Knitted Desk Set

 

 

This is the first of my Christmas makes for 2025.  Again, I wanted to make something personal for my family that would also be useful.

This desk set is for my eldest niece who did amazing in her A Levels and who started university in September.  

I'm not too sure on the colours that are in her bedroom (most likely black/white/grey) so I found some neutral yarn to make this set and stuck with the same 2 colours for all 3 items.

I've gone back to basics for most gifts this year - this set is a perfect example of that as you will see.  This is knitted but could also be done by crochet (if you have the know how).

So, firstly - the desk mat.

A desk mat is good for using as an anti-slip mat under a tablet or laptop.  I used 2 x DK yarns together and made an easy garter stitch rectangle.  The wispy bits are supposed to be a fringe edge so it's not so boring.

Next, we have the matching rug mug/coaster...

This made exactly the same as above using 2 x DK yarns together so it comes out rather chunky.

And finally, there is the pen/pencil holder...

I used a bit more creativeness to make this one - I wanted to use a different style that I've not used very much and I think by choosing to do this in simple colours, it's worked out well.

This is made with basket weave stitch and then finished at the top with stockinette stitch.  I also used DK yarn for this one but the good old fashioned way of 1 strand of yarn.  

Basket weave is quite simple but looks effective - you need to cast on in a multiple of 4 then rows 1-5 are Knit 4 Purl 4 - to the end of the row, then rows 6-10 are Purl 4 Knit 4 - to the end of the row.  It's a repeating pattern to give it it's design.

Whilst I have called this a pen/pencil holder (due to no fastening being added), it could also be used as a glasses pouch.  As mentioned at the beginning of the post - this could be done in crochet.  However, I've never tried to do any stitch/pattern like basket weave as crochet so you would need to know how to alter this.