Cozy Coastal Knits

In her first book-length collection of knit designs, Fleischauer offers easy-to-knit and easy-to-wear knits with thoughtful details. Integrated bust darts in a little sleeveless top? Perfect! A cozy hood on a striped shawl? Genius! Best of all, useful Pro Tips are strewn throughout the book to make these projects approachable for all knitters.

I learned how to knit alongside my cousins when I was 12 years old. I followed their in-person instructions step by step until I had my first handknit scarf. I’m older now and I don’t live as close to the knitting experts in my life, which is why I love how Rosann crafted this book to feel like you’re sitting alongside a close friend learning the ins and outs of knitting. The visuals are stunning, and for someone like me who is a visual learner, they are invaluable. This is a great guide for folks just starting out, or for someone like me who is looking to get back into knitting after a hiatus.

In these designs, Rosann perfectly captures the feeling of knitting on a peaceful beach, watching the waves roll in and the sky slowly change color. I can imagine myself wearing the Cold Spring Harbor Hooded Shawl while strolling the windy shore during the off-season or cuddling up in the Nantucket Storm Cocoon (knit in my hand-dyed yarn!) at the end of a day of beach combing.

When Rosann reached out to us for yarn support for her book Cozy Coastal Knits, both Rachel Brockman (Universal yarn Creative Lead) and Aubrey Busek (Designer and UY Social Media Manager) urged me to support her for this project. They both knew what Rosann could bring to life, and they were not wrong! We loved each and every project that she created for this book, not only the ones she used Universal Yarn! We hope that you would try one or all of her timeless designs and create your own cozy coastal knits at home.

Very few knitting books are able to capture the feel and the spirit of the locations and destinations that they set out to portray. Rosann Fleischauer’s new book, Cozy Coastal Knits, takes the reader on a nautical vacation where all of the breezy souvenirs are included as knitting patterns. There are simple accessories that feature a single design element. There are other garments that are slightly more involved, including several ponchos that are always on trend and a classic men’s sweater with refined and updated design elements. Most of the samples are knit in carefully curated yarns which naturally evoke the water and the coast. There are also chapters that reveal an insider’s view of the knitting industry, such as a description of tools to make every knitter’s life a little easier, as well as a valuable discussion of possible yarn substitutions for the patterns in the book when the yarn chosen for a design is eventually discontinued. This is one book that you will definitely want to carry around with you in your summer tote bag as you relax by the pool or on the beach!

A delightful travelogue of knitwear, Cozy Coastal Knits by designer Rosann Fleischauer presents 21 hand knitting patterns themed to the seascape beauty of coastal New England, the Florida Keys, and southern California. A sailing enthusiast, the author evokes some of her favorite locations, while also sharing her perfect knit wardrobe for hygge.

With an emphasis on useful and timeless pieces, she includes accessories, wraps, and garments, all with extensive helpful tips and tricks, as well as aspirational descriptions of where and why one might wear these pieces.

The book opens with informative chapters on knitting tools, yarn selection, swatching, and blocking, written in a personal and attentive voice, sharing pro tips as a knitting friend. The patterns themselves are both accessible and engaging, including advanced techniques paired with straightforward and simple construction.

More than just a pattern collection or a technique manual, the book provides both enticing knitwear designs paired with a wealth of useful knitting information, while taking you on a cozy coastal journey.

"Cozy Coastal Knits is a collection of accessories (plus two sweaters and a skirt), that are classic in design, yet easy to knit. The author shares her joy of coastal travel via boat through the various projects she has included. Vacation knitting should be stress-free, and one should be able to enjoy the scenery while knitting, rather than being shackled to complicated instructions. Often, alternative yarns are suggested for the projects with photos to show how each makes up. The directions are clear and the scenic photos are lovely. It’s the perfect book to pop into your knitting bag for your next vacation, even if you’ll spend it on your back porch!"

"Grab your knitting and set sail for a gentle adventure with Rosann’s new book, Cozy Coastal Knits. Like any good sailing adventure, it is equal parts sightseeing and learning how to sail. This book is no different! Rosann takes readers through a generous set up, educating readers on the importance of materials and preparation. She calls special attention to gauge and blocking. Although these are not every knitter’s favorite activities, Rosann demonstrates how taking a few extra steps can, “can transform a piece entirely from homemade craft to handmade art.”

Rosann has created a wonderful guide for yarn substitutions. In this guide, the reader is introduced to each yarn that will be used later on in the pattern section, why it was chosen, and what qualities to look for in a replacement yarn. She invites all of her readers to experiment with substitutions and make these garments truly personal. Armed with this information, any knitter will be able to make confident, educated decisions around using the best yarn for their project.

Rosann empowers knitters to think and understand why a pattern calls for a specific yarn or uses a specific technique. All of these choices are intentional and serve a purpose in the creation of that garment. Rosann leads readers through each pattern with thorough explanations of the reasons behind these choices. The power you wield as an informed knitter, able to freely substitute yarns, make decisions for yourself along your knitting journey, and understand the best practices to finish your garment, will turn every project into a beautiful piece of art.

The set-up to this book makes one thing clear, Rosann wants to educate and empower her knitters! She is setting you up to sail the knitting world with confidence! Each section is sprinkled with Rosann’s “pro tips” that offer great advice for knitters of all levels.

If you take one piece of advice from Cozy Coastal Knits, before diving into the beautiful patterns, it is this: always ask! Ask your local yarn store owner about a pattern. Send an email to the designer asking about a specific technique. Contact support for a yarn company with questions about yarn composition. The more you know as a knitter, the better prepared you will be for success on your adventures!

Each pattern in Cozy Coastal Knits is based off a special place and experience that Rosann shares with each reader when introducing the pattern. Each garment takes the knitter on a journey through the Atlantic Coast, from New England down to the Florida Keys. No matter your destination, Rosann has prepared you with a collection of fingerless mitts, shawls, ponchos, and sweaters. Each pattern focuses on an exciting stitch pattern or construction. One of my personal favorite is the Montauk Waves Headband Cowl. When in need of a little warmth, a respite from the sea breeze, the Montauk Waves Headband Cowl is the perfect solution. As a convertible garment, this headband cowl can be comfortable worn around the neck or pulled up around the head and ears. The stitch pattern recalls the gentle waves cascading from the tip of Long Island to Block Island. Transforming garments showcase how flexible a knitted garment can be, able to help you adapt to any new change in weather.

Grab your needles and set out on your own adventure. Challenge yourself, explore new places via new stitch partners, unique construction, and transformative garments found in Cozy Coastal Knits."

"Each pattern in Cozy Coastal Knits is based off a special place and experience that Rosann shares with each reader when introducing the pattern. Each garment takes the knitter on a journey through the Atlantic Coast, from New England down to the Florida Keys. No matter your destination, Rosann has prepared you with a collection of fingerless mitts, shawls, ponchos, and sweaters... Grab your needles and set out on your own adventure. Challenge yourself, explore new places via new stitch partners, unique construction, and transformative garments found in Cozy Coastal Knits."

"Cozy Coastal Knits is a pattern and how to book all rolled into one big treat for the fiber artist. Whether you have been knitting forever or just getting started you need this book in your collection. There is so much detail that goes into the equipment and technique of knitting in this book. I was reminded of the things I take a bit for granted like the importance of swatching in the round or the difference between needle sizing across brands. Rosann gently and very clearly guides you along an idyllic coastal journey with her creative designs. I could smell the sea air and feel the cool waterside breeze just looking at these pieces. These will make the most useful and appreciated pieces for friends, family and especially for yourself. There is something to be said for patterns like the San Francisco Cabled Cowl or Atlantic Poncho that are so simple you can work them on the same seaside where you will wear them- maybe on the same trip.

Cozy Coastal Knits is truly a gift you can give yourself to share."

Knitwear designer and fiber-industry consultant Fleischauer offers knitters a series of 21 beautifully photographed patterns designed for knitting on the go. Inspired by her own boat trips up and down the East Coast, the author has created a series of beginner-friendly designs for mittens, cowls, shawls, hats, and other garments. There are also a few designs that represent the coastal lines of California as well. All the patterns are perfect for knitters who might only have a few minutes here and there. The book’s clear explanations and instructions make this book ideal for beginners, who will likely love these classic patterns. Readers should also be aware that the patterns do not contain charts. While experienced knitters may find the designs to be too simple, the book’s emphasis on travel-friendly knitting tools and detailed recommendations for pattern-specific yarn substitutions will appeal to all levels. This is a wonderful feature not found in most knitting books. VERDICT Perfect for rookie knitters and all craft collections.

"I love this book - it’s not just the wonderful patterns, but the information that is provided about the craft of knitting and the dyer’s used in the book. It’s flying off the shelves in my mobile shop."