Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Review: Easy Textured Knits

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easy textured knitsWhen knitters first start out learning the craft, they learn knit and purl, of course, and with them Garter and Stockinette. Then usually comes ribbing, but some new knitters might not know about the wealth of other combinations of knit and purl that are out there, just waiting to make a simple project a little more interesting.

Margaret Wilson aims to change all that with her book Easy Textured Knits: The Ultimate Stitch Reference Guide, which includes more than 70 stitch patterns and 29 projects that use these knit and purl combos to create fun effects in relatively easy ways.

The book opens with a list of supplies and tips on using stitch patterns and reading charts. Then 72 different stitch patterns are shown in swatches, with the instructions given in text and in chart form. Each tells how many stitches and rows constitutes a repeat, and a smallish photograph (about 2 inches tall and 4 inches wide) shows the pattern.

I would have liked these photos to be bigger, and in pretty much every case that would have been possible without that much effort. But you get the idea of the stitch pattern in any case.

The patterns themselves are arranged in skill level order, starting with washcloths, pillows and a sampler blanket that uses 63 blocks.

There are blankets worked in a single piece and garments for men, women and children using allover stitch patterns. All the patterns are pretty straightforward, but some do rate as for intermediate knitters because of the use of shaping and the need to sew pieces together.

The pillows (which you can see on the cover) are pretty fun, and a dramatic way to add knitting to your home decor. I also like the women’s Wavy Rib Sweater, with its compact, cropped length and three-quarter sleeves. Her Zigzag Tunic is another pretty one, using Twin Rib on the Bodice and a zigzag pattern on the skirt of the tunic length top.

But even if you never worked any of the patterns out of this book, it would be a decent reference for a beginning knitter into the world of knit and purl combinations. There are a lot of pretty stitch patterns here you could add to your own projects and play with in swatches.

Do you like stitch reference books? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Comments

  1. ‘Easy Textured Knits’ by Margret Willson/Leisure Arts. Error on p.127/V-Neck Vest – Left Front/Row 8. This is a wrong side row & should read in 2nd bracket (P7, K1). This has been reversed/a typo & I undid my knitting twice before I realized! Also, although a competent knitter, I found it too difficult to “maintain the pattern” whilst decreasing so I reverted to st.st.at this point

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Knitting Market Bag Patterns

There are certain things that just make sense to knit at this time of year, and market bags are one of them. We tend to use our canvas bags more often in the summer with trips to the farmer’s market and the library, but string bags and market bags are great to use all year.

I love the Three Oranges Bag by Hana Cho, which looks just like a knit version of a plastic shopping bag, but with three cute oranges stitched on. The bag uses intarsia to make the oranges, but you could use duplicate stitch or intarsia to add a different design if you like. It calls for fingering weight yarn and you can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Sharyn Anhalt’s Market Square bag (also on Ravelry) uses worsted weight yarn and a mosaic pattern to make a pretty bag you’ll want to use every time you go shopping. The bag comes in two sizes and is worked in two colors of the same yarn for a fun mixed up effect that’s almost like weaving.

Speaking of fun colors, the Market Bag from Hubbabubbie Art uses a multicolored cake yarn (specifically Lion Brand Mandala) to produce fun color changes without any extra work. This bag is worked from the bottom up with a crocheted bottom and knit mesh sides. It’s a free pattern on Ravelry.

The Pike Place Market Bag from Blue Bird Pine Shop looks like a massive bag to hold all your market goodies (that is a child holding it, but still). The bag calls for worsted weight cotton yarn and the mesh is worked on extra large needles to help it open up to hold everything you want held.

The Knit Farmer’s Market Bag form Design BCB is another good one, made mostly of mes with a little stockinette for extra stability. The base is also worked in stockinette so items you put in it will sit flat.

This mesh bag from Sheep and Stitch doesn’t have a base, and the body is worked flat before being joined in the round to make the top and handles. That makes it easy to make the bag just the size you want because you can stop knitting whenever you feel it’s big enough. The pattern includes a step-by-step video if you need extra assistance.

And the Eco Market String Bag from Mama in a Stitch has a solid knit base worked in a contrasting color from the mesh body. It’s an easy project that comes out a great size for your market needs without being too huge.

Do you have a favorite knit market bag pattern? I’d love to hear about it!