Knitting patterns for a capsule wardrobe

Knitting a capsule of investment pieces

It takes such a long time to knit, that we want things that we can keep and wear and love for a long time. In keeping with that concept of slow fashion, we are investing our time and money into clothing.  When we knit, we are building a high end wardrobe of custom made garments  that last a long time and look good no matter how long ago you made them. You’ll keep them for years and wear them several times a week in season.  The more you wear them, the more their value goes up and the cost per wear goes way down.  Who doesn’t love that?

But if you’re not careful you can end up with garments that you don’t wear, and that makes an item very expensive indeed.  If you were in an expensive boutique, you would never plunk down a bunch of money on something you could only wear a few times.  

What is a capsule wardrobe? 

 A capsule wardrobe is really just another term for a small set of basics that never go out of style.  These basics work together so you can wear the same pieces in multiple ways.  Everything coordinates. 

A true capsule wardrobe has between 30 and 40 items, and it includes pants, jeans, blouses, jackets, blouses, sweaters, and cardigans.  It’s the core of your wardrobe, adjusted and augmented as needed seasonally There are no hard and fast rules.  A capsule wardrobe is meant to make things easier – it helps you get dressed faster in the morning, discourages fast fashion mentality, and helps you determine and refine your personal style.  

If the term capsule feels too rigid, just  think of it as a curated wardrobe.  

The key is to have pieces that go together, that suit your personal style, and are in a cohesive color palette

I really like this gal, she pretty much nails it on the capsule wardrobe and on finding your personal style https://stunningstyle.com/style-secrets/how-to-build-a-capsule-wardrobe-2

What should be in your capsule wardrobe? 

https://stunningstyle.com/style-secrets/12-capsule-wardrobe-essentials

These are starters 

• Jeans
• lightweight sweater in a solid color
• a button up shirt
• a structured jacket
• a great fitting skirt
• a striped top
• a basic tee
• a go-to dress
• Signature jewelry
• An incredible bag 

This site advises finding the special - what makes each piece special for you.  So as far as the knits, go, having them be handknit by you for you, makes them special

Knitting patterns for a capsule wardrobe (Ellen's edit)

• Lightweight pullover in a neckline you love
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/niamh-11
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/v-neck-sweater-29
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stockholm-sweater-2

• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/no-frills-sweater
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cumulus-blouse
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crew-neck-sweater-8
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/classic-polo
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-evermore-sweater

• A knit shell or camisole that you can wear on its own or under other tops
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/laurel-25
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bronx-28
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pea-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dijon-5
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/soho-top-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/home-camisole
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/remi-camisole
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sugarboo-bralette

• A light/medium weight cardigan – any length you like
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kendall-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miya-4
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/champagne-cardigan
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/april-cardigan-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/no-frills-cardigan
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/novice-cardigan---mohair-edition
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ellie-19
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/luna-49
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dunes-cardigan 

• A chunky pullover in a pattern or stitch you like - could be cabled or Fair Isle or other colorwork you like
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kay-4
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ingrid-sweater-3
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wednesday-sweater-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tale-boxy-sweater
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/violet-32
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manou

• A longer chunkier cardigan - something you can layer over the shell
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/emma-50
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chloe-32
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chunky-cardigan-5
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harlow-16

• A vest you can wear over a blouse
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stockholm-slipover
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/friday-slipover
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/weekend-slipover-v-neck
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/friday-slipover-v-neck
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/livre-vest
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shell-14
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/007-longline-cardigan

• A structured cardigan you can wear like a jacket
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fig-6
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chalk-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moxie-jacket
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/big-love-5

• Striped top
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dingley-dell
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eve-31
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/friday-tee-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paragon-5
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sabela

• Striped sweater
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-34
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marseille-sweater
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/annie-32
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/striped-jumper-17

• Basic tee
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ankers-summer-shirt
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anker-tee
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cumulus-tee-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cotton-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cello
• A dress
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/silk-2
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/eleanor-22
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chestnut-dress-2
• A coat
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kirsty-6
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/long-line-coat
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/june-34
• https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jasmine-58