Knit for Yourself Shrug Pattern

I feel like we’re far enough into December as I write this that all thought of knitting for gifts for other people should be over. Unless you’re knitting, like, a super bulky hat or something, there’s probably not time to make anything else for anyone else.

And that’s actually a great thing, because that means it’s time to knit for you.

There are people who would call this “selfish knitting,” but I don’t think it’s selfish to want to make something nice for yourself with the skills that you have. I know lots of people like to knit for others most of the time, and that’s great, but I love making myself stuff and I think you should, too.

This knit shrug pattern from Petite.Donut for We Are Knitters is presented as a video on Instagram, but it’s a pretty simple process to make these knit sleeves for yourself.

I say it’s for yourself because you really need you to be there so you can try it on as you knit to make sure all the pieces are the right length for you. It’s worked from one side to the other, knitting one sleeve in the round, then splitting the stitches to make a tiny front and back that go across your body, then joining up again to knit the second sleeve.

The project is worked in bulky yarn and if you know how to knit in the round this should be no problem for you.

Of course you could make it for someone else if you knew how long their arms are and their shoulder to shoulder measurement, but wouldn’t you rather have this sweet little shrug for yourself? I think this would be super cute over a sun dress or a tank top, or I would totally wear it under a sweater for extra warmth.

Check out the pattern on Instagram.

[Photo via We Are Knitters]

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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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