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Green Is The Hope. Photo © Stephanie van der Linden
Green Is The Hope, originally titled Grün ist die Hoffnung, is a free lace sock knitting pattern by Stephanie van der Linden with a wonderfully unusual construction.
Instead of beginning traditionally at the cuff or toe, these knitted socks start with a decorative lace section around the center of the upper foot. The rest of the sock is then developed around this starting point, making the pattern an interesting choice for experienced sock knitters looking for something different.
What makes Green Is The Hope particularly interesting is its unconventional starting point.
Most hand-knit socks begin either at the cuff and work toward the toe, or begin at the toe and work upward. This design takes a different approach by beginning with a lace motif positioned on the upper part of the foot.
The sock is then developed outward from this decorative starting point, creating a construction that feels very different from a conventional sock pattern.
The lace motif is one of the defining features of the design. It creates an eye-catching geometric texture across the upper foot while also becoming an important part of the sock's construction.
Fingering-weight yarn keeps the fabric relatively fine, allowing the lace openings and stitch definition to remain visible.
A solid, semi-solid or gently tonal yarn can be especially effective if you want the lace structure to remain the main visual feature.
The pattern is designed for fingering-weight / 4-ply sock yarn.
Stephanie van der Linden suggests Schachenmayr Regia 4-fädig 4-ply, a traditional sock yarn containing wool and nylon.
The pattern listing gives an estimated requirement of approximately 350–437 yards (320–400 metres).
Another fingering-weight sock yarn can be substituted, but choose your yarn and needles according to the gauge and fabric required by the pattern rather than relying only on the yarn-weight label.
Green Is The Hope incorporates a short-row heel. Short rows allow the knitted fabric to curve around the heel without requiring the traditional heel-flap-and-gusset construction used in many cuff-down sock patterns.
Combined with the unusual center-start construction, this gives the project a very different knitting experience from a basic pair of socks.
This is an especially interesting project for knitters who already have some sock-knitting experience and would like to explore a less conventional construction.
Useful techniques include:
Stephanie van der Linden originally designed Grün ist die Hoffnung for the Socken-Kreativ-Liste, a German Yahoo knitting community and knit-along that had around 2,000 members.
The original German title translates as “Green Is The Hope”, which is why the pattern may appear under either name when you search for it online.
The design is available in both English and German.
The English version is available through Stephanie van der Linden's Ravelry store. The designer's pattern information asks knitters seeking the German version to contact her.
Green Is The Hope is not simply another lace sock pattern. Its unusual starting point changes the way the sock develops on the needles and makes the construction itself part of the appeal.
If you have already knitted traditional cuff-down or toe-up socks, this pattern offers an opportunity to approach familiar sock components from a very different direction.
The combination of fingering-weight yarn, lace, short rows and the center-start construction makes it a memorable project for knitters who enjoy exploring unusual techniques.
The complete Grün ist die Hoffnung (Green Is The Hope) pattern by Stephanie van der Linden is currently available as a free download from the designer's Ravelry store.
Get the Free Green Is The Hope Sock Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
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| Photo above © mrspetersson |
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| Photo above © Melandry |
Arches Baby Blanket designed by © LJM Designs
Arches Baby Blanket by LJM Designs is a free lace baby blanket knitting pattern featuring an elegant repeating zigzag design. Even better, the pattern also includes instructions for a matching baby hat and mittens, making it a lovely handmade gift set for a new baby.
The blanket is knitted flat in one piece using DK-weight yarn. Its repeating lace motif creates the distinctive arches while the simple border gives the finished blanket a neat frame.
The defining feature of the Arches Baby Blanket is its repeating lace pattern. The combination of increases and decreases produces graceful zigzag arches across the fabric, giving the blanket plenty of texture without requiring separate knitted panels.
The lace motif uses a 16-stitch and 16-row repeat. Once you become familiar with the repetition, the developing arches make it easier to see how the design is progressing.
The pattern is designed for DK-weight yarn. Several DK yarns are suitable for the original specifications, giving you plenty of flexibility when choosing a soft, washable yarn for a baby project.
The blanket uses 4 mm (US 6) needles. The complete set requires approximately 725–750 m (793–820 yards) of DK yarn.
One of the nicest features of this pattern is that the download is not limited to the blanket. LJM Designs also includes instructions for a simple matching baby hat and mittens.
The hat and mittens are sized for an average baby up to approximately three months old and can be worked either flat or in the round.
Yes. The designer notes that the Arches Baby Blanket can be adapted by adding or subtracting stitches and pattern repeats. This makes the design useful if you want a different finished size.
Changing the dimensions or yarn weight will also change the amount of yarn required, so plan additional yardage if you decide to make a larger blanket.
In addition to basic knit and purl stitches, the lace design uses common increases and decreases such as yarn overs, knit-two-together and slip-slip-knit. The instructions are written line by line.
Blocking is an important finishing step for this project because it helps open the lace and show the repeating arches more clearly.
The complete Arches Baby Blanket pattern by LJM Designs, including the matching baby hat and mittens, is currently available as a free download from the designer's pattern store.
Get the Free Arches Baby Blanket Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
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| Photos above © Jessica - Mama In A Stitch |
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| Photo above © Patons UK |
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| Photo above © Sarah Patterson - Making a Life |
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| Photo above © Plymouth Yarn |
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| Photos above © Bluprint |
The Copycat Dishcloth by Michelle Krause is a free knitting pattern for a practical textured dishcloth worked with worsted-weight yarn.
Simple garter and stockinette sections create an attractive surface texture without requiring complicated techniques, making this a useful small project for everyday knitting or for using leftover cotton yarn.
Designer: Michelle Krause
Pattern: Copycat Dishcloth
Craft: Knitting
Category: Dishcloth / Washcloth
Yarn Weight: Worsted
Yardage: Approximately 80 yards (73 m)
Needles: US 8 (5 mm)
Gauge: 8 sts and 16 rows = 2 in in garter stitch
Size: One size
Construction: One piece
Techniques: Knit, purl, garter stitch and stockinette texture
Language: English
Pattern Availability: Free
Copycat Dishcloth is a straightforward knitted cloth with a neat, textured appearance. The pattern combines familiar stitches to create visual interest while keeping the project manageable and repetitive.
Its compact size makes it a convenient project for practicing basic knitting skills, testing a new cotton yarn or making a quick handmade item for the kitchen.
The pattern uses approximately 80 yards (73 m) of worsted-weight yarn.
For a dishcloth intended for regular kitchen use, a washable cotton or cotton-rich yarn is a practical choice because it absorbs moisture well and can be washed frequently.
The recommended needle size is US 8 (5 mm). The listed gauge is 8 stitches and 16 rows = 2 inches in garter stitch.
Dishcloth patterns are especially useful when you want a short project that does not require a large yarn investment. Copycat Dishcloth can also be a good way to use partial skeins left over from other worsted-weight projects.
Because the design relies on basic stitch textures rather than complicated shaping, it is also suitable for relaxed knitting while still producing a finished item with a distinctive surface.
The Copycat Dishcloth was designed by Michelle Krause of Leah Michelle Designs. The complete pattern is currently available as a free download.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete knitting instructions. Use the button below to visit the original pattern page for the current authorized version.
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| Photos above © Katerina Mushin |
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| Photo above © Michele Marabella |
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| Photos above © Katerina Mushin |
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| Photos above © Orgu Hayatım |
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| Designed by © Jess Chaleur |
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| Photo above © Universal Yarn Design Team |
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| Photos above © tweedysheep |
Blue Bell Baby Blanket. Photos © AishahBey & © Yarnfanatic
Blue Bell Baby Blanket by Ann V. Gallentine is a free baby blanket knitting pattern featuring a beautiful shell-stitch border surrounding a simple stockinette center.
The original blanket measures approximately 42 inches square and is knitted with worsted-weight yarn. Its combination of an elegant lace-like border and uncomplicated center makes it a lovely choice for a handmade baby gift.
The feature that gives the Blue Bell Baby Blanket its distinctive look is the decorative Lucina Shell Pattern used around the edges of the blanket.
Ann Gallentine explains that the border reminded her of bluebell flowers, which inspired the name of the design. The shell pattern surrounds a straightforward stockinette-stitch center, allowing the decorative edge to stand out.
The Lucina Shell Pattern used for the border was adapted by the designer from Barbara G. Walker's Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns.
The original Blue Bell Baby Blanket was knitted with worsted-weight Berroco Comfort, a nylon and acrylic blend. The designer lists 5½ skeins of 3.5 ounces each for the original blanket.
The recommended needle size is 6.5 mm (US 10½), with a gauge of 4 stitches and 6 rows per inch in stockinette stitch.
If you substitute another worsted-weight yarn, make a gauge swatch before starting if you want your finished blanket to remain close to the original dimensions.
Worked according to the original instructions, the blanket measures approximately 42 inches square.
This gives you a generously sized baby blanket that can work well in a nursery, stroller or as a handmade gift.
Yes. One of the useful features of Ann Gallentine's design is that the size can be customized.
The designer explains how to increase or decrease the cast-on count while preserving the shell-pattern repeat. Check the original pattern before changing the dimensions so that the decorative border remains correctly aligned.
Remember that making a larger blanket will require additional yarn.
The original version combines the decorative shell border with a stockinette center, but Ann also suggests another option: work the entire blanket in the shell pattern.
This creates a much more heavily textured version of the design. It will also require more yarn than the original stockinette-center blanket.
This pattern offers a useful balance between decorative and simple knitting. The shell border provides visual interest, while the large stockinette center gives the eye a place to rest and keeps the finished design from becoming overly busy.
A solid or softly tonal yarn is a particularly good choice when you want the shadows and curves of the shell-stitch border to remain clearly visible.
The complete Blue Bell Baby Blanket by Ann V. Gallentine is available free on the designer's original Ann's Knitting Page.
Get the Free Blue Bell Baby Blanket Pattern
Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.
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| Photos above © Gena Shaffer |
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| Photos above © kait-knits & © faithhopelove20 |