Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets: Projects to Stitch for Home and Away

Flood (Woolens), founder of the Brooklyn Tweed yarn brand, presents a striking collection of blanket patterns. Beginners can start with “tessellate,” which is entirely made up of knit and purl stitches, while knitters looking for a challenge can take on “permafrost,” whose lacy pattern is worked in the round from the center outward. Many of the blankets take inspiration from regional traditions. For instance, “quill” incorporates the “wavy lace motifs” found in shawls from the Shetland islands, the “kogin” design pays homage to traditional Japanese embroidery techniques, and the “cabin quilt” recreates the nestled rectangles of the American log cabin quilt block. Determined to provide “as much pattern flexibility as possible,” Flood helpfully shows how to make the blankets in several different sizes and shares a link to written pattern instructions for knitters who prefer them to the included pattern charts. Readers who solely crochet should be advised that Flood only features three crocheted designs: the “overlay,” which uses intarsia colorwork; the “goodnight star,” which is made up of granny squares; and “pasqu,” which echoes the design of Moroccan knotted wool rugs. This will hold appeal for a wide variety of tastes and skill levels. (Sept.)