Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Play with Fisherman’s Rib in This Fun Long Vest Project

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Brioche knitting has been popular for a while now, but I feel like maybe fisherman’s rib is starting to catch up in terms of seeing it more in patterns. They have a very similar look but a lot of people feel that fisherman’s rib is easier. (I do, too, and I know a lot of people love it because one of the most popular posts on my blog is a fisherman’s rib scarf.)

Both brioche and fishermans rib make a kind of thick, squishy fabric that might not feel appropriate for hotter weather, but the Yapa vest by Cecilia Lalanne and Maria Cano for Maos del Uruguay definitely feels like something you can wear when the weather is warm.

It’s worked flat in pieces from the bottom up, so you can make it any length you like, but I like this long version. It uses two different colors of their Alegria yarn, which is a fingering weight blend of merino wool and polyamide, which brings a little coolness to the party (as do these pretty candy colors).

The pieces include integrated I-cord edging, which makes the finishing that much easier. All you have to do is sew the shoulder seams together and join the sides as much or as little as you want. (As shown the color change and the armhole shaping mark the border of where the sides are joined, but if you don’t want such a deep armhole or split hem you can sew up more of it.)

The pattern comes in eight sizes ranging from a bust circumference of 34.5 to 56.5 inches, or 88 to 144 cm. It looks best with a few inches of ease and is shown here with 4.5 inches/12 cm of positive ease.

This is a free pattern available as a download on Ravelry.

If you need help learning how to knit fisherman’s rib, check out my post on the subject.

[Photo: Manos del Uruguay]

Fisherman’s Rib Scarf Knitting Pattern

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Fisherman’s Rib and Brioche Stitch: What’s the Difference?

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Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.