Every year around this time, I always wonder what will be the project that sets the style tone among knitters and crocheters. You know — that must-make garment or accessory that has you making a mad dash to your favorite yarn shop for a pattern and the suggested materials!
In recent years, socks, infinity scarves, fingerless mitts, cowls and shawls have been, what one might call the “it project.” Some years, there’s actually more than one, of course. For instance, last year, it seems there were two that topped the list — the three-pointed shawl which took on a more asymetrical design, and beanies that captured everyone’s attention with big fluffy pompoms on top.
But to get an insider’s perspective on the subject and a few predictions for 2020, I reached out to one of our longtime local yarn shop owners — Bridget Dean, owner of “…have you any Wool?” in Berkley, who makes her predictions based on “hand-knits and crocheted items in runway fashion.”
She said, “The trends start there and filter into real life where crafters can create their own versions of what they see. I think that stranded knitting and mosaic knitting will continue to be popular. Those techniques give the knitter lots of room to play with color and create something new and unique to him or her. People are interested in creating pieces that will not only please the eye, but that will be functional and withstand the test of time.”
