Why I knit: A reflection
CraftDoodling Designs Gift Knits Guide, other updates etc.
It was my birthday earlier this week. Since my birthday often coincides with Thanksgiving and leads into the New Year, this season naturally becomes my most reflective time of the year.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how fulfilling this work has become. Knitting and pattern writing may seem like solitary pursuits, but they’ve brought me a sense of connection and purpose.
When knitters share their heartfelt stories—
hats and hoods made for a child,
mitts replicated at a sibling’s request,
a shawl knit in memory of a beloved grandmother,
or to celebrate a friend’s wedding,
or as a gift for Mother’s Day,
special knits for journeys to colder places,
a cowl for a son’s girlfriend,
or socks sent across the globe to loved ones—
about how simple stitches bring them peace,
or how they embraced the challenge of a new technique,
I send a silent prayer into the universe for the tenderness and love in these acts to endure. If knitting is a way to nurture that love, then I’ll gladly keep knitting.
Thank you for supporting my work and cheering me on. 💗
CraftDoodling Designs Gift Knits Guide 💝
To celebrate Thanksgiving and my birthday this week, all my patterns (except my latest, Fluens Tee) are 25% off until Mon Dec 02 midnight, PT.
Coupon Code: THANKS2024
❤️
Tuberose Mitts, DK weight, five sizes.
The ribbed fabric allows you to knit for someone even when you are not too sure of their exact measurements.
Manzil Mitts, Fingering weight, five sizes.
The simple yet lovely motif is fun to knit and is generally well-loved.
None of my own Hat, DK weight, 3 sizes.
This stitch pattern builds a complex look using basic knits and purls. It makes for a lovely hat which is completely reversible too.
Amar Hat, sport weight, 3 sizes.
Amar is a hat for any wardrobe. Knitting 2 x 2 rib in 2-color stripes gives it a rich gingham-like look.
The Science Camp Hat, Worsted weight, 3 sizes.
This is a 2-row stitch repeat with ribbing-like texture. It looks lovely in solid colors or tonal shade. Using a gradient yarn would be an interesting variation and an extra special gift.
Matte Hood, worsted weight yarn, 5 sizes.
Matte Hood is currently having a moment in Ravelry. This project involves some finishing techniques. But it results in a lovely elevated handknit item that is sure to be well-loved.
If you are adding this to your gift list this year, be sure to swatch. And then you are going to be knitting two rectangles in different orientations. You can do it!
Synclines Shawl, DK weight, 2 colors, one size, adjustable.
If you are up for a shawl, try Synclines. You work with only one color at a time. Once you get the rhythm going, it can be put down and picked up easily among other projects. It definitely gets a lot of compliments when worn.
Inchara Shawl, sport weight, one size.
Another mostly mindless shawl. Recently a knitter who participated in the IndieGAL event on Ravelry finished a two color version and I’m in love!
Ansh Cowl, DK weight, one size.
Lastly, Ansh is a satisfying one-skein project that looks and wears like a shawl but is a cowl. It is knitted flat with simple knit-purl texture and mesh rows and seamed.
I hope you will take advantage of the sale to knit some lovely things for yourself or your loved one. Do you have a favorite yet? Please share in comments. 💗
To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
My latest design, Fluens Tee is a simple and lovely addition to any wardrobe. I will share some features of the pattern and my testers lovely projects in the coming week. You can also check them on Ravelry. 💜
Fluens is available at 20% off using code FLUENSLOVE until Dec 09 2024, midnight PT. Fluens Pattern Link
- of has put together a generous giveaway, which you might be interested in. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
READING UPDATES
Currently Reading 📖
The Twyford Code - Janice Hallet
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:
Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.
Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!
Introduce this newsletter to a friend!
Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.
I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!
I'm not even going to try to choose one favorite. 😄 I love my Tuberose Mitts and wear them several times a week this time of year. I made them from local alpaca (I met the alpaca 😁) and they are impossibly soft and cozy. However, my Almas Mitts are my new favorite because of the extra long top cuff. And they totally sold me on knitting with fingering and mohair. I love it.
I think this list gift knitting list should include your Saurus Hood pattern. It is fast, fun, and super cute. I made them for both of my nieces. 💜
Wishing you a belated Happy Birthday Kavitha! Here is a link with some information about Sagittarians and this time of year by Susan Wittig Albert on her Substack.
https://open.substack.com/pub/susanwittigalbert/p/growing-green-with-the-zodiac-toward?r=2l04ge&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Let's see, Why I Knit: A reflection. Perhaps in my case, why I knit is pretty close to an addiction! But only in the nicest way! lol At least, I still totally enjoy everything about knitting. And it certainly has taught me many, many things. Everything from paying attention, to figuring how much yarn to buy, to what's the difference between natural undyed yarns and Super Washed wools. Knitting is certainly a conversation starter - whether you are knitting waiting for the bus or wearing something that you knit waiting in line at the movies. For me it is the perfect hobby. Even after all of there years there is still something new to learn about knitting! Like how did Kavitha create that lovely shaped yoke on her Fluens Tee?!?!