Keep it Simple with This Ribbed Cardigan

My love of cardigans is well documented, and I think I’m about to add another one to my must-knit list. While sometimes I love some good colorwork or fancy techniques, sometimes it is awesome to keep it simple. Summer, for instance, but really pretty much any time when you’re feeling like there’s a little too much going on and you need a bit of comfort from your knitting.

And if you can knit something that will give you even more comfort as the weather gets cooler, so much the better.

Enter the Leruo cardigan from Noma Ndlovu. This pretty little cropped, ribbed, V-neck, open front cardigan is worked in one piece from the top town and includes raglan shaping for a comfy fit. To add sleekness to the open fronts, the edgings are worked in double knitting for a smooth stockinette look that doesn’t curl.

The rest of the body and sleeves are worked in 2 by 2 ribbing, so it should be a pretty quick and easy project and even great travel knitting if you’re planning to do any of that this year.

As shown, the length is a bit cropped but you can always add a little length depending on how you plan to wear it. The suggested yarn is wool, but if you made it in a cotton blend, for example, the shorter length would be perfect for wearing over sun dresses. Add a little length (for me, anyway) and it’s perfect for layering in the cooler months.

However long you make it, the pattern comes in 10 sizes with finished bust measurements ranging from 34 to 60.75 inches, or 86.5 to 154.5 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 0-4 inches, or 0-10 cm, of positive ease, and the fronts don’t meet in the middle so there’s a wide range of fit options built into those sizes.

You can grab the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Noma Ndlovu]

Knit a Super Cozy Boxy Cardigan

A Lovely Cardigan to Knit for Summer

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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