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Research Guide: Knitting History and Techniques

For a recent class, I needed to create a beginner research guide for a topic that interests me. So of course, I chose knitting history. Below is the rough content of my research guide. Enjoy!

Double Basket Beanie Pattern Is Live

I finally finished writing the pattern to my satisfaction and testing the various options. I’m really happy with this one. It’s an interesting and very squishy hat.

It is based on Barbara Walker’s Double Basket Pattern. The stitch pattern is just knits and purls.

Like my Basket Weave Beanie I’m writing the pattern to be easily sized by adjusting the number of stitch patterns knit.

If you are interested, you can buy the pattern on my ravelry store or click here: Buy Now.

My Favorite Everything Socks

My first package from the wonderful Woolens & Nosh yarn club was from October, 2023, and since it was my first, I wanted to make something special with it. So I decided to knit a pair of socks using all of my favorite components.

The yarn base is great. It’s 90% superwash Targhee and 10% Nylon, and it is a delight to knit with. The colorway is described as Our Seasonal Offering: House made butternut squash ravioli with a brown butter and sage cream sauce.

Double Basket Beanie Prototype

I finished the first prototype of my new Double Basket Beanie. Based on Barbara Walker’s Double Basket Pattern this beanie is comfortable and squishy. Also an easy knit. The stitch pattern is just knits and purls.

Like my Basket Weave Beanie I’m writing the pattern to be easily sized by adjusting the number of stitch patterns knit.

Next, I’m going to start knitting a medium version in a fun color.

Bulky Swatch Blanket

I’ve started putting together the Bulky Swatch Blanket.

I plan to tile the swatches together somewhat randomly and use different colors for the connecting knitting bands. The swatches are various sizes, so I will keep it random and shoot for a Mondrian-style look. We’ll see how it goes 🙂

Beanie Prototype: Double Basket Pattern

I am working on a new Beanie using the delightful Double Basket pattern. The prototype is comfortable, squishy, and has an interesting texture. Keep an eye on this space and I’ll let you know when the pattern is ready on my Ravelry page.

Enjoy!

Basket Weave Beanie

I just added my first pattern to Ravelry. The pattern is for a great little beanie using the Basket Weave pattern.

Enjoy!

Vertices Unite Shawl

It took a while, but I finally finished my first Westknits shawl, Vertices Unite. I used the sock yarns from @by.delz’s sock club, so each section has a nice sparkle. It was a fun knit, and I love the colors. Now I need to wait for cooler weather to enjoy it.

Fair Isle Pattern

On page 91 of Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, pages 88-89 is the “Fair Isle” pattern. It is nice stranded colorwork and a nice intro to Argyle patterns. It is an enjoyable knit, and for the swatches, I’m trying to keep a 2 stitch border on each side in garter for later seaming/joining into the larger blanket, but I ran into some challenges with this. I tried several different approaches early on (don’t look at the edges, they are a mess) but ultimately found that just holding both colors together for the first 2 and last 2 stitches worked the best and matched the thickness of the fabric. That’s what this project is all about…experimenting and learning.

Harlequin Pattern

Knitting

My new favorite pattern from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, pages 88-89 is the Harlequin Pattern. It doesn’t look like much from the accompanying picture in the book, but a) this is a fun knit, b) the resulting texture is robust, and c) the pattern is delightful! I am also delighted with my choice of colors using Berroco Vintage Chunky, colorway 6110 Fondant, and a lovely contrasting colorway 6151 Cardinal. Of course, it’s only my favorite till the next one. They are all fun. They all have tricks to learn and new skills to try.

Knotted Rib and Broad Spiral Rib

For this swatch/block in my crazy quilt project, I knit a combination of the Knotted Rib and Broad Spiral Rib from Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 49. This square is knit using Berroco Vintage Chunky in colorway 61194, Rhubarb.

I made no effort to compensate for the cable flare. Shame on me! I may need to redo this swatch before I add it to the Bulky Swatch Blanket.

Swiss Check Pattern

The next swatch in my crazy quilt project is the Swiss Check Pattern from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 90. I knit this with Paintbox, colorway 300, Paper White, and colorway 329, Grass Green. It’s a fun color-change pattern. Note the caution about leaving the strand loose behind the three slipped stitches on rows 2 and 6. Also, slip as if to purl, and always slip with the yarn to the wrong side.

Squared Check Pattern

The Squared Check Pattern from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 19 is a lovely geometric pattern of alternating knits and purls. The result is architectural but still has a nice drape, and the pattern looks good on the reverse. I knit this with Berroco Vintage Chunky, colorway 6100, Snow Day.

Enjoy!

Shadow Cable Pattern

The Shadow Cable pattern from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 273 is the newest addition to the Crazy Quilt swatch stack. The swatch is knit with Berroco Vintage Chunky color 61192, Marmalade. It is a nice, easy-to-work cable pattern that creates an interesting result. As Barbara Walker points out, it’s similar to a Basket Cable, but the cables are staggered and do not cross. It is subtle but draws the eye.

Chevron Pattern

Check out the Chevron pattern from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 26. This is the newest addition to the Crazy Quilt swatch stack. The swatch is knit using Paintbox color 339, Sailor Blue. This pattern looks great in this solid dark color. It’s an easy knit and relatively easy pattern to work.

Enjoy!

Double Basket Pattern

Welcome to the next in the stack of Crazy Quilt swatches. This new addition to the stack is the Double Basket pattern from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 18. I knit this beauty using Berroco Vintage Chunky in colorway 61193, Guava.

Another beautiful pattern! This one is very architectural and has a lot of texture. Love it!

Enjoy!

Basketweave

This installment of the Crazy Quilt swatches is the Basketweave from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 16. Barbara opens this pattern, “This famous pattern is notable for its ease of working and handsome appearance.” So true! This pattern is easy to internalize and it looks beautiful in Paintbox Simply Chunky color 310, Coffee Bean.

It’s a lovely texture. I really want to try and this pattern with two colors, purls in one color and the knits in another. Or an intarsia diagonal across the square like the ‘Oscar‘ flag.

German Clustered Cable

Another Crazy Quilt swatch from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 274, the German Clustered Cable. Barbara describes the pattern as, “a simple German pattern consisting of knit-purl checks, with a single cable cross worked into each knit check.”

The finished result is delightful! It has texture and interest with wavy cables running over a sea of purl checks. My first thought was how fun this would be as a filler stitch on a sweater.

King Charles Brocade

Knitting

This weeks Crazy Quilt swatch is the King Charles Brocade from Barbara Walker’s, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 31.

I knit this beautiful pattern in a nice dark blue from Berroco Vintage Chunky called Dungaree, color 6187.

Enjoy!

Hexagon Swatch

The Crazy Quilt swatch block knitting continues! In Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 67, the Hexagon Pattern is an interesting mix of colors and slip stitches. This stitch pattern is deceptively simple. The garter stitch rows are slipped in alternating checks against a smooth background of stockinette stitch.

I used Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky for this swatch. The darker foreground color is Raspberry Pink, color 343, and the background color is Ballet Pink, color 352.

Trellis With Moss Stitch

Knitting

The next Crazy Quilt swatch block is the beautiful Trellis with Moss Stitch pattern in Barbara Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns Vol 1, page 261.

I used the Berroco Vintage Chunky yarn in Fuchsia. It’s a descent alternative to full plastic yarns. It’s a good percentage of wool, and has a nice feel, and it will block.

The traveling cables are twisted so the stitches ride on top of the cables and really stand proud against the background of purl bumps. The moss stitch is a nice fill for the diamonds. It’s not easy to keep the Moss stitch tight with such a bulky yarn, but just be diligent and tighten a little before each purl.

Staghorn Cable Swatch

Knitting

Another stitch pattern for what I’m calling my Crazy Swatch Quilt project is the Staghorn Cable from Barbara Walker’s first Treasury of Knitting Patterns.

(Yes, the cable flare does bug me, and I will probably re-knit this pattern before adding to the blanket.)

This one is in Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky color Daffodil Yellow. The yarn is ok to work with. I’m not a fan of acrylic yarns, but Paintbox comes in a bunch of colors.

Swatch Quilt Ideas

I’m working through Barbara Walker’s first Treasury of Knitting Patterns and making some swatches. I think I’ll make them large, with a bulky yarn and maybe turn the resulting swatches into a blanket someday.

Today it’s the Inverness Diamonds pattern using Berroco Vintage Chunky left-overs from my large cardigan.

Nice texture. Lovely pattern. Enjoy!

Found My Watchcap

Cleaning out the boat I found my old watch cap (wool hat) that I made back in 2004 for an Alaska cruise. So glad to see it again! It’s in pretty good shape, and even has a few Dalmatian hairs still stuck in it (miss you Samson!).

Enjoy!

Freestyle Caps by Cheryl Andrews

I’ve made two of the Freestyle Caps by Cheryl Andrews. It’s a fun knit. The construction of the brim doesn’t require any additional support, and the welt around the lower edge is a nice touch.

It’s a hat that works well for my friend @cerberus_forge.

Enjoy!

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My First Gloves

We don’t get a lot of cold weather here in Florida, but it’s been chilly the past few days, and my new “Don’t skid, honey!” by Justin Lorkowska gloves are just right.

Comfortable, easy knit, and stylish.

Enjoy!

The Fitzgerald Sweater

I finished knitting my first Cardigan, and my first sweater done in pieces. The pattern (Fitzgerald by Amy Christoffers) is from Berroco and uses the Berroco Vintage Chunky yarn, so the pattern knits quickly. (Well…quickly for a sweater.) I’m still waiting on the buttons to arrive to call the sweater 100% complete.

I really like how it turned out. I’m not really a fan of plastic yarns, but the Berroco Vintage has a good amount of wool, and is easy to work with. Plus, it’s not a huge financial investment.

Starting My Berroco Fitzgerald

Here’s a view of the ribbing, center panel and some seed stitch on my Berroco Fitzgerald cardigan. Using Berroco vintage Chunky yarn in the cracked pepper color way. I made a couple of tweaks to the center panel, and am happy with it so far. We’ll see how the sweater comes together. This is my first bottom up sweater, and my first large project done in pieces then assembled. Also, I think the button band and shawl collar will be a fun learning experience. Really looking forward to it!

Knitting a Scottish Tam

A friend of mine ask if I could knit him a Scottish Tam. Seems easy enough, and I’ve never done a felted project, so why not.

I found a decent pattern on Ravelry close to what he was looking for, and knit up a sample.

The sample turned out ok. I need to change a couple of things for fit and size requirements, but otherwise it should work.

To really get the final right, I’ve made up some swatches of the yarn. The color is called Turtle. It’s a nice yellow olive and will look great.

My finished watch cap

Knitting

I finished my new watch cap! Really happy with how it turned out.

I want to learn more. For my next project, I’m going to give cables a try. I found a recommendation for an easy cabled hat. Will post more as it progresses.

Enjoy!

I miss my old watch cap

I’ve enjoyed knitting off and on for many, many years. The last time I took the hobby seriously was back in 2005. During that time, I knit a really nice watch cap to wear on an Alaska trip. (Unfortunately, the only photo’s I have wearing the old cap are not great.) I wore the watch cap for many years, including the trip from south Florida to north Florida when I purchased my boat…even Florida gets chilly in winter.

Countryside Scarf for Birthday

Now that I’m back into knitting, I made a nice textured scarf for my sister on her birthday this year.

The pattern is the Countryside scarf by La boutique de Jeanne

I’m really happy with how it turned out, but also not inclined to do more scarves. Just never ending rectangle of the same stitch pattern over and over….

I do want to do a shawl soon though. I’ve been collecting nice fingering weight yarns to give the amazing Vertices Unite by Stephen West a try.

Cables! In a Hat!

OMG! New hat done! Using Jason’s Cashmere Hat pattern, I created this nice hat using Patons Classic Wool Worsted in Aran.

Easy first cable pattern, and I really like the results. I already have an idea to do this in a darker color.

Enjoy!