Have You Knit Your Christmas Sweater Yet?

Did you know that Dec. 8 is Christmas Jumper Day? What better reason to start knitting a holiday sweater (even if you might not be finished with it in time for the holidays this year?) I’ve never knit a Christmas sweater but I did once knit and ugly Christmas sweater bra, which is a story you might want to know.

You can choose your own adventure when it comes to your Christmas sweater with the Winter Doodle Sweater from Jamie Lomax. Jamie provides lots of different motifs that you can add to your garment — 51, in fact, ranging from holly and snowflakes to reindeer, coffee cups and pine cones. You can add designs just to the yoke or all over your sweater as you like. It’s worked in DK weight yarn and has sizes with garment chest circumference ranging from 30 to 72 inches (76 to 183 cm) and is meant to be worn with 2-6 inches/5-15 cm of positive ease. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Knitting Pattern World on Etsy has another cute option with a range of little motifs to knit, though the pattern picks the designs for you. This one includes trees, Santas, snowmen and hearts. Finished measurements range from 96-144 cm or 37.75 to 56.5 inches, with six sizes available.

Make sweaters for the whole family with the Merry Christmas Sweater from Hobbii. This one has six sizes for women, as well as options for men and children, so you can make one for most everyone on your list (two years up to a chest measurement of 59 inches/150 cm). They’re worked from the top down using worsted weight yarn and rated for intermediate knitters. The design by Intreccidiceci is free on the Hobbii website.

This holiday lights pullover from Grey Owl Knits by Sarah on Etsy is so cute and a great way to use brightly colored leftovers from other projects. The retro lights are so cute and an easy shape to knit. It uses DK weight yarn and has a finished chest size ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm, and should be worn with 2-4 inches/5-10 cm of positive ease.

Decorate your Christmas sweater with beads (or real ornaments if you want to go uglier) with the O Christmas Tree sweater pattern from Yas Knits. The muted colors give this one a retro look, but you can use bolder colors if you like. It’s worked in chunky yarn and the beads are worked in as you knit. Instructions for doing that are included. The pattern comes in three sizes, ranging from 98 to 122 cm/38.5 to 48 inches and is meant to have a roomy fit.

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Brioche knitting is a fun technique that’s relatively easy once you know how it works. It’s been popular for a few years now as a way to make a super squishy, warm knit fabric that looks dramatic even in it’s simple forms but becomes something really unique when you add in shaping and other skills.

Lavanya Patricella is a big fan of brioche and has been teaching the techniques behind it for years. In Brioche Knitting Workshop she brings patterns and techniques for those totally new to brioche knitting as well as those looking to make more intricate projects.

The book covers the basics and notes that the easiest way to learn brioche knitting is working with two colors in the round because you don’t have to move your stitches around as much and working with two colors makes it easier to see what is happening with the stitches. From there you can move on to two color worked flat or a single color. The book includes lots of pictures to help you see all the techniques involved, with both English and continental methods shown.

The patterns are good for a range of skill levels, starting with a two-color in the round cowl with no shaping if you’ve never done brioche knitting before. There are hats in one and two colors, scarves in two colors with and without shaping, cowls with shaping and with two-color garter stitch as a contrast to the brioche, a syncopated shawl, mittens with brioche and garter stitch, a giant poncho and a pair of cozy socks, to name most of the patterns. You can find them all on Ravelry if you want to take a look.

These patterns are fun looking and include detailed instructions so brioche knitters of all skill levels should be able to complete them. Many use bulky yarn so you can finish projects quickly as you gain skills.

This book would be a great one to check out if you’re learning brioche knitting or want to go beyond the basics to some more complex but still totally approachable accessories.

About the book: 128 pages, paperback, 15 patterns. Published 2023 by David & Charles. Suggested retail price $24.99/

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