Little Gifts, Plain and Fancy

Little Gifts, Plain and Fancy by Andrea Jurgrau

Project Overview

Little Gifts, Plain and Fancy is a collection of decorative knitted items designed by Andrea Jurgrau for BadCatDesigns. This downloadable PDF pattern features multiple small projects ideal for gift-giving, including dishcloths and decorative squares. The collection offers beginner-friendly knitting projects that combine plain stockinette stitch work with charted spiral and geometric designs.

Projects Included

• The Purple Square – measures 13 inches across
• The Green Spiral – measures 15 inches across
• The Bronze Square – measures 11½ inches across

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses 4-ply weight yarn in two different fiber blends:

• Hemp for Knitting – 55 grams/165 meters per skein (one skein each for The Purple Square and The Green Spiral)
• M&K Linen – 50 grams/125 meters per skein (one skein for The Bronze Square)

Additional materials required include US size 2 double-pointed needles (a set of five), a 16-inch US size 2 circular needle, stitch markers (minimum 4), a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stainless steel t-pins for blocking, and optionally a crochet hook for making decorative loops.

Techniques and Stitches

These beginner-level projects employ fundamental knitting techniques suitable for those new to the craft. The primary stitch used is stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic knit fabric base for these pieces. The designs incorporate charted colorwork or stitch patterns, with only odd-numbered rows charted while even-numbered rows are worked according to instructions provided in a stitch key. This approach simplifies pattern reading for beginners.

The pattern includes guidance on handling stitches across both odd and even rows, allowing knitters to follow visual charts while maintaining proper stitch technique. Blocking is an important finishing step, using stainless steel t-pins to shape the finished pieces to their intended dimensions.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 6 stitches to the inch when blocked in stockinette stitch. This gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished sizes for each project in the collection.

Design Notes

This pattern collection emphasizes accessibility for beginner knitters while offering visual interest through charted designs. The use of natural fiber yarns—hemp and linen—gives these small gifts a practical, everyday quality suitable for dishcloths and decorative items. The varied finished sizes provide options for different gift-giving occasions.