I have been strongly tempted this month by some great new sweater patterns. Here is a short selection.

Elderberry by Renée Callahan

I saw this on an email from The Fibre Co, where they were advertising the start of a KAL (knit-a-long) of this sporty pullover. I love the lines on this, and think it looks really sharp and fresh. It is knit using The Fibre Co Cirro, which looks like a mohair, but which is composed of 40% camelid alpaca suri, 40% cotton, and 20% merino wool. I received a skein of Cirro as part of a goody bag at the knitting retreat I attended in the fall (blogged here) and it is pretty lush. A sweater like this, knitted in Cirro, will weigh next to nothing and be soft and fluffy without having any potential problems with itchiness that mohair might lend. I love Renée’s work and I think she really scores with this one. Here is another shot so that you can see how great the contrasting lines are:

Kari by Natasja Hornby

I have been waiting for this pattern to be released since I saw the first test project posted up on Ravelry. I love this! I am always looking for a classic jacket pattern that will look effortlessly stylish at work, but still have the comfort level of a favourite cardigan. This one looks easy to make too – knitted top-down, without seams, and with fantastic mosaic stitchwork for the sleeve detailing (Two of my all-time favourite projects are knitted using mosaic patterns – my Ormolu pullover, blogged here, and my Sofi Jacket, blogged here.) The only problem I see with this pattern is trying to decide which colour combos to use – I love it in black and white, but could easily see it in a shocking pink and lipstick red. Which would you pick?

Blum by Rachel Illsley

Rachel Illsley has been turning out one knockout pattern after another these days. This one came out in February and there have been two others published since then – all of them lovely. My biggest problem was deciding which one to show you here. Her patterns incorporate engaging rhythms (many are based on instrumental works) and have a dreamy look reminiscent of watercolour paintings. Plus, surprisingly, there are only two colours used here – no ends to weave in at the end! Brilliant!

Octopus Slippers by Elizabeth Elliott

I fooled you, didn’t I? Yes, I – Miss “I-don’t-knit-socks” – have fallen for a sock pattern. (We shall ignore a semantic discussion of whether slippers are socks; they are both worn on the feet and that’s good enough for me.) Aren’t these fantastic? On the pattern page, the description reads: “Have you ever thought, “You know what these feet need? More octopus.” If you have, or if you’re just thinking that now, then these are the slippers for you.” I love that, too. And if you are not convinced yet, just look at the soles (below). I dare you not to smile.

This weekend has flown by. I hope that you managed to catch it before it zoomed past.