Roarrrrr……is it a monster or is it a rooster? Emily from TheBoyTrifecta has instructions for crocheting head spikes….and what developing monster child doesn’t need head spikes? Head spikes keep ones noggin toasty, and are the perfect addendum to any winter cap (they can be easily modified for heads of all sizes….perhaps your favorite banker or librarian needs one this season)

Christina of MeadowLarking has an amazing tutorial on CraftZine, How-To: Cyanotype Print on Handknits and Crochet! This hand printing technique is uniquely suited for knit and crocheted items. We adore the wonderful effects one can achieve by varying the yarn color and design motifs! Perhaps you could make a collection on handmade potholders emblazoned with William Morris motifs…… or maybe baby sweaters adorned with vintage alphabet illustrations.

We heard that Peter sewer extraordinaire from MalePattenBoldness has a weakness for the ever iconic Ken® doll by Mattel. Here are some swingin’ free knit patterns from “Clothes for Fashion Model Dolls” (Hilda, 1963) for that handsome all-American dude, courtesy of the fabulous folks at VintageKnitting. We are particularly enamored of this bulky turtleneck pullover sweater, and would love to see it made up in a hip-tastic heathered charcoal grey yarn.

Even babies love bell-bottom pants. The super Alison from TheBlueBlogPatterns developed this whimsical quick and easy pattern for cozy knit pants for her baby. She says that the garter stitch border at the bottom accentuates the slight bell shaping and the elastic at the waist helps keep the pants up. I imaging these made up in a softly variegated denim blue yarn, or maybe in a perky devilish crimson!

Morag at the lovely New Zealand blog, VintagePurls posted this charming free PDF pattern for a 16” doll’s sailor outfit from Stitchcraft magazine No. 94, circa 1940s. This outfit will fit any 16” doll including vintage Terri Lee, Shirley Temple and Saucy Walker. Stitchcraft says, “Our saucy sailor has a choice of skirt or trousers.” Now if I could just find a pattern for a knit middy blouse for myself!

Just in time for spring are directions for making crocheted accessories, including an umbrella case and suspenders! With springtime showers on the horizon, the umbrella case is eminently practical. The authors recommend crocheting it in silk yarn, and who are we to disagree? Its open weave makes it eminently suitable for the facilitation of drying your umbrella. The crocheted races are totally irresistible. I picture them made up in a variegated yarn for a jaunty striped look, and then worn with a rumpled linen suit and spectator shoes. All items can be found in The Last and Best Book on Art Needlework (Published by The Brainerd & Armstrong Company. c. 1895) (Published by The Brainerd & Armstrong Company. c. 1895) This delightful booklet was posted by the wonderful folks at the AntiquePatternLibrary, and includes a “Huge collection of embroidery, crochet and knitting patterns for silk threads and yarns, including descriptions of the thread itself, hundreds of stitches and types of needlework, and beautiful illustrations. Socks, mittens, motifs, chains, edgings, bags, ties, bags, belts, tassels, fan, slippers, lamp shade, garter, suspenders, embroidered flowers.”

Who does not like wee forest creatures? Here is a plethora of cunning diminutive free gnomes and gnome accessories. Andra with a pattern for a child’s knit stocking hat to keep your bairn’s head warm, Debi from DebiBirkin.com has a tutorial on adorably dressed gnome dolls with braids and beards, Andrea from BadBird.com has a très cute embroidery transfer for plump gnomes and spotted mushrooms, NovaMade (another librarian!) made a smart, traveling gnome costume for her child,
and Megan of Sanctimommy presents another knit gnome doll….one can never have too many gnomes!

We have a soft spot in our hearts for libraries…..and of course librarians. Risa of LibrarianKnits is a knitter and a librarian, so we want to give her double the love! When she finished this lovely ribbed sweater she chose over-sized, shiny Britex Fabrics buttons to complete her ensemble, and emphasize the asymmetrical front. We adore this sweater’s mock turtleneck and the warm coffee-colored yarn! The free pattern is called by Gilet chaussette asymétrique and can be found on the community knitting site, Ravelry.

Becky posted PDF instructions for these cozily spiffy striped fingerless mitts on CraftZine. This unisex pattern will keep your chilly limbs toasty while you bike, text, or play bass. Be a pirate and knit them in black and white, yellow and black for a bee-tastic look, be a wafting faerie in pale pink and meadow green, or in heathered brown and grey for a gentlemanly approach!

Linda, StitchNation, and VogueKnitting have joined forces to bring us unstoppable cuteness in the form of a pattern for a knit infant and toddler size hat and mittens. From the glowing pink ear interiors and chubby paw pads, to the practical under-the-chin button fastening, this set will keep your little bear toasty all winter!