Sometimes you need a project that strikes the perfect balance: repetitive but still engaging, easy but not boring, and portable enough to take anywhere – whether you’re in a waiting room, on a train, watching a movie, or cheering from the sidelines at your kid’s game. That’s exactly the idea behind my latest accessory: Sidekick.
Sidekick is an asymmetrical scarf featuring a simple slip-stitch pattern that’s fun to knit and looks great on both sides. It’s the kind of project that happily tags along wherever you go – just like a true sidekick! The pattern features two sizes – a small 1 skein version and a large 2 skein version (using worsted-weight yarn).
Designed in partnership with Loop Yarn Shop and featuring their soft, colorful Flora worsted-weight yarn, the pattern is free with the purchase of Flora through Loop (shop their yarn here and get your free pattern). If you’d prefer to use yarn from your stash or explore other options, you can also purchase the pattern individually through me – either here on my website or on Ravelry.
The story behind the design…
I started dreaming up this piece back in May after Loop and I decided to collaborate. As I do with any partnership, I began with a mood board. Knowing the release would land right after Thanksgiving, combined with Loop’s Philadelphia location and the bright, cheerful palette of Flora, a theme emerged: City Streets in Winter. I imagined bold architectural lines and the geometry of city blocks, accented by pops of color glowing against grey skies and snow-dusted sidewalks…
With that imagery in mind, I began swatching. One stitch pattern I’d been eager to use for ages was a slipped-stitch variation of “sand stitch,” and it finally felt like the perfect fit. I paired it with slipped-stitch edges for strong outlines and experimented with shaping until I landed on an asymmetrical form that worked nicely with the texture. I also refined the pattern so it could be made with either one skein or two. Loop Yarn Shop also loved this particular idea and so, Sidekick was born! Here is the mood board and some initial sketches/swatches:
About the pattern
Sidekick is genuinely beginner-friendly. Even if you’ve only knit some simple scarves or hats so far, this pattern is a great next step. You’ll practice: knit and purl, slipping stitches, p2tog decreases and pfb increases. And the pattern includes access to my Sidekick Tips Page, which features a video walking you through both the RS and WS rows. So you’ll be set-up for success, no matter your skill level!
More experienced knitters will still appreciate and enjoy its rhythmic and relaxing-knit qualities. You may remember in a blog post back in July, I mentioned I was knitting on a new design when at the hospital, during Jeff’s last surgery. This was that new design! So if you are a more experienced knitter and looking for that type of project you can just relax with or keep your hands busy with it (whether it’s in a waiting room, or watching tv or at just relaxing at the end of the day), then this may be just the thing.
It’s versatile and flexible
Gauge is wonderfully flexible in this design – you don’t even have to swatch (which is something I rarely say!). Although the sample uses worsted-weight yarn on a US 8 needle, you can use almost anything you like.
For example, my friend Suzie knit a beautiful DK version using just one skein of Dirty Water Dyeworks Flecks DK (you would use a US 5 or 6 needle instead of the US 8 suggested in the pattern), and it landed somewhere between the small and large sizes. Because the pattern simply repeats four rows until you have about 2-4 yards of yarn left, you can customize the length based on your yarn, your gauge, or your personal preference.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing knit or a portable project to keep by your side, Sidekick is designed to be easy, fun, and adaptable. I hope it becomes your go-to companion for cozy making this season! Here are some more photos from Loop Yarn Shop of the versions they knit!
To purchase the individual pattern, click here for my website or here for Ravelry. To get your free copy with purchase of a skein or two of Loop’s Flora yarn, click here.
