 times, or until leg reaches desired length.

Short-row heel:

Work on 32 sts of needles 1 and 3 combined, leaving the other 32 sts idle.
Row 1: k15, wrap & turn last st. Turn work.
Row 2: p30, w&t
Row 3: k29, w&t
Row 4: p28, w&t

Continue in this manner until 8 sts remain unwrapped in the center of your work.

Knit to the first wrapped stitch; knit both the wrap and the stitch together. W&t next stitch, creating two wraps on that stitch. Turn.
Purl to the first wrapped stitch; purl both the wrap and the stitch together. W&t.
Continue in this manner until all stitches have been reclaimed.

K16 to return start of row to original position.

Continue knitting foot as you knitted the leg, picking up wherever you left off in the cabling pattern, until foot measures 2 inches shorter than desired length. For me, this was 5 pattern repeats.

Arrange sts with 32 on needle 2 and 16 on needles 1 and 3.

Begin toe:
Row 1: Needle 1: k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 2: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Needle 3: k1, ssk, k to end of needle.
Row 2: Knit.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 eight times. 32 sts remain.
Repeat row 1 until 16 sts remain.

Knit 4.

Use Kitchener stitch to graft toe or use three-needle bind-off.

This pattern © White Star Knits 2011. You may not sell this pattern. You may not sell items made from this pattern. Items made from this pattern may be donated to charity, even if the charity will sell them.