Not Boring--Beautiful

There are so many reasons to love knitting. Often, we are first attracted to a yarn—its color and texture. We fall in love with the process itself, delving ever deeper into intricate stitch patterns, colorwork, and clever shapes as we challenge our growing skills. But here’s the thing, and I’ve said it many times: Sometimes what’s fun to knit isn’t at all what we actually want to wear.

I noticed this in myself, for sure. I’ve knit jackets in gorgeous magenta, super chunky oversized cabled pullovers, and a host of other lacy things.

I knit them because that color was so striking, or I was curious, or they looked beautiful in the magazine. Most of them… I don’t even wear. Generally, what I gravitate to in my wardrobe is simple shapes, clean lines, and soft, solid fabrics. These are the kinds of pieces I reach for again and again. I like things that feel timeless and go with everything. Quiet clothes. Boring clothes.

These days, I’ve stopped trying to be a more exciting knitter than I am. I knit a lot of stockinette. I love a simple set-in sleeve. I knit a lot of winter white and neutrals and soft pinks. I know what looks good on me, and I know how I want my sweaters to feel.

Plus, I don’t knit to challenge my brain. My brain gets plenty of challenge just running the shop and managing life. I knit to relax, to unwind, to feel that lovely, soothing rhythm of the stitches quieting my brain.

And you know, I don’t think I’m alone on this. Quiet, minimal knits have become something of a movement. Designers like PetiteKnit, My Favorite Things, and others are leaning into what I like to call “boring knitwear”—simple shapes, subtle colors, and timeless silhouettes. These designs aren’t flashy, but they’re the pieces people actually wear. I think maybe that’s the point.

I’ll be talking more about these designers and the appeal of this kind of knitwear on YouTube this week—I hope you’ll join me.

So what’s the solution if you crave challenge?

• Try monochrome texture—something like Direction, or most anything by Georgia Farrell. Her designs are full of clever stitch patterns but still easy to wear.
• Get your challenge fix with bold accessories—a colorful short row shawl, a mosaic cowl, or a pair of wild socks that let your knitting shine without committing to a full wardrobe piece. There's no limit to the number of complicated accessory patterns on Ravelry. 
• Challenge yourself with construction—a simple garment in a wearable color that’s knit in brioche or with double knit edging or some other innovative element. Von Hinterm Stein is always good for this.

There’s no right or wrong way to be a knitter and no right or wrong things to knit. But if you’ve been feeling that disconnect between what you like to knit and what you like to wear, I hear you. Maybe it’s time to give yourself permission to knit something boring. Who knows, maybe that “boring” knit will be the most beautiful thing you’ve ever made—and become your favorite garment.

Warmly,
Ellen