Add Some Texture to Your Summer Knitting

Andalusian stitch is a basic knit purl knitting stitch pattern that I love but I never think to use on projects. It’s a pretty easy four-row repeat where three of the rows are just stockinette stitch.

You need a multiple of two plus one stitches for it to work, and you knit the first row, purl the second, then work knit 1, purl 1 across the next row (ending with a knit 1) and purl the fourth row.

This also gives you some practice in reading your knitting because you can count rows on the fabric instead of marking them down on paper or with a row counter if you want.

Andalusian stitch is so easy you don’t really need to practice it before you dive into a pattern using it.

This time of year I’d love to recommend the Aosta Summer Top 2.0 from The Knit Purl Girl. (It’s 2.0 because it was a relaunch of an older pattern.)

This top down raglan is worked in the round with allover Andalusian stitch (other than ribbed edges; because it’s mostly stockinette it does tend to curl without them). The pattern calls for two strands of fingering weight yarn to be held together but you can also use a single strand of DK weight yarn, so long as you can get gauge.

The pattern comes in 12 sizes, with an actual finished chest measurement of 30.75 to 58.75 inches, or 78 to 149 cm. It’s meant to be worn with what the designer calls neutral ease, ranging from 1.5 inch/3.5 cm positive ease to 1.5 inches/3.5 cm negative ease for smaller sizes, or 2 inches/5 cm positive to negative ease range for the larger sizes.

That way it’s up to you if you want a super snug fit or a little more room. It’s meant to fit like a cozy t-shirt.

I love the refined look the Andalusian stitch gives this one and I just might need to make it for myself soon! You can grab the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: The Knit Purl Girl]

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You probably know by now if you’re a regular reader (and if you’re not, welcome!) that I love a knitting pattern that’s a little silly or a little different from the usual. Classic patterns are great, too, but sometimes you just want to make something with a bit of whimsy. And when it’s super functional, too, that’s even better.

That’s the case with the Bananen-Socken pattern from Susanne Shahin. These banana socks are one of those patterns no one seems to be totally sure where it came from, and this free pattern on Ravelry explains how she makes them based on how she learned it.

It’s a sock that’s curved and when not on a foot it looks rather like a banana. There’s no heel, and you can use whatever number of stitches you need to make it fit your foot. If you’ve knit enough socks to know how many stitches you like you can just use that number, or the pattern notes include sizing charts to help. (It needs to be multiples of 2 for the ribbing.)

After working a traditional cuff, the body is made with ribbing on the back and welts (or what the pattern calls horizontal ribbing) on the front, which is what gives it the curved shape. There’s no heel, but there is toe shaping, but for the leg and the foot you just keep working the same pattern as long as you like.

I’m a little skeptical about how these socks will feel with ribbing on the bottom of the foot, but I’m definitely intrigued and will probably give them a try.

The pattern notes are available on Ravelry in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. If you head to the pattern page you can see a photo of what it looks like on a foot, and it just looks like a normal sock.

Have you ever knit banana socks or do you want to now? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[Photo: Susanne Shahin]

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