Free Patterns: Nerd Crafts

I've been vowing to make more things for my own use for as long as I can remember. It is hard to dedicate a large amount of time on a project for myself. It feels selfish! Only certain projects can really stir up the desire to make something for myself. Usually those projects have a certain...geekiness to them.

Here we have a round-up of some free patterns for the crafty nerd in each of us. Perhaps you can convince yourself to whip up a little something for you if the project is delightfully nerdy. -winkwink-

Find the pattern here

I could not resist setting to work on this pattern as my first foray in knitting dishcloths. It is bigger on the inside, you know. (Hurhurhurrr) The chart is very easy to read, and it worked up quickly!! I made two of these cloths: one for me and one for my dear friend Becca. I have quite a bit of blue cotton yarn left from these projects, so there may be a few more in the future.

Side Note: Look at that spiffy coffee mug! The TARDIS disappears and reappears on the other side of the mug when it is filled with a hot beverage. Delightful!

Find the pattern here

 I know I wrote about this Direwolf Cowl before, but it deserves to be mentioned again. The pattern is written for double knitting, but I instead used it as a guide by which to stitch the direwolf onto the cowl afterwards. Very easy!!

Find the pattern here

This pattern marries two of my great loves: yarn crafts and patterns worn by characters on shows/movies I enjoy. This particular scarf is modeled after one worn by Luna Lovegood in the 7th Harry Potter movie. There are many versions of this scarf, but I like this pattern best. It is easy, beautiful, and fun. In fact, I was so fond of the finished product, I rewrote the pattern to make it an infinity scarf and made one for myself. You can expect to see it soon!!

Those are the patterns I have used so far. Here are some free nerdy patterns I want to make soon!

Amy Pond's Pandorica Opens Scarf

Vincent and Amy Pond Scarf

Harry Potter Bookscarves

A Practical Animal Cracker Hat

The Weasley Sweater

Bow Ties Are Cool Washcloth

Have you made any of these patterns? Do you have another favorite nerdy pattern?

Happy Thursday!
-Carolyn
Linkin' up at these fine sites!

Luna Lovegood Scarf: Free Pattern by Jen Valure on Ravlery

Aww, yeah. Luna as in Luna Lovegood, folks. I made this scarf for my Grandma for Christmas. Please note, she is not a Luna Lovegood fan, nor Harry Potter fan at all. The fact that this is an "accessory from a movie that some cool people figured out the pattern for" held no weight in my decision to make this pattern for her. Well, maybe it held a little weight, because it made me smile. But other than that, it was selected on a purely aesthetic basis.

That said, how beautiful is this scarf?? While anguishing over what to make my Grandmother for Christmas, I happened upon this lovely lil thang. I wanted to crochet her something that was not only beautiful, but also warm. I selected a lovely brushed wool for the scarf because it not only has a gorgeous fibery halo, but it is also oh-so cozy.

 The pattern, which can be found here, worked up really fast with stunning results. That is what makes me love crochet work. I've been cheating on it a lot as of late with it's two-needled cousin, and if felt really nice to pick up a hook again. The first love is always the deepest, right? Yeah?

The fibery halo I was talking about earlier. Mhhhhh. Wool.

I think I may even make myself one using this pattern. But perhaps as an infinity scarf? That could take some fiddling, but it'd be worth it.

Holla at me, Luna fans!!




Happy Friday home dogs!
-Carolyn


Pattern (c) Jen Valure

Linkin' up at these fine sites!

Arsenal Socks and Scarf

 You may have already spied this scarf in my post on Monday about giving handmade gifts, but let me tell you, this set needs a post of its own. Because reasons.

My cousin (who is 13 years old and incredibly fancy) requested socks for Christmas. Handmade socks, even. A boy after my own heart! I was more than happy to oblige. After some reconnaissance, I discovered that the colors he requested for the socks were the colors of a certain London soccer team known as Arsenal. High class, this kid.

Since scarves are winners in the world of soccer swag, I decided I'd make him a scarf to go with the socks. I ordered the yarn from KnitPicks and got ready to rock.

"Make the scarf first," I said to myself, "It'll take longer"

 What do they always say? Best laid plans of mice and men? Yeah. Well...the scarf did take longer. So much longer that I finished it two days before Christmas and had to do an I.O.U. note about the socks. Opppps.

 But, I think, they are worth the wait!! They are washable thanks to KnitPicks' awesome selection of sock yarn, and they are everything I imagined they would be. I have forbade myself to try them on, because I do not want to know that they also fit me. Because I may keep them. Sooooccckkkssss.

 The heel is a No Wrap No Gap heel from this tutorial. I was told it would be soooo easy, and it looked like it would on the first read-through. Then, while attempting to knit it, I forgot how to math and had to restart a few times. Then the baby stole all my focus so I had to write out the entire pattern and mark off rows when I finished them. But, I am pleased with the outcome! And I will certainly make heels with this method again.

While setting up this photo I went a little nuts when the book matched perfectly to the colors of the socks. I feel so pro.

Texture, yo

 The toe is a star toe. Is that what they are called, for real? I read the name in a sock book once, and it seemed legit. I just evenly spaced the decreases over several rounds. Star toe sounds magical. So it's a star toe, at least in my book.

Hipsteeerrrr. It had to be done. I regret nothing.

I really need to make myself some socks. It's been so cold here!! -30's is not okay. Not okay at all.

Happy Thursday!!
-Carolyn

Linkin' up at these fine sites!