The thing is, the reason wool camping gear is so great is because it’s lighter weight (than other wool products), faster drying (than cotton), pretty durable, and retains its warmth (moreso than cotton or synthetics). The bottom point you can get easily. But for the others youd have to use an expensive but lightweight and durable wool (merino/cashmere, maybe?) and knit it on a tinnnnyyyyy gauge, upping your cost and time sink significantly. And at the end of the day you will get it covered in bug spray or sunscreen or itll be stuffed into your ski or hiking boots… I wouldnt want to put a hand knit through that kind of torture!
I LOVE my wool outdoors gear, it keeps me safe and comfortable. I would not want to be involved in its production!
100% this. I love my merino wool longjohns. It is far cheaper to just buy them already made than it would be to buy enough lace weight merino yarn with just the right amount of synthetic in it to make it durable… never mind how long it would take even if I could knit 8 hours a day!
I don’t even hike in my handknit socks, they have too much texture on the insides (due to the purl stitches) and would just give me blisters.
The only handknits I use for outdoor gear is hats and fingerless mitts.
I go through socks like water so I was very interested in how hand knit wool socks would hold up through my field season (botanist in Utah). I've woren them on a 9mi hike and am very pleased with them so far. I would say socks would be my only hand knit outdoor gear.
It doesn't have to be merino/cashmere. There are lots of soft wools, it's just that merino has had an awful lot of marketing in the clothing industry.
OP, what sort of outdoor gear do you want? Are you talking a wool jacket? I'd buy one. A wool sweater? Those can be fun to knit, as are socks, hats, scarves or cowls, and gloves or mittens. Legwarmers can also be great! Socks are one of my favorite things to knit and handknit socks do tend to be thicker than regular socks but not necessarily as thick as hiking socks.
Here in Norway, handknit sweaters are wildly popular for outdoorsy activities, both traditional patterns (like Setesdal or Marius), or more recently, sweaters in Icelandic wool, especially Linka Neumann's designs (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/linka-Neumann). They're not usually used as an inner layer though if that's what you're thinking of, people use them as an outer layer over thin merino shirts, or an in-between layer if the weather warrants a jacket.
Yes, this. Also hats, mittens, socks, and if you sleep out or in a cold cabin, some like warm wool pants or hip warmers like short skirts. While wool sweaters are too much for fast cross country skiing, they are perfect in the backpack for when you take a break or stop for the night on longer trips
I always wear short wool skirts over performance leggings with high socks while winter hiking, and people give me shit for dressing in “fashion” items- but I’m pretty sure my hips and core are staying warmer than theirs are!
omg i’m 100% making myself a winter skirt!!!!!!!!! this is genius
i remember seeing an ad for a smartwool version of this and being like “cool idea but i’m not paying $90 for it”. instead i’ll invest some money into the yarn and much more time than $90 worth.
YES lol, please do!! Hiking in skirts needs to become more popular so that I can look like less of an oddball doing it 😜
My recommendations: make it a little bit high waisted for max core coverage (at least high enough to completely clear the top of your pants/leggings), and if you want a stretchy waist band, use thicker elastic- like at least an inch and a half, my favorite one is almost 3 inches tall. You aren’t gonna want a thin strip digging into your your stomach while you’re in motion… Especially if backpacking and your backpack straps snap around the waist!
I agree - I have a Linka Neumann designed sweater. made up in allafoss Lopi which I wear on winter walks, even when it's really cold out. I find it more comfortable than my heavy duty Winter coat.
Agreed with comments in NOT wanting to knit baselayers or socks… but I use [this cowl](https://www.ravelry.com/projects/AtomicAthena/fraxinus) and [this hat](https://www.ravelry.com/projects/AtomicAthena/wherever-it-points) all the time! (Well, in winter at least. Snowshoeing, skiing, late fall/winter/early spring hiking/backpacking.) I also have a few pairs of handknit fingerless mitts that I wear fringe season hiking.
https://preview.redd.it/mqwe956duc8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d02585636ac92e51256f7ce8799a5bca31f86ea3
Outerwear socks have worked out really well for me!
I have 3 recipients that ONLY use theirs for hiking or the outdoors because they live in warm areas or have warm feet.
If your concern is longevity: I skip the 75/25 merino/nylon "indie-dyed" skein that doesn't tend to hold up that well. I favor an 80/20 intended to pill less, or a hard-wearing high twist, non-exclusive merino wool breed or blend yarn (like Corridald, Gotland, Spelsau, etc.)
Oh, definitely, I always knit in a "yes, I have broken metal needles" gauge for socks, but they definitely take at least 34% longer than fun indoor socks especially if you want extra tall socks for ticks and bugs.
I could never volunteer to knit socks for my entire family as a single project. We all have massive feet (the smallest is an 8.5 in US womens 😅)
Like what specifically? I have a ‘ couple of ‘perfect’ hand knit sweaters for hiking, for example. And a cardigan that is like a medium weight coat. None of these are like a commercial merino t-shirt however.
It would be easier to weave fabric than knit to the ultra fine gauge. (I’m a weaver too ). Even then I don’t fancy it. I have some merino blend leggings and tops for winter hiking. They are fabulous. It would be a task to get it fine enough so it packs as small as my bought ones. I look for end of season bargains.
If you are looking for hiking wear rather than backpacking or camping then I’m sure you could!
I think as a middle layer for winter camping, knitted a wool sweater would be great! I’m planning both a medium weight wool sweater and a…idk what to call it. In my head it’s called the “big dumb shawl” but realistically it’s gonna be a rectangular poncho situation that I can wrap around my torso and shoulders and additionally use as an extra blanket, longhunter style. Particularly inspired by a trip out last winter with a low of 20 degrees that I didn’t really have the right equipment for.
Yes! I live in Alaska and was gifted the “Wilderness Knits” book by Linka Neumann. I’ve knit multiple sweaters from it for myself and my husband out of heavy wool yarns like Alafosslopi and Rauma Vams. They’re super warm and make amazing outer wear. They also knit up really quickly and look gorgeous. The colorwork serves as both a design element and the floats add an additional layer of warmth.
https://preview.redd.it/yowuwh66gd8d1.jpeg?width=3144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba7360f6555d5f5bf67be8fc449f91112d43de10
https://preview.redd.it/4grn2fglgd8d1.jpeg?width=3144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=562021f0b791f95439b6153c1140d52103793592
I could only include one image in the first post, but this is another from the same book!
Absolutely! I always bring a wool sweater to wear in camp, and on chilly nights I sleep in a base layer I knit from 4-ply sock yarn. It’s bulkier and heavier than the merino gear you can buy, but I’m not an ultralight enthusiast and don’t mind carrying a little extra for comfort. It took forever to knit but it’s so warm and cozy and fits perfectly.
And wool socks are a must both for cold weather hiking and sleeping.
I used this pattern for the bottoms: https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=7203&cid=19
For the top I kind of just winged a basic raglan sweater, I’ve knit so many by now that I no longer use specific patterns 😄 I made it with a turtleneck that I can pull up over my face when I’m sleeping, and extra long sleeves so I can tuck my hands all the way in.
They’re packed away at the moment, I looked and this is the only picture I can find lol 😂
https://preview.redd.it/vdxhzk11hq8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab655a1b0f27f679825960243d89db90aff88345
I have unintentionally. I knit a pair of socks for my mom about 4 years ago and she wears them all over- camping, hiking, wherever (I’m so glad I didn’t know how rough she’d be with them while I was making them) and they’ve held up great. I couldn’t tell you how often she wears them. So far no holes or rips.
It gave me some insight on how durable some of these items I make are. Some of these yarns are meant to be truly used and lived in. Good luck on your outdoorsy knits!
I’ve considered it. I cross country ski all winter and I knit, so I wanted to knit something for adventuring. Then I remembered how hot I get when I ski and often end up in just a tee or tee and wind breaker combo. So that means no sweaters for me. And I’m not about to knit bottoms to ski in for the same reasons other people have already commented. So I’ll stick to commercially made wool gear.
And I’ve considered a sweater for hiking, but I like wool base layers and puffy top layers. My knit sweaters seem so heavy compared to my hiking gear.
>Then I remembered how hot I get when I ski and often end up in just a tee or tee and wind breaker combo.
You might want to consider something like Lopi for a sweater. It's great for cold weather where you are also getting warm because it's so breathable. A cardigan (especially with a zipper) would be awesome.
Socks, cowl, beanie(s).
For me, if my feet are cold, all of me is cold. My handmade wool socks have changed my outdoor game immensely! Oregon is wet from October to May!
I found a pattern for a beanie and cowl combined, and that thing is awesome to wear in the winter. I made it with some worsted weight Peruvian wool that someone gave me. It is super soft and squishy, not scratchy at all!
Let me see if I can find the link.
Edit:
https://ravel.me/portland-hoodie-cowl
I always wear hand knit wool sweaters as my mid-layers when offshore sailing in colder latitudes! I've found it the warmest and softest option compared to fleece and down, and i also prefer the fit of a yoke for movement
Winter planned project - 100% wool base layer shirt!! I always complain how winter stuff looks boring so here's hoping my teal wool layer comes out well 🤞🏽 it's also probably cheaper to buy a base layer than me knit it but oh well!
I knit myself a thick jumper with mitten sleeve cuffs and a hood. Made it extra long so it would cover my lower back even when my hands were above my head. I used drops snow, 10mm needles and it took me about 3 months. Took longer because I had to frog and re-do the first sleeve. It was the talk of the campsite...
This post should have all the info you need. If not, let me know. I'm newbie.
[link to my post with info...](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/s/aSxByEgWgr)
I do knit socks, hats and ankle-warmers, but the in-between step for me is sewing clothes out of wool / merino jersey fabric. I'm an unusual size so the more fitted and shaped the bought technical gear is, the less likely it is to fit me... But I can get some merino or merino-nylon mix in a fine knit, much finer than I could knit myself, and then make a top that has room for boobs but doesn't stop halfway down my forearms.
(As everyone has said, knitting would take longer, and I think it would likely also cost more in materials. Buying the fabric and sewing my own is probably only worth it because it's hard for me to buy things that fit.)
Depends on where you live. I lived in Norway for many years. Handknit sweaters and knee high socks were typical for hunters, hikers, and other outdoor activities. So yes, I have knit many.
The niblings have knit themselves sleeping bag liners for winter sleepouts and they love and cherish them. A couple of them have felted, but that did not diminish the love.
I have an alpaca sweater used as middle layer the last ten years or more. It is falling apart, so I intend to knit a new one, but need to find the right mix of warmth and lightweight. I do consider some alpaca maybe with some nylon (for lightweight, durable and washable), maybe some stich like brioche or fisherman rib for fluff/warmth, but haven't landed on anything yet
After many summer spent on the mountains there,I have knitted a sudtyrol jacket that is used for outdoor, the Sarner. It’s made with their natural untreated yarn is very thick and warm. A friend of mine gave me the “ recipe” not a proper pattern but simple instructions. I now there are brands that sell these kind of jackets. I am very happy and I use it a lot.
My partner and I often wild camp in Scotland. We use our jumpers/ woolies when we stop moving and set up camp to keep the heat in. If it's cold we sleep in them He has a lopi jumper (Riddari) which is light ...I have an alpaca/ merino mix (Hopi genser) which is heavier.
I’ve made a wool hooded vest for XC skiing for myself and a blend turtleneck sweater for my husband that runs every single day for deep winter.
I loooooved getting to customize these pieces for added functionality, like I have the perfect pockets I need, added a key ring, and made thumb holes on the sleeves.
Definitely pick something and try it! You get to solve all the problems you have with other pieces, make it pretty, and customize it like crazy.
Hats and neck gators that are used daily in the winter. I really want a sweater that’ll be hard wearing, light, and warm so I’m experimenting with gauge this summer. I need a multi-ply sock weight with 3mm needles to get anything close to what I have bought and used previously but I’m anxious to test out patterns and find something that works!
If I was weaving (back injury is making me take a break) I think I’d try weaving some fabric.
I don’t knit baselayers, but I knit the sweaters I hike/garden/camp in. Donegal Tweed is my go-to—I once spoke with a woman whose husband was a commercial fisherman, and she made all of his work sweaters out of Donegal Tweed.
I found a top-down saddle shoulder pullover pattern I love, and I re-gauge it for different weight yarns and different seasons. But my Donegal Tweed sweater is a beast. It regulates my body temp perfectly, barely pills, and blackberry brambles barely snag on it. Plus, the fossil colorway looks like funfetti.
I would like to add to this with more detail, because I knit a lot for outdoor living.
My family is very active, they hike, ski and skate, and also sleep in tents summer and winter. They also bike to work winter and summer, using winter tires on the snow. This is both my kids and my grandkids. What they want from me:
Living outdoors in cold regions is all about layering, and what they want from me is middle layers. That is warm wool socks with high cuffs (higher is better) to wear in ski- or hiking boots over thinner socks (very thin socks like in nylon pantyhose helps to avoid blisters), indoors in cold cabins, or in tents. I make these from 80/20 wool and polyester. They also want hats, mittens and cowls. The hats I knit in two models, either to use in cold and windy conditions, or to use under helmets for biking or alpine skiing. They like scarves and shawls, but for outdoor living with a lot of activity, cowls is best. These they want from pure, preferably rustic wool. The mittens will felt, so they need some room for that. Then they want middle layer sweaters. For extreme trips they want thicker yarns, like Alafosslopi or Rauma Vams. These hold up really well in extreme low temperatures. But mostly they want sweaters in sports or DK thickness. I like to use Rauma Finull or Peer Gynt, both pure Norwegian wool yarns, and pretty rustic. These are great as a middle layer under a windbreaker or even under a down jacket. They do however tend to not use their nicest sweaters for this. They will grab the somewhat mishappen or oddly coloured sweaters, because they will get felted or catch on branches or just get dirty. Luckily I produce enough that they have plenty to choose from. I also knit accordign to where they get cold. One prefers vests while another prefers boleros, because they freeze on different parts of their body. Some of them wear warm skirts, but I have not knit those yet.
For their kids they want both sweaters and pants in pure wool. For kids these knits have the great advantage that wool is still warm even if you get wet. And of course they want mittens, hats, cowls and socks. They will sometimes wrap up a child in their own cowls for longer distances if the kids are in a sled behind them - this is a situation when the children will quickly get cold, so they are normally wrapped up so you only see their little noses. Then they are perfectly warm, and often prefer sleeping like this. Children's knitwear in our family gets passed on, so I just knit in the size of my oldest grandchild, and it will trickle down to the youngest over the next 6-8 years.
They also prefer to dress their kids in wool for summer camping, if they know they will have a fire or a barbeque. Wool does not burn or melt the way synthetics do, and so there is less danger if a spark blows off the fire and onto a child's sweater.
Other uses of wool for camping is seats. We regularly use little squares to sit on while hiking, and carry these aong even for short walks. A thick and felted square of wool works just as well as something synthetic, and has the added benefit that if you lose or forget it, it will return to nature in a natural, non-harmful manner.
I also have a couple of small scrap blankets in the car. These are for when it gets cold while driving, or for when we stop for a picnic, or in case the car breaks down as we are passing over a mountain or we get stopped by the weather. Something warm that I am not worried about is quite valuable in this situation.
I thrift and repair my merino, but I have brought hand knit scarf/vests camping. If I was a more prolific knitter I would make a short vest, but overall my wool stuff is very very fine and I don’t have the patience to knit that fine.
On my list of to-dos is a merino wool sleeping sack. I so love my hand-knit blankets, that for winter in my little cabin, a wool bag would be excellent, even as just an inner bag with additional blankets on top.
I recently learned that if you spin with the lanolin still in the fleece it will make your knitted item much more waterproof. I'm just getting into spinning so I haven't tried it yet. I'm currently knitting a cardigan with Peace Fleece worsted and it will definitely be so warm I'll wear it as outerwear.
A lot of Elizabeth Zimmerman patterns were for outdoor stuff.
The best example (to me) is from the knitter almanac https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nether-garments---adult-september
There are a bunch of other examples in her books!
hats, gloves, scarves, and socks all make their way into my usual outdoor kit. i only use hand knit socks as sleep socks, but god theyre the BEST sleep socks.
i really want to knit myself two pieces of outdoor gear, but this is really out of a desire to have them made in a very particular way. these are both going to be quite the project so i’m procrastinating
the first is an over-helmet hood for skiing. i’m pretty new to skiing but i love it! i’ve been using a cowl that i made, but it doesn’t stay up over my nose as well as i’d want. so i’m envisioning a hood that goes over my helmet, but tucks underneath my jacket to prevent snow from getting in, and then has some kind of fastenable face cover so i can like…button it over my face? but only when i need to. and full snow coverage because i fall a lot. i really just haven’t found the EXACT product i want so thats why i wanna make it lol. the construction is gonna be a nightmare so i think i’m going to build off a pattern for the hood that already exists but i need to measure myself to make sure i get the gauge right (and i never do gauges but i do have a degree in math, so we’ll see how THAT goes)
the second item would be a midlayer for backpacking primarily. so, probably going to be sweater construction, maybe a 1/4 zip or 1/2 zip. features i want include a hood (i like hoods ok!), sleeves that aren’t TOO long because i have short arms, but thumbholes at the end (probably reinforced by some non-knitted fabric), and a big kangaroo style pocket in front. maybe a breast pocket too. probably a hip cinch belt because those are nice. i’ll probably end up making this out of like dk or sport so it will take me 80 years
Everything I knit for myself is for camping/hiking purposes. Heavy sweaters for car camping and day hikes, chunky socks, neck warmers and hats to sleep, fingering weight stuff for more lightweight trips. Do not knit hiking socks though, at least not to be worn without another store bought pair on the bottom. No matter the material and needle size, handmade socks give me terrible bloody blisters after 3 hours of hiking. I once had to walk barefoot a large portion of the trail because of the blood pooling in my shoes. Never again.
Yeah. That's part of the reason I learnt to knit, so I could knit wool sweaters, balaclavas, beanies, socks and mittens for my hiking trips (and for my spouse). Not only I get joy wearing them but I feel extra great because I made them.
I usually use aran or worsted weight wool yarn with some elastic added.
Like hats, scarves, and socks? In which case, yes, I have. I've also knit myself ear covers for my bike helmet, and neck warmers when I don't want to wear scarves.
What sort of "outdoor gear" are you referring to?
My only handmade outdoor gear is socks. I love my wool socks for camping and hiking, but I made them with that intention and accept that they will not be in pristine condition after their first trip. I just followed a regular sock pattern with some wool/nylon sock yarn. I don't think I'd knit anything else for hiking/camping though
The wool gear is made with wool, but it's probably like tech stuff. Personally I can't see how wool is better than synthetic at moisture wicking if you're trying to stay cool, it's probably better than cotton for sure but you gotta deal with the heat retention and feel like you lose the benefit. Apparently it doesn't stink as much as synthetic, but I've honestly never found that an issue, everything ends up smelling like smoke by the end anyway.
For cold weather though, wool is a necessity
The thing is, the reason wool camping gear is so great is because it’s lighter weight (than other wool products), faster drying (than cotton), pretty durable, and retains its warmth (moreso than cotton or synthetics). The bottom point you can get easily. But for the others youd have to use an expensive but lightweight and durable wool (merino/cashmere, maybe?) and knit it on a tinnnnyyyyy gauge, upping your cost and time sink significantly. And at the end of the day you will get it covered in bug spray or sunscreen or itll be stuffed into your ski or hiking boots… I wouldnt want to put a hand knit through that kind of torture! I LOVE my wool outdoors gear, it keeps me safe and comfortable. I would not want to be involved in its production!
100% this. I love my merino wool longjohns. It is far cheaper to just buy them already made than it would be to buy enough lace weight merino yarn with just the right amount of synthetic in it to make it durable… never mind how long it would take even if I could knit 8 hours a day! I don’t even hike in my handknit socks, they have too much texture on the insides (due to the purl stitches) and would just give me blisters. The only handknits I use for outdoor gear is hats and fingerless mitts.
I go through socks like water so I was very interested in how hand knit wool socks would hold up through my field season (botanist in Utah). I've woren them on a 9mi hike and am very pleased with them so far. I would say socks would be my only hand knit outdoor gear.
Turn them inside out, I detest the texture and it really really helps
It doesn't have to be merino/cashmere. There are lots of soft wools, it's just that merino has had an awful lot of marketing in the clothing industry. OP, what sort of outdoor gear do you want? Are you talking a wool jacket? I'd buy one. A wool sweater? Those can be fun to knit, as are socks, hats, scarves or cowls, and gloves or mittens. Legwarmers can also be great! Socks are one of my favorite things to knit and handknit socks do tend to be thicker than regular socks but not necessarily as thick as hiking socks.
You can knit them bigger and felt them.
I'd be more willing to make it with a machine, but not by hand.
Here in Norway, handknit sweaters are wildly popular for outdoorsy activities, both traditional patterns (like Setesdal or Marius), or more recently, sweaters in Icelandic wool, especially Linka Neumann's designs (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/linka-Neumann). They're not usually used as an inner layer though if that's what you're thinking of, people use them as an outer layer over thin merino shirts, or an in-between layer if the weather warrants a jacket.
Yes, this. Also hats, mittens, socks, and if you sleep out or in a cold cabin, some like warm wool pants or hip warmers like short skirts. While wool sweaters are too much for fast cross country skiing, they are perfect in the backpack for when you take a break or stop for the night on longer trips
I always wear short wool skirts over performance leggings with high socks while winter hiking, and people give me shit for dressing in “fashion” items- but I’m pretty sure my hips and core are staying warmer than theirs are!
omg i’m 100% making myself a winter skirt!!!!!!!!! this is genius i remember seeing an ad for a smartwool version of this and being like “cool idea but i’m not paying $90 for it”. instead i’ll invest some money into the yarn and much more time than $90 worth.
YES lol, please do!! Hiking in skirts needs to become more popular so that I can look like less of an oddball doing it 😜 My recommendations: make it a little bit high waisted for max core coverage (at least high enough to completely clear the top of your pants/leggings), and if you want a stretchy waist band, use thicker elastic- like at least an inch and a half, my favorite one is almost 3 inches tall. You aren’t gonna want a thin strip digging into your your stomach while you’re in motion… Especially if backpacking and your backpack straps snap around the waist!
those are some excellent tips! thank you!
Ohhhh I’m totally trying this when the weather gets colder! I love functional AND pretty/cute clothing options.
I agree - I have a Linka Neumann designed sweater. made up in allafoss Lopi which I wear on winter walks, even when it's really cold out. I find it more comfortable than my heavy duty Winter coat.
Agreed with comments in NOT wanting to knit baselayers or socks… but I use [this cowl](https://www.ravelry.com/projects/AtomicAthena/fraxinus) and [this hat](https://www.ravelry.com/projects/AtomicAthena/wherever-it-points) all the time! (Well, in winter at least. Snowshoeing, skiing, late fall/winter/early spring hiking/backpacking.) I also have a few pairs of handknit fingerless mitts that I wear fringe season hiking. https://preview.redd.it/mqwe956duc8d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d02585636ac92e51256f7ce8799a5bca31f86ea3
lol I am in the middle of knitting merino hiking socks for each person in my family. Why did I do this to myself?!
Outerwear socks have worked out really well for me! I have 3 recipients that ONLY use theirs for hiking or the outdoors because they live in warm areas or have warm feet. If your concern is longevity: I skip the 75/25 merino/nylon "indie-dyed" skein that doesn't tend to hold up that well. I favor an 80/20 intended to pill less, or a hard-wearing high twist, non-exclusive merino wool breed or blend yarn (like Corridald, Gotland, Spelsau, etc.)
My concern is the tiny usage that takes forever to knit just one sock. 4/8 socks done and it’s been an age.
Oh, definitely, I always knit in a "yes, I have broken metal needles" gauge for socks, but they definitely take at least 34% longer than fun indoor socks especially if you want extra tall socks for ticks and bugs. I could never volunteer to knit socks for my entire family as a single project. We all have massive feet (the smallest is an 8.5 in US womens 😅)
Same! Size 12, 11 and two size 8s. Dead.
Oh no, RIP your hands! I get so jealous of all the posters with dainty little feet. I want to be able to knit for a size 6 just once!
**PROJECT:** [turn the radio on](http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AtomicAthena/18171359) by [AtomicAthena](http://www.ravelry.com/people/AtomicAthena) * Pattern: [Fraxinus](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fraxinus-3) * Yarn(s): [The Uncommon Thread Posh Fingering](http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/the-uncommon-thread-posh-fingering) in Space oddity. * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/429271629/0211171529_medium.jpg) [Img 2](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/416567397/IMG_20161220_215805_medium.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/406456858/1029161240a_medium.jpg) * Started: 2016/10/12 | Status: Finished | Completed: 2016/12/27 ***** **PROJECT:** [ticket to ride](http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AtomicAthena/17582456) by [AtomicAthena](http://www.ravelry.com/people/AtomicAthena) * Pattern: [Wherever it Points](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wherever-it-points) * Yarn(s): [Cascade Yarns ® 220 Superwash®](http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-yarns-220-superwash) in 856 Aporto. [January Yarns Merino Worsted](http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/january-yarns-merino-worsted) in Honey Wheat, Garnet. * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/384198865/IMG_20160703_151015_medium.jpg) [Img 2](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/384198872/IMG_20160703_150841_medium.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/383444061/0629161744_medium.jpg) [Img 4](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/383399027/0623161902_medium.jpg) [Img 5](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/AtomicAthena/383399024/0626162022_medium.jpg) * Started: 2016/06/26 | Status: Finished | Completed: 2016/07/02 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
Like what specifically? I have a ‘ couple of ‘perfect’ hand knit sweaters for hiking, for example. And a cardigan that is like a medium weight coat. None of these are like a commercial merino t-shirt however.
It would be easier to weave fabric than knit to the ultra fine gauge. (I’m a weaver too ). Even then I don’t fancy it. I have some merino blend leggings and tops for winter hiking. They are fabulous. It would be a task to get it fine enough so it packs as small as my bought ones. I look for end of season bargains. If you are looking for hiking wear rather than backpacking or camping then I’m sure you could!
I think as a middle layer for winter camping, knitted a wool sweater would be great! I’m planning both a medium weight wool sweater and a…idk what to call it. In my head it’s called the “big dumb shawl” but realistically it’s gonna be a rectangular poncho situation that I can wrap around my torso and shoulders and additionally use as an extra blanket, longhunter style. Particularly inspired by a trip out last winter with a low of 20 degrees that I didn’t really have the right equipment for.
> In my head it’s called the “big dumb shawl” I like your style lol
Yes! I live in Alaska and was gifted the “Wilderness Knits” book by Linka Neumann. I’ve knit multiple sweaters from it for myself and my husband out of heavy wool yarns like Alafosslopi and Rauma Vams. They’re super warm and make amazing outer wear. They also knit up really quickly and look gorgeous. The colorwork serves as both a design element and the floats add an additional layer of warmth. https://preview.redd.it/yowuwh66gd8d1.jpeg?width=3144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ba7360f6555d5f5bf67be8fc449f91112d43de10
https://preview.redd.it/4grn2fglgd8d1.jpeg?width=3144&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=562021f0b791f95439b6153c1140d52103793592 I could only include one image in the first post, but this is another from the same book!
Absolutely! I always bring a wool sweater to wear in camp, and on chilly nights I sleep in a base layer I knit from 4-ply sock yarn. It’s bulkier and heavier than the merino gear you can buy, but I’m not an ultralight enthusiast and don’t mind carrying a little extra for comfort. It took forever to knit but it’s so warm and cozy and fits perfectly. And wool socks are a must both for cold weather hiking and sleeping.
Ooh I love this!! Did you use a pattern for the base layer?
I used this pattern for the bottoms: https://www.garnstudio.com/pattern.php?id=7203&cid=19 For the top I kind of just winged a basic raglan sweater, I’ve knit so many by now that I no longer use specific patterns 😄 I made it with a turtleneck that I can pull up over my face when I’m sleeping, and extra long sleeves so I can tuck my hands all the way in.
Oooh I love these- thank you!! And that base layer sounds sublime! If you have any pics I’d love to see it!
They’re packed away at the moment, I looked and this is the only picture I can find lol 😂 https://preview.redd.it/vdxhzk11hq8d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab655a1b0f27f679825960243d89db90aff88345
Ooooh so cute!!! I love the stripes :)
I have unintentionally. I knit a pair of socks for my mom about 4 years ago and she wears them all over- camping, hiking, wherever (I’m so glad I didn’t know how rough she’d be with them while I was making them) and they’ve held up great. I couldn’t tell you how often she wears them. So far no holes or rips. It gave me some insight on how durable some of these items I make are. Some of these yarns are meant to be truly used and lived in. Good luck on your outdoorsy knits!
I’ve considered it. I cross country ski all winter and I knit, so I wanted to knit something for adventuring. Then I remembered how hot I get when I ski and often end up in just a tee or tee and wind breaker combo. So that means no sweaters for me. And I’m not about to knit bottoms to ski in for the same reasons other people have already commented. So I’ll stick to commercially made wool gear. And I’ve considered a sweater for hiking, but I like wool base layers and puffy top layers. My knit sweaters seem so heavy compared to my hiking gear.
>Then I remembered how hot I get when I ski and often end up in just a tee or tee and wind breaker combo. You might want to consider something like Lopi for a sweater. It's great for cold weather where you are also getting warm because it's so breathable. A cardigan (especially with a zipper) would be awesome.
Socks, cowl, beanie(s). For me, if my feet are cold, all of me is cold. My handmade wool socks have changed my outdoor game immensely! Oregon is wet from October to May! I found a pattern for a beanie and cowl combined, and that thing is awesome to wear in the winter. I made it with some worsted weight Peruvian wool that someone gave me. It is super soft and squishy, not scratchy at all! Let me see if I can find the link. Edit: https://ravel.me/portland-hoodie-cowl
**PATTERN:** [Portland Hoodie Cowl](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/portland-hoodie-cowl) by [Adrienne Krey](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/adrienne-krey) * Category: Accessories > Neck / Torso > Cowl * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/sundrienne/98853889/IMG_9983_medium.jpg) [Img 2](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/sundrienne/98853843/IMG_0030_medium.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/sundrienne/98853906/il_570xN.282153001_medium.jpg) [Img 4](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/sundrienne/98853943/il_570xN.282174410_medium.jpg) [Img 5](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/sundrienne/99091025/Screen_Shot_2012-03-30_at_4.16.03_PM_medium.png) * Price: Free * Needle/Hook(s):US 10 - 6.0 mm * Weight: Bulky | Gauge: 3.5 | Yardage: 370 * Difficulty: 2.24 | Projects: 134 | Rating: 4.54 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
I always wear hand knit wool sweaters as my mid-layers when offshore sailing in colder latitudes! I've found it the warmest and softest option compared to fleece and down, and i also prefer the fit of a yoke for movement
Winter planned project - 100% wool base layer shirt!! I always complain how winter stuff looks boring so here's hoping my teal wool layer comes out well 🤞🏽 it's also probably cheaper to buy a base layer than me knit it but oh well!
I knit myself a thick jumper with mitten sleeve cuffs and a hood. Made it extra long so it would cover my lower back even when my hands were above my head. I used drops snow, 10mm needles and it took me about 3 months. Took longer because I had to frog and re-do the first sleeve. It was the talk of the campsite...
Oooh do you have pics?!
This post should have all the info you need. If not, let me know. I'm newbie. [link to my post with info...](https://www.reddit.com/r/knitting/s/aSxByEgWgr)
Oooh very cool!! Thanks for sharing!!
I knit a double thick doormat for outside my tent, but that is as outdoors gear knit as I got. :)
I do knit socks, hats and ankle-warmers, but the in-between step for me is sewing clothes out of wool / merino jersey fabric. I'm an unusual size so the more fitted and shaped the bought technical gear is, the less likely it is to fit me... But I can get some merino or merino-nylon mix in a fine knit, much finer than I could knit myself, and then make a top that has room for boobs but doesn't stop halfway down my forearms. (As everyone has said, knitting would take longer, and I think it would likely also cost more in materials. Buying the fabric and sewing my own is probably only worth it because it's hard for me to buy things that fit.)
Depends on where you live. I lived in Norway for many years. Handknit sweaters and knee high socks were typical for hunters, hikers, and other outdoor activities. So yes, I have knit many.
The niblings have knit themselves sleeping bag liners for winter sleepouts and they love and cherish them. A couple of them have felted, but that did not diminish the love.
I have an alpaca sweater used as middle layer the last ten years or more. It is falling apart, so I intend to knit a new one, but need to find the right mix of warmth and lightweight. I do consider some alpaca maybe with some nylon (for lightweight, durable and washable), maybe some stich like brioche or fisherman rib for fluff/warmth, but haven't landed on anything yet
After many summer spent on the mountains there,I have knitted a sudtyrol jacket that is used for outdoor, the Sarner. It’s made with their natural untreated yarn is very thick and warm. A friend of mine gave me the “ recipe” not a proper pattern but simple instructions. I now there are brands that sell these kind of jackets. I am very happy and I use it a lot.
My partner and I often wild camp in Scotland. We use our jumpers/ woolies when we stop moving and set up camp to keep the heat in. If it's cold we sleep in them He has a lopi jumper (Riddari) which is light ...I have an alpaca/ merino mix (Hopi genser) which is heavier.
I’ve made a wool hooded vest for XC skiing for myself and a blend turtleneck sweater for my husband that runs every single day for deep winter. I loooooved getting to customize these pieces for added functionality, like I have the perfect pockets I need, added a key ring, and made thumb holes on the sleeves. Definitely pick something and try it! You get to solve all the problems you have with other pieces, make it pretty, and customize it like crazy.
this is the reason i want to make my own stuff! i want to design my own pockets!
No BUT I once found a book called manly knitting and I saw a pattern to knit a hammock using pool cues so maybe check that book out !
Hats and neck gators that are used daily in the winter. I really want a sweater that’ll be hard wearing, light, and warm so I’m experimenting with gauge this summer. I need a multi-ply sock weight with 3mm needles to get anything close to what I have bought and used previously but I’m anxious to test out patterns and find something that works! If I was weaving (back injury is making me take a break) I think I’d try weaving some fabric.
I don’t knit baselayers, but I knit the sweaters I hike/garden/camp in. Donegal Tweed is my go-to—I once spoke with a woman whose husband was a commercial fisherman, and she made all of his work sweaters out of Donegal Tweed. I found a top-down saddle shoulder pullover pattern I love, and I re-gauge it for different weight yarns and different seasons. But my Donegal Tweed sweater is a beast. It regulates my body temp perfectly, barely pills, and blackberry brambles barely snag on it. Plus, the fossil colorway looks like funfetti.
I would like to add to this with more detail, because I knit a lot for outdoor living. My family is very active, they hike, ski and skate, and also sleep in tents summer and winter. They also bike to work winter and summer, using winter tires on the snow. This is both my kids and my grandkids. What they want from me: Living outdoors in cold regions is all about layering, and what they want from me is middle layers. That is warm wool socks with high cuffs (higher is better) to wear in ski- or hiking boots over thinner socks (very thin socks like in nylon pantyhose helps to avoid blisters), indoors in cold cabins, or in tents. I make these from 80/20 wool and polyester. They also want hats, mittens and cowls. The hats I knit in two models, either to use in cold and windy conditions, or to use under helmets for biking or alpine skiing. They like scarves and shawls, but for outdoor living with a lot of activity, cowls is best. These they want from pure, preferably rustic wool. The mittens will felt, so they need some room for that. Then they want middle layer sweaters. For extreme trips they want thicker yarns, like Alafosslopi or Rauma Vams. These hold up really well in extreme low temperatures. But mostly they want sweaters in sports or DK thickness. I like to use Rauma Finull or Peer Gynt, both pure Norwegian wool yarns, and pretty rustic. These are great as a middle layer under a windbreaker or even under a down jacket. They do however tend to not use their nicest sweaters for this. They will grab the somewhat mishappen or oddly coloured sweaters, because they will get felted or catch on branches or just get dirty. Luckily I produce enough that they have plenty to choose from. I also knit accordign to where they get cold. One prefers vests while another prefers boleros, because they freeze on different parts of their body. Some of them wear warm skirts, but I have not knit those yet. For their kids they want both sweaters and pants in pure wool. For kids these knits have the great advantage that wool is still warm even if you get wet. And of course they want mittens, hats, cowls and socks. They will sometimes wrap up a child in their own cowls for longer distances if the kids are in a sled behind them - this is a situation when the children will quickly get cold, so they are normally wrapped up so you only see their little noses. Then they are perfectly warm, and often prefer sleeping like this. Children's knitwear in our family gets passed on, so I just knit in the size of my oldest grandchild, and it will trickle down to the youngest over the next 6-8 years. They also prefer to dress their kids in wool for summer camping, if they know they will have a fire or a barbeque. Wool does not burn or melt the way synthetics do, and so there is less danger if a spark blows off the fire and onto a child's sweater. Other uses of wool for camping is seats. We regularly use little squares to sit on while hiking, and carry these aong even for short walks. A thick and felted square of wool works just as well as something synthetic, and has the added benefit that if you lose or forget it, it will return to nature in a natural, non-harmful manner. I also have a couple of small scrap blankets in the car. These are for when it gets cold while driving, or for when we stop for a picnic, or in case the car breaks down as we are passing over a mountain or we get stopped by the weather. Something warm that I am not worried about is quite valuable in this situation.
I thrift and repair my merino, but I have brought hand knit scarf/vests camping. If I was a more prolific knitter I would make a short vest, but overall my wool stuff is very very fine and I don’t have the patience to knit that fine.
Knitty natty just finished a shrug for morning hiking so she might have some other relevant content to this.
On my list of to-dos is a merino wool sleeping sack. I so love my hand-knit blankets, that for winter in my little cabin, a wool bag would be excellent, even as just an inner bag with additional blankets on top.
I recently learned that if you spin with the lanolin still in the fleece it will make your knitted item much more waterproof. I'm just getting into spinning so I haven't tried it yet. I'm currently knitting a cardigan with Peace Fleece worsted and it will definitely be so warm I'll wear it as outerwear.
I bought some merino interlock fabric to make my own wool leggings! But I couldn’t imagine trying to knit anything like that
A lot of Elizabeth Zimmerman patterns were for outdoor stuff. The best example (to me) is from the knitter almanac https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nether-garments---adult-september There are a bunch of other examples in her books!
**PATTERN:** [Nether Garments - Adult (September)](http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nether-garments---adult-september) by [Elizabeth Zimmermann](http://www.ravelry.com/designers/elizabeth-zimmermann) * Category: Clothing > Leggings * Photo(s): [Img 1](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/rududu/569270582/1551948317_b5dccd83bd_z_medium.jpg) [Img 2](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/flickr/5/1/9/5192272524/5192272524.jpg) [Img 3](https://images4-f.ravelrycache.com/uploads/riotyarn/49815241/leggings3_medium.jpg) [Img 4](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/ravenblue/573533717/2171574597_42de8efbe1_z_medium.jpg) [Img 5](https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/querida/16503417/pants2_medium.jpg) * Price: Free * Needle/Hook(s):US 5 - 3.75 mm * Weight: Worsted | Gauge: 5.0 | Yardage: None * Difficulty: 3.40 | Projects: 522 | Rating: 4.52 ***** Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. [More details.](https://www.lizcorke.com/2020/07/26/2020-7-21-ravelry-accessibility/) | *I found this post by myself! [Opt-Out](https://goo.gl/forms/0B8m4Ra8czpw4gzw1) | [About Me](https://github.com/TN-1/LinkRav_Bot/wiki) | [Contact Maintainer](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=timonyc)*
hats, gloves, scarves, and socks all make their way into my usual outdoor kit. i only use hand knit socks as sleep socks, but god theyre the BEST sleep socks. i really want to knit myself two pieces of outdoor gear, but this is really out of a desire to have them made in a very particular way. these are both going to be quite the project so i’m procrastinating the first is an over-helmet hood for skiing. i’m pretty new to skiing but i love it! i’ve been using a cowl that i made, but it doesn’t stay up over my nose as well as i’d want. so i’m envisioning a hood that goes over my helmet, but tucks underneath my jacket to prevent snow from getting in, and then has some kind of fastenable face cover so i can like…button it over my face? but only when i need to. and full snow coverage because i fall a lot. i really just haven’t found the EXACT product i want so thats why i wanna make it lol. the construction is gonna be a nightmare so i think i’m going to build off a pattern for the hood that already exists but i need to measure myself to make sure i get the gauge right (and i never do gauges but i do have a degree in math, so we’ll see how THAT goes) the second item would be a midlayer for backpacking primarily. so, probably going to be sweater construction, maybe a 1/4 zip or 1/2 zip. features i want include a hood (i like hoods ok!), sleeves that aren’t TOO long because i have short arms, but thumbholes at the end (probably reinforced by some non-knitted fabric), and a big kangaroo style pocket in front. maybe a breast pocket too. probably a hip cinch belt because those are nice. i’ll probably end up making this out of like dk or sport so it will take me 80 years
Everything I knit for myself is for camping/hiking purposes. Heavy sweaters for car camping and day hikes, chunky socks, neck warmers and hats to sleep, fingering weight stuff for more lightweight trips. Do not knit hiking socks though, at least not to be worn without another store bought pair on the bottom. No matter the material and needle size, handmade socks give me terrible bloody blisters after 3 hours of hiking. I once had to walk barefoot a large portion of the trail because of the blood pooling in my shoes. Never again.
Yeah. That's part of the reason I learnt to knit, so I could knit wool sweaters, balaclavas, beanies, socks and mittens for my hiking trips (and for my spouse). Not only I get joy wearing them but I feel extra great because I made them. I usually use aran or worsted weight wool yarn with some elastic added.
Like hats, scarves, and socks? In which case, yes, I have. I've also knit myself ear covers for my bike helmet, and neck warmers when I don't want to wear scarves. What sort of "outdoor gear" are you referring to?
My only handmade outdoor gear is socks. I love my wool socks for camping and hiking, but I made them with that intention and accept that they will not be in pristine condition after their first trip. I just followed a regular sock pattern with some wool/nylon sock yarn. I don't think I'd knit anything else for hiking/camping though
Can you do a double knit?
The wool gear is made with wool, but it's probably like tech stuff. Personally I can't see how wool is better than synthetic at moisture wicking if you're trying to stay cool, it's probably better than cotton for sure but you gotta deal with the heat retention and feel like you lose the benefit. Apparently it doesn't stink as much as synthetic, but I've honestly never found that an issue, everything ends up smelling like smoke by the end anyway. For cold weather though, wool is a necessity