Fall came in like a lion. A big jerk lion. In Montreal, there wasn't a smooth transition and an Indian summer. It's just COLD. I was shivering in my apartment this morning and looked at the thermostat - 16 degrees! (that is 59 Fahrenheit, Yankees) It's only mid September and I had to turn on the heat, which I deeply, deeply resent.
But there is a silver lining in the dropping temperatures, besides the fact that I get to wear all my beloved layers, wool hats and ankle boots; I've rediscovered knitting. Every year I'll make at least one scarf, but inspired by my conversation With Veronik Avery last week, I headed to a great local knitting and quilting store called Ellifoche armed with 3 possible patterns. I had spent the weekend trolling Ravelry for simple, easy to knit sweaters so I wouldn't be discouraged labouring over something outside my skill range like last time. It had to be designed for worsted weight wool, use a reasonable needle size, and not have a lot of complicated details or patterns.
As you know Ravelry is huge and overwhelming. There are tens of thousands of patterns there, but I winnowed it down to some cool, modern options that would be relatively easy to accomplish if you have some basic knitting skills.
4. Flore 5. Plowline 6. Driftwood 7. Such a Winter's Day
8. Forester 9. Oatmeal Pullover 10. Harrison
11. Classic Raglan Pullover 12. Relax
After much deliberation, and with some super helpful advice from Sarah at Effiloche, I settled on the Brooklyn Tweed Bedford. It's got a cozy crewneck sweatshirt vibe and will knit up fairly quickly. I bought a reasonably priced charcoal wool since I didn't want to spend a fortune on my first go, but if all goes well I will be dropping some bank on Madeline Tosh Vintage or Brooklyn Tweed Shelter for another project. So far I've knit up 3 swatches to find the right gauge, which I eventually got using 4.5mm bamboo needles. It's really the perfect project for me right now since I don't have a lot of time to sew for myself while I'm working on the new pattern. I can always carve out time for a movie or reruns of Buffy at the end of the night which = knitting time. I still feel like I'm making time to create something for myself even when I'm working long hours.
In the meantime, I have a knitting pattern to giveaway! I bought 3 on Saturday but I don't think I'll be making the Plowline (the colourblocked number above). It only comes in one size fits all, but it uses a garter stitch so would be ideal for someone new to knitting. If you're interested, please like Closet Core Patterns on Facebook and leave a comment below. I'll choose a winner randomly at the beginning of the week.
Happy knitting!
Good for you! Can’t wait to see your completed Bedford. After a long break from knitting, I just started the Caramel Latte sweater (can find on Rav) in the old Madelinetosh Erin (worsted/aran weight). If you can find a sweater quantity from a destash, it a really delicious yarn that knits up quickly at a fraction of a cost of other Tosh yarns.
WHERE DO I FIND DESTASH WOOL?!?!?
Sent you an email 🙂
Our Ravelry time sounds pretty similar – I’m new to knitting (I have a barely finished and not-very-good Andi Satterlund cardigan waiting to be blocked) but now the leaves are dropping I’ve become obsessed with baggy, garter stitch jumpers to wear with jeans and boots. My evenings are spent on Ravelry looking for the perfect pattern and most of your selection fit the bill!
Hope i saved you some time!
Oh I love the stripes, thanks for that link! I’ve just added another 2 gorgeous worsted patterns to my queue – not that you need more patterns but I’m in love with Seacoast and Holl, both Woolpeople patterns I think……
Brooklyn Tweed is brilliant!
#1,4, 5, and 11 all make me wish I knew how to knit. Any ideas on how to start? (Also: I already follow you on fb)
I would start with a simple ribbed scarf. That way you can work on your purl and knit stitches and and master your tension at the same time. If you don’t know how to knit at all, I would try and learn Continental. Its much easier on your hands and is much faster in the long run but I’m having a hard time learning since I knit in the english style and my muscle memory is fighting me.
I started my first sweater last month, with the raglanify app. Have you looked into it? You input your swatch and your measurments and it gives you a basic raglan pullover. I put in some stripes on mine so it gets more interesting 🙂
That sounds awesome! I’m gonna investigate.
I would love to try knitting that colorblocked sweater! I love to crochet and have created a lot of fun projects, but as far as clothing goes, I feel like I have to learn to knit to be able to create something I’ll actually wear. Having a cute pattern would definitely motivate me to learn how to knit 🙂
It’s all about the cute patterns, haha
I love all of those. I like knitting to be easy and crochet to be a challenge. I hate unpicking knitting and picking the stitches back up but you can rip out a bit of wrong crochet, stick in your hook and get going again! Jo x
Unpicking knitting is THE WORST!
Just to clarify…that was minus 16 degress, not “hyphen” 16 degrees right?! I don’t even know what that feels like! I do know what 40 degrees (C) feels like at Christmas though – ugh 🙁 I don’t think I have the patience for knitting so please don’t pick me 😉
Not minus 16 degrees! Oh god, I’d be dying in my apartment. I just couldn’t get over the fact that it was that cold inside in mid September!
Oh thank GOD! Haha. I assumed you meant outside not your apartment but even still! In hindsight it was probably silly to think it could be that cold in sept but I was in such shock I had to ask!!! I’ve never been to Canada but I know it gets cooooooold there brrrrr! Haha
I just started the Effortless Cardigan a few weeks ago, and it’s really fun so far! Just the right amount of difficulty for a beginner, I’d say.
I really gotta make that at some point!
These are great finds! I’ve wanted to make sweaters like these too. I like ones which are more about flattering & chic silhouette, with any fancy knitting only to add textual interest. But I find too many knitting patterns are really just showcase for knitting prowess. For me sweaters are still about fashion rather than knitting. You’ve just done some homework for me, saved me from having to find the needle in the Ravelry haystack. So thank you!
My knitting is really lousy though. My last one made me look like the Michelin Man. But it’s neigh on impossible to find coordinating sweater knit fabric & ribbing. So I might have to join you and try knitting again.
I love slouchy, oversized sweaters in the fall/winter that look chic…. its much easier these days to find those patterns than it was even a few years ago!
I’ve never really been able to stick with knitting… I remember several years ago joining ravelry and getting all revved up to REALLY be a knitter this time and my mojo petered out. I am getting the knitting itch again and this post is quite helpful. The projects are all really wearable and super cute… maybe I will bust out my stash of knitting needles with everyone else 🙂
I think it’s just starting with projects that make up fairly quickly so you’re not like THIS WILL NEVER BE OVER.
Followed…wish I was a confident knitter!
You just need to start with something manageable and not too intimidating! Raglan sweaters with simple stitch patterns is totally achievable!
I have been knitting garter stitch scarves for decades. A goal of mine is to knit a sweater and this one sounds about my speed. My fingers are crossed!
You can do it!
I have to knit a sweater before I die, and these look amazing!!
http://www.wednesday19th.blogspot.com
BUCKET LIST!
oooh good choices. I wouldnt mind a nice easy knit this autumn.
So nice for couch time sister.
I’m finishing a Marion, and when that is done . . . pull over for sure. Though, I do have a raglan pull over started. It’s . . . wait for it. . . fingering weight. Hence, It takes longer.
NEVER. AGAIN.
Yea, I said that last year after I finished a cardi. Then I lost my cookies and started another . . .
If I knew a bit more about knitting I’d do nr 6 or 7. Lol they look almost the same.
We did some knitting in school but cheesus that was ages ago!
Maybe I should give it a try … but then I’ve been on stand by for a sewibg project.
…
Dammit now I really want to knit!
The brooklyn tweed version (#6) is a little boxier and more oversized than 7, but yes, I deliberated hard between the two. The white one will definitely get made sometime in the future!
Ugh, this makes me want to knit so bad. But…effort. I might look to sew up a knit sweater instead.
Clever compromise!
Oooh they all look like lovely patterns. I progressed far slower in my knitting skills than in my sewing skills. Would like a step up from scarves and hats though – so maybe a beginners jumper is the answer!
Something with easy stitches and simple construction is the ticket!
Glad to hear that you’ve re-kindled your knitting fire. I have been dreaming of wool for a solid month now. I’m thrilled that the temperatures have dropped.
I’m not thrilled, but I’m adapting.
WE’RE GONNA BE TWINZZZZ!!!! Bedford was the sweater I knit last winter/spring! I finished it up right when the weather turned from ‘Cold As Hell’ to ‘Hot As Hell’ here so I never photographed it, but it’s been lovingly folded and is awaiting the return of the cold (someday…? maybe…?) It’s a great knit! The twisted stitch is super easy to memorize and it’s lovely and chunky and cozy and basically like a sweatshirt made out of yummy wool. Mine is also a charcoal-y black, so yeah. Twins!
Also, I just blew the paycheck on some wool and needles to start a Carpino (from Wool People 6? I think?) We had the slightest of ‘cold snaps’ here and my brain just started screaming “KNITTING” ! Hoping to get two sweaters done this winter and maybe a new hat, too.
Hahhaahah! Jen at Grainline came up with a hashtag for this which is #brooklyntweedbffs. I really want to see pics of your Bedford! And the Carpino is lovely but I won’t go near fingering weight wool for a while after the debacle of the quarter finished silk/merino number from a few years ago.
Another twinsie here! I’m working on Bedford right now in Snowbound Shelter. I’m almost up the the armholes so it’s moving right along!
Handknit cardigans are the best…. I haven’t taken the plunge in one yet, it’s been scarfs and snoods lol
Knitting is the ultimate excuse for relaxing! I love it so. You are very wise for choosing a worsted weight project! Hello lace weight UFO lurking under my sewing table.
Knitting in the winter is the best! I love the sweater you chose – looks so cozy and a bonus if it knits up quickly! Yay! Thanks for sharing some easy projects! I am about to start working on a really easy moss stitch shawl/scarf from Purl. Have you seen My Favourite Sweater pattern from Fancy Tiger Crafts? It would probably be a quick and easy knit too!
I’ve only made scarves. I’d love to try something with me difficulty!
Glad to hear you were able to get gauge! 🙂
thanks for the round up! it is overwhelming to find things on ravelry, for sure. I havent knit anything in 2 or 3 years, but i think this fall i’ll try again! loving the brooklyn tweed line!
These all look way beyond my skill level but a sweater is something I would really like to accomplish! Can’t wait to see your finished product!
Knitting terrifies me! I’d love to be able to do it. Good luck! Can’t wait to see what you create.
Plowline is my favorite one! I’ve never knit more than a few inches of a scarf, years ago, but winning this would be a big motivator to get back into it…
I’ve been thinking I need to try knitting again (failed miserably every other time,,what’s one more?) Thanks for the pattern recommendations—fall came as quickly & miserably here (outside Ottawa) as it did in Montreal,,and I am COLD!
yay, knitting! (i heard about the weather situtation in quebec, ergh, sorry to hear, cold in september is miserable) what great inspiration you provide. the bedford is my fave, cannot wait to see yours! ps dont count me in for the giveaway. better the pattern goes to someone who would actually knit it up!
One of my goals this winter is to knit a clothing item for myself. So far I’ve only knitted some scarfs and beanies. These are very interesting patterns for newbies to knitting I think! I had my eye on the Plowline on Ravelry for a while now!
Now liking you on Facebook 🙂 All the patterns look lovely, and precisely what I’ve been craving lately. I just finished my first knitted sweater in aaages, and for the first time ever I’m very happy with how it turned out. I’m planning something similar to the Effortless Cardigan later this fall, maybe in a navy tweed…? (Here’s what I call my comeback sweater: http://purplepleats.blogspot.fi/2014/09/my-comeback-sweater.html)
I loved the bedford the most as well! I’m looking forward to seeing the result!
great choice! I believe I would go with the same, for starters. 🙂
I don’t use facebook (shame on me!) but I like you, does that count? Also, we’re getting on to spring here, which means I would have a whole year to knit this baby. Which should be enough time…. hmmm? 😉
I’ve been dying to get into knitting, but I’m afraid to start. I’ve crocheted for ages, so I think I’d pick it up pretty quickly…just seems more intimidating. All of these sweaters are beautiful!
Woo hoo! Plowline was my #1 pick looking at the pictures, so now I really hope I win. Bedford is a very close #2 though… ugh, so many great choices. Thanks for posting these!
Now I started digging though ravelry, and I noticed that JOJI came out with a “worsted boxy” pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/worsted-boxy If only I had waited!
SON OF A BEECH! Oh the time I could have saved… I’d probably actually be done the damn thing by now!
I KNOW!
Layering is the best! I love dressing for fall and do knit, but I don’t know if I’m disciplined enough to make another sweater. 🙁 I’ve had the Forester pattern (#8) for a while but nothing’s happened… their printed patterns are gorgeous though, I love just looking at it! ha. Your Bedford is going to be so good, looking forward to seeing it!
Plowline was my first choice of all the pictures and I just started knitting. Thank you for the giveaway!
As a fairly new knitter, I’d love to try and tackle this sweater! Perfect for our uber cold Canadian winters!
Love your blog! I just moved away from Montreal and was living about 5 blocks from Effiloche! Now I’m back in school with no free time but I miss knitting so much that an easy sweater would be peeerrrfect!
Would be awesome to try this sweater! I’ve only knitted a scarf before but it looks easy enough to make with all the garter stitches.
Thanks for the chance to win this great pattern!
Thanks for this post! I’m bored and planning my winter hand-knits. And I found THIS! Love #2! 🙂
where do I get the pattern for Bedford? Would love to try it!!
It is by Brooklyn Tweed.
Looking for a pattern for a ladies garter stitch jumper/sweater with shirt tails
Looking for childrens monkey sweater