Here are 10 of my favorite Knit Collage patterns that are all about Intuitive Knitting. Not sure what I mean by Intuitive Knitting? Check out this blog post here and enjoy the inspiration below!

1. Sunbeam Stripe Cardi ~ Cheryl Kubat

The Sunbeam Stripe Cardi is a fantastic first sweater option! Let your creative spirit run wild—There is no wrong way to knit this one! The Cardi is created by working sideways from cuff to cuff. You’ll need one skein of our Spun Cloud for the cuff, neck, bottom and front ribbings. The rest is all the main color Spun Cloud, Wildflower Mini Kits and Mini Skein Sampler Kits. Have fun mixing colors and making it your own, we even mixed in some sequins and beads into the French Vanilla version shown here. 

2. Shake Your Groove Thing Poncho ~ Cheryl Kubat

The Shake Your Groove Thing Poncho is all about getting your groove on in a design that makes you smile! It's a top down, super easy knit where you get to do you with color and yarn mixing.  We also love the asymmetrical rows of tasseled trim adorning this piece. If you are a beginner knitter, this might just be the pattern for you. Or if you are looking for a fun and creative way to express yourself through knitting, this poncho has your name on it!

3. Gotta Be Hoodie Scarf ~  Christine M. Young

The Gotta Be Hoodie Scarf is all about you getting free, creative and just doing you! This design is worked lengthwise in seed stitch to create a pretty color and yarn mixing effect. The hood is shaped using short rows and a three needle bind off but it's all about those giant tassels that you add at the end! This is a wonderful project for ambitious beginners and experienced knitters alike that is sure to keep you warm and feeling inspired whenever there’s a chill in the air. So go ahead and do you!

4. Over the Top Shoulder Hug ~ Cheryl Kubat

Introducing the epitome of versatile elegance, our top-down raglan V-neck shrug is a timeless design with two distinct sleeve options, catering to your style preferences. The first option features gracefully cascading bell sleeves, adding a touch of whimsy to your ensemble. Alternatively, opt for the second sleeve style, a classic, straight, cuffed option that works in any wardrobe. This shrug’s top-down construction ensures a seamless and personalized fit, while the V-neck adds a flattering neckline. Whether the bell sleeve resonates with you or the timeless appeal of the straight cuff, this shrug provides the perfect canvas for expressing your individuality.

5. Hit the Slopes Balaclava ~  Laurel Gervitz

This pattern is a fashionable, modern twist on a vintage hooded design. It is ideal for cozying-up your head and neck from the coldest temps. This design is worked from the top down with a seamless construction and a garter edge. Get creative and whip up a multicolor, striped mix using our Mini Skein Sampler Kits (or stash!) 

6. Harley Original Sweater ~ Julie Robinson

The Harley entrelac sweater is knit with FIVE of our unique, handspun yarns. It is worked bottom up, both in the round and flat. Have no fear, the entrelac stitch looks trickier than it actually is and if this technique has always scared you, this pattern is for you! Unsure about how to knit it...check out our kit that comes complete with an online class to guide you!

7. Fall Bouquet Bucket Hat ~ Christine M Young

Our trendy hat design is all about mixing yarns and colors in creative ways and that iconic bucket hat shape! Inspired by the 80’s and 90’s (think Blossom) the Fall Bouquet Bucket Hat is perfect for ambitious beginners and experienced crocheters alike.

8. The Sunwoven Tank ~ Amy Small

In the Sunwoven Tank, I again collaborated with Erin Barrett of Sunwoven Studios. Her weavings are what set this design into motion. This pattern combines our Spun Cloud yarn, our Wildflower yarn and one of our regular Mini Skein Sampler Kits. I love the open drop stitch back detail and the creativity you have here to play with color and yarn! 

9. Plaid Party Cardi ~  Laurel Gervitz

The Plaid Party Cardi is all about a bohemian twist on a traditional plaid pattern. This beautiful design allows 2 or more yarns to be knit together in a chic yet classic plaid-like pattern. The plaid pattern is created by using a combination of reverse stockinette and slipped stitches that is simple and addictive to knit. Have fun with this one and watch how easy it is to create your own completely unique plaid fabric!  This cardi is worked seamlessly from the bottom up with set-in sleeves and I-cord or ribbed front edges. A fun and texture rich knit resulting in a fabulous heirloom and timeless treasure for years to come.

10. Almost Famous Collar Pattern ~  Cheryl Kubat

From cold winter days to chilly festival evenings the Almost Famous Collar is a simple way to elevate any outfit! It’s a cinch to make and works up quickly with any chunky stash yarn you have. Wear it with your favorite denim jacket, over a tank dress, or even with a t-shirt and jeans for a hit of instant glam!

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This week, I'm excited to share about something that is at the heart of both what we do as a business here at Knit Collage AND my own personal creative practice: Intuitive Knitting.

I just added this video to YouTube that I created for last year’s Solstice Hug Challenge where I riff on this idea, but the concept is all about tapping into what YOU love and making something that becomes an expression of who you are inside. It’s a manifestation of your own unique, inner creative voice through knitting and there’s no wrong way to do it!

Intuitive knitting is all about leaning into what feels good in your body when you’re knitting it. What lights you up and makes you excited about your project. What gives you that “just one more row” feeling as you create. It’s about feeling totally alive and engaged with your creative work.

My first real experiment with Intuitive Knitting was my Penguono sweater, by Stephen West, that I’m wearing in the photo above. When I knit that piece years ago, something unlocked for me ~ the freedom and sheer JOY of combining color and textures. It’s like the doors to my creative self-expression blew open, never to be shut again. Have you ever experienced something like that? If you want to hear how I approached knitting the Penguono sweater, I created a YouTube video about it here too!

This stunning Kaleidoscope Cardi, designed by Laurel Gervitz, was knit by a former team member Vanessa Reyes and it’s such an inspiration for what’s possible when you embrace this method of creating. Vanessa is such a talented designer and knitter who is more than worth a follow.

In this intuitive creative process, there’s no wrong way to do something. There are no rules. It’s absolutely your world. This might feel a little scary at first, but as you practice this skill it strengthens your connection to your intuition and eventually it becomes second nature.

Intuitive Knitting requires you to trust your gut and embrace the creative process which sometimes involves ripping back your previous work. When you embrace intuitive knitting, frogging doesn’t have to be a dirty word. It’s all just part of the process of playing with yarn and achieving your dream result. It’s all about checking in with your creative self and asking “Do I like this?” “Would I like it even better if I did this instead?” “Where do I want to go next?” It’s a conversation between maker and the making.

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 When I posted on Instagram about the modifications I made to my Lotus Sweater over the summer, I got some questions about what I changed to achieve this cropped aesthetic. 

So, here is an informal roadmap for the mods I did in order to get this look:

First, I cast on for the Front Hem according to the instructions in the pattern for my size—size 2. Instead of knitting to the length called for in the pattern, I knit my front hem to 1.5'' / 3.75 cm and placed my stitches on hold.

Then, I cast on for the Back Hem according to the instructions in the pattern and knit to 1.5'' / 3.75 cm, just like on the front. Then, I followed the instructions to join in the round and begin knitting the body of my sweater.

I followed the instructions for the body for 9 total Lotus rounds, ending after a row 15 of the pattern repeat. Then, I continued to follow the pattern as written for both front and back armhole and upper body shaping, front and back neck and shoulder twisted ribbing, and the 3-needle bind off called for in the pattern.

The total body length of my sweater from shoulder to hem ended up being 15.5” / 38.75 cm.

For sleeves, I opted to do a 3/4 length sleeve. From where I picked up my sleeve stitches per the size 2 pattern instructions, my sleeve measured 11.5” / 28.75 cm in total length, including a 1.5'' / 3.75 cm cuff.

To make my Lotus flowers, I used a rainbow gradient of stash Wildflower yarn. I've listed each color used below, in order from the bottom up:

1. Ochre Rose

2. Blossom

3. Lotus Petal

4. Goldenrod

5. Come Alive Green

6. Reflection Pool

7. Caribbean Waters

8. Iris

9. Caribbean Waters

10. Reflection Pool

11. Come Alive Green

12. Goldenrod

13. Lotus Petal

14. Blossom

15. Ochre Rose

16. Blossom

I've now knitted two of these sweaters for myself—this cropped style and the OG version in Aquamarine! I love them both dearly in different ways and think both definitely have a place in my wardrobe.

Let me know if you have any questions about the mods I made or if you plan to knit your own! I'd love to see pics 💕