Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Project Spotlight: Mustard Scarf

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my mustard scarf by Jane Richmond.One of the things I miss since the redesign at About.com (and it’s lovely, so I can’t complain much) is that there’s no longer a blog component so there’s not a place where I can share what I’ve been working on or projects I’ve finished.

So I thought maybe I’d try bringing some of that over here, and that I’d start by telling you about a pattern I knit over the weekend.

Jane Richmond’s Mustard Scarf is a free Ravelry download that I must have downloaded a long time ago. But I came across it again last week, and when I was feeling a little tired of another project I’m working on I decided to cast this one on.

It calls for 150 meters, or about 164 yards of yarn, but I used less than a ball of Knit Picks City Tweed (color Jacquard, a ball the company gave me to sample years ago) and ended up with a bigger than called for project without using all the yarn (which is 123 yards). So depending on your gauge you can use less, or just make a smaller scarf if you like.

The project is eyelet rows alternating with knit rows (or, if you’re like me and your hands just purl on the wrong side without being asked, purl rows) and is just a big rectangle. You sew a button off to one side and use that to help hold it on your body. The fun thing is that it’s worked with medium/worsted weight yarn but size 15 US (10 mm) knitting needles, so it takes no time at all.

I cast on after my daughter went to bed Friday night and was done in time to wear it to a neighborhood gathering Saturday evening (excuse the Instagrammed look of the picture). I like it because it’s part scarf and part cowl, and was just the right size to be a scarf for my daughter when it got a little cooler than we expected. She may never let me wear it again. The good news is I can make another one super quick.

See the details of my project on Ravelry.

What are you working on? I’d love to hear about it.

 

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Textured Baby Blanket Knitting Patterns

There are so many baby blanket knitting patterns out there I could probably do a post a month full of them and not run out for a very long time. This time I thought I’d look specifically at single color baby blankets that are interesting because of the inclusion of textured stitching. This makes them easy enough for new knitters but engaging for knitters of all skill levels. 

Take the Textured Checks Baby Blanket from Janet Dubbelman for example. This project is mostly stockinette stitch, with some what looks like reverse stockinette and garter stitch thrown in to make the ridges. You can use whatever yarn weight you like to make blankets of different sizes. Find the pattern on Ravelry. 

The Seedling from Modern Made Shop is just about as easy as it comes, combining seed stitch with a garter stitch border. It calls for worsted weight yarn and is perfect for beginners. 

The Julie Baby Blanket by Elisabeth Kristiansen is another one with an easy allover stitch pattern that you can knit up in a flash in whatever size you want. (The pattern notes say any gauge but it also says 28 stitches per 4 inches, which would be a superfine or fine weight yarn. Learn more on Ravelry. 

The Oscar Baby Blanket from Snufflebean is another one with an easy repeating stitch pattern that has a really fun, graphic effect. This is also great worked in a bright color, reminding us that babies don’t have to be in pastels! This one uses DK weight yarn. 

If you want to get a little fancier, check out Sammy Bristow’s Georges Blanket. This one alternates blocks of stockinette stitch with boats and anchors made by purling on the right side of the blanket. It calls for DK weight yarn and has multiple sizes for dolls through toddlers. Check it out on Ravelry.

Another cute texture is this heart blanket with diamonds that are a little reminiscent of argyle. Yarn Sonata Patterns has this one, which is worked in DK weight yarn and comes in four sizes. It includes a chart and row by row instructions. 

Or try the pretty Seton Portage baby blanket from Knitted Wishes, which has a border of trees and textured stitches that look like snow falling. The pattern includes different options for snowflakes and doing a mirror image of the trees on each end of the blanket. It’s worked in worsted weight yarn. This one includes charts, written instructions and video tutorials for special stitches.