Take it Easy with the Oscillate Knit Shawl

The end of the year, for me, is all about looking back and looking ahead. It’s about comfort knitting, and comfort living. Simple projects that don’t require too much thinking, so I can use my mind to reflect on the year past and what I want for the year to come.

That may be why I decided last week I needed to cast on a simple top down raglan V-neck sweater. Like, right now.

If you don’t share that same urge to knit a sweater, might I suggest Oscillate by Vincent Williams?

This pretty shawl is worked in worsted weight yarn, and you’ll want to choose a pretty hand-dyed yarn if you have access to one, because part of the oscillation mentioned in the pattern’s name has to do with the subtle shifting of colors as you work through different stitch patterns and textures through the shawl.

It’s a simple boomerang shape that alternates between garter stitch and stockinette stitch for easy stitching but fun textures when you wear it. Because the stitches and the shape are easy you can also customize it to however much yarn you have or how large a shawl you want. If you know me, you know I want a huge one. As written it’s already good sized, though; the longest side is 75 inches (1.9 meters) and it is 17.75 inches (45 cm) deep.

You can wear it in all sorts of ways, from wrapping like a traditional shawl to curling around your neck like a cowl, or even wrapped around your head on chilly days.

The designer notes this one would be great for gift giving as well, which I’m sure is true, but I would knit one for myself first. It’s called pattern testing.

You can get your copy of this pattern on Ravelry.

[Photo: Vincent Williams]

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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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