My favorite things for fall are a few cozy yarns, one tool that makes knitting easier, a sweater pattern worth casting on, and the small rituals that make the season feel like itself. Here's the list, with a link wherever you can go get the thing yourself.
Fall is when I want to be wrapped in something, whether that's a sweater, a blanket, or a warm drink. So this isn't a list of everything you should buy. It's the things I'm actually reaching for right now, and a few of them are knitting-related.
Yarns I'm Reaching For
1. Kelbourne Woolens Scout I love this woolly sport-weight to DK-weight yarn. It has made the lace stitches in my new lace stitch slipover look supple and squishy, the ribbing looks and feels thick & cozy, and I can’t wait to test it out on some cables. If you're choosing yarn for a fall project, it's a good one to look at.
2. Camellia Yak DK The deluxe mix of fibers makes for a luxurious fabric that will stand the test of time and live up to everyday wear & tear. It’s been a few years since I finished knitting the first Latte Cardigan sample and I’ve just cast on my third for a pattern update. So far, there are no signs of pilling, and they have kept their shape. When I need to wash it I use a gentle wool wash and lay it flat to dry.A yak blend is a nice way to add warmth to a fall project.
3. Purl Soho Knitting Yarn. Knitting Yarn is 100% merino wool and is spun in four plies, which knit up into a smooth fabric with lovely stitch definition. It has a pleasant toothiness and a cushiony feel that you will love. (P.S. This link is an affiliate link, so it helps me earn a little commission if you choose to buy the yarn. There is no extra cost for you and there’s no pressure from me to purchase.)
A Tool I Actually Use
4. CocoKnits Knitter's Block I am obsessed with this blocking kit. The felted fabric on the top helps keep your knitted fabrics in place and helps air circulate a little bit more and helps your wet blocked pieces dry a little faster. Blocking is the step that makes a finished sweater or lace piece look finished, so a tool that makes it easier is worth having.
The Sweater I'd Cast On
5. Tidal Creek. If I could only knit one sweater this fall, it would be Tidal Creek. It's a pullover with a wide, casual boatneck and eyelet lace inspired by the salt marshes around Charleston, worked flat in pieces from the bottom up and seamed. It comes in 12 sizes, with optional cup shaping worked with short rows, so you can adjust the fit without sizing up the whole sweater. My sample is in Little Skein Harvest Sport, a sport weight yarn.
It's one sweater you can wear in fall, winter, and spring, which is the whole point of choosing one.
Small Rituals That Make It Fall
6. A vanilla latte with cinnamon. Every morning I start with a homemade vanilla latte and I pay extra for fancy vanilla syrup. It's a small thing, but it's one of the ways the season starts for me and it’s an accessible way for me to enjoy more of the little things in life.
7. An electric blanket. My favorite thing about the temps dropping is getting to plug in my electric blanket at night, especially one with a preheat mode. There is nothing cozier than slipping into perfectly warm, fresh sheets.
For Reading and the Kids
8. Unicorn Space by Eve Rodsky. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why my knitting time is so important to me and why I share it so much with you. Unicorn Space is making those feeling tangible and helping explain the science behind the need to have a creative outlet.
9. Hannah Graham kids' sweaters. Every pattern she releases is full of thoughtful details for littles and my kiddos have loved every pattern I’ve made for them.
For Getting Out of the House
10. Boots. They're the thing that makes me happy to walk outside when it cools off. Right now I’m eyeing this pair.
And the rest: hay rides, train rides, and a big pot of soup. This week’s soup is a roasted tomato. Yummm.
What I'd Pick If You Only Choose One
If you only pick one thing from this list to bring into your fall, make it the sweater you'll actually finish. Tidal Creek has the yarn, gauge, schematic, and construction details on the pattern page before you buy.
Not ready to cast on yet? Start with ten quiet minutes and the free 10-Minute Knitting Reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What yarn is good for a fall sweater?
It depends on the pattern. Always match the weight and gauge the pattern calls for. Tidal Creek, for example, is written for sport weight yarn.
What knitting tools are worth having?
A blocking tool is one of the most useful for finishing, since blocking is what makes a sweater or lace piece look finished.
Are these affiliate links?
Some are. Where a link is an affiliate link, it helps me earn a little affiliate commission. No pressure though!
What's a good sweater to knit for fall?
One you'll wear all season. Tidal Creek works over a long-sleeve tee in fall and on its own in spring.
The Daily Reset
Pick one thing from this list and make it part of your evening this week. A warm drink, a blanket, ten minutes with your knitting, whichever feels easiest. You don't have to do all of them. You only need one small thing that makes this season feel like yours.
My fall favorites as a knitter: cozy yarns, a tool I reach for, one sweater pattern worth casting on, and the small rituals that make the season.