2024: Knitwear Designers Defining The Future Of Knitting

There are so many talented knitwear designers out there, it’s hard to know who to follow. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Scroll through this knitwear designers list for the ultimate inspiration.

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on Sep 3, 2024.

Great Knit Fashion Designers To Follow

A. ROEGE HOVE

A. Roege Hove is a knitwear brand challenging tradition with a modern and artistic approach. Founded by Amalie Røge Hove, the brand experiments, creating unique shapes and pushing the boundaries of the materials.

Find her company at https://www.aroegehove.dk/

Alice Starmore

She’s a Scottish designer who has made significant contributions to the knitting world. Her work often draws inspiration from traditional Fair Isle knitting techniques, but she also incorporates her own designs and motifs.

Starmore’s use of color and texture in her work is exceptional, and her patterns are highly sought after by knitters around the world. She is also an author of several knitting books, and her works have been featured in many publications.

Find her at https://www.alicestarmore.com/

Alicia Robinson

Alicia Robinson is an innovative knitwear designer who creates unique and beautiful garments. She uses a mix of traditional hand-knitting techniques and modern technologies to create her pieces. She takes her inspiration from nature and her travels, and her work is both stylish and timeless.

She has been featured in several magazines and websites, and her knitwear designs have been recognized by some leading fashion houses.

Find her at http://www.agrknit.co.uk/shop/

Aliya Wanek

She’s a knitwear designer and founder of the clothing brand, Aliya Wanek. She’s inspired by traditional craft techniques and sustainable design methods to create unique pieces that tell a story.

Find her at https://aliyawanek.com/

Amy Christoffers

She’s a knitwear designer with more than 20 years of experience. She has won numerous awards for her knitted colorwork designs.

Find her at https://www.savoryknitting.com/

Anna Dalvi

Anna Dalvi is a Swedish knitwear designer and author. She loves cables and lace, which feature on her many gorgeous shawl designs. She has published various books including Mystic Shawls 1 & 2, cataloging her mystery knit along patterns, and photos of finished projects by other knitters. Her passion for lace shows in her other publications ‘Reversible Lace’ and ‘Fairy Tale Lace’ featuring stunning and intricate lace shawl patterns.

Find her at https://www.knitandknag.com/

Andrea Mowry

She’s an American designer known for her playful and creative designs. Her work often features unexpected combinations of color and texture, and she is particularly known for her use of brioche knitting techniques.

Mowry’s designs are characterized by their boldness and energy, and she is a leading voice in the movement towards unconventional, experimental knitting.

Find her company, Drea Renee Knits at https://www.dreareneeknits.com/

Brandon Mably

He’s a British designer known for his playful and whimsical knitwear creations. His work often features vintage aesthetics, bold stripes, vibrant colors, and unexpected combinations of patterns and textures.

Mably’s designs are characterized by their lively energy and exuberance, making them a favorite among knitters who are looking to add fun to their wardrobe.

Find him at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/brandon-mably

Caitlin Hunter

Alaska-based knitwear designer Caitlin Hunter draws inspiration for her designs through nature, and aims to combine art and practicality into her knits. Her designs are absolutely stunning!

Find her website at https://boylandknitworks.com/

Christina Campbell

Christina combines her passion for knitting with promoting healthy lifestyles. She’s a professor of Nutrition and Physical Activity who loves the outdoors and balances being active with her desk job and wish of designing knitwear, her specialty being cowls and wraps.

Find her blog at https://www.thehealthyknitter.com/

Elizabeth Smith

Elizabeth grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Portland where draws inspiration from and designs her patterns. Her goal is to make knitting a fun experience for everyone, and help knitters in any way she can.

Find out more at https://elizabethsmithknits.com/

Erika Maish

Erika Maish has helped to drive the popularity of the sweater vest. Based in Los Angeles, Maish’s fashion, textile and custom creations often explore the concepts of craft and Americana.

Maish got into knitting and crocheting as a kid, but only recently began to incorporate it into her work, creating and selling downloadable patterns.

Find her at https://www.erikamaish.com/

Filipa Nionoi

Filipa is a Portuguese designer and knitting instructor, and is creating wonderful work. She is a change-maker in the knitting world (like her purl inlay colorwork technique) using the Portuguese knitting technique.

Find her at https://linktr.ee/filipa_nionoi

Hannah Fettig

She’s an American designer known for her clean, modern designs and her focus on wearable knits. Her work features simple, classic shapes with contemporary twists, and she is particularly known for her use of lightweight, breathable fibers.

Fettig’s designs are characterized by their versatility and comfort, and she has a loyal following among knitters who appreciate her focus on functionality.

Find her at http://knitbot.com/

Gudrun Johnston

She’s from Shetland, Scotland. She’s been knitting since she was a child and has been designing for nearly two decades. Her designs are inspired by the traditional Shetland knitting techniques and her travels.

Find her at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/gudrun-johnston

Heidi Kirrmaier

Heidi Kirrmaier is a knitwear designer, author, and instructor. She’s best known for her modern designs that are often inspired by nature and the natural world. Her patterns can be found on Ravelry.

Find her at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/heidi-kirrmaier

Hope Macaulay

Hope Macaulay is a designer based in Northern Ireland. Her hand-knit sweaters, featuring a wide range of pastel colors, are her most recognizable pieces. Macaulay also makes vests, crop tops, and long cardigans with her small team of knitters. She’s inspired by wearable art and sustainability.

Find her at https://hopemacaulay.com/

Isabel Kraemer

She’s a German designer known for her versatile and wearable designs. Her work often features classic shapes with contemporary twists, and she is particularly known for her use of seamless construction techniques.

Kraemer’s designs are characterized by their simplicity and elegance, and she has a loyal following among knitters who appreciate her focus on function and comfort.

Find her at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/isabell-kraemer

Jared Flood

He’s an American designer known for his modern take on traditional knitting techniques. His work often features rich, earthy colors and rustic textures, and he is particularly renowned for his use of intricate lace patterns.

Flood’s designs are frequently inspired by the natural beauty of his home state of Oregon, and he is the founder of the knitting company Brooklyn Tweed.

Find him at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/jared-flood

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Joji Locatell

She’s an Argentinian designer known for her feminine and modern designs. Her work often features delicate lace patterns, subtle textures, and a focus on color. Locatelli’s designs are characterized by their simplicity and wearability, and she is particularly known for her shawl and sweater designs.

Find her at https://www.jojiknits.com/

Kaffe Fassett

Kaffe is a legendary knitwear designer known for his vibrant and colorful creations. He is recognized for his bold use of color and intricate pattern designs, inspired by his travels around the world.

His work often features geometric shapes and botanical motifs, with a mix of traditional and modern techniques. Fassett’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide, and he’s authored books on knitting and design.

Find him at http://www.kaffefassett.com/

Kate Davies

She’s a Scottish designer known for her vibrant, colorful designs and her commitment to promoting the history and culture of knitting in Scotland. Her work often draws on traditional Fair Isle and Shetland lace techniques, but she also incorporates her own modern twists.

Davies is a published author and blogger, and her work has been featured in numerous publications and exhibitions. She is also an advocate for ethical fashion and sustainability.

Find her at https://www.shopkdd.com/

Katya Zelentsova

She’s a London-based designer specializing in sentimental knitwear. She has been in the fashion industry for over 15 years, working with some of the biggest names in the industry. Her designs are inspired by her travels around the world and her love of sustainability, creating unique pieces of knitwear.

Find her at https://www.katyazelentsova.com/

Kavitha Raman

Kavitha’s designs are stylish and as she puts it “just the right of whelm”. Each of her designs will bring you hours of fun and a stunning result at the end. Her designs are thoroughly tested and they have a range of fibers and techniques.

Find her at https://payhip.com/CraftDoodlingDesigns

Kiyomi Burgin

She’s a Japanese-American knitwear designer known for her minimalist aesthetic and clean lines. Her work often features simple, elegant shapes and a focus on natural fibers. She works with her twin sister, Sachiko.

Burgin is passionate about sustainability and ethical fashion in knitwear pieces, and she’s known for her use of eco-friendly yarns.

Find Kiyomi at https://kshandknitdesign.com/

Knitting for Olive

A family business founded by mother and daughter duo Pernille and Caroline. Originally the business started with just baby and toddler knitting patterns when Caroline had her second baby, but then evolved into including adult knitting patterns and eventually their own yarn. I love their dedication to protecting animals and using responsibly sourced yarn and cruelty free silk.

Find their website at https://knittingforolive.com/

Laura Aylor

Laura aims to make knitting fun even if its sometimes a challenge. Based in the States, she mainly designs sweaters, cowls and shawls. I love the different textures she adds in her patterns.

Find her Ravelry page at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/laura-aylor

Laura Nelkin

New Yorker Laura Nelkin loves designing complex patterns that draw inspiration from the scenery of the Fingerlakes Region around her. She travels all over the country teaching classes sharing her knowledge of knitting with other knitters.

Find her website at https://www.nelkindesigns.com/

Libby Jonson

I love Libby’s designs. Her wizardry with making sure garments fit properly is legendary and she believes that knitting doesn’t have to be too hard. Always finding fun ways to connect with her audience through her podcast.

Find here at https://trulymyrtle.com/

Lulu Kaalund

Lulu Kaalund is revolutionizing design with her stunning, handcrafted pieces. This Denmark-based former chef has developed a signature style of organic stripes. Her works have been featured by renowned Danish brands Ganni and Soulland.

Find her at https://www.artsy.net/artist/lulu-kaalund

Louise Tilbrook

Louise’s designs are gorgeous with elements that are visually appealing and super fun to knit. Her designs cover a wide range of projects from socks to shawls and I highly recommend signing up to her newsletter, it’s packed full of delightful insights.

Find her at https://www.louisetilbrookdesigns.net/

Louise Rasmussen

She’s a designer that’s had wonderful success in recent years, her Norma Sweater was well received by the knitting community. Her work has attention to detail and her construction is well thought out. Her patterns are easy to follow and are available in a number of languages.

Find her at https://myfavouritethings-knitwear.com/

Melanie Berg

She’s a German designer known for her delicate lace patterns and her focus on color and texture. Her work often features a mix of traditional and modern knitting techniques, and she is particularly known for her shawl designs.

Berg’s designs are characterized by their beauty and intricacy, and she is a leading voice in the movement towards fine, delicate knitting. She has authored several knitting books and is a frequent contributor to knitting magazines.

Find her at https://mairlynd.de/

Michele Wang

Michele Wang focuses on modern interpretations of classic shapes. She’s been featured in publications including Vogue Knitting, and Pom Pom Quarterly.

Find her at http://www.mishi2x.com/

Nong Rak (Run By Cherry and Home Phuangfueang)

This is a knitwear company that specializes in creating timeless and sustainable pieces. Founded by Cherry and Home Phuangfueang, an American and Thai couple, the studio uses traditional techniques to create their pieces.

Follow this designer knitwear company at https://www.nongrak.love/

Norah Gaughan

She’s an American knitwear designer who has revolutionized the use of cables in knitting. Her designs often feature intricate cable patterns and unexpected combinations of stitch textures.

Gaughan’s work is known for its unique shapes and constructions, and she has authored several books on knitting techniques and patterns.

Find her at https://norahgaughan.net/

Rebecca Clow

Rebecca released her first design in 2022, and since then has been designing tops, sweaters and cardigans at her base in Edinburgh, Scotland. She loves to feature classic and easy to wear elements in her designs.

Find her Ravelry page at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/rebecca-clow

Rui Zhou

Since the launch of the line in 2019, Rui has been driven by the concept of imperfection. Delicate, lightweight knits in shades of sand, lilac, and lime green feature pearlescent beads that link the cutouts, creating an eye-catching effect.

Find Rui at https://www.ruiofficial.me/

Stephen West

He’s an American designer known for his bold and daring designs. His work often features unexpected combinations of color and texture, and he is particularly renowned for his use of asymmetry in his designs.

West’s designs are characterized by their playfulness and creativity, and he is a leading voice in the movement towards boundary-pushing, experimental knitting.

Find his company, WestKnits, at https://www.westknits.com/

Tatsiana Matsiuk

Tatsiana is a UK based knitwear designer, originally from Belarus. She learned to knit from her grandmother and mother at age 9, who taught her how to knit sweaters to survive the harsh cold winters of Belarus. She has since published more than 200 beautiful patterns on Ravelry.

Find her Ravelry page at https://www.ravelry.com/designers/tatsiana-matsiuk

Veera Välimäki

She’s a Finnish designer known for her minimalist aesthetic and her focus on comfort and ease of wear. Her work often features simple, elegant shapes with a focus on texture and color, and she is known for her use of speckled yarns.

Välimäki’s designs are characterized by their understated elegance and versatility, and she has a loyal following among knitters who appreciate her focus on simplicity and functionality.

Find her at http://www.rainknitwear.com/index.php/about

FAQs About Knitwear Designers

How Much Do Knitwear Designers Make?

It depends on a variety of factors, like their experience, their popularity, the companies they work with, and their location.

How To Design Knitwear?

Designing knitwear can be a fun and creative process! Start by selecting the yarn and needles that best suit the garment you’d like to create. Once you’ve decided on the basics, sketch out the design, considering the proportions for the piece.

After that, cast on and begin knitting! If you get stuck, there are helpful resources online to guide you through the process.

How To Become A Knitwear Designer?

If you’re interested in becoming a knitwear designer, the first step is to gain knowledge in fashion design and knitting. You can take classes to learn the basics of design techniques.

You should become familiar with the latest trends to understand what’s popular. Don’t forget to build a portfolio of your work to showcase your skills.

Do Knit Designers Wear Their Own Clothes?

Yes, many knit designers wear their own clothes! It’s a great way to show off your creativity and be proud of your work. Plus, they provide a unique look you can’t find anywhere else.

Who’s The Queen Of Knitwear In The Fashion Industry?

The queen of knitwear in the fashion industry was the late fashion designer Sonia Rykiel, according to Women’s Wear Daily.

Conclusion

Hope you were inspired by this roundup of the best knitwear designers! Is there someone missing from this list? Let me know below.

Read Next: Find more wonderful pattern designers in my curated list of knit blogs, discover great indie dyed yarn to go with your pattern in my guide, and find even more patterns in my article on where to find them online.