Cute Kerchief Knitting Patterns

A lot of people ask (me, and the Internet, more generally) what you can knit when the weather gets warm. I guess that’s because most people start knitting scarves, hats and mitts, and maybe have the goal of knitting a sweater, but they don’t see the possibilities for knitting things they’ll be able to use when it’s warmer outside.

Of course there are a lot of different options (washcloths, market bags, headbands to name a few) but one that’s been on my mind lately is kerchiefs.

These little triangles of knitting are great to wear as little scarves or to hold your hair back. They might give you a little warmth for cool mornings, but they aren’t so stifling you can’t wear them when it’s warm out.

Some of them you could even fashion into a wearable for your dog, if you’re into that.

The pattern that got me thinking about kerchiefs was Mollie Conrad’s Walnut (available on Ravelry), which is a lacy little scarf worked with two strands of fingering weight or a DK weight yarn by itself. It’s worked from right to left and includes an integrated I-cord edge. This one also includes fun skills like knit 3 together and a centered double decrease.

If you’re looking for something a little easier, this plain and pretty little triangle from Darling J’Adore on Etsy is a great option. It’s perfect for beginners because it’s just a simple stockinette triangle, and it’s a fast little project that only uses about 100 yards of sock yarn.

Add a little bit of texture with a simple repeating knit and purl pattern like on this scarf from Whole Cloth Patterns. It’s knit from the top down to the point and uses fingering weight yarn and a fun diamond design.

The Triangular Miter Kerchief from Lion Brand Yarn throws in another fun technique of working decreases at the center as you would for a mitered square. It also calls for using two colorways of yarn and alternating every two rows to give a pretty watercolor look. You can get the free pattern from Lion Brand.

Indre Ju on Etsy has another cute little triangle that uses eyelets to make it more breathable for summer weather. This one calls for a light weight yarn and particularly a cotton/bamboo blend to keep it cool.

Or try the Borrowed Light scarf from Dutiers Patterns. This one has an allover lace pattern and comes in three sizes depending on the size of your neck and how you plan to wear it. It calls for fingering or sport weight yarn.

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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