Play with Textures in the Doodles Sweater Knitting Pattern

I know summer is still a ways off where I live, but I’m already starting to think about/long for the garments I’ll want to knit and wear during the warmer seasons. If you happen to live somewhere it’s already the warmer season, maybe this one is for you.

The Doodles sweater by Yumiko Alexander strikes me as warm weather knitting because it’s semi translucent, light and airy. They used a yarn that’s a silk and cotton blend, which is perfect for luxurious summer knitting.

The pattern is worked flat in rectangles from the top down, and uses different stitches and techniques to play with different textures. It’s worked in knits, purls, eyelets and slipped stitches, sometimes with two strands of yarn held together and sometimes with a single strand for a more ethereal look.

Sleeves are optional and look to be knit separately from the body. You can choose more of a kimono-style sleeve or a sleeve that’s gathered at the cuff, and you can make the sleeves as long or as short as you like.

It’s a boxy boat neck design that’s super easy and comfortable to wear over a T-shirt or other lightweight top. The design comes in four sizes ranging from 45 to 57 inches (or 112.5 to 142.5 cm), which should tell you it’s meant to be worn with a fair bit of positive ease. The pattern doesn’t specify how much ease is recommended but you can use your own measurements and how much ease you tend to like as a guide.

The pattern also has three options for length so you can make it cropped or longer (the length options are 19.5, 22 and 23.75 inches, or 48.5, 55 and 62 centimeters).

This sweater looks like it would be a lot of fun to knit and to wear, and it will teach you some lessons about different ways to manipulate stitches to get a different look.

You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Yumiko Alexander]

Book Review Wilderness Knits: Scandi-style sweaters for adventuring outdoors

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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