March 2026 - Samantha Guerin
March’s Beanie Brigade features a worsted weight spun from 100% 20.5 micron organic merino, with 218 yards/ 100g. This yarn is smooth and soft without losing structure. It has that classic merino spring, while still having enough body for crisp stitch definition, perfect for textured knits.
The featured colorway, Winter’s Thaw, captures that quiet in-between season; soft and earthy. It feels like melting snow and the first hints of warmth returning to the air. It’s a grounded shade that pairs perfectly with The Wingate by Samantha Guerin. Thoughtful texture and shaping give this pattern a timeless feel, allowing the texture to shine while creating a beanie that’s cute and practical.
We’re excited to highlight The Wingate this month and share more about the inspiration and design details behind this beautifully constructed hat.
March Designer: Samantha Guerin
Q: Thank you for joining us for Beanie Brigade, can you take a moment to introduce yourself?
A: Hi! I’m Samantha Guerin, a knitwear designer based in southern New England. My designs focus on thoughtful details, approachable construction, and the kind of textures you enjoy both knitting and wearing.
When I’m not knitting, I’m spending time with my family or finding time for my many hobbies: spinning, journaling, baking, reading and being a “plant mom.”
Q: The featured hat for this month's Beanie Brigade is the Wingate hat which features bold cables, an optional folded brim, and decorative twisted ribbed sections. Can you tell us why you choose the cabled cast on? Why was it important for your selected yarn to be “round and plump” to make the twisted stitches “pop”? Were there any specific inspirations behind this pattern?
A: The cable cast on is my favorite way to begin a 1x1 rib. It’s simple to execute and creates a clean, structured edge without any set-up rows. I think it strikes the perfect balance: polished like a tubular cast on, but without the extra effort.
For this hat, I wanted the cables and twisted stitches to really stand out, which is why I chose a yarn with a round, plump construction. Those sculptural stitches need a fiber that can stand up and show off! You can absolutely work cables with different yarn constructions, but the final effect will shift depending on the ply and fiber content. The Wingate Hat is my take on a classic fisherman-style beanie, sturdy enough to keep you warm on the coldest days, but with thoughtful details that make it fun to knit.
Q: On Ravelry, you mention that most of your designs begin with the yarn as inspiration. Can you tell us a little bit about how you go from unwound skein to finished design?
A: It’s true, most of my designs really do start with the yarn.
In my stash, I keep a small shelf of yarns that feel like “future designs.” They’re the ones I’ve set aside because something about them sparks curiosity. Then I have my larger stash of tried-and-true favorites, yarns I know well and can reliably predict how they will behave in knitted fabric.
When I’m ready to start something new, I’ll pull a few skeins that feel seasonally right and sit down with my stitch dictionaries. I swatch a motif I’ve been curious about. I may try it in a couple different yarns.
From there, I refine. I keep swatching, adjusting proportions and playing with adding or subtracting elements. I spend a lot of time thinking about what the knitter’s experience would be like knitting a particular motif. I try to look ahead to see any potential pain points or ways that I can make the project more fun to work on.
Q: On the same note, you love supporting indie dyers and other small businesses in the fiber arts space. Why is this so important to you?
A: I prioritize working with indie dyers and small businesses because I deeply value the work that they do, and the impact we have when we support one another. The knitting community is beautifully interconnected. Just think of all the hands that might contribute to a single project: the dyer, the maker of the project bag or stitch markers, the designer, the tech editor, tester knitters, the photographer, and of course, the knitter themselves. It’s incredible to realize how one project can ripple outward to support so many creative small businesses.
Q: Along with knitting, you talk about spinning and sewing sometimes - mostly showing off some of the most gorgeous handspun skeins and sewn wearables that you’ve made! What inspired you to “cheat” on knitting with these other fiber arts? What do you love about these artistic practices that is different from your knitting?
A: Thank you! Letting myself enjoy other crafts is essential, especially since knitwear design is now my job. Spinning, for me, is pure creative freedom. There’s no pressure for the yarn to become anything. I just follow the fiber’s lead and let my hands do the work. Sewing is newer to me and a little outside my comfort zone, but I love that it pushes me to learn in new ways. The sewing community is so generous with knowledge, and it feels refreshing to be a beginner again.
Q: At FDF we have gone ham with diving into sewing this year, what are some of your favorite things that you’ve made?
A: I love to hear that! My most-worn me-mades are my Chanterelle Pants from Sew Liberated—both views A and B. They’re easy to wear and surprisingly versatile. You can spot my view A version in the Flannel Crush pattern photos. I’m also planning to make a Wren Fleece from Daughter Judy and have my eye on both Barry and Arthur Pants. I try to keep my fabric stash small and intentional, so I usually buy fabric with a specific project in mind. Some of my favorite accounts to follow for sewing inspo are @blackmountainyarnshop, @jessamyb, and @tanglesandstarlight.
Q: If you had unlimited crafting time, what would be another skill/hobby that you would want to pick up?
A: I’d love to learn to weave! The textures, the structure, the rhythm of it—it all fascinates me. The biggest hurdle right now is space (and time, of course), but I love the idea of learning yet another way to engage with yarn and fiber. I dream of attending a weaving course at Harrisville someday.
Q: Along with Rhinebeck, you’ve talked about attending A Woolen Affair in years past along with other fiber festivals. As we are beginning to gear up for festival season around the corner, do you have any recommendations for first time attendees?
A: Festivals are such a joyful whirlwind. I always recommend attending with a friend if you can, and scoping out the vendor list ahead of time to make a plan. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so I also like to identify a quiet spot on the map where I can sit, sip something, and take a breath if needed. And don’t feel pressured to see everything, there will always be more festivals!
Q: The oldest design on your Ravelry is from 2018 and mainly features hat and shawl patterns. Reflecting on your 8 years as a designer, in what ways have you grown the most?
A: My design process has matured so much over the years. Early on, I was definitely trying to keep up with what felt current or clickable. Now, I trust my own creative voice and lean into what excites me, even if it’s not trending. I’ve also grown so much in how I handle pattern questions and collaborations. What used to send me spiraling now feels like a natural part of the process. I've built systems that support me and learned to give myself a lot more grace.
Q: This year you are teaching at a retreat in New England. If you could teach for a week anywhere in the world, where would you most want to go?
A: I’ve always dreamed of visiting the Nordic countries. I’m so drawn to the landscape, the light, the culture, and the knitting traditions. Teaching in a place like Iceland or Finland would be such a gift.
Q: We are finally at the beginning of spring with summer on the horizon! Do you like to plan out your next season's knits and knit a season ahead or do you like to wait to see what strikes your fancy?
A: Thank goodness for that! I try to stay at least a season ahead in my planning. Sometimes, inspiration strikes and I’ll cast on something just because I can’t wait. Right now, I’m finishing up a lace yoke sweater for spring, and I’m sketching out a raglan design for fall. It’s a construction I rarely use but have been feeling very drawn to lately.
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