Book Review: Outlander Knitting

I haven’t read the Outlander series or watched the show, but I know there is a lot of knitting shown in the series that has caused a lot of knitters to pay attention and try to re-create some of the looks from the show.

Outlander Knitting, edited by Kate Atherley, is the official book of knitting patterns from the series and include 20 designs that are inspired by looks, characters or designs from the show.

There are warm, woolly shawls, textured socks, mitts and more to keep you warm in the Scottish highlands and across the stretch of time.

The book includes photos from the series as well as information on how the costumes were designed, Fair Isle knitting and just how accurate a mildly gross scene in the show involving traditional fiber arts techniques really is.

Some of my favorites include the Garter Stitch Rent Shawl, designed by Nicky Jensen (she actually knits it on the bias using intarsia for the stripes to make it a little more interesting to knit, though there is also a basic top-down version); Claire Neicho’s Targe Tam, a stranded colorwork design inspired by shields shown in the show; The Man I Left Behind Vest, Kathleen Sperling’s ode to the classic Fair Isle vest; and Holli Yeah’s I Found Him Lace Cardgian, with a big allover diamond lace pattern.

You can check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

This is a fun book for Outlander fans, and others who enjoy rustic and classic knits. A few times I wish there were more or different pictures so you could get a better look at some of the projects, but on the whole this is a lovely book where you can find your next project for knitting while binge watching.

About the book: 192 pages, hardcover, 20 patterns. Published by Clarkson Potter, 2020, suggested retail price $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Knitters are always looking for ways to continue to knit and to wear their knits even when it’s hot outside, so there are tots of great T0shirt knitting patterns to choose from. I love knitting short-sleeved shirts because they feel so much faster than sweaters, and you can wear them on top of dresses or even longer-sleeved items when it gets cooler.

There are lots of different styles of knit tops, from the basic to the more detailed. On the more basic side are things like the Perfect T-Shirt from Originally Lovely, a basic raglan tee with nine sizes and worked in worsted weight yarn; Paper Bloom by Yvonne Hugo (free on Ravelry), available in six sizes and worked with cotton and silk yarn for extra coolness; or Iris H’s Amelia Top, also on Ravelry, a slim fit, DK weight top with nine size.

Jazz it up with a bit of lace like on the Athens Lace Hem top by Sarah Hatton (Ravelry). This otherwise simple project has a bit of lace at the bottom, which is an easy way to make a project more interesting without a ton of work. This one uses fingering weight yarn and comes in nine sizes.

Another simple embellishment is to emphasize the lines of your top with different stitches. The Spring Lines top uses twisted ribbing at the center front and V-neck and along the raglan lines to give it a slimmer fit and more interest. This design from Turquoise Toque Designs has 11 size options and is available on Ravelry.

Silfurberg by Joji Locatelli uses both of these elements, with lace panels at the center front and back and purl ridges throughout to make it a little more fun to knit and to wear. The pattern uses fingering weight yarn and comes in 10 sizes. Learn more on Ravelry.

Keep it simple or add puffed sleeves (and/or long sleeves) to the slim fit Knitty Committee top by Lily Kate France. This one has two length options, waist shaping and optional bust darts to fulfill all your curvy top dreams, and it comes in nine sizes. You’ll find it on Ravelry.

Take it even more romantic with the Daphne Top from Friday Knits, which has puffed sleeves and applied I-cord to emphasize the bust and sweetheart neckline. It comes in eight sizes and uses DK weight yarn.

Or add some sweet flowers with the Gigio pattern from Emilie Luis. This pretty pattern found on Ravelry has cable panels running up the front with the option for adding sweet embroidered flowers. You can also add decorative buttons if you like. It comes in 11 sizes and calls for sport weight yarn.

Next Pattern:

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