I'm so excited to share the style options for our upcoming make-along, slated to kick off at the beginning of October. At Knit Collage, we host two make-alongs (MALs) a year and they are what myself and the small yet mighty team here lives for. We work on behind the scenes all year long. During our MALs, we connect with other makers, knit and crochet in community, cheer each other on, learn new techniques and finish with an heirloom to treasure for years to come. In a completely non-preachy way, I also put a self care bent on the MAL and focus on how good making things and creativity are for us. There will be events centered around diving deep into your most creative self. The design winners are chosen by popular vote so here is your chance to have your voice heard and counted. Feel free to share with friends! I would so appreciate your help and input to make this our best to date. If any of these intimidate you - please keep in mind that I teach you how to knit and crochet each style from start to finish in an online class that is yours forever. Last spring, many knitters tackled their first sweater ever and many tried crochet for the very first time!  More photos and a description of each design below too.

Fall 2023 Knitalong Design Survey

Option 1 ~ Willow Cardi by Laurel Gervitz

 The Willow Cardi is a beautiful, textured cardigan that is worked flat in one piece, horizontally across the body, beginning with the right cuff and ending with the left cuff. It is worked entirely in a feather and fan lace pattern, changing colors/yarns, to create wavy stripes. This is a wonderful design for all levels of knitters, and a perfect piece for beginner lace knitters to shine.  In this pattern, you'll use a mix of our Spun Cloud Light and Serenity yarns.

Option 2 ~ Willow Wrap by Laurel Gervitz

The Willow Wrap is a colorful, textured piece to keep you warm and in style all winter long. It is worked entirely in a feather and fan lace pattern, changing colors/yarns, and creating wavy stripes. For the wrap, the cuffs are added on after the length is worked in order to achieve the best fit. There are various options for this design, as well as different ways it can be worn, making it customisable. This is a wonderful pattern for all levels of knitters, and a perfect piece for beginner lace knitters to shine. In this pattern, you'll use a mix of our Spun Cloud Light and Serenity yarns.

Option 3: Rhinebeck Cardi by Cheryl Kubat

Meet the Rhinebeck Sweater with Detachable Collar, a cropped boxy V-neck cardigan with a unique twist-a detachable fringed collar. This stylish and versatile garment combines classic design elements with a modern touch, making it a must-have addition to any fashion-forward wardrobe. This cardigan is crafted using garter stitch, which is known for its rows of knit stitches and creates a beautifully textured fabric, giving this cardigan a cozy, yet sophisticated look. This design knits up in our Spun Cloud or Sister yarn. The color can either match the body of the sweater or you could go for the contrast option and make it in a Mini Skein Sampler Kit.

Option 4 ~ Desert Highway Cardi by Julia Norris

The Desert Highway Cardi is perfect blend of knit and crochet, this cardigan mixes the best of both disciplines to create a one-of-a-kind, statement piece to add to your wardrobe. A pieced mosaic of crocheted hexagons comprises the back of the cardigan, adding structure and giving our creative art yarns their chance to shine. The remainder of the cardigan is worked using Spun Cloud yarn, giving it a super cozy feeling. Don’t let the unique construction intimidate you! Beginner crocheters and knitters alike can absolutely tackle this design.

Option 5 ~ Desert Highway Scarf by Julia Norris

The Desert Highway Scarf is a simple, beginner-friendly pattern but the finished result screams statement! The classic crochet granny square technique gets a major glow-up in the form of a funky, geometric hexagon motif. These individual hexagons are joined together with an unusual, tapered seaming technique, giving a lace-like, airy drape to this chunky, crocheted number. The unique textures and trims of art yarn really get a chance to shine in this design and it is an opportunity to let your creativity run wild when it comes to mixing yarns!

Option 6: Faye Fringe Bag by Anna Skala

This pattern was much loved in the Spring MAL so we're adding it in again as an option for fall. In Anna Skala's first ever design for us, she's created the ultimate statement bag. She uses a tightly knit linen stitch to achieve a structured bag. It's ideal for beginners or anyone who's happy place is getting into a juicy creative zone and just playing with color and texture. You'll need our Spun Cloud, Daisy Chain and a Wildflower Mini Kit to make this one.

Option 7: Selena Sweater by Cheryl Kubat

Meet the Selena Slipover, a stunning garment that combines modern comfort with vintage elegance. Inspired by a garment worn by Selena Gomez in a Hulu series, this sweater has a drop-shoulder construction with an oversized fit and an option of two lengths (sweater or dress length). It is crafted using a unique mix of Cowgirl Blues mohair, kid silk lace and superwash merino yarns all held together and combined with a mix of Knit Collage yarns. With its oversized silhouette, this sweater is designed to provide unparalleled comfort throughout the day or night. Pair it with your favorite denim or tights and boots for a boho chic look. If this design wins, only the Knit Collage yarns would be included in the kit - it would be up to you to secure the other ones.

Option 8: Everyday Yay Cardi by Laurel Gervitz

The Everyday Yay Cardi is your go to cardi to wear over just about everything in your closet! Knit from the top down with a raglan construction, it's simple to knit and stunning to wear. This pattern comes with two options - add your own cross stitch embroidery or just leave it blank and go solid. This design is knit with our Spun Cloud yarn, embroidery in Wildflower. This pattern is super beginner friendly and perfect for anyone who wants to try to knit their very first sweater.

Option 9: Roadtrip Sweater by Amy Small

The Roadtrip Sweater pattern is a unique and pretty design that combines simple crochet and knitting for the ultimate patchwork design. The fit is boxy, cozy with drop shoulders. Scalloped crochet adorns the neckline and bottom edges for a pretty yet sturdy finish. Have fun striping in contrast colors and yarns on the sleeves and crochet edging as desired!

Option 10: Dumpling Crochet Bag by Vanessa Reyes

Another repeat and much loved project from spring, meet the Dumpling Bag designed by Vanessa Reyes! Crochet yourself the sweetest bag around in our Wildflower yarn. I especially love the shoulder strap and all the hardware details. If you've never crocheted this would be the perfect project to learn!

Option 11: End Out Hoodie by Jo Wadler

The Ends Out Hoodie is a colorful statement knit that’s all about playing with color. No need to sew in the ends—that’s the beauty and art of the Ends Out Hoodie. This design has a simple, beginner friendly construction. It is worked bottom up, knit flat in pieces and seamed together.  Once the body is complete, stitches are picked up for the hood, The piece finishes with a picked up ribbed edging. Let your creativity run wild in the Ends Out Hoodie!

Option 12: Happy Dance Cardi by Amy Small

The Happy Dance Cardi is all about the Happy Dance Yarn! Embrace this fun, unique yarn in a simple, wear-everywhere design. This design has an oversized cocoon-like fit that is cozy to throw over anything. If short rows scare you or if you've never knit a sweater before, then the Happy Dance Cardi is for you. We'll tackle short rows together, in the best way, a super simple pattern in a large gauge.

Option 13 ~ Adventure Scarf by Sarah Barca

Just like taking an inspiring hike and being rewarded with a breath-taking view, the Adventure Scarf design takes you on a trip and rewards you with a stunning, versatile scarf. Throw it over your shoulders on a chilly evening or wrap it up tight around your neck on your next stroll. This scarf is a mix of simple cables, charming colorwork, fun textures, and seamless fringe worked in the round and ending with cutting your knitting! This scarf is perfect for beginners while also being engaging for an advanced knitter.

Option 14: Maisie Crochet Cardi by Jo Wadler

Last but definitely not least is the Maisie Crochet Cardi. This design by Jo Wadler is an ode to our shared love of granny squares. I love how this cardi feels reminiscent of a vintage crochet afghan but turned on its head and made into a sweater! Add in the modern twist in our yarns and these colors and, boom welcome to one show stopping cardi. LOVE.

Thank you so much for letting me know your faves! I so hope you'll vote and if you feel called to, join me in the upcoming MAL (make-along!). To be the first to know about the MAL, sign up for updates here.  I'd also love to hear from you in the comments below. What peaks your interest? Would you make more than one? I'll be doing ALL of them and would so love to have you join me!

Big hugs,

Amy  

The spring make-along is behind us. So many new friendships were made and stunning projects completed! I'd love to keep that momentum going and inspire you to keep making all the things. With this in mind, I'm excited to tell you a little bit about our Creative Knitters membership. It ties into our yarns and our make-alongs (think early access to the kits and new products) but goes way beyond our yarns and include a video vault of techniques as well as ways to get knitting and crochet help (on any pattern or any yarn)...not to mention learning-packed classes and a cheerleading, inclusive community!

Alrighty so here is what you get ~ it's a whole lot!

• A video vault – This is geared to all levels of knitters but will be especially beneficial to beginner knitters to start. The video vault is yours forever and hosted on teachable. Right when you join, you’ll get access to the 130+ videos tutorials - simple basics like – how to read a yarn label, what is the difference between yarn weights, our favorite tools, simple cast on and knit stitch tutorials. This is all the stuff that I wish I had known when I started knitting. I spent hours on youtube looking for tutorials – it was painful. This is a one stop place for simple, clear videos. You’ll also find more advanced tutorials on short rows, colorwork, lace, blocking, brioche, intarsia and more!

• Events - Each month we have one to two virtual learning events! We’ve learned how to add beads and sequins to our knitting with Brazilian teacher Paula Pereira, how to Tunisian crochet with Toni Lipsey and just last week, we learned how to stack stitches with Xandy Peters – the list goes on! Members from Knit Collage also lead us in events – Laurel taught us how to fix ALL the mistakes a few months ago and Cheryl will teach us how to add a zipper to a knit or crochet project in September. These are fun way for us to up our skills in connect as a community. All of these are lead on zoom and recorded.

• End of Year Party - Every December we also host a fun holiday trivia party complete with a signature cocktail (or mocktail) recipe to follow, fancy dress (if you feel inspired!) and prizes. We gave out over $500 in trivia prizes last time, it was a blast!

• Community - Making in community is just better. It’s about accountability and cheerleading and it’s just so much more fun that way! We’ll host our community in a private Facebook group and will encourage you to connect and cheerlead each other. Posts here can be about any project, any yarn. We love it all! We’ll host Zoom calls every week (sometimes twice a week) in addition to the monthly events. All of them are recorded if you would like to watch them later. We connect you by location and by your cohort of folks you joined with to foster a small group feel. If you want to meet up with folks that live near you in real life, fantastic.

This is a great place to say too – that all skill sets will be welcome. Expert knitters know that ripping is part of knitting. Even after knitting for 20+ years I still constantly make mistakes and it stinks but then I learn and grow. My hope for this community is that it is a place where any skill set will feel comfortable to share their wins and failures – because we’ve all been there and that is part of getting better. 

•  Help - What happens when you realize you’ve made a seemingly fatal knitting error and there’s nothing else you can do?!!!!!! You need help or else the entire project may be tossed to the wayside never to be returned to again. When I started knitted this very problem led to many an unfinished project. We’ve come up with something really cool here for you to get the help you need, when you need it. If you’ve done our KALs before you might know Cheryl and Anne – our knitting guru/goddess/tech queens. They both help knitters out all the time in our KALs. But now they’ll be helping you with any yarn/any project – not just made with knit collage yarn and patterns. You’ll sign up for a thirty minute time slot to zoom with her and get any kind of knitting help that you might need. We’re going to have a process for doing this through sign up genius that will be simple and easy for you to use. Think of it like your virtual knit helper when you need it. My hope is that this will get you finishing more projects with anxiety!

•   Early Access - The next thing and this is a big one – you’ll get early access to our make-alongs (MALs). In the past fall and spring MALs we sold out of some colors within minutes. This will give a leg up to make sure you get the colors you love. You’ll also get early access to other Knit Collage new releases – any new yarns, patterns and products that I don’t plan to always keep in stock as well as sale yarns. You will get first dibs! I'm currently working on a giant sample sale for Creative Knitters that will include one off samples from my last trip to India.

   All of our yarn is handmade in India – not only is it time intensive to make, the virus has taken a toll on our lead time lengths mainly because of the ongoing shipping crisis. The lead times we are working with keep getting longer which means I have to decide earlier and earlier what I need to order – it’s so tricky to say the least! Despite my best efforts, it is near impossible to guess each time correctly….which means getting that early access will definitely come in handy to ensure you get exactly what you like.

•  $10 monthly credit - You’ll also get a $10 credit to use on the knit collage website every month. If you don’t use it one month, it will simply roll over to the next month. If you’re so inclined, you can save these all up to use towards our make-alongs.

• Yarn Designing Class - This year, as a group we embarked on something fun and really new. Each CK member had the opportunity to design their own yarn. They created the recipe and I put it all into work on my last trip to India. I worked with our spinning team to get the samples all done (there were 28!) and as a community we voted on the ones we liked the best. The top three winners will become the gift that goes out to members once a year.

• Ok so that is it, I think I covered everything! The cost is $38 per month- a cost will likely increase each time we open registration because we keep adding more tutorials and class recordings to what you get.

•  Registration will be open for one week only. The next time to be able to join may be in about 6 months from now – Feb 2024. If we get a lot of interest right now we may not open it again for another year or so. This time around you have the option to sign up for a yearlong membership and save around $75 if you go that route.

   

  Registration will open on August 16th at 10am ET and stay open for one week, closing on August 23rd. Then the fun begins. Right when you join, you get access to that video vault and the community.

   

  If you feel your inner artist calling to explore and go deeper or if you’ve simply joined in our make-alongs and enjoyed the experience, I invite you to join me on a new, friend-filled creative adventure. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions and if there’s one aspect of the membership that interests you the most. I’d love to hear it!

Congratulations on finishing your first scarf!  It’s awesome that you’re excited to take on the next project but don’t know where to start?  We’ve got the perfect Next Step Series for you.  Over the course of two months, we’ll hang out on zoom together learning new skills and techniques to elevate our knitting knowledge. If you're a Creative Knitters member looking to up-level your skills, then this is for you! We'll begin with a hat, move onto a simple poncho and finish with a sweater. Join in wherever makes the most sense for you!

Meet the first project Dreamy Beanie here.  The Dreamy Beanie is a great next step project where you’ll learn new techniques to up your knitting game and give you the confidence to work towards the next goal of your making journey.  Intimidated to try this on your own?  No worries, we’ve got you covered, simply sign up for the Dreamie Beanie class.  Over the period of one month we’ll be holding 2 zoom sessions, which will cover everything you need to know to complete your beanie. If you need extra help, we’ve got you covered there too, help sessions are available here.   Grab a friend / make new friends and come learn how to make this fantastic Next Step project. 

Once we’ve completed the Dreamy Beanie and done a happy dance,  we’ll gather our new found skills and tackle the second in the Next Step Series.  Meet the Shake Your Groove Thing Poncho here. With the Shake Your Groove Thing Poncho you’ll be adding to your maker's knowledge incorporating skills learned in the Dreamy Beanie all while working towards making…yikes…YOUR FIRST SWEATER!!  That is the goal after all to get you to the completion of your first ever sweater and that major sense of accomplishment.

Again, no worries, we’re going to do this TOGETHER.  Celebrating our success is more rewarding when we share it with friends! 

Okay, we’ve dreamed and shaken our groove, what’s next?  The last project in our  Next Step Series is the Sunbeam Stripe Cardi, yup, you’re ready!  The Sunbeam Stripe Cardi here is a perfect first sweater project.  The cardi is worked in a  sideways construction with two sleeve options allowing you to create something truly unique to YOU (or a friend).  You’ll have all the skills you need to master the pattern and your own creative universe plus we’re here to support you all along the way.

If you’d like to participate in the Next Step Series please sign up here. We'll be in touch to connect and get you moving on this fun journey!