Sunday, September 2, 2012

Inspiration: Garter Stitch

Usually when you learn to knit, you begin with garter stitch. As I mentioned previously, I actually began with what I suppose is reverse garter stitch – purl every row as opposed to knit every row – but I have since corrected the error of my ways and now claim garter stitch as my favorite knit texture. The bumpy surface, decisive bulk, satisfying squooshibility; garter stitch is what I’d choose for that oversized sweater I’d wrap myself into on a chilly, gray day. (I also imagine myself wearing legwarmers. Chunky, wooly legwarmers that are not at all like the ones people used to wear to aerobics in the ‘80s. But that is for another inspiration post.)

I cannot introduce a collage of my current favorite garter stitch inspiration without mentioning its modern champion, Elizabeth Zimmerman. She knew exactly how to make this humble stitch sing, and featured it in patterns that remain perennial favorites – like the tomten (why yes, I will take this opportunity to show off the tomten I made about three years before Addie was born. Yes, it is still sans buttons, but that will change shortly). There’s also the baby surprise jacket, which is close to, if not, the most knit pattern on Ravelry and the February baby sweater, another contender for most-knit pattern ever. (I know, my kid. Cuteness.)



Garter stitch looks great worked up in any yarn, but it’s near transcendent in rustic wools and hand dyed semi solids. My favorites. The gorgeous garter stitch below makes me want to curl up with some yarn and knit every row all afternoon.



1. I don't think Jared Flood, the knitting photographer behind Brooklyn Tweed, has ever designed a piece of knitwear I don't like. I especially love Cobblestone. It's simple shape and grater stitch yoke and side seams add up to a modern classic. I love this pattern so much I knit one a few year back, and I'm not opposed to knitting another.
2. Sometimes an unexpected detail can turn an otherwise mundane piece of knitting into something special. The stripe of color and interesting edging on Martina Behm's Leftie does just that.
3. Garter stitch and cables are meant for one another, and nothing illustrates this better than Melissa LaBarres's Lawrence.
4. A hand dyed semi solid yarn plus garter lace equals autumn perfection in Ann Hanson's Hazeline.
5. Paired with an interesting lace yoke pattern, textured garter stitch adds structure and substance to Carol Sunday's Acorns.

5 comments:

  1. Garter stitch IS wonderful. Entire books have been written on this stitch alone. Love your selections here!

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    1. Thanks! I'm a bit of a garter stitch junkie, and these patterns just make me swoon!

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  2. great picks up there, some of those are my personal faves! garter stitch definitely deserves recognition. it's the first pattern most of us learned while starting out!

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    1. It does deserve recognition. It's especially nice to see designers incorporating it into designs that are cozy and flattering. I think if I never progressed beyond knitting every row I would still be a very content knitter.

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  3. I think you are right, garter and cables do go hand in hand. Your baby is adorable

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