I designed this pattern in 2004, when three knitting trends were at the top of their interest: modular knitting, big yarn/big needles, and ponchos. In theory it might be dated, but this simple garment still gets compliments, every time I wear it. Spinners and especially farmers, love the arms free length. Wear it with a button up or long sleeve tee shirt and your favorite jeans.

Mitered squares are a fun, speedy way to use up extra bits of yarn: left overs or spare skeins. Use lighter wight yarns doubled or held together with other colors and yarns, to make up the chunky weight of the finished piece.

Choose your yarns with a color theme in mind. If you don’t feel comfortable selecting colors in a vacuum, use a piece of artwork as inspiration: it could be a painting from a Great Master, an illustration from a children’s book, or an ad from a magazine. Select colors in the proportion you see in your source material. Be sure to include some unusual textures; this is a great way to use up little bits of novelty yarns. Also, don’t be afraid to throw in a little bit of a “zinger” color, one that is opposite your main colors on the color wheel. It will pop!