Knit a Blanket Inspired by Bamboo

I feel like I’ve had garter stitch on the brain a lot lately, but I’m also, as always, interested in simple knit-purl patterns that can look really interesting without a whole lot of work.

There are so many of these stitch patterns (many preserved and/or created by Barbara G. Walker, of course) you could spend your whole knitting career just doing knit purl patterns and you’d be busy for a very long time.

I don’t know that this bamboo ribbing stitch was one of hers, but it looks like something she would have liked if it’s not in one of her collections somewhere. I saw it most recently from Studio Knit, where Kristen used a supersized version to make her Bamboo Forest Blanket.

This stitch pattern is almost like a gigantic ribbing design, with ridges of reverse stockinette are worked on the stockinette stitch ground to break up the ribs and make the design look like big pieces of bamboo.

While the written out pattern (there’s also a chart) looks a little overwhelming because it’s a 24 row repeat, once you’ve knit a repeat or two you will see how it goes on pretty easily.

The pattern uses bulky yarn and there are seven size options, ranging from a receiving blanket to a queen sized bedspread. (The one shown is a lapghan size, coming out to 36 by 44 inches, or 91.44 by 111.76 cm.

This looks like a super cozy blanket that would also be fun and meditative to knit. You can grab the free pattern from Studio Knit.

Looking for more easy blanket patterns? I share a lot more baby blankets than I do big person sized blankets, but you can also check out this old collection of bulky yarn blanket knitting patterns to keep you cozy as long as winter lasts where you live.

[Photo: Studio Knit]

Adding a bit of knitting to your fall decor is a lot of fun, whether it’s knit pumpkins or a bunch of adorable knit ghosts like these.

Knit ghosts can be super simple like this free ghost knitting pattern from Trixie Zynch on Ravelry. Using about 50 yards of worsted weight yarn, they’re worked from the bottom up and are super cute as a pair.

This fuzzy little ghost from Forest Knitting Toys is holding a pumpkin and wearing a witch hat, though of course the accessories are optional, as is the fuzzy yarn. The main yarn is chunky and the ghost measures about 10 cm/4 inches tall. It’s worked in the round.

Another fuzzy ghost in more of a Pacman style is this ghost plushie form South Stitch Girls. It’s worked in the round with bulky yarn and includes a sweet little bow you can make in whatever color you like.

The ghost doll from Edith Grace Designs has little arms and a curl at the top of its head. The body is worked flat using DK weight yarn and you could also work it in glow in the dark yarn for extra fun. The body and head are worked in one piece with the arms knit separately.

The Grim Grinning Ghosts from Susan Claudino are super cute and you can knit them in any yarn and gauge you like to make ghosts of different sizes. These are worked in the round with the body done in one piece and the arms are knit separately. The ghosts shown were knit in sock yarn, DK and worsted weight yarn. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Make a ghost with funny striped legs with this ghost shelf sitter design from Claire Fairall Designs. It’s worked in three colors of DK weight yarn, and the letters spelling out boo are made with strips of garter stitch sewn into shape.

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