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Little Things to Do

© Suzanne Griffith

If you've looked at the latest Knitters and Interweave Knits, you've seen some portable knitting projects for summertime. I wasn't planning to write about the same thing as the Big Guys, but after I started looking at free patterns for small projects on the Internet, sharing them with my readers seemed like the right thing to do. I hope you agree!

Beginning knitters (and advanced ones, too) can find some little projects at the Dishcloth Boutique. Click on "Knitting Pages." This is a great site for dishcloth makers, with lots of different styles. Each pattern comes with both a thumbnail and large photo so you'll know what you're getting into. Remember, dishcloths are a way of making a gift and trying out a new stitch pattern at the same time.

Esther Bozak has some little projects for pet owners and others on Esther's Knitting Page . If you click on "My Patterns," you'll find instructions for a custom fit dog sweater and toys for your doggie, too (and your cat). You might also enjoy Esther's "Afghan Square Ideas"--these patterns could be used for dishcloths as well as afghans.

You can find free patterns and more at Joyknits. Click on "free patterns" and then on the photo of the pattern you like for the instructions. You can work on your lace skills with Joy's "circular facecloth with lace edging," knit up a KnitList "little blue sock," or get a head start on the holidays with the "little Christmas stocking." If you're looking for a larger project, the "rib check baby blanket" would make a pretty gift, and the stitch pattern is easy enough to remember on hot summer days when you get a little drowsy.

Flor offers free patterns for two attractive hats: the "Ireland Mists Hat" and the "Chullo Hat," along with a child's gansey sweater ("Little Fisherman's Gansey") and several adult sweater patterns. This is not a commercial site, so if you use one of these patterns, please email Flor and thank her for her generosity (go to her home page and click on "email me").

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere and are looking for cool weather knitting now that it's winter, check out Nancy Bush's site, Woolywest, where you'll find a "Little Arrowhead Lace Sock" pattern.

Update: Here's a new site with animated knitting lessons! I don't know how they make this happen, but you can watch knitting needles doing things like casting on, making I-cord, and picking up stitches--a great site!

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