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.]

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There’s always room for more stitch dictionaries on your shelf, but Andrea Rangel’s Knitovation Stitch Dictionary is unlike those stitch pattern books you might already own. That’s because this one is full of colorwork stitch patterns rather than textured stitches, lace or cables, so the designs are ripe for adding to hats, sweaters and other projects with a stockinette stitch background.

The book starts with a quick introduction to knitting colorwork that’s also unlike what you’ve probably seen before, because it’s less about the colors themselves and more about the kinds of fibers you choose, how the yarn is prepared and the gauge you’re working at and how those things all change the look of a design.

Most of the book is filled with motif designs and swatches. The motifs were designed and named by Andrea’s husband Sean, who is an artist and brings a bit of whimsy to the designs.

You’ll find some classic looking leaves and flowers, mosaics and waves, but also rubber ducks, penguins, puzzle pieces, cherries and cows, snails and teapots, eyeballs and chess pieces, to name a few. Many of the designs also have funny names, like a fish named toilet bound, or cats in suits called corporate fat cat.

Of course you can use the designs in any way you want on any project you like, but there are also three patterns in the book — for a hat, a sweater and a pair of fingerless gloves — plus discussion of how the motifs were added, adjusting patterns for a different size or gauge, and adding your own motifs.

If you like adding a bit of colorwork to otherwise plain projects that other people have designed, or you’re ready to start making your own designs with fun motifs, this book is a great place to start. The fun and funny motifs are sure to inspire you to want to pick up your needles and add a little more color to your projects.

About the book: 160 pages, hardcover, 150+ motifs and three knitting patterns. Published 2023 by Interweave, suggested retail $28.

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