Maker Goals 2021

On Instagram, I saw nicolespdesigns make a sort of bingo card for her 2021 knitting goals. I thought that was a really good idea and decided to make my own. Feel free to save this and fill it out yourself.

To see mine follow me on Instagram..

Freebie: Printable Hang Tags for Gifts

Up your handmade gifts with these free printable hang tags. These are perfect for anyone who gives a lot of hand knit or crocheted gifts. Whether you make birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day or Father's Day gifts, these hang tags are just what you need.

If you like this printable and find it useful, please consider buying me a coffee so I can continue to bring you guys free printables. For more information about what it means to buy me a coffee click here.

Free Vintage Knitting Pattern: 1960s Chunky Cable Pullover

Keep warm during sweater season in this classy 1960s cable rib pullover. This raglan sleeve sweater would be perfect for chilly Autumn nights by a bonfire or staying warm on a lazy weekend during the winter.

This sweater is knit from the bottom up in pieces with raglan sleeves. It features a rolled turtleneck and a chunky cable rib stitch. There are three sizes with bust measurements of 32”, 34” and 36”.

The pattern calls for 1,400(1,400, 1,680) yrds of worsted weight yarn in 100% wool or 50% wool and 50% nylon.

If you’d like to size this pattern up or down, I highly recommend Tasha’s knit-along on her website By Gum By Golly. Or check out some other sweater knitting resources.

Specs

Publication date: Early 1960s
Publication name: Columbia Minerva
Gauge: 9 sts = 2" 6 rows = 1"
Sizes: 32", 34" and 36" bust

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Knitter's Life Printable Set + Freebie Yarn Swatch Card

My number one challenge right now is how to organize my knitting notes. About a year and a half ago I released my first knitting binder printable, I still love those printables, but I wanted something different. As I’ve gotten into bullet journaling, I tried to think of a way that I use some bullet journal style spreads into my knitting notebook. That’s how the Knit Life Printable Set was born.

Included are 11 pages set up like bullet journal spreads, complete with dot grid. The pages range from project pages to needle inventory logs to swatch cards. Hop over to my Etsy shop to see the full details. And keep your eyes peeled here because, in the early part of 2019, I'm going to do a video flip through of my knitting notebook to show you how exactly I use this printable set.

Speaking of swatch cards, I’m offering the swatch label card free today. These are perfect for keeping track of what needles and yarn you used for any given swatch. If you’re like me and never remember where you wrote down that information then these cards are for you. All you have to do is fill out the card, punch a hole in it and then tie to the swatch. No more random bits of paper floating around. I like to print them out on cardstock for stability.

Don’t forget to check out the whole Knit Life printable set available on my Etsy shop. And stay tuned to the blog, because in the early part of 2019, I’m going to do a flip through of my knitting notebook and you can see in detail how I used this printable set.

Free Vintage Knitting Pattern: 1940s Valentine's Day Pullover

This 1940s pullover’s all over heart pattern is perfectly kitschy without being over the top. Styled the right way it’s perfect for a night out with your honey but can also be dressed down for a cozy night at home watching your favorite romantic comedy.

The Heart Pullover is knit in pieces from the bottom up with set-in sleeves. It has an all-over pattern of stockinette hearts against a reverse stockinette background. There are three sizes with bust measurements of 29”, 31” and 33”.

The pattern calls for 284(284, 340) grams of fingering weight yarn in 100% wool.

If you’d like to size this pattern up or down, I highly recommend Tasha’s knit-along on her website By Gum By Golly. Or check out some other sweater knitting resources.

Specs

Publication date: 1946
Publication name: Handknits by Royal Society
Gauge: 7sts x 8 rows = 1in x 1in
Sizes: 29", 31" and 33" bust

Freebie: Gift List Planner Printable

It's that time of the year again, time to start thinking about Christmas gifts. I don't know about anyone else, but I can get a little overwhelmed when trying to figure out what to buy everyone. That's why I created this little printable to help me.

This one page printable is perfect for planning your holiday gift giving. With it, you can be sure that when we get a few days before Christmas you won't be scrambling to come up with ideas because you forgot someone. There's enough space to brainstorm five gift ideas for eight different people.

Tips:

• Place it in a central area in the house and people can jot down ideas for what they want
• Print two copies double sided if you need more room.
• Use one box as a brainstorm for the person, (what are their interests, have they mentioned things they want?) Then the box next to it can be used to jot down actual items you intend to buy them.
• If you want to be more environmentally friendly, download the GoodNotes App and fill it out digitally.

If you like this printable and find it useful, please consider buying me a coffee so I can continue to bring you guys free printables. For more information about what it means to buy me a coffee click here.

Tutorial: Easy DIY notebook cover

This post contains affiliate links, which cost you nothing, but when you buy something through these links I get a small commission.

As someone who’s found it hard to transition my writing and note taking into the digital age, I love me a good old fashion notebook. But when you love notebooks as much as I do, and if you’re always picking up a new one every trip into Target, then you know that eventually, the pickings become pretty slim. That's what inspired me to start creating my own notebook covers.

Sometime last year, I finally joined Pottermore and was sorted into Hufflepuff House. Since then, I've been a diehard badger. I decided to create my own little notebook cover to show off my Hufflepuff pride. That's when I thought, “Hmm, maybe other people feel this passionately about their own Hogwarts House.” Doubtful, but I still decided to create printable book covers for all four houses.

The Printable

What's included:

[1] Four page PDF, each page has one cover sheet

These printables were designed for this specific Miliko notebook. I like it because the clear cover allows me to customize it with little effort. And I can be sure that my new custom cover sheet won't be damaged in my bag. I also dig that they come with different paper options: lined, dot grid and square grid.

Printing tips
Print on high quality
Use the page range function to choose which page you want to print
Use the borderless print function if your printer allows it.
Use a high-quality paper

The Tutorial

Gather Your Supplies
Miliko Transparent Hardcover Notebook
Scissors
Pencil or pen
Paper
Screw hole punch with 4mm bit
Paper clips
Printable book cover
Glue stick (optional)
Straight edge cutter (optional)
Piece of wood (optional)

Step One

Using a sheet of the notebook’s paper as a guide, cut the printable to size. I like to use paper clips here to avoid unwanted shifting while I’m cutting.

Step Two

Still using your notebook’s paper as a guide, on the back of the printable, shade in where the holes should go.

Step Three

If you’re worried about damaging your work table, place a scrap piece of wood down.

Double check to make sure you marked the holes on the correct side. Then, using the screw hole punch fitted with the 4mm bit, punch holes where you made your markings.

A few hanging charlies won’t be the end of the world, but let’s try not to repeat the 2000 presidential elections.

Step Four

Using a pair of scissors, clip the holes open creating a clean frayed edge.

Step Five

Push the frayed edges in between the spirals. I used a mechanical pencil, but you could use a pen cap, paper clip, knitting needle or anything that’s handy.

You can leave it as is. Or if you want some added reinforcement, you can use the glue stick and glue the new cover sheet to the first page of your notebook.

Now you can go and show off your house pride. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and tag @thisgalknows to show me your finished house notebook. When you're done doing that, come back here and tell me what Hogwarts House you're in.

If you like this tutorial and printable and find it useful, please consider buying me a coffee so I can continue to bring you guys free tutorials and printables. For more information about what it means to buy me a coffee click here.

Free Vintage Pattern: 1940s Men's V-Neck Pullover

Look dapper in this classy 1940s pullover cable sweater. It could easily be worn to the office with a business casual look or on a lazy weekend afternoon in front of the fire with your favorite book and beverage of choice.

This pullover is knit in pieces from the bottom up with set-in sleeves. It features a cable pattern on the front and a simple 2x2 rib on the back. The pattern is written for one size with a chest measurement of 38”.

If you’d like to size this pattern up or down, I highly recommend Tasha’s knit-along on her website By Gum By Golly. Or check out some other sweater knitting resources.

Specs

Publication Date: 1947

Publication Name: Jack Frost #45 - Sweaters for Men and Boys 

Gauge: 6.5 sts = 1in

Sizes: 38" chest

Yarn

The pattern calls for 400 grams of sport weight yarn.

Freebie: Knitters Unite Coloring Page Printable

This post contains affiliate links, which cost you nothing, but when you buy something through these links I get a small commission.

I’m back today with another free coloring sheet! This is pretty much the same story as my last coloring sheet. I created this to be a little journal cover. I'm thinking this would be great as a cover for my blog binder.

I've been thinking about some hobbies I can experiment with besides knitting and sewing. I've always been interested in learning to draw, I've found a ton of tutorials online that will help learn. I can manage to create some good things digitally, but haven't quite gotten the hang of pen and paper art. So, I'm hoping that if I experiment with coloring in some of my digital art, it'll help me with creating more traditional pieces. Plus, I think getting used to drawing will help me down the road for if I ever decide I want to start designing knitwear.

I haven't had a chance to mess around with any color techniques, but I really do want to invest in some good Copic Markers, or at least some Copic type markers, like the much cheaper alternative Ohuhu Markers.

If you don't really feel like coloring I have prints, notebooks, t-shirts and mugs available through RedBubble.

What’s Included
[1] 8.5” x 11” coloring page in a PDF format

Printing tips

• Print on high quality for best results

I do have a couple more coloring sheets I plan to share, make sure to follow me on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest to make sure you don't miss any.

If you like this printable and find it useful, please consider buying me a coffee so I can continue to bring you guys free printables. For more information about what it means to buy me a coffee click here.

Free Coloring Page Printable

Who doesn't love to color? I know I do. I may not be that great at it, but I love it anyway. That's why today, I have a free printable coloring page.

I had fun messing around with a different technique with this coloring page. All I really had on hand were some Crayola Markers that I couldn’t really get to color evenly, so I decided to try a little dot pattern. I thought it turned out alright. I'm not entirely sure how to handle the background. Any suggestions?

I originally created this design because I wanted a fun little knitting journal where I could sketch all my sweater ideas. As I was creating this design for my cover on the computer, I couldn’t make up my mind what colors to do. I decided to create this coloring page so that even after I finalized my color choices, I could still have fun with the design.

What’s Included
[1] 8.5” x 11” coloring page in a PDF format

Printing tips

• Print on high quality for best results

I'd love to see what you guys come up with. Post your finished pictures on Instagram and tag thisgalknows.

Coloring not your thing? Check out some finished products in my RedBubble shop. You can get fully colored notebooks, prints, t-shirts and mugs.

I have a few more coloring page ideas up my sleeve. Follow me on Instagram so you don't miss out.

If you like this printable and find it useful, please consider buying me a coffee so I can continue to bring you guys free printables. For more information about what it means to buy me a coffee click here.

Blog relaunch + free printable

Earlier in the summer, I made the decision to revamp my blog. That included, coming up with a precise plan on what I'll be posting, and how often. It also meant getting serious and buying my own domain name. Welcome to thisgalknows.com! I'm super excited!

Here at the new and improved This Gal Knows, I'll be sharing current works in progresses and recent finished objects for both knitting and sewing. You'll even get to follow along on this new baking thing I've gotten myself into. Some of my other craftiness will shine through, too. And don't be surprised if I come at you guys crying over some comic book.

My main goal for This Gal Knows has always been for it to be a place where knitters and sewists can go to get their questions answered. But I feel like the internet is already full of great knitting resources and tutorials. Do we really need yet another site with the same information? BUT what I do think we all need is an index of these resources. That's why I've started creating masterlists of some of my favorite resources. This is going to be an ongoing project for me because, yikes, there are A LOT of great resources out there.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about this new relaunch. To celebrate I'm giving you guys a free notepad printable. I have so many of these things designed, so keep your eyes peeled for more of these over the coming weeks...months...maybe years. You can never have enough notepads, right?

To make the notepad, I printed about 15 full pages on the back side of some scratch paper I had laying around. Then I followed Sea Lemon's How To Make Your Own Notepad tutorial. It's really straight forward, and feels like a great way to ease into bookbinding, if you're into that sort of thing. One thing I do have to say is use just the one coat of glue. I did two coats of glue and it's really difficult to pull the pages off.

I would also recommend using a straight edge to cut the sheets, I used scissors, and as you can see, things got a little wobbly near the edges.

One thing I like to do, is keep a stick of restickable glue on hand, then I can turn these into quick little sticky notes. Just a warning though, the glue leaves a sticky residue behind, so I wouldn't use these homemade sticky notes to put inside any important books.

What's included
[3] 7.5" x 5.5" notepads/sticky notes
[1] 3"x 3" notepads/sticky notes

Printing tips

• Print on high quality for best results
• To print just one page, use the page range functions in the print dialog and choose the page number of the style you want.

If you have any questions please comment here. And as always, to keep up to date with me and my crafts follow me on Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.