A Textured Knit to Get You to Fall

We’ve reached the portion of summer where I live where the heat is just an insult. I don’t want to go outside for any reason and the only thing I want to do is think about how it’s going to be fall soon and I’m going to need my sweaters again.

If you need a pretty little knit to tide you over until you can start wearing sweaters again, might I suggest Tosca from Berroco?

This highly textured cardigan design by Alison Green is stunning in a jewel tone but I think it would look great in any color you like. It actually calls for a Pima cotton yarn, which is great for the beginning of fall when you’re just starting to need an extra layer in the cool of the morning or the evening (or as a defense against air conditioning).

This intermediate knitting pattern features a split hem and then is worked flat to the underarms in one piece. The parts are then worked separately to finish up the top, and the sleeves are knit flat and sewn in and seamed after the body has been sewn together.

The pattern includes 12 sizes, with a finished bust measurement ranging from 38 to 72.5 inches, or 96.5 to 184 cm. The pattern notes don’t say how much ease is intended but it sounds like a lot. You can always pick a size based on how much ease you would like.

The stitch pattern is a pretty lattice cable that includes yarn overs and decreases as well as simple twists. The pattern is both written and charted so you can work whichever way you like.

This looks like a great cardigan that’s a little bit fancy but still not too difficult to knit that can get you through to the fall in knitting it and then you can enjoy wearing it all season long.

Grab the free pattern from Berroco.

[Photo: Berroco]

A Few More Knits for Fall and Thanksgiving

Book Review – Wanderlust: 46 Modern Knits for Bohemian Style

Celebrate Fall with Leaf Knitting Patterns

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long.

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders.

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well.

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn.

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions.

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table.

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter.

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.

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