TIMELESS REFINEMENT

Make 2024 the year of honing in on classic stitches and projects, such as blankets, cowls and toys. Once you’ve got these in your skillset, your creative possibilities are endless! Get this FREE Rainbow Blanket pattern here!

BLANKET FORECAST

Start keeping a record of each day’s average temperature, pair it with your yarn of choice, then add the weather for that day in your chosen stitch. By the end of the year you’ll have truly unique heirloom blanket. For more details, click here

PATTERN ARRANGEMENTS

Categorise your patterns and magazines in adorable storage boxes and files – this a quick way to revamp your stitching palace. Head here for some seriously awesome storage

FIBRE FANATICS

Discover a local yarn group, create connections with fellow stitch enthusiasts and gain a new creative outlook in the process! Find your local group at www.kcguild.org.uk

DREAM PROJECT

I'm so excited, as this year my mum bites the bullet and creates her dream project: Rowan’s Moonflower coat. It’s something she’s been wanting to do for well over a year, and has finally plucked up the courage to do it! Visit Rowan's site to find your dream project!

USING UP STASH

Use up your current stash before starting a new project; have a creative declutter so you can buy even more yarn to fill your newly empty creative space!

CROCHET TREND ALERT!

The granny square is back, with independent designers on sites such as Ravelry championing the timeless design more than ever! With the ability to be made in minute form for jewellery, through to huge blankets, cushions and clothing, this is one essential skill for creating quick gifts.

KNOTTY BUT NICE

Everyone loves a cute project to make then keep or gift, making amigurumi the perfect starting point, as you’ll learn key stitches and techniques to carry on into many other makes.

SEASONAL STITCHING

Start planning now what you’d like to create for your loved ones, and yourself, this Christmas, so you can alternate between festive and non-seasonal creations, bringing you less stress as the year edges closer to the winter period.

HOME COMFORTS

There’s no better display of your stitching talents than your own home. For new challenges seek out cushions, wall art, throws and even kitchen accessories for some serious stitchy statements. Love this cushion? Find the pattern from iKnitDesigns on Etsy

SAMPLE SWATCH

It’s always a must to try a swatch to get the correct tension and master new skills required for the pattern – remember slow, steady and enjoy the process!

SET A GOAL A MONTH

Whether it be a quick amigurumi or a longer project, an end goal is the perfect way to keep on track and increase your skills. See more unique project books over at RedBubble

LOCAL HEROES

Whether they’re on your doorstep or you’ve longed to visit a yarn shop in a far-off woolly wonderland, support your independent yarn stores as they’re a hive of information, exclusive yarns and stash treats – go on, treat yourself!

Click the link below to get this pattern!

MANDALA MOMENTS

The mandala is a great way of using up any odds and ends in your stash whilst combining different stitchwork and colours to create something truly unique to you. Why not keep it as an on-going project to turn into a huge blanket?

Simon West is the master of dopamine dressing!

KNITTING TREND ALERT!

2024 is a huge year for knitting trends, with the forever classic Fair Isle being one of the top ones. Whether it’s a sweater, headband or gloves, this timeless design is huge in all colourways. Dopamine Dressing is the next must for your to-make list – with not a jot of black & white in sight, the use of bold & beautiful statement yarns is enough to put a smile on the grumpiest of faces. Start your own Dopamine Dressing journey with Simon West's statement projects

SOCIAL SAVVY

Why not make this the year you put you and your talent out there to share with the world, start small by putting patterns on Ravelry, pics on Instagram or connect with crafters around the world on CraftWorld.

WONDER WALL

CraftWorld is packed with wall art inspiration, including one of our favourites – this FREE Narwhal Wall Hanging crochet pattern, a must-make for serious statement décor.

SOCKING IT

Gemma, our Associate Editor for Knit Now and Crochet now is facing her fear, and tackling socks in 2024 - “I want to make socks this year because they’ve always been my nemesis! Knitting with fiddly DPNs has never been my thing, but I’m determined to have a plethora of gorgeous colourwork socks in my wardrobe – plus they make great last-minute gifts!”

DAINTY DECOR

Why not take your love for small creations and turn it into some functional homewares such as dish cloths and pot holders – we can’t get enough of this FREE pattern download for three diner-inspired pot holders from CraftWorld.

GIVE BACK

The UK handknitting website is the perfect place to find out which charities are always on the lookout for handmade aids for those in need. It’s also a brilliant way of using up stash!

ON YOUR MARKS

If you’re looking to learn a new technique or for a unique gift idea, then bookmarks are great for this. Quick, super fun and excellent to batch-make, ready for those last-minute gifts. Get your free pattern from Nimble Needles

INTERESTING INTARSIA

Intarsia projects are the epitome of perfect creations for children big and small, with the endless possibilities of creating images and patterns through the use of multiple different coloured yarns. Some of our favourites are on CraftWorld, including the Stomp Like a Dino and Frank Super Cat sweaters.

CUTE CHARACTERS

Take time out from accessories and apparel, and master the art of cute characters and toys. All of these and more are available from CraftWorld now!

NO COMFORT ZONE

Break free of your current creative boundaries and make this year the year you go beyond your artistic limits. Start small with swatching the pattern, then build it up into something magnificent. FREE cowl pattern from Sirdar