As we hunker down with our knitting for the last part of the winter, it is sometimes fun to look at the 2026 sustainable fashion trends that are ready for us to enjoy casting on in the coming months. For me, it’s a little like looking at all the tomato seeds in the gardening catalog on a dark, cold January night and getting excited about the salads in summer; I can start imagining the wardrobe updates that don’t have to be quite so necessary to keep me warm whilst the snow falls.

Colour!

In 2026, knitwear is embracing the jewel tones in strength, whilst blending them with the structured looks that are being designed through the cables. Think lozenge shaped patterns with a neutral background and a pop of red earth as the main colour, or if you are feeling adventurous, royal blue and ochre are being seen as the ‘go-to’ colours for monochrome colourwork. Fairisle style patterns are also seeing a comeback with colours that are rich and exciting.

With the fashion for ‘Quiet Luxury’ fading into the shadows of last year, we are about to see a spring and summer filled with jewel tones, fringes, tassels and a whole lot of drape as ‘Maximalism’ is the name of the game for wardrobe upgrades. Knitwear is taking centre stage on many of the catwalks, and I am delighted to see that the patterns are not only colourful, but also interesting in both their construction and use of stitch definitions.

The technique of Ladderback Jacquard stitching will come into its own this year, which allows long floats to be held in the back without tight tension. It is always worth popping into your local yarn shop to see if they are holding technique classes in the evenings or at the weekends, as these are the best way to learn new ways to grow your knitting knowledge, as well as your community.

A Spectrum Of Colour!

Wool is simply the best option for colour work knitting. Other natural fabrics lack the right amount of stitch-grip that you need to achieve the best stitches, and wool ensures that you have even tension throughout your project. Plus, no other material keeps you as warm!

Plant dyed yarns drying in garden by Nellie and Eve.jpg

Here at Nellie and Eve, I am always delighted to see the colours that my pots produce, from the rich blues of indigo, to the reds from the madder plants, and everything between. Citrus yellow, vivid greens, and deep dark plums that our plants produce enable us to enjoy the full spectrum of colour without costing the earth. There are no harmful chemicals in my dye baths, which not only means that the whole eco system is cared for through the process, but it also means the wool is not damaged through the more industrial methods that are employed by the large dyeing factories. With small plant-based batches, I can make sure the integrity of the wool is maintained at every stage, allowing for the finished result on your needles being the crispest, most colourful fabric you could wish for.

Personally, I am looking forward to getting a little braver with my choices for colour combinations this year, and I can’t wait to see which ones you pick out for your projects when I see you at the yarn festivals.

Texture

Lace

A sweater in plain stocking stitch is a fantastic palette cleanser, but this year knitwear is leaning towards textures with lace being used for hems and edgings, as well as full pieces that can be worn as part of the layered look that you will start to see on the high street. A simple band of lace along a yoke of a top-down sweater is a great way to start wearing a bit more lace without it looking like a doily, and also, if you are new to lace knitting, it is a great way to learn as you don’t have to do any purl stitches.

It is very easy to add lace as an accessory if you want to tip your hat to the trend and say ‘hello’ without going into a full relationship. A small lace kerchief or bandana is the perfect one-skein project for that hank that you picked up at a yarn show but have no idea what to do with.

*Cables*

If lace isn’t something you are wanting to add to your style, texture is also being embraced through structural cables that give garments an almost architectural look. With diagonals bordered by garter rows, the focus is on structure and drape when it comes to this year’s textured fashion, and I think The Garden Cardigan by Jared Flood, encapsulates this vibe perfectly.

Which wool to choose for texture.

I don’t like my cables to look like they are apologising for being there on my jumpers; they need to stand out and be proud of the journeys they are twisting through (much like ourselves). This is why I think wool is such a wonderful medium to work with for all trends, but the beauty that it offers our lace and cable work is second to none. Nellie and Eve’s Dales 50:50 and British Wool BFL/Masham blends are the best for lace definition due to its strength and luxurious drape, and the Limited Edition Shetland allows your cables to stand out with pride due to the crisp stitch definition.

Shape and Silhouettes

Along with the ‘Maximilism’ look comes statement sleeves and big, generous, floppy roll necks; there won’t be a trace of tight fit to be seen this season! Soft balloon sleeves are an easy hack for any sweater or cardigan project as you can simply opt out of the decreasing rows until you get to the cuff, and at that point you decrease sharply and knit the cuff in a needle a full gauge size down. With necklines, you just have to keep on going! Adding shape to standard patterns will always change your yardage requirements, and I have had to use an extra full skein to add a roll neck and turned up cuffs to one of my older sweaters, and would have needed a little more if I had not done the decreases for the sleeves. So, if you are deciding to go big this year, check your stash first.

I also think that adding a little bit of lace to a summer weight cardigan could be a beautiful (and rather romantic) way of blending the trends. The joy with this option is that you could bind off the sleeve at the desired length before the cuff, then simply pick up the stitches and add your lace edition. If you later decide to take back the lace, you can just unravel it and knit a standard 2x2 rib with the same yarn and none of the issues that come with frogging.

Style Meets Comfort

With the tailoring trend seeing even the workplace 2 piece suit coming back onto the catwalk (albeit oversized and slightly relaxed), the fashion for this year is a wonderful juxtaposition of style meeting comfort, and colour outshining oatmeal.

People, it seems, are looking for ways to express themselves differently between the work setting and time at home with family and friends, and I am encouraged to see how the catwalks are encouraging a blend of the two. The reason I am excited about it is that many of us are wanting to cut down on our fashion waste and want to have statement pieces in our wardrobes that make us feel fresh, trendy, and vibrant, but are also aware that our staple items of clothing are still there and not obsolete.

Reworking, or remaking, clothes that we already have to fit our current style is a wonderful thing to do to get more life out of the items we already own. There is little need to make, or buy, loads of new items just to be part of the party, but a couple of editions and a few tweeks can not only bring us a lot of creative joy, but also give our planet a little breath. Just think; that wonderful black cardigan you have that has been with you for years and is still going strong could look totally refreshed by popping bright red buttons on it.

I am very excited about this year and all it has to offer, and I cannot wait to see what you are enjoying with your pattern choices and your wool this coming season.

Until next time,

Love, Helen xx