perennial
/pəˈrɛnɪəl/
adjective
1.lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring.
“that sweater has a perennial appeal“
The year is on the turn in that way that makes Brontë and I both feel the pull of the familiar – those patterns you come back to again and again. Where does their enduring appeal come from? Honestly, we’re not entirely sure, and there’s every chance that it’s about something so quirkily personal that it wouldn’t make sense anyway. But there is something reassuringly constant about these ones – so much so that you may have seen a couple in our previous round-ups. So in a change from our more usual whats’s-new-pattern-wise, we thought we’d go back to the patterns that we’ll always have on repeat: like knitting versions of the pastry recipe that always works, or the playlist songs that have been there since the beginning and you still want to hear again, here are our perennials..
This one ticks so many of Brontë’s boxes, there’s a whole other newsletter completely devoted to it, helped by the fact she knitted her’s in Vovó yarn which wears so beautifully, it’s the sweater that never stops looking great. So plain you can easily make it patterned and a raglan neckline thoughtfully engineered to fit beautifully, worked in a light DK so it’s wearable through autumn and our centrally heated winters.
Go bright with WYS Colourlab, or woolly with RP’s Brusca or Vovó, or super light with a single strand of Manchelopis, or soft and smooth with WYS Pure.
Not sure if it’s Janni’s saddle-shoulder, but this one always looks like the perfect fit, whoever’s wearing it. Boxy and short or long and slouchy, it just works on everyone. Complete with OT’s always-reliable pattern instructions, and a leisurely 16 stitch gauge, you can choose yourself anything from an airy worsted to a proper aran.
Brontë made her’s in Studio Donegal. Use Rauwerk for a treat, or Dlana as a brilliant #sweaterforless option, or if you’re after that scandi calm neutral vibe, then WYS Bluefaced aran would be just perfect.
I stumbled across this one in 2018 whilst helping a customer on a pattern search. It was instant and unstoppable love and first sight – the mousse plumpness of the garter sides and that gentle smock-like gather created by the tighter gauge ikat-ish stitch pattern on the yoke, all speak to some deep chicken soupey place in my heart. I’ve made 2 of these so far and can’t help thinking that 2024 might be just the right time for a third.
I used Rauwerk for the first and Gilliatt for the second, but now picturing it looking lovely in the gris natural shade of Mota
Perenially on our lists but not yet knitted by either of us, so I was unsure whether the Zakkuri qualified for this round-up, when it walked into the shop, worn by a knitter who stole our hearts about 3 sweaters ago and reminded me that I definitely still do want to make it. Knitting-wise the deep yoke means it’s a while before the sleeve separation, but when you get there you’re really on the home straight. And then there’s that enchanting little curl at the edge of the rib – wear it as a jacket through the autumn and cardie when we get to winter. Either way it’s another one that you won’t ever want to take off. Written for DN Gilliatt but looked more than lovely in the Dlana version you may see clowning around Clapton.
Designing a pattern which is as easy as it is interesting to knit, as well as super to wear, is no small feat, but JF has done it all in spades with his Guernsey Wrap. It’s the scarf that knits like a binge-worthy box set and will definitely be loved by anyone that is lucky enough to be given it as a gift. Start it now and you’ll be super-smuggly ahead for the December deadline.
The pattern offers DK and worsted versions. For DK, I’d choose Vovó, Sheepsoft, WYS BFL or Pure. For the worsted, the Donegal, Gilliatt or Mota would be lovely.
Just because the cables are beautiful, the construction is thoughtful and the design is a total classic. If you’ve wanted to knit an essential cabled cardigan and felt too bamboozled by the choice, we’d be very happy to nudge you in SD’s Book Club direction.
She’s done the mohair+sport thing with this one to give it the soft halo treatment. If you like that fluffy route, then Ulysse or Cautiva plus Kid Seta would set you up nicely. Alternatively any of the usual Worsted’s would work on their own.
This baby blanket is not based on a Hap, it is a Hap and it turns out that a shawl is the best baby blanket in the world. Beginning with the central diamond provides just the right space and time for you to ponder on what colours you want for the border area. Designed for 4ply Shetland yarn but honestly, you can make it in whatever yarn you like – just adjust your needle size for what you’ve got and off you go. It can be light and lacy or warm and chunky – it will start off as a wrap in the buggy and almost certainly end up being cuddled and dragged along through leaves and mud and all the rest of life.
Complete with all the thoughtful yoke shaping you’d expect from OS, but this time worked into a really pleasing fairisle pattern, that ultimately gives the sweater an easy swingy shape. Mine is a cardigan because I added a steek channel and cut it at the end, but either way it just ends up being the one that you feel like wearing so much of the time, it’s almost unfair on the rest of your sweaters.
I did mine in Mondim which means it will never bobble or wear out, but the Ulysse, Cautiva or Donegal Darnie would also be delightful
It’s the cardigan that everyone can make, steals people’s hearts as soon as they see it, only uses a couple of balls of wool, gets rid of your sock left overs, and even has peanut-sized pockets in case your chuchki needs somewhere to stow away a crucial strokey ribbon. Designed by Dererum Natura’s SCL, so Ulysse is the obvious choice, but Cautiva and Garthenor Number 2 both make a great substitutes if you want a wider palette.