I just got some jumbo size needles from my mother in law, size 13, 15, and 17, and I can't find any patterns using needles that size ... does anyone know of any? (Also, the patterns should be fairly quick to accomplish because my attention span is little to none - I have a one year old)

Thanks!!
Jen in TX

Scarves? You can pretty much make up your own pattern. Garter stitch, ribbing, checkerboard patterns, whatever. They go pretty quickly on big needles. Maybe also a big wrap or a shawl.

Although you can use big needles to make sweaters and such very quickly, I wouldn't bother with it unless you are a total stick, figure-wise; because the finished garment is super bulky and not very flattering.

hey jen,

i have recently discovered the wonder of the freaking big needles and luuuuuvvvv them to death! you can whip up a really nice scarf in a few hours. i have 12mm and have made a bunch of scarves by casting on 8 or 10 stitches and using mohair or a combination of mohair and acrylic for a thicker scarf. i like the mohair because it sorta "fills in" the holes that result from using big needles. i know a lot of people (especially experienced knitters) are sick of scarves but...

i also saw a pattern for a super cute winter hat using really chunky wool and great big needles. i'm almost positive i found the link from one of these threads a week or two ago. maybe do a search? or maybe someone remembers it and can help you out.

good luck and happy knitting!
krissy

eta: looks like cat and i posted the scarf idea at the same time. but that reminded me to tell you that i just used garter stitch for the whole scarf and it turned out really nicely.

Here you go everybody:
>http://www.chicknits.com/h2ohatpattern.shtml

This is a two-hour, bulky-knit hat pattern that is done on 17s (or whatever it takes to get gauge). I made this out of some light green Cascade Magnum and it was great! Easy as pie.

:)
Heidi

That hat is super cute! I have a ton of sport weight yarn that I can strand together and use up with hats.

Thanks!

PS. I found a cute backpack (more like for a kid, since the fashion is well, not fashionable) on the lionbrandyarn site: http://www.lionbrandyarn.com (it's under the accessories section in the free knitting index, and they use jiffy yarn.)

The book "The Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits" is full of big, chunky patterns - you might be able to get it from your library. It has sweaters (true, they can look a little wonky and not so flattering!) hats, ponchos etc.

Pssst- I have a Rowan pattern book that has lots of great sweater, hat, and scarf patterns that use a 15 and 36 needles. You should try and find the book online...I think if you go to www.theknittinggarden.com and look under Rowan patterns and then under Big Wool or something like that, its the one with a girl on a cover and shes standing on top of a building. Anyway, they have pictures of the patterns in there and if there is anything you like I will give you the pattern for it.

36 needles! holy moly!

also, shame on anyone for being sick of scarves.