I'm so excited to share the style options for our upcoming make-along, slated to kick off at the end April. At Knit Collage, we host two make-alongs (MALs) a year and they are what myself and the small yet mighty team here lives for. We work on behind the scenes all year long. During our MALs, we connect with other makers, knit (and crochet!) in community, cheer each other on, learn new techniques and finish with an heirloom to treasure for years to come. In a completely non-preachy way, I also put a self care bent on the MAL and focus on how good knitting, creativity and making are for us - especially in times of uncertainty, anxiety and hardship. There will be events centered around diving deep into your most creative self. The design winners are chosen by popular vote so here is your chance to have your voice heard and counted. Feel free to share with friends! I would so appreciate your help and input to make this our best to date. If any of these intimidate you - please keep in mind that I teach you how to knit and crochet each style from start to finish in an online class that is yours forever. Last fall, many knitters tackled their first sweater ever!  More photos below too :)

Spring 2023 Knitalong Design Survey

Option #1: Sunnyside Shawl by Cheryl Kubat

Embrace your inner Stevie Nicks and wrap yourself in a statement shawl with Cheryl Kubat's latest design. This oversized and lightweight triangle shawl is simple to knit and super beginner friendly. The piece de resistance are those appliqué flowers added throughout. Placement and color is up to you. Let the ends hang out for a more free vibe and don't forget the statement fringe! The yarn is our newest, lightest yarn, Spun Cloud Light. If you're curious about where the name came from for this one, check out the song Sunny Side of Heaven by Fleetwood Mac. It's a goodie!

Option #2: Enchanted Cardi by Laurel Gervitz

Take your knitting to new heights with this stunning design. The Enchanted Cardi is a knit using a tuck stitch but with Laurel's unique twist on it! You will use increases and decreases to shape the waist area which creates beautiful and intricate looking design lines. I love a good puff sleeve and if you do too, then is the design for you! Laurel came up with three different sleeve options for you to choose from if your love of puff isn't quite a level ten: a straight short sleeve option (green sample), mini puff short sleeve option (mustard sample) and a puffed long sleeve option (light blue sample). This design calls for our Serenity boucle yarn.

Option 3: Faye Fringe Bag by Anna Skala

In Anna Skala's first ever design for us, she's created the ultimate statement bag. She uses a tightly knit linen stitch to achieve a structured bag. It's ideal for beginners or anyone who's happy place is getting into a juicy creative zone and just playing with color and texture. You'll need our Spun Cloud, Daisy Chain and a Wildflower Mini Kit to make this one.

Option 4: Everyday Yay Cardi by Laurel Gervitz

The Everyday Yay Cardi is your go to cardi to wear over just about everything in your closet! Knit from the top down with a raglan construction, it's simple to knit and stunning to wear. This pattern comes with two options - add your own cross stitch embroidery or just leave it blank and go solid. This design is knit with our Spun Cloud yarn, embroidery in Wildflower.

Option 5: Wisteria Wrap by Emma Janet

The Wisteria Wrap is a stunning shawl knit in brioche and designed by Emma Janet of @bloom.create. Emma has collaborated with us before but never as a designer. Her debut design is such a beauty and just oozes Emma style in the best possible way. The crisp brioche lines create an undulating wavy pattern throughout the shawl that give it a sense of movement. There are so many ways to style this beauty. If you've never tried brioche before this might just be the time to learn and master it! You'll mix our cotton Wildflower yarn with our Serenity boucle in this design. 

Option 6: Happy Hexi Sweater by Cheryl Kubat

Wearable art meets boho chic with this happy geometric beauty. You'll learn how to knit hexagons and master short rows too! This design combines Spun Cloud and our Wildflower Mini Skein Sampler Kits.

Option 7: Bee Kind Sweater by Laurel Gervitz

Learn a new stitch and make yourself an elevated basic with the Bee Kind Sweater. This design is a drop shoulder sweater, worked from the bottom up entirely in a bee stitch pattern using a mix of yarns. The combination of different weights of yarn creates a more open stitch, perfect for warmer weather. You'll work and mix our Spun Cloud, Wildflower and Serenity yarns together here.

Option 8: Dumpling Crochet Bag by Vanessa Reyes

Meet the Dumpling Bag designed by Vanessa Reyes! Crochet yourself the sweetest bag around in our Wildflower yarn. I especially love the shoulder strap and all the hardware details. If you've never crocheted this would be the perfect project to learn!

Option 9: Florabunda Cardi by Cheryl Kubat

The Florabunda is a simple knit cardi with your choice of flower embellishments or not! Designer Cheryl Kubat added a zipper to this to give it a sporty edge. Added bonus, you learn how to add zips to your garments. This design is knit sideways in a simple garter stitch and easy to wear cardi silhouette. It calls for our Spun Cloud Light yarn.

Option 10: Bonfire Shawl by Annie Lupton

The Bonfire Shawl pattern by Annie Lupton is a forever favorite here at Knit Collage. This time around we've changed the gauge and made it in fresh new yarns. This is a perfect shawl for learning double increase techniques and the picot edge bind off. Nothing beats it's drape too! You'll use our Daisy Chain and Serenity yarns as well as a worsted weight yarn of your choice. We love the organic wool option from Handspun Hope and used that here. 

Option 11: Briar Rose Sweater by Vanessa Reyes

The Briar Rose Sweater is just about everything you could dream of in a sweater! The construction is completely unique and a blast to make because it's so atypical. Best of all, this design is wearable art. Make it your own with a colorway that speaks to you. This design is a mix of crochet and knitting and calls for a mix of our Spun Cloud Light, Serenity and Wildflower Mini Skein Sampler Kit. You are guaranteed to learn something new with this stunner!

Option 12: Botanical Mini Pillow by Laurel Gervitz

The Botanical Mini Pillow is a twist on a design we knit last make-along. It's a MINI version of our giant floor pillow pattern. The mini size is perfect for on a couch or a your bed! It is knit from the center out. You'll learn how to do read charts and knit this gorgeous floral lace pattern.

Option 13: The Maisie Crochet Cardi by Jo Wadler

Last but definitely not least is the Maisie Crochet Cardi. This design by Jo Wadler is an ode to our shared love of granny squares. I love how this cardi feels reminiscent of a vintage crochet afghan but turned on its head and made into a sweater! Add in the modern twist in our yarns and these colors and, boom welcome to one show stopping cardi. LOVE!

Thank you so much for letting me know your faves! I so hope you'll vote and if you feel called to, join me in the upcoming MAL (make-along!). To be the first to know about the MAL, sign up for updates here.  I'd also love to hear from you in the comments below. What peaks your interest? Would you make more than one? I'll be doing ALL of them and would so love to have you join me!

Big hugs,

Amy