for the knitters

behind the scenes. layering season. make everything.

I know there is at least one of you opening these letters like BRANDI CHEYENNE, “Where is the KNITTING as in YARN in the knitting is a love language boo?!” Guaranteed. I already know 😂

I have 8 of the designs for my new book complete — super simple everyday wear accessories. Yesterday, I knit for 10 hours determined to finish the collar on the Sojourner Jacket, stopping to respond to a few messages, blend a smoothie, bake these delicious almond flour crackers as a snack paired with the avocado chickpea dip from this video 3 VEGAN HIGH PROTEIN Savory Breakfast Ideas and make dinner: roasted Japanese sweet potato, pan fried filet of sable fish, and sautéed bok choy with ginger and garlic. Cooking was at the bottom of a 13-task list and the only items I crossed off.

I love this part of the process. There is a certain level of rigor and determination when knitting towards a goal. Where I barely leave the house, when my attention is crystal clear, and the fabric under my fingertips cheers GO BABY GO. I want to keep some projects under wraps until we are closer to the release, BUT I did share a sneak peek of Sojourner on IG stories a couple weeks ago and thought I’d share here too! Watch your ears :)

I ended up unravelling most of this progress, back to less than half of the collar. I’ve never constructed a sweater like this before and just doing the math (designing knitwear looks like dozens of formulas: 4 stitches per inch x 20" head circumference = 80 stitches to cast on) wasn’t enough. I had to create a sample fabric and ya’ll! I’m hyped for us. This isn’t the material for the final sample, but it’s perfect for designing something I need to rip out and wash a bunch of times. Mona was like “please snatch the waist” and I tested that too — fire.

We have officially entered layering season in NYC and I want to encourage you to make everything! Here are some of my DIY designs you can grab from around the web, some are free to access:

Knitting for Radical Self Care: A Modern Guide

• My book Knitting for Radical Self-Care: A Modern Guide is 50% off on Amazon right now. You can also check it out or request it at your local library. I’m rocking the Sola Scarf in the video above, and I get compliments every time I wear it.

• There are video tutorials for 8 of the 10 designs and over 30 individual technique videos to support this book on my YouTube Channel. I hope these videos will offer you ease and clarity as you complete your project.

• There are a few book updates / corrections you can find here.

Purl Soho

• I designed 4 sweaters in collaboration with Purl Soho: Gentle Cardigan, Shawl Collar Jacket, Brioche Bomber Cardigan, and Sea Sweater Coat.

• That’s an unedited behind the scenes video I made in my lil studio at home with seamless paper taped to the wall to release the Shawl Collar Jacket and the final edit turned out really fun.

• Purl has been one of my most strategic partnerships. The team is so kind and they have been incredibly supportive of my growth over the years.

• They also provide free 1-On-1 Help for their products via Zoom if you have a technical problem that is difficult to put into words or if you need to see someone demonstrate something.

chose the creepiest looking photo with Easie because the fit was cute lol

Self-Published

• I made Easie Beanie a community offering in July and you can now download this pattern for free — click here! There are sizes for all ages and for you if you have big hair, a fro or locs. It warms my heart to see so many people making it over and over again. IRL you’ve seen me style this hat many ways and wear it to many functions. I have a few in rotation always.

• Definitely check out the other pattern books on my website for cute accessories you can make in a long weekend.

I am really encouraged by this newsletter project because it gives me the opportunity to jump around and play in different mediums. And I am a fiber artist through and through. Each project is a spell we get to weave together stitch by stitch, day by day, hand in hand. Make everything. Warmly,

Brandi Cheyenne