Beautiful knitting ideas and elegant knitted accessories

You know how it is: when life gets crazy, time on the needles is a precious commodity. But one that is also incredibly beneficial, comforting and distracting. And as we are fast approaching the end of this wild year, the Christmas season is fast approaching and with it perhaps a suitable knitting project or two.

For all of you - including me - who want to celebrate the holidays with the right wardrobe, I have something sweet for you: Knitting for Olive has published the pattern for the Snow Sweater, this year's Christmas model for children aged between one and ten.

It is knitted from the top down with a circular yoke. The winter landscape is a real eye-catcher and immediately makes me think of cozy winter days. Snow gently falling on fir trees - is there anything more beautiful? I don't think so!

In the knitting set you will find Merino and Soft Silk Mohair from Knitting for Olive, the original color combination is preset for you. If you don't want to knit mohair, you can also use Compatible Cashmere from Knitting for Olive. Here you would only have to adjust the shade of green in Merino. Please email us at "support@maschenfein.de" if you need help with the colors and quantities.

Anyone thinking: Christmas sweaters only for children? What about me? I hear you! Very clearly! My dream is a knitted Christmas wardrobe for the whole family. I may have watched too many Hallmark christmas movies, but so be it! By the way, Knitting for Olive has a similar feel and of course also has an adult version up its sleeve. Too beautiful! Of course, we have also created the set for you (and the pattern will also be published in German). I would also like to take this opportunity to recommend our newsletter to you again. The next issue will be very christmassy - you won't want to miss it! You can easily subscribe here.

When I'm out on my morning bike ride to daycare and kindergarden, I'm happy about the beautiful fall weather. It's cool, but not yet icy and the sun is shining on my face. Sharon Maninger, aka kleinigkeitenliebe, is someone who always manages to capture this mood.

Sharon just takes such incredibly atmospheric photos. Whether it's of her family, her house, her knitwear designs or her garden - I always want to invite myself in for a coffee and enjoy them too. So I couldn't pass up her latest designs - a poncho for big and small.

Both designs are knitted in rows in a beautiful lace pattern. At a certain height, you form the neckline by binding off and picking up new stitches. At the end, sew an edge using kitchener stitch and finish by knitting a neckband. At this point, I would like to recommend our new knit-ledge, where you will find so many helpful tips and tricks.

The most important difference in the ponchos is the yarn: the children's model is knitted with Poppy from Sandnes, but you could also use Kos (also from Sandnes) or Snefnug from CaMaRose. The design is intended for people up to approx. 130 cm tall.

Following Sharon's recommendation, we made the women's version with Léttlopi from Ístex, a pure Icelandic virgin wool yarn. The finished model therefore has a more robust look and feel. The one size fits all up to a chest circumference of 160 cm.

For all those who find this type of yarn too rustic, I have a nice alternative: Anne Ventzel has just published a new cardigan model. The Spot Cardigan complements the sweater of the same name and is knitted in the round from the top down. Yes, you read that right! You are knitting a sweater first, which is then cut open at the end. This may not be for the faint-hearted, but on the other hand it's not rocket science either. All you have to do is banish all "disruptive factors" such as children, partners and pets from the living room and get to work in peace. You can also find tips on steeking in our knit-ledge section.

In the knitting set for the Spot Cardigan you will find Como from Lamana, which is one of my absolute yarn favorites. It is also made from pure new wool, but becomes cozy soft after washing, which is why you can also use it for baby clothes. If you want to add a touch of luxury, use Como Cashmere yarn instead of Como. This is also from Lamana, has the same meterage, but has a cashmere content of 30 percent. I like it very much!

Lotilda also has a new cardigan model. Oversized and casual - just as we know it from the Bonn-based designer. It looks really cozy and will certainly get you through the cold season.

The CHILA V cardigan is knitted from the top down, starting with the back panel. Everything below the armholes is placed on one needle and the sleeves are worked in the round at the end. Hem and cuffs are knitted with an extra long 1 x 1 cuff.

With the knitting kits you have the choice: you can knit the model in two strands without contrasting cuffs in Børstet Alpakka from Sandnes or you can opt for the variation and knit the body and arms in two strands of Børstet Alpakka as well, but work the cuffs in double Como Grande from Lamana. I would opt for the second version because I think the different feel of the yarns is very cool!

When I talk to a designer for a portrait, I always ask where she gets her inspiration from. I always find that really exciting, because we are often inspired completely unconsciously and get an idea from things that don't seem incredibly creative at first glance.

For me, this is actually quite often the playground (it's simply a popular place in my phase of life). While I'm pushing on swings or building sand pies, I also like to let my gaze wander. One time, my gaze fell on a large shopper hanging from a stroller. It was made from a plushy yarn and I was immediately smitten.

Since it's not a good idea to steal other people's bags (I'm sure you'll agree), I secretly photographed it and marked it as "for later". That time has now come, as I discovered the Penny Tote Bag at Moreca Knit.

The shoulder bag measures approx. 77 cm in circumference and 68 cm in length. Start at the bottom, from which stitches are then picked up for the body of the bag. For the straps, the stitches are separated and sewn together again at the top. Finally, sew in a matching lining.

In the knitting set you'll find Teddy Dear from Gepard (you can buy it here - I've already ordered my ration for the Audrey Jacket;-)) and Sisu from Sandnes. The combination makes it extra fluffy and yet durable. Or as I would put it more freely: knit them up!

Do you know what else I like to do apart from knitting? Making you curious! As we all know, anticipation is the greatest joy and there's just something about that tingling feeling when you already have an idea but don't know anything concrete yet. And as the sale of the knitting kit for this year's Christmas shawl starts at the beginning of November (the full pattern will be available at the start of the Knit-Along in mid-November), I want to reveal the yarn combination to you today.

The shawl is knitted from two different yarns - Como from Lamana and Brushlight from Cardiff. Pure merino meets cashmere and silk. The combination couldn't be more beautiful! But what it looks like, how it is constructed, whether it is knitted with multiple threads or not - we will reveal that at a later date ...