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Review: Highland Outlander Knits

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Highland Knits book reviewI’ve never read any of the Outlander books or watched the television series based on them, but I know the time-traveling romance set in the Scottish highlands is appealing to a lot of people for a lot of reasons. Knitters swoon at the storyline as well as the knits worn by the characters, which inspired designers to take on some of the garments shown in the series or projects inspired by the show and books in the book Highland Knits: Knitwear Inspired by the outlander Series.

Even if you’re not a fan of the series, there are lots of lovely patterns here, starting with the super-bulky, long, reversible, shape-shifting Time Traveler Reversible Vest by Karen Clements. Jennifer Jackson’s triangular Rent Collection Shawl is inspired by Clare’s shawl and uses intarsia to make the striped edging.

Clements’ Lallybrough Shrug is another easy, super bulky project that can be customized to fit, while the Sassenach Cowl by Kristin Brooks is another classic from the show that couldn’t be easier — it’s a Garter Stitch cowl worked with super bulky yarn held double (get the pattern free from Amazon through the end of April 2016).  And Kalurah Hudson’s cabled, knee-high Standing Stones Socks are perfect for keeping toes warm on the moor or anywhere else. Check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

Classic Scottish style combines with easy modern elements like large scale and simple stitch patterns to make an evocative collection that’s also easy to fit into everyday life, which is great regardless of whether you’re a fan of the series.

About the book: 112 pages, paperback, 16 patterns (skill level is not given, but most are good for beginner to advanced beginner knitters comfortable with cables and a bit of shaping). Published by Interweave/F+W, April 2016. Suggested retail $22.99. Use code OUTLANDER20 at Interweave to get 20 percent off if ordered before the end of April 2016.

So if you are looking for knitting patterns from the Outlander series then this is a great start to finding the Highland patterns.

Looking to buy your Yarn online? Check out these online yarn specials.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Comments

  1. I purchased the book a few weeks ago. I just finished the sassanach cowl, and I came very close to running out of yarn on my 50th row. It said to knit 78 rows! And had I knitted all of those without running out of yarn, it would have been way to long and not fit right. So I stopped at 50. And I have a question for you or anyone else that has made the time travelers vest, how many stands of yarn do you use, all 3? Just wondering because it didn’t say.

Have you read?

Summer T-Shirt Knitting Patterns

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.