Beginning of the year is the perfect time for new projects!  With over 380,000 knitting designs and almost 200,000 crochet designs on Ravelry you have a lot to choose from.

A couple trends we see in lots of these:

• most are free patterns
• many have customizable options (e.g. sizing, cowls)
• many of them work up quickly for gifts or instant gratification

Here are a few categories of the most popular designs on Ravelry.

Knit Cowls

• Windchief – a squiggle of twisted stitches give this cowl a little something extra.
• Drop Stitch Cowl – chunky yarn and dropped stitches work up fashionable and quick.
• GAP-tastic Cowl – another chunky yarn, but this one with a great texture.
• Honey Cowl – texture but at a finer gauge.
• 3-Color Cashmere Cowl – fun options make this one popular.
• Bandana Cowl – great shape that will stay in place and look stylish too.

Crochet Blankets

• Sideways Shell Baby Afghan – Great texture and a nice edging.
• Granny Stripes – A crochet classic – quick the work up and the colors are limitless.
• Corner-to-Corner Throw – The shape is a classic and can be worked up in any size.  Use up all your yarn.  Also works for smaller items like pillows.
• Sophie’s Universal CAL – In stark contrast to many on this list is the Uber-colorful blanket with a variety of techniques – back post, back loop, overlay and applied crochet.  It’s a beauty.
• Neat Ripple – chevrons adaptable to any size.
• Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket – another chevron, but this one in the round.

Knit Socks

• Monkey – Fun stitch pattern the looks a lot more complicated than it is.
• How I Make My Socks – Susan B. Anderson’s take on the plain vanilla sock.
• Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock – And Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s vanilla sock.
• Vanilla Latte Socks – Plain vanilla with just a bit more.
• Hermione’s Everyday Socks – A nice, simple texture great for hand-dyed, self-striping and solids.
• Simple Skyp Socks – Another nice example of a sock with just a bit more.

Crochet Boot Cuffs

• Kathy’s Ripple Boot Cuff – a ripply texture with a lovely, plain insert.
• Crochet Boot Cuffs – similar to the previous, but flipped.  And with a pretty button decorating the side.
• Brooklyn Boot Cuffs – a pretty texture, some ribbing and a pair of buttons.
• Lace Boot Cuff – a feminine take on boot cuffs give you a way to glam-up a calmer outfit.
• Scalloped Boot Cuffs – a pretty curve decorates the top of these girly cuffs.
• Belmont Boot Toppers – shells and ribbing make for another quick project.

Knit Ponchos

• Rodeo Drive Poncho – a basic cable adorns the front.
• Hugo – another nice poncho with a pretty ribbed edging and a cushy cowl neck.
• Rosa’s Caponcho – eyelets adorn the edges with another cowl to keep you toasty.  This one is worked up shorter but you can easily add length.
• Easy Folded Poncho – the easiest knitting ever – a big, long rectangle that you fold at the end.  With or without the cowl.
• Shoulder Cosy – a nice textured stitch that’s quicker to quiet and lighter to wear.
• Gale – nice textures and shorter sleeves give you more room to move.

Crochet Ponchos

• Shortie Shell Capelet – feminine touches adorn this great design.
• Crazy Zigzag Striped Poncho – love to crochet or wear chevrons?  This one’s for you.
• Sea Turtle – pineapple lace adorn this decorative poncho.
• Customizable Poncho – another rectangle, but this one is crocheted and has a quick texture stitch.
• Poncho – a fun poncho for a child.  Projects have been work up in solids too for a more subdued look.
• Cowl Neck Poncho – a big cowl neck and optional fringe works for adults and kiddos too.

We just touched on a few popular categories – there are tons to choose from!  What are you staring on for 2016?

Craft smarter!