Projects for Lazy Knitters

Two facts: One, I like knitting. Two, I will never knit a blanket.

This is because I am part of that knitting population that can be termed, "lazy knitters." I like the process of knitting, but am far to ADD to finish knitting a blanket. It takes too darn many hours of knitting. Over the years, I've come up with ways around this. I only engage in knitting projects that can be completed quickly, say within a day.

For fellow lazy knitters out there, here's some ideas:

Large-looped scarf. This scarf will never keep you warm, except maybe in summer, but if you see a scarf more as a fashion accessory than warmth-enhancer, this is for you. This trendy looking scarf is skinny, long, web-like, and quick to make. On the knitting scale of ease, this is at the very top: less than a day of knitting. The trick is making obscenely large loops with every stitch as you knit. Start with about 15 loops on one needle. With each stitch, pull the loop very big, at least large enough to fit a quarter through. After the first couple rows of knitting, it will just look like a messy web, but pull the scarf lengthwise, and it will straighten out. Make the scarf obscenely long to balance out its thin width, add some fringe, and you've got a trendy scarf that looks like nothing you'll find in stores.

Headband. Basically this is like knitting a tiny scarf, only when it's long enough to wrap around your head, you knit the ends together into a headband. Probably the laziest knitting project ever, and not exactly useful (unless you're a fan of woolen headbands). But, hey, sometimes it's satisfying to complete a project in five minutes.Neckwarmer. This is the opposite of the large-looped scarf. Instead of being long and skinny, it's short and fat. Think of a knit turtleneck shirt without the shirt. For those who have trouble envisioning, here's an example from a random, unaffiliated Web site. To make one, you knit a rectangle, then knit the ends together into a woolen cylinder. Slip the cylinder over your head and voila: a neckwarmer. It sounds incredibly stupid, but try one and you'll be hooked. They're incredibly comfy and more effective than a scarf. It keeps your neck warm without you having to bother with tying a scarf. And you don't have to take the trouble of knitting long dangly scarf ends that do nothing for keeping your neck warm and only get in the way. This is the true Lazy Knitter's scarf. Or as I like to think of it, the Smart Scarf.

Yarn belt. Just like the headband, you approach this as if you are knitting a tiny scarf. The only difference is once you're done knitting, you don't tie this around your head, but around your waist. Add a buckle of sorts, or make a tie-belt with fringe on the ends for decoration.

I just counted; that was four knitting projects. I am too lazy to think of any more. (By the way, did you ever notice how fun the word "knitting" is? Knitting, knitting, knitting. Fine, I'll stop.) But that should get you started on your lazy knitting adventures and general knitting fun. Stay tuned, the next installment is Projects for Lazy Crocheters. It will come in the next couple of days, or whenever I feel like it.

Yours, The Lazy Knitter.