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]

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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