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Knitting Patterns – Shrugs to Knit for Mom

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It’s almost Mother’s Day in the United States, so I thought it would be fun this week to look at some gift knitting projects that would be great for moms, women graduating high school or college, or any other gift-giving opportunity you might have coming up soon.

This time of year I love a shrug and have one in my bag pretty much all the time. Of course I’m usually carrying one I designed myself like the Women’s Lacy Shrug or my long-sleeved Fitted Shrug, but there are lots of other great options out there. Here are some highlights.

If you’re looking for something really quick, easy and basic with a twist, check out the shrug fast effect from Wiolett. It’s mostly stockinette with crocheted edging and can be whipped up in a flash, particularly if you happen to have a knitting machine. Shrug This is another quick and easy one, worked in a bulky yarn like a top-down raglan sweater, as is the Movie Night Shrug from Did You Make That?, which is a combo of bulky yarn and eyelets that will be finished in a jiffy.

The One Skein Shrug by Kirsten Hipsky uses a cropped sweater shape and a little bit of lace at the edges. Her long-sleeved Sunrise Shrug is pretty and easy as well.

For something a little fancier, check out the Gratuitous Cables Shrug by Inner Child Crochet or Vera Sanon’s gorgeous Something Lacy Shrug.

Want long sleeves? Try Kristiina V.’s Quicksilver Lace Shrug or the Purl Bee’s simple but really pretty Evening Shrug.

How about shrugs that look like vests? I like the Circular Shrug pattern by Julia Allen and Just Jessica’s Vesty Shrug.

See anything you like? I’d love to hear about it. Or let me know what you’re knitting for mom this year.

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Knit a Garter Stitch Blanket with a Twist

When I first started knitting again after a long absence from the craft (which has now been almost 25 years ago!) I really didn’t like garter stitch that much. I found it super boring, somehow even more boring than knitting stockinette stitch in the round, even though it’s exactly the same thing.

Over the years I’ve softened my opinion, and even grown to like garter stitch. There’s nothing wrong with being plain, and actually the texture of garter stitch is more interesting than stockinette.

Also there are fun things you can do with garter stitch to make it more interesting if you want to, such as adding stripes, working on the bias, or doing fun effects to change the look.

That’s the way with the Bernat Twist My Way Garter Knit Blanket. Using combinations of casting on and binding off creates what they call a Swiss cheese effect along two sides of the blanket. This is a lot of fun in the self-striping ombre yarn they chose for the pattern, but it would also be fun in a solid color or making your own stripes.

Despite the dramatic effect, this pattern is rated easy. It’s worked from side to side (if you consider the “cheesy” edges the top and bottom) and has an eight-row repeat that involves binding off and then casting on again to make the holes. They’re kind of like giant buttonholes.

Once you get the hang of it it’s a pretty easy repeat to remember, and it will be smooth knitting as big as you want to make it.

You can download this pattern from the Yarnspirations website for free, or you can buy a kit direct from them that includes the yarn you need (and knitting needles if you need those, too). Bernat Sport Ombre Twist, which is what is used in the pattern, comes in 12 self patterning colors and is a DK weight acrylic yarn.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]