Threadbare is also available as a bundle with Patchwork Crescent for $8.50 USD (regular price $14.00 USD)! Use the code Boro at checkout or click here to add the bundle to your cart. (Previous purchases of Patchwork Crescent count towards the bundle!)

October 2024: A lace weight version of Threadbare was added to the pattern, see second photo. Knit in moss stitch with naturally dyed yarns and undyed yarns in natural shades. I originally made this as a personal project, but following an enthusiastic response on Instagram, I decided to add instructions alongside the original version. Please see the project page for full details.

Threadbare is a large cosy rectangle inspired by Japanese Boro patchwork fabrics, and worked in a variety of yarn weights from lacy lambswool to tweedy fingering. The contrasting yarn weights create variations in transparency, with some patches appearing more “threadbare” than others. The pattern is worked on 3.5mm/US4 needles mostly in a simple ribbing pattern which adds a lively bouncy drape.

The following yarns were used, in various quantities:
Jamiesons of Shetland Spindrift, Kate Davies Milarrochy Tweed, Renaissance Dyeing/Lã Nollin Indigo-dyed Crewel Lace Weight, Wild East Yarns indigo-dyed Merino Silk, Wild East Yarns Shetland Lace Weight, Schoppel Wolle Crazy Zauberball, Loret Karmen hand-dyed, and leftovers of various others including Colorshift merino and unidentified salvaged bits and pieces.

I used relatively subdued Indigo-dyed blues as my color reference, adding some muted greens and small patches of bright contrasts. The pattern can also be worked in any selection of colors.

Yardages and colors for individual patches are not specified, apart from the position of the two red patches. You can estimate and continue with a slightly different shade if you run out, splicing wherever possible to avoid having more loose ends than necessary. The patches of the two different types of lace weight yarn are labeled in one of the photos.

Dimensions before blocking: 64ins/162cm by 20ins/51cm
Gauge before blocking: approximately 33 stitches and 31 rows = 4ins/10cm in ribbing
Dimensions after blocking: 68.5ins/174cm by 29ins/74cm
Gauge after blocking: approximately 22 stitches and 30 rows = 4ins/10cm in ribbing

This is a written pattern with no charts! It is worked in the intarsia technique with a maximum of nine colors in one row.

The Threadbare pdf contains written patterns, notes and instructions for each version, and a splicing phototutorial.

Please read the Terms and Conditions applicable to knit/lab pattern purchases before purchasing this pattern. The T&C can be viewed here.