Linen Stitch Shawl Knitting Pattern is the Perfect Stash Buster

I’m never done thinking about different ways to use up yarn leftovers, mini skeins and odd balls. I am a little more interested in this sort of thing at the beginning of a new year (or a new month) but honestly I’m always down for a project that will help me slim down my stash.

Linen stitch is a great choice for a stash-busting project because it’s easy to knit and the woven look make with slipped stitches naturally melds different colors together and automatically makes them look harmonious.

It is a little tedious, but satisfying, too. Linen stitch in knitting is worked on an even number of stitches. For the first row, you knit one, then slip the next stitch with the yarn in front. Repeat those two stitches to the last stitch, then knit it. The second row is purl one, slip one with the yarn in back across, then purl the last stitch.

The position of the yarn to the front side of the fabric when you slip the stitches gives it that woven look that really is like linen fabric. It’s a different look and it’s a great way to use a lot of yarn.

Making a big project out of linen stitch is an even better way to use a lot of yarn. The Linen Soup shawl pattern from Barker Wool does just that. It’s a right triangle shawl that calls for about 1,300 yards (that’s 1,189 meters) of fingering/sock weight yarn, which can be full skeins, leftovers and everything in between. Of course you can make a shawl of a different size by using more or less yarn or a different weight of yarn, but the base one shown comes out to about 80 by 35 inches (or 203 by 89 cm).

You might be surprised to learn that even though this project uses thin yarn it uses decently sized needles: size 8 US or 5 mm. That helps the linen stitch have a bit more drape, as it can get pretty stiff when worked on the usual sized needles for the weight of yarn involved.

This project looks really pretty even with some wild color combinations thrown in, and it’s a great meditative project for the times when you just need something cozy to knit and to wear.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry or buy it direct from Barker Wool.

[Photo: Barker Wool]

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Knitting Patterns – Stash-Busting Hats

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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