Playing with Texture

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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The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

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