Chunky Knit Candy Pillow Toy Free Pattern

Even kids and beginners can knit this easy Candy Toy Pillow. Get the printable PDF knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

A Fun, Squishy Project by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels 🍬

This cheerful project looks just like a giant wrapped candy, but it is really a chunky knit pillow toy. Soft, squishy, and playful, this knitting pattern is perfect for beginners of all ages. With super bulky yarn and only knit stitches in the round, you can make a colorful pillow that looks like candy. It is a great way to get kids excited about knitting and a fun project for adults who enjoy quick, creative knits.

⏱️ Time to make: 2 to 3 hours
🧶 Skill level: Beginner (kid-friendly)
🧵 Stitches used: Knit (in the round, no purling, no sewing)

The sweetest knitting project around. Knit the free and easy candy pillow toy with knitting instructions in this pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

This pillow is easy enough for kids to learn on and fun enough for adults who want a fast, playful project. Knit it in the round, stuff it with fluff, and tie up the ends to make it look like a wrapped piece of candy.

Prefer to knit offline?

This pattern is free to read below, but if you’d rather print it or save it for later, I’ve created a clean, ad-free PDF version for you.

  • Includes complete, row-by-row instructions
  • Easy to print or use on your tablet
  • Supports my small business 💖
Get the easy beginner and kid-friendly candy pillow toy knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Kids Can Knit This Free Chunky Knit Candy Pillow Pattern! 🎉

This pattern is a wonderful first project for kids. Since it uses only the knit stitch in the round, there are no tricky parts to slow you down. Kids can watch their pillow grow like magic and then proudly show off a candy pillow they made themselves. 🍬🧶

🍬 Beginner friendly: Only the knit stitch is needed.
🧶 Quick knit: Super bulky yarn means this works up in just a few hours.
🎁 Great gift: Kids can make one for friends, or you can surprise a candy lover.
🏡 Playful decor: Adds a pop of color and fun to bedrooms, playrooms, or the couch.

If you need help, there are instructions and video tutorials here on PurlsAndPixels for every step you’ll take:

Materials for the Free Chunky Knit Candy Pillow Pattern

Knitting Needles

  • 16-inch (41 cm) US No. 13 (9 mm) circular needle, or size needed to match gauge.

Yarn

Stuffing

A soft fiber toy/pillow filling like PolyFil.

Notions

Gauge

12 stitches x 15 rows = 4 x 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch on No. 13 (9.0 mm) needles. (Learn how to check your gauge here.)

Abbreviations

k = knit

Learn to knit the easiest and cutest toy around. The knit candy toy pattern lets you make your own stuffed candy pillow even if you are brand new to knitting. Perfect for kids and beginners, get the free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Instructions: Chunky Knit Candy Pillow Toy

(When complete, the toy will be about 12 inches long x 6 inches tall x 6 inches wide.)

Knit the Toy:

Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit in the round.

Row 1: Cast on 32 stitches. (32 stitches)

Row 2: Join the round (taking care not to twist stitches) and k 32. (32 stitches)

Rows 3 – 47: k 32. (32 stitches) [Work should measure 17 inches at this point.]

Row 48: Bind off loosely. Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20.32-cm) tail, and pull through. Weave in ends. Block if desired.

Stuff the Toy:

(video instructions)

Clip two 17-inch-long pieces of yarn from the ball.

Measure about 4 inches from the end of the work, then tie up one end of your pillow with one of the yarn pieces.

Put stuffing inside the knitted tube and fluff to make a round center.

Using the second piece of yarn, tie the remaining open end closed about 4 inches from the edge of the work.

Fluff your pillow into shape and you are all finished!

Printable version of this free knitting pattern

Printable Candy Knit Toy Pillow pattern PDF by Liz @PurlsAndPixels

How to Use a Knit Candy Toy Pillow

🍬 Hug it, squish it, and play with it!
🧸 Use it as a toy or pillow.
🎁 Knit a whole bowl of candy pillows in different colors.

Learn to knit the easiest and cutest toy around. The knit candy toy pattern lets you make your own stuffed candy pillow even if you are brand new to knitting. Perfect for kids and beginners, get the free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

©2025, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.

This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell handmade items created using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com so they may obtain a copy.

If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.

I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.

More Free Knitting Patterns You’ll Love

🛁 How to Knit a Washcloth: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Easy & Quick Chunky Knit Coffee Cozy: Perfect for Beginners

🙏 Gratitude Blanket Pattern: Cozy Comfort for Every Home

🧣 Beginner Knit Scarf Pattern: Simple and Beautiful

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

Beginner Chunky Knit Coaster

A Free Knitting Pattern by Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels ☕

Looking for an easy knitting pattern that kids and adults can enjoy? This beginner chunky knit coaster pattern is quick, practical, and a perfect way to learn the basics. Using only knit and purl stitches with chunky yarn on straight needles, you will create a sturdy, washable coaster in about an hour. It is a simple project that helps new knitters build confidence while making something useful.

⏱️ Time to make: 30 minutes to 1 hour
🧶 Skill level: Beginner (kid-friendly)
🧵 Stitches used: Knit and purl (worked flat)

Free Easy Beginner Chunky Knit Coaster

If you are teaching kids how to knit or just starting yourself, this coaster is the ideal first project. It works up quickly, lays flat, and still looks neat even if your stitches are uneven.

Why this pattern works so well for beginners:

🧶 Fast and forgiving: Chunky yarn knits up quickly with fewer stitches.
🧵 Simple stitches: Only knit stitches are needed.
Practical and fun: A coaster is a finished piece you can use right away or gift to someone special.

You may find yourself knitting an entire set for your coffee table or watching your kids make gifts they can be proud of.

🔗 Want more beginner-friendly patterns? Check out my free knitting tutorials and other cozy patterns!

Why Make Beginner Chunky Knit Coasters?

This project is more than just a practice square. It is a way to make something functional while learning:

Protects your table: Keeps surfaces safe from coffee rings, tea stains, and water drips.
🎁 Perfect for gifting: A handmade present that kids can proudly share with friends, family, or teachers.
🧶 Great stash buster: Use up leftover bulky yarn.
📘 Foundation project: The first beginner projects in my upcoming Kids Can Knit book.

Essential Skills for Your Easy Chunky Knit Coaster

Learn to Knit Online With Free Tutorials

New to knitting? You are in the right place. These free tutorials walk you through all the skills used in this project:

Want to learn more? Check out the full Learn to Knit Index or download the Free Knitting Starter Kit with printable PDFs and calm video walkthroughs.

Materials for Your Easy Chunky Knit Beginner Coasters

Knitting Needles

Circular Needles

Yarn

One 87-yard (5-ounce) skein of super-bulky (No. 6) yarn* (shown in Wool Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarn “Carousel”), in your choice of color).

  • One coaster uses approximately 9.6 yards (0.6 oz.)

*Weights estimated with Wool Ease Thick & Quick by Lion Brand Yarn; other yarn weights may vary.

Notions

Gauge

12 stitches x 15 rows = 4 x 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch on No. 13 (9.0 mm) needles. (Learn how to check your gauge here. But honestly, if you’re a brand new beginner, don’t worry about it. Just start following the pattern.)

Abbreviations

k = knit

Instructions: Beginner Chunky Knit Coaster

(Legs 7 inches to 15 inches [17.78 cm to 38.1  cm] around; measures 5 inches [12.7 cm] top to bottom)

Use the Long-Tail Cast On method. Knit flat, turning after each row.

Row 1: Cast on 10 stitches. (10 stitches)

Rows 2 – 18: k 10. (10stitches)

Row 19: Bind off loosely in k pattern. Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch (20.32-cm) tail, and pull through. Weave in ends. Block if desired.

Printable version of this free knitting pattern

Printable Easy Chunky Knit Coaster pattern PDF by Liz @PurlsAndPixels

Caring for Beginner Chunky Knit Coasters

If you use the materials called for in the pattern, your final product will be machine washable. To keep your coasters looking their best, hand wash or machine wash separately on delicate cycle in cold water. Lay flat to dry. Read more about how to care for handknits here.

2025, Liz Chandler of PurlsAndPixels.

This pattern is for personal use, gifting, and charitable donation of completed items. You may also sell handmade items created using this pattern. Do not copy this pattern and distribute it. If you’d like to share the pattern, refer your friends to my website, purlsandpixels.com so they may obtain a copy.

If you find any errors or have any questions, email purlsandpixels@gmail.com and I will do my best to help.

I’d love to see your finished work! Tag your photos with @PurlsAndPixels on Twitter or Instagram.

Create a Cozy Coffee Nook: Add Your New Handmade Coasters (and More) to the Kitchen

🍵 Quick & Easy Coffee Cup Cozy: Fun to Knit and Use

🧣Chunky Knit Scarf Pattern: Simple, Quick, and Beautiful

🥾 Easy Chunky Knit Boot Cuffs

🙏 Gratitude Blanket Pattern: Cozy Comfort for Every Home

🛁 Double-Thick Cotton Washcloth Pattern: Knits Up in No Time

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

What Does “BO” Mean in Knitting?

Knitting Abbreviations: BO= Bind Off. Or be over depending on your day. Find more knitting abbreviations from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Hint: Sometimes It Means Be Over 🧶

Every knitting project eventually needs to end, and that is where BO comes in. In a pattern, BO = bind off.

It is the instruction that tells you how to finish your stitches so they do not unravel. Think of it as plating up your dish after cooking—it seals everything together so it is ready to enjoy.

👉 Example: “BO all sts” means “bind off all stitches.”

The Real Meaning of BO in Knitting

Binding off closes the stitches on your needle. Without it, your work would quickly unravel. Just as casting on is the start, binding off is the finish line.

How to Take Knitting Stitches Off the Needles – Bind Off Knit Stitches

There are different bind off methods (standard, stretchy, sewn), but they all secure your stitches so your project is complete.

👉 Want to learn step by step? Learn the standard bind off in my free lesson.

The Twist: BO = Be Over

Sometimes the best part of a project is finishing it. When you bind off that last stitch, it means the counting, the tangles, and the endless rows can finally be over. 🥳

So remember: BO = Be Over. The project is done, ready to show off or wrap up as a gift.

Knitting Abbreviations: BO= Bind Off. Or be over depending on your day. Find more knitting abbreviations from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Why BO Matters for Beginners

Binding off is what makes a project usable. Without it, you just have loose loops. With it, you have something finished, secure, and ready to wear or gift.

✨ Want to practice? Try these beginner-friendly projects:

🛁 Your First Washcloth

🧣Easy Garter Stitch Scarf

🧶 Beginner Classics Pattern Bundle

📚 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns

These easy patterns are a great place to start, knit, and bind off. They’re so simple, they’ll be over before you know it!

Find More Abbreviations

Visit the Knitting Abbreviations Main Page to see the whole series.

What’s Next?

Now that you know BO = bind off (and sometimes be over), you are ready to keep exploring the knitting shorthand. Next up: **= repeat the pattern between the asterisks.

👉 Don’t miss the rest of the series. Sign up for my email updates below and I will send the next lesson straight to your inbox!

Circular Knitting Needles: A Pair or One Tool?

Is it one knitting needle or a set? About circular needles with Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Unraveling a Mystery 🧶

I was just working on my upcoming kids’ knitting book when I froze mid sentence. Wait a second. If you are knitting with circulars, is it one needle or two? That little question stopped me in my tracks, and it might have you wondering too.

A pair of knitting needles. Are circular knitting needles one or two? Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

If you are brand new to knitting, the tools can be a little confusing. People often talk about “a pair of knitting needles” (two sticks that work together to hold stitches and make fabric). That is the classic picture most of us carry in our heads when we think of knitting.

But what happens when you pick up a circular knitting needle? Technically, it is one tool: a flexible cord with two needle tips attached. You buy it as one piece, and you can knit flat projects or tubes with it. It has two ends, but it is not really a “pair.”

So is it one needle, or two? Here is the simple way to think about it:

  • Straight needles: Always used in pairs, one in each hand.
  • Circular needles: One tool, two working tips.

When you teach kids (or beginners of any age), circulars make life easier. No chasing runaway needles, no juggling extra sticks. You can knit small or big projects with the same tool. In fact, for my kids’ book, every single project is knit on just one circular needle from start to finish.

A scarf made with just one (two-ended) circular knitting needle. From Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Why this matters

Getting the words right helps beginners feel confident. If I say “pair of needles” while holding one circular, that sounds like a trick. Instead, I explain: this is one circular needle with two ends. That way, beginners know exactly what they are holding and how it works.

A little history

Before circulars came along, knitting almost always meant two straight needles. That is why so many patterns and older books say “a pair of needles.” The first U.S. patent for a circular knitting needle was issued in 1918 (check out the patent to see the original sketches: U.S. Patent US1286125A). Those early versions looked different, but the idea took off in the mid 20th century once flexible cables were easier to make. Today, both straights and circulars are common, but the phrase “pair of needles” stuck around.

And if you have seen modern interchangeable needle sets (where you can swap tips and cords to make whatever length you need), you know the tools are still evolving. One tool, many ways to knit. No needle left behind!

Pick out your first set of knitting needles with this lesson about choosing knitting needles for beginners from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

The philosophy

Knitting is full of traditions, but also full of choices. You might grow up hearing one way and then find a different tool that fits you better. Neither is wrong; it just depends on what feels right in your hands. What matters is that the yarn keeps looping and you keep having fun.

So, one needle or a pair?

The answer is: it depends on the type. But if you are holding a circular, you can call it one. Your projects will turn out just as cozy either way. And honestly, no matter what you call them, the stitches do not care; they just keep lining up, happy to become something new. In the end, it is all part of unraveling a mystery that makes knitting fun to learn and even more fun to share.

Find Knitting Needles

Looking for a needle of your own… or maybe two? Find my favorite knitting needles in this Amazon collection (affiliate link).

🧣 Easy Chunky Knit Scarf Pattern: Simple, Quick, and Beautiful

🛁 How to Knit a Washcloth: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

🙏 Gratitude Blanket Pattern: Cozy Comfort for Every Home

Easy & Quick Chunky Knit Coffee Cozy: Perfect for Beginners

Don’t Miss a Stitch! 🧶

Love cozy knitting projects? Sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

Don’t Stress: Just Pick Brown Yarn for Fall

Just pick brown. Brown is the cozy, practical yarn color trending for fall 2025. Why brown yarn works, what to knit & more from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Every fall, the fashion world tries to make yarn colors sound fancier than they are. They slap names on brown like Woodland Mist Fairy After the Dew or Autumn Spice Latte Glow. Cute, sure, but let’s be real: in the yarn aisle, it is just brown. And that is exactly why I love it.

Most mornings I spill coffee on myself before I even finish the first sip. Brown yarn does not mind. The knit still looks good, and I can keep stitching without worrying about stains. That is stress-free knitting: no panic, no perfection required, just cozy stitches moving along. While fashion houses parade “Mocha Mousse” and “Cinnamon Swirl” down the runway, I am over here saying: call it what you want, it is still brown. But it works. Life is messy, and brown shrugs it off.

Brown is the color of blankets you curl up in, mugs you wrap your hands around, and leaves crunching under your boots. It goes with jeans, it does not beg for attention, and it always feels timeless whether you are knitting a scarf or a washcloth. Forget the fancy names; just pick brown.

Fall 2025 color trend? Mocha mousse, woodland forest camo, sequoia, whatever the fancy shade name, just pick brown yarn this autumn knitting season. Read more from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Why Brown Works

  • Practical: Brown hides everyday mishaps. Coffee, cocoa, or soup, brown yarn shrugs it off and keeps looking good.
  • Versatile: It goes with everything: black, denim, jewel tones, neutrals. Brown makes mismatched outfits look intentional.
  • Cozy factor: Brown just feels like fall. It has the same warmth as your favorite hoodie and a fresh cup of coffee.
  • Classic: Trends come and go, but brown stays steady. It is the color that never gets shoved to the back of the closet.
Just pick brown. Brown is the cozy, practical yarn color trending for fall 2025. Why brown yarn works, what to knit & more from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

If You Want to Stay Trendy

Brown is on trend right now. Fashion houses are calling it Mocha Mousse and pairing it with jewel tones. If you want to lean into the fashion flavor of fall 2025, try mixing brown with:

  • Rust orange or copper: Warm and autumnal.
  • Burgundy or plum: Rich and elegant.
  • Olive green: Earthy, with a little extra depth.
  • Mustard yellow: A cheerful contrast.

Brown makes these accent colors look even better. Whether you keep it plain or add a pop, you are still in step with what is hot, without needing a runway pass.

PurlsAndPixels Knitting Patterns That Shine in Brown Yarn

Woolease Thick and Quick "Sequoia" is Liz Chandler's fall yarn color pick. A cozy blend of brown hues makes a great yarn for knitting. Or, just pick your favorite brown and start knitting! Read more at PurlsAndPixels.

Easy Chunky Knit Scarf (beginner scarf knitting pattern)

  • Big, squishy garter stitch rows let brown yarn do its thing.
  • In a super bulky brown yarn, this scarf looks boutique-worthy. And you get bragging rights for making it.
  • Free Knitting Pattern: Get it now and knit a scarf that is simple, classic, and forgiving if life gets messy.

Easy Chunky Ribbed Hat (easy ribbed hat pattern)

  • Brown yarn makes ribbing look crisp, clean, and classic.
  • Pop a pom-pom on top in cream, rust, or burgundy for a little flair.
  • Free Knitting Pattern: Get it it now and knit a matching cozy hat in a flash.

Garter Stitch Washcloths (knitting washcloth pattern)

  • Practical but never boring. A set of these handknit washcloths in chocolate brown looks cozy and hides wear.
  • Knit two-tone washcloths with cotton yarn in brown and olive or plum. Perfect for everyday use or as a handmade gift set.
  • Free Knitting Patterns: Get the solid color washcloth or two tone washcloth pattern and knit a set of handmade towels.

My Take on This Year’s Woodland Color Pallette

You do not need a fancy palette name to make beautiful knits this season. Just pick brown. It is simple, timeless, and easy to wear. I will be working up my samples in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in the color Sequoia (get it at this Amazon Affiliate link), a gorgeous spin of multiple browns twisted together. It shows how a mix of browns can feel warm, modern, and cozy all at once.

Woolease Thick and Quick "Sequoia" is Liz Chandler's fall yarn color pick. A cozy blend of brown hues makes a great yarn for knitting. Or, just pick your favorite brown and start knitting!

If you want to dress it up with a pop of rust or deep purple, go for it. Either way, you will be knitting something that feels on-trend today and looks good for years.

Knit this Cozy Hat & Scarf Set

Or just pick brown yarn and knit your favorite fall pattern today!

🧣 Get the free Easy Chunky Scarf Pattern and knit it in your favorite brown (easy, stylish, and fall 2025 ready).

🥳 Make the free Easy Chunky Ribbed Hat Pattern in the same color for a matching set.

🍂 Cozy Up with Fall Knitting: More Fall-inspired Knitting Projects

🧶 Browse all PDF patterns in the shop and pick your next cozy project.

Read More

Don’t Miss a Stitch!

Love cozy knitting projects? Join me on YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram! And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more free patterns, helpful tips, and updates straight to your inbox. 💌

What Does “CO” Mean in Knitting?

Knitting Abbreviations: CO = Cast On. Or can't overthink depending on your day. Find more knitting abbreviations from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Hint: Sometimes It Means Can’t Overthink 🧶

Every knitting project starts with CO. In a pattern, CO = cast on.

It is the instruction that tells you how many stitches to load onto your needle before you can even begin. Think of it as the first ingredients in a recipe. Without them, you cannot start cooking.

👉 Example: “CO 30” means “cast on thirty stitches.”

Learn to cast on knit stitches a knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels

The Real Meaning of CO in Knitting

Casting on creates the very first row of stitches. It sets the foundation and stitch count for your whole project.

How to Start Your Knitting – The Long-Tail Cast On for Beginners

There are a few different cast on methods (long-tail, knitted, cable), but they all do the same thing: get stitches on your needles so you can start knitting. Many knitters even say casting on is the hardest part. Once you clear that hurdle, the rest gets easier.

👉 Want to learn step by step? Learn to cast on in my free lesson.

The Twist: CO = Can’t Overthink

Yes, casting on can feel fiddly. Your yarn twists, your fingers forget what they are doing, and you start thinking, “If this is the first step, how will I ever knit a sweater?”

That is when you remind yourself: CO = can’t overthink.
The first row does not need to be perfect. It just needs to exist. Once you have stitches on the needle, you are on your way.

Knitting Abbreviations: CO = Cast On. Or can't overthink depending on your day. Find more knitting abbreviations from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Why CO Matters for Beginners

Once you have cast on, you can start anything. Scarves, blankets, hats, socks—you name it. It is the universal starting point.

✨ Want to practice? Try these beginner-friendly projects:

🛁 Your First Washcloth

🧣Easy Garter Stitch Scarf

🧶 Beginner Classics Pattern Bundle

📚 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns

These simple, beginner knitting projects are a great place to start casting on without overthinking.

Find More Abbreviations

Visit the Knitting Abbreviations Main Page to see the whole series.

What’s Next?

Now that you know CO = cast on (and sometimes can’t overthink), you are ready to keep exploring the knitting shorthand. Next up: k = knit and p = purl, the stitches you will use most.

👉 Don’t miss the rest of the series. Sign up for my email updates below and I will send the next lesson straight to your inbox!

Knitting, Wellness, and the Science of Flow 🧶

Learn the science behind knit wellness. Knitting can make you happy. Ask science!

When I pick up my needles, I’m not just making a scarf or a cozy washcloth. I’m slipping into what researchers call a flow state: a space where everyday stress softens, worries melt, and the world feels lighter stitch by stitch. In my cozy home at PurlsAndPixels, knitting is more than craft; it’s therapy spun from yarn. And the best part? Science agrees. Knitting, wellness, and flow go hand in hand.

Picking up your knitting is relaxing. Don't believe me? Ask science.

The Brain on Knitting

Knitting is a form of mindful handwork. That gentle rhythm – knit, purl, knit, purl – activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress and calming the body, as shown in a study by Riley and colleagues. Translation: your heart rate steadies, your breath evens out, and suddenly you’re not the frazzled squirrel who misplaced her acorn stash.

Scientists studying activities that require “just the right amount” of challenge, like music practice or martial arts, call this balance flow. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi found that flow sparks happiness, builds resilience, and strengthens learning. Knitting hits the sweet spot: engaging enough to keep your mind busy but repetitive enough to soothe.

Knitting as Moving Meditation

Mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting cross-legged trying not to think about what’s for dinner. Knitting is mindfulness in motion. A study on textile crafts found that 81% of knitters felt happier after a session, with many noticing less stress and sharper clarity.

I can tell you from experience: when life feels noisy, my needles ground me. Each row reminds me that progress doesn’t have to be fast to be powerful.

Picking up your knitting is relaxing. Don't believe me? Ask science.

The Knitting Wellness Benefits, Stitch by Stitch

Here’s why knitting deserves a spot in your self-care routine:

  • Stress reduction: Repetitive stitching lowers cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, according to a study by Riley and colleagues.
  • Mood boost: Flow activities release dopamine, the “feel-good” brain chemical Csikszentmihalyi, 1990.
  • Cognitive support: Counting stitches and reading patterns keep your memory sharp and flexible Corkhill et al., 2014.
  • Community connection: Community connection: Knitting circles knit more than yarn; they build social ties that protect long-term health Park et al., 2014.
  • Crossing the midline: Crossing the midline: Many knitting movements involve hands crossing the body’s centerline, which occupational therapists highlight as a way to support coordination and brain integration (Math & Movement article).

Every project is secretly a brain workout and a spa day rolled into one. 💪 🛁

Making Flow Work for You

Want to capture that sweet knitting calm? Try this:

  1. Pick a Goldilocks project. Too easy and you’ll drift. Too hard and you’ll tense up. Choose a just-right challenge. (My Gratitude Blanket Pattern is a great place to start)
  2. Create your nest. Good light, a comfy chair, and maybe tea (or wine – I’m not here to judge).
  3. Let go of perfection. Flow is about being absorbed, not flawless edges or magazine-worthy tension.
Some of the coziest home decor is handmade, like my chunky Gratitude Blanket. Knit along with the free knitting pattern from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels

The Bottom Line

Knitting isn’t just craft; it’s self-care disguised as creativity. Whether you’re learning your first stitches or casting on a complicated lace shawl, you’re giving your brain a reset while making something beautiful. Around here, I call that staying sharp with pointy sticks.


A Little Disclaimer

I am a knitter, not a doctor. The information above is for educational and inspirational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have health concerns, please consult a licensed healthcare provider. 💞


✨ Ready to Knit?

Try these relaxing, beginner-friendly patterns:

🧣 Simple Ribbed Scarf

🛁 Classic Seed Stitch Washcloth

🥳 Beginner Stockinette Hat

🧶 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns

Join My Knitting Community

Knitting is better with friends. Share your progress, ask questions, and connect with other beginners:

📱 Instagram: @PurlsAndPixels

📍 Pinterest

🏷️ Tag your posts: @PurlsAndPixels

💌 Sign up for my email list below and get all the cozy updates

What Does “p” Mean in Knitting?

Knitting abbreviations: what does p mean? Purl Stitch. Learn more with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Hint: Sometimes It Means Please Skedaddle 🧶

Decoding knitting abbreviations doesn’t need to overwhelm like cracking the Rosetta Stone. You’ve already mastered “k.” The very next abbreviation you’ll meet is “p,” and once you learn it, whole new textures and possibilities open up.

So, what does “p” mean in knitting? Let’s find out.

Knitting abbreviations: what does p mean? Purl Stitch. Learn more with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

The Real Meaning of “p” in Knitting

In a knitting pattern, p = purl stitch.

If you see “p3,” that means “purl three stitches.” If you see “p to end,” that means “purl every stitch across the row.”

Learn how to make the purl stitch, a knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

The purl stitch is the companion to the knit stitch: you’ll use it just as often, and together, knit and purl are the foundation of almost every pattern you’ll ever try.

👉 Want to practice the purl stitch step by step? Learn to make a purl stitch in this free lesson.

The Twist: p = Please Skedaddle

Of course, knitters know there’s a second meaning to “p.”

p = please skedaddle.

Why? Because when you’re counting stitches, nothing throws you off faster than someone talking to you. That’s when you whisper, “please skedaddle, I’m counting.” A true knitter’s plea.

Knitting Abbreviations: P = Purl Stitch. Or Please Skedaddle depending on your day. Find more knitting abbreviations from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Why “p” Matters for Beginners

Once you know how to purl, you unlock the ability to create textures and patterns that go beyond the basics. Stockinette, ribbing, seed stitch: all of these rely on purl stitches.

✨ Ready to practice? Try these beginner-friendly patterns that mix knits and purls:

🧣 Simple Ribbed Scarf

🛁 Classic Seed Stitch Washcloth

🥳 Beginner Stockinette Hat

🧶 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns

These projects use a combination of knit and purl stitches, making them perfect for building confidence.

Find More Abbreviations

Visit the Knitting Abbreviations Main Page to see the whole series.

What’s Next?

Now that you know p = purl stitch (and sometimes please skedaddle), you’re ready to keep exploring the knitting shorthand. Next up: CO = cast on, the very beginning of every project.

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