Winter vibes - 5 favourite winter knits for your needles!

This week, I’m sharing the 5 knits I’ve been reaching for most this winter. Hopefully, it will give you some wintry inspiration! This season, I’ve been drawn to cosy and soft items, and the fluctuating temperatures have me leaning towards softer fibres and easy-to-wear colours. 1. Kina Hat Although the pattern picture features a silver version, I love this sweet rose-coloured version and the blue-toned rose colour has become a staple. I like to pull her down to one side and at the back and yank her around for a bit of extra fullness. She’s the perfect size to stuff in my bag and go. 2. Viva Cowl I’ve been pairing Kina with Viva. I’ve gravitated towards earthy tones this year, and Viva fits right in. Knitted in a tube, you finish her with a twist and graft her together. I used two skeins of fingering yarn with a bit of silk, which gives it a lovely drape. You can use pure wool for a bouncier, cosier feel. The pattern involves holding the yarn together and switching to a single strand, creating a rhythmic, enjoyable knit. I’ve included some neat tricks in the pattern to ensure you can seamlessly hide the join. 3. Juniper Shawl Another favourite has been my Juniper shawl, which requires three skeins of fingering-weight yarn. I used a sock yarn and started with a light colour, transitioned to a mid-tone, and finished with a darker shade. Each of the 3 tassels is a different colour, adding a bit of interest and texture. She starts in the corner and features a garter stitch on one side and an eyelet pattern on the other, which creates a beautiful, squishy texture. I wear her bandana-style for extra warmth around my neck, and she goes with almost everything! 4. Outlaw Cardigan This cardigan has been my go-to piece this winter; she’s super versatile and warm. She features a large rectangle body with stripes, slim sleeves, and a folded collar that keeps my neck cosy. I used Bohemia yarn, but you can play with other soft, drapey yarns like merino, alpaca, or possum blends, holding single and double strands for various sections. You can easily customise the Outlaw’s length and width to suit you. 5. Alex Sweater Finally, there’s the Alex sweater; she’s still Wardrobe Toolbox exclusive and will be out in early 2025. This sport-weight jumper has slight balloon sleeves, a round neck with a faux V, and a shoulder construction that provides a great fit. The yarn I used, Eros from Skeinz, is incredibly soft but prone to pilling. I’ve embraced the pills and used a sweater stone to maintain her lovely halo. Alex is cropped to sit at the top of my jeans, but you can easily adjust her length. Final Thoughts My knits have followed a neutral palette with pops of colour this winter. Remember, neutrals include aubergines and mustards, too! If you opt for super-soft yarns, be prepared to deal with pilling, but the delicious feel makes pills well worth it! Happy knitting! All the patterns I refer to can be found on my website and in my Ravelry store. Truly Myrtle Shop: https://trulymyrtle.com/shop Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/libby-jonson Ensure you’re signed up to the Truly Myrtle Minimag to stay in touch and get discounts on new pattern releases: https://www.trulymytle.com/minimag We’d love to see you in the Truly Myrtle Hangout on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/trulymyrtle