Knitting, Behind the scenes

New Year, New Me, New Knitting Resolutions for 2025.

4 knitting skills or techniques I want to explore this year.

As the calendar flips to 2025, I’m feeling that familiar spark of motivation to embrace the ultimate fresh start and double down on cementing those good habits – and this year that means making knitting resolutions too. 

Whether you’re like me and have been knitting forever, or 2025 is the year your knitting obsession begins, now’s the perfect time to set some crafty intentions. Let’s be honest – how many ambitious knitting projects are lingering in your Ravelry favourites, waiting for the ‘right’ moment? I have plenty, too, but this year, I’m determined to bring those knitting patterns I’ve been day dreamin’ about to life and get them on my knitting needles.

So, in the hopes of encouraging you to turn your knitting dreams into reality, here are the knitting resolutions I’m setting for myself in 2025. Will you be joining me in any of them?

1. Master a New Knit Stitch

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sari Nordlund (@sari_n_)

I’ve got my eye on The Book Club Cardigan by Sari Nordland to help me commit to knitting cables this year.

Every knitter has their go-to stitches—I’m definitely guilty of sticking to the “safe” stockinette. But learning a new stitch can be so satisfying and open the door to countless new projects in 2025. Oh, the possibilities!

If you’re newer to knitting, start with something simple that won’t leave your brain feeling too boggled. Even straightforward two-row repeats like moss stitch or broken rib can look beautiful knitted up while keeping your mind engaged.

My advice? Grab a stitch dictionary or browse stitch patterns online to see what catches your eye. Once you’ve found a few patterns that excite you, find a bit of leftover, scrap yarn and knit a few swatches one evening. Before you know it, you’ll be whipping up entire knitted garments featuring your new favourite knit stitch.

For a beginner-friendly knitting project, I highly recommend the Aosta Sweater by The Knit Purl Girl, which is knit up using Andalusian stitch. Sophie’s knitting patterns are incredibly well-written, with detailed instructions for knitting techniques like short rows and Italian bind-off, so you’ll feel confident as you knit up your sweater.

Now, I’m not exactly a beginner, but there’s always room to grow. So, for my first knitting resolution, here are a few stitches and techniques I’m eager to try in 2025:

Brioche Stitch

That squishy texture and chunky knitted fabric were made for a perpetually chilly person like me. I’m not ready to commit to a big knit yet, so I’ve got PetiteKnit’s September Hat in mind to help me tick this knit stitch off the list.

Cable Knitting

So I suppose I should caveat this one by saying that I can cable, I just choose not to. The Book Club Cardigan by Sari Nordland got me questioning that decision when she released it last year, though – I am obsessed with this design. Is it a little intimidating?  Sure. Can I knit it? Absolutely. Will I? Let’s just say, I’m determined to exercise some seriously mindful knitting and give it a jolly good go! I’m thinking it will look great knit up in Ulysee by De Rerum Natura, don’t you agree?

Steeking

Alright, so this isn’t technically a stitch, but it’s definitely a skill I’m keen to conquer. I’m knitting up a cardigan right now, and let me tell you — I’m not even finished with the yoke and I’ve already had to put it aside for a couple of weeks ‘cause I needed a break from all that purling. Steeking might feel terrifying, but if it means I can skip countless rows of purl, it’s a risk I’m ready to take.

2. Experiment with Colourwork Knitting

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Laura Penrose (@_laurapenrose_)

A knitted hot water bottle cover will make my second knitting resolution easy to achieve.

There’s no denying the beauty of colourwork knits. There’s something so comforting about squishy Fair Isle sweaters – to me, those classic grandad style jumpers feel like a warm, cosy hug.

As a knitter, I love the idea of colourwork, but when it comes to choosing my knitting projects, I’ve consistently avoided it. Why? Probably because my personal style leans toward the simple – my wardrobe is, well, mostly beige with a minimalist vibe, but every now and then, a colourwork project sneaks its way onto my Ravelry favourites list. The latest knitting pattern being Wandrian by Dianna Walla – a beautiful colourwork cowl worked up in Marina Skua’s hand-dyed Mendip DK.

Would I wear it? Honestly, I have no idea. Do I want to knit it? I sure as hell want to give it a go!

It feels like the world of colourwork knitting is calling my name, which is why my second knitting resolution is to finally tackle a few colourwork projects. At the top of my list is Rhue Sweater by Rebecca Clow, which I impulsively purchased last year and still haven’t touched and Maxine Hot Water Bottle cover by Laura Penrose as my hot water bottle is due for a replacement this year and so probably deserves a fancy pants colourwork upgrade.

If you’re also thinking about dabbling in colourwork in 2025, here’s a little tip from me: tension is key. Many knitters find they need to adjust needle sizes to maintain consistent gauge and can also struggle to keep stitches even with neat floats so practise is your best friend here.

You’ll also want to start small. Accessories like hats, mittens, or cowls are fantastic knitting projects for a colourwork knit beginner to build confidence without the pressure of a full sized hand knit sweater. It’s also the perfect excuse to pick out a few little balls of Baa! favourite; Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift, too! If you’re feeling ambitious, but still cautious, consider a baby sized sweater first instead. A much more manageable way to experiment with colourwork without getting too overwhelmed.

3. Finish Those WIPs!

This year is the year I focus on getting those knitting projects cast off and finished!

I have a confession: I, Sophie, am not a monogamous knitter. There, I said it. I simply can’t stick to one project at a time. But hear me out – there’s a logic to this promiscuity! Different projects serve different purposes, see. 

You’ve got those mindful knits for relaxing and unwinding; more complex projects for engaging your brain and learning new knitting skills and then there’s easy, mindless pieces for when all you want to do is sit in front of the tv and allow that noggin’ of yours to completely switch off.

As someone who spends most of their working day being creative – writing content and helping other small businesses run their business – I tend to favor the mindless, comforting knits. And while that’s perfectly fine, even I get bored of knitting endless rounds of the body of a sweater or, even worse… sleeves. My solution to being stuck on sleeve island? Cast on something new, of course!

As if that wasn’t enough, I’m also terribly indecisive, often plagued by doubts about my choice of knitting pattern, yarn colour, or pretty much any detail my brain decides to overanalyse. Instead of pushing through, I’ll abandon the project in question in favour of something new, leaving behind a trail of forgotten WIPs in my wake.

So now, I’ve accumulated a small collection of project bags filled with banished WIPs that sit in the naughty corner as I dither over their fate – some might be worth finishing, but others are destined to be frogged so the yarn can live to see another day. Which brings me to my third knitting resolution – to tackle those WIPs head on, whether that means finishing them with determination or frogging them with no regrets, it’s time I tidied up my stash and put those project bags to better use.

4. Try Something Completely New

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marina Skua (@marinaskua)

Knitting something using Marina’s hand-dyed yarn is one of my favourite knitting resolutions for 2025.

One of the most exciting things about knitting is that the possibilities really are endless. There’s always something new to explore, some new strand of the craft to venture into. Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with knitting comfortably within your favourite patterns or techniques. But every now and then, stepping out of your comfort zone can make you fall in love with knitting all over again. 

For me, my fourth knitting resolution is to step into the world of hand-dyed yarn. I have a couple of dyer pals (shoutout to Alice at Woolmatters and Marina Skua!) and am desperate to knit myself something special (once I’ve stopped over thinking what exactly it is I should knit, obvs…), and there are plenty of ways you can pushing your own knitting boundaries in 2025 too. 

You could learn to dye your own yarn, or combine knitting with another craft by adding embroidered details to a hand knit sweater or sewing a lining into a knitted pouch. You could even start designing your own knitting patterns all together. If you’re confident in your knitting skills and have tackled plenty of other designers’ patterns, there’s no reason why you couldn’t. Start with something small and manageable that doesn’t require extensive grading, like a hat, scarf, or shawl and see how you get on.

What knitting resolutions are you making this year?

You don’t need to be writing out a huge list like me – Let’s be honest, am I really going to conquer all of these by 2026?!! But I do think making knitting resolutions is a brilliant way to spark a little excitement and keep you feeling motivated to knit and experiment. 

So, what are your knitting resolutions this year? Share your resolutions with us over on Instagram or during your next visit to Baa! 🧶 We can’t wait to hear what you’re planning for 2025!

Save or share this article

Join us, and be first in the queue for...