A world of knitting joy.
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Here’s what I’ve loved in knitting this week…
writes beautifully about not finding the community of knitters she wanted, and creating it for herself and the others in her neighbourhood.As she mentioned…
“And what I really wanted was a knitting group. So, I started asking around. And wasn’t finding knitters. Oh, but they are here! Because I talked to someone who told me how to get the word out and the response to a knitting group was huge! At this point, we are 30+ strong and have reserved two time slots in the clubhouse.”
And
has a beautiful vintage double-pointed needle holder. Functional, and lovely to look at!2024: Knitwear Designers Defining The Future Of Knitting
If you want a great list of knitwear designers to ooh and ahh over, I’ve just updated my list of favorites. I’d be curious to know who yours is.
And now… onwards to your weekly What To Knit Next issue!
(Disclosure: Any purchases made through links may earn me a commission.)
Before we begin…
Publication Schedule: Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sun
👀 Last week’s top knitting inspiration:
’s Cromulent Shawl.This week’s knitting ideas you can't miss…
A cozy knitter's globe on your tea table.
The World Tea Cosy by Suzy from TeaCosyFolk is adorable! It keeps your tea warm and does it with worldly charm. 😉 I'm impressed with clever depiction of continents and oceans, and the lined double knitting ensures durability.
Suzy's choice is an affordable DK acrylic yarn by Style Craft. It comes in a range of colors. Another choice I've found super soft and easy to knit with is Brava.
Creekwater cables.
I've always admired the classic beauty of cabled scarves, and this Creekwater Cabled Scarf is no exception. Pam Connolly tailored the design for comfortable cabling, making it a project to cozy up with during the colder months.
For best results, choose a heavier worsted yarn and US size 8 needles.
I knitted a hat with High Desert Tweed (89% American Wool, 6% Acrylic, 5% Rayon) pictured below. It’s worsted weight and the stitch definition was impressive. I adore the colorway with the colored flecks!
A lace project that blends casual and sporty vibes.
Rachel Brockman's Chicory Tank is a real gem combining the delicate beauty of lace with casual wear. What I love is the ingenious sporty stripe detail at the hem, and it's offered in sizes up to 6X.
A perfect spring or summer knit, it's versatile both in style and seasonality.
She recommends using Fibra Natura Papyrus (DK-weight, 78% cotton & 22% silk) with size US 5 (3.75 mm) needles. I’d suggest Clover Takumi Bamboo needles.
Transform your look with a convertible cowl.
The Moon Redux convertible cowl by MFTI is suitable for brisk walks in cold weather: it morphs from a snug cowl into a cozy hood.
The option to adjust size with different yarns is a wonderful touch.
The suggested yarn is 12 ply, which is equivalent to chunky weight. Malabrigo Chunky (100% merino) would be glorious in any of its stunning array of colors!
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A perfect starting point for new knitters.
You'll find the Ana poncho a delight, especially if you're venturing into more involved projects. What stands out is the option to omit short rows, making it accessible for beginners.
For this design, you hold together two fibers and yarn weights.
The suggestions are one strand of Peruvian 100% Wool (Aran weight) and the other, a blend of mohair & silk (lace weight.)
I recommend Wool of The Andes (100% Peruvian Highland wool, worsted weight) and Aloft Super Kid Mohair (mohair & silk blend/lace weight). I prefer to use my Chiaogoo stainless steel needles with these fibers. They’re super slick and help me knit a little faster!
I’m knitting a cowl with Aloft, which is like knitting a cloud! It’s also a lovely yarn.
Add a ripple of comfort
The Tim Tam blanket by Mary Lou Egan brings a delightful splash of color and texture to the world of baby blankets. The self-striping yarns are the stars here, as they create appealing stripes that enhance the chevrons.
You can adjust the size to your liking.
Mary Lou suggests using Berroco Medina (37% Cotton, 36% Acrylic, and 27% Rayon, DK weight) or Urth Uneek Cotton (100% Cotton, DK weight) with size US 6 (4 mm) needles. I use my Clover Takumi Bamboo needles with cotton.
Gentle ripples of river's song.
River's Song by Emma Ducher captures the tranquility of a flowing river in its ripple-like texture. The sleeveless top's detailed instructions promise an engaging yet manageable project with a seamless, top-down construction.
I can imagine knitting this in High Desert Yarn (sport weight, 100% American Wool) which I enjoyed knitting my Stone Croft Shawl in the most delightful yellow color, hence the colorway name Chanterelle!
A project bag that combines craft with elegance.
Dee Hardwicke's Pressed Rose Project Bag caught my eye for its practicality fused with charm. The structure ensures a sturdy yet pretty container for your projects. Why not use your favorite craft to create the tools you’ll need?
Look at all those stunning colors! Rowan Felted Tweed is a tried-and-true favorite of many knitters: a gorgeous blend of Merino wool, alpaca, and viscose.
A seamless top-down knitting journey awaits.
Knitted from the top down and seamless — my favorite kind of construction — the Lenu Sweater allows for easy adjustments as you go.
Short rows shape the garment, and the option of a matching hood makes it a versatile addition to any wardrobe.
It uses DK wool yarn held with a mohair & silk blend, which offers a balance of warmth and lightness.
Create a cozy ambiance with knitted pumpkins.
There's something charming about knitting pumpkins for fall decor! If you need a quick project, this captures the essence of autumn. Grabbing some cinnamon sticks for stems adds a delightful twist—imagine the lovely scent.
Wool Ease Thick & Quick is the suggested yarn for this design, an affordable super bulky yarn. As the name implies, the knitting process will be fast!
Delicate design meets serene sophistication.
Scarflette, a design by Justyna Lorkowska, is reminiscent of leaves fluttering on a breezy day, showcasing complex cables and delicate lace.
Do you have a fingering weight hand dyed yarn sitting in your stash that’d be perfect for this design? The blend in the original is Merino, Silk and Yak. Justyna says you can use any fingering weight as long as you meet her gauge.
A coat not just for the lab but for style too.
I love a project mixing texture and color, and 'In the Lab Coat' fits!
This open-front cardigan is anything but monotonous, featuring cable panels, eyelets, garter trim, and, of course, pockets. The tunic length and comfy, raglan styling echo a modern yet casual vibe, which makes it versatile.
I’d love to try this in bulky hand dyed Superwash Merino wool yarns, but unlike the original design, I’d go for bolder, jewel tone colors.
I love the colorways of Malabrigo Mecha, ‘Diana’ caught my eye.
It’s always a good day when you can snap up some bargains! Knit Picks have just extended their sitewide sale.
This week’s insider knitting inspiration…
An unexpected path to knitwear design.
What an inspiration Christine Boggis is!
She connects knitting to mental health in this interview, which I can relate to, especially "JOMO" (the joy of missing out.) Her unique path from eclectic teenage fashion to knitwear designer reflects a journey of personal growth.
The nuances of yarn substitution.
Yarn substitution seems straightforward until it's not! Kate Atherley's guide is super helpful. I appreciate her emphasis on clarity, especially about yarn specifics and gauge information.
She shows you how to make detailed yarn usage estimates, which could save you from the dreaded yarn chicken!
Gauging a perfect fit.
I've always praised the importance of swatching, but I was intrigued by Ann Budd's method for adjusting your project when your gauge doesn't match the design. She changes the design size, not her knitting style or needle size!
A new spin on knitting instructions.
Knitstrips transforms traditional, text-heavy knitting instructions into engaging comic strips, making the learning process such fun! It's fascinating to see such diverse projects being presented in this accessible format, and who doesn't love a bit of customization in their craft?
A solid plan can save your knitting project.
I found Jill Wolcott's post on the importance of a Finishing Plan for knitters quite enlightening. It's a concept I wish I'd learned sooner!
She discusses how a structured ending makes all the difference, ensuring that projects don’t just languish in a state of near completion.
A fresh take on German short rows.
This video by Odd Row shows an improved method of working German short rows. Their instructions offer an intriguing alternative to the traditional way.
The Chevron stitch with a single-row repeat.
The Chevron stitch’s neat, reversible characteristics make it a top choice for many projects. What makes this tutorial by So Woolly invaluable is the dual teaching method for English and Continental styles.
Celebrating creativity in everyday situations.
It's heartwarming to see knitting bringing families together in the most unexpected ways. A glimpse at this post shows a wonderful collaboration between mother and son, creating a makeshift yarn swift.
Exploring the intricate art of Japanese knitting stitches.
As a fan of global knitting techniques, I was interested to read this review about two Japanese stitch dictionaries translated into English.
Yoko Hatta and Keiko Okamoto's books offer a trove of 350 distinctive stitches. The focus on graphical representations over written instructions aligns with traditional Japanese styles.
The flexibility every knitter needs at their fingertips.
Here's a guide I find helpful for cast-on methods that are as stretchy as they’re satisfying. It covers five techniques, ensuring that your projects, whether hats or socks, have edges that are comfortable yet firm.
Stitch modification with confidence.
Modifying existing knitting stitches opens up new creative avenues! Starting with established stitches and tweaking them to fit a specific vision is less pressure than designing from scratch but full of possibilities.
Herringbone stitch made simple.
Tweedysheep's method for the Herringbone stitch got my attention for its simplicity and elegance. If you're looking to switch things up in your next project, why not try it? The uncomplicated technique might just surprise you.
Hope this issue has inspired your next knitting project!
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P.S. Don’t forget the September Special! Become a VIP member below to claim your 50% off discount (did I mention that’s locked in forever?) 😉
About your list of knitting designers, I have a suggestion for you! Check out Filipa Carneiro (@filipa_nionoi on instagram). She's a Portuguese designer and knitting instructor, and is making wonderful work. I'm not very familiar with knitting, but I think she has a few interesting contributions that may qualify her as a change-maker in the knitting world (like her purl inlay colourwork technique), besides being a promoter of the Portuguese knitting techique.
https://linktr.ee/filipa_nionoi
Always so full of wonderful rabbit holes to get myself lost in (or found? 😅). A joy to read you, Jodie. One of the biggest reasons for missing hanging out on Substack. ❤