There is a surprising amount of writing involved in getting a knitting pattern into the world. There are emails to answer, patterns to write and revise, photos to plan and edit, class and design proposals to submit, tutorials and videos to produce, and this weekly(ish) newsletter through which I get to talk to you.

I am immensely grateful for all these tools available to reach like-minded people. They allow me to share my work, ideas, and teaching far beyond my local community. I am also slowly realizing that each of these activities draws from the same pool of creative energy. Acknowledging that has helped me become more intentional about resting both body and mind.

Lately, I have been trying to reconnect with my knitting by reaching through everything that has piled up between me and the craft. I just want to be able to get lost in the craft without the lingering guilt of other unfinished work. Every now and then I am reminded of those early days when there was no friction between me and my beloved craft.

Here are a few things that have helped me consistently over the past few weeks.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

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Leaving my phone in another room while I knit. Duh! This is so obvious yet so tricky. I mostly enjoy listening to audiobooks while knitting. When I leave my phone in another room, I am left with just a few controls through my earbuds. The temptation to check emails or scroll social media stays out of reach.

Fewer Active WIPs It takes immense pain for me to say this, but having fewer projects helps. Of course, I may get started on several projects at once but a “three or less active WIPs” policy keeps me balanced. It helps to see progress on those active WIPs while dreaming on the others.

Seize the days as they come Working for yourself means embracing a lot of unstructured days. Some days my focus is simply not as sharp as it is on others. On those days, the available focus is better spent on a couple of inches of stockinette than on grading a lace pattern. A really good opportunity to get lost in your knitting and even take a nap. A lot of times knitting has that effect on me and I used to resist it. Nowadays I’ve stopped resisting and it leaves me very refreshed for the rest of the day. So much so that days that started bleak have ended on a better note.

Starting early Sometimes what keeps me away from knitting is the simple act of getting started. If I can just make myself start as early in the day as possible, it becomes easier to settle into the rhythm of it. I am trying to get out of my mindset that I have to earn my knitting time.

Gamifying Once I get started with knitting, gamifying it helps to keep going. It might be simple things like keeping visual trackers or treating myself to a small snack after a certain number of rows.

Walk + Knit Taking your knit for a walk, even if just around the block or in the backyard, is a uniquely stimulating activity for body and brain. It snaps all my attention back into place. However, this does not work when the project has become considerably large.

Memorize Another thing I tend to do for continuous knitting fun is to memorize small sections of lace or cable patterns. It helps to avoid checking the pattern every so often and takes out some of the distraction that comes with it.

All of these habits are really about keeping the main thing the main thing and letting the rest fade into the background for a little while. After all, that is why many of us turn to knitting in the first place. So my invitation to you today is simple: just knit and be.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Latha Shawl Re-release

   If you loved the lace stitch pattern in my latest release Latha Cardigan, but you are not exactly up for knitting a garment at the moment, then I might have something for you. ❤️

   I have updated and re-released my earlier pattern Latha Shawl which features the same main lace panel. The updated version features my current pattern layout for improved readability, updated photography, and revised charts that now include the edge stitches for easier knitting.

   

   Please enjoy 20% off using coupon code LATHALOVE on Latha Shawl and Cardigan patterns until Wed Jun 10 2026, midnight PT.

   ✨Latha Cardigan on Ravelry

   ✨Latha Shawl on Ravelry

   ❤️

2. New design 1 in progress, Sneak Peek : Metro Tee ❤️

   My next design, Metro Tee is coming along nicely. I have been agonizing over putting just enough details into this one. I had knitted the sleeves in the same texture as that of the body but that felt a bit too much. I am much happier switching it down to stockinette sleeves. Never mind that I had re-knitted the 2 sleeves 5 times total to get it right. On we go!

   

3. New design 2 in progress, Sneak Peek : Neha Shawl ❤️

   This one is dear to my heart. Some of you might be familiar with this construction. I had used the same one in an earlier shawl pattern, Kavya. Kavya is knit sideways using short row wedges and a brioche border. A non-brioche version of that construction came up in discussion several times with knitters.

   So when Martha of Dyeing for Art requested a 2-skein shawl design, I knew immediately what to do. It has been a while since we agreed on the idea but I am happy to be getting along on this design.

   

4. Here is a picture of some student projects from my sock classes last month at Fillory Yarn. ❤️

   

5. Lambtown update I was so happy to hear from dear @kirakdesigns that the Lambtown classes this year are filling out fast. ❤️

   I am scheduled to teach two classes. Check them out if you’re interested : Lambtown Workshops

   

6. Summer MAL update: My friend, designer, knitting colleague @juliannamknits is hosting her 5th Annual Summer Make Along ‘26 currently. The MAL runs from May 29 to July 31st. You just have to bring a summer garment project and knit. Prize raffles will start during week 7 and will continue through the end of the MAL. She will draw weekly prizes during that time. Here is the invite link to her Discord if you would like to check out what it is all about!

READING UPDATES

FInished reading 📖

Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke

Currently reading 📖

It girl - Allison Pataki

After Nations: The Making and Unmaking of a World Order - Rana Dasgupta

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Thrifting, borrowing, swapping with friends, and mending are all great ways to embrace slow fashion. Rather than thinking only in terms of certain brands, slow fashion is better cultivated mindfully through the way we shop and by learning how to care for our clothes in order to preserve and extend their lifespan.

Taking up a hobby like sewing, knitting, or crochet can also be a creative and enjoyable way to express your personal style. You gain complete control over the entire process, from choosing materials to deciding on the design, style, and fit. I also find that it helps curb impulsive purchases and encourages more thoughtful choices.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

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When we start making our own clothes, we understand a lot more about our own fit preferences. As knitters we become eager to learn new finishing techniques and incorporate small refinements that can improve the look and finish of a hand-knit. Over time, this translates into a more discerning eye when selecting ready-to-wear clothing as well.

For makers, custom-made clothing does not have to remain an unattainable luxury. We can acquire the tools, materials, and knowledge needed to create garments for ourselves. Here are some tips to help you make informed choices and create clothing that feels truly right for your body.

1. Know what already works in your wardrobe: A sense of style

   It makes a whole lot of difference to your knitting when you start observing and making note of things you like and don’t like in your wardrobe.

   They can be simple things like:

   ✔️I like casual clothing.

   ✔️I like neutrals and earthy colors mostly.

   ✔️Sometimes I like a pop color here and there.

   ✔️I like collars - round neck collars, shirt collars.

   ✔️I do not like negative-ease in my garments.

   ✔️I like some of my clothing to have a touch of decorative elements - nothing too overpowering.

   ✔️I adore pockets! And so on..

   Do the same with items that don’t work in your wardrobe. Think about why you do not wear some items that often. Is it the color, is it a chore to put on, something about the fit, etc?

   When you have an understanding of your own style, you’ll naturally want to channel it into your knitting - by choice of materials, shapes, colors etc.

2. Look beyond the picture When you’re contemplating about knitting a pattern, ask yourself some questions and explore a bit to ensure that you actually create something you’ll love to wear.

   ✔️Is there a garment (store-bought or handknit) with similar lines, similar look that already works well for me?

   ✔️Do I regularly wear similar items like my wardrobe? What will I wear it with?

   ✔️Does this garment fit into my lifestyle and will I have multiple opportunities to wear it?

   ✔️Does this style or shape flatter my body in a way that I feel so comfortable and amazing when I put it on ?

3. Fabric feel

   ✔️Do I like the fabric made in this yarn weight? Do I like how it drapes ? ✔️Is it worth knitting at this gauge? - This applies to fine and heavy gauge. A fingering weight sweater might take longer to knit but I know I’ll love the results. A bulky weight sweater sounds like a fun idea and a great instant gratification project but I doubt I will actually wear it.

   ✔️Do I like the kind of yarn that’s used? Will I be able to substitute well if necessary?

4. Customizing it for yourself: Fit and the look

   Patterns are written based on sizing standards. I know from experience and observation that I don’t always fall under the same size number in various clothing brands as well as knitting patterns.

   I have learnt to treat knitting patterns as guidelines and plan my unique alterations to get a better fit by being more aware of my measurements. For example, I usually have to knit a couple inches less than the suggested full body length in patterns.

   I have written about this in my earlier posts: Before you cast on and Planning to knit a sweater you’ll love to wear.

   Also, use your knowledge from Point 1, to estimate changes you’ll make to adapt the sweater to your style.

   ✔️Will you switch it to a neutral color?

   ✔️Will you add a pocket?

What was the last garment you knit and what did change about it to suit you better? I’d love to hear in the comments.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I am currently working on two new designs. One of them is Metro Tee. I hope to do the sleeves soon and get on to the body. The other design, is still in the beginning stages. I’ll update you as soon as I have made some progress. ❤️

   

2. My latest pattern, Latha Cardigan is available for download at the intro price until May 25, midnight PT. ❤️

   

   Please enjoy 25% off using coupon code LATHA25 on this pattern

   until Mon May 25 2026, midnight PT.

   ✨Latha Cardigan on Ravelry

   ✨Latha Cardigan on Payhip

   ❤️

3. Here are some pictures from the testers of Latha Cardigan. You can also check more details in the Ravelry project gallery here. ❤️

READING UPDATES

FInished reading 📖

Vigil - George Saunders

Currently reading 📖

After Nations: The Making and Unmaking of a World Order - Rana Dasgupta

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

At its core, knitting is about making clothing for our own bodies. As knitters, we already have the basic skills needed to create our own garments. With a bit of study and planning, we can greatly reduce the chances of ending up with a project we cannot wear. A well-fitting sweater is both a joy and a luxury, and it is no longer an unattainable goal.

✔️ SIZING & EASE

The main questions are:

• Is your size available to knit?

• Will the recommended ease work for you?

• How do you determine the size you want to knit?

This three-pronged approach works well for me when determining size and ease.

(1) Your body shape and measurements
It is advisable to measure yourself over your undergarments or over a lightweight inner layer, depending on how you plan to wear your finished sweater.

(2) Measurements from your favorite sweaters
Measure different areas of your favorite sweaters, such as body circumference, sleeve length, and upper arm circumference. Ideally, the sweater you measure should have a fabric weight similar to the one you plan to knit.

You may like one garment for the way it fits through the body and another for the way the sleeves fit. Lay your favorite garments flat and note down the measurements you enjoy wearing. Compare these measurements with your body measurements to determine the amount of ease you prefer in different areas.

(3) Pattern schematic
Study the pattern schematic and any available sizing notes, including the recommended ease. Then choose a size based on both your body measurements and your preferred fit.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

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✔️ PLAN YOUR ALTERATIONS

Once you have determined your desired size and ease, study the schematic measurements for your chosen size and make a plan for any modifications you want to implement. Make notes directly on the pattern or schematic so you can easily refer back to them while knitting.

Lengthening or shortening the body and sleeves is usually fairly straightforward.

Other alterations may require some research and planning. In the beginning, it is helpful to focus on just one or two major alterations. You will grow more confident in this area with every project you complete.

✔️ YARN, SWATCH, FABRIC WEIGHT & GAUGE

Choose a yarn with fiber content similar to the yarn recommended in the pattern whenever possible. If you substitute yarn, do so thoughtfully.

The next step is to make a swatch using your chosen yarn. Are you happy with the weight, drape, and feel of the fabric against your skin? Adjust needle sizes if necessary and swatch again until you are satisfied.

Make sure to measure both your unblocked and blocked gauge and ensure that they match the pattern requirements.

Try to make your swatch as close as possible to the actual sweater fabric. For example, if the sweater includes a stitch pattern, swatch a few repeats of that stitch pattern rather than swatching in plain stockinette.

There is plenty of excellent online advice about swatching, matching gauge, and even knitting at a slightly different gauge when necessary.

✔️ GAUGE VARIATIONS

Typically, you will knit at your unblocked gauge, while the finished garment is expected to reach the desired measurements after blocking.

Here are some common situations where gauge variations may occur. Keep an eye out for these changes as you knit. Many of them can be corrected by adjusting needle size.

• Rowing out, or uneven knit and purl stitches in flat knitting

• Switching from flat knitting to working in the round

• Differences between large circumference knitting, such as the body, and small circumference knitting, such as sleeves

• Colorwork sections in yoke sweaters knitting at a different gauge than the surrounding stockinette fabric

✔️ THINK ABOUT WEARABILITY

A sweater can fit perfectly and still remain unworn if it does not suit your lifestyle or wardrobe.

Before casting on, think about your lifestyle and how you dress. Do you prefer lightweight layers or warm, substantial sweaters? Do you reach more often for pullovers or cardigans? Which colors do you wear repeatedly?

It can also help to think about practical details such as sleeve length, neckline depth, layering ease, and how much maintenance the yarn requires.

Planning with wearability in mind increases the chances that your finished sweater becomes a garment you reach for again and again.

I hope these points give you some direction as you plan a sweater that you will truly love wearing. Even when the final result falls short of our expectations, we can carry those lessons into the next project and continue learning along the way.

What are you currently planning to knit and what kind of modifications are you thinking? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Thank you for the warm welcome to my latest pattern, Latha Cardigan. It is currently available for download at a discounted price. ❤️

   

   Please enjoy 25% off using coupon code LATHA25 on this pattern

   until Mon May 25 2026, midnight PT.

   ✨Latha Cardigan on Ravelry

   ✨Latha Cardigan on Payhip

   ❤️

2. I shared a reel about the features of Latha Cardigan. ❤️

3. I’ve also uploaded a small Youtube video explaining the overall construction of Latha Cardigan. I hope you find these resources useful. ❤️

4. Lambtown 2026 workshop registration begins today, May 16 at 10 AM PT. Check out the amazing line up in their website. I am scheduled to teach two classes - Intro to 2-color Brioche, Flower Granny Squares. I hope to see some of you there. ❤️

   

   LAMBTOWN 2026 WORKSHOPS

READING UPDATES

Currently reading 📖

Vigil - George Saunders

After Nations: The Making and Unmaking of a World Order - Rana Dasgupta

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

In general, I like to include helpful notes for the knitter throughout my patterns. I wrote about this earlier in my post, Orange Lights in My Knitting Patterns.
I also try to provide as much information as possible for common modifications in sweater patterns.

I am getting ready to release the Latha Cardigan on May 14, 2026. In today’s post, let’s look at how to navigate the pattern to get the most out of it.

About Latha Cardigan

Latha is a fingering weight, top down, V neck, open front cardigan, seamlessly knit with set in sleeves. It features an A line silhouette accented by delicate lace panels on the front, while the rest of the garment is worked in stockinette.

The Latha Cardigan comes in 9 sizes.

Fits: 30 to 64 inches / 76 to 160 cm chest circumference
Ease: 2 to 4 inches / 5 to 10 cm at the chest

Schematic

When working from a sweater pattern, always start with the schematic. The more detailed the schematic, the easier it is to identify potential modifications.

Make a list of the changes you want to consider, such as body length, armhole depth, and sleeve length.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

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Construction Overview

I include a detailed overview of the sweater’s construction process in my patterns. Think of it as a mental walkthrough of the whole knitting process. It helps you identify any unfamiliar or challenging sections in advance. For example, if your gauge is likely to change between working flat and working in the round, you could prepare for it.

It also allows you to plan your knitting. You might set aside simpler sections for travel, waiting time, or relaxed knitting while watching TV.

Pattern Notes and Special Techniques

All special techniques used in the pattern are listed, with written instructions and or video links provided. Pattern notes also suggest alternative techniques where appropriate.

For example, you may choose to work 1x1 ribbing instead of double knitting for the front bands.

Shaping Sections - Stitch Counts & Lace Charts

Latha follows a top down construction, so the shoulder, neckline, and armhole shaping are all worked early in the pattern.

Lace charts, along with written instructions for all sizes, are provided for the neckline and armhole shaping sections. This means you do not have to figure out the lace placement on your own for the newly increased stitches during shaping.

Stitch counts are included throughout these shaping sections to help you stay on track. For example, V neck shaping may involve both 2 stitch and 1 stitch increases. Instead of providing a single final stitch count at the end of the neckline shaping, each size includes intermediate stitch counts, first after the 2 stitch increases are completed, and then again after the 1 stitch increases are finished.

Fit Adjustments

Armholes

Most of us do not match standard size charts perfectly. For example, you may find that the shoulder and chest measurements fit well, but the armhole depth needs adjustment.

Latha Cardigan is designed with set-in sleeves. So the best place to modify would be in the area where you knit the armhole ‘evenly’ without any shaping. The pattern includes notes to guide you on where and how to make this change.

A line shaping

The Latha Cardigan features optional A line shaping from below the underarm to the hem. If you prefer a straight silhouette, you can easily omit this shaping.

I hope you find these notes helpful as you plan your next garment.

What is the one adjustment you almost always make when knitting garments? What kind of pattern notes do you find most useful as a knitter?I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I have used SeaChange Fibers Fjord Tweed Fingering for my Latha Cardigan. Sara will be having this yarn available in her online shop, on the day of pattern release. Please be sure to check out her gorgeous colors. ❤️

2. I’ll be teaching an Intro to Brioche Workshop at Stitch and Revel soon. Do check it out if you are interested. ❤️

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

The Exes - Leodora Darlington

Currently reading 📖

Vigil - George Saunders

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

I have shared these many times in my classes and in-person meetups, and I wanted to write them down in one place so they are easier to pass along. Please feel free to share if you find them helpful.

A weighing scale helps you win yarn chicken

If your goal is to use as much yarn as possible in a project, a weighing scale can be very useful. Shawls worked sideways, socks, and lengthening the body of a sweater are all good examples. Weigh your skein before you begin, then continue weighing at key points.

If you stop the increasing section of a sideways shawl when you have a little over 50 percent of your yarn left, you can be confident you will not run out during the decreasing section.

If you measure how much yarn is used for the cuff, heel, foot, and toes of a sock, you can plan to lengthen the leg as much as you like.

If you are knitting the body of a sweater in plain rounds without shaping such as bust or waist shaping, measure how much yarn is used in one round to estimate the total needed for the body.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

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Spray blocking is your friend when working with superwash yarn

Superwash yarns are made by flattening or removing the scales of wool fiber to prevent felting in the wash. This process can also cause the yarn to lose structure, making it prone to growing when wet.

To manage this, consider spray blocking your projects. Lightly spray your item with water or a wool wash solution, pin it to measurements if needed, and let it dry completely. This method offers better control over the finished size and shape.

If you are interested, you can read more tips for working with superwash yarn in this earlier post: A Handknitter’s Guide to Superwash Yarns

Swatching is much more than making a 4 inch square

I know swatching is not everyone’s favorite part of knitting, but here is one idea to consider: If you take the time to swatch, make it worthwhile by getting as close as possible to the actual knitting experience of your project.

If your project includes lace or cables, swatch a few repeats of the pattern.

Try new techniques in a swatch before committing to the full project, such as a new short row method or unfamiliar increases and decreases.

Also, make your swatch more than four inches. A five or six inch swatch tends to be much more accurate.

If you are knitting in the round, swatch in the round. If you are making mittens, the cuff itself can serve as your swatch. You can read more about this here: Your guide to knitting well fitted mitts

Can you add to this list? Do you have knitting tips that should be shared more often in the community? I would love to hear them in the comments.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Retro Shawl is my latest design featuring garter and mosaic stripes in fingering weight yarn. There is still some time left to take advantage of the intro discount. ❤️

   

   Please enjoy 25% off using coupon code RETROLOVE on this pattern

   until Mon May 4 2026, midnight PT.

   ✨Retro on Ravelry

   ✨Retro on Payhip

   ❤️

2. Sneak Peek 1: Latha Cardigan pattern drops on May 14 2026. ❤️

   I am so pleased with how this one turned out, especially the juxtaposition of the lace panel and the double knit trim. I can’t wait to share it with you all.

   

3. Sneak Peek 2: New design in progress, Metro Tee ❤️

   

4. Spots are open in my Intro to Brioche Workshop at Stitch and Revel in May. Please check it out if you are interested. ❤️

5. Design Spotlight: My patterns in @malabrigoyarns Arroyo. ❤️

   I have published 6 patterns using Arroyo yarn which is a Sport / Light DK weight Superwash yarn. I prefer fingering weight yarn and the knitting gauge it gives any day. But there are also times I am super bored when projects take forever.Arroyo produces this lovely fabric which is just the right amount of step up from fingering weight, in my opinion. Have you tried it yet ?

   1. Soar Scarf - A unique V shaped construction that can be knit using 1 skein of Arroyo or 1 skein of fingering.

   2. Kiran Cowl - Cowl with twisted ribbing motif and a small slit to wear it comfortably.

   3. Pretty Little Brioche Scarf - A beginner level 2-color brioche long narrow scarf that comes in 3 sizes.

   4. Vivir Shawl - Kite shaped shawl with interesting garter stripes.

   5. Amar Hat - 2-color ribbed hat, that looks complex but is easy to knit.

   6. Amphi Mitts - 3-color fingerless mitts with mosaic patterning on the back of the hands and stockinette stripes on the palm. Cuffs are done in a third color for a polished look.

READING UPDATES

1. If you haven’t already, please read Kate Davies’s article on AI encroachment in knitting spaces.

Finished reading 📖

The ending writes itself - Evelyn Clarke

Currently reading 📖

The Exes - Leodora Darlington

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

I want to share my perspective as a designer and teacher.

This is not the first time I have seen a heated online discussion about pattern writers and teachers being gatekeepers of an old craft. These conversations often circle around a few recurring themes, which I am trying to address here.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

“ ‘Simple’ patterns should be free”

I am a self-taught knitter, but it would be wrong and somewhat arrogant to assume that because I needed little help to figure something out, others would have the same experience. Everyone has their own learning pace and preferences. The idea of what is ‘simple’ is highly subjective.

I wrote a post on this topic a while back:
https://craftdoodling.substack.com/p/why-simple-knitting-patterns-exist

The goal of writing something down is to convey an idea in the absence of personal communication, when the reader and writer are not sitting in the same room. In that sense, simple patterns are often harder to write.

These are the patterns beginners are most likely to pick up, and they need to be especially clear, thoughtful, and well structured so the knitter can complete the project with confidence.

“It is easy to figure it out myself”

Maybe. If that is your preference, that is perfectly fine. But not everyone wants to figure out everything on their own all the time. I had been designing and knitting for years, yet I felt completely overwhelmed by pattern grading math until I took classes that helped me move forward.

Sometimes it is comforting to have someone guide you through the next step. In my opinion, knitting patterns serve that role for many people who simply want to unwind after a long day.

“I learned it from YouTube”

YouTube is an incredible resource for learning a wide range of skills. Yes, a lot is available for free, and that can actually be part of the challenge. Beginners often feel overwhelmed by the volume of information and end up seeking in-person help.

Not all videos are created equal, and it takes time and energy to find explanations that truly work for you. It is easy to spend hours or days searching for the right tutorial. Many of my beginner students tell me they signed up for a class because they felt stuck and were losing time trying to piece things together on their own. They are often relieved to have direct guidance.

“The beginner ‘market’ is being exploited”

I teach knitting classes at various skill levels. Teaching beginners is often the lowest paid part of my work, yet I continue to do it wholeheartedly because those hesitant beginners need a place to start.

Beginners need a space where they can ask questions, clarify doubts, share their aspirations, and take pride in their first creations without fear of being judged.

Not creating or supporting such spaces would be the real gatekeeping!

I do not see beginners as a market segment to be taken advantage of. I see them as kindred spirits whom I have the privilege to welcome into the community. Being a small part of their journey is something I value deeply.

What helped you most when you were starting out? What does a “good beginner pattern” look like to you? Let me know in comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Retro Shawl Thank you for welcoming Retro Shawl, my latest design. It is a 2-color fingering weight shawl featuring garter and mosaic pattern stripes.

   

   Retro Shawl is currently available on introductory discount. ❤️

   Please enjoy 25% off using coupon code RETROLOVE on this pattern

   until Mon May 4 2026, midnight PT.

   ✨Retro on Ravelry

   ✨Retro on Payhip

   ❤️

2. I can’t wait to see your versions of Retro shawl. Don’t forget to check the tester’s projects on Ravelry for inspiration. ❤️

3. Malabrigo Yarn mentioned my Brin Cowl pattern in their posts recently, which is written with beginner brioche knitters in mind. If brioche has been in your list, please check it out. Pattern link: Brin Cowl ❤️

4. Spots are open in my Intro to Brioche Workshop at Stitch and Revel in May. Please check it out if you are interested. ❤️

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

The star from Calcutta - Sujata Massey

Currently reading 📖

The ending writes itself - Evelyn Clarke

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

The other day I had this 6 year old girl who was taking the beginning knitting class with me. This kid surprised me with her determination and learned everything I had to teach with the energy and immediacy that only young ones can muster. :) The mom did not have much interest herself, but she sat through the lesson, extremely patient and also helping the kid by articulating the questions and problems to me. She told me her daughter was learning crochet and doing well and is now eager to pick up knitting.

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Share While I was knitting

As we were finishing up class, I asked that the students knit 10 rows in garter and bring it to class next week. She immediately asked how to count the rows and quickly understood the concept of smiles and frowns as I explained it. Next week, she brought her finished homework and laid it out neatly in front of me. This time it was her dad accompanying her. I only had to show her the purl stitch a couple times and she grasped it. Her dad was prompting her to move the yarn front or back as needed for purl and knit stitches. Apparently the dad taught himself a bit of knitting from YouTube videos in order to help the child.

Every time the kid had a question, she would turn to her mom or dad, and they would encourage her to ask me instead. And then she would shyly repeat it to me.

All the while, watching the family nurture this little maker, I couldn’t help thinking of my own family. I am grateful to have a supportive family that understands me, cheers and motivates me to do more of what I love to do.

At the end of the class it was time to weave in the ends. When I opened my notions box to get my tapestry needle, she spotted a stitch marker and said “That’s pretty!”

That was a pair my husband got me from a Michaels while he was visiting the US for work, some 18 years ago. We were still in India then. I had loved the pair and kept them. But when the girl seemed to like them, in that moment, my immediate response was “Here, you can keep them!”. I fished out the pair and gave it to her.

She had already stepped into this world of making so fully, with her parents quietly holding space for her. I wanted to pass on a little of the love and support I have received and reveled in, to this young maker just beginning her journey. The sparkle in her eyes was precious.

People who want to make things with their hands often come across as inefficient, spending time on trivial things while the rest of the world is hustling around. But indeed, makers are examples of quiet, everyday determination.

If you have a maker in your life, hear them, support them, celebrate them and rally around them. ♥️

It is almost impossible not to be gently shaped by the makers in your life. Instead of constantly pursuing instant gratification, they choose to slow down, take time to observe and learn from their mistakes. They are the ones who keep showing up relentlessly for their craft, creating something out of almost nothing.

What does support look like in your creative life today? How do you show up for the makers around you? Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. My next design, Retro Shawl will be released on Wed Apr 22. Please keep an eye out for pattern release notification and your discount code. Here is a little sneak peek for you. ❤️

   

2. On Sat April 25, I will be there at Fillory Yarn, my LYS, displaying my mosaic shawl samples (Kaleidos and Retro) and possibly more. And of course you’ll be able to explore yarn options if you plan to knit any of them. Come, say hello! ❤️

   

3. I am teaching Double Knit Button bands &. Shadow Wrap Short Row Heel classes at TKGA NLKC this weekend. Here are my patterns using these two techniques, if you like to check them out. ❤️

MIKA VEST ON RAVELRY

CHALANA SOCKS ON RAVELRY

4. My May-June classes are currently scheduled at Fillory Yarn. Please check them out if you’re interested. ❤️

Basic Granny Square

Flower Granny Square

Intro to 2-color brioche (flat)

WW Socks with short row heels

5. Latha Cardigan is coming together nicely, but my testers needed some more time. So we have decided to continue the testing until end of April. Here are some test knits in progress. ❤️

6. Progress on my crochet project. ❤️

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

One and only - Maurene Goo

Currently reading 📖

The star from Calcutta - Sujata Massey

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Knitter 1 did not hesitate.
Why would I knit a small skinny scarf, she asked. The last time I was at a store in a mall, I saw this incredible sweater. I want to make one exactly like that. Even if it is plain, I can make it in beautiful yarn.

Knitter 2 smiled.
Even if you make your plain sweater in beautiful yarn, most people will think you bought it, she said. I would rather knit something that is clearly handmade. Give me mohair, cashmere, color. A scarf that catches the eye. Something even non knitters will notice.

Knitter 1 was not convinced.
But how many accessories do you really need? A sweater is useful. You can never have too many. And sweater knitting is my happy place.

Knitter 2 had her own answer ready.
The last time I was traveling, I took a simple scarf with me. It was the best thing to knit on a plane. No counting, no shaping, just rhythm.

There wasn’t any disagreement, just two very different ways of being a knitter.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

Garments ask for time and attention. There is shaping, fit, and style to consider. Those decisions usually cannot be rushed. You are making something to live in, season after season, something that becomes a trusted part of your wardrobe.

Accessories are a different ball game. They are more immediate and playful. We can let color take the lead and explore indulgent yarns. A precious skein can become something visible, something that feels like a small celebration.

What struck me most in that conversation was not the difference in what knitters choose to make, but the subtle difference in what they are seeking.

• Sometimes we want the long, steady engagement of a garment.

• Other times we are drawn to expression and the joy of visible texture and color.

• Some days we want the ease of a two stitch cast on and to simply begin.

• And on other days, a more involved stitch pattern is exactly what helps the mind settle into a better place.

None of these are more valid than the other. The truth is, most of us move between these spaces, shifting with our moods and needs. It is all part of how we find our way through our beloved craft.♥️

What are you reaching for on your needles right now, and why? Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Spring Sale: All my patterns (self-published) are 20% off through the weekend until Mon Apr 6 midnight PT. Coupon code : CDSPRING26

   

   I’ve put together a spring bundle for you with some of my favorites. One-skien shawls are popular in spring. But also most of my one-skein patterns are available in more than one size or adjustable or can be made in another yarn weight. Don’t forget to check the pattern details. Hope you find something that interests you! ❤️

   SPRING PATTERN BUNDLE

2. Spots are open in my April-June classes currently scheduled at Fillory Yarn. Please check them out if you’re interested.❤️

   1. Basic Granny Square

   2. Flower Granny Square

   3. Intro to 2-color brioche (flat)

   4. WW Socks with short row heels

3. Scenes from my crochet hat class last week at Fillory Yarn. ❤️

   

   

4. I’m honored to be teaching at TKGA NLKC conference this year. Hope to see some of you there. ❤️

5. Among other knitting WIPs, I am also currently playing with this crochet stitch pattern which is an old favorite of mine. I’ll update on my progress soon. ❤️

   

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

Kindred - Octavia E. Butler

Currently reading 📖

One and only - Maurene Goo

The star from Calcutta - Sujata Massey

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

I have always tried to do this in my patterns, for a few reasons.

CONTEXT

The most obvious one to me is about giving some context to the knitter. It is a sort of “heads-up” to the knitter, that something is about to change and preparing them for it.

In my patterns, such notes are italicized and usually given at the beginning of a section or right before you start doing something differently.

Note: The following short rows are worked so the back is slightly longer than the front.

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KEEPING AN EYE ON STITCH COUNT

Apart from stitch count numbers themselves, I have realized that knitters appreciate some amount of stitch count related information or extra checks like these.

Note: Now, looking at the RS of your project you should have 147 sts to the left of the marker and 150 sts to the right of the marker.

Note: There are eleven decrease rows in this section. Every 4th row is a decrease row.

I have also started adding separate Row Trackers to some of my patterns, where it makes sense.

HELPFUL TIPS

Sometimes, these notes are just friendly reminders, to do things that can potentially save us some trouble.

Note: Optionally, place a locking stitch marker in the first row of stitches on the RS to help differentiate RS from WS in the garter fabric.

Note: Slip the first st of the second rnd of Color A, for a jogless look.

SWEATER KNITTING

Sweater patterns could especially do with a lot of these reminders and tips. Do you agree?

Note: In the following rows, armhole is shaped by increasing 2 sts at the beginning of every row.

Note: Here we set up for knitting the rest of the body in the round by joining the front and back. Use cable CO for underarm cast-on.

Note: After knitting an inch or so in the round, it is a good idea to try the sweater on to make sure it fits well.

Usually you’ll find these notes throughout my patterns in italicized letters. To be honest, these notes are also for myself because I am very likely to forget little details and “why” behind some things I did in a design as soon as I am done with it. So having these notes around helps me answer questions about the patterns more accurately even years after publishing them.

In my imagination, as my knitters move through the pattern, these notes act as little “orange lights” asking them to slow down for a moment and prepare for the next step. ♥️

What kind of notes do you find most helpful in knitting patterns? Do you prefer patterns that explain the “why” to some extent or just the steps? Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I have been studying some new-to-me aspects of sweater construction, writing new classes, class proposals and also am working on calculations for some new designs. I’ll keep you posted on those as I make progress. ❤️

2. Currently I have two patterns under testing: Latha Cardigan and Retro Shawl. I am so grateful for the inputs and feedback obtained through testing as well as love seeing the different versions of the design. ❤️

3. My April-June classes are currently scheduled at Fillory Yarn. Please check them out if you’re interested.❤️

   1. Basic Granny Square

   2. Flower Granny Square

   3. Intro to 2-color brioche (flat)

   4. WW Socks with short row heels

4. There was a small error in the chart of my Limen Shawl pattern, which was brought to my attention. I’ve fixed it and re-uploaded the pattern. Please download your pdf again, if you bought it before March 13.Errors sometimes make their way into the final copy despite best efforts from me, the tech editors as well as my beloved test knitters. Thank you for your understanding and support! ❤️

   Here is a link to Limen Shawl on Ravelry if you’re interested.

   

5. One of my earlier designs Soar Scarf, also a personal favorite of mine, got quite a bit of attention during the Meet and Greet at Stitch and Revel last week during Bay Area Yarn Crawl. A few of the regulars at the shop had made it. But I only managed to click one picture though! 🙃

   Here is a link to Soar Scarf on Ravelry, if you want to check it out. ❤️

   

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

The Fabric of Civilization - Virginia I. Postrel

Dear Debbie - Freida McFadden

The Astral Library - Kate Quinn

Currently reading 📖

Kindred - Octavia E. Butler

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

No, I am not above having an imperfection or two in my projects, but usually I am aware of them.

In fact, I have left a couple of intentional ones in the same sample to use as teaching material to “read” brioche knitting. But I was blanking out on this one. It wasn’t something that technically affected the project, but it was there. A mistake. We got on with the class anyway, as there wasn’t much time or point in discussing it.

My mind kept circling through all the possibilities whenever I had a moment to myself during the class. Firstly, it was at the very beginning of the project. It would have been an easy fix if I had noticed early enough. Usually, I don’t hesitate to frog, or sometimes even make another sample to convey the intention of the design better.

I worked as a software engineer previously, where “known bugs” are a way of life. I couldn’t forgive myself for not knowing about this “bug.” The following morning I woke up unusually early, and that’s when the penny dropped! 🫠

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Share While I was knitting

Design Decisions for a Beginner Project

Before I came up with Brin Cowl as the material to teach beginners, I had designed a hat by the same name. It is not published on Ravelry though.

My goal is for knitters to have fun with brioche knitting while also adding slight visual interest. So the hat had two staggered brioche sections, which were very subtle. Are you able to see it in this picture?

Brioche gauge can be unpredictable when you are just getting started, and it did not seem like a good idea to begin with a project that needs to fit properly. So after a couple of introductory sessions with the hat pattern, I was back at my design board. This time, I had a clear mission: to create a beginner project that addressed as many pain points as possible in learning brioche.

The first change was choosing a heavier weight yarn so the project would grow more quickly.

Next, I made it a cowl rather than a hat. That way knitters would not have to worry about gauge.

Staggered Sections vs. Garter Rounds

I started knitting the cowl with staggered sections, the same as the hat. I was still hung up on the idea of visual interruptions in the brioche. Soon I realized that the staggering technique was not for my beginners who were taking their baby steps. I changed them to simple garter rounds, which would add visual interest and also serve as built-in lifelines if they had to rip back a few rounds of brioche.

It was at this point that I got carried away and knit up the whole cowl, completely forgetting that I had indeed worked a few staggered rounds at the very beginning as part of my earlier idea. This is what the nice lady pointed out as a mistake in my sample.

Well, she was absolutely right. It shouldn’t be there. But it is there. It lingers quietly, whispering the story of this design like an evolutionary tailbone. And I can’t help but look at it fondly now. ♥️

What are your strategies to deal with knitting mistakes? I’m curious. Let me know in comments.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. My new design using Miss Babs Yarn is coming along. I love how the two colors look together. ❤️

   

2. Bay Area Yarn Crawl is just around the corner. Please come say hello, if you are passing by Stitch and Revel on Fri Mar 20. :) ❤️

3. Some pictures from Brioche and Granny Square classes last week at Stitch and Revel.

   

   

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

The serviceberry - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Currently reading 📖

The Fabric of Civilization - Virginia I. Postrel

Dear Debbie - Freida McFadden

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Gauge is a word that is often thrown around in knitting and crochet circles. We mostly associate it with math and measurements. We talk about it in the context of number of stitches, number of rows, and swatching. Achieving precisely the same number of stitches per inch as the designer, in other words “meeting” the gauge specified in a pattern, is considered crucial.

Because we all know that failing to meet gauge will result in finished objects with incorrect measurements, often dramatically so. You do not need anything more than high school math to figure out what can potentially go wrong if gauge is off. This is the strictly mathematical side of gauge that helps us achieve measurements close to what we want.

Yet, we also crave freedom from gauge worries in our knitting from time to time. We find it reassuring when we come across projects that say “Gauge is not important,” “Any gauge,” or “Gauge-less.” These projects are more forgiving and allow you to be less precise while still producing satisfactory results. That does not mean the numbers and math are completely irrelevant, but you can make it work within a reasonable range.

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The tension between strict measurement and creative freedom gave me pause. So I decided to look up the word gauge.

• to measure something accurately using a special instrument

• to measure precisely the size, dimensions, or other measurable quantity of

• to determine the capacity or contents of

• to calculate something approximately

• to make a judgment about something, especially people’s feelings or attitudes

• to check for conformity to specifications or limits

• to sense, to estimate, to judge

I could not help but notice how the same word can mean “precisely measuring” in one context and “vaguely sensing” in another!

Coming back to knitting, I love that knitting holds space for both aspects of gauge.

First and foremost, it is the art of fabric making. Unlike sewing, where you have cloth to work with, in knitting we create the fabric stitch by stitch. The fiber content of the yarn, yarn construction, needles, and the hands making the fabric, exerting tension, all come together to create that fabric. When making fabric, it is useful to consider whether stitches are tight or loose and to judge the fabric by whether it is too stiff, curls, or drapes, and whether a ribbing is elastic enough.

Next comes the stage where we want to shape the fabric and make it meet specific measurements. Then it becomes helpful to resort to the mathematical side of things and think in terms of number of stitches and rows.

Yes, we risk making ill-fitting clothes if we stray too far from the specified gauge in a pattern. At the same time, we cannot afford to lose fabric quality in favor of merely achieving gauge numbers.

Perhaps gauge is not just about matching numbers. Perhaps it is also about learning to measure with our eyes and hands, to sense when a fabric feels right. Knitting asks us to calculate and to judge, to count and to feel. And maybe that duality is exactly what makes it such a satisfying craft.✨♥️

Have you ever prioritized fabric quality over exact gauge, or vice versa? What happened? Let me know in comments.♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I have spots open for Sizes 1, 5, 7, 8, 9. Please check the Pattern Testing Call for Latha Cardigan in my Ravelry Group, for more details, how to apply etc. Thank you for considering. ❤️

   

2. I have a new design on my needles. It is a 2-color mosaic shawl using Miss Babs Tarte Fingering. Here is a sneak peek! ❤️

   

3. Bay Area Yarn Crawl is just around the corner. I am planning to hangout at Stitch and Revel on Fri Mar 20. Please come say hello, if you are passing by! :) ❤️

4. Spots are open in these classes which are scheduled for February/March. Please check them out if you’re interested.❤️

   1. Fillory Yarn Basic Crochet Hat Class

   2. Stitch and Revel Advanced Granny Square Class

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

Murder in Constantinople - A.E. Goldin

Currently reading 📖

The Fabric of Civilization - Virginia I. Postrel

The Serviceberry - Robin Wall Kimmerer

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Knitting often begins as a dream or a wish. We see someone wielding needles, creating beauty, and we fall in love. We dream of making beautiful things ourselves.

Most of us go through a learning phase where we struggle our hands feel clumsy, the stitches refuse to cooperate, and finishing a single row can feel impossible.

But if we stick with it, something shifts. One day, we hold a finished item in our hands and proudly say, “Yes, I made this!” We’ve made it both literally and metaphorically through the learning curve of knitting.

Over time, knitting becomes a constant, trusty companion. There is comfort in watching simple loops of yarn transform into fabric, in hearing the quiet rhythm of the needles, and in seeing a pattern slowly take shape. It offers a soothing getaway from the unpredictable and chaotic parts of our lives.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

This cycle of the initial struggle, small breakthroughs, and then some quiet satisfaction, repeats itself every time we learn a new technique, tip, or trick. So, may I say that for us knitters, there is no shortage of creativity, learning, skill-building, proud moments, and a little everyday magic? ✨

When I first sat down to write this week, I had a vague idea: I wanted to capture the story of how we welcome knitting into our lives and let it become part of our routine. But for some reason, the words wouldn’t come. I stared at my keyboard, getting nowhere. So, I set it aside and went about my day. Later, when I put my pencil to paper, the thoughts poured out as a doodle, then the words followed.

So, here is my little doodle of “The Learning Curve of Knitting” for you to enjoy.♥️

What’s on your needles today? What brings you comfort and quiet? Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear from you. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I have just posted a Pattern Testing Call for Latha Cardigan in my Ravelry Group.

   Test period: Mon, Feb 16, 2026 - Mon, Apr 13 2026.

   Please check the post for more details, how to apply etc. Thank you for considering. ❤️

   

2. I couldn’t resist making this little fun reel to show the magic behind the design process of Latha Cardigan. Enjoy! ❤️

3. Class pictures from brioche class at Royal Bee Yarn last week.❤️

   

4. I will be teaching at the TKGA NLKC conference in April. Registration is open currently and the early bird pricing is applicable through March 1st.❤️

5. My February/March classes are currently scheduled at the following places. Please check them out if you’re interested.❤️

   1. Fillory Yarn Double knit button bands

   2. Fillory Yarn Basic Crochet Hat Class

   3. Stitch and Revel Intro to 2-color brioche (flat)

   4. Stitch and Revel Basic Granny Square Class

   5. Stitch and Revel Advanced Granny Square Class

READING UPDATES

Finished reading 📖

How to commit a postcolonial murder - Nina McConigley

Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry

Family of Spies - Christine Kuehn

Currently reading 📖

Murder in Constantinople - A.E. Goldin

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Many of you who follow me here might know that my family moved to the Bay Area in 2015. I had just stepped down from a twelve-year corporate career to raise my two young children. I had been knitting and crocheting for more than eight years before arriving here, so naturally, I relied heavily on my hobbies as a source of emotional support while getting used to a new place.

At that time, if you had told me, “knitting is political,” I would have laughed, or at least politely smiled, thinking it was some kind of joke.

The very first time I walked into a library knitting group, I was greeted with, “We don’t teach knitting here, if you’re looking for it.” I was hoping for, “How long have you been knitting?” or “What are you making?” or at the very least, a simple, “Hello.” I seated myself anyway and pulled out a sweater I was making for my daughter.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

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Fast forward to last week: A decade later, I teach knitting and crochet classes almost every week at yarn stores, now. I am still regularly mistaken for someone wanting to learn rather than the instructor.

Many of the regulars at the store, as well as the staff who have become friends, occasionally notice what is happening and say, “Jeez! You still get that?” Most of the time it is harmless and even makes for a good conversation starter. I am unbothered and amused at best when these things happen.

But then one day, someone takes one look at you and decides to cancel a class because they are not comfortable with your accent. That hurts a little.

Another day, you are teaching a class at one table while a large group of knitters sits at another nearby. You are in the flow, explaining a technique, and want to show your students another example of the crochet method you are discussing. You get up and reach for a sample on display, only to hear a loud, “Hey!” from the other table. When you turn back, startled, everyone is silently bent over their work. You pause for a moment, then move on because you have a class to teach. That evening, at home, it hurts more. Or maybe you finally allow yourself to feel the hurt. The sample I momentarily picked up to show the class was made by me!

It stings, but these are also some of the most revealing moments. It becomes clear what others see about you that you do not see yourself. But I know better than to bristle in reaction, because this is nowhere near the kind of real marginalization many people experience.

To be fair, I have also had loads of positive experiences, met several kind, generous and skilled knitters who regularly work with me, and provide incredible support to my work. For one person who walked away from a class, I have had the chance to teach hundreds, if not thousands over the past years. That is another reason I do not want to fuss about it too much. Usually this comes from people who do not know me or about my work and that’s fine.

That’s fine?

That’s fine, only when I don’t look very closely.

Is it really fine that I come across as “out of place” by default? Is it really fine that my presence in a space is often conspicuous before my work? Shouldn’t “kindness at first sight” be the norm in knitting spaces that are perceived, after all, as a warm, gentle part of our community?

While there are many ongoing conversations about resistance, solidarity, belonging and difference, I also can’t help thinking about how even the coziest knitting spaces do not offer a neutral experience to everyone unless careful thought and vigilance are in place. 🤍

What do you notice about care and attentiveness in the knitting spaces you move through? Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thank you.

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Malabrigo Yarns published a blogpost on their website about my recent release - Shawlaholics Vol.3 Reshma and Soie patterns. ❤️

2. Latha Cardigan is currently getting edited by my TE. Please stay tuned for a testing call from me. ❤️

   

3. I am starting with a new shawl design, using Miss Babs Tarte yarn. I love the colors together. I will keep you posted as I make progress. ❤️

   

4. My February/March classes are currently scheduled at the following places. Please check them out if you’re interested.❤️

   1. Fillory Yarn Double knit button bands

   2. Fillory Yarn Basic Crochet Hat Class

   3. Royal Bee Yarn Intro to 2-color brioche (flat)

   4. Stitch and Revel Intro to 2-color brioche (flat)

   5. Stitch and Revel Basic Granny Square Class

   6. Stitch and Revel Advanced Granny Square Class

OTHER UPDATES YOU MIGHT LIKE

1. Bay Area Yarn Crawl is just around the corner. It is always heartening to see the Crawl team go an extra mile to provide safe and joyful experience for everyone during the crawl.

READING UPDATES

Currently reading 📖

Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry

How to commit a postcolonial murder - Nina McConigley

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Going analog simply means cutting down on screen time and decreasing our dependency on technology. It is an effort to slow down and find alternate ways to complete daily tasks and find entertainment. To some extent, it also involves being conscious about not letting algorithms or AI do the thinking for us.

Many of you might agree that going analog, especially cold turkey, is not as simple as it sounds. It is a tedious process of prying our lives bit by bit from the hands of modern technology. Whether we like it or not, and whether we choose to or not, our lives are deeply digitized and the first important step is accepting this reality and acknowledging the need for change.

During the holidays, I finally bought an old fashioned alarm clock and started using it instead of setting an alarm on my phone. My mornings have become somewhat better streamlined, and a surprising number of things get done on time. For me, how successful my mornings are pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Since then, I have been considering more ways to go analog. I am listing a few here. Rather than aiming to cut screen time completely, which often fails, I have started looking for ways to soften the constant stream of inputs coming at us from our devices.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

1️⃣ A lot of unintentional scrolling happens when we go online to select something. What series to watch, what audiobook to listen to, what takeout to order, and so on. I try to treat this as a separate, limited time activity, often involving other family members. This way, decisions are usually made quickly.

2️⃣ Standing up or pacing while I am scrolling, instead of sitting and slouching, keeps my body and mind aware of the passing time. It is just uncomfortable enough to help me abandon the activity and move on with the day.

3️⃣ Choosing to work without connectivity (airplane or focus mode) needs some pre planning, but it is not impossible. When I want to focus on writing, whether for blogging, designing, or promotional content, I use my note taking apps without connectivity until I have a draft done. I can edit photos offline as well. Later, I sync everything once I am connected. I also love that audiobooks can be downloaded to my phone from the Libby app and do not require connectivity. This allows me to listen while knitting or doing chores without the temptation to scroll.

4️⃣ Using earphones or earbuds has become basic etiquette when you are using your device around others. But when I am by myself, listening to music, books, or podcasts, I often play them on my phone speaker and keep the phone a little distance away while I work. This keeps me from automatically reaching for it the moment I feel even slightly bored with my knitting

5️⃣ Carrying my work to a library or café, whether it is designing, grading, or simply knitting more, has always worked for me. My husband, who mostly works from home, enjoys this too, and we make it a co-working date every so often. My teen sometimes invites me to sit and knit beside her when she has a lot of schoolwork to get through. Maybe she still carries faint memories of crawling into my lap as a baby while I was trying to learn to knit.

6️⃣ Sometimes, instead of researching a new product, recipe, or local travel information by myself, I call or text a friend who has already done it. It works like a charm every time.

7️⃣ Choosing to use certain apps only on a computer, instead of on my phone, helps me check them on my own schedule. This has also helped me become more intentional about not constantly reacting to notifications and build a bit of immunity to them.

In my experience, deliberately choosing human company and leaning into slightly old school habits are the most effective ways to reduce my scrolling time. I touched on this topic in an earlier essay titled Some things are worth keeping human. Going analog is not about rejecting technology altogether. It is about deciding when and how it gets to occupy our attention.

What is one small way you have already gone analog, even without naming it as such? Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I’ve finished knitting Latha Cardigan sample and I am almost done with the process of grading and writing up the pattern. I will be getting it edited soon, please stay tuned for a testing call from me. ❤️

   

2. Here is a reel I shared recently about knitting with silk. Hope you find it useful. ❤️

3. Last few days to get Reshma and Soie patterns at a discounted price. Please find the links and coupon code below. Thank you for your support to my designs.❤️

   

   

   Please enjoy 25% off using coupon code SHAWLS25 on these patterns

   until Mon Jan 26, midnight PT.

   ✨Reshma on Ravelry

   ✨Soie on Ravelry

   ✨Reshma on Payhip

   ✨Soie on Payhip

   ❤️

   You can also get Reshma and Soie together as an ebook titled Shawlaholics Vol.3.

   ✨Shawlaholics Vol.3 on Ravelry

   ✨Shawlaholics Vol.3 on Payhip

   ❤️

4. My February classes are currently scheduled at Fillory Yarn and Royal Bee Yarn. Check them out if you’re interested.❤️

5. Registrations are currently open for the Next Level Knitting Conference organized by the The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) in April 2026. You can check the event schedule and classes list here. ❤️

READING UPDATES

Finished Reading 📖

The darkness knows - Arnaldur Indridason

Currently reading 📖

Great Big Beautiful Life - Emily Henry

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

These designs are focused on simple construction and subtle texture. They both are intended for a single special skein, creating light, elegant fabrics that feel indulgent yet wearable. Each of these projects are designed to use about 400+ yards of fingering weight yarn. I used Malabrigo Mora, 100% mulberry silk for my project.

Reshma

This collection aims to translate the classic square kerchief into hand knits.

As I considered the square shape for a one-skein project in silk, I had thought of it as a large garter piece with decorative border. Garter is simple to knit yet gives a squishy, desirable fabric to wear next to skin. The border has twisted ribbing and a little bud stitch to keep things interesting. This became Reshma Kerchief.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

Soie

I also couldn’t stop thinking of some knitted lace in silk and how the fabric would feel. Eventually I settled on a simple garter-based diamond lace and ended up designing Soie Kerchief. Soie comes out slightly larger than Reshma because of the lace and drapes beautifully.

Tips for choosing your project and yarn

If you have just learned to knit and purl and you feel ready to try thinner yarn, or If you are an experienced knitter looking for something mindless, Reshma might be a project for you. On the other hand if you prefer knitting and wearing lace, try Soie Kerchief.

Both of the designs make delightful fabric with silk. If you are planning to work with silk or silk blends too, you might find these posts helpful.

Notes on knitting with silk

More notes on knitting with silk

My testers have used other fibers like cotton, wool, linen etc successfully. Be sure to check their projects on Ravelry for ideas. Any fiber with some drape to it can work really well.

Reshma Tester Projects

Soie Tester Projects

My heartfelt thanks to the testers for their help with the pattern and here is a short video of the tester projects. ❤️

Styling

The finished pieces are versatile accessories that can be worn for warmth or simply to add a finishing detail.

Which of these designs speak to you? Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Reshma and Soie patterns are available on Ravelry and Payhip. My entire shawl collection is also available at a discounted price currently. Please find the links and coupon code below. Thank you for your support to my designs.❤️

   Please enjoy 25% off using coupon code SHAWLS25 on these patterns

   until Mon Jan 26, midnight PT.

   ✨Reshma on Ravelry

   ✨Soie on Ravelry

   ✨Reshma on Payhip

   ✨Soie on Payhip

   ❤️

   You can also get Reshma and Soie together as an ebook titled Shawlaholics Vol.3.

   ✨Shawlaholics Vol.3 on Ravelry

   ✨Shawlaholics Vol.3 on Payhip

   ❤️

   To celebrate my first pattern release in 2026, ALL my shawl patterns are also 25% off currently. Please use the same coupon code SHAWLS25.

   ✨My Shawl pattern bundle on Ravelry

   ❤️

2. Please check my February classes currently scheduled at Fillory Yarn and Royal Bee Yarn. I hope some of you can make it to these classes.❤️

3. Registration are currently open for the Next Level Knitting Conference organized by the The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) in April 2026. You can check the event schedule and classes list here. ❤️

4. I am working on new designs and classes. I’ll post about them soon.

READING UPDATES

Finished Reading 📖

The darkness knows - Arnaldur Indridason

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

I have been seeing so many posts on social media about people wanting to take up knitting, and I could not have asked for more. These aspirational knitters are quietly setting the tone for 2026. I have a very good feeling about it. It makes me feel a little more hopeful about life in general.

I have been teaching beginner knitting and crochet classes regularly since 2022, and I am grateful to be able to do so. It is refreshing to spend time with beginners, and it feels wonderful to share ideas and answer questions.

Everyone learns a little differently, and the heart of these classes is figuring out how best to help each person. My goal is to support them without making them feel insecure about being a beginner. It is tender work. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be part of someone’s knitting journey. I try to arrive in the best possible mindset for my classes.

Passing it on

During the holidays, I had one of my best teaching experiences at home. I taught my daughter how to knit. She had set up a timing app on her laptop to stop herself from doomscrolling. She was pacing the room with a fidget spinner in her hand. I asked if she would like to learn to knit. I braced myself for a no, based on past experiences. This time, the answer was an enthusiastic yes.

I had a garter stitch blanket on my needles as a long term project, and I got her started on that. She knit several rows during the holidays. She currently knows how to knit and how to do a yarn over. She has already asked to learn stuffed animals, socks, and some crochet in the future. She was surprised to learn that I know how to knit cables and now wants more details on cable sweaters. All in good time!

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

The Case for More Knitters

I often think we need more people who think creatively, choose slower options, and are willing to enjoy the incredible gift of time we have on this earth. Do you agree? In my opinion, knitting is one of the many brilliant ways to do exactly that. It is an endeavor worthy of endless pursuit.

My heart goes out to those who are discovering it right now. If you are an aspirational knitter out there, congratulations on finding it. I hope you stick with it and enjoy the learning, the adventures, the connections, and the quiet joy and peace this craft has to offer. It can also empower you to opt out of fast fashion over time.

Knitting never stops being fun. You will never run out of things to learn, make, or try. One moment you are holding what looks like a string, and the next moment you are wearing something you made with your own hands. That has never stopped amazing me in the twenty odd years I have been knitting. You do not have to wait for permission or perfection to begin. You just have to start.

Knitting changes how we spend our time, how we think, and how we connect in so many ways. Every new knitter adds a little more intention, patience, and creativity to the world. And that, to me, feels like something worth rooting for.

What first drew you to knitting? Do you have new or aspiring knitters in your life? I am curious to know. Let me know in the comments.

What first drew you to knitting? Do you have new or aspiring knitters in your life? I am curious to know. Let me know in the comments. ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Reshma and Soie Kerchief patterns will be released as a mini collection on Thursday, Jan 15th and I’ll send out a pattern release notification and your special discount code. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help sharing another sneak peek of Reshma Kerchief. ❤️

   

2. I have been plugging away at Latha Cardigan, my next one. You might have seen updates here and there. I’ve finished adding hem and sleeves and it is blocking currently. But I just remembered I never shared this try-on picture from before adding sleeves. What do you think?

   

READING UPDATES

Finished Reading 📖

Palaver - Bryan Washington

The mysterious case of the missing crime writer - Ragnar Jonasson

Currently Reading 📖

The darkness knows - Arnaldur Indridason

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

I had a restful break, with time to enjoy the holiday season and meet with loved ones. I also took some time to pause and reflect on 2025. I hope you had a wonderful year-end and a great start to the new year too.

I might have confessed here more than once that lists are my favorite things to write. I am starting 2026 with a list of things I intend not to do.

The idea for a not-to-do list came from one of my most favorite authors.

Not to aim for fast knitting

Knitting has to take the time it needs. Good things often do take time. I have noticed that I start talking negatively about my “knitting speed,” despite knowing the things I know. I even apologize for being a slow knitter.

If the knitting doesn’t grow with time, the right thing to do is probably to look into where that time went. I intend to put this to practice more often this year.

Not pursuing ideas that have stopped working

At some point, I read some well-meaning advice for creatives to “collect ideas” for their work. Being the kind of list maker that I am, I have hoarded and accumulated a considerable amount by now. But truly, not every idea, experiment, line of thought, or note on a scrap of paper is meant to become a full-fledged design.

Sometimes I tend to pursue things as an experiment even when I realize clearly that they are not working anymore.

There are ideas that will flourish if you push a little more. There are ideas that will fall flat no matter what. The key is to know the difference and have the prudence to stop or change course.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

Not designing for an imaginary audience

The design process is full of decision-making, and it helps to stick to a handful of goals for a design and go with them. It is also easy to second-guess every decision and get stuck. For example, it is always tempting to add something “interesting and clever to keep the knitter’s interest,” or to cut down a feature because “knitters might want it faster.”

Wearable designs are always my primary goal as a knitwear designer, and I believe this guideline is good enough to drive basic design decisions. Additionally, I am fortunate to be in conversation with real knitters: test knitters, my class students, newsletter readers, fellow designers, yarn dyers, and yarn business owners.

With all this in hand, I hope to double down on the intention and meaning that I bring to my designs.

Not overthinking my content, photos, colors that ‘suit’ me, etc.

With social media, my goal has always been to keep things realistic. Despite that resolve, I sometimes fall into unwanted comparisons and start overthinking my designs in general, the colors I choose, my photos, and so on.

I am going to try not to let this get the better of me. Clear and honest presentation of my designs is the goal, and I am going to act accordingly.

Not to completely shut out social media

I know. It seems counterintuitive to say something like this when a lot of people seem to be quitting or cutting down on social media. I have tried different things over the years, and what works for me is using social media as a tool to reach people, network with fellow makers, and stay in the know about trends.

Neither overdoing the posts nor completely going AWOL helps me much. I intend to post what makes sense, meaningfully interact with people, and keep trying to cut down on the dreaded doomscrolling.

I hope some of these resonated with your knitting journey as well. I’d love to hear about your making interests and goals for the new year. Let me know in the comments! ♥️

Leave a comment

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. My designs Reshma and Soie Kerchief patterns are currently being tested. As always the testers have created brilliant versions of the design. Please keep an eye out for the mini collection to be released later this month.❤️

   

2. My classes for January and February are scheduled at Uncommon threads and Fillory Yarn. See if you are interested in any. Here is a link to the Double Knit Button Bands class, if you have been looking to take it.❤️

3. I’ll be teaching at the Next Level Knitting Conference organized by the The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) in April 2026. You can check the event schedule and classes list here. Registration opens only on January ‘26. ❤️

OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE

My earlier essays on similar lines:❤️

Review, refocus and recommit for 2025

Where is my design compass leading to?

READING UPDATES

Finished Reading 📖

Made to stick - Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Writes and lovers - Lily King

Heartwood - Amity Gaige

Currently Reading 📖

Palaver - Bryan Washington

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

I hope you enjoyed them as well as I did. As always, I am grateful for all your support and encouragement for my designs and classes. Thank you for a great 2025!

Wishing you a peaceful and lovely holiday season. ❤️

Until next time,

Kavitha.

We see countless gift guides floating around this time of year, each charming in its own way. So here is my version, one that helps me shield myself from the anxiety, stress, and guilt that can easily creep in.

1. Books were my long-time go-to.

When our kids were younger, books were the easiest and most appreciated birthday gifts for their friends (especially by parents grateful for not receiving another Lego set or 1000 piece puzzle). I also loved gifting books to fellow book-lovers, and it usually landed well.

2. These days, I have transitioned to gift cards.

Gift cards are truly the safest option in my opinion, little tickets to freedom for both the giver and the receiver. Cash with a handwritten note works too.

3. Handmades feel like the most heartfelt gifts.

Intuitively, handmade items have always felt special to me. I have gifted cowls, small scarves, crochet bags, hats, baby knits all of which were warmly received. But I also realized handmade gifts are not everyone’s cup of tea. Plus, much of my knitting time is taken up by designing and teaching. So now I reserve gift-knitting for family, very close friends, or when someone specifically asks.

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4. For the women in my life, time together is the real gift.

No matter their age, older, younger, or peers, the best present tends to be time spent together. We plan to chat over tea at home, a café meetup, a walk or a hike. I sometimes bring a small token such as a bar of chocolate, hand cream, or a scented candle. Occasionally I let them browse my handmade pile and pick something they love.

5. Non-material gifts are a treasure trove.

There are countless ideas online for gifts that do not accumulate clutter. Museum memberships, show tickets, curated playlists, online classes, in-person craft classes like knitting, quilting, painting, pottery, massages or facials, the list goes on. I explore these whenever I want to refresh my ideas.

Kondo and Kimmerer on Receiving Gifts

Giving gifts is only half of the equation. How we receive gifts can also significantly impact the way the whole exchange feels for both people.

“A gift comes to you through no action of your own… It is not a reward; you cannot earn it, or call it to you, or even deserve it. And yet it appears. Your only role is to be open-eyed and present.”

- Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

This speaks deeply to me.
Sometimes people will bring gifts even when you have asked them not to. Accept them gracefully. They have put thought and effort into it, and that matters more than the object itself.

And if you have people in your life who ask you before buying you something, lucky you! It is not always easy to say what we want, but imagine being in their shoes. They are trying not to disappoint or simply do not know your current preferences. Letting them know makes the experience happier for both sides.

I believe that receiving gracefully, without judgment, resentment, or pressure, is a quiet skill that makes the whole season feel lighter. ♥️

Marie Kondo urges us to be adventurous and welcome things that are different. She believes that the ability to know what truly excites us can only be gained through experience. So her advice is to try a gift even if it feels different at first. She also thoughtfully reminds us that we can let go of it without guilt, if we don’t find it suitable.

The true purpose of a present is to be received, because gifts are a means of conveying someone’s feelings for you. When viewed from this perspective, there is no need to feel guilty about parting with a gift that ultimately doesn’t spark joy.

- Marie Kondo, The life changing magic of tidying up.

How is your holiday season coming along? Do you have some gift knitting on your needles currently? Let me know in the comments! ♥️

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To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. I have spent this week planning for future classes and writing design proposals and some swatching. I will be doing some more pattern and class writing as well as work on design samples for the rest of the month. ❤️

2. My classes for January and February are scheduled at Uncommon threads and Fillory Yarn. See if you are interested in any. Here is a link to the Double Knit Button Bands class, if you have been looking to take it.❤️

3. I’ll be teaching at the Next Level Knitting Conference organized by the The Knitting Guild Association (TKGA) in April 2026. You can check the event schedule and classes list here, although registration will be opened only in January ‘26. ❤️

   

READING UPDATES

Finished Reading 📖

Sharp Force - Patricia Cornwell

Currently Reading 📖

Made to stick - Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!

Last weekend, we hosted a small get-together to celebrate Diwali. The evening was beautifully spent with extended family and friends, sharing a light meal and enjoying lovely conversations. I am delighted we took the time to organize this event. 🪔

In the past, I put a lot of pressure on myself around holiday preparations. I used to begin planning weeks in advance, crafting unrealistic to-do lists 📋, and stressing over minor details for hours on end. The holiday shopping and special cooking only added to my overwhelm. At some point, I began to dread these occasions.

Often we go through life living out societal or cultural expectations, ignoring what our bodies and minds really need. Holiday times are a prime example of this.

Do certain tasks automatically get added to your list just because it’s a holiday? Let me know in the comments! ♥️

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I have been invited to places where one guest or the other confides in me about how they are not able to find time to celebrate and host people. It really is not a competition. It shouldn’t be.

I don’t know if you have noticed, but now there are more holidays than ever! Even some lesser known holidays have been blown out of proportion by product companies to sell us even more stuff we don’t need.

Here are some thoughts I want to share today:

✔️ It’s okay to choose to celebrate only those holidays that speak to you. It’s okay to skip others or celebrate more modestly.
✔️ It’s okay to adjust holiday traditions here and there to suit your current lifestyle and context. In fact, the only way to keep traditions alive is to allow for some flexibility. If we don’t, they can become stagnant and stale.
✔️ It’s okay to plan holidays in a way that’s meaningful and enjoyable for you and your loved ones, rather than checking off random to-do lists driven by someone else’s expectations.
✔️ It’s okay to give or receive a not-so-perfect gift. 🎁 It’s okay to forget someone’s gift or have someone forget yours. We’ve all been there.
✔️ What truly matters is connecting with those we love. 💗
✔️ It’s about pausing and reflecting on life.
✔️ It’s time to let go of what doesn’t help us and welcome what we truly enjoy.
✔️ And it’s absolutely time to rest and relax.

If you like my newsletter, please consider sharing it with a friend. ♥️

Share While I was knitting

To let me know you liked what you read, you can also press the little heart icon at the bottom of the newsletter. ♥️ However, if you are clicking it from your inbox, you might have to wait until Substack opens in a browser and make sure the heart icon is indeed red. Thanks! 🥰

CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES

1. Reshma and Soie Kerchief pattern testing is underway. Many thanks to everyone who offered to help test the pattern. The mini shawl collection will be released in the new year.

   

2. Latha Cardigan is coming along nicely. I have knitted a bit more after this picture was taken, but the cardigan still lacks sleeves, hem and button bands.

   

   I am using Fjord Tweed Fingering (89% American Merino/Rambouillet and 11% acrylic/rayon) from SeaChange Fibers and is one of the softest ever I’ve worked with. I had bought a sweater quantity of this yarn in 2024 at Lambtown. Last October, I had the chance to meet Sara at her booth again and show the WIP. ❤️

READING UPDATES

Finished Reading 📖

The Break-In - Katherine Faulkner

Currently Reading 📖

Sharp Force - Patricia Cornwell

Made to stick - Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Until next time,

Kavitha. ♡

Currently, this newsletter is free to subscribe. If you like my work, please consider these other ways to support:

• Click the ❤️ at the bottom of this post. If you are reading from your email inbox, this will open substack in web browser. Please allow it to open and make sure you see the red heart.

• Occasionally I share affiliate links to products and services. If you click on those affiliate links and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

• Share your thoughts in comments. I am here for the conversations. I hope you are too!

• Introduce this newsletter to a friend!

Share While I was knitting

• Buy my patterns. I hope you find something you like.

  https://www.ravelry.com/designers/kavitha-raman

I accept any of these with immense gratitude. Thank you!