Ah, the humble garter stitch square. Maybe you, or a little knitting protégé, have just learned to knit. Maybe you have a collection of garter stitch tension swatches you’re puzzling about what to do with. Well, puzzle no more! I’ve found five different projects from around the web that you can make from garter stitch squares. All patterns linked are free, too!

Backing up…What IS a garter stitch square, exactly?

If you’re yet unsure of what I’m talking about, let me tell you. Garter stitch is a knitting stitch made simply by knitting every stitch on every row if you’re knitting back-and-forth.

So often when people learn to knit, they end up with squares and rectangles of this rather dull stitch, with no idea what to do with them. I think this is especially frustrating for kids who are learning to knit because they want to make a THING, not learn a skill.

But there really is a lot you can do with a square of garter stitch, if you get creative! Let’s have a look at some great ideas.

NB: These ideas would all work for a square of another solid stitch like stocking (stockinette) stitch or moss stitch.

1. The square bunny

I’ve seen this pattern by Anette at Lebenslustiger.com all over the internet for years. In fact I made a square bunny using this pattern about five years ago (my bunny is pictured below), out of the hair of my real pet rabbit which I spun. Read here about the bunny I made, and also check out the sphere formula I used to make the bunny’s tail.

This is an ingenious pattern, really. Simply with a square of garter stitch and some creative stitching, you can gather up the square to make a big round head, plump body, and pointing up ears. Adorable!

When my little one is old enough to knit I think this will be one of the first projects I suggest to her.

2. The chicken (or other kind of bird)

Like the bunny, these chickens are just cleverly folded and stitched squares of garter stitch. On its own, I think this project would make a pretty good generic bird, maybe as a Christmas ornament or room décor for a child’s room. With a few added embellishments like some red yarn to make a comb, it can become a rooster or a hen.

I found two very similar patterns to make a chicken from a garter stitch square. Click over to see the Ravelry Download by Kristen Wiszynski, or check out The Handmade Homemaker for her version of the garter stitch chicken.

3. The cushion

How cute is this Squidgy Squares cushion from Ellen over at Stitch Geek?! I love it. This cushion uses four small squares and one big one to make a patchwork cushion. It also includes a super simple trim, perfect for helping a little knitting student practise casting on and off.

If Ellen’s pattern seems too complicated for you or someone you’re teaching, you could always make a cute cushion out of eight equally-sized squares, or of just two large squares.

Even easier, just sew two small squares together for some chic doll house décor

4. The potholder/dishcloth

What a brilliant idea for a gift, which a new young knitter can proudly tell the recipient, “I made it myself!” Make a large square in a bright colour, or follow Arcelia Rodriquez’s pattern for a four-square potholder. The pattern also comes with a patter for a garter stitch scrubber. Add a simple loop to a corner and you have an ever practical and sweet kitchen item.

A dishcloth or potholder is a good chance to practise some new edging techniques – think picots, crochet, or a simple blanket stitch.

5. The blanket

Of course, how can you go past a simple garter stitch blanket?

Click on over to Ravelry to see Kate McLaughlin’s pattern for a garter blanket recipe, or take a look at the Bright Garter Patches Throw Pattern by Lion Brand Yarns.

A garter square blanket is a much bigger project for sure, but also a great collaborative one.

There was a rather feared and respected French teacher at my high school (to whom I partly owe my love of the French language – I’m listening to a French rap song she introduced me to as I write this post! Bonsoir Madame si vous lisez ce blog!). When one of my friends was in her homeroom, this teacher taught everyone in the class to knit. My friend, along with his classmates, would arrive to class every morning with their knitting. They would work on garter squares to be sent to a charity which sewed them into blankets for the homeless.

Last year, my sister-in-law and I made a collection of items to give to a baby charity in our area. They sent us a lovely thank you letter back. The piece which was mentioned with specific thanks was the garter stitch blanket. I had made it and used it as a teaching tool for a friend, who contributed some squares. My husband even made a square when he suggested he knit with me as a way of spending time together (having you as a knitting buddy is always appreciated, Sweetie). So, humble as a garter stitch blanket may seem, they are much appreciated.  I must say, too, that there is a sweet innocence about something in pure garter stitch.

Thanks for taking a look at some ideas for what to make from your garter stitch squares. I’ve been thinking of some other additions to this collection, and I’ll post another idea for you next week!

Huge thanks to Ellen, Arcelia, Carrie, Kate, Kristen, and Anette for permission to feature their wonderful projects and include their photos in this post.

I’d love to see what you’ve made from your squares of garter stitch, or what you’re planning to make next.

Peace,

Kat