Knits in a Day: 40 Quick Knits to Cast On and Complete in Three Hours or Less

Introduction

Most knitters I know always have a few projects on the needles at any given time, I believe not out of a lack of attention span but because there are a variety of knitting cravings to satisfy. Just as we sometimes hunger for savory or hearty items and sometimes for sweet treats, our knitting palates are wide-ranging. I think of intricate lace shawls and Fair Isle or cabled sweaters—larger projects that take concentration and a little patience—as savory. On the other hand, quick-to-knit colorful cowls, scarves, fingerless mitts, hats, and the like are decidedly sweet, and this book is filled with such delectable morsels. Sure, you’ll find cables, bobbles, texture, lace, and colorwork, but all in bite-size pieces that make them deliciously indulgent.

Each project can easily be cast on and bound off in just a few hours. Of course, knitting speed varies widely, but we asked our designers to focus on projects that could be completed in three hours or less by the average knitter. Some may take slightly more time and others quite a bit less. But with the knowledge that the time commitment is small and the possibly new skill elements worked over a small span of knitting, I hope that you’ll be encouraged to try color-work or cables, bobbles or lace, or other techniques that you might find intimidating on a larger item. At the end of the day, you’ll have a gorgeous new piece of knitwear or a fabulous hand-knit gift.

Great for stash-busting or using small amounts of a luxury yarn, the patterns in this book will satisfy your candy knitting cravings every time!

Candi Derr

ZIGZAG HEADBAND

Design by Sarah Sundermeyer

This unique headband is perfect for keeping your ears warm on cold winter mornings. Knit with just a quarter of a skein of worsted weight yarn, it can be whipped up in an hour or two. Increases and decreases are used throughout the headband to create its interesting zigzag shape, and a simple lace pattern adds interest and texture. It is knit end to end, and the headband tapers off into points to allow for a simple button closure at the back of the neck.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

22 x 2 in. (56 x 5 cm)

YARN

Malabrigo Rios; medium weight #4 yarn; 100% merino wool; 210 yd. (192 m) and 3.5 oz. (100 g) per skein

» 1 skein #136 Sabiduria Project usage: 45–60 yd. (41–55 m)

NEEDLES AND OTHER MATERIALS

» U.S. size 6 (4 mm) knitting needles

» Stitch marker

» Small button

GAUGE

20 sts x 24 rows in St st, blocked = 4 in. (10 cm)

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.

STITCH PATTERN

Zigzag Stitch

Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7: K2, yo, k2tog, ssk, [k2, yo] twice, k2tog, k1.

Rows 2, 4, 6, and 8: P2, yo, p2tog, p6, yo, P2tog, P1.

Rows 9, 11, 13, and 15: K2, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k1.

Rows 10, 12, 14, and 16: P2, yo, p2tog, p6, yo, p2tog, p1.

Headband

CO 4 sts.

Increases

Rows 1, 3, and 5: Purl.

Row 2: K2, yo, k2.

Row 4: K1, kfb, kfb, k2.

Row 6: K2, yo, k3, yo, k2.

Row 7: P2, yo, p2tog, p2, yo, p2tog, p1.

Row 8: K2, yo, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2.

Row 9: P2, yo, p2tog, p5, yo, p2tog, p1.

Row 10: K2, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k4, yo, k2tog, k1.

Rows 11 and 13: P2, yo, p2tog, p6, yo, p2tog, p1.

Rows 12 and 14: K2, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, k2tog, k1, yo, k2tog, k1.

Row 15: P2, yo, p2tog, p6, yo, p2tog, p1.

Chart

Work the stitch pattern from Zigzag Chart (page 5) or written instructions (page 3) 7 times.

Work Rows 1–12 of the stitch pattern once more, then begin decreasing.

Decreases

Row 1: K2, yo, k2tog, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1.

Row 2: P2, yo, p2tog, p5, yo, p2tog, p1.

Row 3: K2, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k1.

Row 4: P2, yo, p2tog, p3, yo, p2tog, p1.

Row 5: K2, yo, k2tog, k3tog, yo, k2tog, k1.

Row 6: P2, yo, p2tog, p1, yo, p2tog, p1.

Row 7: K2, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, k1.

Row 8: P2, yo, p2tog, yo, p2tog, p1.

Row 9: K2, k2tog, k2tog, k1.

Row 10: P2, p2tog, p1.

BO all sts knitwise.

Finishing

Block out the zigzag edges and sew a button that will fit through the yarn over on Row 2 onto the BO end of the headband.

About Sarah Sundermeyer

Sarah loves designing quick, useful knits for any season, and specializes in accessories with rich textures and elegant shapes. She is constantly working on new patterns, inspired by her prodigious yarn stash and the world around her. She has been knitting for many years, and continues to develop her skills in knitting, designing, spinning, dyeing, and crocheting.

HOMAGE TO MRS. HUNTER COWL

Design by Neisha Abdulla

Homage to Mrs. Hunter Cowl is a practical and versatile knit that will add to any wardrobe. The piece can be worn as a cozy neck warmer or a stylish headband.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference: Approximately 20 in. (51 cm)

Depth: Approximately 5 in. (13 cm)

YARN

Debbie Bliss Winter Garden; super bulky #6 yarn; 30% llama, 30% wool, 20% silk, 20% linen; 109 yd. (100 m) and 3.5 oz. (100 g) per hank

» 1 hank #02 Autumn Leaf

NEEDLES AND OTHER MATERIALS

» U.S. size 13 (9 mm) 16 in. (40 cm) circular needle or a set of 5 doublepointed needles

»Stitch marker

»Tapestry needle

GAUGE

10 sts x 16 rows = 4 in. (10 cm)

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain gauge.

Pattern

CO 52 sts and join to work in the round, being careful to make sure sts are not twisted. Place marker for beginning of round.

Rnd 1: Knit.

Rnd 2: *Sl 1, k3, psso; rep from * to end of rnd.