How I get the most from Ravelry. Mousseux pattern.
Hello friends,
In the last Esenote, I mentioned I’d share how I get the most out of Ravelry—a warm, inviting space where knitters like us come together to share, learn, and grow.
Instead of covering the basics like adding projects or organizing your stash (I’ll share a helpful video on that below), let's discover how Ravelry can truly elevate your knitting experience.
Yarn color.
Isn’t it the worst when you order yarn online and it’s not quite the color you imagined? That’s why I always check out the yarn on Ravelry before buying. Here’s how I do it:
Search the yarn: First, I type the name of the yarn I’m considering into Ravelry’s yarn search bar.
Explore projects: Next, filter by the specific colorway and dive into project photos. See how the yarn color looks in different lights, captured by various cameras, and even paired with other colors, gives you a much clearer idea of what to expect.
2. Finding the perfect pattern.
Ravelry is like a massive library for knitters - there’s no need to spend hours surfing the web, wondering if a pattern is right for you. With around 75% of all knitting patterns available on Ravelry, it’s a one-stop shop for all your knitting needs.
Here’s my routine when I’m searching for a featured pattern for Esenotes:
Use the difficulty filter: I always start by setting the filter to difficulty levels 1 (piece of cake) or 2 (easy).
Read the project notes: Before I decide to share a pattern with you, I like to check out what other knitters have done with it. Here’s a little secret: you can use the “Search in projects” feature to look for specific words like “difficult,” “problem,” or “confusing” in project notes. It’s a lifesaver when there are hundreds of notes, and you want to zero in on potential issues quickly.
Check the stats: Don’t forget to check the pattern page’s statistics in the “About this pattern” section, just under the price. This is where you can see how other knitters have rated the pattern’s clarity and difficulty. It gives you a clear picture of how many people found it challenging.
For example, this week I’m featuring the Mousseux pattern by Espace Tricot. The average difficulty rating from 96 knitters is 2 out of 10. But here’s the interesting part — when you click on the 96 ratings, you’ll see that about a third of knitters rated it as 3 out of 10. It’s a good reminder that “easy” can be a bit relative. I’ll share more about this pattern later in the Esenote.
3. Finding fresh inspiration: The "Hot Right Now" section
As a beginner knitter, finding inspiration can sometimes feel overwhelming with so many options out there. That’s why I love Ravelry’s "Hot Right Now" section. Instead of getting lost on Pinterest, I head here to quickly see what’s trending in the knitting community.
Here’s how you can make the most of it:
Explore trending patterns: This section is packed with designs that other knitters are currently loving, which can help you discover patterns that are popular for a reason - whether it’s a clever construction, a stylish look, or a fun and easy knit.
Discover new designers: Many up-and-coming designers get featured here, so it’s a fantastic place to find fresh ideas and patterns that match your style. You might just find a new favorite designer who creates pieces that are perfect for your skill level.
4. Asking for help: The power of community
One of the best things about Ravelry is the incredible generosity of its community. If you ever get stuck on a pattern or technique, help is just a few clicks away.
Go to the forums: Head to the Community section, and you’ll find Forums. From there, choose “Patterns” or “Techniques” depending on what you need help with.
Ask your question: Post your question and, within 24 hours, you’re likely to have responses from experienced knitters all around the world.
I’ve even used the forum to ask fellow knitters what they love and hate in video tutorials. Their feedback has been invaluable in improving my own tutorials.
So, if you haven’t yet fully explored all that Ravelry has to offer, I hope these tips inspire you to dive in and make the most of it.
💌 Let me know if you have any questions or if there’s anything specific you’d like to know!
Bonus resource.
While preparing this Esenote, I went through a lot of YouTube videos about how to use Ravelry effectively, and one really stood out:
Mark does a great job sharing general tips on navigating Ravelry, and the video is well-organized with time codes in the description. This way, you can skip to specific parts if you're short on time.
But if you’re new to Ravelry, I highly recommend grabbing your WIP and spending some time watching the whole video. It’s a fantastic resource that will help you get comfortable with all the wonderful features Ravelry has to offer.
📔 This week, I’m excited to feature the Mousseux pattern by Espace Tricot.
And here’s the best part: this isn’t just a single pattern. For the price of one, you get a whole collection - 10 patterns to be exact! It’s a 46-page pattern book, so there’s plenty to explore 🙌.
But let’s focus on why you’re going to love the Mousseux sweater (found on page 42):
Beginner-friendly: While the Mousseux might not be your first sweater choice, it's an excellent option for those ready to tackle a basic round yoke design. It incorporates German Short Rows, but don't worry if you're new to this technique; there are plenty of helpful tutorials online.
💡 One of my “Drop in Dream” sweater test knitters, a beginner herself, successfully tackled the German Short Rows with the help of this video tutorial by The Blue Mouse Knits. It's a great reminder that with a little extra support, you can achieve more than you think!
Yarn substitution: You can easily substitute the recommended yarn with options like Drops Kid-Silk (2 strands held together) or Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk (1 strand).
Many knitters have shared their yarn choices for this project, which you can check out in Yarn Ideas. Just be sure to knit a swatch first to find the right needle size and meet the gauge.
Simple construction: The construction is straightforward—you’ll work almost entirely in the round with just 4 increase rounds using the simple "make 1" (m1) stitch.
🌍 What’s new in Esenique world.
I’m excited to reveal that my next project will be a round yoke sweater similar to the current design but in aran weight yarn and stylish ribbing. This will be the second pattern in a series of basic sweaters I’m planning to create, each with a detailed video tutorial. (The Drops in Dream sweater is the first in this series.) My goal is to equip you with the essential skills to confidently knit any sweater.
I’ll be sharing more details soon in my upcoming tutorial for the Drops in Dream sweater, launching this October. Stay tuned!
❤️ I hope this Esenote was useful and inspiring.
Warm regards,
Julia Piro
Knitwear Designer & Esenotes Curator
P.S. Looking for even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram or Facebook!
