You Can Make That: Garnet Hill Edition

You Can Make That: Garnet Hill Edition

I just popped into the shop to see what was happening today and Patty pulled out the new Garnet Hill catalog she just received in the mail. We gasped when we saw the front cover! When did Garnet Hill start selling yarn?!?! Guess what? They don’t sell yarn. I get it, Garnet Hill! You’re trying to remind us that you use real fibers to make your garments. We can’t help take that cover with a grain of salt because Wool & Grace DOES sell yarn and all of those natural fibers. As we peruse all of the wearable, classic knits throughout the catalog, we can’t help but think “I could make that.” Not only that, our handmade pieces last a lifetime, and we can swoon over our awesomeness that instead of buying a ready-made version from a catalog, that we took a really long piece of yarn and made this stuff for ourselves.

One of the first pieces that caught my eye was the Cozy High-Low T-neck. I love the super cozy look of this sweater, but really – I’ve made something so similar before! Carrie Bostick Hoge’s Sea Pullover is the same thing (I made mine in discontinued Milano from Debbie Bliss). Hoge’s Version is simple, top-down raglan construction. To get the cozy fuzz like Garnet Hill’s piece, try knitting up this piece in Katia’s Cotton Merino. Having used this yarn for a sweater last year, I absolutely love it, and it feels like a dream on your body.

The Merino Bateau Neck Sweater is a chic, easy piece to wear. It also happen’s to be a spitting image for Sandrine’s Iggy sweater. Try knitting up Iggy in something like HiKoo’s Kenzie or Juniper Moon’s Herriot. Both of these options will yield a totally luscious sweater that feels cozy and fresh.

The Line & Cotton Cocoon Cardigan looks a lot like the Thysania cocoon published by Alison Green in Knitty this summer! This piece would look awesome in anything from Blue Sky’s Skinny Cotton to Queensland’s Savanna to Elsbeth Lavold’s Silky Wool. I happen to love dramatic shapes like these cocoon cardigans. They layer easily over anything.

Don’t forget about how easy it is to knit up basic hats, mitts and scarves as well. Cashmere accessories are a go-to gift at holiday season, and it’s just as easy to knit up a hat as it is to buy one from a store. The only difference is your handmade version is given and received with a lot more love. Garnet Hill’s staples are a simple basketweave texture. You can knit up the same results with something like a seed or a moss stitch, and patterns abound for these staples.

When I look at the blankets and throws in Garnet Hill, I get the same sense of “I can do that myself.” For handmade blankets, my favorite go-to are Fifty Four Ten Studios and Purl Soho, just because they put out patterns that are modern and classic. For something just a little different, I love Carrie Bostick Hoge’s Two Lights Blanket. The simple chevron pattern adds no bulk or weight to the blanket, but it does give texture and movement to the blanket.

Keep in mind, as you peruse catalogs or walk through department stores, if you can knit you can make this stuff yourself! Made with love (and not in a factory overseas), good vibes, busy hands, and natural fibers, everything you make will last a lifetime, and it’ll make you feel good while you make it and every time you put your handmade goodies to use.