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]

I love the look of mesh tops for summer, but I don’t know that I would ever actually wear one that’s full of giant holes, even though I admit they look cool (in both senses of the word) on other people.

What I would wear, though, is something that’s still lacy but maybe a little bit more subdued, like this chevron lace knit top from Yarnspirations.

This easy to knit T-shirt style top is worked flat in two pieces from the bottom up, using and easy lace pattern that’s a repeat of 10 stitches and four rows (though the wrong side rows are just purled, so there’s only two rows you need to learn the pattern on).

It has little cap sleeves that are worked as part of the top by casting on stitches where you need them.

If you’re new to lace knitting this is a good one to try because the pattern includes both written and charted instructions, and the only skills you need are yarn over, knit two together, slip slip knit and slip 1 knit 2 together pass the slipped stitch over (which makes a centered decrease).

There are four size options available (which they claim is enough to cover XS to 5XL), with finished chest measurements ranging from 38.5 inches (that’s 98 cm) to 59 inches, or 150 cm. The amount of ease would vary widely depending on your size and the size garment you choose. For example the largest size is said to fit a chest measurement from 5258 inches/132-147.4 cm, which gives you a range of ease from 1-7 inches, or 2.5 to 17.78 cm, depending on your size. Just something to be aware of when you think about how you want it to fit.

The project calls for Red Heart Cotton Breeze yarn, which isn’t a yarn I’ve tried yet, but it’s a DK weight acrylic and cotton blend, which should make a lightweight top that’s great for summer.

Grab the free pattern from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Have you read?