I know that we are already well into March 2024, but I haven’t yet sat down and decided on what I want to make this year. While I do think that it is important to knit what feels good in the moment, I find that having patterns picked gives me something to look forward to and get excited about.
Make 9 is a trend that people use to show 9 things that they want to make in the year.
Here are the 9 projects that I want to make in 2024
Colourwork Pullover
I rekindled my love of knitting for one reason - I wanted to make a colourwork yoke sweater. I have never been able to find a ready to wear sweater like this that meets my exact requirements, fits me well, and doesn’t cost a ridiculous amount of money. I have finally begun work on my dream pullover. I’m making the Polina Pullover by Teti Lutsak. It has been incredible to work on so far and I can’t wait to finish it and wear it.
Everyday Vest
My office is cold enough that a blouse is not warm enough, but not so cold that I need a full jumper. Therefore, I’m going to make a vest that I can throw on at work. I want something that is a simple construction and silhouette with some kind of interest, like colourwork or texture. I haven’t decided which pattern I am going to use yet, but I have a few that I’m looking at. Which one would you recommend?
Colourwork Socks
I would like to make a pair of colourwork socks that I can wear under brogues for work (so that means a much finer gauge than my previous colourwork socks, which were DK weight!). I am planning to self draft a pair with an argyle print. I think it will be a lot of fun and give me the chance to play around with designing something low-stakes.
Lacework Socks
I have about 100g of yarn in my stash from a previous project that would be perfect for some lacework socks. I plan to make the Erika socks by Anja Heumann from 52 weeks of socks. They are a very popular sock pattern and look really simple and nice. Plus, I have a lot of intense colourwork projects this year, so I will need a smaller, more simple lace project at some point to balance it out.
Mittens and headband set for running
This is why I’m calling my make 9 “projects” and not “items”. I plan to make a matching set of mittens and a headband. I enjoy running but in the colder months I usually want something warm on my head and hands. I haven’t decided on a pattern yet, but I want it to be fairly lightweight and (of course), some colourwork. I’ll probably find a colourwork mitten pattern and use the colourwork design to self draft a very simple headband.
Beret, scarf and mittens set for commuting
Similar to number 5, I am going to make a beret, scarf, and mitten set for commuting in the colder months. These will have slightly different requirements to what I make when I’m running. Importantly, I need the tops of the mittens to be able to be removed and the mittens to be connected together, otherwise I will definitely loose them on the train. I haven’t found a pattern that matches these requirements yet, so I’m going to start with mittens for running and see if it will be possible self draft a pattern with removeable tops. Please let me know if you have any recommendations for patterns!
All over lacework
I loved doing a little bit of lacework for the Lumme socks last year. Therefore, I want to do an allover lacework project. I have chosen the Poetry Pullover by Sari Nordlund because I think it is beautiful and the repeating lacework will allow for pattern memorisation. Plus those balloon sleeves are so romantic!
Basic pullover
Most of these projects involve either colourwork or lacework, so I wanted to choose a simpler pattern that I could fall back on when I want an easy project. I plan to make either the Pianissimo Sweater by Manmi Choi or the Javelin pullover by Teti Lutsak in a grey or beige and use it as a basic pullover to pair with everything in my wardrobe. I’m not totally set on the pattern, so if I find something I prefer, I’ll happily change.
Hardcore colorwork project
Obviously, it is the year of colourwork for me. So, I’m planning to make the Kerris vest by Marie Wallin. Why? Because I think it is going to be a fun and challenging project that I will cherish forever. I am going to use lower-contrast and similar hue colours, rather than the high contrast colours of the example. For example, using only warm browns, or only cool blues. I plan to start this later in the year and wear it for spring.
I’m so excited for my upcoming knitting year! These projects are providing me with so much motivation and joy. I’ll be providing fortnightly updates on my progress and what I’m making. Subscribe to keep up to date!
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Jane, I feel the same way abut having too much stash (as I look at my wall of yarn!). Yarn that excites us and makes us want to knit is all that matters. I made a swatch last week from yarn that was leftover from a project and the wrong gauge for another. I could not have found a more stunning combination if I had been looking.
Some ideas to consider:
- One of my local charity shops sells 2end. hand wool, which is already in circulation. I believe in using what is already in circulation, so it could be an option for some.
- When I was growing up in Poland in the 1980s, there was nothing in the shops, so getting your hands on any wool was close to a miracle. However, everyone was knitting back then, and the wool was reused from older, not worn items. I still do it.