Sometimes, I just want a simple project that I know won’t take a lot of mental effort to get “right.” These projects, all of which fit that bill perfectly, are ones that I have knit when I want something relaxing that still provides a beautiful, satisfying and endlessly wearable result.

Roku Hat

I have made the Roku Hat by Olga Buraya-Kefelian a number of times because it is just a really great ribbed hat. Some people won’t enjoy knitting the 1x1 ribbing for the entirety of the hat, but I find it to be fairly relaxing and an easy rhythm to fall into. And the super clean decreases on this hat make for a polished, professional looking result that makes it all worth the effort!

The Warm & Cozy Stocking

There is no project I love to knit more often than a pair of simple socks… and a Christmas stocking is nothing more than a super-sized sock that works up extra quickly! My first pattern, The Warm & Cozy Stocking (and it’s little sibling The Little Cozy Stocking) are perfect palette cleansers as we head toward the end of summer… if you knit a stocking now, you’ll be ready to go by the time the holiday season starts!

Fade Into You Shawl

The Fade Into You Shawl by Matt Akers is an awesome project if you want something a bit more mindFULL that is still relaxing and easy to work on while you let your mind wander a bit. This is a garter stitch and simple two-color brioche shawl. You work this shawl starting at the wide end with an i-cord cast on and then decrease as you go… so, unlike most shawls, each successive row goes a little bit faster than the last which makes for an engaging knit that you can’t put down!

Are there any simple patterns that you love to knit when you want to keep your hands moving but give your mind a bit of a rest? Leave a comment below!