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Tif Neilan is an East Coast-based designer who keeps catching our eye with knitwear that’s classic and inventive at the same time. Her designs have a through line of texture, plus out-of-the-ordinary neckline and sleeve details.

Tif is a designer to know, and follow. You can find her full pattern portfolio in her Ravelry shop, but here’s a sampling of a few from our queues.

In the Tweeds

A contender in the Sweater bracket for MDK March Mayhem 2020, In the Tweeds stole our hearts with its honeycomb textures, retro neckline, and 3/4 sleeves.  I can think of no yarn more perfect for it than Felted Tweed. That contrast stripe could be the perfect home for  leftovers from Field Guide No. 13, just saying. Since I over-ordered for my Coins Blanket’s background and border colors, mine will feature Stone and Treacle in the main color blocks.

Wanderlight 

The sample for Tif’s latest release, Wanderlight, was made in the newest yarn in the MDK Shop, Julie Asselin’s rich, subtle Nomade. Wanderlight has the box top shape we love (because everybody looks cute in it—everybody), with a dash of contrast color, and Tif’s signature herringbone stitch, trimming the neckline and sleeves.

Comfort Zone

Yarns that speak their own language, like Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, require a deft touch, and Comfort Zone’s stripes on textured background nail it. Shown in the short version that is the perfect proportion over a dress, tunic, or trousers, the pattern also includes a longer version. For the background solid, I’m looking at Sylph, which, conveniently, we’ve just restocked in the most popular colors.

Grey Space

Thumbhole cuffs + funnel neck = winning winter warmer. Three yarns are held together for Grey Space. Suggestion from the MDK Shop: Hektos. 

Moonset 

This cowl may have been my introduction to Tif Neilan’s work, and it calls to me still. Two of her signatures—herringbone stitch and stripes—are there, with lovely marling. MDK’s yarn suggestion for Moonset: Vrinda’s sumptuous Shakti DK.

12 Comments

  • Wow! Love these!!

    • I love these designs too! Incredible and unique. Tif is a designer to watch! Bravo. Going to purchase a few Tif’s patterns right now. Yarn will be purchased soon….

  • I have been a huge fan ever since In the Tweeds was published-love her designs!

    • Tif is such an incredible designer! Her textures & creativity to embrace them in such unique way makes me move from on of her pattern right on to the next! I love the stories each design shares & the ones I add as I knit & take it on whatever journey that follows! Thank you for sharing her with so many more!! When you are looking for joy in the fiber arts Tif Neilan is definitely one of them!!

  • Thanks for introducing me to Tif Neilan, I really like what I’m seeing here. Comfort Zone especially because it’s gotten quite summery where I am, but Moonset ticks the boxes for what I like in smaller projects–interesting details and functionally perfect. I’m off to queue some things up!

  • I’m just about finished with the body of In The Tweeds. I love that you said the neck was retro. The reason I chose it was to see if I could find a neckline that worked for me for color design yokes. Everything I’ve tried has the neckline too high for my throat. I tried this one on the other day and it’s perfect so I will be using it To do more color stranding, which I love. It was fun to find a designer with my nickname.

    • Great adaptation! I have the same issue, so thanks!!

  • Love these designs! Thanks for the introduction to Tif Neilan. All the texture! Swoon! Would certainly keep my interest!

  • I really love Tif Neilan’s designs. I’m knitting “Rivers and Winding Roads” shawl. I love the texture and I’ve never seen garter stitch glimmer so much!

  • wow! the photography on Moonset took my breath away, with the glowing gold orange maple leaf against those woolly marled, striped herringbone stitches. I may have to make that one, though many of that designer’s touches (retro neck, 3/4 sleeves) appeal!

  • I wandered over here just now (since my husband is still asleep, so I can’t blast Linda Ronstadt like I wanna). Love In the Tweeds for the same neckline reason. Glad I reread this post so I can put it in my queue today! Chloe

  • Was browsing the blog and I am so glad I ran across this one/this designer. I am partial to textures (honeycomb!) and find these all beautiful. Adding them to the projects list.

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