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Playing with Texture

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Knitting patterns using lots of textured stitches.Lately I have not been feeling stockinette stitch all that much. I mean, it’s quick and easy to knit, but it just doesn’t have a lot of personality. Maybe after knitting all the projects for a book that was mostly stockinette (thanks to it being a book on color knitting) I’m a little burned out.

Or maybe I’m just looking for something more interesting to keep me entertained through cold winter evenings knitting in front of the TV.

If you find yourself looking for something a little different, too, here are some projects that have caught my eye recently.

This Chevron Shawl from Yarnspirations is fun because it uses a chevron that switches directions, and a slightly shiny yarn for a bit of extra fun (though this would also be great in a plain wool, or even in cotton yarn for a super casual look).

Speaking of chevrons, the Zigzag Throw (shown as a shawl) is a beauty in jewel tones, and pretty quick and easy to knit thanks to bulky yarn. This is definitely one that would keep you plenty warm.

The Baby Alpaca Hues Cowl pattern from Plymouth Yarn uses a fun diagonal rib stitch to add texture to a fluffy multicolored yarn. And the Basketweave Afghan, another one from Yarnspirations, is a great way to keep warm with a pattern suitable for even beginner knitters.

Do you like to add texture to your projects with stitch patterns or are you more of a stockinette and garter kind of person? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Have you read?

Stitch Your Favorite Fruit on a Sweater

The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.” 

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them. 

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits. 

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves. 

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit. 

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy. 

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]