• Home
  • Suggest A DIY
  • DIY Newsletter

Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Book Review: Texture by Erika Knight

March 30, 2021 by Sarah White

There are a lot of different textures available to knitters through combinations of knit and purl stitches, cables, lace and more. But it seems like a lot of the time we stick to the basics: Stockinette, Garter and ribbing.

Inspired by the textures found in the repeating patterns of city buildings and the more organic designs found in the country and near the ocean, Erika Knight’s Texture: 20 Timeless Garments Exploring Knit, Yarn, and Stitch offers patterns that are often asymmetrical, oversized, choppy or designed in a way to look unfinished, worn or weathered.

These kinds of patterns are not for everyone, and I definitely found myself wondering at some of the design choices. But just because they’re not for me doesn’t mean they aren’t interesting. (You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.)

Some of my favorites are the more straightforward ones, like Thatch, a Garter Stitch jacket; and Rutt, a striped and textured bulky tee.

If you’re looking for something adventurous and outside the ordinary, Texture has a lot of interesting options and a handful of classic pieces you’ll want to add to your wardrobe.

About the book: 192 pages, hardcover, 20 pages, published by Roost Books, retail price $27.95.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for more Cable-styled knitting patterns? Check out these Cable Knit Patterns on Etsy

«
»

Have you read?

Stitch a Play Mat with a Gorgeous Butterfly

The butterfly on this piece — the Owl Butterfly Playmat by Sophie’s Stitches — caught my eye before I even knew what the project was. Now that I’ve give it a closer look I’m still not 100 percent sure what it is meant to be for, but I still love it. 

I think it’s maybe to give you a flat surface to roll dice or play cards on, but there are no images of the project in use so I’m just speculating on that. If you know what it is, be sure to let me know!

What it physically is is a worsted weight mat (the sample is worked in cotton) that measures 14 by 24 inches, or 35.5 by 61 cm. The impression I get from the pattern notes and the photos is that you knit the rectangle plain and the butterfly is stitched on after using duplicate stitch, which is provided as a chart. 

Of course you could choose to knit some of the colorwork as you go, either using stranded knitting or intarsia techniques, or maybe some of both. It just looks like a lot of duplicate stitch (and it is!) so knowing me if I were making this project I’d probably try to knit some of it instead of stitching it all. 

The pattern also suggests that you can knit a second plain mat to sew on the back and cover up all the yarn ends, as well as making the mat thicker and a little more stable. There’s also a photo that shows fabric sewn to the back, which is also a good option if you have some fabric that has a bit of grip. 

I like the graphic on this one enough I might just make it as a table pad for our entry way table. You can always make the mat part a different dimension, just make sure you’re centering the image if you do. 

You can find this pattern on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Sophie’s Stitches]

Categories

Afghans, Blankets, Throws baby hat Baby Patterns Beginner Book Reviews cardigans Christmas Craft News and Events Free Knitting Patterns Giveaways! Hats and Beanies Knit Knitting Patterns Knitting Technique & Tutorials mittens Quick Knits scarf shawl patterns socks Sweaters

RSS feed: More Articles More Articles

  • Stitch a Play Mat with a Gorgeous Butterfly
  • 20 Non-Candy Halloween Treat Ideas for Kids, Classrooms and Trick-or-Treaters
  • DIY Snowman Door Hanger Using Tulle and Fairy Lights
  • Whipped Manuka Honey Body Butter – Ultra-Rich DIY Moisturizer for Dry, Mature Skin
  • How to Wet Felt an Embellished Clutch Purse by Natasha Smart Textiles
  • 10 Cute Halloween Scrapbook Layout Ideas
  • Book Review: The Wandering Knitter
  • Book Review: Irresistibly Cute Mini Amigurumi – 62 Tiny Crochet Projects
  • 10 Easy Overnight Oats Recipes That Are Full of Flavour
  • Storage Solutions for Threads, Rulers and Quilting Notions (Without Turning Your Sewing Room Into Chaos)

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Copyright © 2026 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy