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The Blanket You’ll Want to Live Under All Season

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There’s an article from the Onion I see every year that’s headlined “Girlfriend to Stay Underneath Blanket for Next Five Months.”

I remember it, because it is me.

I put the extra blanket (that only goes on my side of the bed) down last week, and it will probably stay there through March.

I don’t use a knit blanket on my bed, because it seems like too much of a hassle to wash regularly, but if I did, it would probably be a version of this chunky cable knit blanket form Handy Little Me.

Doesn’t it look super cozy? In fact, it is super cozy because it’s worked in an alpaca, wool and acrylic blend with two strands held together for extra warmth and squish factor. And even though it’s a big project, it’s worked on size 50 US knitting needles so you’ll be under this blanket in no time.

You can grab the free pattern on her website.

[Photo: Handy Little Me.]

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Summer Headband Knitting Patterns

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.