By Carolyn Hanson
Have you seen them? They look like trading cards. Each has a grid design on one side and a color illustration on the other. These themed card decks with interchangeable designs are knitted into scarves, cowls, mittens, socks, etc. Themes include Basics like Zig-Zag, Seasons such as Autumn, Locales like Paris, Sports such as Baseball, and so much more. Decks include 51 cards of 2 patterns (standard and infinity cowl) and 40 + designs. This is the vision of Jamie Lomax, who picked up knitting during Covid. She started to create designs, i.e., doodles, to keep her mind busy. One thing led to another, and her business, Pacific Knit Co., was born.
The intrigue is that ALL of the micro motifs are interchangeable-making the variety of customization endless. The motifs are worked in stripes in the round. Choose your colors by selecting a variety of light, medium, and dark colors. [Tip: To determine if a color is L/M/D, take a color photo of all the chosen colors and then retake the pic in black and white. This makes it so much easier to decipher.] Each motif identifies the number of rows and the number of stitches to complete one pattern. All patterns fit into a 24-stitch repeat. The number of rows for each motif can vary. (See sample below.) Stack the patterns one above the other in the order of your choosing, and Vois la! You can even design your own doodle by staying within the 24-stitch guideline. So Fun!
In addition to the card decks, Jamie also published The Doodle Knit Directory: 200 Mix & Match Motifs. There are additional patterns, too, consisting of socks, beanies, etc. Actually, any pattern will work as long as there is space for a 24-stitch design and the needed number of rows for your doodle.
Jamie recommends using DK or worsted-weight wool yarn in contrasting colors (one dark, one light) so the design is crisp. There is no limit to the number of colors used. Doodle designs are ideal for using up the bits of yarn from prior projects.
Note: When doing colorwork, carry the unused yarn along the back. Doodles use only 2 colors per row. Keep the carried yarn relaxed to avoid puckering on the right side. Once complete, the finished project will need to be blocked so that the colorwork will relax and any minor puckering can be corrected. Blocking is a finishing technique that uses steam or water (wet blocking) to set the project to the correct size and shape. Once dried, the finished project will be ready to wear.
In addition to the decks and book, there are also expansion decks with 24 more designs. NEW in 2025, a Doodle Club Membership, where you can get 6 new designs each month and a newsletter to keep you informed of what is new and happening. To learn more about Doodles, contact www.pacificknitco.com, Instagram @pacificknitco, or Ravelry – www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/jamie-lomaxs-ravelry-store.