That Stitching Time of Year

Despite the odd ups and downs of the weather (there's snow on the ground now, but it's also supposed to get up to the 50s by the weekend before turning cold, again), this is the time of year when our fiber work seems to take center stage. While fall begins the season of "sweater weather," snowfall almost demands we take some time to relax, brew up strong cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa, cozy up, and play with fiber.

The best part is that there are so many great patterns out there. A friend and I have been talking about how lately there seems to have been an explosion of amazing patterns out there. Thumbing through Instagram and Ravelry can give you a sense of just how amazing this season's patterns have been.

Where the 2020 trend was basic and often cropped, the plethora of patterns that seem to have caught people's eyes lately are dominated by tunics, intricate lace or cables, fun colorwork, and so very many ways to luxuriate in texture and color. The predominate desire is to expand, explore, and play, and I, for one, am totally here for it!

From knitwear to crocheted projects, Tunisian crochet to mixed techniques, people have been gravitating towards patterns that ask more of them, require that the YouTube different techniques, swatch when maybe they never swatched before, and really progress in their stitch/weave-craft in ways that they might not have done before. It's really a great time to be involved with fiber, especially with so many lesser-known designers really stepping up and offering truly amazing patterns.

So this week, I challenge you to find something that will allow you to grow and play and stretch your fiber work. And really, just have a lot of fun!