An Easy Blanket to Knit This Weekend

I’ve really been wanting to get back to a couple of simple, stash busting afghans I’ve had on the needles for a really long time. I want them to be done, but I don’t have the patience to stay with them until they are done. And I’m really thinking hard about solving the problem by starting another afghan that would be worked with several strands of yarn held together for more-instant gratification.

The Knit Multi-Colored Blanket from Smiling Colors is a project like that. Worked with two strands of Sheep(ish), which is already kind of heavy for a worsted yarn on its own, this project is mostly Stockinette with some Garter ridges to break it up a bit. And it’s worked in big blocks of color so it adds some cheer to a room without a lot of effort.

As written this is a great throw size (or even a baby blanket), but you could make yours even bigger if you wanted a larger blanket. Either way it’s a great project to remind those of us in the northern part of the world that cooler weather will be here soon.

What are you working on this weekend? I’m actually doing a simple scarf for my daughter, and maybe some knitting for me since it’s my birthday weekend!

[Photo via Smiling Colors.]

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:

Trackbacks

Have you read?

Leave a Reply