Book Review – Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits

I recently picked up a copy of “Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits” and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. The author has done an incredible job of curating a collection of 12 simple, modern knits that are perfect for the weekend. The patterns are designed for women, men and children and are made using bulky and super bulky yarns, making them exude comfort and ease.

I love the author’s mission to create casual, contemporary, wearable handknits that can serve as foundation pieces in anyone’s wardrobe. The patterns are approachable and not too complex, making them easy to follow and perfect for knitters of all skill levels. The author’s minimalist approach to design is evident in the patterns, and I appreciate how the author focuses on creating simple yet stylish knits that are easy to wear and enjoy.

As a knitter, I can relate to the author’s goal of creating go-to pieces that feel just right, like a favorite soft gray pullover from college. The author’s emphasis on creating knits that are easy to wear and love is something that resonates with me and I believe it will resonate with other knitters as well.

Overall, I highly recommend “Weekend: Simple, Modern Knits” to anyone who loves to knit and is looking for simple, modern and easy-to-wear knits. This collection is filled with patterns that are perfect for the weekend, and you will enjoy creating, and wearing them. The book is well-written, the patterns are easy to follow, and the final results are beautiful, stylish and comfortable, a perfect combination for knits.

Any time of year is a good time for stash busting, but if you can combine it with knitting a blanket that will keep you warm when it (finally!) gets cooler that’s even better. Let’s take a look at some fun patchwork blanket knitting patterns.

If you want to keep it super simple, you can just make blocks of garter stitch and sew them together, like the beginner’s patchwork baby blanket from Mini Baa Baa or the color block blanket from Make and Do Crew. Both projects are worked in strips and sew together, with the baby version calling for two strands of DK or light worsted weight yarn held together and the larger one using bulky yarn.

Add a little more texture with the mixed blocks of the cottage quilt throw from Mama in a Stitch. This one combines garter stitch and seed stitch and uses worsted weight yarn. She used a crochet join to make the chains on top of the blocks, but you can join them however you like. It calls for eight colors but you can use what you have, and there are three size options.

Get a real sampler style patchwork blanket with this design from Knit Sew Make. It calls for worsted weight yarn and has four size options. All of the patterns just use knit and purl stitches so this one is still pretty easy for beginners.

If you want a more complex colorwork project that will keep you entertained all season, try the Peace by Piece blanket pattern from Needle and Feather. This one is made up of two color colorwork blocks and calls for worsted weight yarn. You can choose to use just a few of the blocks and repeat them more often, or make multiples of the whole set.

The knitted patchwork recipe from Martine Ellis (free on Ravelry) uses mitered squares in fingering weight yarn, so it’s perfect for using up all your leftover sock yarn and mini skeins. This one is a tutorial more than a pattern so you can make your blanket as big as you like or keep going until you run out of yarn.

Susan B. Anderson’s 100 Squares blanket (find it on Ravelry) has a lot of mitered squares, too, but they’re arranged in fun ways and includes some quilt inspired designs as well. This one also is a bit of method more than pattern but it sure looks like a lot of fun for using all the leftovers.

Of course you can totally improvise a patchwork blanket using the yarn and stitches you like, but I hope these patterns inspire you to look at your leftover yarn in a new way.

Have you read?