"Knit on in confidence and hope through all crises.”

― Elizabeth Zimmermann

Hello there fellow knitter!

This is The Yarnist. The daily newsletter that makes you love knitting the same way Ali Abdaal loves annual planning.

Here's what we've got for you today...

• Knitspiration: 5 Books About Knitting Year Round
• Stitchionary: A checker stitch that's longer than usual
• Pattern Pick: This cowl is a super quick knit
• PLUS: Yarn storage, never-ending scarf, and more

Disclaimer: This newsletter may contain sponsored ads and affiliate links.
When you buy using them, you support our work here at The Yarnist, as we get a small commission.

Knitspiration

🔄 7 Books of Projects to Knit Year Round

In 1974 Elizabeth Zimmermann released her Knitter's Almanac.

She had already established herself as an influential voice in American knitting with her first book, Knitting Without Tears. In it she encouraged knitters to get creative with their knitting.

Through her humorous writing she quickly became America's grandma; offering cheeky advice and helpful knitting tips.

The Almanac was her way of guiding enthusiastic knitters through a year of projects. Each pattern was chosen to be seasonally appropriate as the year progressed. The genius of her book was not only the entertaining anecdotes, but the timing of the projects.

Rather than have you knit a pair of mittens in January when they are needed most, you knit them in summer when there is plenty of time to finish.

Today we're looking at planning a year of knitting so you can have the most productive 2024 ever!

Planning a Year of Knitting

A couple months ago I came across a video with Jesse Itzler. He's an entrepreneur who seem to have the whole work / life balance thing figured out.

He also does a lot of cool stuff, like biking across the US, running crazy ultra marathon races, and living with a NAVY SEAL for a month.

His secret is to do ONE life defining thing every year; write a book, run a big race, start a business, etc.

That got me thinking how can we apply some of his advice our knitting.

It's not practical to plan out everything we are going to make throughout the year. I'm sure there are some people who can do that, but I'm certain that plan will end up changing at some point.

1 BIG project, 6 NEW patterns

Itzler uses his big calendar to plan 7 projects for the year.

One is the life defining event mentioned earlier. The other 6 are mini-adventures taken once every 8 weeks.

We can translate this to our knitting like this:

1 BIG project

This could be knitting your first sweater, knitting 100 hats for charity, making a temperature blanket, or knitting every sock pattern in the book below. If you're into heirloom lace knitting do that. And if you want to knit all your Christmas gifts this year, do that.

The main idea is to have ONE thing you can look back at in 2024 and say "This is what I'm most proud of knitting this year."

6 NEW patterns

Every couple months, try a new pattern. Ideally this is something type of knitting you've never tried before. Make them short weekend or were long projects. If you want to learn 2-Color Brioche, make a cowl. If you've never knit a toy before, try it. You can even jump on the Korean nose scarf trend.

If you did this every year for the next 10 years that's 10 epic knitting projects and 60 different projects you've tried.

The key is to list out what those projects might be and then block out time on the calendar to work on them.

But if you need some inspiration for a big project check out the books below.

Our Favorite Year Round Knitting Books

Whether you attempt to knit a big project throughout the year, or you just want some inspiration for new projects to try, this list should help you on your journey.

There's options for knitters of all types and interests.

Each book here is geared toward helping you knit throughout the year, so let's dive in:

​Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac​

What is it?​
A book full of seasonal knitting patterns written by one of the greatest knitters of all time.

Why we like it​
It's funny, it's inspiring, it encourages you to knit outside the box. Her book is full of thoughtful projects that don't rely on fully written patterns. There's a reason this is still a classic 50 years later.

​Seasonal Slow Knitting by Hannah Thiessen​

What is it?​
This follow-up to her first book, Slow Knitting, takes Hannah's mindful approach to knitting and applies it to the seasons.

Why we like it​
If your goal this year is to take more joy in the process of knitting, this book will you do that in a guided manner. There's curated projects to work on throughout the year, as well as practices to help you slow down and enjoy the yarn.

​A Year of Afghans​

What is it?​
This book is a collection of afghan blankets, exploring all kinds of stitch patterns, shapes, and sizes.

Why we like it​
Knitting a blanket a week might not be practical. However, this book has more than enough options to keep you knitting all year. Plus it includes blankets in different size options from baby blankets on up.

​A Knitter's Year: 30 Modern Knits for Every Season by Ida Wire Trettevik​

What is it? Ever heard of a center double decrease? Have you tried paired increases? This book opens up all kinds of opportunities for how you shape your knitting.

Why you should own it? Just like cast ons and bind offs, there are a lot of ways to increase or decrease in knitting. Knowing how and when to use those techniques means you can take greater control over you knitting.

​52 Weeks of Socks​

What is it?​
A years worth of beautiful sock patterns curated by the folks at Laine Publishing.

Why we like it​
Laine has found a niche for itself with their 52 weeks series of knitting books. The sock one has been so popular they are releasing a follow-up in April!

Conclusion

I hope these books have offered some inspiration.

But what do you think?

Are you going to try making a BIG project this year? If so what?

Or maybe you'll put some new pattern to explore on the calendar?

Hit reply and tell us your thoughts!

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Daily Stitch

Elongated Rib Check Stitch

Yesterday we showed the checkerboard stitch, which had blocks of knits and purls 4 stitches wide and 4 stitches tall.

Here we squeeze those blocks down to 2 stitches, while keeping them nice and tall.

The result is a completely different checker pattern that looks a little bit like weaving.

​Learn This Stitch

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Work in Progress Wednesday What are you working on this week? ​Share a bit about your project with the community!

Pattern Pick

Conroe Cowl by Lion Brand Studio

This simple texture cowl is knit up in super bulky Hometown yarn.

That makes it a great way to practice some easy stitch patterns while knitting a fun project.

And it's 100% FREE!

Get This Pattern

Knits & Giggles

Thanks for reading!

Before you go...below you'll find a few ways we can work together, and other bits & bobs:

Look at you reading all the way to the end!

Here's a bonus video with this incredible arial footage of sheep being herded. 🤯

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