Time For Tea!

Winter is fast approaching here in Australia and what is better than a cup of tea by the fire?

And of course our teapots deserve their own special outfit. 

Tea cosies also make a wonderful knitted gift - quick and simple to knit, no real need to worry about fit, and you can often use up those leftover yarn bits that we all have stashed away somewhere. 

So time for a free tea cosy knitting pattern parade! 

You cannot go past a classic! The Classic Pleated Tea Cosy has been around forever. And deservedly so. The pleats work to trap the heat in and keep your teapot warm for quite some time. 

Or this version, with the addition of flowers. 

Another classic looking cosy is the Shamrock Tea Cosy. Knit it in two very similar colours as pictured or use two contrasting colours for a bolder look.

Flowers on a tea cosy are always pretty, such as the Camomile Lawn Tea Cosy.

Or Monet's Garden Tea Cozy. 

Cute animal tea cosies abound, such as Mrs Bunny Rabbit Tea Cozy. 

And the amazing Winter Wonderland Tea Cozy. 

A very simple fox. 

And this adorable squirrel on the Autumn Walk Tea Cozy. 

Cupcakes are a popular theme for tea cosies, such as this one. 

And the I Love You Cupcake cozy.

 Or do you fancy some colourwork? The Fair Isle Tea Cosy would be a great introduction to colourwork. 

Or practice steeking on the Time For Tea Cosy. 

A quick Google search or a scroll through Ravelry will find you many more free tea cosy patterns for the perfect stash busting project. 

I am planning to cast on at least one new tea cosy this year, possibly one for the May coronation. So a tea cosy parade will be coming soon!  

Time For Some More Free Sock Knitting Patterns!

 

Here in the Southern Hemisphere, it is getting cold! So my mind has turned to sock knitting again.

I have been adding so many free patterns to my Ravelry library, and it is time for another free sock pattern roundup.

Let's see what we can find! 

Business Casual by Tanis Fiber Arts, a simple but effective faux-argyle pattern.

Sugar Frost Socks by Marianne Heikkinen provide a pretty backdrop for those gorgeous handdyed yarns in your stash.

Most of us have heard of Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder, but did you know that this designer has other Harry Potter inspired sock designs? Including this one, Socks For The Deputy Headmistress. 

If you like knitting for Halloween or just like spooky knits in general, the Happy Haunts Socks by Valorie Wibbens are super cute.

Hamish by General Hogbuffer is a chance to practice your colourwork knitting skills. 

An unusual pattern adorns the Pumpkin Socks by Debbie Ford. 

Nutmeg Socks by Tania Barley, another pair of socks with a simple texture pattern.

I am sensing a totally unplanned autumn theme emerging here!

The Golden Gardens Socks by Fairlight Fibers are a very pretty and delicate colourwork design.

The Hemenway Socks by All Knit Up Designs feature a simple seed stitch rib which looks fabulous (and much more difficult than it is!)
And do take a look at All Knit Up Designs for more free sock patterns.

The Mad Mix Socks provide a fun opportunity to use up all your sock yarn scraps (we all have them stashed away somewhere, to use some day!) Mix and match to your heart's content! 

And Cute Hearts Socks are just that, cute! 

So concludes another little trip around the free sock knitting patterns of Ravelry. I have tried to find some with fewer projects so you may find something that is not popping up that often. 
Let's give some of these wonderful patterns some love! 

Soon it will be time to start planning for our Christmas knitting - maybe some socks? A post on that will be coming soon. 

Please let me know if you decide to knit any of these patterns. 

Until next time, happy sock knitting! 

My Favourite Free Baby Knitting Patterns

 

Looking for the perfect knitting pattern to create as a gift for a new baby? Look no further! 

I love knitting for babies as the patterns are so cute and it is the ultimate satisfaction to create a handmade gift fairly quickly. 

I have chosen patterns that are for newborn or 0-3 months. As these free patterns can almost be called a series now, I will aim to do a childrens' post as well soon.

Leaf Love Dress by Taiga Hilliard Designs

This sweet little dress is very versatile as it is knitted as a dress for 0-3 months but will continue to fit as a tunic for quite a while longer.

Be sure to take a look at the other patterns by this designer - there are many more free patterns available.

Ode To Doris by Kelly van Niekerk.

I can personally testify to the ease of knitting for this one. This is my go to pattern for a quick baby gift. It is knitted in DK/8ply so knits up very quickly and there is virtually no finishing as it is knitted in one piece and the sleeves are picked up in the round. 

Again, check out the designer's page on Ravelry as there are many other patterns to drool over.

Baby Uggs by Autumn Street

Such cute boots! These would be perfect if you need a little boy gift. And they would be super quick to knit up.

Baby Kimono by Elizabeth Jarvis.

A lovely basic newborn knit that you can customise. Some of the examples from other knitters on Ravelry including adding stripes or a lacy pattern, adding knitted flowers, embroidery (including one with a toadstool!) or using ribbon as a closure rather than buttons.

You could make this as a gift for every new baby and just change it up!

Baby Wood Nymph Hat by Faith A D

I do love a hat with a little top knot! I don't know why but they just look too adorable. A very quick and simple rib design.

This pattern link is just for the hat. But with any hat pattern, you can always make bootees to match and vice versa. 

Baby Brioche by Jen Hurley

As brioche is super stretchy, this garment says it will fit from infant to 12 months. This looks like the perfect knit if you want to try some brioche but do not feel up to committing to a huge garment. It also uses something called a Channel Island cast on which I have never heard of - has anyone used this technique before?

Probably a more challenging garment but it looks super cute and would be very comfy.

Intarsia Baby Sweater by Phildar Design Team

Now let's practice intarsia! This is so cute! I think it would also make a super adorable Christmas sweater - maybe you could even make the reindeer's nose red! 

You do have to sign up for free to LoveKnitting to download this pattern. 

Perfect Newborn Socks by Tabitha Gandee

Tiny socks are just the cutest! A pretty box of three, five or seven pairs of these in various colours would make a lovely gift. 

Danika Baby Jacket by Marianna Mel

For those of us (looking at myself here!) who like traditional styles, this is a cute little star stitch baby jacket. You can knit it either with or without a collar. At the end of the blog post for this pattern, you can find the link to the matching hat and mittens. 

Marianna is another blogger who is extremely generous and provides lots of free patterns, so do take a look at her blog at Marianna's Lazy Daisy Days.

Poppy Penguin Hat and Cocoon Set by Melody Rogers

I just had to leave the pattern with the most adorable photo for last! I cannot stand how cute this is!

It is showing as a paid pattern on Ravelry but if you scroll down the pattern page, you will see where Melody has kindly added a link to a free version on her blog. 

I hope you enjoyed visiting some adorable baby knits with me. 

Let me know in the comments if you have knitted any of these patterns or if you have any plans to make any.

Also let me know what you would like to explore next in the free knitting patterns series!

My Favourite Free Christmas Ornament Knitting Patterns

 

Can you tell I love browsing through Ravelry for free knitting patterns? I am sensing a theme here!

For a few years now, I have wanted to have a knitted ornament Christmas tree, even if it is just a little tabletop version.

So this year sees me once again scrolling through Ravelry to see what I will put on my list to make (and probably not get time to actually make!)

Mini Christmas Stocking Ornaments by Julie Williams of Little Cotton Rabbits. Don't you love all the cute designs on these?

Balls Up! by General Hogbuffer. Every tree needs some baubles! These would be pretty knitted in sparkle yarn or with some metallic thread embroidered on afterwards.

Fair Isle Mice by Janet McMahon. While not strictly Christmas, some little mice peeping through the branches would be sweet. 

Holiday Cheer Ornaments by Kate Gagnon Osborn. This pattern includes three mini ornaments - mittens, hat and bauble. 

Minikins by Woolly Wormhead. You most definitely need some miniature Santa or elf hats.

Christmas Pudding Bauble by Amanda Berry. Can you believe that I am the only person in my entire family who likes Christmas pudding?! This, combined with the fact that it is usually stinking hot here in Australia, means that I have not made a pudding for the last few years. I just end up having to eat the whole thing! Maybe I should make some of these instead.

Advent Garland by Frankie Brown. This link takes you to the pattern for the advent garland itself. Each of the 24 ornaments are listed separately in Frankie's Ravelry page. But I am telling you, Frankie's page is the treasure trove for the cutest patterns you have ever seen. There are 530 on there - yes, 530! And they are ALL free! This page will keep you looking and oohing and aahing for ages. 

You could also use the decorations from Frankie's knitted Gingerbread House as ornaments.

Pine Cone Gnome by Mary Claire Goodwin. These are very sweet, if you can find some small pine cones.

WIP Ornament by Allison Griffith. A knitted knitting ornament! I would love a whole little tree of these for my craft desk! 

Knitted Miniature House by Sangmi Lee. You could add snow to the roof and other embellishments. 

Christmas Toadstools by Merrin Curley. Obviously yes!

Which ornament is your favourite? Are you planning any Christmas knitting yet? Or any other type of crafting?

I hope I will begin on some soon (but I have so many WIPs calling me already!)

Let me know in the comments what you are up to - and share any other wonderful free patterns you have discovered.