This comfy cardigan is a relatively quick knit and a delightfully easy pattern for first-time sweater knitters. It’s worked in pieces for the bottom up in a simple Mistake Rib pattern (the 4-stitch pattern repeat is k3, p1 on both right- and wrong-side rows) and features a crewneck and modified drop-shoulder construction.

This tapered cowl was designed for the 2024 Longest Day campaign sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association, an annual fundraiser that takes place in conjunction with the summer solstice. For every pattern sold during the 2024 campaign, $5 will be donated to Alzheimer’s research.

Worked seamlessly from the top down, this V-neck raglan pullover incorporates simple slipped stitches that add subtle texture to an otherwise “plain” stockinette sweater. The slip-stitch pattern is set up in the first 15 rows, which are written out row by row. Once the pattern is established, it’s easy to incorporate it throughout the rest of t...

Arguably the simplest of sweater constructions, this circular yoke pullover features radiating main-color spokes of slipped stitches against a background of contrasting-color garter ridges. The long gradient in the contrasting color gives a painterly look to the yoke.

Worked in soft and lofty Stone Wool American Romney + Merino, this crescent-shaped shawl makes a lovely neck or shoulder wrap. The body of the piece is worked in garter stitch, a stitch which

I designed this tapered cowl for the 2023 Longest Day campaign

McClave is a classic, raglan pullover, knitted from the top down. It’s truly a timeless piece, a sweater you almost always feel like wearing. You’ll rarely find it folded and put away. Instead, it lives draped over a chair back or tossed on top of the dresser. Worked in softest Delaine Merino, it feels great next to your skin. And Delaine Merin...

Increased heating bill have driven us to turn down the thermostat in our house. It’s easy to put on sweaters, scarves, and wool socks, but that doesn’t keep my hands warm. I can’t get much done with my hands in my pockets, so I designed these fingerless mitts to wear while working at home. They are intentionally short to allow unrestricted fing...

“Plain” enough for the conservative sweater wearer yet interesting enough for the knitter, this top-down saddle-shoulder pullover features wide welted ribs across the upper torso and a simple wide ribbed pattern along the lower body. The welted pattern also travels across the shoulder “saddles” and continues down the length of the sleeves.

Miniature knitted tams, each decorated with a snowflake motif, form a festive holiday garland when strung together on cotton string. The tams are worked on double-pointed needles, beginning with a ribbed edging and ending with a few gathered stitches at the top.

This sumptuous cowl represents the Danish concept of hygge, which roughly translates to “cozy” or “comfort”. Knitted in the round with a merino-cashmere-nylon blend yarn in a straightforward stripe pattern, the knitting is a joyful experience while the resulting cowl is thick and luxurious.

Named for the Nordic god of winter/skiing (among other things), this saddle-shoulder pullover features panels of interlacing cables separated by wide ribs accented with small 1/1 cable twists. The sweater is worked in one piece from the top down, beginning with the cabled saddles at the shoulders. The cables are extended along the sleeves to th...

This variation of my basic “pleated” skirt pattern, which includes Putting on the Pleats, Traveling Pleats, Velvety Pleats, and others, is sized for approximately 2-3 (4-6, 8-10) years. In this version, each “pleat” is decorated with columns of lacy chevrons. It is worked with fingering weight yarn at a gauge of just over 5 stitches per inch on...

Sweet details including a slightly gathered empire waist, slip-stitch texture, and eyelet edgings give cherubic appeal to this top-down, seamless, set-in sleeve pullover.

Panels of 2/2 cables bordered with simple 1/1 cables define the four diagonal raglan lines of this textured unisex pullover. The 1/1 cables are repeated along the body and sleeves for visual interest throughout.

This tapered cowl was designed for the 2022 Longest Day event sponsored by Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org)--an annual fundraiser that takes place on the summer solstice.

Following the simplest of top-down constructions, this circular yoke pullover begins with a provisional cast-on and features radiating spokes of 1/1 cable twists (no cable needle necessary!) throughout the yoke. At the base of the yoke, the body and sleeves are divided for working separately, and single 1/1 cable twists continue to, and are inc...

Thick and lofty, this child’s saddle-shoulder cardigan features a modified brioche rib pattern that flows horizontally across the shoulder saddles and vertically down the body and sleeves. The airy brioche stitch pattern is worked with two different needle sizes—a smaller needle for right-side rows, which alternate knit one (in the row below th...

Raglan shaping offers a unique way to incorporate design elements in the upper body of a sweater. In this otherwise plain V-neck pullover, a simple six-row lace pattern accentuates each raglan line in the yoke, then a seven-round variation of the pattern extends down the sides of the body from the underarms to the hem. Mirrored increases placed...

This top-down saddle-shoulder Henley is a child version of my adult sweater of the same name. Just like its adult counterpart, it begins with two seeded ribbed shoulder saddles that are worked from the neck to the armhole. Stitches for the upper back are picked up from the edges of these saddles, with extra stitches cast on between them for the...

This classic little cardigan is worked from the top down in a combination of two-stitch right-twist cables and p1-k4-p1 rib panels punctuated with garter ridges. Tailored details such as shaped shoulders (worked with wrap-and-turn short-rows) and set-in sleeves give it sophisticated appeal, even on the smallest child.

This lightweight pullover offers a bit of stranded colorwork in the lower body and sleeves, where it doesn’t interfere with the shoulder and neck shaping. It’s knitted from the top down with set-in sleeve shaping, crewneck, and cropped length.

I designed this lightweight pullover during one of my online eight-week top-down saddle-shoulder sweater design classes.

Worked with Elemental Affects Coastal yarn, which is a breathable mix of merino, silk, and flax, this short-sleeved tee is ideal for warm-weather comfort. The tee is worked seamlessly from the top down and features a wide panel of 4-stitch cables along the center front and back. The subtle swing shape is achieved by increasing the number of pur...

This simply adorable baby gown is modeled after one a friend used when her kids were infants. Worked from the top down, it features a long body that covers short little legs and tiny feet, a zipper for easy access, and cheerful rainbow stripes.

This top-down pullover features sloped shoulders, set-in sleeves, V-neck, front pockets, and a comfortable swing silhouette, all in a combination of three simple stitch patterns.

These gradient socks were designed for the 2021 Longest Day event sponsored by Alzheimer’s Associations (alz.org)--an annual fundraiser that takes place on the summer solstice. This event is important to me as my mother, as well as several friends have been afflicted with the disease.

I always enjoy the challenge of coming up with a sweater pattern that’s “plain” enough for a man to wear, yet not so plain that the knitter loses interest before it’s completed.

The deceptively simple lace pattern around the leg and along the instep of these socks repeats over 20 rounds, but there are only three unique rounds to remember, making this an ideal “take-along” project.

Worked from the top down, these socks begin with a sturdy yet flexible Twisted German (also called Old Norwegian) cast-on at the cuffs, and end with the Kitchener stitch at the toes.

Designed to span the seasons, this easy A-line top features a central lace panel, V-neck shaping, and three-quarter length sleeves in ten adult sizes.

When I first saw the two red tones of Coastal (a new yarn from Elemental Affects), I knew right away that I wanted to combine them in narrow stripes in a top-down circular yoke design. I didn’t swatch for long before I came up with the simple 8-round pattern consisting of 4 rounds each of the two colors shown here.

This zippered Henley features easy-to-memorize textured stitches, a faced stand-up collar, minimal seams, and unisex appeal.

This lightweight pullover is knitted from the top down with set-in sleeves, V-neck, and a comfortable swing silhouette. A simple stranded colorwork pattern punctuates the color shift at the lower body and sleeves. The neck is edges with colorful garter ridges followed by a tiny roll; the body and sleeves are edged with a bit of single ribbing.

This delicately textured cowl features the Daisy Stitch from A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker, which is formed by working groups of three stitches together every other round. Because it’s easier to purl 3 stitches together than to knit 3 stitches together, the cowl is worked with the “wrong” side facing outward. However, bot...

Every aspect of this shawl was designed to invoke the comfort of a warm hug. The crescent shape surrounds shoulders, this stitch patterns all involve groups or clusters of stitches, and the yarn color is called Group Hug.

This crescent shawl was designed as my 2020 project for The Longest Day, a fundraiser sponsored by Alzheimer’s Research (www.alz.org). The idea is that participants engage in a favorite activity from sunrise to sunset on June 20, the longest day of the year. On this day I’ll knit another version of the shawl shown here and post my hourly progre...

In response to the popularity of my adult-sized Goat Herder and infant/toddler-sized Junior Goat Herder pullovers (both available on Ravelry), I’ve reworked the design in sportweight yarn for in-between sizes.

This pullover version of my Port Townsend Swing Cardigan features a V-neck, long set-in sleeves, and an A-line silhouette.

This lightweight cardigan features a crewneck, three-quarter-length set-in sleeves, and hemmed edges. It’s an ideal layer that spans multiple seasons. The swing shape is achieved by mirrored increases worked along the center back. The sweater is worked from the top down following the general template for set-in sleeve construction in The Knitte...

Designed for my Fall 2019 Knit For Fun Retreat in La Jolla, California, this cowl features yarnover increases and directional decreases in a modified Old Shale pattern. To me, the scalloped pattern represents clusters of flowers, which are all so abundant in Southern California.

In response to the popularity of my adult-sized Goat Herder Pullover (available on Ravelry), I’ve reworked the design in fingering weight yarn for baby and toddler sizes.

Designed for my Fall 2019 Knit For Fun Retreat in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada, this cowl features cables and directional decreases in a diagonal pattern that makes me think of ski and snowboard tracks in snow.

Soft and squishy, this reversible blanket will keep a wee one cozy in a stroller, car seat, or crib. The blanket begins with a circular cast-on in the center with double-pointed needles, then is worked outward on progressively longer circular needles in four sections bounded by eyelet increases. A simple moss-stitch pattern is worked in ever-wi...

Designed for the Lambs On The Run trip to Italy in March of 2019, this lacy cowl takes inspiration from Italian art and architecture. The stitch pattern is Roman Stripe from Barbara Walker’s A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, while the colorway is Italian Marble, specially dyed for this project by Theodora’s Pearls. The yarn is a luxurious...

Knitted in the softest pink color, this seamless raglan cardigan is fit for a princess. It’s worked from the top down with yarnover increases along the four raglan lines. Sleeve stitches are then placed on holders while the body is worked to the hem. Stitches are increased across the back to create a feminine ruffle and a comfortable fit. The s...

This sweet little cardigan is worked from the top down in a simple garter rib pattern. Tailored details such as shaped shoulders and set-in sleeves give it sophisticated appeal, even on the smallest infant. The instructions follow the basic set-in sleeve instructions from The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters, adapted for smaller sizes ...

Designed for my Spring 2019 Knit For Fun Retreat in Freeport, Maine, this lacy cowl is named for the cuspate deposits of beach material created by wave action along shorelines. The rolled cast-on and bind-off edges and scallops in the modified Old Shale stitch pattern mimic rippling waves, the eyelets are reminiscent of sea foam, and the garter...

This sumptuous cowl represents the Danish concept of hygge, which roughly translates to “cozy” or “comfort”. Knitted in the round with 100% cashmere yarn in a straightforward stripe pattern, the knitting is a joyful experience while the resulting cowl is thick and luxurious. A simple slip-stitch pattern is worked in the first round of each colo...

In honor of my Fall 2018 Knit For Fun Retreat in Edmonton, Canada, this thick and cushy cowl is designed to protect against frigid temperatures and blustery winds.

In January 2018 I was the Knit Doctor at the first-ever Loops retreat in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a special treat, Ross of Dye For Knitting created a colorway called “Loops Loves Ann.” I was so touched that I asked Ross to dye a semi-solid teal to pair with it, which is aptly named “Ann Loves Loops.”

In honor of my Fall 2018 Knit For Fun Retreat in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, this textured cowl pays homage to the stunning autumn colors of the area. The luxurious yarn is MCN Fingering (80% merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon) in a “crimson leaves” colorway custom dyed for the retreat by Wisconsin’s own Sun Valley Fibers.

The Twisted German (also called Old Norwegian) method was used to cast on the socks shown. A video tutorial is available at http://newstitchaday. You can also substitute the elastic method of your choice.

Like a lot of people, I’ve embraced the Danish concept of hygge, which roughly translates to “cozy.” And what is cozier than slipping your feet into a blend of merino, cashmere, and silk? I designed these socks for unbridled self-indulgent luxury. Wear them while sipping cocoa in front of a fire, reading a novel on a stormy night, or simply rel...

The cowl shown used about 90 grams of yarn

For this version of my Take-Two Skirt, I used one strand each of two laceweight yarns (Shibui Yarns Cima and Pebble) held together for a gauge of just under 6 stitches per inch and decorated each “pleat” with traveling-stitch chevrons.

Designed as the free pattern for my Knit For Fun Retreat in Edmonton, Alberta (November, 2017), there are two versions of this cozy cowl to protect against the long, dark frozen days of Northern winters.

In honor of the Fall 20017 Knit for Fun Retreat in Vancouver, Washington, this textured cowl pays homage to one of my favorite fish flavors--salmon. The simple lace pattern resembles columns of fish tails. The yarn is Tern from Quince & Company in a “Salmon Mousse” colorway specially dyed by Forage Color.

Intrigued with Lion Brand’s luxury yarn line, I designed these fingerless mittens for fast knitting with just a single ball of their exquisite Merino Yak Alpaca yarn. The yarn is superbly soft and squishy, and feels fabulous against the hands. The simple slip-stitch rib pattern adds a bit of texture and knitting enjoyment to the otherwise palin...

This skirt is a variation of the Putting of the Pleats skirt (available at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/putting-on-the-pl...). For this version, I used Craftsy’s Cloudborn Highland Worsted yarn at 6 stitches per inch for a firm, but drapy, fabric. Designed to have about 2” (5 cm) negative ease around the waist and hips, this skirt st...

In honor of the Spring 2017 Knit For Fun Retreat in Freeport, Maine, this textured cowl pays homage to Maine and lobsters.

After teaching shadow knitting for a couple of years, I decided to design a simple, yet striking, shawl using this clever colorwork technique. Mira Color of Baah Yarns supplied the luxurious yarn--a sumptuous blend of 30%cashmere and 70% merino. The pattern is developed by alternating two rows each of two colors. The second row of each color is...

These socks were knitted to demonstrate the techniques I teach in my online Craftsy class Essential Skills for Sock Knitting, and were available in kit form from Craftsy. They are unusual in that instructions are provided for knitting these socks both from the top down and from the toe up. They feature a standard round heel with an eye-of-partr...

This top-down sock was designed specifically to show off the dye pattern in Baah La Jolla yarn that’s dyed in about equal portions of a solid color (shown in teal here), and white with speckles (shown in purples and golds here). The challenge in this design was to make the most of both dye patterns in the confines of a narrow sock circumferenc...

I’ve been fascinated with the idea of making a pair of socks in which the two socks are knitted in different directions. This pair features a short-row heel and toe, with the first sock knitted from the top down and the second sock knitted from the toe up. No more “second sock syndrome” because you don’t knit the same sock twice!

Commemorating my second Knit For Fun Retreat in Estes Park, Colorado, this simple cowl features alternating stockinette- and reverse stockinette-stitch welts. Although it appears as though half of the rounds are purled, they are all, in fact, knitted. The work is simply turned around every 12th round so that the “inside” alternated with the “ou...

Lately, I’ve been obsessed with knitted skirts, especially those with the traditional line of a tailored pleated skirt. Like Putting On the Pleats and Take-Two Skirt (both available on Ravelry), this design features reverse stockinette-stitch “gussets” between lace panels that form the “pleats.”

Commemorating the first Knit For Fun Retreat in Park City, Utah, this simple cowl features an embossed diagonal stitch pattern that repeats over 12 stitches and 24 rounds. It begins with a Channel Island cast-on, followed by a few garter ridges, and ends with a few garter ridges, followed by a Channel Island bind-off for tidy, roll-free edges a...

The idea for this wrap solidified while I was teaching at Rumpelstiltskin Yarns in Sayville, New York. In keeping with the name, I intended to work it in linen (i.e., straw), but I didn’t like the way the pattern showed up in such inelastic yarn. So, instead, I chose a beautiful gold lace-weight yarn in a scrumptious combination of silk and mer...

For this afghan, I combined an assortment of five handspun alpaca yarns, some of which I spun myself and some of which I purchased from other handspinners. Most of the yarn are worsted weight; all are in natural colors. I chose the colors randomly as I knitted two sizes of mitered squares in which one builds on another.

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This skirt is a variation of the Putting on the Pleats skirt (available on Ravelry) that I designed a year ago. For this version, I used a fingering weight hand-dyed wool yarn at 7.5 stitches per inch for a firm, but lightweight, fabric.

Inspired by a long, narrow triangular scarf that I wear a lot, this reversible scarf is light and drapey. It begins with a reversible 8-stitch cable bordered on each side by a single k1, p1 rib. This cable is increased to 20 stitches, then splits into two mirrored cables that provide a stable frame for the not-too-lacy interior, which increases...

This pullover is my answer to a sweater design that’s interesting to knit but not too fancy for males (like my goat-herder son) who prefer “plain” sweaters.

To adjust for a longer or shorter foot, work more or fewer rounds before beginning the toe decreases.

This scoop-neck linen tank features a subtle stitch pattern, an empire silhouette, and rolled edges. A purl ridge marks the empire band. Stitches are later picked up along this purl ridge to form a rolled edge that matches the hem, neck, and armbands.

Worked in a fingering weight wool yarn at 7.5 stitches/inch, this skirt has a firm but lightweight fabric. It’s designed to have about 1” (2.5 cm) negative ease around the waist and hips for a slimming fit. Four darts shape the upper hips, then purl stitches are added between stockinette-stitch “pleats” to provide flare for the lower edge. Twis...

Warm and sporty, this zip-front jacket follows the general instructions for a saddle-shoulder cardigan in The Knitter’s Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters, but it’s been tweaked to accommodate a gauge of 6.25 stitches/inch and a 4-stitch pattern multiple. A fold-over collar is added to the crewneck shaping, and attached I-cord is worked all the ed...

Designed for girls ranging from 3 to 7 years old, this simple sportweight pullover features hearts across the yoke and an X’s and O’s (kisses and hugs) pattern along the hem and cuffs.

When one of my sons decided that he wanted a pair of handknitted socks, I designed this “manly” pair (but I like them enough to wear myself).

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Ever since Nancy Bush introduced me to Estonian lace patterns, I’ve been enamored with nupp (rhymes with soup) stitches that make low-relief bobbles. For this triangular shawl, I chose a traditional Estonian leaf pattern (from Haapsalu rätt, which translates to “The Haapsalu Scarf” by Siiri Reimann and Aime Edasi) that features single nupps wit...

The Better-Than-Booties Baby Socks that I designed for the Summer 2005 issue of Interweave Knits continue to be popular (more than 1,200 pairs have been posted on Ravelry). Three variations were shown in the magazine and two more could be found on the Interweave website. Here are five more adorable designs based on the same short-row heel and t...

Tight ruffles across the bodice, cuffs and hemline, add girly sweetness to this little cardigan. A provisional method is used to cast on stitches for the body, which is knitted in one piece (including the button and buttonhole bands) to the armholes, then the fronts and back are worked separately to the shoulders. The sleeves are knitted from t...

I designed this cowl as I anticipated a vacation in the

Slouchy, rugged, and warm, these chunky mitts feature a bold diamond cable motif along the back of the hand and k3, p1 rib along the palm. To encourage the cuffs to slouch, the first few inches are worked with one size larger needle. If you prefer shorter mitts that can be completed with a single skein of yarn, begin with Row 15 of the chart in...

Worked on a foundation of knit-1-purl-3 ribbing, this unisex hat is surprisingly easy to knit. The smocking pattern is worked by wrapping the working yarn around 2 knit stitches and the purl stitches between them at regular intervals. To create diamonds, the wrapped stitches are offset every other row. To shape the top, purl stitches are decrea...

Reminiscent of Bellflowers (Campanula), the simple 8-stitch

This scarf gives the illusion of intertwining cables, but it is actually worked in a seven-stitch lace pattern that repeats every six rows. For simplicity, each seven-stitch multiple ends with a purl stitch so it’s easy to catch mistakes. The scarf begins and ends with a small point pattern and each edge is bordered with a simple combination of...

In response to readers asking for a toe-up sock that looks like a “normal” top-down sock, I experimented with heel flap methods described by Chrissy Gardiner (Toe-Up! Patterns and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting into Shape), Wendy Johnson (Socks from the Toe Up), and Melissa Morgan-Oakes (Toe-Up Two-at-a-Time Socks). The method I eventual...

A round three-ply yarn composed of wool and silk (for strength), Tern is great for texture patterns. These socks combine twisted and traveling stitches to form a raised pattern within a ribbed foundation (for optimum comfort and fit). Knitted from the toe up, they feature what looks like a standard heel, although the parts are worked in the rev...

The pattern in these socks reminds me of buds on trees and tender daffodil and tulip shoots peeking out of the ground. Meybe it’s been a long winter and I have an overactive imagination. The socks are knitted from the cuff to the toe so that the pattern stitch forms decorative scallops at the tops of the cuffs. The upper leg is worked on needle...