Sanders Cowl Knitting Pattern

We have been having so much fun with all the Bernie Sanders inspired knitting patterns lately, and I could not resist adding one of my own to the mix.

The Sanders Cowl uses four colors of yarn and is worked in the round from the bottom up. I studied the infamous mittens to design the color charts, and inverted the chart at the bottom for the top so that it would be symmetrical, though the original mittens have a slightly different pattern at the top.

I made my version with random yarns I had at home that were close to the right colors, which I think Bernie would approve of. They are worsted and aran weight yarns, but you can change the yarn to change the size if you like!

In the spirit of Bernie’s passion for healthcare, I also decided to make this pattern a fundraiser for two amazing charities aimed at helping the physical and mental health of often-underserved communities: the Native Wellness Initiative and the Loveland Foundation.

If you want to stitch up something to remember the time a pair of mittens stole all our hearts, but maybe you don’t want a pair of mittens, this pattern is a great option. It’s actually really easy and a pretty quick knit, too! You’re never working with more than two colors in a round so it’s a great way to dip your toes into colorwork.

You can learn more and grab the pattern on Ravelry.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

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