There aren’t a lot of books out there dedicated to knit blankets, but whether you’re knitting a baby blanket or a throw for your couch, knit blankets can be a lot of fun to make and are definitely great to use.
Knit Blankets & Throws with Mademoiselle Sophie
has patterns for 18 blankets, which sounds like a lot but the variation among the patterns isn’t super huge. There are five Garter Stitch blankets, for example (one is bias knit and one has bobbles on the edge, but they’re all Garter Stitch), and seven are largely Stockinette Stitch with a border, embellished either with a bit of colorwork or an allover dotted or tweed design (and one has rows of eyelets).
The other six feature ribbing, lace, cables or a patchwork of stitch patterns. They’re all suitable for beginners or intermediate knitters, and instructions on how to knit and work colorwork and cables are included.
The patterns are cute, don’t get me wrong, and they’re great for newer knitters who might need a pattern to encourage them to work stripes in a Garter Stitch blanket or try an allover lace pattern on a throw. (I really like the trefoil eyelet design on the cover.) But there’s not a lot of innovation here, is all I’m saying. And not every knitting book needs to be innovative.
If you need some good, basic patterns for blankets, whether you’re giving to babies but don’t want them to look too babyish or gifting a friend moving into a new house, or just decorating your own place, this book offers a good jumping off point. Use these design ideas, coupled with the yarn you already have, to create throws that will fit in easily with your life.
About the book: 64 pages, paperback, 18 patterns. Published by Stackpole Books (originally published by LIBELLA, 2015), January 2016, retail price $16.95.
