Knitting in the News: Nerdy Knits, Knitting Fails and Charity Projects

BuzzFeed is not a site I love, but they do sometimes have some fun things related to knitting and crafts. This community post from Allie Dahl collects 19 nerdy knits that you’re sure to want to stitch up if you haven’t already if you’re of the geeky persuasion. You’ll find classics like the Doctor Who Scarf and the Jayne Hat, as well as projects inspired by Star Wars, Mario Kart, Harry Potter and Zelda, among others.

We all know knitting doesn’t always go as planned, and gauge can be a beast. But sometimes you want to show off your new knitting creation even if it’s, if you’re being honest, an utter fail. Check out this collection of projects that didn’t quite turn out as expected (via Mashable), and you’ll probably feel better about your latest knitting problem.

It’s been a cold, hard winter lots of places, and knitters and crocheters in Denver have taken to the streets, leaving scarves around town for people who need them. While most of the people in the story seem to be crocheting, this is something knitters can do, too. Please ignore the reference to needlecrafts being for old people; it’s still a nice story.

And speaking of stitching for people in need, I recently saw a call for handmade hats and booties for the Preemie Project, which gives hats, booties, care items and bereavement items to parents of preemies (as well as those who have stillborn babies or a miscarriage) at hospitals across Iowa. They’re in particular need of hats and booties for 3-5 pound and 6-8 pound babies, and say they always need more items for boys than girls. Click the link for more information.

[Photo of giant sock from Imgur, via Mashable.]

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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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