Donna Estin

Patterns available as Ravelry Downloads

Knitting: Pullover
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Knitting: Pullover
Exploding with color, Sailwinds Sweater uses variegated colored yarn in a slip-stitch pattern that pulls colors from one round to the next, in an overall shading design. Worked seamlessly in the round from the top down, knit to your desired length.
Knitting: Pullover
Local legend has long told the tales of Chessie, the Chesapeake Bay’s very own sea monster. Some marine scientists theorize that the Chessie sightings have been from the massive, aloof sturgeon which still lives in the deepest waters of the bay, but no one is sure. This loose-fitting, boxy sweater with exaggerated drop shoulder sleeves pays hom...
Knitting: Pullover
This classic men’s V-neck uses twisted rib for extra texture at the hem and cuffs. The sport weight yarn creates a comfortable sweater for wearing indoors. It is worked seamlessly from the top down, with short-row sleeve caps. There is minimal finishing.
Knitting: Pullover
Bring out your inner artist with a whimsical design that lets you make creative decisions as you go, working sections differently based on personal preferences. Marseille uses flat and textured stripes in a seamless, bottom-up yoke pullover.
Knitting: Pullover
Hidden in Maryland’s ancient Pocomoke Forest, Furnace Town was a thriving village of craftspeople that has been abandoned and overtaken by the forest. This magical world is being uncovered, and Pocomoke Pullover pays homage to this forgotten village by combining old patterns with fresh stockinette in a contemporary, standard-fitting sweater. It...
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Thick, cushy ribs in light and dark shades of the same color (or contrasting colors) take on a deeply textured 3-D look with Fisherman’s Rib. This gender-neutral hat is worked in the round from the bottom up, using only one color at a time. It’s completely reversible so you get two different looks in one. If you love the look of brioche but wan...
Knitting: Pullover
Inspired by the trendsetting neighborhood of Brussels, this loose-fitting, cropped pullover pays homage to Euroflax linen’s Belgian roots. Dansaert’s focus is a V-neck with wide collar. Back and front are worked flat from the bottom up and seamed. Drop-shoulder sleeves are worked in the round from the top down. Stitches for collar are picked up...
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Complex
Knitting: Poncho
This drapey poncho is the perfect layering piece for warmer weather. A wavey lace border runs along the bottom and an all-over fishtail lace is worked on the rest of the poncho. There are so many ways to wear this too!
Knitting: Cardigan
This lightweight, loose-fitting cardigan is the layering solution for multi-seasons. Estonian lace patterns keep this cardigan airy. It is worked seamlessly from the bottom up in one piece. Button bands are worked at the same time as the sweater for minimal finishing. Stitches are picked up around the armhole for the sleeves, then short-rows ar...
Knitting: Sleeveless Top
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Trendy stripes and cables combine in this seamless, top-down raglan. Decorative increases along the raglan lines add a delicate touch to this standard-fitting pullover. Since you are working top-down, make this as long or cropped as you like.
Knitting: Pullover
This trendy, ribbed, loose-fitting pullover is worked in the round from the bottom up, divided at the armholes and worked flat to the shoulders. Extended drop-shoulder sleeves and body use a stripe pattern without bi-colored purl bumps for a clean division between colors. Combine ribbing and stripes beautifully together! Pattern is written for ...
Knitting: Pullover
This alpine-inspired pullover uses two-tone coloring and different textures in a standard-fitting sweater. It is worked seamlessly from the bottom up with set-in style sleeves worked by picking up stitches around the armhole, then using short rows to shape the sleeve caps.
Knitting: Pullover
Belt of Venus is the name of a visual phenomenon that creates pink bands of color in the sky at sunrise and sunset. In this pullover reminiscent of the effect, four tonal shades are artfully blended with Sable stitch. The sweater is worked from the top down with continuous set-in sleeves.
Knitting: Pullover
This pullover uses two colors and two designs, worked in two pieces with nautical-themed textured sails and waves created with knit/purl stitches. The different construction makes this an interesting knit. Each side of the body is worked flat from the bottom up. Its sleeve is worked in the round from the bottom up then joined to the center of t...
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
SKILL
Knitting: Pullover
Inspired by the Art Nouveau neighborhood of Brussels, Chatelain uses curving lines to form cabled circles and cascading lace in this standard fitting pullover. It is worked flat from the bottom up, with waist shaping.
Knitting: Tee
Claude Monet’s gardens at his home in Giverny, France, were the setting for some of his most well-known works. Imagine wisteria climbing the trellises there as you work a beautiful vining lace up the center back of the Giverny Top. The lacing at the back hem gives a subtle nod to the corsets worn in Monet’s era.
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Sleeveless Top
Knit this easy-breezy tank for a burst of outfitting sunshine. Amandine is a fully buttoned v-tank with a combination of a mesh-like texture and stockinette. It is worked from the bottom up in one piece. Stitches for the button bands are picked up and worked at the end. Directions include two fits: comfort fit as shown which includes shaping fr...
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Complex
Knitting: Pullover
This intermediate level model is perfect for any event you have on your schedule.
Knitting: Cardigan
Talbot Cardigan is an airy, asymmetrical cardigan that combines stockinette and lace in a breezy, layering piece. An all-over lace design below the bustline creates a soft, delicate garment that is worked in one piece, flat to the armholes, then divided and joined at the shoulders with three-needle bind off. The overlapping fronts create a slan...
Knitting: Pullover
Knitting: Pullover
The Fiddler Sweater is a texture lover’s delight: The pullover is worked in an allover openwork pattern that resembles lacy spiderwebs, while the tapered, set-in sleeves feature deep mohair cuffs. This sweater is worked in pieces from the bottom up and seamed.
Knitting: Scarf
Openwork with knobby purl bumps are knit in a bulky, chainette yarn to create a warm, fluffy, gender-neutral, textured scarf that knits up quickly. The rich pattern looks complex but is easy to knit. The wide width allows you to fold it in half while wearing it for extra coziness.
Knitting: Pullover
Winter’s salt marsh provides beautiful contrast to surrounding water and sky, and these complex colors provided the inspiration for Salt Marsh Pullover. Everything about this pullover was a mixture of things: slip stitch mixed with variegated yarn, Merino mixed with yak and silk, and one section of a pattern mixed with bands of another.
Knitting: Beanie, Toque
Gender-neutral and timeless, this classic cabled hat keeps you warm in style from fall through the coldest winter days. The dense patterns keep the wind out and soft merino feels great! Different cable panels wrap around this squishy, thick, warm hat designed for cold weather. The fold-over ribbed brim unfolds to cover the ears for extra windy ...
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Have fun playing with lines in this beautiful piece featuring one long exaggerated pattern of horizontal lines that run cuff to cuff in this sideways sweater. The lightweight merino/silk fabric has wonderful drape allowing the lines at the bodice to widen with the weight of the bottom. Worked almost seamlessly with two short seams at each under...
Knitting: Cardigan
This seamless cardigan is a classic child’s sweater, with a gender-neutral design paired with timeless cables. For minimal finishing, the cabled button and buttonhole bands are worked at the same time as the rest of the garment. The body is worked flat, in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes. Sleeves are worked in the round from the cu...
Knitting: Pullover
Inspired by the Lechfall Waterfall in Fussen, Germany, the Itinerant Pullover draws on its Bavarian roots with twisted stitches on the wide lower bands of the body and sleeves, and a narrow panel that runs the length of the sleeves. The slightly flared cuffs create a modern silhouette. This sweater is worked from the top down, starting in separ...
Knitting: Cardigan
This classic cardigan contains timeless stitch patterns of Moss stitch, diamonds and rope cables in a stylish sweater for men (or women). The standard fitting cardigan offers two options of front closures, zipper or buttons, so you can select the look you want. Body is worked flat from the bottom up in one piece to the armholes. Set in sleeves ...
Knitting: Pullover
This oversized pullover includes generous ease allows the fabric to hang loosely and show off the texture for a cozy winter sweater. Named after the English town of Ashton-under-Lyne, this roomy pullover uses dimensional tuck stitches to form gathers in the fabric that resemble the woven branches of the Ash tree.
Knitting: Shawl / Wrap
Skill Level: Complex
Knitting: Pullover
A simple boxy shape is elevated with thoughtful details in the Early Morning Pullover. Herringbone hems and cuffs are echoed in buttonbands that run along the sides of the sweater. The front and back are worked from the bottom up in separate pieces, while the sleeves are picked up and knitted in the round from shoulder to cuff.
Knitting: Pullover
Combining a broken-rib pattern on the body with wide cables along the sleeves, the drop-shoulder Bluebird Day Pullover is simple yet stunning. The pullover is worked in the round from the bottom edge to the underarm, then the upper front and back are worked separately back and forth.
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
Thick socks with columns of twisted stitches create warm, and comfortable socks perfect for wearing on hardwood floors during the cooler months. The swirly twisted columns of ribbing are created without cable needles, to keep your knitting moving along.
Knitting: Pullover
The Ammonite Pullover certainly has statement sleeves! A dramatic cable-and-rib pattern spirals up the forearms. The body of this sweater is worked in the round from the bottom up in simple stockinette stitch, keeping the focus on the sleeves, and the neckline is finished with an I-cord bind-off.
Knitting: Cape
This gothic cape uses cables in usual ways to recreate medieval designs and intricate gothic motifs. The body of the cape is worked sideways, then turned on its side. Stitches are picked up along one edge for the yoke which is worked up to the neck bind. This is a great cape to wear open, like a shawl or cozy blanket draped around your shoulders.
Knitting: Fingerless Gloves
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Leve: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Texture that looks intricate but is easy to create is the cornerstone of the Abingdon Pullover. This loose-fitting, boxy pullover uses a deeply textured, elegant ribbing on the hem and cuffs, then transitions to an allover simple texture on the body and sleeves. Drop shoulder sleeves are kept trim through the upper arm for a modern look. Pullov...
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
The comfortable, loose-fitting Monaco Pullover features an asymmetrical hem that creates a slant across the lower body of the sweater. The vertical lines of ribbing were inspired by a city skyline growing up along an incline. The dropped shoulders allow for a boxy fit in the body and slim sleeves for a contemporary style.
Knitting: Sleeveless Top
Completely seamless and reversible! Wear the deep V in the back or front! This playful, delicate tee is casual enough for everyday activities but chic enough to wear into your favorite resort. Bamboo keeps it cool with elegant drape. Worked in the round from the bottom up, with waist shaping, it’s seamless with minimal finishing. In fact, after...
Knitting: Cardigan
Difficulty: Complex
Knitting: Tee
“Love what you love and make no apologies.”
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
I love the way the water twists and turns through the marshes of the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge on the Chesapeake Bay. I wanted to mimic this complex region in fiber and decided to use mosaic stitch on the bottom half of this standard-fitting pullover. It is complex looking but involves working only one color at a time across a row. The pullove...
Knitting: Cardigan
Created using a 100% flax yarn, the earthy Heartwood Cardigan combines lace patterns for a delicate look. The lower edge of this cardigan is worked in three separate pieces, then the pieces are joined and the body is worked back and forth in one piece to the underarm.
Knitting: Pullover
This loose-fitting Brioche pullover combines vertical and slanted lines created by increases and decreases made on the wrong side of the fabric for an interesting look. Side slits at the hem add to the loose, easy fit.
Knitting: Pullover
The brioche color blocks of the Eastport Pullover are created using the intarsia method. This pullover is worked back and forth in pieces from the bottom up.
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level - Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Nob Hill Pullover combines luxurious Alpaca Cloud yarn with an edgy design, proving that luxury is always redefining itself. A continuous lace panel encircles the body then changes direction and provides more coverage where you need it. Asymmetrical bands of Garter Stitch and eyelets wrap around the sleeves and neckline for fun accents.
Knitting: Pullover
Inspired by the parish of St. Martin in Guernsey, Channel Islands, this unisex pullover is designed with the traditional look of a guernsey but is knit in a style more familiar for today’s knitters.
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
“The old wanderlust had gotten into his blood, the joy of the unbound life, the joy of seeking, of hoping without limit.”
Knitting: Pullover
The traveling-stitch sine wave down the front and back of this raglan pullover finds its rhythm as it moves back and forth across a twin slipped-stitch axis. Thoughtful details such as reverse-stockinette rolled cuffs and hem, an I-cord neckline finish, the elegant keyhole at the front neck, and fully fashioned A-line shaping add up to an irres...
Knitting: Dress
Skill Level: Complex
Knitting: Scarf
I wanted to design a good introduction to brioche that still captured some of the dramatic effects that it is known for. Working in two colors is often easier than working in one since you can easily see which stitch is to be slipped and which is to be worked. When you work two-colored ribbing over an odd number of stitches, the same color rib ...
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Convertible Gloves
Skill Level - Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
A treasure trove of bold cables and rich textures, this sweater carries on the tradition of a classic Aran pullover with a wide panel of diamonds flanked symmetrically by rope twists and traditional braid. A few contemporary tweaks create a cozier sensibility, forgoing a fitted hem and cuffs, easing the neckline, and allowing for a generous eas...
Knitting: Pullover
This classic Aran is the men’s version of the Cambridge pullover, with traditional cable stitches paired with varied stitch patterns. Some cables have been modified from the women’s version for a more masculine look and so they can be worked a bit faster. It has minimal shaping and is worked flat, from the bottom up. With a comfortable fit, thi...
Knitting: Cardigan
The Jet Stream Cardigan is an elegant lace piece with an intriguing silhouette—perfect for spring layering. The body is worked back and forth in one piece to the underarm, then the upper fronts and back are worked separately. The sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up.
Knitting: Pullover
Inspired by the Isle of St. Kilda in the outer Hebrides, this standard fitting pullover provides more ease at the hips for a roomier fit over jeans. Body and set in sleeves are worked in the round to the armholes, then worked flat. There is just enough Fair Isle to keep this pullover fun and just enough stockinette for quick knitting.
Knitting: Pullover
The Meadowlark Garden Sweater is a tunic-length beauty with plenty of hip room and coverage thanks to the high-low hem and side slits. This loose-fitting pullover features a striped folded-over cowl neck and striped hem and cuffs created with a combination of garter and stockinette stitches.
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level - Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
This menswear inspired Steampunk sweater features textures and cables. Ribbed side panels and bronze buttons on the sleeves soften its stark lines, and a wool/hemp yarn can take you from cool autumn to cold winter weather.
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Easy-Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level-Intermediate
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Cape
Skill Level: Easy
Knitting: Mid-calf Socks
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Drawstring Bag
Made of recycled fibers, this fun bag features Celtic symbols and knotted eyelet lace. The handbag is large enough to hold today’s gadgets with a handy strap for hands-free mobility. It opens easily and quickly, and shuts with a secure I-Cord to tie for extra security. It features a sturdy Garter Stitch bottom for stability. Instructions are ch...
Knitting: Pullover
This traditional Aran sweater is made with 100% natural wool and features a combination of cable patterns. Twisted stitches are incorporated in to a rib cable. A large diamond cable pattern centers the garments. Moss Stitch is used on the sides so armhole shaping doesn’t cut into cabling. Cabled collar adds to the neckline and bobbles accentuat...
Knitting: Beret, Tam
Skill Level: Experienced
Knitting: Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Ankle Sock
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Scarf
Skill Level: Easy
Knitting: Pullover
Skill Level: Intermediate
Knitting: Mittens
These stretchy cabled mittens are designed with negative ease for a clingy fit. The close fitting mittens keep hands warm and allow for more mobility since you don’t have extra fabric to slide around. The small best fits a slender hand. The difference in small and medium is only in the circumference, not length.
Knitting: Pullover
Pattern revised 2023 with written instructions for charts and reformatting.
Knitting: Sleeveless Top
Skill level - Easy
Knitting: Cardigan
Originally designed and knitted with Classic Elite Inca Alpaca, other wonderful substitutes are listed above.
Knitting: Cardigan
Latest Revision 11/25/20