Knitting Patterns that Delighted Us During a Year In Isolation

As we get close to a full year of social distancing and also excitedly release our 2020 digital collection of Interweave Knits, the mood is definitely reflective here at Interweave headquarters. There’s so much to celebrate in this strange year, including some absolutely stunning patterns, Zoom knit nights, and a lot of self-care knitting.

Each of our editors shared the pattern that brought them the most joy in 2020. None of us have personally knit these patterns (yet!), but they’re the ones right up at the top of our queues that have us actually excited for the future. We hope that this look back at the past year likewise gets you excited for a new year of knitting!

A Self-Prescribed Castile Cardigan for a Restless Knitter

Andrea Lotz, Web and Social Media Manager

I don’t know what’s come over this typically-monogamous knitter, but I currently have five active projects — all of which I try to work on every day. It’s a very strange moment in a year that has been made of nothing but the breaking down of my personal rhythms. I’m trying to ease my return to the one-project-at-a-time lifestyle by knitting the Castile Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2020.

It’s basically a stitch sampler in the form of a gorgeous wearable object, so I can’t possibly have my attention diverted midway . . . right? I love how cozy and boxy this cardigan is, because I pretty much only wear box-shaped objects at this stage of being very indoors. Now it’s just a matter of waiting until I actually finish at least one of my current WIPS. While I have enjoyed casting on as many projects as possible this month, I’m ready to pare back!

Planning to *gasp* Actually Dress Up with the Undergrowth Top

Laura Hulslander, Managing Editor

This year has kicked off to a gray and dreary start here in Colorado. I’m over cozy sweaters and schlubbing around the house, so I’m looking forward to Spring and dressing up to interact with the outside world. My favorite project from 2020 is the Undergrowth Top from Interweave Knits Summer 2020.

To start with, it’s a bright, cheerful color. I need more sunshine in my life; why not wear it? I love the vintage feel of the silhouette, with the mesh yoke and sleeves. It would be so cute paired with a circle skirt! And those short balloon sleeves are such a fun detail. This is just what I need to kick off my warm-weather knitting.

A Project that Shone All the More for Never Being Modeled: Moby Hat

Tammy Honaman, Director of Content

Our Fall 2020 issue of Interweave Knits was the first reflection of quarantine on our production. In this issue, all items were presented without the benefit of models. Many of you understood the change and offered your appreciation for the beautiful way this was all handled. As a knitter, I really appreciated seeing the beautiful items in their own light and, as part of the team, marveled at the artistic approach our editors and designers took.

A design from that issue has continued to call to me; although I have too many other projects on deck and I’m feeling a little intimidated to get yarn on needles for this pattern, the Moby Hat by Amy Gunderson is on my top favorite list. It will linger high up there with the hope of getting to it later this year . . . after I have a little more experience and a few more WIPs wrapped up. It is #FinishItFebruary, after all and I’m doing just that—getting some WIPs over the finish line.

If colorwork is your jam, check out the Interweave Favorites: Knitted Colorwork collection to get this pattern bundled with few more you might like to add to your list.

The Summit Pullover, Perched at the Top of a Long Sweater Queue

Stephanie White, Editor

I knit sweaters somewhat obsessively, and while I generally wait to finish one before casting on the next, I do have yarn and patterns all planned out for the next several sweaters. Currently queued up and ready to go is my favorite pattern of 2020: the Summit Pullover by Kristen Jancuk, featured in Interweave Knits Fall 2020 issue.

I love the deep ribbing along the waistband, the blouson shaping, and somewhat traditional colorwork yoke. I’m planning to play with the colors to make it feel a little more spring-friendly, but regardless, this is a sweater I’ll love to wear year round.

Imagining Self into a Gothic Novel with Adeline’s Cardigan

Julia Pillard, Assistant Editor

It’s hard to pick a favorite from this past year. I seem to fall in love with every issue we publish, and in 2020 there were so many designs I was itching to cast on. However, if I am forced to pick a favorite, I think it has to be Adeline’s Cardigan by designer Linda Marveng.

Published in Interweave Knits Winter 2021, this sweater has a charming moss stitch collar, sparkling buttons, and a decadently cabled body. I just fell in love with the pleats at the top of the sleeves, the gorgeous peplum, and everything in between. I love the rich yellow color of the original yarn, but I’m veering towards a pale purple-grey color for my own version.

Dorian Gray’s Pullover: A Sweater that Won’t Blend You Into the Couch

Allison Korleski, Video + Podcast Producer

I’m not much a sweater knitter; most seem to use worsted-weight yarn and worsted-weight yarn makes me look like a couch. And we’re all a little too close to our couches this year without wearing yarn that makes us blend in with them. But Melanie Asato’s Dorian Gray’s Pullover in the Winter 2021 issue of Interweave Knits is a very different animal. It’s knit with sock yarn!

Add in sweeping bell sleeves and some semi-fancy stitchwork on the front, and I’m in love. Take a closer look at those sleeves — they’re actually open from the elbow down for maximum drama while gesticulating.

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Want to knit them all? Save a huge amount on patterns when you purchase the 2020 Interweave Knits Collection, which includes every issue from 2020 in one easy download. Get an entire year of Interweave Knits for one low price and enjoy 52 knitting patterns, plus tips, techniques, yarn and notion recommendations, feature articles, and more!

Join us for the next year in knitting! Be sure to subscribe to Interweave Knits to always get your issue first, and at the lowest price.

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