Knit Mabel’s Sweater from Only Murders

I didn’t expect to like the show “Only Murders in the Building” as much as I do, but one draw of the show, in which neighbors investigate murders for their true-crime podcast, is definitely the costumes, especially the knitwear.

Selena Gomez’s character Mabel wears a lot of great knits, and Joji Locatelli was inspired a yellow sweater featured in the very first episode of the show.

This top down waddle textured pullover is knit in Mabel’s signature yellow color, but you can use any fingering weight yarn you like. The design is actually pretty simple as it uses regular ribbing and fisherman’s rib, which looks like brioche but is a lot easier to do.

The pattern comes in 9 sizes, with actual bust circumference measurements ranging from 30.5 to 62.5 inches, or 76 to 156 cm. It’s meant to be worn with 2-4 inches/5-10 cm of positive ease, so you can pick the size that fits you best with that in mind.

The somewhat close fit and raglan sleeves make this sweater easy to wear and it’s sure to be a new favorite for fall and to layer with in colder weather. This one reminds me of some of my favorite textured tops that I’ve purchased, and I actually already bought this pattern so I can make one as soon as I make some room in my knitting schedule.

You can get your copy of the pattern on Ravelry. While you’re there take a scroll through the projects gallery so you can see how it looks in different colors and on different bodies if you’re not into the yellow. There are lots of really pretty options in there!

If you’ve never worked fisherman’s rib before, it’s really easy, but if you want some practice before you take on this project, check out my fisherman rib scarf, which is worked on big needles and is a super quick knit to get you comfortable with the concept.

[Photo: Joji Locatelli]

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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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