Knit a Cozy Pencil Skirt

If you live in a part of the world that’s going into cold weather, this one is for you. And even if it’s getting warmer where you live right now, this is a great pattern to keep in mind or make ahead for the cold season that will be back before you know it.

The Julia Slit Pencil Skirt by Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon is a simple project in the best possible way.

It’s worked from the bottom up, starting with a flat panel to allow for the slit on one side, which is required for ease in walking in such a long skirt.

After that the piece is joined in the round for the rest of the body, and a slip stitch pattern adds interest to the field of stockinette.

It has an elastic waistband and some waist shaping and negative ease for a sleek fit.

The reason this is for the folks experiencing colder weather is that it’s knit with chunky yarn, which is great because it makes a big project like this go a lot faster. And I for one love the idea of a chunky wool skirt over a pair of leggings (maybe even knit leggings?) with a chunky sweater when it’s cold outside. Though it’s also super cute styled with a T-shirt and jacket like Kunbi did.

The skirt has nine sizes available, ranging from a waist circumference of 21 to 47.5 inches (that’s 53 to 121 centimeters) and a hip circumference of 29 to 57 inches (74 to 145 cm). Those are garment measurements, not body measurements; the Ravelry description says it has negative ease but I’m not sure how much. (I’m very interested in this one so if I knit it I’ll update to let you know!)

You can find this pattern on Etsy. And if you like the idea of knitting skirts I’ve shared another of this designer’s patterns before that might be better for folks heading into the warmer seasons, so check out the Hopeful Skirt too!

[Photo: Kunbi Ayo-Okanlawon]

Knit a Pretty, Lacy Skirt

Knit Yourself a Skirt with the Hopeful Skirt Pattern

Book Review – All-Year-Round Knitting for Little Sweethearts

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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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