Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Linen Stitch Shawl Knitting Pattern is the Perfect Stash Buster

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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]

Stash Busting? Try Knitting a Zero-Waste Shawl

Wrapping up Stash-Busting Month

Knitting Patterns – Stash-Busting Hats

Have you read?

Beyond Basic Pumpkin Knitting Patterns

Over the years I have shared a lot of pumpkin knitting patterns, and I’ve knit and crocheted a lot of pumpkins myself. But it feels like there are always more fun things to try with knit pumpkins, so this year I wanted to look a little more beyond basic stockinette or ribbed pumpkins and share some pumpkin patterns with cables, bobbles and colorwork. 

In the cable collection we’ve got these cute little basic cable and ribbed pumpkins from Elly Bear Knits. There are two sizes that make a wide, flat pumpkin and a taller round pumpkin. Both are worked in the round as a tube that’s cinched top and bottom when you’re done, and they use bulky weight yarn. 

Another cute cable pumpkin knitting pattern comes from Gray Bear Akswokrat. This one is knit flat and it looks like a chunky yarn but you could use other weights to make pumpkins of different sizes. This one also has an I-cord stem and uses yarn to cinch up the sections of the pumpkin, giving it a more natural look. 

Add some bobbles to your pumpkins with this design from Autumn Shelter Makes. Also worked in the round in a tube, it features a repeating pattern of bobbles and uses yarn wrapped around the outside to make segments. This one looks like worsted weight yarn to me. 

Of course there’s nothing that says your pumpkin has to be a single color, so let’s throw in some colorwork. I love the look of the Cozy Fall Pumpkin knitting pattern from South Stitch Girls. The little leather loop adds a rustic touch but you could also just add a stick. These pumpkins have five colorwork options and are worked in worsted weight yarn in the round. 

There’s also the Autumn Fair Isle Trio pumpkins pattern from Equestriann Style, which has three different sizes of pumpkins with four colorwork designs. They are worked in super bulky yarn in the round and look good with high contrast or more muted color combinations.