Free Guides for Every Knitter

When I first started knitting, I wish someone had handed me these guides. They would have saved me so much trial and error, helped me choose colors with more confidence, understand yarn better, and finally give colorwork a try without feeling intimidated.
That’s exactly why I created them. To make things simpler, not more complicated. So choosing colors feels easier, picking the right yarn becomes second nature, and trying something new suddenly doesn’t seem so scary.
Whether you’re casting on your very first project or you’ve been knitting for years, I think you’ll find something useful. They’re practical, easy to follow, and filled with tips you can put into practice right away.

These three guides are my gift to you. They’re completely free, and I’d love for you to have them.

Grab yours here:

Perfect Color Palette — 3 tricks for color combos that just work
Which Yarn for Which Project — choose fibre & weight with confidence
Colorwork Guide — stripes, mosaic, Fair Isle & intarsia, explained simply

Oh, and before I forget — come join my free Skool community. It’s a warm little corner of the internet where knitters support each other, and you’ll find free goodies too, like video tutorials and my Ultimate Knitting Cheat Sheet. I’d love to have you there!

From First Stitch to Master Knitter

When I first learned to knit, so much of it felt like guesswork. I’d watch a video, pause it every few seconds, rewind, try again, and still wonder if I was doing it right. Over the years I realized so many knitters share that exact experience!
There are thousands of tutorials online, but they’re rarely connected. One video teaches a cast-on, another explains decreases, a third shows something you’ve never seen before, and you’re left trying to piece it all together yourself.

I always felt knitting deserved better than that. That’s why I created the Knit Class.

For over 15 years I’ve designed patterns for knitters around the world, and just as long I’ve taught workshops and online classes, helping complete beginners cast on for the first time, and guiding experienced knitters through advanced techniques.
Again and again I noticed the same thing: people don’t struggle because knitting is too hard. They struggle because nobody teaches it in a clear, connected way.

Knit Class brings everything I’ve learned as both a designer and a teacher into one place. Every lesson includes HD video filmed up close, and we knit my original designs, each of which has a Row Map® — a visual system Chad Lewis and I built so you never lose your place in a row again.

Basic Course — seven modules taking you from your very first stitch to your own finished sweater:
Materials & Tools → Hat → Shawl → Scarf → Mitts → Socks → Sweater, plus a Certificate of Completion at the end.

Masterclass — 26 lessons over 12 months for knitters ready to go deeper: perfect fit, professional finishing, Fair Isle, Brioche, Intarsia, Mosaic, and the construction knowledge most knitters never get taught. 7 exclusive designs, 20+ hours of video, lifetime access, and a private community.

Wherever you’re starting from, I’d love to welcome you inside. ♥

A serendipitous collaboration between Chad Lewis and Melanie Berg

A Row Map is a printable checklist that accompanies each row in a knitting pattern. It provides clear guidance to the knitter, indicating which row they are currently working on, the corresponding written instruction to follow, and the recommended color to use. All you need to do is check off each row as you complete it, allowing the Row Map to seamlessly guide you from start to finish.

Chad, a knitting instructor at a cancer center in Toronto, Canada, created his first Row Map to make knitting more accessible for individuals experiencing the cognitive challenges associated with “chemo brain.” He shared this Row Map with Melanie, a knitwear designer and cancer survivor who instantly understood its value, and a new cancer awareness initiative was born.

The Row Maps included in these patterns (scroll down to see all patterns) are our gift to you. If you find them helpful, please consider making a donation to a cancer research organization that best aligns with your heart. To the right are links to organizations that are meaningful to us and our work.

We believe that with the help of a Row Map, all knitters facing concentration challenges can confidently pick up their needles and continue knitting with ease. We thank you in advance and are grateful to include you in this beautiful initiative. Happy knitting!

Melanie and Chad

United States
American Cancer Society
Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

Canada
Canadian Cancer Society
The Terry Fox Foundation

Germany
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum DKFZ
Pink Ribbon Deutschland
mamazone e.V.

France
Institut Curie

United Kingdom
Cancer Research UK

Australia
Australian Cancer Research Foundation
Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation

#rowmaps #rowmapsforacure

Looking to enjoy Mairlynd patterns in print?

You can now indulge in my designs through these beautiful books:

+++coming soon+++
Easy Shawls To Knit
Wrap yourself in color, texture, and the joy of knitting. Easy Shawls to Knit is a collection of 20 modern shawls designed to become favorites on your needles and in your wardrobe.

SHAWL LOVE
Slow down, take a breath, and let your needles do the rest. SHAWL love is filled with beautiful, easy-to-enjoy shawls that guide you gently stitch by stitch. Perfect for curling up, switching off, and knitting something you’ll truly love to wear. Row Maps included for each design!

Easy Sweaters to Knit
This is the long-awaited English edition of Sweaters, my popular pattern book that so many knitters across Europe have already fallen in love with!
Inside, you’ll find 14 sweater patterns that are stylish, modern, and – yes – easy to knit. From cozy pullovers to elegant cardigans, surprising poncho sweaters to breezy summer tops, these designs are meant to be worn, loved, and made again and again.
Whether you’re new to sweater knitting or already experienced, these patterns will guide you every step of the way – with clear instructions, thoughtful construction, and lots of room to make each project your own. You’ll play with color blocking, discover delicate lace details, and explore the beauty of a wide range of yarns.

SWEATERS
Classic sweater patterns with a special twist, surprising poncho sweaters, light summer tops and extra-warm cuddly cardigans – plus delicate lace patterns, color blocking statements and the whole variety of wonderful knitting yarns: Knitters will find plenty of ideas for their must-knit-lists in this book. Bilingual edition: All instructions in German and English.

SHAWLS
Finally, the first book by Melanie Berg! The internationally successful knitwear designer, who is known foremost by the name of Mairlynd, has compiled her most beautiful shawls in this superbly designed book. Her fans as well as knitters all over the world will find the instructions in this bilingual edition in both English and German. Three beautiful new shawls are published exclusively in “Shawls. Tücher stricken mit Stil – Knit in Style”.

Colorwork SHAWLS
Mairlynd loves color!
The second book by Ravelry star Melanie Berg has arrived: the most beautiful color designs of the popular knit designer in one lovingly designed book. From slip stitches to mosaic patterns, surprising color combinations and all-time favorite hues to popular gradient or speckled yarns – all Mairlynd fans and knitters will be inspired by this book. Includes professional tips from the designer for finding the perfect color combos and insights on how to work special techniques. All instructions in this bilingual edition are both in German and in English. Three brand new shawls will be published exclusively in “Colorwork Shawls”.

Each book is filled with detailed patterns, inspiring photography, and all the guidance you need to create your next cherished piece. A click on each book will reveal more info on the book, which designs are included as well as how to order.

Happy knitting!

Warmly,
Melanie