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Ribbed Chunky Hat Free Knitting Pattern

by Liz Chandler @PurlsandPixels Use this Ribbed Chunky Hat Free Knitting Pattern to make warm hats…

Knitting in the Round

Knitting in the round is a way of creating seamless tubes of fabric without having to sew anything…

Knitting Journals

Introducing Liz Chandler’s Knitting Journals, a collection of meticulously designed notebooks…

5 Simple Tips to Keep Your Homestead Running Smoothly (Even When Life Feels Chaotic)

Running a homestead can feel like a never-ending list of things to do, especially when life’s other…

Harvesting Carrots

A Mystery Critter and a Happy Haul I offered to harvest carrots while Mom was out of town, figuring…

Cozy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Fall is in full swing and there is nothing better than a warm and cozy bowl of chicken and rice…

School Colors Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

Hello, friends! Halloween is right around the corner (this week!), and my son has just decided on…

What I Did When My Hens Stopped Laying in the Coop

There are downsides to free-ranging hens. Obviously, predators can be a huge risk to your chickens…

Rice Stitch Afghan Free Knitting Pattern

Rice Stitch Afghan A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels Make a cozy Rice Stitch Afghan…

Building Your Backyard Garden from Scratch: Essential Tips for Success

If you’re moving into a new home or just itching to change up your outdoor space, building your…

Cozy Up with Fall Knitting

The air’s getting crisp, the leaves are starting to change, and it’s the perfect time to cozy up…

Tarantula Migration

Tarantulas Wandering in Southwest Colorado: A Unique Natural Phenomenon Every fall, a fascinating…

10 Tips for Starting Your Homestead: Simple Steps to Turn Your Dream into Reality

If you’re dreaming of a quiet, self-sufficient life surrounded by nature, starting a homestead…

Thriving as a Solo Parent Homesteader

Tips for Navigating Challenges with Animals, Land, and Nature when You’re the only Adult Being a…

Quiz! Discover Your Cozy Lifestyle

Discover Your Cozy Lifestyle Type with a Fun Quiz! Are you curious about how cozy your lifestyle…

Quick & Easy Ways to Add Coziness to Your Day

Even with a Busy Lifestyle, You Can Still Enjoy a Cozy Home Life gets hectic, but that doesn’t mean…

Screen-Free Travel with Kids: Knitting Your Way to a More Relaxing Journey

In today’s tech-focused world, it’s easy to hand kids a screen when traveling, but this often means…

Fast and Easy Knit Hat

Made using only knit stitches, this easy and fast hat is the simplest of all my hat knitting…

Where I Keep Baby Chicks

Stopping at the farm store when baby chicks are in season means I’ll be unable to resist…

Get Creative: Cozy Projects & Guides

Your cozy lifestyle is about more than just comfort; it’s about creativity too. Check out…

Cozy Lifestyle Basics

When life feels hectic, there’s nothing like coming home to a cozy, welcoming space. Whether you…

Enhance Your Cozy Lifestyle: Essentials & Guides

Discover some amazing ways to enhance your cozy lifestyle. These ideas can help you make your family…

Defeating Bindweed: A Gardener’s Battle

Pulling Weeds I spent yesterday rehabilitating my overgrown garden and my enemy number one?…

Planting Strawberries and Asparagus in Southwest Colorado’s Unique Soil

In southwest Colorado, gardening can sometimes feel like you’re trying to solve a tricky…

Rural Road Courtesy: A Handbook for Urban Transplants

Are you a small-town newcomer? Welcome! Let’s get you started with a guide to walking and…

Keeping Bears Out of the Chicken Coop

Essential Steps to Protect Your Flock in Bear Country Living in bear country means being the…

The Knitting Garden: Seedling Repotting

Plant Growth Spurts and Repotting Shenanigans Hope this update finds you in good spirits! Hold onto…

Knitting in the Sticks

How Country Living Wove Its Way into My Practical Knitting Adventures Life in the countryside isn’t…

The Calm Before the Snowstorm: Preparing in Colorado’s Fickle Weather

Snowstorm Prep in Southwest Colorado by Liz Chandler Ah, the weather in Colorado – as changeable as…

Wildlife Tales from My Colorado Craft Haven

Where Knitting Meets Critters and Gardens Host Gossip Sessions So, picture this: Southwest Colorado…

Starting Seedlings on New Year’s Day

My New Year’s Day tradition? Starting seedlings. Yes, I know it seems early, but the timing is…

My Knitting Garden

Welcoming Gardening into my Knitting Haven Dear fellow knitting enthusiasts, welcome to an exciting…

Knitting: A Timeless Resolution for the New Year

As the calendar flips to a new year, many of us scribble down resolutions like “go to the…

A Knitter’s Must-Haves

Exploring My Favorite Knitting Supplies Where do I get my knitting supplies? Why do I choose the…

Beginner Knitting Patterns

Knitting Patterns with only Knit and Purl Stitches Once you master knits and purls, you’ll be…

Customize Knits

Minimalist knitting patterns are simple to knit and you can make them over and over again. But your…

One-Size-Fits-Most Ribbed Hat Free Knitting Pattern

Ribbed Hat To make this ribbed hat, you will work in a simple knit, purl pattern. This will create a…

Basic Pillow Cover Free Knitting Pattern

Basic Pillow Covers This pattern will show you how to make simple pillow covers by knitting in the…

Ribbed Scarf Free Knitting Pattern

Ribbed Scarf With this pattern, you can create a cozy ribbed scarf. Alternate knits and purls to…

Choosing Knitting Tools

After picking out your yarn and knitting needles, you will have one last task: choosing knitting…

Choosing Knitting Needles

Once you have chosen your yarn, you will have another big decision to make before you can start…

Choosing Yarn for Knitting

When you start gathering your materials, choosing yarn for knitting will be one of your first and…

Switch from Knitting on Circular Needles to Knitting in the Magic Loop – Hat Decreases

When decreases make the top of a hat too small to work on your circular needles, you will need to…

Switch from Knitting in the Magic Loop to Knitting on Double Point Needles “DPNs”

If you begin a knitting project in the Magic Loop, you can switch to working on Double Point Needles…

Switch from Knitting on Double Point Needles “DPNs” to Knitting in the Magic Loop

You can switch between knitting methods while working on a project that you’ve been knitting…

Basic Cup Cozy Knitting Pattern

Basic Cup Cozy Free Knitting Pattern You can make your own basic cup cozy with this free knitting…

Weave in the Tail at the Base of Mitten Thumbs

At the base of your mitten thumb, you will probably have a yarn tail to weave in. When you use a…

Weave in Yarn Tails on Mitten Fingertips

After knitting a mitten and taking it off your needles, you will be left with loose ends at the tips…

Weave in the Cast-on Tail of Mittens

After you finish knitting a mitten, you will need to smooth out the jog left by your long-tail cast…

Weave in Loose Ends on Mittens

After knitting mittens, you will have four loose ends to weave in, just as you had with fingerless…

Weave in the Tail at the Base of Fingerless Glove Thumbs

If you used a stitch holder to separate and add your glove thumb, you will have a yarn tail and a…

Weave in Bind-off Tails in the Round

A standard bind off in the round will leave a yarn tail and a small jog where your knitted row ends…

Weave in the Cast-on Tail of Fingerless Gloves

At the beginning of your knit rounds, there will likely be a small jog near your slipknot. When you…

Weave in Loose Ends on Fingerless Gloves

After knitting fingerless gloves, you will have four loose ends to weave in. Using a darning needle…

Knit Off a Stitch Holder in the Magic Loop – Glove Thumb

After separating the sections of your glove with your stitch holder, you will knit the hand portion…

Knit Off Stitch Holders with DPNs – Knitting a Glove Thumb

After you have separated your glove thumb and hand with a stitch holder, you’ll knit the hand…

Bind Off in the Magic Loop

You can also use the Standard Bind Off to take the stitches off your needles when you have been…

Using Scrap Yarn Instead of Stitch Holders

If you need to use a stitch holder, but do not have one available, you can substitute a strand of…

Slip Stitches onto a Stitch Holder to Work Later

When you are knitting gloves or other shaped knitwear, you may need to separate groups of live…

Make One Right (M1R)

The “make one right” increase allows you to add stitches to knitted rows that are in…

Make One Left (M1L)

As its name suggests, the “make one left” increase is a left-leaning stitch. Use this…

Increases

Increases add live stitches to your knitted rows. This is useful in shaping knitwear. Gloves and…

Weave in the Cast-on Tail in the Round

At the beginning of your knit rounds, there will likely be a small jog near your slipknot. When you…

Weave in the Loose End on Hat Tops

Once you have taken your last stitches off the knitting needles, you can weave in your loose end to…

Draw Yarn Through Remaining Stitches

When a pattern instructs you to “draw yarn through the remaining stitches,” it is asking…

Finishing Knit Hats

After knitting a hat in the round, you will want to take it off the needles, then weave in your…

Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk)

For the slip, slip knit decrease (ssk), you will first slip two stitches as if to knit. Insert left…

Knit Two Together (k2tog)

To knit two together (k2tog), you will work into the front leg of two live stitches at the same…

Knitting Decreases – ssk & k2tog

To help shape your knitwear, you will need to know how to decrease. In knitting, decreases are a way…

Switch Needle Sizes in the Magic Loop

When you want to change the size of your stitches between sections of a project, you can switch…

Knit in the Magic Loop

The “Magic Loop” is a knitting method that allows you to knit small tubes in the round…

Bind Off in the Round on Circular Needles

To finish a knitted tube, such as an ear warmer or headband, you can bind off in the round on…

Switch Circular Needle Sizes When Knitting in the Round

As you knit in the round on circular needles, you may be asked to switch needle sizes. This is often…

Knit in the Round on Circular Needles

Just as with DPNs, you can also knit a seamless tube on circular needles. Like a double point…

Bind Off on Double Point Needles (DPNs)

To bind off in the round on DPNs (double point needles), you can use the same “Standard Bind Off”…

Switching Needle Sizes on DPNs

Sometimes you will need to switch needle sizes while working with double point needles (DPNs). This…

Knit in the Round on “DPNs” (Double Point Needles)

You can create a tube of knit fabric with double point needles (DPNs). This is done by casting your…

Switch Needle Sizes on Flat Knits

You will occasionally find a knitting pattern that asks you to switch needle sizes when you already…

The Magic Knot – Joining a New Ball of Yarn

As you knit, you will often find yourself coming to the end of a ball of yarn without your project…

Slipped Stitches Scarf

The Slipped Stitches Scarf Free Knitting Pattern I don’t usually share my knitting patterns…

sl1kw – Slipping Stitches to Add Texture to Knitting

In an earlier lesson you learned how to slip stitches purlwise at the edges of your work. Recall…

ktbl – Knit Thru the Back Loop to Twist Knit Stitches

Occasionally, patterns will ask you to “knit through the back loop” (ktbl) or “purl through the back…

sl1pw – Slip Stitches to Neaten the Edges of Knitting

Slipping a stitch means moving a live stitch from the right needle to the left needle without…

Frog

If you find a mistake that is too far back to easily correct, you can “frog” or unravel your…

Fix Slipped Knit Stitches

Before you can fix slipped knit stitches, you will need to know what they are and how to spot them…

Tink

Before you will be able to correct your mistake, you will need to get to the column in which…

Fix Dropped Knit Stitches

Dropping a stitch simply means a stitch has fallen off your needles at some point. This is one of…

Fix Twisted Knit Stitches

To fix a twisted knit stitch, it helps to know how twisted stitches happen. A stitch will become…

Bind Off in Pattern

After making a pattern of knits and purls, you will want to take your stitches off the needles in a…

Knit vs Purl

Did you make a knit stitch or a purl stitch? Learning to tell the difference between knits and purls…

Knot in Yarn Tails

After weaving in my loose end for a few stitches, I always tie my yarn tail onto one of my knit…

Weave in Bind-off Tail

The standard bind off will also leave a tail. This tail can be used to fix odd corner stitches at…

Weave in Cast-on Tail

A long-tail cast on, like most other cast ons, will always leave a tail. Learn how I weave in then…

Weave in Loose Ends on Flat Knits

After you bind off a piece of knitting, you will almost always have one or more yarn tails to weave…

How to Hold Yarn When Knitting

Before you start learning the knit stitch, you’ll need to know how to hold your yarn. Getting…

Turn Your Work When Knitting

After you have cast on all your stitches (or finished a row) in a flat knitting project, your…

Beginner Face Scrubby Free Knitting Pattern

Beginner Face Scrubby To learn the knit stitch, start with this simple Beginner Face Scrubby…

How to Make a Slipknot

The slipknot is frequently used in many types of fiber art, including knitting, crochet, and…

Heart Face Scrubby Free Knitting Pattern

Heart Face Scrubby Free Knitting Pattern A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsandPixels I’d…

Darn Cute Ear Warmer Headband

A knitting pattern by Liz @PurlsAndPixels,Written for Darn Good Yarn I am so excited to announce…

Holiday Pattern Roundup

Holiday DIY Craft Roundup Knitting, Crochet, and Craft Patterns from Liz @PurlsAndPixels With the…

Toilet Contour Rug & Bath Mat Free Knitting Pattern

Toilet Contour Rug & Bath Mat A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels This free…

Mitten Holiday Ornament Free Knitting Pattern

Mitten Holiday Ornament A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels This tiny mitten makes the…

Cherry Candy Cane Potholder Easy Free Knitting Pattern

Cherry Candy Cane Potholder An Easy Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels Knit a festive…

How to Knit Two at Once in the Round

How to knit two at once in the round Knitting one item at a time can be problematic when your gauge…

Little Frog Free Knitting Pattern

Little Frog Knitting Pattern A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels Knit this little frog…

Lucky Clover Cozy Free Knitting Pattern

Lucky Clover Cozy A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels Knit an adorable sweater for your…

Simple Coffee Cozy Easy Free Knitting Pattern

Simple Coffee Cozy A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels Knit an adorable sweater for…

Color Inspiration

Photos of Nature for Color Inspiration I love to photograph nature. It helps me focus on the beauty…

How to Wind a Center-Pull Yarn Ball

Whether you have unraveled a project or just have some leftover yarn, by now you probably have some…

Rice Stitch Baby Blanket Free Knitting Pattern

Rice Stitch Baby Blanket A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels This rice stitch baby…

Yarn Math

Calculate How Much Yarn is Leftover Trying to find out how much yarn you need for a project can…

Shipping Cookie Gifts

Shipping Cookie Gifts How to ship cookies for gifts and care packages This year the holiday budget…

Knitwear Size Guide

Knitwear Size Guide Unsure of which hat or mitten size to choose? Here are my standard sizing…

World of Warcraft Horde Symbol Hat, Free Knitting Chart

World of Warcraft Horde Symbol Knit Hat A Free Knitting Chart from Liz @PurlsAndPixels Yesterday I…

Mickey’s Birthday Cake, Inspired by Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Mickey’s Birthday Cake A Do-It-Yourself Guide from Liz @PurlsAndPixels When my little one…

DIY Learn to Knit Gift Set for Beginner Knitters

Do-It-Yourself Knitting Gift Set from Liz @ PurlsAndPixels Do you have a friend who always says…

Seed Stitch Washcloth Free Knitting Pattern

Seed Stitch Washcloth A Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels This easy and quick seed…

Knitting Gauge

Patterns often provide a “gauge” and ask you to “check your gauge” before you start. But…

Following Knitting Patterns

There are a  number of ways to keep your place in a knitting pattern as you work. When…

Reading Knitting Patterns

Much like recipes in baking, knitting patterns try to break down a project into simple steps to help…

Blocking Knits, When and How to Block Knitwear

Blocking Knits A Free Knitting Lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels You’ve done it!…

How to Tie Off & Weave in Loose Yarn Ends

How tie up loose yarn ends on your knitting A tutorial from Liz @PurlsAndPixels After you…

Bind Off or Cast Off Stitches to Finish Knitting

Once you have finished knitting a project, you will want to know how get your…

Fix Knitting Mistakes

Sometimes, you will notice a stitch in your knitting that looks just a bit strange. As you begin to…

How to Remove Labels from Beechnut Baby Food Jars with No Chemicals

Beechnut Baby Food Jars The new baby food jars from Beechnut are my absolute favorite. The canning…

Yard Sale Signs

So, I held my very first yard sale today! Well, actually it was a garage sale, since it was inside…

How to Knit the Purl Stitch

Now that you understand the knit stitch, you are ready to move on to your next knitting challenge:…

Frozen Snowflake Mittens

Frozen Snowflake Mittens: A Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler Are your hands a little chilly?…

Knitting Tension

Maintaining yarn tension in your knitting is essential to keeping your stitches even. If you do not…

How to Make the Knit Stitch

Once you have cast on your first stitches, you will be ready to begin your first knit stitch row…

Beginner Knit Scarf Easy Free Knitting Pattern

Beginner Knit Scarf An Easy Free Knitting Pattern from Liz @PurlsAndPixels My Beginner Knit Scarf…

How to Cast On Knitting Stitches

When you begin to knit, you’ll need to learn to put your initial stitches on your needles. In…

Knitting Materials, Choosing Yarn & Needles for Beginners

Gather Your Knitting Materials Before you can start knitting, you will need to collect a few things…

Learn to Knit – Index

Learn to Knit Online Free Knitting Lessons from Liz @purlsandpixels So you are ready to learn to…