"I started photographing my domestic world and writing not just about what I had made,
but why I made it, examining the thoughts that accompany creativity and the act of making."
Jane Brocket from The Gentle Art of Domesticity p. 189 UK edition

Patterns

Over 40 years ago I  learned some basic designs that can result in numerous simple useful projects.  I confess I have never made a practice of knitting swatches before starting a project, but with the broad design suggestions I am typing here, I think you need to produce a swatch that will help you figure how many repetitions you need in order to produce the size project you want.

 Lacey Edged Knit Square Projects
     On the size needles of your choice, knit two stitches on one needle.
     Row 1:  Knit 1, Yarn Over, Knit 1
     Row 2: Knit 1 Yarn Over, Knit to end of the row
     Repeat Row 2 until your square is half as big as you want it to be
     Start decreasing rows by Knitting 2 stitches together, Yarn Over, Knitting 2 stitches together, Knit to the end of the row.
      When you are down to two stitches, pull the  last stitch through the next to last  stitch and weave in any remaining yarn tails.
By making squares you can produce coasters. dish or wash cloths, hand towels, or even comforters if you make enough squares of the same size and then sew them together.





Basket Weave Knit Projects
     On the size knitting needles you wish to use, knit a number of stitches that is divisible by four onto one needle according  to the the width of the project you want to produce.
     Rows 1-4:  Knit 4, Purl 4 to the end of each row.
     Rows 5-8  Purl 4, Knit 4 to the end of each row.
     Repeat Rows 1-8 until your project is as long as you want it to be.
     Bind off and either attach fringe or crochet an edge around it.


    I made this afghan about 42 years ago.  It was quite stretchy when I made it, but after washing and drying it many times it is now more the size of a lap robe.  Whether your yarn shrinks is something worth considering if you are aiming to produce a specific size!


However, although it is smaller and more tightly stitched, now then when I knit it, I fondly remember how much I enjoyed making it and how grateful I am for the warmth it has provided and will provide.