An Introduction to Pom Pom Press
Did you know that Pom Pom publishes books in addition to the quarterly magazine? If not, let us introduce you to Pom Pom Press (hello again if you already knew about us 👋🏽)! During the summer, we published ‘Finished Knit How? What Now?’, a blog post which lists all the easier patterns within the magazine which are appropriate for the Knit How graduate, or for a more experienced knitter in need of a comfort project. Well, this blog post does a similar thing but for the books published by Pom Pom Press!
Below you can browse the simpler knitting patterns from our book-length publications – enjoy! We’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the biggest and best personalities in the knitting world, and this is reflected in our books as well as in our quarterly mag!
From Embody by Jacqueline Cieslack...
Embody: A Capsule Collection to Knit and Sew is Jacqui's debut book and we couldn't be prouder to publish it! At the core of Embody are three patterns - two knitting, one sewing - which can be customised in up to twenty five different ways to make it easy to create the capsule wardrobe of your dreams!
Deren Tee (right): This pattern is worked slightly differently to other patterns published by Pom Pom Press. The pattern instructions function more like an equation, whereby you have to fill in the blanks with the numbers which align to the size you're working. The techniques required aren't complex (and Jacqui provides technique tutorials in video form) but this way of working a pattern may require some additional concentration! #DerenSweater
Woolfolk Tee (left): A sewing pattern! If you're new to sewing or looking to get into the craft, Embody is a great place to start! According to Jacqui, if you can sew a pillowcase, you'll be able to tackle this top. Remember that the paper PDFs of the sewing patterns aren't included, so you'll need to print these separately. You can read more about that here. #WoolforkPattern
From Ready Set Raglan...
Ready Set Raglan follows on from our hugely successful learn-to-knit book, Knit How. The eight patterns within this book are designed to empower the Knit How graduate, encouraging them to experiment with this classic pullover construction method. We think all eight patterns are appropriate for a newbie knitter, but we believe that there's something here for the seasoned knitter, too, as the book contains information on how to choose colour combinations effectively, and how to create your own design down the faux seem of the raglan pullover! You can see all the patterns here!
From Knits About Winter by Emily Foden…
This book celebrates the quiet magic of cold weather and snowy landscapes. Out of the 13 patterns in Emily’s collection, we think 7 of them are appropriate if you’re a beginner knitter. Knits About Winter is beloved among the Pom team. Between us, we’ve made nearly all the patterns (Lydia has made 10+ pairs of Snowshoe Socks in the same number of weeks!), and we’re confident you’ll treasure this book, too!
Interchangeable Mitten Liners (top left): Plain and simple! These are very similar to the Rosa Mitts from Knit How, but you’re using a different weight yarn! #KAWMittenLiners
Snowshoe Socks (top right): The cosiest socks you’ll make! This classic sock pattern is wonderful for using up yarn left over from other projects. You’re knitting with 2 4ply yarns held together, so a pair of Snowshoe Socks knit up super quick – perfect for last minute gift knitting! #SnowshoeSocks
Favourite Socks (bottom left): They’re Emily’s favourite for a reason! This take on the classic sock includes customisable pattern instructions, so you can choose exactly how you want your socks to fit. Maybe you like an extra-long ribbed section, or perhaps you prefer a snug arch? Either way, this pattern has you covered! #EmilysFavouriteSocks
Soirée (bottom right): Such beauty! You’ll have had practise following charts and knitting cables from projects in Knit How, so we’re confident you’ll be able to manage this sweater, no problem! #SoireeSweater
Persephone (top left): Much like the Rosa Mitts from Knit How, Persephone is knit from the cuff-up. These mitts are a wonderful way to step-up your knitting game from our learn-to-knit book, as the seed stitch pattern and folded picot cuff will require a bit of extra needle work. We recommend that you wear the Mitten Liners under Persephone – the colour of your liners will peep through the seed stitch lace! #PersephoneMittens
Skyhill Mitts (top right) & Skyhill Hat (bottom): We love coordinated hats and mittens! The three-dimensional lines are created using slip stitches (which some people say are even easier than stocking stitch)! For those of you looking to expand your knitting techniques, both patterns come with optional delightful details, such as the bobbles on the gloves and a tassel on the hat. #SkyhillMittens #SkyhillHat
From Take Heart: A Transatlantic Knitting Journey by Fiona Alice
This book captured our – yep, you guessed it – hearts as it was the first book we ever published back in 2015! All 11 patterns within this book are inspired by places which are significant to Fiona in either Britain or Canada, and we think the following 5 are very achievable for the Knit How graduate. We just love travelling via our knitting!
Chester Basin Hat & Chester Basin Mittens (left): A darling duo! We love this fun yet classic ‘corn on the cob’ pattern, created with slipped stitches. What a dream! #ChesterBasinMittens #ChesterBasinHat
Queensland Beach (top right): This headband may require learning a new cast-on method: the provisional cast-on! This cast-on will give the headband a lovely polished finish. It’s a technique used in many intermediate-level knitting patterns, so well worth learning! #QueenslandBeachHeadband
Take Heart (middle right): Is there anything more satisfying than watching a cable pattern grow?! You’ll be familiar with cables from projects such as the Fiona Scarf in Knit How. This design may be a little fiddlier than Fiona’s chunky cable pattern, but we think it’s worth it for a beautiful heart-motif hat! #TakeHeartHat
Three Cliffs (bottom right): The perfect first shawl! If you can knit, purl, and slip stitches then you’re good to go! #ThreeCliffsWrap
From Wool Journey by Stephen West, Malia Mae Joseph, Amber Platzer Corcoran, and Jaime Jennings…
Woah, if this isn’t a dream team then we don’t know what is! The patterns within Wool Journey are inspired by the trip Stephen, Malia, Amber, Jaime, and Ysolda Teague took to Shetland, Scotland. All the patterns featured are knitted in Shetland-based yarn, of course!
Hellik (left): This is a very forgiving shawl. In the words of Stephen, “Stitch counts are not vitally important as the entire shawl is worked in garter stitch. If you are missing a few increase stitches, you can sneak them in at the edge.” We do love an ‘ish’! #HellikShawl
Eshaness (top right): Easier than it looks, we promise! Whether you decide to make your Eshaness using two colours or four, you’ll only ever be knitting with 2 colours at any one time. #EshanessHat
Aith (bottom right): These leg warmers are knitted in the round from the ankle up, so you can adjust the width to fit your calves as you knit. The colourwork is created with a 6-stitch repeat, so you’ll have this memorised in no time. #AithLegWarmers
From Interpretations Vol.5 by Joji Locatelli and Veera Välimäki…
Interpretations not only celebrates the craft of knitting, but also the friendship between Joji and Veera. For each volume of Interpretations, the two knitting designers choose a selection of words and design one pattern based on their interpretation of each word. The words at the centre of Interpretations Vol.5 are bliss, ground, shelter, movement, explore, & rough.
Anemone (top): Such a fun asymmetrical tee! Simple knitting and purling is interspersed with a few more complex techniques, such as wrap and turn (W&T) and backwards loop cast-on. Wrap and turn is a technique for creating short-rows which can be found in knitted garments which require shaping across the chest. They are used to create a better fit at the neck, and also to work the heels of socks. A backwards loop cast-on is often used when a pattern calls for you to cast on more stitches in the middle of a row, under the arm, or at the edge of your work. You can find Pom Pom's tutorial for this style of cast-on here. #AnemoneTop
Glacier Tunic (bottom left): The increases for this tunic are similar to Tabular from PPQ23, which is listed in ‘Finished Knit How? What Now?’, but as you can see, rhythmic stocking stitch makes up this tunic. #GlacierTunic
Reflection Shawl (bottom right): Lots of ribbing and garter stitch, with some short rows thrown in for good measure! #ReflectionShawl
From Interpretations Vol.6 by Joji Locatelli and Veera Välimäki…
In Vol.6, Joji and Veera reflect on their 6 years of publishing the Interpretations series. The tone of this book is slightly more introspective than their previous volumes, and fittingly their chosen words are: courage, silence, rapture, glee, connection, and scale. As ever, Vol.6 contains the beautiful patterns and thoughtful writing which knitters have come to expect from these talented designers!
Understated Sweater (top left): Beautiful in its simplicity! We’re confident that this will become one of your wardrobe staples that you’ll return to again and again. #UnderstatedSweater
Moonlight Socks (bottom left): Aaaah, a pair of lace socks! Like the Rachel socks from Knit How, these socks are knitted from the cuff down. The lace pattern is only worked on the front panel of the sock, which means you only have to concentrate half the time! 😜 #MoonlightSocks
Hidden Sweater (right): The lovely yoke you see is created by twisted ribbing. If you can knit in a rib pattern, you can certainly knit in a twisted rib pattern – to twist the stitches, you knit them through the back loop instead of the front. After the yoke it’s all plain sailing stocking stitch! #HiddenSweater
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We hope these pattern suggestions will help you on your knitting journey! If you're after an abundance of patterns to knit, Ready Set Raglan, Knits About Winter and Take Heart stand out as books with the most options for the beginner knitter, but maybe you've been inspired by one of the other books instead! Share your projects with us so that we can cheer you on! You can tag us on Instagram, send a photo to us in a DM, or we'll see it if you use the hashtag #pomproject in your caption. As always, happy crafting!
Love, Pom Pom xx