The Knitvent 2023 newbie guide

October 18, 2023

Brand new to Knitvent? Not totally sure how it works or what it’s all about? This will help.

So many members of the Curious Crew have been participating in Knitvent for years, and all that shared history makes each season more special than the last.

But we’ve got a lot of shiny new knitters, too, which is so delightful. We’re excited to welcome you to this Curious Handmade tradition, and I want to make sure you feel included and ready to jump in with both needles.

Diving into something brand new and mysterious takes some courage, so (without spoiling any of the surprises) I thought I’d demystify Kntivent just a little bit.

Since we launched the first Knitvent collection back in 2013, I’ve gotten lots of questions about the secret nature of the patterns, how to take part, and what to expect. (you can check out all the previous Knitvents in this post)

And every year brings a new question or two! So, I’ve collected answers to the most common questions for you right here:

Q. How do I join Knitvent?

A. There’s no sign up: just purchase the Knitvent 2023 Collection on Ravelry or on Gumroad, and you’re officially in! There will be chat and KAL threads in the Curious Handmade Ravelry Group and lots of inspiration on the #Knitvent2023 hashtag on Instagram, so you can join in the community aspect as much or as little as you like.

Q. How much does Knitvent cost?

A. Until October 26th when the first pattern drops, the Early Bird price for Knitvent 2023 is £10.75, which is more than 40% off the regular price. After the Early Bird closes, the price goes up to £18.00. You don’t need a code for the special, the discount is already applied. NOTE: Prices do not include any VAT applicable in your country, so the price you see displayed on Ravelry or Gumroad may be different)

Q. Is the price for the whole collection or for each pattern?

A. The price includes the whole collection!

Q. How many patterns are included?

A. There are six patterns in the Knitvent 2023 collection.

Q. I only see one pattern in the collection, though?

A. Right now there is one placeholder pattern for the presale period. Each week from Oct 26th, a new pattern (or two!) will appear on Ravelry or Gumroad as the designs are revealed.

Q. When will the first pattern be available?

A. The first pattern comes out Thursday, October 26th. I’ll release either one or two new patterns each week until Thursday, November 23rd.

Q. Once I purchase the collection, how will I get access to the new patterns?

A. Every week, on Thursday, the newly released pattern or patterns will be automatically sent to you.

If you purchase the collection on Ravelry, check your Ravelry library or messages for your updates! NOTE: Make sure you are logged into Ravelry when you purchase the collection to get the updates in your Ravelry library.

If you purchase the collection on Gumroad, you will get an email notification of each update.

Q. If the patterns are a mystery, how will I know what yarn I’ll need?

A. I’ve designed many of the patterns as stash-busters, so there’s a chance you already have something that will work! I’ve shared a list of all the sample yarns, quantities, needles, and notions for the Knitvent 2023 designs here, if you’d like to prepare ahead of the pattern releases.

Q. I’ve heard one of your Knitvent patterns uses a yarn advent calendar. I don’t have one…what should I do?

A. Advent or holiday countdown yarn calendars, which are collections of 24 surprise mini skeins from indie dyers, have become very popular in recent years, and many knitters love to treat themselves or a friend to one for the holiday season. These calendars tend to sell out early, usually before Knitvent even begins.

Don’t worry if you didn’t snag one! I design these patterns to work with scraps from your stash, or with a couple of single skeins, or even all in one colour. We’ve had plenty of members do just that for previous “advent calendar” patterns, with lovely results.

You can also consider making your own calendar mini sets from stash yarn or exchanging with a friend or two: I’ve done both, and it’s a lovely excuse to play with lots of yarn! I put together a PDF guide to help you make your own, which you can download here. I also made a video a little while back where I share some tips on making your yarn advent calendar. You can find the video here on my YouTube Channel and links to items mentioned can be found in the accompanying blog post

Q. This is such a busy time of year and I don’t know if I can fit in a KAL. Are we supposed to keep up with knitting a new pattern every week?

A. Knitvent is strictly a NO PRESSURE zone. I know we’re all juggling a lot of competing priorities, especially at this time of year.

While most of the patterns are designed to be quick gifty knits, Knitvent is really more about giving yourself a little surprise each week to nurture your creativity and finding a little quiet time for yourself to knit whenever you can.

It’s all about relaxing, having fun, and not taking the process of gift knitting too seriously.

Yes, we’ll have a KAL with prizes at the end (extending into the New Year), but it’s more than okay to go at your own pace.

Q. What if I get stuck? I’m scared the patterns might be too advanced for me.

A. First: please don’t worry. The difficulty level of the collection is adventurous beginner to intermediate. That means that if you’ve got the basics of knitting down (knit, purl, knit two together, yarn over) and you’re willing to try out unfamiliar stitches if and when they come up (and be patient with yourself while you’re learning) you can absolutely do this! I’ve designed these patterns to look impressive while being simple and comforting to knit, whether you’re brand new or not. If there’s anything unusual in a pattern, I’ll make sure to explain it thoroughly, and provide resources where I can. And remember, you’re never on your own.

Second: One of the best things about the Curious Crew is how generous and helpful they are.

The Curious Handmade Ravelry Group is the one of the nicest communities on the internet (I know I’m biased, but it is.) and with members all around the world and across many timezones, it’s a bustling, busy place full of inspiration and kindness. If you’re ever stuck or confused about a pattern your knitting or an event you’re considering, there’s always someone ready to jump in with advice or solutions.

And you can also always email us at support@curioushandmade.com if you need us, but please be patient: there’s only one lovely human behind that email address, and especially at busy times it might take us a little while to reply

Don’t forget, we’re running a very special giveaway right now to celebrate the Knitvent 2023 launch. If you’ve joined the Curious Crew, the details should be in your inbox. If not, then make sure to visit the Curious Handmade Ravelry group and @curioushandmade on Instagram to learn how to enter!

I hope this guide has given you some reassurance and confidence! If you’re ready to join us for a brand new season of surprise gift-knitting patterns and warm holiday spirit, just grab your copy of the collection and jump right in.