Helix Pullover is a Fun Knit for Summer

I love Jessie Maed Designs and have shared a lot of their patterns over the years, but I somehow missed this one from last summer so I wanted to share it with you now.

The Helix Pullover is a top down crewneck with dropped shoulders and an allover ribbed lace pattern.

The stockinette panels give the design structure, while the eyelet sections make it super breathable and comfortable to wear, even as a long-sleeved shirt, even when it’s hot outside (there is a short-sleeved option, too, if you prefer).

It’s worked with sport weight yarn and is designed to have 1.5 to 7.5 inches, or 4-19 cm of positive ease, though you can pick a size that has more or less ease depending on your preference. It’s also designed to be cropped but you could make it longer if you wanted.

There are nine sizes available with an actual chest measurement (of the garment) ranging from 31.5 to 67.5 inches (80 to 171.5 cm), which means it fits up to a 60 inch/152.5 cm chest.

The intent is to have a ’70s vibe, so pull out your bright neon colors for this one and make it perfect for the beach or wearing over a sun dress. Or you can down it down with more neutral colors and use it as an everyday accessory when you want your outfit to be a little more interesting.

However you make it, you can find the pattern on Ravelry. I feel like I’m always suggesting you look through the finished projects, but you’ll find some great ones here, from a sleeveless long coverup to short sleeved, three-quarter sleeved and long sleeve versions, in all sorts of colors and a variety of ease choices as well. If you know Jessie Maed patterns you know this one is pretty much universally flattering no matter what options you choose.

[Photo: Jessie Maed Designs]

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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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