The new Knit Picks Aura Collection features 16 new patterns to tempt knitters to embrace those warm weather knits. The collection is very thorough, in that there are airy knits, solid stockinette knits, mesh, cables, cardigans, pullovers, tees and tanks, a dress, a skirt, cowls and wraps. The collection focuses on lighter yarns, so everything is either laceweight, fingering weight, or sportweight, which means some are quite yardage-heavy (I’m looking at you, stunning Poetic skirt that takes over 3500 yards and is mostly stockinette!). But there are some that make the most of smaller amounts of yarn (under 500 yards), which means some are only 2 skein projects. Lots of mesh and modern, easy silhouettes. If you would like to check out all the patterns at a glance on Ravelry, you can find the collection here.
I like knitting lighter weather knits, so this collection really appeals to me- even some wonderful mohair lace knits that look fresh and modern. I’ll go into detail on 5 of my favourites from the collection below, but if you have questions about the patterns for any of the others, let me know and I’ll answer in the comments!
This sportweight cardigan has a clever top-down saddle shoulder construction, beginning with the cabled lattice on the upper back (charted only) and then picking up stitches at different parts to work the fronts and back. An easy to wear summer cardigan that you could throw on with just about anything, I can see this being an easy wardrobe staples.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You love top down knits so you can try on as you go, and open front cardigans with lots of drape.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: You will never wet block your swatches (or swatch!) Swatching is important here, especially wet blocking- how the mesh stitch opens up with your yarn will tell you what size you need to knit. If you just guess based on your ‘usual’ size, you will probably end up with a cardigan that is too small or too big.
This is a laceweight tee knit in the round from the bottom up. It starts with the beautiful lace hem with button details (charted). You really want to click through the link and check out all the photos of the top to appreciate the small details of this one. with a vertical mesh column on both the front and back.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You have one of those 1000 yards skeins of laceweight kicking around your stash for ages, and have no idea what to knit with it. Knit this.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: You are dead set against bottom up construction, and are lazy about blocking- the pattern requires that you wash and block this three times while making it- this is because of how laceweight mesh changes after blocking, and how that affects picking up stitches in the round.
This sportweight top is as relaxing and easy to wear as it gets- a-line, with a slight high-low hem. The front is simple so as not to detract from the fantastic split back, with button detail on the upper portion. There are also directions for knitting a sleeveless version, but given the proportions of this sweater, I’d recommend sticking with the sleeves.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You adore stockinette, folded hems, and would love to show off some special buttons with this fun back detail.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: you get bored when knitting stockinette, or your body and A-line shapes aren’t friends. And if you are indecisive when it comes to buttons, start looking for them as soon as you cast on.
A fingering weight shawl knit in a linen and cotton blend, Catamaran is a stylish mix of stripes and eyelets. The shape is almost a crescent, but has a slight triangular point, and comes in two sizes. It’s slightly asymmetrical, with an i-cord edging. This would be a quick knit, taking about 1 skein of each colour, with endless combination possibilities. Both lace and stripes are written out and charted.
You Should Totally Knit This If: Stripes and shawls are your favourite things!
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: I guess if you don’t like shawls, or asymmetrical shawls. But this is one of the more wearable shawl (read: easy to wear casually and doesn’t feel too fancy for everyday use) designs I’ve seen.
I’m really feeling easy to wear knits these days, and Alize fits the bill perfectly while still feeling a little bit special in that kid mohair. This is an oversized bottom up laceweight top with a split high-low hem and knit at a worsted-weight gauge so you know it’ll be speedy. I’m not that crazy about how dramatic the high-low hem is, so I would probably even it out. Prefer more texture to lace? There are directions for replacing the lace with seed stitch instead. This sweater is worked flat and seamed, which helps give oversized knits better structure.
You Should Totally Knit This If: You love lightweight knits for layering, super quick garments, and a pattern that gives you options.
You Should Definitely Not Knit This If: The idea of seaming laceweight is so scary it keeps you up at night.
So what do you guys think? Any standouts from the collection for you?
