Garter Ridges are the Stars of the Thistle Yoke Pullover

I love a good patterned yoke sweater. That little bit of detail provides for some drama in the knitting but the majority of the garment is super simple, which is nice when you need some mindless knitting.

The Thistle Yoke Pullover, designed by Ainur Berkimbayeva, looks like it might be a top-down, circular yoke style sweater, but the yoke is actually worked sideways, with Garter ridges and short rows making the design. Then you graft the top together at the back, pick up stitches and knit the bottom circularly. So fun!

The pattern is available in 8 sizes, from 30 to 63 inches actual chest measurement, and is meant to be worn with 1-4 inches of positive ease.

Get the pattern from Purl Soho for $9.80.

[Photo: Purl Soho.]

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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