One of the easiest ways to use a bunch of yarn, whether you’re getting rid of stash or just want to make a big project, is by knitting a blanket. Adding stripes is an easy way to use lots of different colors in a blanket, and you can give it a more harmonious look by alternating stripes of a neutral (or just a different) color to tie it all together.
That’s the concept of the True Stripes blanket from Purl Soho, but it adds a twist. By knitting some of the stripes vertically and some horizontally, you get even more fun texture and design interest, even with a simple garter stitch project.
The blanket, designed by Gaby Bush and Gianna Mueller, originally used a pretty off white for the main color and two contrasting colors for the stripes. The yarn used is a luscious wool and cotton blend that’s a light worsted weight, perfect for a spring baby or a throw to keep on the couch while it’s still a little cool in the evenings.
The free pattern is sized for babies and a throw blanket size, but you could pretty easily expand the concept to make an even bigger blanket (or make blocks in this style and sew them together when you’re done).
Because it’s me you will probably expect me to say that you could also make each of the interior stripes a different color if you’re using yarn you already have. This would be so pretty with ombre stripes in the same color family, or you can make most of a rainbow, or just use whatever coordinating yarns you have on hand.
You can grab the pattern on the Purl Soho website, where they also sell kits of the yarn for the baby blanket size.
[Photo: Purl Soho]
Use Your Stash on a Sweater That- All Stripes
