My Last Project of 2012

I’ve been meaning to share this project for a while because it was so fun and the yarn is so lovely that I wanted to talk about it.

Back in early December I went to the Arkansas Fiber Arts Extravaganza (which you can read more about on my blog, and see a video of all my luscious yarn purchases, too!) and one of the yarns I bought — the first one, actually — was this colorful skein of merino, silk and sparkle from Magic and Moonshine. The yarn is called Fairy Dust, colorway Sunday Kind of Love.

I was so attracted to it that I really wanted to start knitting with it right away. But I was knitting these mitts (over and over and over) so it wasn’t until the evening of the last night that I finally cast on with this yarn.

I wanted something simple, a scarf that I could wear on dreary days that would make me smile, and also something quick to knit.

I settled on Christine Vogel’s Drop Stitch Scarf, which is actually shown worked in a similar yarn to mine. The stitch is called seafoam stitch, and it almost couldn’t be easier.

Because of that, I did get a little bored the last day or two, but I love this scarf and I’m sure I’ll keep wearing it even after the weather warms up. You can check out my project on Ravelry, and why not friend me while you’re over there?

What was your last finished project of the old year? I’d love to hear about it!

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.

Comments

Knitting Teresa says
January 11, 2013 at 9:39 am
I love the bright colors in that yarn. It certainly will brighten up any old dreary, gray day. I think you picked a perfect pattern to show off the colors in that yarn. I think the last project I finished in 2012 was my Advent scarf or a pair of fingerless mitts.

Next Pattern:

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