Whether you’re a total novice or you’ve been knitting and purling for years, there’s never a better time to grab your favorite needles and yarn, because we’ve got all the insights on the hottest knitting trends you can pick up today. The yarn experts at Lion Brand put together a 2022 Culture Report that dives into the latest knitting trends, and we’ve got all the how-to knowledge and project inspiration to help you get started.
Space Dyes
Space-dyed yarn— skeins that are dyed multiple colors, often in the same color family—are having a major moment right now. Lion Brand reports that there were more new releases of space-dyed yarn in 2021 than ever before, due to the popularity of the trend.
At-Home Comforts
It’s been two full years since the pandemic started, which means we’ve gotten comfortable working from home and spending a lot more time in our living rooms. Even now that restrictions have lifted, we’ve still found ourselves staying in more often—so it makes sense that Lion Brand is reporting an uptick in comfort projects. Soft blankets and cozy sweaters double as a challenging knitting project and cozy addition to the new WFH lifestyle. Try making an arm-knitted chunky blanket for your next night of binge-watching on the couch.
Nostalgia
Textile crafts like knitting, crochet, and needlework are often passed down through the generations (I learned to knit from my grandma!) so the hobby already has a nostalgia factor for many. And now, nostalgic patterns (like Granny squares) are making a comeback among designers and crafters alike.
Community Connections
What was once an individual craft, knitting has become a group activity in recent years. After a friend signed up for a group knitting class, a few of my girlfriends decided to pick up the hobby again and start a virtual knitting club. We all chose different yarns and patterns, and we all tune into a weekly FaceTime date each week for a designated hour of knitting and gossip as we work on our scarves, sweaters, and blankets.
Knitting Apps
If you don’t have a local knitting class or group to attend, download a knitting app. Popularized during the pandemic, apps like Knitrino—an online knitting community started by two sisters to help people find patterns and learn new skills—make it easy to connect with other crafters and knitters from anywhere in the world.
Temperature Blankets
This popular craft trend is one of our favorites because it’s easy for beginners and experienced knitters alike. The idea is simple: Each day of the year knit one row in a color that corresponds to the weather outside. Since it’s just one row a day, it’s a nice way to brush up on the basics or master a new stitch you’ve been wanting to learn. If you need inspiration, there are more than 54,000 posts tagged with #temperatureblanket on Instagram right now.
Florals
Florals for spring? Groundbreaking! While we love a fresh bouquet, more sustainable alternatives to real flowers are definitely “in” right now—especially after the athletes at the Winter Olympics were given cashmere bouquets instead of fresh blooms. Whether you knit a colorful bouquet or simply incorporate a flower design into your next knit sweater or blanket, florals are a pretty way to add color to any pattern.
