Knitting

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More Gift Ideas for Knitters

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This garter stitch scarf is an easy knit to make into a kit for a new knitterIf you’re shopping for a knitter or just want to drop some last-minute hints (aside from knit-covered shoes), I have a couple of lists over at About for stocking stuffers and larger gifts for knitters.

People don’t usually buy me knitting-related things, but I always appreciate a gift certificate to a local yarn shop, cool handmade knitting needles, or even just a pretty ball of yarn.

Project bags are always a great choice, and I’m pretty sure, much like stitch markers, it’s not possible to have too many of them.

A travel kit of knitting supplies is great if you know a knitter who travels a lot (I love my Knit Kit even though it’s one of the older ones).

Want to get someone into knitting this year? Choose a good beginner knitting book (my baby book is great for new knitters, by the way) or pick out a couple of easy patterns online and buy the supplies needed to make a simple project. I love to do this with my basic Garter Stitch Scarf because you can make it with a single ball of yarn, which gives new knitters satisfaction pretty quickly.

Do you have any knitting-related gifts on your wish list this year? I’d love to hear about them!

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Textured Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

There are so many baby blanket knitting patterns out there I could probably do a post a month full of them and not run out for a very long time. This time I thought I’d look specifically at single color baby blankets that are interesting because of the inclusion of textured stitching. This makes them easy enough for new knitters but engaging for knitters of all skill levels. 

Take the Textured Checks Baby Blanket from Janet Dubbelman for example. This project is mostly stockinette stitch, with some what looks like reverse stockinette and garter stitch thrown in to make the ridges. You can use whatever yarn weight you like to make blankets of different sizes. Find the pattern on Ravelry. 

The Seedling from Modern Made Shop is just about as easy as it comes, combining seed stitch with a garter stitch border. It calls for worsted weight yarn and is perfect for beginners. 

The Julie Baby Blanket by Elisabeth Kristiansen is another one with an easy allover stitch pattern that you can knit up in a flash in whatever size you want. (The pattern notes say any gauge but it also says 28 stitches per 4 inches, which would be a superfine or fine weight yarn. Learn more on Ravelry. 

The Oscar Baby Blanket from Snufflebean is another one with an easy repeating stitch pattern that has a really fun, graphic effect. This is also great worked in a bright color, reminding us that babies don’t have to be in pastels! This one uses DK weight yarn. 

If you want to get a little fancier, check out Sammy Bristow’s Georges Blanket. This one alternates blocks of stockinette stitch with boats and anchors made by purling on the right side of the blanket. It calls for DK weight yarn and has multiple sizes for dolls through toddlers. Check it out on Ravelry.

Another cute texture is this heart blanket with diamonds that are a little reminiscent of argyle. Yarn Sonata Patterns has this one, which is worked in DK weight yarn and comes in four sizes. It includes a chart and row by row instructions. 

Or try the pretty Seton Portage baby blanket from Knitted Wishes, which has a border of trees and textured stitches that look like snow falling. The pattern includes different options for snowflakes and doing a mirror image of the trees on each end of the blanket. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn. This one includes charts, written instructions and video tutorials for special stitches.