Take it Easy with the Sandstone Scarf Knitting Pattern

A new year is a great time to learn new skills, and if you’re just now taking up knitting (welcome!) or are reminding yourself how to knit because it’s been a while (welcome back) or even if you’re trying to teach someone else to knit, starting with something really basic is a great thing to do.

The garter stitch scarf is a classic first knitting project because it’s relatively quick and easy and it doesn’t have to come out a particular size. It’s also not the end of the world if your tension isn’t perfect, or if your edges are a little wonky.

If you’re looking for a beginner project with just a little bit more flair, try the Sandstone Scarf from Mirella Moments.

It uses super bulky yarn (which is my preference for beginners because it’s easy to handle) in three colors, which means you’ll learn how to change colors straightaway. It also has fringe, which is an easy way to make a simple project a little more fun.

And even if you are a knitter with a few projects under your belt, this is a nice meditative project for working while watching TV or when you need something that isn’t going to require a lot of thought. This would be a great charity knitting project or a way to get a jump on your gift knitting for next year (it’s really never too early!).

You can grab the free pattern from Mirella Moments.

Looking for more easy knitting patterns for beginners? Check out this post I compiled last year of easy garter stitch knitting projects to take you beyond scarves. Here are some more fun garter stitch projects, because apparently I write a post about garter stitch knitting patterns every year. Probably because even as a not-beginner, I still love knitting garter stitch from time to time. How do you feel about garter stitch? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

[Photo: Mirella Moments]

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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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