Last year around this time I discovered the Outlander series and I got sucked in. Not only did I record and obsessively watch each episode, I then re-watched and searched online for shots of the costumes and wardrobe, particularly the knit pieces. I wasn’t alone. Outlander inspired patterns started popping up on Ravelry.com like magic blue mushrooms on the battlefield (if you’ve read the series, you’ll get that reference, if not, go read the series before the Showtime version resumes).
I’ve spent the last few months reading all of Diana Gabaldon’s books and if you like to knit and read, might I suggest the audible versions and a big old pair of smooth wooden needles? This is my current favorite to de-stress. Now you all know what to get me for Hanukkah!
Some of the patterns were good, like the Outlander inspired cowl that I made with Lion Brand yarn and some meh and of course nothing “official”. Until now. Now, at long last there are official knit and crochet Outlander patterns and kits from Lion Brand.
Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for sending these two kits to try & the chance to check out this collection!
I was happy to test knit the “In Pursuit of Craig Na Dun” arm warmers. I think they were based on Claire’s blue arm warmers from the “Both Sides Now”. There’s a lot of arm warmers onscreen in the Showtime series!
These armwarmers were a super fast and easy knit. I added thumb holes, which were optional. They are made from an acrylic blend yarn, which I’ll cop is not my favorite. That’s just me. I’m sure that most people will appreciate the ease of machine washability but I’m a bit of a wool freak and would love to see these done up in a yarn that is a little more authentic to the time period if I make them again, which I likely will! I think they’d work up great in Lion Brand’s Wool Ease or Organic wool.
Next in my project cue is the “Transported to 1743” Shawl which I think was featured in the Showtime original series “Rent” episode. This is also sold in a kit, complete with Heartland Acrylic yarn or you can download the pattern and craft from your own stash. Maybe spin some Scottish wool… I was pretty psyched to get to wear both my cowl and armwarmers on a chilly east coast day recently! Too bad I live in So Cal. I don’t have a real excuse for arm warmers all that often.
Confused here I watch Outlander on Starz.