DIY Giftables #1: 2 simple snoods – a free knitting pattern

We can’t think of much that trumps a handknit Christmas present. Nothing is as thoughtful and seasonally practical (for Northern Hemisphere dwellers at least), and shows just how much you care. And the best part is that handknit gifts don’t have to be as time consuming as you’d expect. Replace your images of intricate fairisle jumpers and spindly lacework shawls with chunky knit winter must-haves: mittens, pompom hats, slouchy socks and snoods that can all be completed in an evening or two. We’ve come up with two super simple snoods that are lightning quick to knit, suitable even for first time knitters, and will make the perfect gift for just about anyone (even those tricky men!), that is, if you can bring yourself to give them away!

Representing two of our favourite stitches – moss stitch and English rib stitch – these snoods are a once around the neck coze extravaganza. Both stitches are reversible (exactly the same both sides), completely non-gender specific and really make the most of a chunky yarn by exaggerating the surface bulk. In terms of circumference, it can often be tricky to get the perfect length that neither strangles you nor sags down exposing your neck to the bitter chill. We have found the ideal length to be around the 60-65cm / 25″ mark.

Moss Stitch Snood

Difficulty – beginner

You will need:

300g super chunky weight yarn (we like Toft or Rowan’s Big Wool)
10mm circular needles
a yarn needle to weave in ends
scissors

Abbreviations*:

CO – cast on

BO – bind off

k – knit

p – purl

rnd(s) – round(s)

st(s) – stitch(es)

cont – continue

tog – together

*We realise that knitting pattern lingario can be pretty confusing if it’s not something you’re used to. While it’s super useful to learn if you’re wanting to further explore the world of hand knitting, we want to make a simple project like this as approachable as possible for a beginner or once-in-a-while knitter. Therefore, we have written out these patterns in the abbreviated pattern lingo and actual real words in italics alongside the instructions where needed, including the odd tip.

Instructions:

CO 57 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches. There are some amazing tutorials on YouTube to get you started if this is a first attempt knitting in the round!

Rnd 1: k1, *(p1, k1) rep from * to end of rnd. Knit 1, then repeat purl 1, knit 1 for the rest of the round.

Rnd 2: p1, *(k1, p1) rep from * to end of rnd.

Continue in this manner until the snood is as deep as you want, we stopped when it was 12″ deep. Make sure to leave your length of yarn at least 4 times the length of your round for binding off.

Last rnd: BO loosely, cut yarn and weave in tails.

English Rib Snood (with a twist)

Difficulty – confident beginner

You will need:

8 x 50g balls of chunky weight yarn suitable for 6mm needles (all the same colour or 4 balls each of 2 colours like we did)
a pair of 9mm straight needles, plus one extra for the 3 needle bind off
a yarn needle to weave in ends
scissors

Instructions:

CO 31 sts stranding 2 balls at the same time.

Row 1: knit.

Row 2: k1 (edge), k1, *k1 below (inserting right-hand needle knitwise into the centre of the stitch just below – see diagram), k1*, repeat from * to last stitch, k1 (edge).

Row 3: k1 (edge), *k1 below, k1*, repeat from * to last stitch, k1 (edge).

Repeat rows 2 & 3 until your snood measures about 25″ long, or fits comfortably around your neck.

Binding off: Pick up the 31 cast on stitches with the needle pointing in the opposite direction to the needle with the live stitches. Twist the needle with the picked up stitches to meet it’s partner side by side. This creates a sort of infinite twist loop, making more of a feature of the kushy rib stitch and seriously upping the coze factor! Bind off with a three-needle bind off (holding your 2 rows of live stitches together, use your 3rd needle to knit into the 1st stitch from both needles at the same time. Repeat with the second stitch from both needles and then bind off from the 3rd needle as normal. Repeat this until all the stitches have been bound off. There are plenty of video tutorials for this technique on YouTube). Cut yarn and weave in tails.

All done! Now for the hard part – wrapping these babies up and giving them away…

15 Comments

Alice
December 4, 2012

Love these! What needles did you use for the moss stitch one?

Reply
- byhandlondon
  December 4, 2012
  
  Thanks love!! 10mm circular needles xxx
  
  Reply
Marie
December 4, 2012

Aaaack, love these! Especially the English Rib Snood!!!

Reply
- byhandlondon
  December 5, 2012
  
  It’s just soooo kushy and cosy! I don’t think I’ll be able to let it go…
  
  Reply
Ginger
December 7, 2012

Love both of these! Now I’m itching to pick up my knitting needles!

Reply
Lauren
December 11, 2012

First time knitter – I’m going to give the rib stitch snood a go…
8 balls of yarn seems like a lot though. Is it because of the type of stitch that so much is needed?

Reply
- byhandlondon
  December 11, 2012
  
  It does seem like a lot… they are only 50g balls however, so really it’s just 400g altogether and you will have a fair bit leftover. Alternatively, you could just find a chunkier yarn like Rowan’s Big Wool and knit the single strand as opposed to double stranding 2 colours like we’ve done here – then you’d probably be fine with 3 x 100g balls. Let us know how you get along!
  
  Reply
  - Lauren
    December 11, 2012
    
    Ah… I see. Thank you for your help!
    
    Reply
    - byhandlondon
      December 11, 2012
      
      Pleasure!
      
      Reply
Lauren
December 20, 2012

In the English rib stitch snood, does k1* mean to (p1, k1) as in the moss stitch snood instructions? I get that *k1 is to do what’s in the diagram, but I’m confused what *k1 is…

Reply
- Marta
  February 7, 2013
  
  I’m having the same problem. I feel like there are missing steps.
  
  Reply
- byhandlondon
  February 7, 2013
  
  Hi! The *s in the knitting pattern simply serve to highlight the section of stitches that need to be repeated, sort of like parentheses in maths equations… Whatever instructions are in between the two * is the section that needs to be repeated, eg:
  
  Row 3: k1 (edge), *k1 below, k1*, repeat from * to last stitch, k1 (edge).
  
  You would knit the first stitch (the edge stitch) then repeat k1 below, k1 until the last stitch, then knit 1 (opposite edge stitch).
  
  I hope this makes sense – can be tricky to explain in plain words!
  
  Reply
Sue
March 24, 2013

Am just about to start this rib snood ….. the calendar is saying spring, the weather is saying deep mid-winter …… so I think I’ll get a lot of wear out of it before the summer begins!

Reply
dianne
March 30, 2013

oops have gone wrong on the english rib snood ,how do i unpick this? i can unpick normal plain and purl stitches but how do i unpick the ones knitted on the row below?!
thanks

Reply
- byhandlondon
  April 4, 2013
  
  Hi there! Unpicking the English rib is pretty much the same as unpicking knit and purl stitches – just *very* carefully slide your needle out and even more carefully unravel, ensuring that you are able to re-slide your needle back through the loops once you’ve unravelled past where you went wrong! Good luck!
  
  Reply