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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Magical Woodland Knits by Clare Garland is a few years old as I write this, but it’s such a fun book I couldn’t resist sharing it. Step into a magical forest full of realistic woodland creatures including rabbit, deer and squirrel, birds and mice, to name a few.

In all there are 12 creatures, and though they are rather small (the wolf is the largest at 14.5 inches/37 cm tall and 18.5 inches/47 cm long), they are so detailed these are definitely not projects for new knitters.

One of the smaller projects, for example, is the robin, at 5/5 inches/14 cm long. It calls for nine different kinds of yarn. Sometimes some are held together, while others are worked with on their own. This pattern only includes three pages of instructions, but the print is rather small and in that time there are six different sets of short rows. None of this makes it too difficult for a knitter with experience reading detailed patterns, working short rows and working with multiple strands of yarn at once, but it’s worth knowing going in that even for small projects you’ll need a lot of supplies and time to work on them.

These are also not meant to be children’s toys, as they can include wires and other supports that could be a danger to little ones.

The process photos often look like taxidermy on a tiny scale, with little animal pelts stretched out and tons of stitch markers showing where and how things go together.

The finished animals are so pretty it’s certainly worth the effort to stitch up these creatures. You might be tempted to make all 12 and set up your own forest scene or use them to decorate your Christmas tree. You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

Along the way you’ll also find a little folklore about the animals, charming drawings and pretty photos of the finished animals, too. In the back you’ll find some helpful techniques like picking up stitches, making I-cord and working short rows.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 12 patterns. Published 2020 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99.

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