My first large-scale knitting project was a shawl for my mom in Malabrigo Chunky. It was also my first project knit in Malabrigo! I used Red Java, and the knitting practically flew off the needles, it was so fast. Sometimes, you just need a quick project in a super soft, happy color of yarn. We're lucky that this season chunky knits are equally as popular as ultra-fine knits are.
I spotted some super-chunky knits on the runway recently and thought I would pop some pattern suggestions on here for you to check out -- if the pattern was offered on another website, I tried to link there, but some of them were only on Ravelry. Click on the photo to find the pattern. All the patterns listed here are from my personal favorites, and I didn't pick anything I wouldn't myself knit up.
[caption id="attachment_276" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Modern Garden Cardigan by Veera Valimaki (Ravelry only)"]
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I love this Modern Garden Cardigan by designer Vera Välimäki. She has a lot of great patterns on Ravelry, but most of them are more fine-gauge knits, and it's nice to see her do something with chunky yarn for a change. At least one person has already thought to knit this project in Chunky, but I think you could probably pull off the lace in Twist, too, since you can block it a bit extra for your particular proportion. What I love most has got to be how easily the shaping is integrated into the leaf pattern! I would knit this in Verde Esperanza Chunky to keep the leaf motif going, and maybe use wooden toggle buttons!
[caption id="attachment_277" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Amber, from Rowan Yarns (web link)"]
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I'm not sure if it's kosher to link to another yarn website's pattern and recommend to knit it in Malabrigo instead of the recommended yarn, but I'm feeling adventurous today, so here goes! I love this pattern from Rowan, and it's free -- what kind of awesomely cozy knit would this be to have around the house or wear out with a pair of super-thick tights and boots? The best kind, I'm certain! I think I would probably go to Twist for this one, simply because it has better stitch definition and a little bit of a smoother texture than Chunky, and the original recommended yarn is a cotton (though, how is cotton supposed to be as cozy as merino wool?) I think I'd have to either knit it in Zinc, for a similar look to the original, or Azul Profundo, for an extra shot of color.
[caption id="attachment_278" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Entrechat, by Kristen Hanley Cordozo (designer's web site link)"]
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I can hardly mention something as fabulous as chunky knits without mentioning Kristen Hanley Cardozo's pattern Entrechat. She knit this up specifically with Malabrigo Chunky in mind, and it certainly is picture-perfect in her chosen color (Emerald), though I think personally I'd love to have one in Pearl or Natural, myself. I feel like this is one of the few shrugs I could actually pull off -- I have a long torso and usually prefer full-length cardigans or sweaters to shortened ones. The idea behind the name is really neat, too -- Entrechat is a ballet movement in which the dancer leaps into the air, crossing their legs in a rapid, fluid movement. The cables certainly invoke the same feeling, with a lot less physical preparation for the knitter!
[caption id="attachment_279" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Twisted by Galia Lael for Knitpicks (web link)"]
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I'm doing it again - another knit designed for a different company, but so perfect for Malabrigo I can hardly stand it! Who wouldn't want this hat in fantastic super-softness and amazing color? Twisted, by Galia Lael, is a cabled hat with a sort of horizontal herringbone texture. You can make it as a beanie, a slouchy beret or a traditional beret. I'm a fan of the slouch, myself -- but you'll hardly look like a slouch with this many complex cables adorning your crown! I would knit this in any of my favorite Chunky colors -- Frank Ochre, Lettuce, Continental, Marron Oscuro, or any number of others.
Do you have a favorite chunky knit, or a specific color you can see yourself working on one of these in? Let us know! We love to hear feedback in the comments.
Chau, Hannah
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