Take Your Stitches in New Directions with this Knit Sweater

When I first saw the New Directions Knit Pullover from Yarnspirations, I thought it was a cable knitting project.

But it turns out these shifting stitches are caused by strategic increases and decreases that form those lines that look like cables.

This is a super fun way to get a cable like look without needing to actually make cables, and it will give you lots of practice with difference increases and decreases (the pattern uses knit 2 together, purl 2 together, slip, slip knit and make 1).

The project is rated for intermediate knitters and uses worsted weight yarn. It comes in six sizes up to a finished chest measurement of 65 inches, though it is meant to have a lot of positive ease. The extra small/small size, for example, has a finished chest measurement of 42 inches and the pattern says it is to fit people with a chest measurement from 28 to 34 inches.

The pattern is worked flat in pieces from the bottom up on the body and the top down on the sleeves. It has raglan shaping and the back is longer than the front. In addition to the shifting cable like stitches, the pattern uses reverse rice stitch on the rest of the body and sleeves, giving it lots of fun texture. (It’s a combination of knitting one row and working ribbing on one row, so it’s actually really easy.)

This project looks super cozy and not too difficult to stitch. And if you have knitting friends they might be as surprised as I was that this one is worked without a cable needle since they aren’t really cables!

If you are ready to knit actual cables — or are a pro with them already — check out my collection of cable knitting patterns to help boost your skills. There’s a sampler blanket, a sweater, a cozy hat and more to choose from.

[Photo: Yarnspirations.]

When my daughter was in early elementary school we were at Joann together (RIP) and she picked out some variegated pink and white blanket yarn for me to knit a blanket for her bed. Now probably 10 years later, it’s one of her favorite possessions. I note this because the blankets we give to little ones might seem simple on the surface, like something they need to keep warm, but they can turn into so much more.

Take the Pocketful of Love Blanket from Purl Soho. On the surface this is a pretty but also easy to knit blanket for a little one. It’s worked in garter stitch stripes using sport weight yarn (the sample is a superwash wool, but this would also be nice in cotton or a blend) and available in a crib or small throw size. Though of course because it’s garter stitch, it’s pretty easy to make it any size you want.

But what makes this blanket extra special is the little details. The slip stitch selvedges and I-cord bind off give it a crisp look that’s perfect with the garter stitch of the body.

And then there’s the pocket.

This is a big pocket. At 10 inches wide and 12.25 inches tall (that’s 25.4 by 31 cm) for the crib size and 12.75 by 14.25 inches (32.4 by 36 cm) for the throw, you can easily fit a favorite stuffed animal, toy or book into the pocket.

I love how even though it uses the same striped garter stitch pattern as the blanket, it’s stitched down so the stripes run the opposite way (horizontal when the blanket stripes are vertical), though of course you can match stripes if you’d rather.

I think this blanket has the potential to be greatly loved by the little one its given to, and by the knitter look for an easy, pretty baby blanket with a little extra useful twist.

Grab the free pattern from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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