Book Review: 60 Quick Cotton Knits

For those of us who are heading into summer, 60 Quick Cotton Knits is a super-tempting book. The book is another of those “60 Quick” books that all use Cascade yarns, in this case Ultra Pima, a cotton yarn that comes in two weights, a wide variety of colors, including some hand-painted options, and is easy to care for.

The book is heavy on summer projects like little airy shawls and scarves, tank tops and shrugs. There’s not a sweater in the collection, though there are some hats, larger shawls and cowls, as well as a couple of pairs of wrist warmers.

There are a lot of projects that use stripes and other colorwork to make the items more playful, and there are even a few that you could use some of your stash on — cotton or not — to add little pops of color.

Everyone is going to like something different in any given knitting book, but it’s likely, with 60 patterns to choose from, that you’ll find a few things you like. Check out all 60 projects on Ravelry.

A few of my favorites include Yoko Hatta’s Chevron Scarf, pictured on the cover; the funky, youthful Woven Back Tank by Nicole Feller Johnson; Wei Wilkins’ openwork Asymmetrical Shawl; the woven-look Slipped Stitch Bag from Suzanne Allen; the Color Swing Tank by Mari Lynn Patrick, a simple shape with just a hint of contrasting color on the edges; Hatta’s Slouchy Striped Hat, perfect in nautical shades; Anna Davis’ Running Chain Cowl, which uses one of my favorite simple slip stitch patterns; Patrick’s Diagonal Lace Hat, which uses a really easy stitch pattern and is worked flat; and the Drop Stitch Tank from Audrey Drysdale, where open stitches make the project light but not scandalous.

This is a great book if you live in a warm climate or a place with a serious summer, though there are some year-round projects and things that aren’t too large to knit for use only a couple months of the year. There are plenty of accessories here that would make great gifts, too.

About the book: 168 pages, paperback with interior flaps, 60 patterns (16 rated easy, 38 intermediate and 6 advanced). Published by Sterling Publishing, March 2016. Suggested retail $17.95.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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