Garter stitch is having a bit of a moment. If we are knitting…we are sitting and we are fully in knit mode. Now for a good few years I have made a number of Sophie scarves by Petit Knit. The practicality of a small neckerchief fitting snuggly round my neck has always appealed. To add to that, the simplicity of a lovely I-cord edge with the bouncy garter stitch is an added bonus. Simple, easy chic. What’s not to love?
The crochet blanket in the image above is my Florence Blanket which is available as a download
I have no idea how many patterns Petit Knit have sold, maybe hundreds of thousands, maybe millions. But good on them, an excellent pattern should be celebrated.
A few weeks ago I spent a joyful few days with lovely yarn friends. (Many of them are part of the knitterati). What they didn’t know about what is ‘in’ or ‘out’ in the yarn world, isn’t worth writing. As we chatted, ate and laughed the needles and the hooks flew. A few of us whipped up a couple of Sophie scarves. Perfect chatting projects.
But then one morning, one of the party came downstairs in a garter stitch Pelica waistcoat by the Portugese designer Rosa Pomar. It was like the air was sucked from the room… immediately we pounced with all the questions…What yarn did you use? Where did you get the pattern? Turn around… let me see the back? How much yarndage did you use? Then in that moment we knew… we had fallen in project love. And why? Well firstly waistcoats are becoming more and more fashionable and they are very much a practical transitional item for the Spring weather. Secondly, the i-cord detailing elevates this basic knit to something a bit special. Finally the knit is easy and the size of the project lets you dive into your stash.
So like a giddy teenager I could think of little else. I knew immediately I would use a combination of some Drops Soft Tweed which I have in my stash and a Kidsilk Haze. The final knit is pretty in pink with a gorgeous fluffy haze. I love the fact that after all these years – the mohair mist can descend and I can still be excited by a pattern. I love this hobby.
If you don’t want to make a scarf or a waistcoat don’t dismiss the joy of a simple garter stitch and I-cord project. Have a look at the wonderful mitred garter stitch blanket by Elizabeth Zimmerman (the Queen of all knitting) its a classic and for very good reason.
Whatever you are making have a lovely weekend and if you spot a lovely bit of knitting or crochet worn by a friend. Don’t forget to compliment them…and ask for the pattern.
