What I want to make in 2024
A stash-busting Ravelry queue
I’ve gone on the record on my main Substack With Love from London about how much I enjoy the fresh start that a new year brings me. I enjoy the possibility of it, and also the chance to start again.
This year, I’ve decided to start injecting some serious “finishing” energy into my knitting. I’ve long been a Ravelry user, but I’ve only ever half used it to record projects and make sure I remember what size I’m meant to be knitting if I’ve put a project down for a number of weeks. This year I’ve decided to embrace Ravelry more fully and start actually queueing my projects and stashing my yarn. I’m hoping that this will keep me on track and actually making the projects I set out for myself rather than just knitting on vibes.
To that end, last week I went through and organized my queue, pairing projects with stash yarn in the spirit of my stash-busting year. Below is a look at what is currently on my needles as well as the projects I have queued up for a great knitting year in 2024.
Works in Progress
(To read more about my current WIPs, you can also read my last post.)
From left to right: Hiedra Mitts by Fiber Tales, Wearing Cardigan by Donna Smith Designs, Oaken Shawl by Tin Can Knits
Pattern designer: Fiber Tales
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Camel (1961)
Intended for: Me
Notes: This yarn was intended for another set of gloves that I frogged.
Wearing Cardigan (with modifications)
Pattern designer: Donna Smith Designs
Yarn: Langsoond Double Knit in Clod (2020 clip)
Intended for: Dad
Notes: This is the one knit I have in my basket right now that actually has a deadline of late February.
Pattern designer: Tin Can Knits
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops Karisma in Wicked
Intended for: Me
Notes: This is my 2024 buddy knit with my sister who is on Instagram as @IShouldStitchThat.
L to R: Olive Cardigan by Pernille Larsen (Knitting for Olive), Moby Slipover by PetiteKnit
Pattern designer: Pernille Larsen (Knitting for Olive)
Yarn: Knitting for Olive Merino in Dusty Aqua held double with two strands of Knitting for Olive Soft Silk Mohair in Dusty Aqua
Intended for: Me
Pattern designer: PetiteKnit
Yarn: De Rerum Natura Ulysses in Pavot
Intended for: Me
Notes: This has been languishing at the bottom of my knitting bag after getting a lot of attention at the beginning of casting on. I need to revamp it after I finish the Wearing Cardigan for my dad.
In the queue
L to R: Heidra Headband by Fiber Tales, Bonnie Isle Hat by Linda Shearer, Snow Fern Fingerless Mitts by Kalurah Hudson
Pattern designer: Fiber Tales
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Camel (1961)
Intended for: Me
Notes: To go with the Hiedra Mitts that I have on my needles right now!
Pattern designer: Linda Shearer
Yarn: Jamison’s of Shetland Spindthrift in Oxford, Stonewash, Dove, Natural White, and Granite
Intended for: The Gentleman (my husband)
Notes: I bought this yarn after going to Shetland Wool Week in 2022, and it has been languishing in the back of my cabinet for too long.
Pattern designer: Kalurah Hudson
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops Karisma in Wicked
Intended for: Me
Notes: This is the second of three (!) Drops Karisma in Wicked projects that I have on this queue as I attempt to use this yarn up. I was gifted it for Christmas after I asked for it but then changed my mind about using it for the jumper I’d intended to make. This means I have more than 1,000 yards to use and, up until last week, no idea how I was going to use it.
L to R: Umbria Summer Top by Cookie the Knitter and Scarpiegert Cardigan by Donna Smith Designs
Pattern designer: Cookie the Knitter
Yarn: Knitting for Olive Pure Silk in Wheat
Intended for: Me
Notes: I am on a quest to figure out how to incorporate knitting into my summer wardrobe. Living in the UK where summer can be everything from 15 to 40 degrees these days certainly gives me some range for my knitting, but I thought working in silk would give me the most flexibility.
Pattern designer: Donna Smith Designs
Yarn: Langsoond Double Knit in Keksie
Intended for: Me
Notes: I made myself a Wearing Cardigan and have long had my eye on this as a more fitted alternative.
L to R: Classic Pleated Tea Cozy, Winding Way, and Color Palette Socks
Pattern designer: Patons
Yarn: King Cole Luxury Merino DK in Merlot and Midnight Blue
Intended for: Our household
Notes: This yarn is leftover from a cricket jumper I made for Dad during the second lockdown here in the UK. Given how much tea The Gentleman and I drink, it should be a welcome addition to the household.
Pattern designer: Tin Can Knits
Yarn: Eden Cottage Yarns Hayton 4ply in Sand
Intended for: Me
Notes: This is the year I try socks, and what better way to start than with this gorgeous hand-dyed wool? I’d originally bought it for a vintage pattern but realized there is letter more tedious to me than alternating skeins to account for differences in hand-dyed yarn. To that end, I have a ton of this wool and will try to use it up making socks, small accessories, and possibly trading with my sister because one woman can only use so much peach wool at once.
Pattern designer: Laura Moorats
Yarn: Lichen and Lace 1ply Superwash Merino Fingering in Beach Glass, Linen, Pewter, and Silver Fox
Intended for: Me
Notes: This yarn is leftover from Steven West’s Winter Lights Shawl. It was too good to get rid of, so I kept it and I think these color-changing socks should be perfect for using it up.
L to R: Sunday Morning Shawl by Espace Tricot, Holly Sweater by Pernille Larsen (Knitting for Olive), and Apiarist Cowl by Claire Bouchardt
Pattern designer: Espace Tricot
Yarn: Malibrigo Yarn Rios in Fresco y seco
Intended for: Me
Notes: I originally ordered this beautiful green yarn to make the Andra scarf from Melanie Rice, but it was lost in the post. I contacted the seller and was sent a replacement in a sunny golden yellow. By the time I had casted that on, this green magically showed up and it has been waiting for a project ever since.
Pattern designer: Pernille Larsen (Knitting for Olive)
Yarn: Not purchased yet
Intended for: Me
Notes: This is the one exception to my “already own it” or stash-busting rule this year. My sister makes a Christmas jumper every year, and after seeing this adorable one on the Knitting for Olive website, I thought it would be the perfect thing to invest in. (Remind me I said this when I’m casting on in the heat at the end of August.)
Pattern designer: Claire Borchardt
Yarn: Garnstudio Drops Karisma in Wicked
Intended for: Me
Notes: If there is any more Drops Karisma left after the Oaken shawl and the Snow Fern Fingerless Mitts, this is where it will go…
And that’s it! It’s a pretty ambitious queue considering I have a habit of wandering away from my knitting around May and not picking it up again until September, but I’m hoping that a mix of small projects and the novelty of knitting that summer-weight Umbria top in silk will keep me motivated in the warmer months.
Please leave me a comment and let me know what you have on needles or in your queue!
I am starting on my second Beatnik by Norah Gaughn - it's my very favorite hand knit and I get a ton of compliments on the first version. I love your list - and a good idea to set some goals!
I enjoyed reading this and you have some lovely projects queued! Well done for organising and I found it inspirational. I love The Sunday Morning Shawl and have yarn for it, it looks a perfect relaxing knit.