Knit Up a Colorful Patchwork Blanket

The Checkin’ It Twice (see what they did there, it’s a checkerboard!) knit blanket pattern from Yarnspirations is meant to be a holiday knitting project, but it wouldn’t have to be. Instead of making the one big patch that in their version says “Season’s Greetings,” you could make more small patches or add a different sentiment to the big patch.

However you choose to make it, this pattern calls for seven colors of worsted weight yarn (it specifically uses Red Heart Super Saver, but you can use whatever you like). The small patches are knit in garter stitch on the bias, while the large square is stockinette stitch. The squares are all worked separately so this is great TV knitting. Christmas movie knitting? Probably.

Of course that also means there’s a lot of sewing up to do when it’s done, but it’s a pretty easy project even with all of that.

And I’m sure you can guess what I’m about to say next, which is that if you don’t want to go out and buy seven different colors of worsted weight yarn or you don’t already have them in your stash, you can absolutely use more colors to use up odd balls from other projects to make a super colorful blanket.

As it is done now, every other block is white, which really helps it keep a harmonious look even as the other colors are kind of randomly placed. So you can do the same thing and it will still look great even if all your blocks that aren’t the main color end up being different colors.

The blanket is about 56 by 70 inches, or 142 by 178 cm, which makes it a great size for throwing on the back of the couch and using while you’re watching TV or snuggled up with a book. And if you get really excited about stash busting you can just keep making squares and make it as big as you like!

This free pattern is available from Yarnspirations.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

I rarely understand why something becomes a trend in crafting. Gnomes and geese are both cute I guess, but I never thought we’d be making them for all seasons. (See, for example, this collection of gnome knitting patterns, or these knit geese.)

Another one I don’t totally understand is sardines or little fish more generally. Sure, they’re cute, and the shape is fun, but I had no idea when I was sharing this pattern for a fish-shaped pouch last year that it would become a hugely popular pattern that people are still searching for on the site. It is pretty cute, though, so if you weren’t around then or don’t remember you should got check it out.

Recently another fishy knitting pattern crossed my monitor: the little knit fish from Classical Songbird Designs.

Just as the name suggests, these fish are little, about 4.5 inches or 11 cm from end to end. They look like little sardines and take about 12 yards of sock yarn to make.

You can even make a two-tone fish and use just 6 yards of each color.

This sounds to me like just about the perfect use for the yarn that’s left over after knitting a pair of socks, or a mini skein or several that have been sitting around unused in your stash.

The fish are knit flat in one piece, which makes it easy to stitch on the eyes with more yarn or embroidery floss before stuffing, and you can stitch up the sides while you stuff (though it’s not a very big piece so you could probably stitch and then stuff, finishing with the end of the tail).

Because I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one wondering, I measured an Altoids box and as the pattern is written the fish are a little too big to fit in it (the box is about 4 inches/10 cm long). But you could make the fish a little smaller if you want to make a box of them. Or just make a fishy bag to put them in!

You can grab the free pattern for the little knit fish at Classical Songbird Designs.

[Photo: Classical Songbird Designs.]

Have you read?