The Perfect Accessory for Your Sci-Fi Adventures

The only problem with going on adventures in time and space is that sometimes you get a little chilly. If you find yourself needing a little extra warmth while you wander the universe, you might need to knit yourself a Time Skip Collar.

This design from unexfruit is basically a high-necked, zip-front top of a vest. It covers the upper torso and back, with little bits of ribbing along the sides to connect the front and back.

The neckline is double folded for extra stability, and the front, which is shorter than the back, features a separating zipper for ease of wear.

It calls for fingering weight yarn held double, or DK weight on its own, except for the plackets, which are meant to be worked with fingering weight yarn held singly and worked at a tighter gauge. The neckline, plackets and I-cord edging give you opportunities to add color.

The pattern comes in six base sizes with 12 size options for the ribbing at the bottom. The base size corresponds to your back measurement, and ranges from 13 to 17 inches, or 33 to 43 cm. For the ribbing, you’re looking for a size similar to your upper chest circumference, with a bit of positive ease. These measurements range from 33 7/8 to 57 1/2 inches, or 86 to 146 cm.

While this project has a decided science fiction feel, it would be great to knit as a little extra layer for when it’s a little cool outside but not cold enough for a full sweater. It looks good over a long-sleeved shirt, and I’m sure it would be cute over a dress, too. Different colors give it a different look (there’s even a solid color one on the pattern page on Ravelry which is also fun, though I do like the stripes on the designer’s samples).

You can get this pattern as a free download on Ravelry.

[Photo: unexfruit]

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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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