Play with Intarsia to Make a Scarf or Hood

I’m a big fan of graphic knitting patterns and projects that look more complicated than they really are. Both are true of the Rust & Rhythm scarf and hood (she calls it a bonnet, but it’s a hood to me) projects by Anna Husemann.

The basis of both projects is a simple 3×3 garter stitch ribbing pattern that’s embellished with large graphic colorwork worked in intarsia. Because the stitch pattern itself is a simple 2 row repeat, you can focus on the colorwork and making sure your color changes are crisp.

The pattern includes step by step instructions for joining colors in intarsia so that both sides of your projects will look great.

The patterns are rated as for intermediate knitters. Some experience with intarsia would be helpful (but if you’ve never done it before check out my intarsia tutorial). They call for 4 colors of DK weight yarn (Hobbi’s Highland Wool specifically), but you could probably use even more colors if you want to make the design your own.

The scarf version measures 8.75 inches/2 cm wide and is 77.25 inches/196 cm long. The hooded version includes smaller scale versions of the same graphic patterns. The scarf part is 3.25 inches/8 cm wide and 58.5 inches/149 cm long. There are two options for the hood sizing, depending on how tight you want it to be (or how much hair you have).

Both of the patterns are available for free on Hobbi’s website: scarf | hood. These links will get you to the pattern download in English, but both patterns are available in several other languages, too (including German, French, Italian, Spanish and more). If you need one of those patterns you can search the Hobbi website, or the designer has direct links to each of the languages on the Ravelry pattern page for each design: scarf | hood.

Checking out the Ravelry pages also gives you a chance to see the colors other people have picked, including some that use only two colors or as many as 12 colors if you would rather take it another direction.

[Photos: Anna Husemann]

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

Have you read?