Top 5 Hottest Trends in Knitting Right Now

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Moguls

Keep your knitting on the cutting edge with the hottest knitting trends right now. From bold colors to knitted toys, these knitting trends offer a range of knitting patterns for you to perfect.
Baby Bumble Bee

Amigurumi. Amigurumi is the art of knitting or crocheting stuffed toys. An amigurumi animal can make a sweet gift or a fun decoration. Create a knitted bee for your favorite pet or a stuffed elephant as a birthday present.

Vintage Revival. Vintage-inspired patterns are trendy right now in women’s fashion. There are plenty of vintage patterns for clothing, accessories, and even lingerie, and many knit designers are putting their own spin on retro styles. Particularly hot are long knit gloves and retro boot toppers. Thanks to Downton Abbey, flapper hats and knit cloches are big for fall as knitters try to get Lady Mary’s sophisticated style. Pair a cloche with some long gloves and you’re all set.

Ella's Evening Gloves

Giant Cowls. Cowls have been on-trend for several years and they just keep getting bigger. This season, giant cowls are trendy in knitting patterns. Whether extra-bulky or extra-long, a giant cowl is a fast project and a great way to showcase novelty yarn, cables, or seed stitches. For example, this Moguls Cowl Pattern (show above) covers the shoulders with a wavy detail stitch.

Owls. Owls are on-trend for women’s fashion and amigurumi knitting. You’ll find plenty of patterns for creating stuffed owls or for knitting sweaters, shawls, and hats with owls worked into the lace. You can even add small beads for the eyes.

Color Blocking. While stripes alternate colors, color blocking features distinct, often contrasting or clashing, colors in separate blocks. The color blocks may also be differently proportioned, creating a sleek modern look. Color blocking is a versatile trend for knitting, as you can add color blocking to any pattern you choose simply by switching the colors. For example, create a color blocked scarf by knitting different sections in different colors. Or, make a color blocked sweater by knitting the lower waist, chest, and sleeves in different colors.

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Knitting is Cool: Why 20-Somethings Are Taking Up This Hobby

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Chunky Rib Trio

A few years ago, morning shows and magazines featured stories on knitting 20-somethings making scarves on the subway or hats at Starbucks. Although their knitting was presented as a fad, and plenty of jokes about grandmothers were made, young knitters are still around. There are many reasons why 20-somethings are taking up knitting and making it cool.

Looking to the Past

According to Emily Matchar, author of Homeward Bound: Why Women Are Embracing the New Domesticity, the upswing in young knitters is part of a larger trend of young adults embracing traditional crafts such as canning, cooking, and sewing. This “new domesticity,” she claims, is not a return to traditional gender roles so much as a rejection of a culture moving faster and faster. Fighting the idea that everything is disposable and mass-produced, young knitters are invested in handcrafting items by knitting sweaters, socks, or home décor. Although there are plenty of cracks about hipsters and Etsy, the general idea is that knitting is a way for young people to appreciate time and craftsmanship more.

Polka-Dot Pullover Knitting Pattern

Personalization and Individuality

The creativity of knitting also works well with a youth culture particularly bent on individuality. Young knitters can design their own projects or personalize existing patterns with their own colors, yarns, and embellishments. On the knitting social media site Ravelry, there are extensive collections of patterns for young people’s favorite series from Harry Potter to Doctor Who.

Knitting and Social Movements

Thanks to social media, knitting is as group-oriented as ever. You can find young knitters at groups from your local church to the local pub. Knitting is also increasingly socially active, as many young people turn to knitting as a form of public service. For example, the book Knitting for Peace features patterns knitters can make and donate to charities. Knitting also has a place in protest, as knitters engage in Yarn Bombing, covering local spaces, or even military tanks, in knit sleeves.

Knitting and Technology

Young knitters are also making knitting cool by incorporating technology into their knitting bags. From apps that keep your stitch count to digital knitting glossaries and downloadable knitting patterns, young knitters are supported by technology to connect them to other knitters and their craft.

Drop Stitch Dazzle

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The Long-Term Health Benefits of Knitting

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health benefits of knitting If you’re a knitter, chances are you already know how relaxing knitting can be. Did you know, however, that there can be long-term health benefits of knitting? Recent studies support anecdotal evidence that the hobby can have a positive impact on knitters’ well-being.

Improved Mood

Knitting can help fight depression. A 2011 study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapyfound that of 3,500 knitters surveyed, 81% felt happier after knitting and over half felt much happier. Why might that be? There’s an old saying, “In the rhythm of the needles, there is music for the soul.” Some research suggests that the rhythm and creativity of knitting has similar effects to meditation, easing anxiety and allowing a calming outlet for strong emotions (CNN, Washington Post). Especially for those who feel creatively stifled or constantly rushed, time spent knitting can create a powerful sense of “me time” that elevates a knitter’s overall mood.

Mental stimulation

For many of the same reasons, knitting also proves therapeutic for people who suffer from dementia and other cognitive impairments. Because the activity engages multiple lobes of the brain and demands the knitter’s concentration, it can help slow the progress of mental aging. On the other hand, knitting can help prevent cognitive deterioration. A 2012 study found that in a sample of over 1,300 seniors, those who read, played games, or engaged in crafts such as knitting were 30 to 50 percent less likely to have mild mental impairments (Washington Post).

A Healthy Distraction

Knitting can also be therapeutic for people with chronic depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. A 2009 study found that when women with anorexia nervosa were taught to knit, 74 percent found that the craft eased their anxiety and helped prevent ruminating thoughts. 53 percent also found that knitting gave them a sense of accomplishment (Craft Yarn Council).

health benefits of knitting Get Your Needles Working

As if you needed more reasons to knit! Now, when you knit a sweater or cast on a simple scarf, you can enjoy the knowledge that your favorite craft is good for your mind and mood, too. Plus, your family and friends can benefit when you use special occasion knitting patterns to create Christmas gifts, housewarming presents, and other projects to pass the goodness on.

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Knitting Projects for Kids of All Ages

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Spencer the Elephant Baby What is cuter than children’s clothing? From little baby booties to sweaters with animal appliques, options for dressing kids can be a lot of fun. If you’re a knitter,kids can also be a great outlet for your skills. Kids knitting patterns finish quickly and use less yarn, plus you can get really creative with yarn colors and textures. Knitting projects for kids of all ages feature fun clothing, accessories, and knitted toys you’ll love to create for your kids or as a thoughtful birthday or baby shower gift.

Knitting Projects for Babies

Knitting a gift for a baby can take as little yarn as one skein and as little time as one afternoon. Knit a baby hat and matching booties for a baby shower gift or a soft cardigan for something a bit more complicated. If you have more time to spare, knit a baby blanket or crib afghan. Spencer the Elephant Baby Blanket makes an unforgettable snuggle buddy for any baby.

Knitting Projects for Children

A handknit sweater might not be high on every kid’s wishlist. It may get them thinking of Molly Weasley’s infamous sweaters in the Harry Potter books. Nonetheless, a cozy sweater is always appreciated when it’s chilly out. Knit the My Dolly & Me Sweaters for a girl and her favorite doll or a nautical sweater for a boy. There are kids sweater patterns with a range of knit textures and embellishments to fit kids’ personalities. If you’re not up for a sweater, you can knit snuggly plush bears and bunnies or cozy slippers.

Knitting Projects for Older Kids

Older kids will probably want more control over their style. Knit accessories like hats and scarves are a safe option for this age group. Knit a Back to School Pouch for kids to use as a lunch box or tote. Or, knit a basic blouse that a teenage girl can accessorize in her own fashion.

If you love to knit, you can also hand down your knowledge by teaching your child how to knit. Buy a starter’s kit for the new knitter or create one of your own. Include larger gauge needles (acrylic size 10 or larger works well), a couple skeins of worsted weight or bulky yarn, and a pattern for a simple scarf or hat.Point to Point Blouse

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Ten Top Knit Along Ideas

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Knit Alongs (KALs) are exploding in popularity, partly because the Internet and social media allow people from all over the world access to meet, chat, gather and knit. A Knit Along is an event in which knitters gather (in person or online) to craft for a common purpose. Sometimes that purpose is simply for the joy of creating beautiful items with friends or it might be driven by charitable acts to knit for a common cause. Either way, try these fun, knit along ideas this weekend!

Image courtesy of Planet Purl

 

  • “Flicks with Sticks”; Join or create a group to knit at the movies.

 

  • “UFO (Unfinished Objects) Night”; have group bring anything that has been sitting around incomplete. Support each other in getting it done!

 

  • Search on Facebook for various knit alongs to join.

 

  • Combine your love of knitting with your love of baseball with a “Stitch ‘N Pitch” group event.

 

 

  • If you are unsure about starting a local group of your own, check out various meet up groups online to see if any interest you.

 

  • “Knit ‘N Lit”; the perfect marriage of knitting and literature, create a knitter’s book club. Select a book, read the book, gather together with your own knitting projects to discuss the chosen story.

 

  • Have you ever considered a knitting summer camp?  School House Press will get those skills in tip top shape!

 

  • Turn your vacation into a knitting event! Check out websites like Knitter’s Journey for destination ideas.

 

  •  Since knitting is a form of relaxation, enjoy a women’s knitting retreat with your gal pals. Homespun Journey has listings for some or you can create your very own!

 

Whatever your purpose, start out with free knit patterns to determine the perfect project for you.  Then, give one of these knit along ideas a try.

Furry Friends Pull Overs

 

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Five Fun Knitting Blogs Share Afghan Knitting Secrets

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The World Wide Web is loaded with craft style blogs like ours and free afghan knitting patterns from all over the globe. Five fun knitting blogs we found include:

Knitting to Stay Sane, is a blog written by Glenna, who lives in Ontario. She became a knitter, while studying for her PhD, as a form of stress relief and distraction. She “finished the PhD and kept on knitting anyway.”

Studio Chic Knits by Bonnie Marie Burns from Oregon is a blog devoted to the “growing number of new millennium knitters.” If she doesn’t wear it, she won’t make it.

Wendy Knits is a blog created by Wendy, “a life-long knitter obsessed with all sorts of knitting techniques and traditions.”

Never Not Knitting, Alana has been blogging since 2007. She does trunk shows and has a podcast, too.

Knit and Tonic was started in 2005 by Wendy Bernard, who has authored several books about knitting.

All of these blogs are whimsically titled and creatively written and include knitting crafts and tips for every type of stitching project you can think of.  Compiled here are some of the best bits of advice from these blog writers. We like their insights on knitting throws and afghans, or any project for that matter.

Climbing Roses Pattern

  • Respect your mistakes, celebrate your accomplishments, and knit with colors that you love. It’s all a learning process.
  • When stopping your project, get in the habit of completing the row being worked on so as not to inadvertently drop a stitch when you pick it back up again.
  •  Try to find patterns that capture an emotion or even a memory. The above Climbing Roses pattern features a gorgeous 3-dimensional look that is sure to do that.
  •  Sometimes the simplest pattern, such as the elegant afghan, can be the most satisfying of all.
  • Knit at the level you are at. Attempting patterns that are beyond your skill yet will create frustration and the temptation to quit altogether.

Free afghan knitting patterns are available for download to get you started on your next exciting afghan craft project.

Elegant Afghan

 

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Famous Knit Scarves (and Patterns) You’ve Seen in the Movies and on TV

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As a culture, we tend to get our style cues from others.  Friends, style magazines, and especially from Hollywood! Pop culture influences our trending styles as much as anything.

Selena Gomez image courtesy of Fashion Forward

When an outfit or an accessory from a hit movie is appealing, it jumps off of the big screen and into our closets in no time.

Gandalf’s sparkly scarf image courtesy of Knit York City

Right now scarves are IN.  Winter scarves, lightweight summer scarves.  Scarves for outerwear and scarves for indoors.  Some are a bit more popular than others, but you can get the same look by dusting off your knitting needles and bringing the look to life. Free knitting scarf patterns  will help you get a jump start!

  • Years ago when the Harry Potter movies took off, the knitted scarf became a hit. Teens were sporting scarf colors from the houses of Gryffindor (maroon and gold) and Ravenclaw (blue and white) to name a few.  This two-tone scarf with easy reversible stripes can achieve a similar look and you can decide which house colors you want to don, or you can make up your own!

    Easy Reversible Stripes

  • In the Hunger Games movies, Katniss Everdeen wraps herself in a couple different styles of scarves. You can get a similar look with the infinity styled moguls pattern.

    Moguls

  • Many characters, young and old, are displaying the simple, long and winding scarves that can be wrapped, twisted, and draped into many shapes and styles.  (Think Sherlock or Dr. Who)

    The Long & Winding Road

The next time you want to get the look of your favorite fictional character, try your hand at creating it yourself!

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Knit Baby Sweater Patterns at the Ballpark

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Are you headed up town to the local ball diamond to watch little league or softball games? Why not combine two things you love?

Image used with permission from Leanne Coppola, Arrow Acres Farm

Pack up your knitting supply bag and a comfortable chair and knit away while you cheer on the locals! Get some fresh air and have your friends join you, too. Hit the concession stand for a cold drink to keep hydrated and then settle in and start moving those needles. If the sun is too warm, just slide your seats to a shady spot.

Any current project you are working is good, but free baby sweater knitting patterns are the way to go if you are looking for something new.

Shells and Columns Baby Set

There’s something about creating baby garments and accessories just warms the heart.  Many patterns, like A Primary Work of Art, incorporate bold bright colors as well as the more traditional pastel colors. Toasty sweaters will keep little ones warm on those chilly days, while they are enjoying the outdoors. Use yarns made especially for baby’s soft, sensitive skin.

A Primary Work of Art

Whoever you are knitting for and whatever the project, a group ‘knitting circle’ at the ball field is a fun way to enjoy the world of crafting. It’s also a great place for more experienced knitters to invite curious youngsters to learn the craft and impart on them this great pastime.

Image courtesy of SlipSlipKnit.com.

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For Your Next Knit Along, Try These Free Knitting Sweater Patterns

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The reasons we knit are many. We knit for relaxation and calm. We knit for the feeling of accomplishment we get when we complete a project. We knit to create gifts. We knit for those in need.  People who join knit-alongs knit for all those reasons, too. The difference is that they knit together! What a great way to make new friendships and strengthen old ones.  Join an event or create your own.

Simply Simple Sweater Knitting Pattern

An ideal place to find inspiration is at Free-Knit.com where you can find free knitting sweater patterns, which make wonderful projects for knit-alongs. When a group chooses an easy project for all skill levels (like the Simply Simple Sweater Knitting Pattern) the finished product can be ready in no time. And with a large enough group knitting together, sweaters would be a great item to donate to your local homeless shelter to help prepare for cooler months.

Lovely Lace Turtleneck Knitting Pattern

Gather at each others’ homes, at a community building, at a church, or even at a restaurant for coffee- if it allows room for all those clicking needles.  The end result is new friends and a feeling of satisfaction for having helped others.

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Color Trends for Fall Throw Knitting Patterns

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Like the changing seasons, the color trends shift from year to year within the world of yarn, as within the fashion world.  What was big last year might be a thing of the past this fall.  And though opinions on what is trending may vary slightly from one source to the next, they pretty much land in the same ball park.

Dad’s Drop-Stitch Throw

Within that proverbial ball park the consensus is that the new color palettes are more muted, shimmery and iridescent, with softer earth tones.

Autumn Aran Afghan

That bodes well for afghan knitting projects. With free throw knitting patterns and a bit of online yarn shopping,  you can be well on your way to a gorgeous fall throw in no time.

Pattern Meets Color

Autumn Lace Lap Warmer

Choosing the right colors for any given blanket pattern can catapult a project from good to great. Taking a pattern like the delicate Autumn Lace lap warmer  and a choosing a hushed tone from a collection like Berroco® Captiva™ Yarn ensures that you are keeping up with the current fall color trends whether you are bundled up in it at the big football game or relaxing with a good book in the back yard. While it’s fun to keep up what’s ”in” though, it is most important that a yarn color and a free throw knitting pattern reflect your true personality and that of your home. If it is to be a gift for someone, try to capture their essence as well.

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