Make Nine 2020

Hi friends! 
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If you're anything like me than you've already started planning the projects you want to work on in the New Year. I've compiled a roundup of the creations I plan to finish in the next 12 months!

I'm going for a more realistic goal list this year than in years past. My list includes projects and commissions I'm already working on that will be finished in 2020, patterns I've already written that need to be test knitted and graded for publication and a few new beautiful patterns that were released by talented designers in 2019.  ​

#1.) Rain Chain Shawlette by Michele Bernstein published in KnitPicks Little Luxuries. 

I started this project on a whim thinking it would be a simple knit. Nope! It's super challenging (at least for me). Now I'm determined to finish it just to prove that I can. You won't beat me Shawlette! I'm knitting him in Expression Fibre Arts single ply wool/silk, with glass beads from Crystals and BFF on Etsy. 

#2.) Knee High Socks by me!

These socks were inspired by Basic Knee High Toe up Socks by Leslie (Single Stitch) on Ravelry. I changed every aspect of the pattern until it was the knee sock pattern of my dreams. Different gauge, rounded toes, a new heel design, extra length, tighter cuffs! I've written my alterations up on the Rav but I'm going to test the whole shebang out, make sure it works perfectly before a polish and a publish. I've got some bubblegum pink KnitPicks Felici self striping yarn ready and waiting for my test knit. (Pictured socks are knitted in KnitPicks Stroll.)

#3.) Little Waves Cardigan by Gudrun Johnston- published in Brooklyn Tweed

I'm knitting this sweater for my partner Alex in KnitPicks Capra Bare. My game plan is to have an independent dyer put a beautiful color on this guy once he's finished. I'm a little nervous about trusting someone that much with a hand knit sweater but I'm sure it'll turn out great, right? 

So far I've worked the body section twice (because who doesn't love finding an error 17" into their work?) and finished up both of the sleeves. 

I've got 3" left to go on the new and improved body portion then the sleeves are gonna hop right on! 

#4.) The Lookout by Drops Designs

This pattern is a commission for an adorable pudgy dachshund doggy. I'm a little bit nervous with this one since (like most Drops patterns) it seems a little vague and under-translated. It looks like tons of other people have made this pattern before so I'm assuming if I can work out the gauge and cable repeats I can follow breadcrumbs previous knitters have left behind. Wish me luck! 
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#5.) Cabled HiLo Sweater by me!

I designed this sweater two years ago when I realized that if I wanted to sell knitted sweaters in my Etsy shop they needed to be original designs. No one wants to get into legal trouble over intellectual property rights, amiright? I whipped this guy up, wrote down my instructions then never came back to it because the prospect of pattern grading was too daunting! Guess what? It's still daunting. But I bought a book and I'm determined to figure it out even if I have to pay someone to help me. 

I make no promises but I'm going to do my very best to release this pattern and my other knitted sweater pattern this year. (Feel free to send resources if you have them.) Ps. the book I mentioned is; The Beginners Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns by Kate Atherly. (Pictured sweater is knitted in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky.)

#6.) V-Neck Sweater by me!

I wrote this pattern with the help of Karen Templer's Improv pattern tutorial. I can't say enough good things about her instructional guide. I was able to learn to knit a top down sweater in the round with the exact collar I wanted, streamlined side shaping and seamless construction. I'm excited/hopeful to release this pattern in 2020 with lots of sizing options. But again, grading is all new to me so we'll see how it goes! (Pictured sweater is knitted in Drops Air.)

#7.) Cornish Cream Tea Socks by Helen Stewart

​I love these socks! I have 2 gorgeous skeins of white glitter KnitPicks Stroll that have been waiting for the perfect project and this sock pattern immediately called out to me. These will be a purely for pleasure knit; no timelines, no pressure, just fun! 

Photo and work by Helen Stewart

#8.) Ribbed Socks-by me!

I started these socks 3 years ago while following a pattern on Raverly. When I was about two inches into the pattern it was taken down from the site! I didn't know what to do! I got out all my knitting books and improvised my way through. I've made a few pairs of these since then and they are the most comfortable socks I own. I'm really excited to turn these beauties into a real pattern so others can enjoy them too. (Socks featured are in Fierce Fibres and KnitPicks Hawthorn)

#9.) Marsh Song by Annie Lupton

I can't even handle how much I love this pattern. I'm a sucker for a deep V-neck, a classy but not too ornate lace detail and yards of simple stockinette to show off the texture of the yarn. It's a dreamboat. I don't have a yarn or color picked out yet but I'm totally pumped to start window shopping for the perfect fiber for this beauty. 

Photo and work by Annie Lupton

Whew! That's a lot of projects! But it's only January, we have time!

I would love to hear what's on your top nine knit list for 2020 in the comments below! Also, feel free to send me any pattern grading resources that you find helpful!

Thank you for reading! 

​-Ashley