Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

English Rib Cowl Knitting Pattern

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English rib is a stitch pattern that’s similar to brioche knitting in that it’s worked with yarn overs and knit two togethers to make a super squishy ribbed pattern.

For this cowl project from Mirella Moments, you’ll use DK weight yarn and work the project flat to make a close-fitting cowl that’s great for cold weather.

Of course a project like this is super easy to modify, too, if you want to. Since it is worked flat, if you want to make it wider, you can cast on more stitches (you need to have an odd number to make the pattern work out, but any number is fine). You could also try knitting with worsted weight yarn instead of DK (and increase the size of the needles used accordingly) to make the project bigger.

And if you want a deeper cowl, just knit more rows before you bind off.

You can work it in a solid color as shown, or try adding stripes. Because the pattern is ribbed it won’t be a super smooth color change, but you can try it on a swatch and see if you like the look before you commit to it.

This would be a great project for gift knitting (which is kind of our theme this month) because the single-row repeat is easy to learn and memorize, the knitting goes pretty quickly, and you only need about 200 yards of yarn. And most people could use a cowl to help them keep cozy in cold weather.

You can grab the free knitting pattern from Mirella Moments. They use the same stitch pattern on the Folgate headband, if you want to make a coordinating set (it uses worsted weight yarn).

And if you’re ready to learn brioche, the Northwind Headband is a great first brioche project!

[Photo: Mirella Moments]

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Have you read?

Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]