Knitting Monogamy. Your Opinion…

Whew! A whole day without internet; how did the pioneers survive? Most likely they started new projects. A lot of my knitting time is spent thinking about the next project, or the next yarn. Arguing wth myself over whether to start <another> new project or put the time into finishing the last one. And these arguments always end the same way. I make a final declaration to myself that no new projects will be started until the last one is done. With the exception of….. Yeah, that’s where it gets me. “The only project I have is very memory intensive and I need something to knit at the doctor’s office this afternoon”. It’s worth mentioning that NEVER do I have only one project going so the above statement is just a trap to fall in, which I usually do.
So my 12.31.08 resolution was to finish the slippers,(done, and shown above. Seriously, I HEART these slippers, warm, cozy, soft and waterproof!), Mossi Cardi (done, don’t like, at all!), and the Denim Sweater Jacket. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad eh?
And then, and only then would I cast on for another project. Except for my grandson’s birthday is coming up and I want to do an illusion scarf for him with U. of Mich colors, and I found the cutest frog dishcloth pattern for my granddaughter, and, and , and.

So, what do all of you do about project monogamy? Work on only one thing at a time? Or throw it all to the wind and cast on whenever startitis rears it’s head?

Well, you do what I do, and just cast on for yet another project, like this ULTRA COOL bag I found on Flickr. It’s called a Freeform Floral Bag. Perfect for spring!

So, tonight is Knit Nite again. I’ll take the Denim Sweater Jacket and I’ll take my wheel. Nothing else. No other ideas. No other needles. No patterns. Nothing, just the current project and my wheel. That’s all!

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:

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