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Less is more, knitting in a recession
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Pjusken's Strawberry Booties
Hrönn Jónsdóttir
Knitting in this recession has most knitters in a bind as to how to save money and at the same time, knit with inspiration, and above all — keep knitting. While knitting the look alike pattern for Hoda and Kathy Lee’s 3-button shaw with two strands, this writer discovered just how much yarn a size 10.5 needle can eat up. In 2009, the trend for yarn companies is to push patterns using a size 9 needle. So the search can be intriguing for saving yarn and money.
According to the Frugal Knitters of Twist Collective, one option is to use stockinette stitch as opposed to garter stitch. While garter stitch makes a sturdier fabric, the stockinette stitch saves yarn. Another suggestion is to use sock or fingering yarn and smaller needles. Yarn is sold by its weight, more yardage is included in the fingering and sock yarn skeins. Your projects will last longer and you’ll be delighted with the results of your finished garment. Simple, lighter weight yarns give you more bang for the buck!
Many older, vintage patterns use lighter weight yarns, but this writer went in search of more current styles using lighter weight yarns and smaller needles. In the Land of the Northern Lights, Norwegian knitters and designers traditionally use fingering and sport weights with smaller needles to incorporate multicolors and knitted stitch designs.
Beginning with toddler or baby patterns will give you a sense of accomplishment and then you can move on to larger projects. Included in this piece are sweaters, bonnets, booties, and a gorgeous crocheted blanket. Please view the slideshow, cross-references for patterns are included according to the caption on the photograph. All photographs are used with permission of the copyrighter.
The Feather & Fan Bonnet, pattern design by Larissa Brown, is a project of Amy Hendrix, madelinetosh, another designer on Ravelry. This little bonnet can be worked in DK or sport weight, on a size 4 or 6 needle. You can download it here or on Ravelry.com.
The Sideways Baby Sweater is a delight in sizes infant to 4 years. Designer Adrian Bizilia, helloyarn of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, did a beautiful job with this Drops Design pattern b14-27 available for free at Garn Studio.
Pjusken's Strawberry Booties, a "to die for" project and design by Hrönn Jónsdóttir, of Sola, Norway, and the perfect gift for the Christmas holiday baby. Pattern is available for free in a pdf download here.
Pretty and Pink Bonnet, photo project from Ingvild in Rogaland, Norway. The Top Down Hat pattern, just one of many by designer Adrian Bizilia, available here at helloyarn where it can also be downloaded in Finnish. Adrian's site is most entertaining, lots of photos, her own patterns, a fiber club, recipes, makes you wish for a dinner invite! Adrian's work is beautiful and much of it has a Scandinavian theme.
The DROPS bonnet, patterned in sizes infant to 4 years, is created with the self striping yarn, 'Fabel', pink dream, #161, new for 2009. Free patterns are available at Garn Studio with translation in many different languages. DROPS crochet blanket in 2 threads ”Alpaca”. 'Soft as a llama from Peru.' It's crocheted with two threads, but Garn Studio's prices are very reasonable for alpaca yarn, and a 50g ball has 180m or 195 yards. The blanket requires 400g.
At the Garn site you can also download in either British or American English. Who would have thunk? Different terms for crocheting are available as well. All measurements can be transposed from cm to inches and vice versa. Great site, many free patterns.
Heirloom Shetland Bonnet, this one beautifully created by jauncourt on Ravelry.com is the perfect lacework christening bonnet to hand down for generations. The pattern is by Jill Ireland and available on Ravelry for $4.39.
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Thank you for reading.
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