Knitting

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Use Your Stash to Knit a Blanket That’s Full of Charm

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I have been working (if you use the term working incredibly generously because I haven’t touched it in a couple of years) for many, many years on what I hope will one day be a giant (6 foot by 6 foot) garter stitch blanket worked in strips that are joined as I knit. 

It’s a great winter project because it’s big enough to sit under while I knit, and it’s a good place to put all the random odd balls I’m not using in all my other projects. 

I was reminded of that giant stash buster when I came across the pattern for the Charm Blanket from Purl Soho. 

Like the classic yo-yo quilts that use little bits of fabric left over from other projects, this blanket is designed to look like it was assembled from random bits of leftover (though in reality it calls for 40 mini skeins of fingering weight yarn in a wool, alpaca and linen blend). 

The yarn is held double in this project, made of individual garter stitch octagons that are joined as you work. 

Of course if you have tons of leftover solid colored (or even multicolored) sock yarn or want to buy the kit you can absolutely do that, but I noticed that the pattern calls for size 8 US/5 mm knitting needles, which would be perfect for making this blanket with single strands of worsted weight yarn instead. 

And I, for one, have a lot more bits of worsted weight yarn lying around than I do fingering weight. 

Whichever way you choose to make it, this blanket as shown measures 36 by 48 inches, or 91.4 by 122 cm. You could of course continue in the same manner and make it as big as you like. Maybe it can be your never-ending project like my giant garter stitch strip blanket. 

You can grab the free pattern at Purl Soho. 

[Photo: Purl Soho]

Bust Your Stash and Keep Warm at the Same Time [Knitting]

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Get into the Details with the Sashiko Tee Knitting Pattern

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese embroidery technique that uses running stitches to make lines (straight or otherwise) that reinforce and insulate fabric. It can be used as a mending technique or for decorative purposes, and it has become popular in recent years as a visible mending technique. 

It’s also the inspiration behind the Sashiko Tee by Elenor Mortensen. This top down, circular yoke top is worked in the round with allover stranded knitting designs reminiscent of intricate sashiko stitching. 

You’ll find floral patterns, starbursts, straight lines and individual colorwork stitches in this design. 

The pattern is offered in six sizes and two different gauges (both use fingering weight yarn) making a dozen different size options. The finished bust circumference of the sweater ranges from 33.8 to 57 inches, or 86 to 145 cm. 

The project calls for two colors, and I love the traditional blue and white of the designer’s sample, but some of the projects shown on Ravelry use more than two or use a multicolored yarn as one of the options, which gives it a different look that’s even more interesting. There are also some projects that show longer sleeves, repeating the patterns from the body on the sleeves, which is a great move if you need a sweater for the fall. 

I know I say this a lot but it’s worth your time to look at the different ways people have approached this sweater by clicking on the projects tab on Ravelry. You’ll find different colors and sleeves, different ribbing treatments, added beads, a bit of mohair, different lengths, subtle colors and bolder choices…so many fun options. 

The pattern is available in English, French and German, and you can grab a copy of Ravelry. I think this one would be a fun way to get into colorwork knitting without having to deal with a bunch of colors, and you get a cool result and lots of practice following a chart. 

[Photo: Elenor Mortensen]