Get Some Texture with the Pass the Honey Knitting Pattern

I love a good stockinette stitch pattern because of the classic look and the fact that I don’t have to pay a lot of attention to what I’m doing.

But I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a good textured knit, too. They make the knitting more interesting, and the look is a little more special. I always feel more of a sense of accomplishment from a project if it has some kind of technique to it more than stockinette stitch. I also feel like something with special details like a fun texture makes it look more like I made it, if that makes sense.

The Pass the Honey cardigan by Joy Friedman for Knit Picks is a pattern like that. This long-line cardigan uses a mock honeycomb stitch pattern to give a look that’s reminiscent of honeycomb. The pattern is rated intermediate but it’s not difficult once you get the hang of the pattern.

The cardigan is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes. It includes faux seams at the sides, and after the top parts are worked, you knit the sleeves in the round. There’s a wide ribbed edging on the open fronts.

The pattern is available in nine sizes, ranging from 38 to 70 inches in circumference. Using the same yarn as used in the sample (Knit Picks Brava Worsted Tweed) the smallest size can be made for about $25 worth of yarn, and the largest size is about $40, making it a pretty good value for a big project.

You can download the free pattern (email signup required) from Knit Picks.

[Photo: Knit Picks.]

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Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.

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