By IANSlife

New Delhi, June 5 (IANSlife): As an increasing number of people are spending time at home thanks to the pandemic, many are discovering new hobbies or reviving old ones-- knitting being one of them.

Five International Woolmark Prize alumni have released a series of exclusive knitting, crochet and cut-and-sew patterns, which can all be created from the comfort of your own home, curtesy The Woolmark Company.

Knit your own wool beanie with KYE

Known for innovative and extraordinary designs, Seoul-based fashion label KYEdelivers fun, humour, wit and a sense of optimism through bold colours and patterns. Designer Kathleen Kye offers a free knitting pattern for the label's best-selling signature item: a retro-style ribbed beanie.

Kye says, "It's fairly simple to make so it could be a great gateway knitting project to start during a time like now. Try personalising the front with your own initials too."

Knit your own super scarf with Strateas Carlucci

Melbourne-based label Strateas Carlucci has a long-standing history using Merino wool. As part of the At-Home Knitting Series, Carlucci delivers free knitting pattern for its Python Scarf. Measuring 4.3 metres in length, this Merino wool super scarf uses an open-coarse knit and is great for social distancing.

"We love how it wraps and stacks around your neck," say Peter Strateas and Mario-Luca Carlucci. "We also love it because it's knitted from Australian Merino wool, which is temperature regulating and really soft on your skin, its a great natural fibre. It keeps you nice and warm as well."

Knit your own tote bag with CMMN SWDN

With more and more cities banning single-use plastic items, such as the dreaded plastic bag, Swedish-based fashion label CMMN SWDN offers a free knitting pattern to help you live your best plastic-free life, using Merino wool, naturally.

"As designers we have long been champions for a sustainable fashion industry," says Bakir and Hedlund. "During this unprecedented time, it's more evident than ever that we all must adapt to a more sustainable way of life. For the Woolmark Knitting Series we wanted to create a sustainable option to the single-use plastic bag. The tote is easy to knit in the comfort of your own home, using Merino wool which is 100% natural and biodegradable."

Knit crochet your own hat with i-am-chen

Reminiscent of a swimming cap from the Bauhaus period, i-am-chen's modern interpretation is part cap, part beanie and crocheted using 100 percent ultrafine Merino wool yarn. "The reason why I chose Merino wool is because it's warm, healthy and a gift from nature," says designer Zhi Chen.

Make your own cushion covers with Teatum Jones

London-based womenswear label Teatum Jonesis renowned for creating fashion from human stories. By following this simple step-by-step guide, you too can create a Teatum Jones-designed cushion cover that stitches together your own personal story. Choose either a cut-and-sew pattern or patchwork pattern.

"Zero-waste is a really important part of our business; it's part of our mission," says 2016 International Woolmark Prize-winning duo Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones. "We have a motto that is 'no scrap is too big or too small'. Everything we create gets used and nothing gets thrown away."

Log on to www.woolmark.com/knitting-patterns to download your free knitting patterns from the designers.