A couple of years ago, I made a quick cowl and posted a recipe for it on my blog, and called it Bittersweet Cowl. It was a quick last minute pattern, easy to adapt. Recently, I decided to update and improve and re-photograph a new sample. You can find the new improved version here: New Bittersweet.

So you've knit the washcloth, the scarf, the blanket, and you're wondering, what else can be done with the humble knitted rectangle? Why not a bookmark?

Knitting bookmarks is super quick and easy. The take very little yarn, about 20 yards will do it. And a knitted bookmark is a lovely gift for that book lover in your life.  

I used to think that a blanket was a lot of knitting. But it's not necessarily that much more knitting than a scarf, and the finishing is easy, unlike a sweater. A blanket is not a bad knitting project for any level of knitter. You can choose to knit an elaborate king size blanket, or a simple garter stitch rectangle for a doll. It's also a good project for kids learning to knit who want to make something, but who don't want to make a washcloth or a scarf. I think a knitted blanket was my very first project, even if I didn't plan it that way; I was six years old, and my knitting tension went from very very loose on the first few rows, to very very tight on the last. It was a garter stitch triangle of many colours that became a doll's blanket. 

The full article includes 2 recipes to knit your own blanket pattern, and a few sample links to get you started.

Whether you are a new knitter, or an experienced knitter looking for a break, easy knitting patterns are a nice addition to your knitting library. Look for patterns with the skill levels Beginner or Easy, and the steps should be simple, and the knitting skills required should only include the basics: casting on, knit stitch, purl stitch, binding off, and possible some basic steps, like knit 2 together (k2tog) and yarn over (yo). 

First of all, what is a beanie? The internet seems to agree that a knitted beanie is a close fitting, stretchy hat. My son, who's ten, informs me that a beanie should also include a small visor. Well in ye olde times, when I was a girl, a beanie was a round rainbow coloured hat with a propeller, and a close fitting stretchy hat was a toque. But I'm revealing my age and my nationality...