Kits
New! Celebrate this chapter of Ysolda.com as it comes to an end with a special, personalised bundle of our best products, hand-picked by our team just for you.
gift 2019
Subscribe to our Colourwork Club for a gift that lasts well into the new year. Your recipient will receive a new colourwork kit in Janurary, February and March
Last minute shopping? Gift cards are delivered electronically - forward the email or print it for your recipient. A range of amounts are available and gift cards don't expire.
20 Years of Ysolda Knitting Patterns: Part 1
Twenty years ago this month, I submitted my first knitting pattern to Knitty.com!
So, to celebrate the past 20 years, I'm looking back at some of my favourite patterns and books from each year - for some years it was tricky to chose just one!
Knitting Patterns 2005 - 2014
2005 - Arisaig
Arisaig was my first published pattern, and was inspired by my grandfather who loved to knit. I also took inspiration from vintage patterns from the forties and fifties.
2006 - Matilda Jane
For Matilda Jane my goal was to take the feminine details I loved in period film costumes, like lace and corsets, and feature them in a garment that was practical for everyday wear.
2007 - Elijah
With over 5000 projects on Ravelry, this adorable knitted elephant has always been a favourite knit, for both myself and others.
Elijah is the perfect gift knit for little ones in your life.
2008 - Liesl
This feather and fan lace cardigan was such a beloved knit, that in 2014 I published a children's version, wee Liesl, which has proved to be just as popular and extra cute!
2009 - Ishbel
First published in 2008 as part of my first self-published book, Whimsical Little Knits, Ishbel got an update in 2017 to add more size options.
Knitters have now cast on 14.5k projects on Ravelry and it's one of my favourites too!
Whimsical Little Knits
Whimsical Little Knits was my first self-published book and was released as a pre-order subscription, followed by a printed book. This pioneered a publishing model that became common as more and more knitting pattern designers began publishing their own work.
Knitters loved getting a surprise new knitting pattern in their inbox every week or two so much that 16 years on I'm currently working on my next Knitworthy collection, which will follow the same model.
Sadly printing and shipping costs mean the fun little books are no longer practical, but Whimsical Little Knits and all of my other collections are still available as ebooks.
I love having these as souvenirs of this time period – I had so much fun meeting knitters at book signings and events and seeing your well loved copies!
Ishbel's at Loopy Yarns in Chicago
2010 - Orchid Thief
Orchid Thief was first published in the book Brave New Knits and it remains one of my favourite designs. There’s something rather fascinating about how the petals flow into the geometric diamonds to re-emerge at the edging.
2011 - Little Red in the City
Part pattern collection, part resource book, in Little Red in the City I share all my tips for successful sweaters that perfectly fit your body. From the start, it's been important to me to create inclusive designs and share tips and techniques to empower you to knit garments that fit your body.
Following the book's release I was fortunate to have some amazing opportunities to travel around the world teaching workshops based on it. I loved meeting so many wonderful knitters, and learned just as much from them about how to include different body shapes and sizes in patterns.
2012 - Marin
I was inspired by the whorling semi-circles and fluid lines of a gorgeous building in Marin, California, and had to turn it into a pattern. This favourite shawl is perfect for summer and the knitting pattern now includes multiple sizes.
2013 - Strokkur
I designed Strokkur after an inspiring trip to Iceland. Strokkur is the perfect introduction to colourwork yokes and has been knit in so many amazing colour combinations.
2014 - Knitworthy 1
My original gift knitting collection, released in 2014, Knitworthy 1 is where it all started. The Knitworthy collections explore 8 knitting patterns to celebrate knitting to warm the ones you love.
The Cadeautje slippers were an instant favourite, and are still the slippers I reach for as soon as the temperature drops.
I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, and perhaps discovered a design or two you hadn't seen before. Click here to read part 2 of my favourite knitting patterns from the last twenty years of designing, from 2015 to 2025.
Also in Journal
Deep Shadow Heel Tutorial
The Deep Shadow sock heel is a beginner friendly short row sock heel that provides a more anatomical fit like a heel flap and gusset.
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20 Years of Ysolda Knitting Patterns: Part 2
June 2025 marks twenty years of designing knitting patterns for Ysolda. In this blog post she picks her favourite from each year for 2015 to 2025,
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Learn to Knit: Mattress Stitch
By following our step-by-step mattress stitch knitting tutorial, you'll learn how to make your seams look beautiful and how best to prepare your knitting so that when you seam it with mattress stitch, it goes smoothly on the first try.
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