Knitting

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Mix and Match Sweater Patterns for Kids

by 10 Comments

pick the pieces by lorna miserPick the Pieces by Lorna Miser is a fun book for those who want to learn how to customize sweaters on a small scale.

The book includes 12 complete sweater patterns (some of them are on Ravelry) in sizes from six month to six years, along with 48 components you can mix and match to make your own designs without the work.

So, for instance, you can make the short-sleeved sweater as shown, with allover Seed Stitch patterning, picot edging, a V neck and ties at the front, or you could make it long sleeved, turn it into a crewneck, add pockets and a hood and more.

This is a fun way to kind of dip your toe into designing, because you can choose the components and knit a totally custom sweater without having to do the math. And your kiddos will love having projects made just the way they want them (my daughter, for instance, wants every sweater to be a hooded cardigan).

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, November 5. I’d love to know a little about the little ones you knit for. My daughter is 8 so she’s aged out of this book, but she does still love me to knit for her, which is great. Because last year’s sweater still fits, this year I’m making her a big, squishy lap blanket instead.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

Looking for more knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Looking for Yarn online? Check out Lionbrand our preferred source for purchasing yarn online.

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Comments

  1. What a great book! Thank you for the chance to win a copy. I have two grandsons (3 & 1) and love to knit them things. I know the day is likely to come when they won’t want handmade things so I’d better have my fun now!!

  2. I love the concept of this book! The tiny kids I knit for are my nieces/nephews who are 6 mo -10 yrs old and new babies of friends!! Thank you

  4. Perfect-many sweaters with one book! I have one grandchild, a boy almost a year old, and now is the perfect time to knit him up a few sweaters. I have a vest in progress right now but I’ll finish it up in case I win 😉

  5. Love to mix and match…four DGDs would love to help pick out:)

    from chilly autumnal VT,
    the Vermonster

  8. With 2 grandsons I need sweater patterns for kids, especially if they can be work as boys sweaters that are hard to find. I need to go check out this book. Winning it would be even better

  9. I knit for grandchildren of friends and for charity. This book would help with variety. Thank you for the chance to own it.

  10. My not-so-little-one will be turning 7 soon. She really needs some new sweaters! All the ones I find in the store are so thin they don’t seem like sweaters!

Have you read?

Book Review: Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit & Crochet Blankets

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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