Glasses case

This beautiful, soft, ultra-chunky knit will protect glasses from scratches, but when it’s empty it takes up barely any space in a bag – unlike hard cases, which are practical, but bulky. This is made using my favourite knitting stitch – moss stitch. I love the contrast of the soft, chunky weave with the industrial-style metal zip.

You will need:

50g chunky yarn, divided into two balls

8mm/US size 11 needles

10cm zip – preferably with metal teeth as they look fab against the wool

Needle and thread

Sewing machine (optional)

1. The extra-thick knit is made by knitting two chunky yarns together, both the same colour. It’s a good way to use up the ends of balls. If you don’t have two the same colour, split a ball in two.

2. Using both strands together, cast on 19 stitches. Double knit (ie continuing to use both strands together) alternate stitches – knit, purl, knit, purl and so on, to the end of the row. Repeat on the next row. The reason for casting on an odd number of stitches is so that you can start each row with a knit stitch, so you don’t need to remember where you were if you put it down and pick it up again – it will build up a pattern of staggered stitches for a rough weave.

3. Work 17 rows, then cast off. You should have a 20cm square.

4. Don’t be daunted by the next part – sewing in the zip. It really is easy. Fold the knitted square in half. Open the zip and hand stitch the joined end of it against the fold, to hold it in position. Machine or hand stitch down one side. Repeat with the other half. Keep the zip open.

5. If you’ve machine stitched the zip, you may as well carry on and machine stitch around the two open sides of the case, for ease and speed. If not, just hand stitch the seams using yarn or thread. If you do use a machine, just be careful not to let the wool catch on the foot of the machine as you go.

6. Turn the right side out through the zip so the seams are inside. Make sure the ends of the zip are neat and firmly anchored inside, using extra stitches if necessary.

Kilt pin scarf

Scarves are one of the simplest things you can knit and probably the first thing any knitting novice will make. I am a total scarf addict – there’s nothing simpler to jazz up an outfit. As I already had a fairly extensive scarf repertoire before I refound Knitting (with a capital K as I’m so evangelical about it), I wanted to come up with a real basic knit, but equally something that would look stylish enough to have been found in a funky boutique. Rather than go long, I decided to go shortish and wide, so that rather than being knotted it could be secured by a pin. This makes for a really cosy, snug neck warmer that looks gorgeous.

You will need:

200g chunky yarn – around four or five balls (just check the label for the weight)

8mm/US size 11 needles

Nappy-pin or kilt pin – these are easily found in a haberdashery or online very cheaply. A lovely brooch would work just as well if you prefer

1. Cast on 42 stitches, which should give you a scarf width of about 38cm. The pattern alternates two knit and two purl stitches on every row. Each row will start and end on a knit stitch, which means the knit and purl stitches alternate on each row to make a really cool, slightly holey pattern that looks a little bit like crochet. It works brilliantly with the chunky wool and chunky needles to create warmth without bulk. The proper name for this stitch is moss stitch. So, knit two stitches, bring the yarn to the front, purl two stitches, move the yarn to the back and knit, knit, purl, purl your way through your wool. Try the scarf against yourself when you’re nearing the end to be sure it’s the perfect length. Mine is 140cm long (or 110 rows), which took just over four balls of wool, but clearly there’s no need to be prescriptive about number tallies here. Like most things, it can become a bit of a palaver when you have to be too precise.

2. This scarf isn’t super-quick to knit, but it is easy. The final dimensions of the scarf are about 38cm x 140cm, so it’s quite a lot of knitting. But I would say the joy is in the knitting and as it is so simple you can easily put it down and pick it up any time without stressing about a pattern. Every row starts with knit stitches, so no need to remember where you left off. I guarantee that as soon as you’ve finished this, you’ll want to start up again right away with another one.

Wrist warmers

As you know by now, I like to keep things simple and these wrist warmers really couldn’t be simpler. They’re made from a basic knitted rectangle that’s sewn together, with a gap left in the seam for a thumb hole – really cute. These cosy wrist warmers are perfect for days with a slight chill, but when gloves are too warm and you want your fingers free. You could roll them up and stick them in a beautiful mug for an invitingly cosy gift. Mmmm, where’s the hot chocolate?

You will need:

50g chunky yarn

8mm/US size 11 needles

Darning needle

1. Cast on 21 stitches. Leave the loose end long – about 20cm – so that you can use it to sew up the seam at the end.

2. These warmers use the lovely moss stitch pattern, but alternating single stitches rather than two. So knit, purl, knit, purl your way through each row. As there are an odd number of stitches on each row, no need to remember which stitch to start each row with to get the criss-cross effect of moss stitch – it’s always a knit stitch. Keep going for 32 rows and then cast off, again leaving a 25cm tail.

3. You should have a rectangle measuring approx. 19cm x 18cm. Fold the rectangle in half. If you fold the 18cm length in half you will have a slightly narrower and tighter glove than folding it the other way – it’s up to you which size you want. Now sew up the seams using the loose ends, from top to bottom and bottom to top. Leave a 2cm gap, 6cm from the top, for the thumbhole.

4. Turn the tube inside out so that the seam is on the inside.

5. Repeat steps one to four to knit the second wrist warmer.

Home Made Simple by Joanna Gosling is published by Kyle Books. Photography by Rachel Whiting. Available online at www.easons.com for €28.99, other stockist prices may vary.