Season’s greetings! It may not be snowing in these parts just yet (not complaining), but it is snowing on my blog. I wish WordPress would let me keep that feature through the whole of winter. Makes things feel festive, you know?
Speaking of festive things, I’ve been thinking a lot about winter sewing and knitting. I really like the 3 Season Wardrobe Challenge (#3seasonwardrobechallenge) that Tasha of By Gum By Golly dreamt up this past fall. Her post really resonated with me, even though our winter has been pretty mild so far. Let’s see if that lasts…
In any case, I like that she didn’t set a deadline for herself; the challenge is more of a guide. That works for me. Knowing me I’ll definitely be sewing summer clothes. The humidity of a New York summer just doesn’t inspire me to sew with wool (!).
That challenge idea transitions well into the main focus of this post: knitting plans for 2016! Obviously, knitting is a much slower process than sewing, and I know I’ll never get through all of these projects in a year (or two or maybe even three). But I’m not sure what I’ll want to knit and when, so I’m highlighting some of the cold-weather patterns I’ve added to my “favorites” on Ravelry. Also, I love seeing what other bloggers find – gives me ideas!
Click on the image or the link below to go to the pattern page. All the pattern photos are from the designers and are credited.
Photo credit: Purl Soho (via Ravelry)
I like this Sweatshirt Sweater from Purl Soho, and it’s free! You can make it with or without the pouch.
A few days ago I went through Purl Soho’s Ravelry page and noticed a lot of cute (free) patterns, so you’ll see a number of them featured here.
Photo credit: Purl Soho (via Ravelry)
This is the New Treeline Cardigan, also by Purl Soho and also free. I like its simplicity and shawl collar. Just hope my button band comes out more level with the hem!
I’ve seen striped versions of this sweater on Ravelry, as well as ones with contrasting button bands, collar, and cuffs.
Photo credit: Amber Allison (via Ravelry)
The Holiday has become a Christmas favorite with my family over the past few years. I love the white sweater that Cameron Diaz wears (she has a few great pieces in the movie — who travels with that many coats though??) and, sure enough, there’s a few threads on Ravelry dedicated to it! Turns out someone recreated the sweater: the aran-weight Fireside Sweater by Amber Allison that you see above. I’ve used the photo from the Ravelry page, but brightened it up so you can see the details.
I’d probably be true to the original inspiration and make it in a fluffy snow white, and then prance around Trafalgar Square at Christmastime. A gal can dream! Have I told you how much I looooooove London? And, yes, I know the movie doesn’t take place in London ;).
Photo credit: Justyna Lorkowska (via Ravelry)
I’ve favorited a few patterns from Polish designer Justyna Lorkowska, and this Shifting sweater is one of them. The purple version used as the feature image on the pattern’s Ravelry page is what really drew my attention to this pattern, but I thought I’d go with the designer’s photo (the other one is a Ravelry user’s).
Photo credit: Marcin Duda (via Ravelry)
Here’s another Justyna Lorkowska design, the Yakushima cardigan. I’m thinking of a rich brown color, maybe…
Photo credit: Tin Can Knits (via Ravelry)
I haven’t knitted a Tin Can Knits pattern before, but I did benefit from a number of free patterns they were giving away in the days leading up to Christmas (thanks, Sonja, for the heads up!). This Lush sweater isn’t free, but – as with many Tin Can Knits patterns – it can be made in multiple sizes! Lush comes in sizes newborn to ladies 4XL. I’ve seen other patterns come in sizes for newborns, men, and women.
Photo credit: Anna Maliszewski (via Ravelry)
I first spotted this $5 in Paris sweater by Anna Maliszewski on Meg the Grand’s blog (she shows more photos of her version on her Ravelry page). I really love her long-sleeve version! Despite the name, this pattern is free. Meg has knitted a bunch of great patterns that I’ve bookmarked.
Photo credit: Purl Soho (via Ravelry)
In the past, I’ve found wearing two layers of sweater tights to be warmer in the bitter cold than jeans. The only thing is when I get inside I can really warm up, and it’s a bit cumbersome to take one layer off. I feel like these free Spiral Rib Leg Warmers from Purl Soho could come in handy over sweater tights, and then I could remove them when I’m inside.
Photo credit: Purl Soho (via Ravelry)
I think I first saw these (free) Little Cable Knee Highs from Purl Soho on Michelle of Tres Bien Ensemble’s blog, and I loved them! I could see myself wearing them with boots or under jeans for extra warmth. It also seems like a good warm-weather project to work on in the park, in prep for cooler months to follow.
Also, that’s the third Chicago blogger I’ve mentioned in this post. Not intentional!
Photo credit: Purl Soho (via Ravelry)
Just had to add this one in. It’s the Bobble Sheep Pillow from Purl Soho and it’s free. I’ve never worked with bobbles before, and I think this would be a really cute project to have around the house.
Photo credit: Andi Satterlund (via Ravelry)
This is Armande by Andi Satterlund (another freebie – seriously, knitting patterns and freebies!!). I’m currently working on this one as part of her Selfish Sweater KAL, which gives me a deadline of Valentine’s Day to finish it. I bought the prettiest, most vibrant color of blue (Cascade 220) from Downtown Yarns in the East Village and am currently at the waist shaping. Unfortunately, the color doesn’t photograph true to reality, but it’s such a warm, cheerful shade that will feel so wonderful on dark winter days.
On the cropped sweater front, I think I’m good with all the Andi Satterlund patterns I already have (see a sampling in the photo at the top of this post). I could see myself knitting a few more Chucks and Miettes, for example. Shouldn’t need to invest more there…
Made it this far? :) Have any favorites here or have you made any of them? Happy knitting, and I’ll see you in the new year!