Knit a Simple Looking Sweater Full of Fun Techniques

At first glance, the Doppio Sweater by Seunghee Hong looks like a pretty classic, straightforward, mostly stockinette stitch sweater. But as you div e into it, you’ll see there’s more going on that makes it more interesting to knit.

For example, it’s a top down raglan sweater, but the raglan lines are curved rather then being straight diagonals. That means you’re adding stitches at a different rate on the sleeves versus the body, which should give you a better fit.

>>> While you are here, check out these 35+ Valentine’s Day Quilt Patterns <<<

The neckline is shaped with German short rows (though there are also instructions for using wrap and turn) and stitches are picked up from the neckline or a crochet chain worked in for that purpose. The neckband is folded over and seamed, and there are purl stitches at the sides of the body and back of the sleeves to serve as faux seams.

In addition to all that, the original sweater was worked with a couple of super fine and a sport weight yarn held together to make more of a bulky weight, but you can also use a DK or worsted weight yarn held with a lace weight, or even a bulky weight yarn on its own if you want.

There are lots of tutorials and videos in the pattern to help you with the techniques, but this probably isn’t a great first sweater pattern. If you’re worked regular raglans before, and you’re familiar with short rows, you’ll probably be fine with all the techniques used here. If you’re feeling up for a knit adventure that will get you a classic sweater, this one is a great choice.

The pattern includes nine sizes, with a finished bust measurement ranging from 35 to 67.5 inches, or 89 to 171 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 2 to 5 inches, or 5 to 13 centimeters of positive ease.

You can find more information about the pattern and get your own copy on Ravelry.

[Photo: Seunghee Hong]

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.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Leave a Reply