You know that awkward bit of the year when you leave the house in a t-shirt, return in a scarf, and briefly consider hibernation in the middle? That’s right now in the UK. But instead of sulking up at the sky, I’ve decided to lean into it. This is PRIME season for transitional knits – the ones you get to wear again and again, layered, re-layered, sometimes completely on their own.
Despite having lived in this country my entire life I still march out optimistically in sandals on “sunny” mornings only for it to hail mid-afternoon. But I’m learning gradually – on my most organised of days my bag conceals a light wrap, and my shoulders are usually sporting something clever with buttons or ties.
Consider this your edit of tried-and-true patterns that make fickle weather your playground.
1. Late Summer Wrap by Pernille Larsen
An elegantly simply wrap cardigan with ballet-energy and real-life practicality. Worked top-down holding fingering merino with lace mohair for a worsted-ish fabric, it features bang on trend saddle shoulders, tidy ties (with a clever opening), and a neat 20 sts × 29 rows/10 cm gauge. Designed to be fitted with ~0–8 cm negative ease, so choose size by “to fit” measurements for that sleek cross-front. Perfect over dresses now, and under coats later.
My yarn pick
You could definitely go with the suggested KFO Merino and Silk Mohair pairing, but this would look stunning in Eden Cottage Yarn’s Hayton 4 ply (I like their Stone and Steel colourways) and paired with a variegated silk mohair like Qing Fibre (Pink Lemonade gives modern ballet).
Tech specs
- Worsted weight
- Top-down
- Saddle shoulder
- Short row shaping
- Stockinette
- Sizes XS to 4XL
2. Una Tee by Moreca Knit
A t-shirt might not sound like a transitional piece on paper, but this one would work wonders. It’s understated, cropped and infinitely layerable. Bottom-up in stockinette with folded hems (chef’s kiss for this timeless pattern), it’s knit either in pure cashmere or a fingering merino + lace mohair duo to land at a perfectly in-betweeny DK gauge: 23 sts × 33 rows/10 cm. The pattern builds in 10–20 cm positive ease and even includes a smart provisional-cast-on trick so you can adjust body length at the end.
My yarn pick
I would knit this in a cashmere so it’s warm enough to wear on its own, but light enough to layer up when the weather demands it. It’s got to be Cardiff Cashmere Classic in Neve for me.
Tech specs
- DK weight
- Bottom-up
- Drop sleeve
- Short row shaping
- Stockinette
- Sizes XS to XL
3. Lulu Slipover by PetiteKnit
I made this beauty in January this year. Just in time to test it out for the early transitional months. It’s the modern tabard of dreams: deep armholes, side button closures, and a clean mock neck. It’s knit top-down in DK, with stockinette plus double-knit edges for structure: gauge 20 sts × 30 rows/10 cm. Designed for ~20 cm positive ease in smaller sizes (gradually less in larger sizes), it layers effortlessly over vest tops, and t-shirts now and shirts and chunky jerseys later.
(After something a little heavier, the Lulu Slipover Chunky is also available.)
My yarn pick
I chose Knitting For Olive Merino in a dark-ish grey Racoon. Thunder Cloud is similar.
Tech specs
- DK weight
- Top-down
- Short row shaping
- Double knit edges
- Stockinette
- Sizes XXS to 5XL
4. Bruno Vest by Moreca knit
A polished slipover with couture-like finishing. Top-down with a beautifully folded 1×1 twisted rib at the neck and armholes, it lands at 23 sts × 33 rows/10 cm, recommended in either cashmere or merino + mohair held together. You can play around with up to ~20 cm positive ease and a slightly cropped length (bang on trend for this AW25/26). Ideal over high-waist trousers, then under an oversized blazer or jacket when September gets ideas above its station.
My yarn pick
A statement piece calls for a statement colour – so I’d go with the recommended yarn, Filcolana Anina and Tilia in this pop of Christmas Red and Chinese Red.
Tech specs
- DK weight
- Top-down
- Short row shaping
- Folded hems
- Stockinette
- Twisted rib
- Sizes XS to 3XL
5. Cloverdale Skirt by Woolfolk Design Team
What’s more transitional than a knitted skirt. This one is top-down in DK with a tidy elasticated waistband and a swishy, straight silhouette. It’s designed with negative ease at the hip (choose 2.5–10 cm smaller than hip), and includes both waistband-and-slit construction notes plus a neat 19–21 sts/10 cm stockinette gauge. Dress it up with boots, or wear with trainers and a tee now, add tights the second the Met Office wobbles.
My yarn pick
Woolfolk Flette is quite the unique yarn, but choose a similar boucle yarn for that squishy, weightier fabric, or match to a DK gauge with your fibre of choice. I’d personally go for a merino like Gepard Garn Wild & Soft paired with a brushed alpaca silk such as Fyberspates Cumulus.
Tech specs
- DK weight
- Top-down
- Seamless
- Stockinette
- Sizes XXS to 4XL
6. Audrey Jacket by Cheryl Mokhtari
As soon as I made this boucle jacket at the end of last year I couldn’t stop wearing it. And despite me making it in a navy blue, I reached for it loads in spring too. This jacket is worked top-down in a bulky boucle yarn, finished with crisp i-cord edges and a double knit button band. It even has optional narrower sleeves for a sleeker line. Gauge is 14 sts × 18 rows/10 cm; designed with ~8–10 cm positive ease so it sits just off the body. It’s smart over dresses, chic with denim. It looks party-ready but feels like wearing a teddy (in the best possible sense).
My yarn pick
I made mine in Gepard Garn Teddy Dear in Marine Blue 780 and Puno in Navy 774.
Tech specs
- Bulky weight
- Top-down
- Short-row shaping
- Stockinette
- I-cord edges
- Double knit
- Sizes XXS to 5XL
7. Harris Hood by Cheryl Mokhtari
Another pattern by this amazing designer. The ultimate “just in case” layer: an oversized hood you can pull on when the temperature drops mid-errand. Knit DK + lace mohair held together to a worsted-like gauge (17 sts × 24 rows/10 cm), with thoughtful shaping and a tidy Italian bind-off. One size, lots of drama with that statement folded rib edging. Stash it in your tote bag; you’ll be a hero at the school gate when the wind whips off the car park.
My yarn pick
I love the idea of using Isager Eco Soft in colourway E6S.
Tech specs
- Worsted weight
- Top-down
- Seamless
- Stockinette
- Ribbed hem
- One size
8. Allgood Dress by Magdalena Parker
Minimalist, straight-cut and hugely versatile. If you can withstand so much knitting in a finer gauge this one is knit top-down in fingering merino at 28 sts × 40 rows/10 cm, with around 30cm positive ease built in for that clean, skimming silhouette. Wear it alone on kinder days, then layer over a base layer or under a cardigan when the weather does its usual hijinks. The length is classic mid-calf so would work great with a boot too for those colder days.
My yarn pick
A pop of colour for such a clean cut piece, I’d use KFO merino in Clover Green here.
Tech specs
- Fingering weight
- Top-down
- Seamless
- Stockinette
- Sizes XXS to 2XL
9. Villa Wrap by Anne Ventzel
I’ve had this on my wishlist since it came out in 2024. A textured, seed-stitch dream with a signature twisted-rib shawl collar that frames the neck beautifully. Worked seamlessly top-down holding aran wool with lace mohair (gauge 18 sts × 33 rows/10 cm in pattern). It’s designed with relaxed positive ease (the designer wears ~37 cm for extra drama), but you can dial it back to ~20 cm if you prefer a more snug fitting wrap. And I love a garment with zero finishing faff – Anne Ventzel’s patterns are perfect for that.
My yarn pick
I’m a sensitive soul when it comes to my yarn so I’d need an alpaca, merino or a cashmere in place of the suggested wool yarn. I’ve yet to 100% pick for this piece but mark my words I will knit this soon. I’m leaning towards Camarose Snefnug in Dark Rose.
Tech specs
- Aran weight
- Top-down
- Seamless
- Slipped stitches
- Available in four sizes
10. Harlow Sweater V-Neck by Caidree
I had to include a layering jumper in this edit, and this is one of my favourites (let’s face it there’s quite a few patterns like this out there now). Deep V, drop shoulder, classic rib, little side slits – aka “the jumper you’ll live in”. This is worked top-down in sport + lace mohair held together to a worsted-like fabric at 19 sts × 28 rows/10 cm, and the 20–25 cm positive ease makes for an easy, slouchy drape. Perfect over a cami right now and a roll-neck later. If you like your V-necks a bit more modest, you can simply knit a touch less on the neckline before joining.
How to outsmart the forecast
- Layer smart. Tees under vests; shirts under slipovers; dresses under wraps. Or if you’re like me, vest, tee, shirt, jumper…maximising cost-per-wear in one outfit!
- Ties, buttons and bands. Adjustable closures are your best friend in those in-between months (hello, Late Summer Wrap and Lulu Slipover) keep silhouettes neat as you add/remove layers.
- Swatch the fabric you’ll wear. If you’re pairing mohair with merino, block the swatch with steam to mimic real life (mohair “blooms”, shifting gauge).
- Ease is a design tool. You want to get this right, particularly when it comes to these transitional knitted pieces. Proportions are everything. Negative at the hip for skirts = sleek; generous at the bust for v-necks = drapey goodness.
TL;DR: Embrace the in-between months
I used to muddle through the awkward weather months of the year with what I already had. But I’ve come to discover that these transitional knits aren’t a compromise. Curate a small selection of patterns and you’ll have year-round champions you’ll reach for again and again. Then choose one piece you can throw on at 7am and still adore at 7pm.
Which one’s going on your needles? Tell me in the comments, or tag me when you cast on so we can cheer your progress (and collectively manifest a reliable forecast).
Beth x