Your new favorite knitting patterns for unspun yarn

We’ve talked about how to knit for cold weather and how to work with unspun yarn in previous blog posts. As the weather took a quick turn last week with some friends around the U.S. getting their first snow we realized that we haven’t highlighted our favorite knitting patterns for unspun yarn yet. And they are some of our favorite yarns for cold weather! 

So today, let’s take a deep dive into the qualities of unspun and how those qualities impact our pattern choices. We’ll talk about how to best utilize their unique characteristics. We’ll also give you some ideas with our favorite patterns from some of our favorite designers, in case you don’t feel like looking for a pattern yourself yet!

The qualities of unspun (aka why we love it)

If you are new to unspun yarn and this will be your first time working with this yarn, please take a look at the above “how to work with unspun” article about how it all works. But basically, unspun yarn is a type of yarn that has unspun fibers–meaning the wool fibers that make up the yarn have no twist added to them and no spun plies. In other words, they are thinly drafted roving. Adjacent to this category is yarns that have an extremely low twist. 

We love us an unspun yarn here at Aimee Sher Makes. Unspun yarns insulate well and create very warm, lightweight garments. Worked up, this delicate yarn makes wonderful winter knits, and creates a very fluffy look and texture of knitted fabric that comes with remarkable warmth. Here at ASM, we have a ton of personal experience with these yarns! And we truly believe that the little bit of extra care when using the yarns pays off in a big way 

Our whole team has a winter wardrobe made up of airy fabrics made from unspun yarns, like Manchelopis by Wooldreamers, which is made of Manchego fibers (yes, like the cheese) or Nutiden by Höner och Eir. Other options include classics like Plötulopi yarn or its low-twist, single-ply sibling, Lopi (both available at our friends, the Woolly Thistle, an online store that specializes in European imports to US customers). 

The unique character and unspun nature of these yarns feel very close to the original raw wool fiber. They really show off the fiber characteristics of the yarn, a dream for fiber artists who love wool! There’s a reason why a traditional Icelandic wool sweater is so beloved as a cultural treasure. They really showcase and utilize the nature of Icelandic fiber in these low- to no-twist formats.

What makes a good unspun yarn pattern 

Today, there are a lot of beautiful patterns on the market that are modern complements to traditional styles, using unspun or low-spun yarns. When you are shopping for patterns for unspun yarns, whether it is your first time, second time, or 100th time knitting with unspun, there are some things to look out for that make a pattern suitable for unspun yarn. 

Our favorite way to utilize unspun yarn is to use a large needle size. This will allow the unspun wool fibers to bloom in the finished products. Because of this ability to bloom extremely, there’s not really a standard yarn weight assigned to these yarns. They are really flexible and will fill the space given them, which gives finished wearables extra warmth.

However, our favorite way to use unpsun yarns is to find patterns originally designed for Aran gauge. Most unspun yarns we have encountered will work well in this gauge when held double. 

The best way to use unspun yarns is to use them in simple stitch patterns. Due to its roving nature, unspun yarns do not have much stitch definition in their unique texture. Aimee has designed lace work and cable work here using unspun yarn before, but these really lend the yarn some texture more than they are a show-stopper or major feature.

Weekday Dress + Pullover

Who doesn’t love a two-in-one pattern? Our very own Weekday Dress and Pullover pattern fits the bill. 

Designed in unspun Nutiden yarn, this is a  sweater with a sweet lace raglan detail to live in every day. This pullover/dress knitting pattern is the perfect basic that’s not too fussy, but doesn’t compromise on fit. Make it your own by mix-and-matching the body and sleeve lengths. Choose between long sleeve and short sleeve, or pullover and dress length. The ultra-lightweight fabric created when using unspun yarn knits up in no time and isn’t too heavy, even as a dress knitting pattern.

This dress knitting pattern is something a little different from the usual pullover pattern. As with all our patterns, the Weekday Dress/Pullover is size inclusive. It features a gentle A-line and optional bust darts. Read more about the Weekday Dress + Pullover here.

Dittany

Audrey Borrego’s Dittany is a simple shawl worked sideways featuring a textured border. Its basic shape allows the knitter to adjust length and depth while using any amount of yarn available. Perfect for using up every last bit of our precious unspun yarn plates. 

We’ve long loved Audrey’s patterns for her inventive use of stitch patterns and unique style lines. This pattern features a combination of slipped stitches, garter, half brioche rib and simple cables to make up the texture. With charted and written instructions, this is a very quick, comfy shawl to knit for the colder months. And as a bonus, the pattern is available for free through Audrey’s Ravelry Store.

apothecary

Designed by Weichien of saskie&co, apothecary is the perfect cozy colorwork pattern to chase the winter blues away. Inspired by medieval vibes, the colorwork is reminiscent of dried herbs and bouquets hung upside down in cozy homes and hand mixed potions in vintage amber glass bottles are the essence of this design.

This unisex jumper is knit top-down and in the round. It features a circular yoke with customization options for body length and sleeve length. Colorwork is the perfect way to show off the beautiful colors of Plotulopi yarn or Nutiden yarn, as well as the original Manchelopis used to design the pullover. As a bonus, the blooming nature of the yarn will fill the space and make colorwork look incredibly cohesive. 

Read more about apothecary here.

Community Cozy

Our friend Alicia Plummer knows how to do texture and hit it out of the park with her Community Cozy. About the design she says: “It will be simple this year. No pressure, cleanly tailored, and a little casual. Filled with love of community and softness. Just like me...”

Her Rhinebeck 2023 design, the Community Cozy is knit flat, joined at the shoulder with a 3-needle bind-off, then seamed at the sides. Sleeves are then picked up and knit in the round for stitches and stitches of mindless knitting. We love all of Alicia’s designs here at ASM, but this one is particularly a dream! Read more about this cozy sweater here.

Miles Shirt Jacket

And last but not least, we would be remiss to forget about Hailey Smedley of Ozetta’s Miles Shirt Jacket after having mentioned unspun yarn’s waterproof properties. This oversized woolen shirt-jacket is designed to be worn almost any day of the year.

This is a super popular pattern that needs no further introduction. If you haven’t heard of it or tried it before, you are missing out. 

Featuring dropped shoulders, it is worked from the top down with a fold-over collar for maximum warmth. The curved hem and deep pockets give this handknit shacket the right amount of versatility for everyday wear. Read more about the Miles Shirt Jacket here.

If you need more…

We hope that you have enjoyed this look at some of our favorite patterns that are designed in this unique wool. It’s always good to be able to spread the love around and talk about some of our personal favorite designers (and we are so grateful to them for letting us use their pics!) 

If it’s your first experience with this type of yarn, we hope that this has given you a jumping off point for suitable patterns! Don’t forget  to check out our guide on how to work with unspun yarn so you can set yourself up for success. 

Reach for those unspun plates in your stash, or try Manchelopis from our shop! 

Need more patterns to get your creative juices going? We love unspun so much we have a whole myriad of in-house patterns using them. Here are some more unspun yarn patterns Aimee has designed: 

• Matthew Pullover
• Building Blocks Drop
• Building Blocks Cardi
• Directional Pullover (not originally designed in unspun, but looks DREAMY in unspun)
• Meditative Shawl
• Friendship Cushion

Be sure to check out the following blogs for even more information and pattern roundups:

• Your new favorite neck & shoulder knitting patterns
• Cable sweater patterns for spring, autumn, & winter knitting projects
• How to choose the best knitting yarns for beginners