9 picks for 26 - Wild and Woolly

It’s a rarely-spoken about hazard of being a knitter, that we have a far harder time packing for a weekend away than our non-knitting friends and relations. They only have to check the weather, choose appropriate footwear and a paperback and they’re good to go. The knitter meanwhile has so much else to think about: There’s the sort of knitting that suits your travelling mood, the space in your pack for carrying it, whether or not to prioritise urgent or fun. And then of course there’s all the consequential choices about yarn to think about. Ask me. I know. I really do! Last week I watched as Brontë agonised, shortlisted, finalised, then rowed back, short-listed again, revisited her stash, re-drafted her short-list, all in persuit of the right project for her 4 hour return train journey to Amsterdam. In an act of solidarity and to support her efforts, I decided to don my head torch, and join her down the dimly-lit Ravelry rabbit warren of patterns, in search of something just right.

Now we’re both back on terra firma with our pick of the best, we thought we’d share them with you as it turns out they make a rather plum line-up for 2026 planning..

Reassuringly robust in its squareness, this one’s been in my peripheral vision ever since I knit my first Etranger in 2018. I love the way the texture strikes a balance between interesting and plain. Even the not-too-small-not too big (20 stitch) gauge seems to hit a goldilocks note knit-wise and wearable-wise.
With February and March still left to do their worst, I’m thinking of erring on the DK side with yarn, and using Laxtons Sheepsoft, even though the pattern specs really speak to more of a plumpish sport like Cautiva or Ulysse.

Pictoral, decorative and echoing the landscape that’s so much a part of her dyeing practice, JB’s cowl feels like it’s equal parts knitting story and neck warmer. Inspired by the Maritme ‘sunburst’ lichen commonly found on Gneiss (pronounced ‘nice’) rocks in the north east of Scotland, it first appeared last year in the fabulous Journal of Scottish Yarns. A perfect project to bridge a sweater gap and take your stitches on a more graphical adventure.
Yarn-wise, I suspect nothing can top the beautiful plant dyed yarns of Woollenflower’s own dyepots. But the rich earthiness of JA Harvest Hues or the depth of colour in Riverknits Nene would both be super alternatives.

It was the beautiful Zwartbles-splashed Fras yarn from Uist wool which led me to the ES’s Niji, but now I’m there, I can see it working fabulously with any characterful DK: Take your pick from RP’s Brusca, WYS Bluefaced Leicester, Laxton’s Sheepsoft or DN GIlliatt. Yes, we’ve seen this simple raglan shape before but there’s a consideration given to the fit and edge finishing details on this one which really makes it stand apart. Oh yes and then there’s all those buttons, for which I just can’t see past these beauties RP sent from Lisbon last year.

It’s a simple enough straight lines pattern of knits and purls, but in AM’s inimitable way, she’s turned those quotidien motifs into the most enchanting bandana. Another littley so a good one for commutes, but the chart needs a bit of focus to get the repeats bedded in, so I’d counsel against taking it out for more sociable knitting until you and the stitches have come to a good understanding.
On the yarn front, AM’s list has everything from 4plys through to DKs so it’s really wide open. If you want the texture in charge, choose something smooth-ish like Kinross, Birlinn or Ulysse. Alternatively give those purly bumps something else to play with like the nepps in SD Darnie or the heathers in JA Harvest Hues to create a more joyous and lively fabric.

From Laine Publishing’s recent Moomin-inspired The Art of the Sea Collection, there’s something whimsy about CR’s floaty top that channels quirky Little My and Ninny vibes without pushing the cute thing too far. On the knitting side, yes there’s a lot of stocking stitch, but also plenty of interesting to look forward to with that double knit collar.

The pattern calls for Saperlipopette – a beautifully soft and lightly fluffy baby alpaca. You could also get there with a 4ply+mohair double stranded thing, but with this one, I’m tempted say the single stranded alpaca will be lighter, and more wearable – not to mention cheaper too.

Yes it’s very cropped (lovely for dresses btw), but it really wouldn’t be much of a stretch to add some more repeats of AS’s delightful cables, lace and wrapped stitches if you prefer your cardies to hit more of a hip-lenghth note. Definitely suited to knitters who are interested in the going as much the getting-there – this is charted knitting that will really scratch the stitch-work itch.
The worsted gauge makes this one a perfect candidate for any of our favourites: Gilliatt, Mota, Dlana or Soft Donegal.

There’s always a bit of a stir at Brontë’s end of the shop when a new Ozetta pattern is released, No surprise then that this lovely sweaterised version of Brontë’s favourite Tee, swooped straight into her short list. HS has included a relaxed 3×1 rib which seems to really suit the slouch of the fit. Brontë’s thinking WD Mota or Soft Donegal, and she’s also considering replacing the turtle neck with a simpler crew neck.

Fjodor Hat by Paulastrickt (Susanne Müller)

Time was when a beanie was just a beanie. Not any more! Brontë’s choice of SM’s Fjodor, speaks to all the things she loves in a pattern – thoughtful construction, clean shaping and polished finishing. Tick. Tick. Tick. We are in the company of beanie greatness here.
Brontë wants to make her’s in Mota, which means that Gilliatt would also work well. Malabrigo Rios is also in the running but may not have the longevity, as the superwash factor could cause the merino to lose its firm hold over time.

One of those patterns that Brontë’s been coming back to ever since it took her breath away on IG last year. At first glance there’s that intriguing marled colourwork detail that makes ingenious use of the 4ply strand, but look again and there’s more to see each time – the elegantly double knit button band, and a drapiness that harks back to an 80s Pingouin vibe, in a really good way.
The 3-strands=bulky requirements of the pattern mean you could take this in so many directions yarn-wise. Brontë’s got her eye on pairing some undyed Dlana with a contrasting shade of Harvest Hues to get the gauge with 2 strands insteadf of 3.