It’s the best time of the knitting year! Making and giving handmade gifts is one of the sweetest ways I know to get into the holiday spirit, as long as it doesn’t turn into another thing to stress about. (Believe me, I’ve been there.) For a decade now, I’ve designed the Curious Handmade Knitvent collections to help knitters have a joyful and relaxing gift-knitting season. It’s all about giving yourself the gift of new patterns that are fun (and secretly easy) to knit, and building the festive buzz by adding an element of surprise.
And the big 2023 Knitvent launch is happening right now. I’m so excited I could burst.
Click here to preorder the Knitvent 2023 Collection on Ravelry
Click here to preorder the Knitvent 2023 Collection on Gumroad
This post is for anyone who’s new to Knitvent and for everyone who already loves it. Ten years is a lot of patterns, and it’s so lovely to look back at them all and think about all the happiness they’ve given us. For new folks, it’s an opportunity to see what you might expect from this year’s collection of secret patterns.
So, let’s step into the Knitvent time machine and travel back to all the collections that have come before…
Knitvent 2022
Last year we went wild for scrappy patterns. Every pattern in the collection was designed to use up mini skeins or scrap yarn, from a generous throw make from 24 skeins that makes a perfect yarn advent calendar project to quick little accessories that make the most of your scrap stash. It was a super fun, colourful Knitvent and a big favourite with the Curious Crew.
Patterns: Clockwise from top left:
Knitvent 2022, The Oddments Cowl, The Anthology Throw, The Forage Shawl, Large photo: The Collage Socks, Medley Hat & Medley Mitts.
Buy the whole Knitvent 2022 Collection
Knitvent 2021
There’s nothing like some simple, easy knitting and a sweet, soppy, silly holiday movie. It’s a perfect pairing when you need a little break from the busyness of the silly season. These patterns are all comfort knits, inspired by the joy of light hearted romantic comedies.
Patterns: Clockwise from top left:
The Rose Cottage Cowl , The Meet Cute Socks, The Ever After Shawl, The Skyline Wrap and The Montage Hat & The Meet Cute Mitts
Buy the whole Knitvent 2021 Collection
Knitvent 2020
In a year where most of us were still spending a lot of time at home trying to keep everyone healthy, “Comfort and Joy” was the perfect Knitvent theme for 2020. Handmade presents seemed even more meaningful than usual when we were knitting them for loved ones we hadn’t gotten to see as often as we’d like to.
Patterns: Clockwise from top left:
The Hearten Cowl, The Cheering Socks, The Hearten Mitts, The Tidings Shawl, and The Cheering Hat & The Cheering Cowl
Buy the whole Knitvent 2020 Collection
Knitvent 2019
I chose the theme of “Home” for 2019 before any of us knew just how much time we’d be spending there, but wow, did it turn out to be timely. Knitting was a sanity-saver for most of us during the 2019 holidays, and this extra cosy Knitvent collection was one of the most popular ever. It was the year of the Habitation Throw, which is still going strong as a favourite easy, potato-chippy advent calendar project.
Patterns:
Clockwise from top left: Homebody Hat and Homebody Mitts, Dwelling Cushion, Bide Shawl, Habitation Throw, Homebody Socks
Buy the whole Knitvent 2019 Collection
Knitvent 2018
I know I’m not alone in sometimes finding the holiday season a little overwhelming. Knitting is such a refuge when life is a bit much. I must have been feeling that way in 2018, when I decided to design this collection of soft, gentle gift patterns ,inspired by poetry with the theme of peace.
Patterns:
Large photo: Dust of Snow Wrap.
Small photos, clockwise from top: Peace of Wild Things Shawl, Frost at Midnight Cowl, Winter Sleep Socks, How Quiet Mitts, How Quiet Hat
Buy the whole Knitvent 2018 Collection
Knitvent 2017
This collection was special for a lot of reasons. It was the first year I included a the “scrappy” pattern (which could be made with a yarn Advent calendar) and I haven’t released a Knitvent without one since! This Nutcracker-themed collection was so playful, and so many knitters are still having fun with these patterns.
Patterns:
Large photo: Land of Sweets Cowl.
Small photos, clockwise from top: Marzipan Legwarmers, Clara’s Cape, Tchaikovsky Mitts, Tchaikovsky Hat, Tulle Shawl
Buy the whole Knitvent 2017 Collection
Knitvent 2016
Skiing will always be close to my heart, although it’s not something I get to do much since I moved back to Aus. This collection took aesthetic cues from vintage ski resort posters and postcards. It also featured a special guest designer appearance by my friend Renée Callahan of East London Knit, who created the adorable, retro-styled colourwork Boreal Forest hat and cowl patterns. (The single patterns belong to her, so they’re not eligible for the BOGO sale on their own, only as part of the full Knitvent 2016 collection.)
Patterns:
Large photo: Alpine Sunset Shawl
Small photos, clockwise from top: Fresh Tracks Headband, Boreal Forest Hat, Boreal Forest Cowl, Juniper Socks, Juniper Mitts
Buy the Knitvent 2016 Collection
Knitvent 2015
This was the year of “Light and Bright” which was inspired by the glitter, sparkle and twinkle of the holidays and winter time. Frost, snow and ice. The firelight and candlelight that see us through the cold evenings. The starlight and fairy lights that lift our hearts on long dark nights.
Patterns:
Large image: Winter Wander Shawl
Small images, clockwise from top: Kindling Mitts, Ice River Snood, Ice River Hat, Cabin Path Shawl, , Kindling Hat
Buy the Knitvent 2015 Collection
Knitvent 2014
My second Knitvent collection was small and eclectic, focused on textures and details. You’ll find sparkles and snuggles in equal amounts in these designs, with sequins and beads featuring alongside mohair and tassels. All these years later, it’s delightful to see the patterns still popping up on Instagram for the holidays.
Large image: Adorn Gift Bags
Small images, clockwise from top right: Candlelit Beaded Shawl, Ice Skating Scarf and Wrap, Lind Cowl, Crisp and Even Cowl
Buy the Knitvent 2014 Collection
Knitvent 2013
The beginning of it all. I was a new designer, and this collection was so ambitious I’m both impressed that past-Helen pulled it off at all. The eight designs ended up being a big hit, so I’m grateful that my past self just went for it. I’m also grateful for all the courageous, warm-hearted knitters who jumped into the deep end with me. The were the very first members of the Curious Crew.
Patterns:
Top row, right to left: Red Robin Shawl, Checkerboard Mitts, Fresh Powder Cowl, Warm Wishes Hottie.
Bottom row, right to left: Stardust Infinity Scarf, Rella Mitts, Quicksilver Cowl, Naughty or Nice Hat.
Buy the Knitvent 2013 Collection
If you’ve seen enough in this post to convince you to take a leap with me into the woolly unknown, hooray!
Click here to preorder the Knitvent 2023 Collection on Ravelry
Click here to preorder the Knitvent 2023 Collection on Gumroad
But no matter what, if you’ve ever made even one Knitvent pattern. I want to personally thank you. You make Knitvent magic. If you’re brand new and even just considering joining this year, welcome. Stick around, there’s so much more to show you.
And, if you want to make sure that you get all the Knitvent news along the way, join the Curious Crew! You’ll be the first to find out our Knitvent 2023 theme, upcoming giveaways, and fun yarn spoilers.
Happy knitting!
The post The Knitvent time machine: ten years of surprise knitting patterns and handmade gifts appeared first on Curious Handmade Knitting Patterns and Knitting Podcast.
