If you’re looking for a quirky way to make use of your knitting skills this season, did you know you can actually knit with pencils? It’s a fun approach to knitting that kids are particularly likely to enjoy! So let’s take a closer look…
How to get started with knitting with pencils
Start with two standard pencils. These can be any type, but the soft lead variety tends to be the easiest to use. Use a quality yarn, such as DK yarn from Wool Couture. Thinner yarns tend to be easier to work with when it comes to pencil knitting. You’ll need a pencil sharpener to keep your pencil point sharp and scissors to trim your yarn.
Prepare the pencil needles
Prepare the pencils by sharpening each end with a sharpener or sandpaper until they are very pointed and able to pierce through the yarn strands. Sharpen each end equally and check they have no jagged edges so the yarn doesn’t snag as you work.
Create your stitches
Your needles are now in place so you can begin to cast on in the same way that you would with a regular set of knitting needles. Grab your yarn ball and make a slip knot onto one of your pencils. Hold it in your dominant hand tightly and create the first stitch with the other by wrapping the yarn around each of the pencils. Continue the process to create a chain of stitches. You’ll find that you quickly get into the rhythm of this.
Use the knit stitch and purl
The knit stitch is knitting’s most basic stitch and you can use it when you knit with pencils too. Again, use your dominant hand as you wrap the yarn around both of the pencils, in the same way that you would with standard knitting needles. You can also use purling to add texture to your project. Cast off when you have finished your project and then trim the edge of the yarn
Try this project for something new and fun and add a new string to your knitting bow!
