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    Our patterns feature inclusive sizing, clear directions, and lots of support so you can be confident of a beautiful new addition to your wardrobe

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    June 19, 2025

    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.


    Learn more on Ravelry
    A white woman is walking on the beach wearing a knitted lace wrap cardigan.

    2006 - Matilda Jane

    A white woman is walking in a field. She wears a fitted knit top and long skirt.

    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.

    See Matilda Jane

    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.


    See Elijah
    A blue knitted elephant toy.

    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!


    See Ishbel
    A white woman is looking out of a window. She wears glasses and a hand knit lace shawl with scalloped edging.

    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.

    A white woman is standing in her knitting studio. She is taking a selfie and holding up 3 of her knitting pattern books.

    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!

    See Whimsical Little Knits
    A group of white woman stand in front of a wall of yarn. They are all wearing the same hand knit shawl in various colours.
    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.


    See Orchid Thief
    A close up of a lace hand knit shawl in a purple variegated yarn.

    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.

    A double page spread from Little Red in the City which explains bust shaping in knit garments.
    Melia images on the page from Little Red in the City.
    Lauriel images on the page from Little Red in the City.
    Cria images on the page from Little Red in the City.
    Little Red in the City front cover.
    See Little Red in the City

    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.


    See Marin
    A purple hand knit shawl is on a coat hanger on a wall.

    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.


    See Strokkur
    A white woman stands against a cliff backdrop. She wears a grey hand knit sweater with a yellow colourwork yoke inspired by Icelandic designs.

    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.

    A pair of hand knit slippers in light grey yarn with blue detailing.
    A woman holds a mauve and gold shawl up against her back, like wings.
    A hand knit dachshund dog sits with a blanket over it.
    A white woman is smiling away from the camera. She is wearing a hand knit fair isle cowl.
    See Knitworthy 1

    I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, and perhaps discovered a design or two you hadn't seen before. I'll be back next week for part 2 of my favourite knitting patterns from the last twenty years of designing.

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    A white woman sits on the edge of a pavement with a wall behind her, she is smiling and wearing a cream coloured handknit scarf.
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