Knit a Kerchief Like a Cloud

I don’t know if it’s the algorithm or the bias that you see more of what you’re looking for, but it often seems like as soon as I do a roundup of a particular kind of knitting pattern I’m suddenly seeing them everywhere.

So it was with knit kerchiefs, which I posted about last month. Not too long after I came across the Cloud Kerchief pattern from Lavanya Patricella and I knew I needed to share that one, too.

This project calls for a DK weight wool and a mohair/silk blend worked in alternating garter stitch stripes for a super cozy and slightly fuzzy project. You could omit the mohair and just use two different colors of DK weight yarn if you want a different look and a lighter project for the warmer months.

I love the look with harmonious colors, but you could also go a little bolder if you like. It just depends on your style and how you would like to wear it. Making it all in one color with a single kind of yarn is also an option if you want a super simple and quick to knit project.

I don’t think it would be wrong to say this would be a great knitting project to knit for a gift. Even if you don’t have a gift-giving holiday coming up, go ahead and make one and set it aside until a gifting opportunity presents itself.

The pattern has options to make it a little triangle that you can tie at the neck or a bandanna style cowl that is joined with a seam at the back for easier wearing and a little more warmth. You could make both to wear at different times of year.

You can also wear either one around your neck or on your head as shown, which is all the more reason to make both versions (though of course they don’t have to match!).

Find the pattern for these fun kerchiefs on Ravelry.

[Photo: Lavanya Patricella]

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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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