A Shawl to Knit to Get through the Current Calamity

I generally write most posts for Craft Gossip several weeks in advance of when they go live, so I’m writing this not knowing what calamitous events might be happening in the world or in your life when you read it. But I can pretty safely assume, given the current timeline, that something will be happening to stress you out, and you might just need the calm of some straightforward knitting and a super pretty project that doesn’t take a whole lot of thought.

Corin Purifoyis here for you in the form of their Calamity Shawl, a simple triangle worked in Andalusian stitch (a simple knit and purl combo that I don’t think gets used enough) along with some eyelets, mesh and it looks like a bit of garter stitch, too.

It’s meant to be worked holding two strands of super fine yarn together, but you can also use a worsted weight yarn by itself, or really whatever weight you want since it’s a triangle, you can just make it whatever size you want or work until you’re about to run out of yarn.

The pattern starts with a garter tab, which is a fun little technique that’s super clever.

The original includes tassels at the points of the triangle, which adds a bit of weight that might help it stay in place, but they’re totally optional. You could also add fringe, or just leave it plain.

This great little bit of comfort knitting will also wrap you up in warmth and comfort when the knitting is done, so you’ll be able to face whatever the world throws at you next with a little more ease. And you can wear it with anything, as a shawl or a scarf, so you’re sure to grab it on your way out of the house again and again.

You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Corin Purifoyis]

Another Great Simple Shawl to Stitch

Knit a Lace Shawl for Cooler Weather

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply