What is Trending in Spring 2022 for Knitting?

For Spring of 2022, I see a lot of really fun trends coming up in the knitting world!  These can be divided into a few categories:  Glam & feminine, 90’s nostalgia, Cottagecore, Prints & patterns, and textures!  All of these fashion trends will show up in knitting trends, and some of them are just perfect for the knitting community.

I LOVE a lot of these trends!  So many of the trends are built on the last couple years of working from home, and how we’ve all sought out more coziness in our lives.  And that’s the basis of knitting.  Knitters love all things cozy and sheepy and soft.  And there are so many ways that knitters can integrate these trends into their everyday knitting.  Whether materials or patterns, I’ve got you covered with recommendations for each style. Please note, I do not have any affiliation with any of these designers or Etsy shops. It’s just my own opinions & makers helping makers!

Probably the trend that is most in line with knitters is the big trend of TEXTURE.  Whether it’s outerwear, pullovers, cardigans, socks, leggings, or even earrings, TEXTURE is everywhere this season.  We see texture with the teddy bear pullovers and jackets that are so popular in the ready-to-wear industry. 

And a perfect example of a huge texture is the Bubble Cardigan, by Stephen West.  It requires a lot of time, and a lot of yarn, but the finished object is all the squish!

Cable knitters, your time has come!  Cable knits of all kinds were huge this winter, and they continue to dominate for spring.  Big, bold cables will continue to run across sweaters, accessories, even fun mugs! (BTW, I MUST have one of these double wall cups, which beautifully mimic knitwear cables!). The Billie Pullover, by Sari Nordlund epitomizes this big, chunky cable knit aesthetic!  Not ready to dive into a full cable sweater?  Try a cabled hat, cowl, or even a little cabled headband.  I’ve got the adorable Debbie’s Toboggan for this trend. Knitting friends, Spring 2022 is the season we’ve all been preparing for!

 The above mug link is an affiliate link. I may get a small commission, but it costs you nothing to use my link.

Next, let’s look at COTTAGECORE. 

What is “Cottagecore”?  Wikipedia defines it as “a fashion aesthetic…celebrating an idealised rural life.”  But to me, Cottagecore is the ultimate in soft femininity.  Think tiny floral prints, softened colors, softened textures, worn furniture.  Sort of a modern version of Shabby Chic & Farmhouse.  To get your own vision of Cottagecore, just imagine yourself a young woman, living in a very rural setting, with nothing else to do but wear beautiful, delicate sundresses and pose for stunning photos in the fields with your chickens. 

I see Cottagecore showing up in the knitting community in a few different ways.  1-I think delicate, flowing fabric will take center stage this spring, as we head into the warmth of summer.  We always see fabric choices getting lighter as the weather heats up, but this will be more of a flowy aesthetic.  2-Cottagecore will be prevalent in the choices of color.  Brown and beige, off-white, and all things neutral, along with very pale pinks will be seen all over the pattern database sites.  You’ll see some influencers move toward a lighter & brighter aesthetic in their social media and in their designs & color ways.  3-For prints and icons, you’ll see ultra-cuteness.  I think mushrooms, frogs, otters & even cute bears will take center stage this season, all with a sweet twist.  These Mushroom Fingerless Mitts by Svetlana Gibadullina just scream cottagecore!  I may have to indulge in a pair of them for myself!

Speaking of florals, PATTERN is popular in a big way for spring.  Whether you break out the mosaic knitting, stranded color work, or other technique, patterned knits are IN. Grab your needles! Maybe you want an all-over pattern, or just a touch? Have you thought about mixing & matching? Even on the same knitted garment?

My friends, FAIR ISLE is a huge trend!  You’ll see it on everything from our traditional sweaters, to printed handbags, phone cases, and more.  Color work lovers, hop on this trend!  You’ve already got all the sweaters—you’re already in style! If you aren’t quite ready for a whole sweater, maybe try your hand at a cute hat or cowl.

OTHER PATTERNS that feature big for spring will be plaids, stripes, and houndstooth.  In recent months, it seems like so many of the big knitwear designers are putting out striped sweater patterns.  We all love a good stripe, because it’s so easy, and we can mix and match.  No two sweaters have to be alike, and we don’t have to have a sweater’s quantity of any ONE color way.  A great example of this is Andrea Mowry’s uber-popular striped Douglas Cardi.  So many of us love Andrea’s relaxed modern style. 

Plaids and houndstooth are a little trickier for the knitter to accomplish, but there are so many patterns where the designer has already worked this out for you.  No math involved.  I’m just crazy about this houndstooth vest by Hannah Alexander!  You can wear it alone or pop it over your favorite tee or button down.  Super chic. 

Next up, 90’s NOSTALGIA.  Honestly, I kind of groan when I think about 90s fashion.  But here we are, folks.  Bringing the 90’s back includes things like high-waisted jeans, crop tops, bright colors, color-blocking and neons.  As a woman who’s way past my 20’s, some of these just don’t work for me.  But there are some 90s fashions that I’m happy to see back in full force. 

The cropped top has been back in style for some time now, but a lot of us are not really happy to show off our bellies.  Thankfully, you don’t have to have washboard abs to enjoy a good cropped top.  I love to wear my cropped Love Note, by Tin Can Knits, over a simple black dress, as you can see in the pics here.  When worn over a dress, the cropped style can actually create the illusion of a waistline, because of the horizontal line dividing top & bottom.  And best of all for knitters, cropped tops take very little yarn & can be worked up in no time!  I seriously knit up my Love Note in a weekend.  Admittedly, a very knitting-heavy 4-day weekend, but a weekend, nonetheless!

For color blocking, it doesn’t have to be the wild parachute pant suits of our youth.  I think I could really get behind a bright color combo on the Doubleface, by Stephanie Voyer of A la maille suivant.   Choose two colors which compliment each other, or even two colors that fight against each other.  This adorable tee could be very versatile, and look great with your high-rise jeans, or over that simple dress.

As for neons, this is not my favorite trend.  But I can totally see myself knitting with neon yarn for my kids, nieces and nephews.  I think my mother-in-law would also get a kick out of a neon hat or other knit accessory.  This neon yellow yarn from YouKnitIDye on Etsy basically makes my eyeballs buzz with joy!  It would be great for a running hat or just a vibrant pop of color.

Finally, my favorite trend of Spring 2022:  GLAM & FEMININE!  As a general rule, you can see a resurgence of interest in an era when it hits about 100 years old.  That era would of course be the 1920’s.  So, we’re looking at all things glamorous.  Even the art and antiques world is enamored with the style of the 20’s right now.

To be on-trend with glam, you’ll see gold everywhere!  I’m personally a silver-wearer, as it looks best with my skin tone, but you’ll see gold-tone accessories dominate the jewelry aisles.  Gold with marble or gold on a black background will be especially popular.  You’ll see this in knitwear with black yarn infused with a gold stellina fleck.  I’m obsessed with the gold stellina in this black yarn from Lynnsfineyarn on Etsy.  I need a winter hat with just that little touch of sparkle. 

Speaking of gold, all metallics are actually on fire this Spring.  I’m loving the Luminance from Knitpicks, which I swear looks like it’s actually shimmering.  Choose a soft pink color like Patience, and you’re glam all the way!

The above link is an affiliate link. I may get a small commission, but it costs you nothing to use my link.

No matter what your age, gender, or style preference, there are great ways to incorporate the Spring 2022 trends into your knitwear!  I feel like there’s a little something for everyone.  I’ve focused on wearable trends for women, but there are amazing ways to incorporate these trends for men & kids, as well.  Whether you’re into the 90’s nostalgic bright color blocking, or the gentleness of Cottagecore, knitting is completely on-trend!