I want to talk about a pattern I know…Hitchhiker by Martina Behm.
This is one of the most popular knitting patterns I have ever come across; a search on Ravelry reveals that the pattern has been knitted a staggering 18,912 times in a huge variety of colours, weights, sizes and global locations. I’ve only knitted it once, but have plans to make more once I have made a small dent in some of the other knitting I have queued up; I know knitters who cast on a new one the second they cast off the old one.
Hitchhiker
I was chatting to someone the other day who asked me what project I would recommend that was good for a beginner knitter to move on to when trying to get a bit more complicated than baby hats, but not too complicated. I went for Hitchhiker, simply because this is the project I chose to learn to knit continental with; something that was basic but had some form and therefore wasn’t ‘just’ a garter stitch scarf, but that I could get the hang of easily and keep going until I was comfortably with the technique.
It’s wonderfully accessible at just €3.40 for the single pattern. This translates to about £2.53, US$3.60, AU$4.75 and NZ$4.83. I don’t know how that converts for you – it’s less than my favourite coffee (a caramel Macchiato from Starbucks in case you’re wondering) and a pattern I cheerfully bought knowing that the designer would be directly benefitting from my desire to join her fan club.
You can get it on Ravelry here, or off the Strickmich website here.
So, without giving away the Top Secret Information, this is a primarily garter stitch shawlette which follows a simple repetitive pattern to give the edge a border of zigzagging ‘teeth’. The original was knitted up with 42 teeth; hence the name, as the number 42 is closely associated with Douglas Adams’ “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”.
With a clever combination of a few shaping techniques, Martina has designed an accessory which is both engaging and delightful for all-weather knitting, whether you are on a train, at knit night, on the beach or just watching TV. The pattern is essentially endless; you could knit teeth for as long as your yarn lasted, or cast off when you’ve completed five to ensure your puppy has a matching Hitchhiker.
(That last one is a true story – I can’t remember who it was, but another blogger wrote about her and her hound had matching Hitchhiker’s, and that was what made me want to knit one. Tonks doesn’t have her own…yet…)
It’s knitting to lose yourself in, and has been the hot topic of conversation in our flat recently as John as I have been discussing a number of things relating to the knitting industry. I wear mine regularly, although I still do not have better photos of it than the day I finished it. I’ve knitted it up in merino fingering weight yarn – my next one will be in Sirdar Folksong Chunky…I already have eight balls stashed. It’s going to be warm and cosy!
The Hitchhiker experienced a huge vogue a few years ago, and I’m seeing it slowly come back into the hands of knitters around me when I go to events; so if you’ve never seen it, check it out! I’m now looking for ‘unusual’ examples for a write-up on pattern adaptations; please show me cobweb weight, quiviut or even tie-dyed projects if you are able to? I’d love to see them!
Much love,
Corrie xx
I get a lot of people asking me if I will share this pattern for free with them. No, I will not, so please do not ask me. We need to support the designers in our industry; who will design patterns for us if they can’t support themselves off their work?
Seriously? People are asking you to share this? Grrr…..I have not done Hitchhiker, but have done Wingspan…..I think I have it in my library…I have a few of her patterns…
Yes, it’s unbelievable! I haven’t done Wingspan – only HH. The next one I want to do is Leftie…she’s such a popular designer that it’s almost difficult to believe she ‘only’ has 43 designs. Give it a go!
What a lovely pattern, I’ve seen it pop up from time to time in FB craft groups and never realised that is not overly complicated. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you give it a go! It’s a fab project.
Great looking shawl – I love the use of gradient yarn. I’ve made several Hitchies now, mostly for gifts although I kept one for myself. I’m planning to start a continental knitting class soon and your post reminded me that this would make a great learning project – thank you
Ooh good luck! Can’t wait to see how it turns out – I had to frog the first attempt because my tension was so bizarre, but glad I did it.
I still haven’t done it. :-)
It’s a fabulous ‘stick in a bag and take out when you need a no-brains’ project! I encourage you to <3
I’ve knit a Wingspan, and now you’re inspiring me to do a Hitchhiker — but not yet as I’m trying to produce some FOs before I do another cast-on. I love your idea of using worsted weight!
Hmm loads of people have mentioned Wingspan to me, looks like that’s the next one I will be checking out! I know the feeling of not having FOs, I am having a real case of startitis at the moment.
Gorgeous scarf! I found you on Frontier Dreams and glad I visited your site. I have bookmarked the designer in my ravelry and will be sure to buy the pattern. Thanks for sharing!
Great to enable you! Lovely to meet you, hope you enjoy the pattern.
So very pretty! I love your colour choice :-)
I’ve never knitted a shawl so far – I should probably give it a go, especially because I’ve got a little love affaire with garter stitch!
Ooh, do, it’s lovely! The colours were a custom dyed gradient yarn from the States, beautiful.
love that yarn. :) i have never made the hitchhiker, looks great.
Well done you for supporting designers! xx
Your Hitchhiker came out beautifully! I made one recently and it’s so fun and addicting.
Thank you so much! I do love the pattern, it’s a repeater :)