Have Yarn, Will Travel (GUEST POST)

Hello, hello!

This week features another blog post from my lovely fiancée, as many of you had enjoyed reading her last guest post. My fiancée loves to knit and travel, and was happy to write this post for you to enjoy. Happy reading! 🙂

Have Yarn, Will Travel (GUEST POST)

If you enjoy escapist reads, knitting and crochet can also take you to far-flung dream destinations one stitch at a time. Here is a list of knit and crochet patterns inspired by places around the world. Even if you aren’t a maker, I hope you enjoy! Please let us know if you’ve been to any of these cities and if there’s anything you would make. You can find all of these projects on Ravelry for purchase from each designer.

Paris Doodle Cowl (Infinity) by Jamie Lomax

Jamie Lomax is known for her fabulous doodle patterns, also called stranded colorwork. She has a wonderful series of destination doodles for so many cities around the world (e.g., Dublin, Portland, Seattle, Edinburgh, London, Barcelona, etc.). I love the nod to gorgeous architecture and also the fun touches like a row of croissants and baguettes. Her designs are flexible, so you can choose the doodles you like.

Houses of Reykjavik Shawl by Stephen West

Stephen West is known for his colorful, intricate, and eccentric designs and mystery make-alongs. He has a number of shawls inspired by Scandinavian cities including this one that represents the houses of Reykjavik. (There’s also a blanket version too!) This shawl would be a huge undertaking and accomplishment, but so much fun.

Copenhagen calling by Isabell Kraemer

Here’s another cowl that is inspired by Copenhagen. Since Rebecca and I traveled there last summer, I’m always favoriting Denmark-inspired knits.

Cozy Near Colorado Shawl by Anne Van Winkle

Here’s a beautiful shawl inspired by Colorado. This one, while it looks like knitting, is actually Tunisian crochet (interestingly not related to Tunisia at all!) I am fully obsessed with Tunisian crochet thanks to TL Yarn Crafts, the queen of crochet. I also love these colors that the designer, Anne Van Winkle, picked out for this otherwise simple design.

Manhattan Hat by Tori Yu

Tori is a wonderful designer based in New York City who names her knits after New York City neighborhoods (e.g., Soho, Prospect, Nolita, Uptown, Gramercy, etc.). This is a hat I actually made for Rebecca a few years ago, and it has accompanied her on many trips to cold climes!

Rose city pullover by Sari Nordlund

Sari creates some of the most stunning, intricate knits. I have made a few of her shawlettes. They took a lot of time, but I’m so proud of them (and sort of wish they hadn’t been gifts). Despite being based in Scandinavia, recently (as of Dec 2025), she came out with this sweater inspired by Portland. I absolutely love the unusual colors together and the colorwork pattern on the yoke. I’m not much of a garment knitter, but I could make an exception for this gorgeous pattern.

Yorkshire Crochet Along by Meema Makes

I am currently making this blanket and having a lot of fun with it (despite the slow progress). I am truly in awe of this Meema Makes pattern. She has beautiful written instructions that are very thorough for each square and video tutorials too. It’s an incredible amount of work worth every penny. I am learning so many new crochet techniques! Best of all, each square is inspired by a different aspect of Yorkshire. For example, one square is dedicated to the Brontës and another to the mill. What a clever and gorgeous design!

An Italian Bandana by An Italian Knitter

It’s all in the name. If you want a very quick, satisfying knit here is a tiny bandana perfect for travel or an easy gift. I’ve made two!

Murano squares by Susan Ashcroft

Murano squares is a beautiful mosaic knit piece that I’ve had in my favorites for years. While the designer doesn’t write anything specific about the name, I imagine that it is inspired by Murano in Venice and the glassmaking tradition.

Maine Coast Summer Socks by Summer Lee

Summer Lee is my favorite sock designer and these Maine socks are such a perfect reflection of the beautiful state I’d like to visit one day. If I do, I’ll definitely be making these beautiful cabled socks in a bright red and wearing them in Maine.

Alaska by Camille Descoteaux

This beautiful and very popular hat perfectly evokes the beauty of Alaska. With over 5,000 projects on Ravelry, you know it’s going to be a winner. This is more stranded colorwork, which is highly addictive and fun to make. I also love the variegated color the designer chose for the background that looks like a beautiful sunrise.

Kyoto Mittens by Kathy Lewinski

These beautiful mittens are another adventure in stunning colorwork. These two colors contrast beautifully and make for a lovely Japanese-inspired design.

Dutch Tulips by Alina Appasova

I visited the Netherlands when I was ten years old, and this beautiful shawl makes me want to go right back and see all of the gorgeous tulips! This project uses more mosaic knitting to achieve this beautiful effect.

Provence top by Ekaterina Vorobeva

Lastly, I don’t know if I’ll ever actually make this gorgeous lacy tee, but I love seeing it in my favorites list on Ravelry. The color and design perfectly evoke the lavender fields in Provence. Simply stunning!

There are so, so many more, but here’s just a sampling! Whether you are a yarn enthusiast or not, I hope you enjoyed!