It's Back to School time here in North America and every family I know is making the trip to the local office supply store to stock up on pens, pencils, notebooks, paper and whatever else their kid needs. It's an exciting time of year but one which wrenches your heart as a parent seeing your child get on the school bus for the first trip of the year or dropping a child off at college for their freshman year. School starts here for Julia next week so we will be back to the normal rushing around after the somewhat relaxed days of summer.
As a knitter and designer, I always think of what kind of knitting project can be made to travel with a child as they leave the nest. You don't want something too big and embarrassing but you do want it to remind the kid of the knitter who made it for them and the love they have for the recipient. Yes, I'm getting gushy here but it is that time of year.... all this moving on.
Up at Walker Farm in Dummerston, VT, the clever staff decorates their "check-writing pens" with giant silk flowers so they can keep the pens from walking away. They always make me smile when I give them my money. A couple weeks ago I had one of those "a-ha" moments and thought up this Felted Pen + Pencil Cosy Project. Not a lot of time to knit, felt, photograph, and write the pattern before school started but I have been working like a mad woman. Here you have my latest Handknitting Pattern......
Knit in my brand new Color By Kristin and suitable for pens and pencils.....
With erasers or not...... Are they not so cute?
The pattern includes 4 different flower tops and of course, I used my new yarn Color By Kristin.....
Complete felting instructions included. This is a great project for kids and teachers' gifts so you might want to get a jump on your Holiday Gift Gift Knitting too. If you are a beginning knitter or know some kids who are just starting out with needles and yarn, I know they too could make these.
You can buy the pattern for $3.50 from my Ravelry store by clicking the "BUY NOW" button below. You do not need to be a Ravelry member nor even use Paypal. Less than a capuccino and you will be all set for hours of gift knitting fun!
As always, I thank you all for supporting my knitwear designs and my family. Have a great late summer weekend! Eat some corn!
They're just darling and I'm sure the kids giggle with delight when they see them!
ReplyDeleteAte my first ear last night (with a lobster!). Just under the wire!
ReplyDeleteAnd, per your suggestion, I planted a row of sunflowers last weekend and they are just germinating! So exciting!
Fun pencil pattern, thank you!
Happy back to school time for you and Julia! Mine is starting high school!
Those are awesome! I'm a fan of fun pens...but don't have the time right now...maybe in a couple of weeks..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new pattern! I (hopefully!) will be making lots of these. I'm always looking for small gifts to send to my college kids or to say 'thank you' or 'I'm thinking of you' to someone or for my kids to give to friends for Christmas or birthdays (and they can make these themselves!) I also love your zip it bags and tech cozies. I enjoy your blog and even though I don't comment much, I always read it!
ReplyDeleteTricia