Review: Wee Garter Stitch

Garter Stitch has a bad reputation for being boring. I mean, I guess it can be boring, but it can also be meditative, and an easy, fun way to get projects done in a hurry. And just because a project involves Garter Stitch doesn’t mean it has to be exclusively Garter Stitch or not include cool techniques, shaping and colorwork.

Vickie Howell shows us how Garter Stitch can be great on a small scale with her latest book Wee Garter Stitch: Must-Have Knits for Modern Babies and Toddlers. And it just a little bit makes me wish I had a little one to knit for.

The book includes bibs, booties, blankies, sweaters and vests, hats and more, all using Garter Stitch in different ways. There are stripes, short rows, cables, colorwork and other stitch patterns used in the projects, which are cute and playful for little ones (garment sizes vary, with some projects only offering one size and some several, but most fit somewhere in the range of 3 month to 2T, with a couple of 4T projects as well).

Some of my favorites include the Round Peg Blanket, which uses short rows to create circles inside blocks that are sewn together; Best Dress-ed, a simple top-down dress with zig-zag stripes I’m seriously tempted to upsize for my little one; the Patched Pants, worked in a denimy yarn with a drawstring waist for a flexible fit; the Honey Baby Pullover, pictured on the cover; and the stunning Coyote Kid Sweater, inspired for Cowichan sweaters (and both the largest in size and most technically complex project in the book). Check Ravelry to see all the projects.

If you’ve got a wee one, or know a little person or someone who is about to have a baby, these projects offer simple style with a modern look and are mostly quick and easy to knit. All the knitting skills you need are explained at the back of the book, so it’s also a great gift to a mom-to-be who might want to start knitting for their new bundle.

About the book: 96 pages, paperback with interior flaps. 25 patterns (one is for beginners, 13 are easy, 9 intermediate and one advanced). Published May 2016 by Sixth & Spring Books. Suggested retail $17.95.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

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