Add Some Simple Textures to Your Scarf

Earlier this year I designed a beginner’s sampler scarf knitting pattern that I thought would be a perfect first project for new knitters. It includes casting on, knitting, purling, changing between knit and purl in the same row, binding off, and options for increasing and decreasing stitches, all in one project.

I love this kind of sampler style project for a new knitter because you learn lots of skills and get to change things up before one stitch or pattern gets too boring.

Here’s another option for knitters new or seasoned who get a little bored by a project that’s worked in the same stitch throughout.

The Patons Texture Mix Knit Scarf is a wide scarf that uses garter stitch, diamond brocade, diagonal pattern and basketweave to give the scarf a rustic look. It is mostly made with basketweave with garter stitch edging, but there’s enough variety in these patterns to keep it interesting.

The pattern was originally worked in an alpaca blend yarn that’s been discontinued, but I think a plain wool would be a great option as it would show off the stitches and be extra warm. It’s a bulky yarn, but you could also use a worsted weight yarn for a narrower scarf (and/or a wool blend if you don’t want it to be quite as warm).

You can get the free pattern download from Yarnspirations.

Looking for more easy scarf knitting patterns? I’ve got a great collection here. Or you can find patterns specifically for using up yarn leftovers. Scarves are such great projects for learning new skills, and they make great gifts and charity projects. I think we often give up on scarves once we’ve learned how to make shawls and hats and other projects, but I think we should all keep making scarves throughout our knitting careers!

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Fall will be here before we know it, and that means there are holidays coming right behind where we might be entertaining at home. It’s always fun to have a hand knit touch in your home for other people to see, and if you’re going to be in the kitchen all day you might as well have some nice knit dish cloths to use.

I love this little plaid hand towel from Darling Jadore. Use a little bit of leftover cotton yarn from another project for the plaid portion. It looks like the horizontal stripes are worked as you knit and the vertical stripes are done with duplicate stitch, making this a quick and easy project even newer knitters can make.

Combine garter stitch and an easy eyelet pattern worked sideways to make the Annette Dish Towel from Cluck Cluck Boots, which is meant to be reminiscent of flour sack towels. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can work it in one color or two (or even three!).

Add a little more texture with this set of kitchen towels from Whileberry Creative. They’re mostly worked in garter stitch with borders in easy knit/purl patterns, and you can work them in sport or worsted weight yarn.

Two of Wands Shop has another cute allover knit and purl pattern they call the Seersucker Textured Tea Towel. It’s an easy repeating pattern worked in worsted weight yarn, and there’s a chart in the pattern you can use, but don’t have to, if you want to practice knitting from a chart.

The Classic Cloth dish towel from Handmade Home by Connie is another one that can use a little leftover yarn in a contrasting color, or you could color block it our use stripes throughout the pattern. This one uses worsted weight yarn and another easy repeating knit purl stitch pattern.

If you like to hang your towel on the oven handle or elsewhere but it’s always falling off, try the Stay Put kitchen towel from Fancy Step Knits. This project is worked in garter stitch and includes a hole partway through so you can pull the towel through itself over a rod or handle. Stripes are optional but a nice addition.

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