https://rachelcostelloknitwear.com/

Rachel Costello Knitwear, Kilkenny (2026)

24/09/2026

After the most sweltering summer here in Ireland, autumn is here and the grass is green again. The cooler, wool-worthy weather is back so I am back knitting and ready to share :)

I've been super quiet here and in your inboxes. I still have loads of ideas, I just can't get to them as quickly as I'd like. Nor do I have the time or willingness to be a content creator.

This yet-to-be-named sweater/blouse/top (??) is a wild departure for me, other than the i-cord trims ;) Boat neck, stripes, all over ribbed, who am I?!! Buuut I think this might be a niche, love it or hate it type design. And that's OK. I saw something similar on television, I couldn't get it out of my head until I put it in stitches. And here we are.

Worked from the top down in fi*****ng weight yarn, the back neckline is shaped following a chart (it's just easier, I promise!) and then stitches are carefully, in coordinating colours, picked up along the shoulders and the same chart is used again to shape the front neck. Unlike other boat necks, this one actually has shaping. It is not just a straight line across. And, maybe, those of you going, "eh, boat neck, no thanks", might be surprised with this one because it is not like the others.

The symmetry of the shoulder stripes, along with some very specific sleeve cap shaping, allows the stripes to flow and look intentional. Not just plopped on! And pair that with 8x2 ribbing and its a super engaging knit that I am hoping is going to block like a dream.

I just have to reinforce the neckline (I wasn't going to, but it needs it!) and then it will get a bath for the magic to happen. Post-blocking and modelled images coming very soon. And a test knit ;)

I'd love to know what you think, even if you hate it! 💬 🫶🏼

📝 Pattern: in devo, testing soon
🧶 Yarn: De Rerum Natura Albertine (90% Merino, 10% silk), colours Cypres & Sauge

22/06/2026

Summer is here, even in Ireland 😎 And so is the Duotone V Tee 🎉

A big thank you for the warm (🥵 pun intended) welcome to this pattern. Summer launches are always iffy, but I just couldn't resist this summery vibe! And, because I really just want everyone to grab a copy of the pattern, I'm extending the launch discount for the rest of the week. Grab a copy and head outside ☀️

My patterns are more expensive than most because you get what you pay for (I promise), but all the better when it's 25% OFF ☺️

Swipe to get the discount code, or even better, make sure you're on my newsletter list, so you never miss launches. (I don't normally put discounts in posts/stories, but said I'd give it a go and see if IG shows this to more people 🤷🏼‍♀️)

Don't mind my awkward face, just grab the Duotone V Tee pattern for 25% OFF with the code

duotone-summer

on either or RachelCostelloKnitwear.com

😎

Swipe ↔️

🍉 View A - Classic tee sleeve
🌊 View B - Angled sleeve

Both options are included in the pattern, along with progress charts for at the same time instructions, full schematic & finished measurements & an alternative yarn guide.

My size 3 sample with leftover yarn. Just over 1 skein needed of the grey, and exactly 1 of the aqua 😊

My size 3 sample, worked a bit longer than is written, leftovers from second skeins of each.

And the belle of the Duotone ball, Casta Lace from 🤩 These are my forever colours. If I only had these 4 for life, I'd be happy 🍉🌊

AND, if you do snag a copy of the pattern inside you'll find a 10% OFF code for Casta Lace 🎉🎉🎉

Go on, ya know ye wanna! 🧶

18/06/2026

It's DUOTONE day!! 🎉💃🏼😎

The pattern is available now via Ravelry and RachelCostelloKnitwear.com

The Duotone V came about around the same time as the original Duotone sweater, when I had loads of requests for a V neck version. And when I finally scratched the itch, I was lucky enough to find Casta Lace from - This tee was born out of this perfect yarn 🌈

The tee itself is an oversized, boxy, modified drop-shoulder style, worked from the top down. (Many of you will notice this is different from the OG Duotone, which was worked bottom or middle up!) And, just like the OG, the tee version features a marled fabric (holding 2 strands of yarn together) with contrasting "faux" i-cords (they are just slipped stitches!) and i-cord trims. The tee is finished with split high/low hems for a relaxed, t-shirt vibe.

I designed this tee to be oversized with quite a bit of positive ease, however, several of my testers chose to size down for a closer fitting tee. The results are amazing too!

The pattern includes:
--10 sizes (to fit 70-160cm | 28-64in full bust/body);
--2 sleeve views;
--Progress charts for upper body shaping for all sizes, all views;
--Full schematic and finished measurements;
--Written option bust darts;
--Notes on other modifications, tutorials and visual aids;
--Alternative yarn guide;
--10% OFF discount code to shop Casta Lace at The Wee Yarn Co. 🎉

Sizing, yarn guide, construction notes, samples and tester photos, and full schematic and finished measurement are available to anyone FREE in a pre-sale PDF. Just pop over to Rav or my website to download that :)

Huge thank yous to all my testers who made this pattern shine; to both Ross and Crystal for getting behind this design and pairing some fab yarns with it for ye all (more about Duotone kits tomorrow, but if your eager, the link is also in my bio); and thank YOU for reading this far 😂

Sooo who's casting on?! Extra points for commenting or tagging a friend 😜

28/05/2026

Your eyes are not deceiving you - it's actually me posting about knitting!! Just 'cause I'm not posting doesn't mean I'm not knittin'!! ;)

The important bits first:
My new Duotone V Tee knitting pattern will be ready on 18th June 🥳

Be sure to get on my newsletter list so you don't miss it and the subscriber launch deals. It's easy to miss things on IG so email is best!

•••••

My test knitters and I are working to put all the finishing touches on our tees and the pattern so it will be ready for you for summer knitting or proactive shoulder-season knitting!!

This tee has all the same design features as the Duotone sweater: double colour for contrasted marl or subtle blending; i-cord trims and shoulder detail along with the "faux" i-cord detail at the centre front and back; and easy to achieve gauge with a range of yarns (in weight, fibre and budget!)

The differences, however, are the highlights! Worked true top down this time with a V neck (not too deep!), with 2 sleeve views, and holding 2 strands of lace weight yarn (loads of yarn options at this gauge), the tee quickly reaches the round and round point and finishes with a split high/low hem. Then there is only the i-cord finishes - no ribbing, no sleeves!

Choose a summery version with silk or linen or go classic with Casta Lace hand dye wool from the fab and wear it almost year round, with exception of the hottest days! (Both shown here in Casta Lace 😍)

More inspo and details soon!!

•••••

Pattern:

Available: 18th June via Ravelry & RachelCostelloKnitwear.com

Yarn: Casta Lace held double

Pink/yellow is View A with a straight sleeve
Green/grey is View B with an angled sleeve

*100% NOT AI :)

11/03/2026

A few more shots of the details on the . I love i-cords (in case you didn't notice)! and the split hems are just 🙌🏼 And, whether you choose to go subtle/tonal or extra contrasty, these little finishing details make all the difference in a simple stockinette tee.

I have secured all my testers (unless there are any others out there with a bust of 140 - 160cm | 56 - 64in who wants to join? DM me) and we will start knitting very soon! I can't wait to start sharing all the cool colour combos 🌈

Pattern: Duotone V Tee (in testing)
Yarn: Casta Lace
Sample: Modelled here in a size 3, view B (angled sleeve) with 27cm | 10.5in positive ease

03/03/2026

TEST KNITTERS NEEDED // I need your help with my latest knitting pattern, the Duotone V Tee.

Do you like to knit garments that fit really well?
Do you enjoy knitting along and chatting with others who like to knit?

😊 I'm gonna go ahead and assume the answers to these questions and tell you that collaborating on a knitting pattern with a designer is the best way to achieve these AND the best way to improve knitting patterns and the standards we hold them to as a whole.

As it says on the tin, the Duotone V Tee has the same characteristics as my Duotone Sweater - a marled fabric with contrasting i-cord details. The tee is constructed very similar to the sweater version - a modified drop-shoulder - but this time round we are going top down, with 2 sleeve views to choose from. The oversized, boxy fit, does have quite a bit of positive ease, but you can easily size down to suit your ease preferences. Optional bust darts are written into the pattern, along with high/low split hems for a perfect, comfy tee fit. The tee is finished with i-cords all around - not a peep of ribbing in sight 😂

Suggested yarn is lace weight wool from the fab who has kindly offered yarn support for this test. However, stash shopping and alternative yarns are always in the cards for my designs. Mohair or suri, or silk or plant-based blends held double would be amazing or go rogue and use a heavy fi*****ng / sport weight yarn held single, with a contrast colour for the trims. Loads of options, I promise!!

The bullet points:
✦ 10 sizes (to fit busts of 70 - 160cm | 28 - 64in);
✦ 10 week flexible test ran via Discord;
✦ Tech edited, fully written pattern with progress charts for at the same time instructions;
✦ Mods encouraged;
✦ Yarn support available;
✦ You won't want to make just one ;)

APPLY NOW - Google Form link in my bio and stories.

PS. I've already closed off sizes 2 and 3, and 4 - 6 are very close to that point too. Don't wait to get your name down. I will start contacting ye all on Wednesday xx

26/02/2026

Hey pals, it's been a minute (or maybe months 🫣) but here I am and I've got news 🎉🎉🎉

This little number, the Duotone V Tee, is almost ready for a good ol' fashioned, quaint and cozy, test-along.

The very excellent news is the pattern has 2 sleeves options, so I'll be looking for a few more testers than normal, especially if you want to try some fun mods.

10 sizes (up to 160cm | 64in), top down, bust darts optional, v-neck, high/low split gems, lace weight held double on 4.5mm needles.

Oh, and the absolute best part is the yarn 😍 This lace weight wool from is called Casta Lace and it's just perfect. Wait till you see the colour inspo I am putting together. Oh and yarn support for testers too 🥰💪🏼LFG

So, in the spirit of making really f*ckin' good knitting patterns and for the love of marled fabric, make sure you get on my newsletter list so you don't miss the test call. (We all know only like 40 of you will see this post 🫠😬🫣😅)

Questions, comments, shares are always welcomed & appreciated 😊

(just for the craic - are hashtags out?)

11/10/2025

Thank you all so much for the warm welcome to the Cushendale Coat pattern 🥰

As an extra thanks every pattern purchased this weekend will included a 15% OFF discount code for wool directly from the source: here in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland ☘️

I can't wait to see all the fabulous Irish colours turned into woolly 🎉

What colour would you choose??? I think Cinnamon is next on my must-haves!

🧶

Irish wool yarn is like nothing you’ve knit with before, but once you start you won't want to go back ;)

The Cushendale Coat was born out of my love of Cushendale wool but also my preference to knit with non-superwash yarns and the challenge of taking untreated, rustic and local-to-me wool and turning it into something refined and wearable.

Cushendale 100% IRISH wool yarn is perfect for outerwear. The fabric is warm, strong and waterproof - an outer shell. But it is not next-to-skin soft. To contrast and accentuate these characteristics, and shift from “that’s too scratchy”, I have chosen a secondary yarn for use in this design, one that IS next-to-skin soft: silk mohair. I am using the silk mohair to create a classic quilted pattern on the outside and a lining of long floats of softness on the inside. With wear, the floats will felt to the inside of the wool for a seamless lining.

Cushendale wool is not soft and drapey like Merino or alpaca garments. It is woolly and tactile and warm. It feels like wool should! And I absolutely love it. Hopefully, with this new pattern, we can convert more of you to the woolly side!!

🐑

📝 The Cushendale Coat pattern is available on Ravelry & RachelCostelloKnitwear.com.

🏷️ Use the code IRISH15 to get 15% OFF the pattern and then download the discount code for your wool straightaway.

📨 Subscribe to my newsletter or check your inboxes for even more launch discounts.

09/10/2025

Say hello to the CUSHENDALE COAT 👋🏼

🔹🔹🔹

The Cushendale Coat knitting pattern is now available on Ravelry and RachelCostelloKnitwear.com

Use the code ✨IRISH15✨ to get 15% OFF the pattern now through Sunday only.

Further subscriber discounts will be hitting inboxes very soon. If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to avail of these special goodies ☺︎

🔹🔹🔹

The Cushendale Coat is a classic-inspired quilted coat knit in untreated, pure Irish wool from and luxurious silk mohair. The DK weight wool is firm and strong, ideal for outerwear. Pair this with a second lace weight yarn held double, luxurious and soft, and you get a coat with a woolly outer layer and a delicate inner layer. The contrast in fabrics is echoed in the all-over diamond pattern, creating a chic yet protective outer shell and a next-to-skin soft inner layer.

Worked from the top-down, the Cushendale Coat uses 2-stitch 2-colour cables to create the diamond pattern. The all-over colourwork pattern is simple to execute and very intuitive. The traditional set-in sleeve silhouette is constructed working the colourwork pattern both flat (upper body & sleeve caps) and in-the-round using steeks. Detailed finishing creates a truly luxurious and unique handmade coat.

I hope ye'll love it as much as I do 🤍

The pattern includes 10 sizes (70 - 170cm | 28 - 68in) with 2 body lengths, each fully charted along with written instructions, full schematic, construction and special technique notes and maps and visuals for steeking, sleeve shaping, and chart management. Written pattern and charts are in separate files and charts files are separated by size for convenience.

Sample modelled here in a size 2 (body) and size 3 (sleeves) using 'mid-charcoal' 976m + 'sparrow' 1152m

🔹🔹🔹

02/10/2025

Confession: I'm in a serious knitting slump 🫠

Moving house, renovations and summer; my body telling me sitting and knitting just doesn't feel good; not being able to multitask as well as I used to; brain power used for other priorities.... Knitting, designing and pattern writing is still on my mind, just not actually happening.

So (you may be asking) what?

Well, here's a list, because my brain still works in list form:

1. Thank you to all those who have been buying and knitting my patterns. Every purchase, or email with questions, reminds me how much I love making patterns and motivates me to continue, at my own pace.

2. Just cause I'm not posting all the time doesn't mean I'm not around. It's pretty noisy here, so adding to that noise isn't something I really have the energy for. I am going to push to get back to more regular newsletters and hopefully I can find some motivation to share some WIPs (there is actually a WIP ye haven't seen!!) and future plans. And, of course, new patterns....

3. And the main reason for this post, almost all of my 2025 knitting has been focused on my design the Cushendale Coat. This design is in collaboration with and inspired by the fabulous Woollen Mill. I still absolutely adore this pattern and this yarn. I've worked really hard to get this pattern written and charted (oh the charts!!!), and, my small group of resilient, brilliant testers have worked through this pattern helping me fine-tune, fill in missing symbols, generally helping me make sense (that's a chore in and of itself), as well as documenting the progress of this pattern much better than I have.

So, TLDR: I'm still here and I have a new pattern launching next week🤞so make sure you're on my newsletter list (link in bio) so you don't miss anything.

Next up I'll be re-introducing you to the Cushendale Coat, Irish wool, and why you need to make one 😊🤍

Rachel Costello Knitwear

24/09/2026

22/06/2026

18/06/2026

28/05/2026

11/03/2026

03/03/2026

26/02/2026

11/10/2025

09/10/2025

02/10/2025

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