Knit a Matched Set of Projects with a Fun Double Border

I don’t have the best methods when it comes to deciding what to share with you all. Usually I will see something when I’m scrolling Ravelry, Facebook or Instagram and I’ll grab the link and add it to a very disorganized Google Doc. Sometimes I’ll notice a theme and add it to my schedule to do a roundup of certain kinds of patterns. And sometimes by the time I get back to a pattern it becomes a roundup all its own.

That’s the case with the NI mitts from Beatrice Mase. Since this pattern was published in 2022 I’m not sure exactly when it got into my list, but at the time it was published there was also a matching snood pattern, and now that I’m getting to writing about it there are also socks and a sweater. So you can knit a whole NI ensemble!

The thing that makes these designs fun is that they have double borders worked in different yarns, as well as a bit of garter stitch striping somewhere in each project. You can knit a batch all using the same colors, or maybe make them all with the same contrasting color but different main colors? Or just choose a single project you like if you don’t want to get all matchy.

They all call for DK weight yarn, except for the socks, which use sock yarn.

Here’s a quick rundown of all the designs (links go to Ravelry):

Snood: This piece looks like a cowl at the top, then increases around the shoulders to cover the tops of the arms. It comes in one size.
Mitts: These fingerless gloves have a little coverage for the thumb and go about to the low set of knuckles on the hand. This pattern is also one size.
Socks: The double border on these is meant to be folded over the top of a low pair of boots, or you can wear it folded regardless of what/whether shoes are involved.
Sweater: This short-sleeved sweater has a bit of a puffed sleeve, a drawstring at the neckline, and a contrasting color faux seam along the sides. It’s worked from the top down and comes in nine sizes (this was actually made with two strands of fingering weight held together, but you can also use DK).

[Photo: Beatrice Mase]

Next Pattern:

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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Have you read?

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