After another vicious round of closet purging, I am down to a small (for me) wardrobe of things I will actually wear. It's made it a lot easier to see what is missing and what I would like to make over the next few months.
One of the biggest holes in my closet is my sweater stash. Last year I had The Cashmere Revelation and haven't been able to stomach acrylic since. All I want is natural fibers, as cozy and soft as possible. Which is why I can't stop thinking about knitting. I am a cold weather knitter but haven't made anything more complicated than a scarf since the ill-fated Wrap Sweater Incident of 2003. This is going to change starting immediately.
I'm on the hunt for cool, modern knitting patterns. I've spent hours trolling on Ravelry trying to find projects that don't scream "handmade"; if I'm going to spend hours and hours (and maybe months, knowing how slow these things can go) on a sweater, I want it to be something I would actually buy. I'm talking luxurious materials (silk, cashmere, buttery soft wool) and an interesting silhouette.
Sources:
1.Beauty Cardigan 2. Gilet Cardigan 3. Lilas Cardigan 4. Shibui Knits pullover 5. Chloe Cardigan 6. Bjelle top 7. Zigzag Skirt 8. Flore pullover 9. Dolman Pullover 10. Pull Irlandais 11. Isosceles vest
My favourites seem to be coming from Vogue and Shibui Knits. Does anyone have any other suggestions for cool, modern sweaters patterns? I'm all ears!
I love Kim Hargreaves patterns, I can’t knit but her stuff makes me want to learn baaaaad!
http://www.kimhargreaves.co.uk/ I’m not sure if she publishes individual patterns but I have seen her books at my library
OMG I’m now sort of freaking out over 5 and 9…definitely heading over to Ravely to check those out next. I would also like to 2nd the Kim Hargreaves patterns, though I’m not sure I’m someone who should be giving knitting advice. I’ve been working on my sweater for 2 years and lately I’ve only been knitting socks. Excited to see what you pick and I’ll definitely be checking back to see what patterns people recommend. Also…what’s your Ravelry name?
OMG! I just lost my mind on her website. BEST EVER! The styling is stellar – makes everything look amazing! I just checked the library and we don’t have many. I’ll have to add them to my amazon wishlist. Thanks for the heads up!
Oh, Phildar usually has pretty modern stuff, though most of their catalogues are in French. At one time in my younger days I was know to translate and knit but that skill is long departed.
Number three gets my vote because the designer, Hilary, is awesome! You might like some of her other stuff, too. I SUPER love #11 but I suck at wearing vests….I get really cold so the whole no sleeves on a sweater things doesn’t really work for me. I have at least three partially complete knits, ones that I actually still want to wear, but I’m itching to start something new.
I wish I could knit, well, I wish I could knit more than a scarf. I also wish I had a reason to knit because it is never sweater weather here… anyway my faves are 4 and 6. I like the classic pullover sweater look and those cute sleeves on 6.
What a gorgeous selection you’ve found there…love ’em!
One of my favourites on Ravelry that I must make one day is this one: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/muse-n. This Kim Hargreaves book is also packed with super cute / modern designs – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Breeze-Kim-Hargreaves/dp/1906487049/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1347885177&sr=8-12
Can’t wait to see what you choose!!!
have you been to jorth’s blog? she’s just made a green dress i’d fight for.
I would also look in the Library, as sometimes you see some cool knitting books. I have seen a couple of stylish books, you can normally tell by the title, as they make it clear the book is designed for the chic, cool etc. That way you could just photocopy and your good to go or buy the book if you like it enough. Try major book stores and see what they have too. Have a flick through. You might be pleasantly surprised. Good Luck.
Check out Quince and Co. and Brooklyn Tweed, too. The Quince and Co. yarn is amazing to knit with and I’ve never gone wrong with their patterns.
Um. Holy Oh My God. Number 4, Number 9 and Number 11…
I also got bit by the cashmere bug – what the eff? So freaking expensive – but sooooooo worth it!! I’m always way way in awe of all the sweaters I’ve seen made in the blogosphere – ya’ll are such a bunch of talented ladies it drives me nuts! I’ve only tried knitting once and it was bad – BAD I tell you! I’d love to see you knit an amazingly cool and modern sweater – and then I’d love to hole up with you for a month as you hold my hand and teach me how to make that Dolman pullover that I will wear for the rest of my wintery days (whenever they come…) Amen.
I think it’s heatherlou1? I don’t have anything but a long list of favourites at the moment. Phildar you say? Je parle francais…. shouldn’t be too hard to translate knit 1, purl 4, I hope.
I’m still hyper ventilating over the Hargreaves…. too bad she doesn’t sell pdf patterns. The books are around $30 and she has about 8!
It is pretty stinking awesome. AND DAMN YOU FOR ADDING ANOTHER BLOG TO MY READER OONA! It’ not bloated and overwhelming enough as it is….
Can we hold hands for a month regardless of the knitting? Yeah, the cashmere is like drugs. I can’t ever get enough and nothing else feels as good. Unforch, it’s crazy pricey (though I have found a great vintage store in Toronto with a wall of second hand cashmere), ESPECIALLY when you’re buying yarn. That stuff is bananas. Like a sweater would cost you over $200 to KNIT! So I’m going to start researching good substitutes that are just as cozy and soft without the are-you-kidding-me cost.
My Sallie-Sal, you would love Shibui – they have some silk yarns that make me want to cry. You should start with a scarf that has a cable or pattern just to get used to the rhythm and you could totally make summer weight stuff if you wanted to. Knitting is technically pretty easy – it’s just having a consistent tension (which only happens through practice) and actually paying attention to your pattern when there are lots of changes (ie don’t get too engrossed in Breaking Bad or you are going to look down and see some weird things happening in your hands)…..
WILL DO. Thanks for the heads-up.
The knitting section at my library is pretty lame. The cost of being in a largely francophone city I guess…
My problem with knitting is paying attention to the changes when you have a complicated pattern…. I mean, it’s only two stitches…. it’s the focusing that is hard, especially when you just want to lose yourself in Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.
I suspect you would make some fierce f*cking sweaters if you actually finished one…. would love to see your take on modern knitting.
I really like number 1 and number 11! Number 1 is super feminine but the silhouette is very different today’s RTW. Number 11, on the other hand, is very over-sized, Free People-esque, but I think it will be a great EVERYDAY piece.
I love everything designed by Veera Valimaki (and I second the Brooklyn Tweed recommendation). Super cool, super wearable, and hip!
hahahaha! honey boo boo is distracting… 😉
I don’t knit, but a while ago I bought this pattern from Evi T’Bolt on Etsy in hopes of learning (!):
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/44922505
(She seems to have moved to Ravelry, http://www.ravelry.com/designers/evi-tbolt )
I’ll look forward to seeing your progress– and I’m sure I’ll soon envy your sweater stash..
I don’t knit, but a while ago I bought this pattern from Evi T’Bolt on Etsy in hopes of learning (!):
http://www.etsy.com/transaction/44922505
(She seems to have moved to Ravelry, http://www.ravelry.com/designers/evi-tbolt )
I’ll look forward to seeing your progress– and I’m sure I’ll soon envy your sweater stash..
At the moment I’m torn between 9 & 11. I think 11 would be a good one to start with since it’s a chunky knit and will work up fast. Good motivation to get started.
I was a knitter in my former life, lol. I actually finished projects and everything ;o) I’m Nettie on Rav.
Any crochet recommendations? These knit patterns are TOO cute!
Have you looked at pickles.no? Super cool Norwegian knitters and their own line of yarn are pretty damn delicious too. They translate all their patterns into English which can be a little confusing at times, but I’ve found them easy to figure out anyway. x
Have to second Brooklyn Tweed and Kim Hargreaves. The BT stuff is gorgeous, although we can’t get the Shelter yarn here in the UK annoyingly. My pet peeve with knitting patterns on Ravelry is all the cardigans in a swing shape – you know, they just fasten at the neck. To me, that’s the fastest way to look like a small child, although it looks quite nice on petite people.
Have you checked out quince and co? I suspect you would like this one http://quinceandco.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_31&products_id=159
I made a Penelope shrug this summer and the pattern was clear, quick & turned out just as I expected! Happy knitting!
They have some really adorable patterns! I just pinned a tonne. Thanks for the rec!
AGREED!
And I think they’re free?! Also, Norwegian looks like the cutest, tweest language of all time. Good call Elisalex!
Mostly free, they usually publish one or two sizes for free on their blog and the others are to pay for… And also, I not so secretly want to move to Scandinavia! Did a road trip up there a couple of summers ago and it was completely amazing!!
Gah! I want to make most of these. Thanks for the inspiration round-up! Look at my favorites on Ravelry. My user is StephanieU. I especially like Boxy, Friday Again and Coco.
You’ve got some great faves and you’re right – Boxy looks MIGHTY tempting.
I’m late to this as usual but erm, how can you pick?! I like #11 and #5 but I love batwings. And a close 3rd #6 for those groovy sleeves but I don’t know if it’s as versatile. I’m also clueless when it comes to knitting although I suspect I’d probably get totally obsessed with it, like Tetris or chess. (Repetitive spatial logic activities are very addictive for me.)
Hey, have I told you how great your blog looks? Love the header and the sidebar.
Thank you Amy! You have one of my fave blog designs so it means a lot. As for picking….. I’m stalled out. I *think* I’m gonna do #9 but then someone showed me this guy and now I don’t know WHAT to do: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boxy
I think you would love knitting. But it’s so warm in Texas it’s not like you “need” scarves and sweaters and stuff (although you should check out some of the companies people suggested below – there are some pretty amazing knitwear designers out there). The only thing remotely appealing about winter right now is the idea of watching old B&W movies while wrapped in an afghan knitting something cozy.
Love these!
http://www.purlbee.com/category/knit/projects-knit/
I, too, hunt the net for contemporary or more modernized patterns. Here are some sites I go to. Pinterest, not all pins will have patterns, most are diagram/symbolic directions. If you are searching for dressier or business pieces to knit, check out the Russian patterns and some Japanese patterns also in diagram instructions but MOST DON’T have translation on the website so you have to figure out the yarn/thread gauge and needle size yourself. Garn Studio has both knitting/crochet dressy and casual patterns, but to get the pattern instructions beware the FLAGS of the country the instructions are written for. If you want casual patterns, try Oat Couture, their designs are well written, simple, casual, sort of your weekend/blue jeans style patterns but can be dressed up. Rowan patterns are often more updated patterns. Just a side note about the Russian patterns, most with patterns are free, however, when I went to the site on some, my computer blocked access so some may contain viruses and the like or redirect to nasty, perverted sites if you know what I mean. I think many of the Russian patterns are PROFESSIONAL DESIGNS FOR COMMERCIAL MASS PRODUCTION as these are NOT YOUR AVERAGE PATTERNS. Many of the Russian patterns are formal evening gowns, complex sweaters, dresses, etc. A few patterns I have seen are, apparently, the designers for knit/crochet you would see at Boston Proper catalog, or Nordstrom, Spiegel, Victoria Secret. It is my GUESS that Russia, possibly Japan is where those designs actually come from when you see them in catalogs/stores here in the US. As I stated before, these designs are NOT the same as the knitting designs you see from yarn companies or on websites here in the US. These are very sophisticated, some sites, the knitting designs are risqué’ design compared to the US. Not for your average wearer, more or less COUTURE KNITTING/CROCHET, UPSHOT many patterns are free. Also when I say sophisticated design, I mean the pattern, NOT THE STITCHING, probably many increasing and decreasing for garment SHAPE, needle size changes in pattern, also for shape. etc. If you like a challenge some of those patterns may be for you. THIS NOT YOUR GRAMMA’S KNITTING OR CROCHET, MANY DESIGNS ARE FOR YOUNG, SLIM WOMEN, NOT YOUR OLDER WOMEN’S STYLING. Not all of the sites/patterns are like this but some are. BUT MANY ARE BEAUTIFUL, wish I would have had access to these kind of patterns when I was a little younger. Go to Pinterest, judge for yourself, but you will need at least some experience in knitting as I said, on many patterns YOU HAVE TO JUDGE BY A PICTURE, YARN GAUGE, NEEDLE/HOOK SIZE AND PATTERN GAUGE AS MANY ONLY HAVE THE PATTERN REPEAT DIAGRAMS/SYMBOLS.
P.S. Did I mention MANY of the Russian patterns are STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL! Wish I was, a few years younger and a few pounds lighter, but then nobody stays young forever.
Hey Heather! Love your blog so far, and you found some super cute patterns here! We hope you haven’t given up knitting since 2012, but we may have just the thing for you! Check out our pattern collections and tell us what you think! http://bit.ly/knitstitchchill