Book Review: Knit Wild

Some knitting projects are meant to be worn and enjoyed at home, while others are designed for keeping us warm and comfortable in the great outdoors. Knit Wild by Anna-Sofia Vintersol includes 21 sweater patterns made for outdoor exploration, with colorwork motifs that speak to outdoor adventures.

The book opens by talking about the different kinds of wool yarns that are best for keeping you warm outdoors, then dives into the patterns. They are all given in nine sizes but the actual measurements of the sweaters vary depending on the ease built into the design. They are meant to be suitable for both men and women.

The patterns themselves don’t include a lot of details because these sweaters are boxy and worked mostly in stockinette stitch. They indicate how much knitting you should do before working particular charts, which assumes that your row/round gauge is the same as suggested in the pattern, which isn’t always the case (knitters would do well to monitor their row gauge and determine how long each chart will take in their own gauge and adjust as needed).

There are lots on animal motifs in the patterns, including dogs, foxes, bears, turtles and orcas. One pattern, Kitulo, features allover colorwork in a mix and match style of motifs that include birds, alpaca, hearts, crosses and many other options. Check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

Several of the sweaters are shown in varying sizes and colorways so you can see how changing the colors changes the look. There are also sometimes different neckline options, and some patterns give you the option of working pieces flat or in the round with steeks (how to deal with steeks is described in words but there are no tutorials for any knitting techniques in the book).

Some knitters won’t mind this kind of hands off, go your own way approach to sweater knitting, but for those with less confidence these instructions might be intimidating. For those who are comfortable without a ton of hand-holding, these colorful designs should be fun to knit and great to wear on outdoor winter outings.

About the book: 232 pages, hardcover, 21 patterns. Published 2024 by Stackpole Books. Suggested retail price $34.95.

There is something wonderfully satisfying about putting together a line-dancing outfit that feels western without looking as though you have wandered away from a themed birthday party.

Modern country style is much softer and more wearable than the head-to-toe fringe and rhinestones many of us remember. A good pair of jeans, comfortable cowboy boots and one handmade piece can be enough to give an outfit that lovely cowgirl feel. It might be a horse sweater, a knitted bandana, chunky boot cuffs or a beanie with a subtle horseshoe cable running up the front.

These western knitting patterns include a mix of statement garments and smaller accessories for modern line dancers, horse lovers and anyone currently enjoying the return of country-inspired fashion.

I have included both paid and free knitting patterns, with direct links to the individual patterns. There are horse sweaters for the confident colourwork knitter, quick boot cuffs for beginners, practical socks to wear inside cowboy boots and smaller accessories for those of us who like our western style with a little less yee-haw.

Horse Sweater Knitting Patterns For Modern Cowgirls

Vintage Adult Horse Sweater Knitting Pattern

This vintage horse sweater pattern includes sizes from a 26-inch to 44-inch chest, making it one of the more useful older patterns for adult knitters. The large horse motif is created using intarsia, while the straightforward jumper shape gives you plenty of room to modernise the finished garment.

I would knit this one in cream and chocolate brown, rust and oatmeal or black and faded denim blue. Worn slightly oversized with jeans and cowboy boots, it could look surprisingly current.

Palomino Horse Sweater Jacket Knitting Pattern

This is a proper statement western knitting project. The zip-front jacket features a large bridled palomino horse on the back, horseshoe motifs around the lower section, raglan sleeves, pockets and a choice of adult sizes.

It has enough detail to become the star of your entire line-dancing wardrobe. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the horse jacket do the galloping.

The Laramie Horse Sweater Knitting Pattern

The Laramie Sweater features a large horse motif and a relaxed vintage-inspired shape. It has that slightly preppy equestrian look that works beautifully with modern western fashion.

Choose earthy colours rather than very bright novelty shades to give it a more grown-up cowgirl finish. Camel, cream, tobacco brown and deep burgundy would all work well.

Free Cowgirl Beanie And Horse Hat Knitting Patterns

Horse Country Knit Hat Pattern

This knitted horse hat pattern has a more playful equestrian look and is available in youth and adult sizing. It would make a fun project for a horse-loving friend or a useful winter accessory for outdoor country events.

Working it in natural horse colours will keep the finished hat wearable. You could also leave off any particularly novelty-style details and use the main horse design on a simple beanie.

Free Ahimsa Horse Hat Knitting Pattern

This knitted horse hat pattern was designed for the horse lovers in the designer’s family. It features a recognisable equestrian motif while retaining the practical shape of an everyday winter beanie.

This is the sort of accessory that can quietly declare your horse-girl status without requiring you to wear an entire picture jumper.

Free Knitted Boot Cuffs For Cowboy Boots

Free Super Chunky Boot Cuffs Knitting Pattern

These free boot cuffs are knitted flat as simple rectangles and then seamed, making them an approachable project for beginner knitters. The super-chunky yarn also means you could finish a pair without committing an entire month of your life to them.

Wear them just above short cowboy boots or tuck them inside taller boots so that only the textured cuff is visible.

Free Beginner Boot Cuffs Knitting Pattern

This easy free pattern uses basic knit and purl stitches and does not require circular needles. The cuffs are knitted flat and then joined, so they are particularly suitable for newer knitters.

Try them in rust, camel, turquoise or cream. A little wooden, leather-look or silver button added to the side could give them an extra western finish.

Free Ribbed Outdoor Boot Cuffs

These practical ribbed cuffs can be tucked into boots, worn over jeans or used to provide a little extra protection and warmth around the lower leg. The uncomplicated ribbing also makes them a good relaxing knit.

For line dancers, boot cuffs are useful because they give you the look of tall knitted socks without adding quite as much bulk inside a fitted cowboy boot.

Free Knit Boot Topper Pattern

These free boot toppers give the appearance of thick winter socks without requiring you to knit the entire foot section. They are quick enough to make in several colours and could be coordinated with different western outfits.

Use a slightly rustic yarn for a ranch-inspired look, or choose something softer if the cuffs will sit directly against your legs.

Free Boot Sock Knitting Patterns For Line Dancers

Free Step-By-Step Boot Socks Knitting Pattern

This free boot sock pattern includes three adult sizes and is supported by a detailed video tutorial. The socks feature a proper heel and toe construction, making them a practical project as well as a decorative one.

A sturdy pair of hand-knitted boot socks can add cushioning inside cowboy boots, although it is worth checking your boots still have enough room before knitting with a very thick yarn.

Free DK Boot Socks Knitting Pattern

These top-down boot socks use DK yarn, so they work up more quickly than traditional fingering-weight socks. The thicker fabric makes them particularly suitable for winter boots and outdoor country events.

Add narrow stripes around the legs in colours inspired by western blankets, or work a tiny horseshoe into the cuff using duplicate stitch.

Free Purl Soho Boot Socks Pattern

This classic free boot sock design is available in a broad range of sizes. Its simple construction provides an excellent blank canvas for western-inspired stripes, contrasting heels or small duplicate-stitch motifs.

For regular dancing, choose a washable wool blend and avoid making the socks so thick that your feet become cramped. Pretty socks are not much consolation when your toes have lost all feeling halfway through the Electric Slide.

Free Knitted Bandanas For Western Outfits

Free Cloudberry Bandana Knitting Pattern

The Cloudberry Bandana uses double seed stitch to produce a soft, textured triangular scarf. Although it can be knitted in luxurious yarn, it would also work beautifully in a practical merino or cotton blend.

Make it in classic red, denim blue, cream or mustard and tie it loosely around the neck. It adds an immediate western touch without requiring a checked shirt or ten metres of fringe.

Free Saltwater Bandana Knitting Pattern

This free knitted bandana has long tapered ends, helping it sit neatly around the neck without creating a bulky knot. That makes it particularly useful for wearing while dancing.

The simple shape would look lovely in earthy solid colours or a subtly variegated yarn. It could also be worn as a head scarf for a softer cowgirl look.

Free Scallop Edge Bandana Knitting Pattern

This pretty cotton bandana has a delicate scalloped edge that gives the finished piece a feminine vintage-country feel. It is light enough to wear during the warmer months when a woollen scarf would be far too much.

Pair it with a denim shirt or plain white top and let the scalloped edging soften a more rugged boots-and-jeans outfit.

Free Bandana Cowl Knitting Pattern

A bandana cowl gives you the pointed shape of a tied neck scarf without loose ends that can come undone while you are dancing. This free pattern uses short-row shaping to create the western-style point at the front.

It is an especially good choice for outdoor line-dancing events, country markets and winter festivals where you want warmth as well as style.

How To Style Western Knitting For Line Dancing

The easiest way to wear western knitting is to choose one handmade focal point and keep everything else fairly simple.

Wear a horse sweater with plain jeans and leather boots, or combine a textured horseshoe beanie with a denim jacket. Boot cuffs work well when you want a little colour around your footwear, while a knitted bandana can give even a basic white T-shirt a country-inspired finish.

You can also add western motifs to an ordinary knitting pattern using duplicate stitch. Small horseshoes, horse heads, stars, cowboy boots and longhorn-style motifs can be worked onto an existing beanie, sweater pocket or sock cuff after the knitting has been completed.

For anything intended for actual dancing, think carefully about weight, temperature and movement. A chunky western cardigan may be perfect for arriving and leaving, but a cotton bandana or sleeveless knitted vest will probably be more comfortable once the music starts.

And perhaps avoid very long knitted fringe. It looks fabulous while you are standing still, but after several turns and a slightly overconfident grapevine, it can become a group activity.

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