Bands of Colorwork Add Direction to This Sweater

Adding colorwork to a sweater is a great way to change the look and make simple stockinette look more interesting. You can easily make different looking sweaters from the same pattern by adding or removing colorwork or changing its placement.

With the Directional Pullover from Aimee Sher, you can change the placement and size of the colorwork bands or remove them altogether. Work the pattern all the way down the sleeves, or leave it off the sleeves and just have it on the body.

The sweater is worked from the top down in one piece, with a modified drop shoulder a V-neck design. The sleeves are worked striaght and gathered near the wrist for a balloon effect.

Optional bust darts are available, and the sizing is such that the front is wider than the back on most sizes to accommodate the bust. It was designed with 8.75 inches or 20.5 cm of positive ease.

There are 11 sizes available, meant to fit actual bust sizes ranging from 30 to 66 inches, or 76 to 167.5 cm.

It calls for a lofty worsted weight yarn and the pattern notes include some suggestions for yarn substitution if you don’t have access to the Hinterland yarn used in the sample.

There are also a few different projects on the pattern page on Ravelry so you can see how different kinds and colors of yarn look in the pattern. There are also lots of variations in these projects including one with short sleeves, long sleeves without the colorwork, longer and shorter panels of colorwork, and no colorwork at all. There’s even one worked with two strands of sock yarn held together for a fun marled look.

The project is designed to be like a snuggly sweatshirt that you’ll want to wear when you need a bit of warmth and comfort.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Aimee Sher]

Knit Your First Sweater with Easy Raglan Patterns

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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