Everything I Knit in 2025: 15 Projects and Lessons Learned

When I look back at everything I knit in 2025, what I remember most isn’t how many pieces I completed, but how often I paused to adjust, rethink, and change course. This was the year I fully returned to knitting needles, learned to be more flexible with patterns, and found a comfortable rhythm between knitting and crochet.

These 15 projects weren’t about finishing fast or getting things perfect. They were simply about figuring out what works for me.

All Knitting Projects Completed in 2025 (Quick Overview)

In total, I completed 15 projects, plus a few very small scrap-yarn pieces that I didn’t formally record. Those tiny projects were more about using up leftovers than documenting a full process, so I usually leave them out of my yearly count.

Among the recorded projects:

• The majority were garments, mostly worked with knitting needles.
• Several were small accessories or amigurumi, often crocheted.
• A few were kit-based projects, which added a different rhythm to my knitting year.

One thing that made this roundup possible was how consistently I tracked everything. Every project lived in Notion, where I recorded yarn, needle size, gauge notes, modifications, total days worked, and post-finish thoughts. As the year went on, I kept adding features to that system—whenever I thought, “I wish I could track this,” I’d jot it down on my to-do list and build it later when I had time.

That personal tracking setup eventually evolved into a proper product. More importantly, it made reflecting on the year easy and genuinely enjoyable. Instead of relying on memory, I could clearly see patterns in how I knit, what slowed me down, and what I enjoyed the most.

Garment Knitting Projects

Garments took up most of my knitting time in 2025, and they were where I learned the most. These projects were slower and required more patience, but they also brought the biggest sense of progress. Looking back, each garment nudged me toward being more flexible, more thoughtful, and less attached to doing things “perfectly” the first time.

Granny Square Cardigan

Time spent: 69 days

This project was the real turning point of the year. The body was crocheted, but the sleeves and hem were knit, which naturally pulled me back into knitting needles after a long crochet-focused phase. That mix made the transition feel approachable rather than intimidating.

It was also the project that took the longest and required the most revisions. I unraveled, recalculated, and adjusted more times than I expected. Still, by the end, I felt noticeably more comfortable with knitting, and even my crochet tension improved. Challenging, yes—but it set the tone for everything that followed.

FORMI Balaclava

Time spent: 62 days

This was my first balaclava, and it taught me a lot about sizing and fit. It turned out warm and cozy, but I still wish I had gone slightly bigger.

I’ve crocheted plenty of hats before, but this project made me realize how well knitting suits winter accessories. Crochet still feels perfect for summer hats, while knitting really shines when warmth and structure matter.

My Favorite Things Camisole No.4

Time spent: 26 days

This was a second attempt at a pattern I had already made once, so I expected it to be straightforward. Instead, it turned out larger than planned.

Even so, I wore it often in spring and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It’s one of those projects that quietly makes you want to try again—same pattern, different color, better sizing.

Topsol Vest

Time spent: 24 days

This vest became one of the most satisfying surprises of the year. It was the first time I actively adjusted a garment to account for gauge issues instead of hoping everything would work itself out.

Those modifications paid off. I wore it frequently, even layering it into early fall, and the success gave me a noticeable confidence boost with knitting garments. It reminded me that adjusting a pattern can be part of the fun.

Frill V-Neck Tank Top

Time spent: 34 days

This was my first Japanese knitting pattern and my first bottom-up garment. The construction itself was enjoyable, but the sizing didn’t work out—it ended up far too big.

I eventually gifted it, and while I couldn’t wear it myself, the experience was still valuable. Working bottom-up for the first time made me curious to explore that construction method further.

Lilac Sweater (Dress)

Time spent: 24 days

This project started as a simple idea: matching tops for me and my child. However, plans changed when my child decided she wanted a dress instead.

It was a fun, slightly chaotic adjustment, and while the dress turned out cute, it’s still a bit big. It’s more of a “grow into it” piece, but the process itself was enjoyable.

Lilac Sweater

Time spent: 20 days

After finishing the child-sized version, knitting the adult sweater felt much smoother. Familiarity helped, though picking up sleeve stitches was still a bit tricky.

By the time it was finished, the weather had already started to warm up, so I didn’t get to wear it much. Still, it felt good to complete a project that flowed more easily the second time around.

Kiki Cardigan

Time spent: 25 days

Another Japanese pattern, and one of my favorite finished pieces of the year. The yarn shed heavily, which made the process frustrating at times, but the result was worth it.

After washing, the cardigan relaxed more than expected, but not in a way that bothered me. I enjoyed working through the calculations and modifications, and the end result feels cozy and wearable.

Balaclava (Husband)

Time spent: 11 days

This version was knit larger to fit my husband. The yarn wasn’t as soft as I’d hoped, so it’s not ideal for long wear, but it was a good sizing exercise and came together quickly.

Balaclava (Mine)

Time spent: 24 days

My own version took longer due to some finger discomfort along the way. The yarn still isn’t especially soft, but it’s more wearable than the first one, and I use it regularly.

Small Projects and Crochet Pieces

While garments dominated my year, small crochet projects played an important supporting role. These were the projects I reached for when knitting started to feel slow or heavy.

The BBB crochet bear, made with leftover yarn from the cardigan, taught me that amigurumi requires more precision than it looks. Getting clean, cute results isn’t easy.

In contrast, the crochet fish toy was pure fun. Finished in a day and gifted to a cat-owning friend, it worked perfectly as a toy—especially with a bell inside. It was easier and more enjoyable than the bear, and reminded me how satisfying quick projects can be.

Small items like keyrings and leftover-yarn pieces helped keep the year balanced. They were easy projects that prevented burnout and gave me a sense of momentum between larger garments.

My Experience with Knitting Kits

2025 was also the year I tried knitting kits for the first time.

My first kit, which I ordered internationally after waiting for a restock, was adorable and fun to make. The only tricky part was embroidering the eyes and nose, which required more patience than expected.

After that, I worked on a keyring kit and later a raffia hat kit. With each one, I became more comfortable adjusting stitch counts to suit my tension. The hat, in particular, became something I used all summer.

Kits removed some of the decision-making while still leaving room for customization. I can see why they’re appealing, especially for beginners or anyone wanting a lower-pressure project.

Techniques and Skills I Improved in 2025

This year wasn’t about mastering advanced techniques overnight. It was about steady, practical improvement. I learned how to:

• Ease back into knitting after a long break
• Adjust for gauge issues instead of ignoring them
• Pick up sleeve stitches more cleanly
• Read charted patterns without panic
• Work through Japanese knitting patterns
• Understand the structure and finish of bottom-up garments

Each skill came from a moment of frustration first, followed by trial and error. That cycle repeated itself all year—and slowly became more comfortable.

Knitting as a Social Hobby: Joining a Knitting Group

One of the most unexpected changes in 2025 was joining a knitting group. We meet once every month or two, share what we’re currently working on, and talk about patterns, yarn, and future ideas.

We don’t actually knit much during the meetups. It’s mostly conversation—about knitting, without needing to explain it. I had always thought of knitting as a solitary hobby, so experiencing it as something shared felt refreshing and surprisingly energizing.

Projects That Didn’t Turn Out as Expected

Not everything worked out perfectly. Some garments were too big. Some yarns weren’t as soft as expected. A few pieces were finished too late in the season to get much wear.

Even so, each disappointment clarified something—about materials, timing, or planning—that will shape how I approach future projects.

Knitting Projects Recap: Lessons from Everything I Knit in 2025

Looking back at everything I knit in 2025, the biggest changes weren’t in the finished objects, but in how I approached knitting itself. I became more comfortable adjusting patterns, mixing knitting and crochet, tracking my progress, and even sharing the hobby with others.

I’ll be posting a separate knitting roundup Q&A soon, answering questions like which project took the longest or which one surprised me the most. And while I already have thoughts about where my knitting is headed next year, that’s a story for another post.

For now, this roundup feels like a complete snapshot of a year spent learning, adjusting, and enjoying the process—one project at a time.