Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

A Striped Shawl to Celebrate Progress

by

Admittedly this project might be a little large to stitch up to wear to Pride this year (especially since celebrations may have already happened where you live). But it’s a good reminder that Pride not just for June, so I still wanted to share the Follow Your Path Shawl from STEPHMADETHAT.

This arrow shaped triangular shawl is worked in light fingering/lace weight yarn (though of course you can use heavier yarn and it will come out a different size) in stripes in the color order of the progress flag, which includes black and brown, the blue, pink and white of the trans flag and the rainbow colors of the original pride flag. 

The long side of the shawl has a divot in it that should make it easier to wear than a traditional triangular shawl, and it makes it a little more fun to knit, too.

The original was worked with mini skeins, or you can use leftovers from other projects if you happen to have the colors on hand. You can also alter the width of the stripes as needed depending on the yarn you have or how deep you want it to be.

Speaking of mini skeins, you can find more ideas for using advent calendar yarn or other mini skeins here. And there’s plenty more pride knitting patterns, too!

The pattern is worked in garter stitch so the stripes really are the highlight, and it should be pretty quick and easy to knit even with the lighter weight yarn. It would make a great TV or travel knitting project that you can wear throughout the year or save it for next year’s pride events. It would also make a great gift any time of year for someone in the LBGTQ+ community or an ally who supports them.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: STEPHMADETHAT]

 

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Textured Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

There are so many baby blanket knitting patterns out there I could probably do a post a month full of them and not run out for a very long time. This time I thought I’d look specifically at single color baby blankets that are interesting because of the inclusion of textured stitching. This makes them easy enough for new knitters but engaging for knitters of all skill levels. 

Take the Textured Checks Baby Blanket from Janet Dubbelman for example. This project is mostly stockinette stitch, with some what looks like reverse stockinette and garter stitch thrown in to make the ridges. You can use whatever yarn weight you like to make blankets of different sizes. Find the pattern on Ravelry. 

The Seedling from Modern Made Shop is just about as easy as it comes, combining seed stitch with a garter stitch border. It calls for worsted weight yarn and is perfect for beginners. 

The Julie Baby Blanket by Elisabeth Kristiansen is another one with an easy allover stitch pattern that you can knit up in a flash in whatever size you want. (The pattern notes say any gauge but it also says 28 stitches per 4 inches, which would be a superfine or fine weight yarn. Learn more on Ravelry. 

The Oscar Baby Blanket from Snufflebean is another one with an easy repeating stitch pattern that has a really fun, graphic effect. This is also great worked in a bright color, reminding us that babies don’t have to be in pastels! This one uses DK weight yarn. 

If you want to get a little fancier, check out Sammy Bristow’s Georges Blanket. This one alternates blocks of stockinette stitch with boats and anchors made by purling on the right side of the blanket. It calls for DK weight yarn and has multiple sizes for dolls through toddlers. Check it out on Ravelry.

Another cute texture is this heart blanket with diamonds that are a little reminiscent of argyle. Yarn Sonata Patterns has this one, which is worked in DK weight yarn and comes in four sizes. It includes a chart and row by row instructions. 

Or try the pretty Seton Portage baby blanket from Knitted Wishes, which has a border of trees and textured stitches that look like snow falling. The pattern includes different options for snowflakes and doing a mirror image of the trees on each end of the blanket. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn. This one includes charts, written instructions and video tutorials for special stitches.