Does anyone know of any great knitting patterns knit on size 35 needles?

Question

Hi,

I recently scored some size 35 knitting needles and I want to knit something with them. I am looking for a really cool pattern that uses needles that size. I do not, I repeat, DO NOT want to knit a poncho.

Scarves are cool, but I was hoping for something a little bit more complex, perhaps a small afghan or throw blanket. My knitting skills are intermediate (I can do increases, decreases, and most stitch patterns).

I'm open to most ideas, and even if you can't furnish a pattern I am open to other knitted Items. I just really, really want to use my new size 35 needles to make something wicked cool. Thanks!

Answer 1

Oh, I love big needles - you're going to knit some great stuff!

Have a look on www.ravelry.com - if you're not already a member get and invite (from the site, it's free!). There are heaps of groups relating to big needles (chicks with big sticks, extreme knitters, etc) that will have suggestions, and there are heaps of patterns too.

Answer 2

On needles that size (I have a pair of 25s) I run two strands of yarn together and knit things like a throw blanket or a ruana or a really simple jacket pattern.  Use one strand of plain worsted (4) yarn and one strand of bulky (5) or super bulky (6) fuzzy yarn.  My favorites for this are both from the Red Heart line.  Red Heart Classic is a great worsted, and Red Heart Light & Lofty is a wonderful super bulky.  Both come in a good range of colors.  If the Light & Lofty doesn't come in exactly your color, pick a neutral and pair it with your color from the Classics line.  

I use and recommend Red Heart because it's the only brand of yarn with which I have never had surprises -- shrinking, stretching, changing thickness in the skein, etc.  With all the work I put into a knit item, I do not want it sabotaged by surprises.  Even the Light & Lofty is reworkable (rip out a mistake and redo it without killing your yarn) and machine washable and dryable.  

I can explain how to draw your own really simple jacket pattern if you want to do that.  Email me by clicking on my avatar for an email link.

Answer 3

Go to Lionbrand.com and sign up for free patterns. look for the patterns for "Speed Sticks"

I have seen some nice patterns for retro outfits, sweaters, basic vests. You can also try an interesting pattern with a large needle and a smaller needle. Just a warning, you will need to use 3 strands of yarn, so you will use a lot of yarn.

Answer 4

Check out Lionbrand's website! I've seen some nice afghan patterns on there. They also have some shawls that are cozy - I know because I received one from my church's prayer shawl ministry, but you could always make one for yourself to curl up with when you don't feel well or if it's cold out. Since they use such big needles, and most have at least 2 strands of bulky yarn held together (some have 3-4 strands, sometimes more!) throughout the pattern, it will go very quickly. Although, there might be a few that have only one strand, to give it that lacy look without all of the work (I've done that before, but with size 15 US needles and sport or dk weight yarn - nice effect!).          

          A pattern you could design yourself would be to find some cotton yarn you like (i.e. Lily's "Sugar 'n Cream", Lionbrand's "Cotton-ease", Bernat's "Handicrafter Cotton", Bernat "Denim Style", Brown Sheep's "Serendipity", etc.), look through some knitting books (try your library) or go to Lionbrand's website & find a stitch pattern you like. Then cast on enough stitches to make it the width you want (you'll need to check your stitch pattern to make sure it doesn't need to be a multiple of something, otherwise you'll need to adjust it to fit that), and then knit in your stitch pattern to make a rug (i.e for by the door or in front of your bathroom sink) until it's the length you want (a simple rectangle shape). You could even add fringe to 2 sides in the same or a coordinating color if you wanted.

          Another site to try would be Bernat's, and you might want to check out Paton's, Berocco's, Coats & Clark's, and Caron's, as well as any other name-brand yarn company. They always have lots of free patterns, as well as a few that you can buy for a very small amount of money (most are less than $10, and you get several patterns). Oh, and just to warn you, some of the websites I've listed (i.e. Lionbrand & Patons), you have to create a username to access the free patterns, but it's fast and easy, and they don't need a lot of info (basically what kind of crafting you like to do).

          Are you a member of Ravelry? If you are, try the pattern browser, and select "super bulky" under "weights". A lot of the patterns that use "super bulky" yarn use the larger needles, for obvious reasons.

          As far as specific patterns go, though, Lionbrand has several choices that I would recommend. Such as: "The Six Hour Throw" (3 strands of Homespun throughout, size 50 needles; but you could use 2 strands with the 35 & cast on extra stitches, or you could still use 3 strands to make it really heavy because **gasp** gauge doesn't really matter for a throw like that), "Fast Finish Throw" (either 3 strands of Homespun or 3 strands of Jiffy held together throughout, size 50 US needles; similar to the 6 hour throw in that gauge doesn't matter so the size 35 needles would work, you just might need to cast on a few extra stitches). There are several more that go along the same lines as the two that I told you about; you just have to kind of go through the list & see what you like (go to: "Catalog of Free Knitting Patterns" > "New Free Patterns for the Home" & scroll down to view the list).

          If you still don't find anything you like, or want to see what else is out there, there's this great site I found (and listed below) called Craftbits.com, and there are tons of free craft projects. Try: Knitting Patterns > Household Knitting for afghans, or maybe under wearables for shawls and simple jackets/sweaters. It's always being updated, so you're bound to find something!

          I hope this helps. Almost forgot the most important part: have fun! Tell us what you decide to make! =)

Answer 5

knit a test swatch with your yarn and needles to get the gauge for rows and stitches per 10cms.

download free software at www.greatknitdesigns.com - sweaters (for sweaters and cardigans) - afghans & shawls (for blankets and ponchos of ALL sizes and shapes).

Enter your test swatch info - choose what you want to make and print the pattern - then start knitting

Hope this helps - good luck