Finished Knit How? What Now?
So, you’ve finished Knit How. Great! What now? Well, we’ve put together a list of designs from past issues of Pom Pom Quarterly which we think make perfect projects for the Knit How graduate! We also invite more experienced knitters in search of a comfort project to use this list. No judgement here! The majority of the Pom Pom team identify as seasoned knitters, and we often look to simpler patterns for ‘TV knitting’, for gift knits, or even as a palette cleanser between more complex knitting projects.
For the patterns listed below, you’ll need to know knit stitch, purl stitch, how to increase, decrease, cast-on and cast-off, and pick up stitches – techniques covered in our learn-to-knit book. To help add another strand of yarn to your bow, we’re challenging you by including some simple colourwork designs here. Let us know how you get on by uploading an FO (finished object) photo to Instagram and tagging us in it, or by using a pattern’s unique hashtag (see below) or #PomProject in your post’s caption!
From Issue 37...
Picidae by Allison Lutes (left): Much like the Rachel Socks from Knit How, Picidae is worked from the top (cuff) down! If this is your first attempt at colourwork charts, it's a good place to start as the pattern repeats are small and easily memorisable. To ensure your stripes below the cuff and above the toe remain jogless, watch this jogless stripes tutorial before you start! #PicidaeSocks
Passerine by Chloe Elizabeth Birch (right): There's lots of straight stockinette stitch in this bottom-up raglan pullover! The slightly more intricate sleeves are worked separately so you can build your confidence by working the main body first. #PasserinePullover
From Issue 36...
Dayspring by Ainur Berkimbayeva (left): The usual thing about this pullover is that it's worked from sleeve to sleeve rather than top down / bottom up, but the techniques involved won't be unfamiliar to a confident beginner-intermediate knitter! #DayspringDolman
Paper Houses by Chantal Belisle (right): This duster / cape / blanket mash-up is comprised of 48 different triangles, so you'll be a pro at increasing and decreasing by the time you've finished this project. The armhole construction will require a little concentration, but rest assured that there's rows upon rows of simple knitting here! #PaperHousesDuster
From Issue 35...
Chromophore by Thien-Kieu Lam (top): The pattern walks you through how to create the fade you see here, so no need to worry about that! There may be some new-to-you decrease stitches in this pattern, but there are also lots of basic stitches to balance out the new ones. #ChromophoreWrap
Kinship by Olga Buraya-Kefelian & Stephen West (bottom): It's slipped stitches which make up Kinship's pattern, so you're getting a big visual reward for a small amount of work! This pattern might not be overly complex, but it's a long one. So settle in and enjoy the rhythm of knitting and slipping! #KinshipShawl
From Issue 34…
Naea by Malia Mae Joseph (top left): Don’t be put off by the complex-looking pattern! For the most part, the honeycomb motif is created by knit and purl stitches, with a 2/2 cable repeat – a technique you’ll be familiar with from the Fiona Scarf in Knit How (a 3/3 cable design)! #NaeaScarf
Nestledown by Armenuhi Avanian (top right): We love this tunic for its simple, top-down raglan construction – great practise for our forthcoming raglan jumper book! What makes Nestledown extra special is the beautiful lace pattern on the neck, cuffs, and lower hem. You’ll need to work from a chart for these sections, but as you can see, there’s lots of simple stockinette stitch which outweighs the slightly fiddlier parts! #NestledownTunic
Yuan Yue by Tiffany Wong (bottom left): This ao is knitted in pieces and seamed together at the end, which is ideal if you want to break your knitting into smaller sections. The circles are created by either knitting or purling, depending if you’re working the RS or the WS. The most taxing thing is slipping the last stitch of every row, but these stitches will help you when it comes to seaming the ao together! #YuanYueAo
Celestite by Isabel Alé (bottom right): the trickiest part of this pattern is the tubular cast-off, but don’t worry, we’re here to steady your needles every step of the way as the instructions for this technique are included in the pages of PPQ34. The colourwork rounds are separated by plain stockinette stitch rounds, so some sections will require a little concentration, but your mind can wander during others. #CelestiteSocks
From Issue 33…
Sunwake by Wencke Pertermann: If you can knit the Madeline Cowl from Knit How, we’re sure you’ll manage the lace repeats here no problem! The length of Sunwake is easily adjustable by adding or removing rows from the stockinette stitch section before beginning Chart A! #SunwakeCrop
From Issue 32…
Chapman by Meghan Fernandes: The pattern of the scarf is created with a short and manageable repeat. The airy gauge means it’ll knit up quick! #ChapmanWrap
From Issue 31…
Hypsometry by Claire Walls: This hat comes with three brim options, so you can select the variation which best suits the level of challenge you desire! The colourwork is achieved using the slipped stitch technique, which means you’re only ever working with one yarn at a time. #HypsometryHat
From Issue 30…
Trove by Emma Ducher (top): Don’t let the colourwork deceive you – much like Hypsometry above, the little shards of colour are achieved with slip stitch colourwork. #TrovePullover
Timbre by Meghan Fernandes (bottom): Perfect if you’re new to cable needles! Surprisingly, the elegant look is achieved using only three cable rounds – woah! You’re always knitting with two yarns held together here, but don’t panic as the pattern calls for aran and lace mohair. The delicate, thin quality of the lace mohair means that it’s not too fiddly to hold and knit both yarns simultaneously. #TimbreHat
From Issue 29…
Argil by Clare Lakewood (top): The stripe pattern is relatively simple, it’s the construction which is a little bit of a challenge! We encourage you to read the pattern in full before casting on, so you’re clear on which part of the tank you’re knitting at any given time! #ArgilTank
Rookwood by Rachael Reese (bottom): A dreamy dance of garter stitch and lace! Don’t be put off by the lace panels – if you can slip stitches and create yarn overs then you’ll fly though the more intricate-looking sections. #RookwoodShawl
From Issue 28…
Woodwardia by Lydia Gluck: A great introduction to raglan shaping. With a worsted-weight yarn, this pullover knits up in no time. This issue has sold out in print, but the pattern for Woodwardia is available in Ready Set Raglan, along with other beautifully simple pullover patterns. #WoodwardiaPullover
From Issue 26…
Skymap by Emily Foden: It’s the embroidery which makes this design appear complex! Rounds and rounds and rounds and rounds of stockinette stitch make up this wrap, along with two faux seams. Perfect TV knitting! Love the tassels you see? Check out our 'Make a Tassel' tutorial! #SkymapWrap
From Issue 25…
Herrera by Paula Pereira (left): The instructions for this knitted tee talk you through short row shaping in a lucid and digestible way. The colourwork waves are made with simple increases and decreases, and the pattern’s cast-on and cast-off methods add delightful detail to the design, but these techniques are spaced between lots of simple stockinette stitch. #HerreraTop
Deauville by Tina Tse (right): Illusion knitting techniques are built into the horizontal stripe rounds, creating the appearance of additional vertical stripes with minimal effort. #DeauvilleTank
From Issue 24…
Postmark by Ana Campos: A great pattern to learn Judy’s Magic Cast-On method – a common toe-up sock cast-on. #PostmarkSocks
From Issue 23…
Dipyramid by Emily Greene (left): If you’re confident knitting in the round but are yet to venture into the world of stranded colourwork, then this pattern is for you! The colourwork involves two colours and following a chart, but the pattern emerges so clearly that we think it’s a great place to start. #DipyramidHat
Tabular by Maja Möller (right): Plenty of rhythmic stockinette stitch and the garment grows in a really satisfying way. The construction is a little unusual, as all the segments are knitted individually, but this means you can break the pattern down into manageable, bite-size chunks. If you’re not experienced in picking up stitches, you will be after you’ve finished Tabular. #TabularPullover
From Issue 21…
Knees Up by Juju Vail: We think this sock pattern is an ideal step up from the Rachel Sock in Knit How. It involves knitting with different weight yarns, a simple rib pattern, and twisted stitches. #KneesUpSocks
From Issue 1…
We re-booted Issue 1 in 2017, which is why it sometimes appears next to Issue 21!
Netherton Pullover by Lydia Gluck (left): Netherton makes for a great first top-down jumper. There’s a touch of detail to challenge more confident knitters, but it’s a lovely pattern to learn about jumper construction and shaping. #NethertonPullover
Skipworth by Meghan Fernandes (right): Lots of juicy garter stitch! If you can knit and purl, you’ll fly though this pattern in no time. #SkipworthMitts
From Issue 18…
Kaali by Fiona Alice (top): If you’ve mastered the long-tail cast-on, then these mitts could be a good next step! After the backwards loop cast-on, the colourwork is achieved with slipped stitches. #KaaliMitts
Tannins by Sally Oakley (bottom): The criss-cross stitch pattern is created by a two row repeat. Once you have this memorised you’re good to go. Through this pattern you’ll also learn how to make tassels, oh my! #TanninsScarf
From Issue 17…
Trailbreeze by Courtney Cedarholm (left): This tank has a fairly simple construction but with some added dramatic flair which is simpler than you think, trust us! #TrailbreezeTop
Vaara by Sachiko Burgin (right): A knitted tee which is essential for any summer wardrobe! The broken rib and I-cord finish can be a little fiddly, but they make such a lovely finish that it’s well worth the effort! #VaaraTee
From Issue 15…
Cicely by Jemima Bicknell (left): Worked in pieces and seamed together at the end, meaning that there are lots of lessons to be learned about pullover construction. The pattern also includes a handy trick for incorporating beads into your knitting – fancy that! #CicelySweater
Carlu by Kiyomi Burgin (right): Lots of nice and simple stockinette stitch, building up to the stranded colourwork yoke at the end. All the info you need for the colourwork finale is in the patten instructions. You can do it! #CarluSweater
From Issue 14…
Pianissimo by Thien-Kieu Lam: This scarf uses a short cable repeat for some sections, but not all! The pattern repeat is easily memorisable once you get into the swing of it, making this a meditative knit. #PianissimoScarf
From Issue 10…
Seyella by Sarah Heys (left): Much like Sky Map in Issue 26, it’s the embroidery which gives these gloves the ‘WOW factor’! If you can tackle the Rosa Mitts from Knit How, we’re confident that knitting Seyella will be no problem. #SeyellaMitts
Arionette by Wencke Pertermann (right): These socks are less complex than they appear! We think they are a good introduction to colourwork, as you’re only ever holding one colour at a time. #ArionetteSocks
From Issue 6…
Vermeil by Wencke Pertermann: The impressiveness of a cable pattern without faffing with an extra needle! #VermeilScarf
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Woah, our style has changed a lot throughout our publication history, and we hope there’s something here which appeals to you! We’ve got our fingers crossed that this list of patterns from Pom Pom Quarterly is helpful on your knitting journey. Keep your eye out for a similar post featuring the more accessible patterns from Pom Pom Press publications. For now, happy knitting! xx