Julia Farwell-Clay

Designer and Writer · Concord, Massachusetts

There’s a boundless curiosity in the way Julia Farwell–Clay explores knitting. You see it in the patterns she writes—she’ll pull an idea from a science fiction novel or a length of handprinted fabric. She is a master of blending traditional and modern elements. It’s all very cool.

As a blogger, writer, teacher, lecturer, designer, and catalyst in the knitting world, Julia has for the past ten years dug herself ever deeper into the world of textile traditions and personal decoration.

As a former college teacher, Julia brings to her knitting students 30 years of knitting experience and a boundless enthusiasm for the craft. Her distinctive patterns usually include graphic interest and a modern twist on traditional color techniques.

Julia has created more than 70 patterns, and has been published as both a writer and a designer in Knitty, Interweave Knits, PomPom Quarterly, and Twist Collective, among others. To our delight, Julia is the featured designer for Modern Daily Knitting Field Guide No. 7: Ease.

Julia Farwell-Clay's Networks:

Contributions From Julia Farwell-Clay

Dye Day

Indigo, madder, and weld: oh my! A group of friends throw a natural dyeing party.

Picket Fence Afghan: A Slip-and-Flip Tutorial

Slip-and-flip intarsia: Julia Farwell-Clay's newly "unvented" technique might be your new favorite way to take your ease.

Hashtag: My First Handknit Sweater

"Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise." (The Roman poet Horace knew a lot about first sweaters.)

Knitting It for Themselves: That Prada Sweater

From an haute couture campaign to the needles of ingenious knitters: the life of "that Eddie Redmayne sweater" has just begun.

Introducing: The Eddy Wrap

Straight from the catwalk, via a designer who couldn't get a wild pattern out of her head, comes this autumn's must-have, must-knit, must-wear wrap.

Eddy Wrap

Inspired by a photo of movie star Eddie Redmayne modeling a distinctive, scrappy sweater for a fashion design house, Julia Farwell-Clay became fascinated with how the stitch pattern worked. That fascination led to an article in our pages, and ultimately to this gorgeous shell-bordered wrap design. It begins with a classic (and easy-peasy) garter stitch triangle, which becomes the foundation for a whimsical border of short row shells combining colors like a mosaic tile floor or a stained glass window. Julia has written the pattern. Now all you have to do is get your short row game on! Please note: this pattern is provided in digital PDF format only. The suggested yarn is Berroco's versatile and drapey Ultra Alpaca.

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Clothes

Two knitters contemplate an artist who integrated everything, including her clothing, into her art.

Mind of a Knitter: Daily Overview, Knitted

Neil Armstrong's "tiny pea, pretty and blue," can inspire knitting design.

The Mind of a Designer: Knitting a Diebenkorn

A painting can be a map for knitting.

The Mind of a Designer: When Mohair Met Intarsia

The shimmering possibilities of stranded colorwork in fine mohair yarn.

Knit Detective: The Eddie Redmayne Sweater

Eddie Redmayne, Prada, and a vivid, intriguing stitch pattern.

The Mind of a Designer: Julia Farwell-Clay

A peek into the process of designer Julia Farwell-Clay. Settle in; we have no idea what to expect.