I know what you’re going to say… “Soph, why are you writing about autumn knitting projects already?” and I understand, it’s August, let’s not wish the summer away yet. But us knitters need to be thinking weeks, even months ahead (depending on how speedy a knitter you are/how much knitting time you’re lucky enough to have.)
The days are already getting shorter – yep, I’m the weirdo who’s up at 5am to notice the sun now rises around 5:45am – and the air will start to cool before we know it. This will make it far easier to think about all the handknit cardigans and sweaters I want to make. And what knitter doesn’t want to think about that?
Autumn is the best season for starting all those cosy knits, so I’ve pulled together a list of 8 autumn knitting projects to cast on now. Full disclosure, I definitely used this as an excuse to daydream about things I would love to knit, but they’re all flippin’ lovely knit designs, so I hope you’ll forgive the indulgence.
To make it a bit easier to skim, I’ve split the list into garments and accessories, so you can choose what to start with.
So, make yourself a cuppa, get comfy, and get ready to add some more autumn knitting projects to your Ravelry faves. Hope you enjoy!
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I’ve got six skeins of Sheepsoft DK sitting in my yarn stash, just waiting for me to decide on the right knitting pattern. It’s such a beautiful yarn that I feel like I need to choose a really good one to do it justice.
I loved knitting the Champagne Cardigan by PetiteKnit last year with its V-neck and double-knit button band (so much that I made it twice), so I’m thinking the Calm Down Cardigan by Lily Kate France could potentially become an autumn knitting project for 2025.
The Calm Down Cardigan is a top-down, V-neck cardigan with a neat saddle shoulder and a double-knit button band. It seems to me like those ‘throw-on-with-anything’ knits, which is exactly what I am after. I think I’d personally choose to knit a slightly bigger size to give me a super cosy and soft oversized cardigan, just what I want to be wearing to curl up with a cuppa when it gets a bit chilly.
Find the Calm Down Cardigan Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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I’ve had the Olga Sweater by PetiteKnit knitting pattern downloaded for at least a year now. I loved it as soon as it came out, but as per, I couldn’t decide on the right yarn/colours for it, so it’s yet to be cast on.
The Olga Sweater is a top-down, drop-shoulder sweater worked up in a DK-weight yarn with some short row shaping to give you that neat neckline. It’s knit with a generous 23cm of positive ease, making it lovely and oversized – another knit that ticks all the right boxes for me.
But what yarn to knit it in? If you know me, you’ll already know how much I love the suggested yarn, Peer Gynt, but I reckon Loch Lomond by BC Garn would be a cracker for this. We’ve just added a bunch of new shades to the Baa! shop, all of which are a fantastic for an autumn knitting project. 30 White Confetti, in particular, is just *chefs kiss*, but I’d go for 19 Sand and 28 Forest Green for my own handknit wardrobe.
Find the Olga Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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When I was looking through all my yarn options, Loch Lomond felt like such a good wool for an autumn knitting project. I love the tweedy little neps for bringing some depth to simple stockinette stitch, which is great for knitters like me who don’t lean towards cables and textured stitches. It’s so beautifully rustic, yet nice and lightweight thanks to its woollen spin and I had so many knitting patterns popping up in my head that I needed to chuck in an honourable mention here: Halibut by Caitlin Hunter.
Halibut is a unisex circular yoke sweater with a fish motif that is repeated around the yoke. There are also three collar options (turtleneck, mock turtleneck or crew neck) written into the pattern which I’m a fan of. I have to be honest and say it’s probably not one I’d knit for myself, but I’ve seen so many knitters casting on lately that it’s hard not to get swept up in the trend
If you like the fishy theme, check out King Salmon Light. I think it might be an even better option as the yoke looks like it fits a bit nicer – and how good would that look knit up in Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift?
Find the full Halibut Collection on Ravelry
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Baby knits have been a big part of my year, thanks to my little niece arriving last month. The Crossandra Sweater Mini by Nashwa Sakr is a top-down garter stitch jumper with a rolled neckline and a sweet scalloped hem. I need to hold off on knitting more until she’s older, but I know this will be relatively quick and easy to knit between bigger autumn knitting projects. Same goes for you, too – if you know any teeny tiny people, this could be an excellent knitty palette cleanser.
Lang Merino 120 feels like a sensible choice for this baby knit. It’s a superwash merino so it’ll be super soft against baby’s delicate skin, but also machine-washable, so there’s no risk of my sister accidentally felting it in the wash…
I’m not one to subscribe to gender colour rules and babies don’t tend to have an opinion over which colour you dress them in, but my niece does look flippin’ cute in baby pink, so I’d consider going all in on this one by choosing shade 119 Shell Pink.
Find the Crossandra Sweater Mini Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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I’m actually knitting this up now, in summer, but Pelica by Rosa Pomar is making the list because a waistcoat is such a good autumn knitting project.
Pelica is a top-down, garter-stitch waistcoat finished with neat icord edges. It’s a minimal, transitional knit that’ll see you through that in-betweeny weather. Depending on how oversized you go, you could potentially wear it over a lighter handknit jumper as an extra woolly layer on those freezing cold days come winter.
I’m knitting mine in Isle Aran by World of Wool, in a colour we don’t actually stock at Baa! Oops, bit it is knitting up a treat. If I were to pick from the shop shelves, I’d go for The Croft Aran by West Yorkshire Spinners for another super 100% British wool yarn choice.
Find Pelica Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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It would be inconsiderate of me to write a list of autumn knitting projects to cast on now without some sort of hand-knit scarf or shawl. Field by Maxim Cyr fits the bill perfectly.
This simple, garter stitch, triangular shawl is a relaxed, beginner-friendly knitting project that Maxim designed specifically to show off those extra spesh skeins you have in your yarn stash. In his case, it was his own handspun yarn, but in my case, I’d go with the super spesh North Ronaldsay Aran by Isle of Auskerry.
Did you know, North Ronaldsay is a rare breed of sheep whose wool fibre is even finer than merino? How lovely would that be to have around your neck? (whilst we’re on the subject, I also think it’s hilarious that these little sheep are famous for munching on seaweed – how cool is that?)
Strictly speaking, this autumn knitting project calls for a DK yarn, but the North Ronaldsay Wool is such a treat that I’d just size up my needles and have a bigger, cosier scarf at the end of it.
I love how Maxim Cyr has taken a basic, mindful knit but designed it with just enough detail to keep knitting interesting. The stripes are a great benchmark for knitting sessions where “I’ll just knit to the next colour change” inevitably turns into “oops, three colour changes later and I’ve knit half my shawl.” It might be 3am, but at least you’ll be able to wear it sooner, right?
Find Field Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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The Weekend Hat is a simple ribbed beanie with a folded edge that’ll keep your ears proper warm when it’s cold out. I already have some Tynn Peer Gynt in my stash, which I’ll knit held double, but if I were treating myself to a new yarn, you bet I’m looking at De Rerum Natura Ulysse in the shade Fusain. It’s such a classic, go-with-everything neutral (we know I love a neutral). I can imagine it working well with my Doc Martens, which I rarely take off in the colder/wetter months.
Find Weekend Hat Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
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When deciding on knitting the Weekend Hat, I chose Last Minute Handstulpen by Susanne Muller as a knitted wristwarmer to wear with.
Last Minute Handstulpen are a super simple pair of fingerless handwarmers with 1×1 ribbed cuffs and an extra-large increase line for the thumb on the palm, which makes the design.
I’m a bit of a matchy-matchy gal, so Ulysse would be my yarn choice, however, Lang Cashmere Premium 70 is hands down my yarn recommendation for an autumn knitting project you literally won’t want to put down – or take off, for that matter.
If you have small hands, you only need a single ball, so these would also be a really really good Christmas gift knit. Super super spesh, but more affordable (and way better quality) than anything you’d pick up on the high street.
Find Last Minute Handstulpen Knitting Pattern on Ravelry
It wouldn’t be a list of autumn knitting projects without the official 2025 Shetland Wool Week knitting pattern. This year’s design, the Aal Ower Toorie, is a beauty, and August is the perfect time to cast on so that you can be finished before Shetland Wool Week begins (that’s Sunday 28th September, so hopefully you’ve still got a bit of time)
Lucky for you, it’s become a Baa! tradition for Janice to put together some easy knitting kits for you to knit your own Aal Ower Toorie using our fave, best-selling yarn, Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift.
There are two collections of kits. The Aal Ower Toorie Knitting Kit – Collection 1 has three colourways designed to reflect the original designs knit by Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers. The Aal Ower Toorie Knitting Kit – Collection 2 has colourways inspired by photography by Jenny Rose Photography, and aren’t they a treat. The first colourway (Tokyo Camper) is inspired by a quirky image captured by Jenny on a trip to Japan, and I think this one might be my fave.
Of course, if you’d prefer to pick your own colours, we’ve also got the official SWW 2025 printed knitting pattern and all 225 colours of Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift on the Baa! shelves for you to choose your own combination.
Phew. Chatting about all these autumn knitting projects chat has got me ready for a bit of sofa knitting. Hopefully it’s inspired you to cast on something new, too, ready for when knitting season officially kicks in (depending on when you’re finding this).
I know I’ve given some yarn suggestions here, but if you like a bit of knitting inspo and want help choosing the perfect yarn for your next knit, 6 of Our Favourite Yarns for Cosy Winter Knitting Projects should help ya out. They’re ideal for autumn knitting projects too and ‘cause I love planning projects and checking out Ravelry, each yarn has at least a couple of knitting pattern recs to go with – cracker!
So lemme know, which one of these Autumn knitting projects are you casting on first? I’d love to hear your knitting plans.
