Last week I responded to Sewchet’s request to knit for squares for blankets for refugees in Calais. As I surveyed my stash for which yarn to use, I thought about how to create a warm thick fabric. I didn’t have enough chunky or super chunky, so I thought about stitch patterns.
First I thought about Aran sweaters and cables creating a thicker warmer fabric. But cables would take a fair amount of extra time – time I could put towards knitting another square.
I thought of fisherman’s rib and moss stitch, but then googled, to see what else I could find, and happened across double knit fabric stitch. I’d never heard of it before, but it didn’t look too slow to knit. Instruction for knitting the double knit fabric stitch are here.
On knitting it up, it created a lovely squishy thick fabric.
So while I gave away a knitted a square, I was rewarded by learning a new stitch. As the old saying goes, You can’t give anything away!
Although the appeal for Calais initially had a deadline of 20th November, I understand another trip will be made to Greece in December, so I’m going to work on a few more squares. Does anyone have any other suggestions for warm, thick stitches/patterns that would be good for blankets? Either knitting or crochet? Always great to learn new stitches.
And if you’ve got any good stories about what you’ve gained by giving something away, I’d love to hear them.
Dartmoor Creative 
I think it’s true that you never give anything away for nothing too – there is always something learned, or gained. I’ve just learned a kind of mock cable stitch done in crochet which came out quite chunky and which is interestingly reversible too – and even if you do the pattern ‘wrong’ it comes out okay. [Don’t ask how I know this].
It’s done in treble stitch: Row 1 chain as many as required Row 2: 1 tr in top of treble beneath, 1 trf* in treble beneath repeat all the way along. Row 3 1 trb** in treble in row beneath, 1 tr in top of treble beneath Repeat rows 2 and 3 as required.
*trf: work a treble round the stem of the stitch below hook from front to back and right to left.
**trb: work a treble round the stem of the stitch below hook from back to front and right to left
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No, won’t ask 😉 Sounds interesting, as well as useful. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
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Ooh, new stitches! I’m too lazy to do the research so it’s always good when someone has done the hard work for you, lol! Thanks for doing the square – the first batch of blankets are going out on 28th Nov but you’re right, there is a later batch going to Greece in December. I’ve handed in four squares and hope to get some more done after I finish my Christmas list:)
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Lazy is the last word I’d apply to you! Well done on your four squares. Let me know the date for Greece when you have it 🙂
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I think acts of kindness have their own reward, it re-enforces our self belief if nothing else. It is our actions that create the structure for what we are.
No act of kindness however small is ever wasted – was it Aesop?
I am so pleased you learnt a new stitch, those squares look very cosy.
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I do agree and furthermore, when we put out positive we help create a more positive world around us, which is yet another reward. But still on top of that, the still seems to be a little gift you get back, just for you.
Yes, the squares did indeed feel lovely and snuggly 🙂
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Yes, you always “get back” because giving and helping others is the reward in itself, and it helps create the world we want to live in. And in the end, isn’t it best to treat others as we wish they would treat us or our loved ones?
Quick story: When I was a student, I found a wallet with hundreds of dollars in it. I immediately called the owner (the number was on a business card inside). Fast forward to the first year in my career. Exhausted after a long day at work, I was grocery shopping when I realized I didn’t have my purse. It had everything in it – money, i.d., important documents. Just as I started to panic, ready to retrace my steps through the store, I heard my name over the intercom telling me to go to customer service. There was my purse, not a single item missing. I felt so grateful to the anonymous kind soul who had returned it, and was glad I had treated someone the same way in the past. Xo
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Funny, I can tell you a parallel story; when I was at college I had a purse land at my feet as a car turned a corner beside me – evidently the owner had left in on the roof of their car as they let themselves in. Not so long ago I left my handbag in a supermarket trolley and got it back completely in tact and untouched! In that moment of panic, we all assume whoever finds our purse will be straight through it taking what they want and slinging the rest away, but I wonder in reality how many people would make sure it returned to it’s rightful owner in the state they found it? xx
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Happily, I think most.
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I do think you’re right 🙂 x
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I love that saying, I haven’t heard it before but so true. I think we gain so much by giving. That is why I love handmade gifts so much, either to give or receive 🙂 I wonder how many others have put so much thought into what stitch would be cosy? x
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I confess that I think my temptation would have been to go for a thicker yarn and stocking stitch if I’d had thicker yarn. xx
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I’m amazed by how many knitting ‘activities’ you’re filling into this month. You’ll have squares coming out of your ears soon. That new stitch – that I’ve never heard of, either – looks so thick and ideal for woollen blankets. Well done with all your hard work. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 And I started a new project last night! I really was impressed with this stitch – but although very practical for purpose, not the most interesting to knit.
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Your act of kindness has gained you a lovely knowledgeable reward 🙂
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