A Peek at Knitty First Fall

I’m not anywhere near thinking about fall yet, but the good news is that Knitty’s First Fall edition isn’t really thinking about fall that much, either. This is a collection that’s abut seasonal transitions, so if it’s still feeling springlike where you are these patterns would be great for that, too, and there are certainly things here you can knit, wear, use and enjoy throughout the year.

Like a lot of people I’m sure, I’m in love with the “cover” pattern this time around. Indigo Cones is a lacy short-sleeved cardigan worked in a cotton/linen blend that’s actually perfect for summer. Aileen Ryder designed it to have lots of negative ease because it’s only fastened at the top neck and flutters over whatever size body is underneath.

Mone Dräger’s Hidden Gusset Mitts are lovely as well, with a rib stitch that goes up the thumb, as the title suggests, hiding the gusset for the thumb. These would be great to wear in a cold office in the summertime.

The Jasseron pullover by Becky Wolf is another one that caught my eye because I’m a sucker for a good raglan. This one has a plain body and contrasting lacy sleeves that I just love.

And then, of course, there’s I Can Knit a Rainbow by Natty Knits. It’s a plush rainbow with some fun knitting skills worked it. I’m sure it’s supposed to be for a kid — and my rainbow-loving child is going to have to have one of these — but I’d like one for the bookshelf in my office, too.

In addition to the patterns, Franklin Habit teaches us a bit about the history of knitting flowers and offers a knit boutonniere and Donna Druchunas offers a look at Egyptian knitting, among other fun stuff.

See anything that catches your eye? I’d love to hear about it!

Looking for knitting patterns for knitted Cardigans? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

Looking for pullover and sweater patterns? Check these books out.

Knitting and travel are two hobbies that are highly compatible. Travel often involves waiting or time spent on planes, trains, boats, etc., time that can easily be filled by knitting, a portable and productive craft you can do most anywhere (and yes, you can take your knitting on a plane most of the time).

Krista Ann combines knitting and traveling regularly and ended up visiting every continent in 2022 with her knitting needles along for the ride. The Wandering Knitter explores travel, knitting and learning new knitting skills no matter where you are.

This isn’t a book for beginners, but if you’ve wanted to learn techniques like brioche, cables, lace, colorwork, mitered squares and short rows, there’s a set of more beginner level patterns followed by ones that are bigger, more detailed or required a little more skill. For example a brioche washcloth is the beginner pattern, while a brioche sweater (with unexplained exceptionally long sleeves) is the stepped up project. A basic mesh lace scarf becomes a more complex lace kerchief. A giant mitered square cowl graduates to a mitered square tote bag.

Interspersed among the patterns are essays about traveling to different continents and what she saw there. There are also tips for traveling with your knitting and tips for reading charts, but no tutorials for knitting skills (other than a written explanation of how mosaic knitting works).

Some of the projects would be useful to have when traveling, such as fingerless gloves, a warm headband or a colorwork hat. The travel angle is an interesting hook for a book, but I would have enjoyed essays more about specific incidents or shopping for yarn in a different country or something more than the general essays about things she’s liked and places she’d like to go back to.

Still, if you’re looking for a skill building book that doesn’t focus on the basics but gives you some wearable, attractive accessories, this book is a good one to check out. Just maybe make the sleeves shorter if you knit the sweater.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 20 patterns. Published 2026 by Quarry Books. Suggested retail price $24.99.

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