Knitting: isn’t that a bit… dull? I (Bente) always thought so. Whenever I was in a wool store, I would walk around it aimlessly in circles, and besides, it just seemed too difficult for me. But now… now I have a completely different outlook on it, and you could say that I’ve become a true knitting fan.
All that fiddling around with needles and wool that was way too fine seemed pointless to me. But then I discovered weareknitters.com: a site with knitting and crochet kits where everything is included: chunky wool (extra-large) from Peru in beautiful colors, knitting needles, a pattern, a small knitter’s sewing needle and an embroidered label that shows you made it yourself. The projects looked anything but dull and I decided to order one of the kits.
Then I learned how to knit through the instruction videos on the website, and I discovered that it is a lot easier than I thought. In just one weekend I had grasped the basics. And although I made quite a few mistakes during my first project, a scarf, I was more than happy with the result. I had made something I could, and wanted to, wear myself. It gave me an almost euphoric feeling.
What’s more, I noticed just how relaxing and therapeutic it is to knit stitch by stitch and to see something you make slowly take shape. In short: I became a fan. More and more, I exchanged my Netflix nights for my knitting needles. I’ve now started on my second scarf, and the wool for my very own handmade blanket is ready and waiting for me.
I’m so taken with it that I now want to introduce others to knitting (and crocheting) too. Together with We Are Knitters, we’re sharing four knitting and crochet patterns over the next four weeks; patterns that are not too difficult and are especially fun to make. This week, we’re diving right in with a big one: a pattern for a blanket (for which We Are Knitters worked together with @paula.silva.crafts). But don’t be put off—it’s easier than you might think. Ready? Let’s go!
You will need:
- Wool in 4 colors (100 g per skein). (The pattern uses wool from The Petite Wool, but you can also get wool in another (online) knitting store.)
- Knitting needles, size: 8 mm / UK 0 / US 11
- A knitter’s sewing needle
The following techniques are used:
- Cast on stitches
- Knit
- Cast off stitches
The techniques are explained on this page.
This is how to knit your blanket:
- Cast on 12 stitches and work 16 rows in garter stitch. This means that you knit all stitches and all rows.
- Cast off all the stitches except the last one. Pick up the next color you are going to use and using the needle, pick-up 9 stitches on the left side of your work. You will have a total of 10 stitches. Remember that the stitches are wider than the rows, so you only have to pick up 6 stitches for every 10 rows or so.
- Work 9 rows in this color.
- Cast off all stitches, except the last one. From now on you have to remember to always cast off stitches on the right (front) side of your work, not the wrong (back) side.
- Continue picking up stitches on the left side of your work with the next color, pick up stitches along the rows following the proportion of 6 stitches for every 10 rows. This time you will have a total of 17 stitches.
- Repeat step 3.
- Repeat step 4.
- Repeat step 5, but with a new color.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4. Since you are only using four colors, it’s wise to choose your third color (chosen in step 5) so that two blocks of the same color do not coincide. Now you have a central square surrounded by the first 4 blocks
- Repeat steps 3 to 5 until you have worked 13 blocks. Use the corresponding color for each repeat. Each completed square will measure approximately 38 x 38 cm / 15 x 15 in, but this can vary depending on your knitting tension.
* This step-by-step photo series shows the process even more clearly.
* In the next ‘Bente knits’, we show you how to knit your own beanie.
