November 2025 - Tania Barley
November’s Beanie Brigade is giving all the cozy, slow-down vibes this month. We’re using Craggy Tweed, a soft DK blend of 85% superwash Merino and 15% NEPs that adds the perfect bit of texture. It’s one of those yarns that just feels good on your needles, easy to work with and adds a little personality to any knit.
The color this month, Fir Frost, is a beautiful icy green with hints of blue that reminds us of mossy trails and pine needles after a chilly fall frost. The tones and texture of this yarn are truly perfect for the Frostberry hat by Tania Barley.
We are excited to share with you a discussion with Tania about her inspiration for the Frostberry Hat and the wider story behind her designs and creative process.
November Designer: Tania Barley
Q: The Frostberry Hat includes nupps, slipped stitches, and simple cables. What
inspired you to play with texture and combine these unique stitch elements in this
design? On your Ravelry, you mention that your designs are often inspired by the
West of Ireland, where you live. Was there something specific that sparked the idea for the Frostberry Hat?
A: For this particular design I was inspired by the snowberry bushes that grow in
abundance around here and get covered in pretty white berries every autumn
that stay way past the first frost. So, I just played around with all these
elements until I got something that resembled snowberry branches heavy
with berries. Most of my design ideas are inspired by Irish nature and come to
me when I am out for countless hours every day either working in the garden
or walking my dogs.
Q: Your patterns often blend textured stitches, lace, colorwork, and more but always come back to a cohesive, rustic, heritage-inspired feel. When you're designing, how do you narrow down all of your design choices to create projects that feel uniquely you?
A: I usually design for myself and try to create something I would (and do) wear
on a daily basis. I suppose my taste and designs are quite heavily influenced
by the rural area where I live with its crooked old cottages, endless peat
bogs and green fields surrounded by stone walls.
Q: We were mesmerized by one of your recent Instagram videos showing you carding fiber to create your own sock yarn blend. How does your experience with
spinning influence your choices when selecting ready-made yarns for your designs?
A: Since I started spinning over 5 years ago, I have definitely gained more
knowledge about different varieties of fiber and types of yarn construction
and how it can affect my knitting. I have also re-evaluated my attitude to
commercially available yarn and particularly its provenance. When spinning,
I now prefer using fiber that has been grown locally by the farmers in my
area. And even when it comes to commercial and ready-made yarns, I am
now more drawn to those that have been minimally processed, produced by
the smaller mills and companies, single breed yarns or yarns that can be
traced back to specific farms.
Q: Do you listen to anything while you knit or design, podcasts, music, true crime, or do you prefer peace and quiet?
A: Usually its mostly silence, but I do occasionally listen to podcasts and audio
books as well.
Q: As the seasons turns from fall to winter, what are some of your favorite things to
do in November to get into the cozy spirit? What’s your favorite fall treat? It could
be a seasonal drink, a favorite food, or even a beloved autumn activity.
A: To me, colder season actually means more time outside walking with my
dogs. I really do not like summer and hot weather, not that it gets very hot here in Ireland. My absolutely favourite thing to do in autumn and winter will be to get up in the morning, get a flask of coffee and head out for a few hours for a super long walk with my dogs and my camera, may be explore some new trails or tiny country roads, and then get home, light a fire and cozy up with my knitting.
Q: With gift-giving season around the corner, we’ve been thinking about how perfect hats are for quick, heartfelt handmade gifts. What types of projects do you love to knit for gifting?
A: Hats, socks and mittens would be my usual gift knits that I go back to every year. And, as I knit them all year round, I would normally have enough finished projects to choose from when it actually comes to gifting time. My husband has also been hinting recently that he would love another sweater, so that could be in the cards for me this November.
Q: Do you have a “knitting nemesis”, a stitch, yarn, or technique you love in theory
but just can’t quite get along with?
A: Oh yes, speckled or colour-shifting yarn are my knitting nemesis for sure! I love spinning all the beautiful colour-changing braids, and have quite a few gorgeous skeins from the indie yarn-dyers that I absolutely love to look at.
However, when it comes to knitting anything other than socks with them - my
brain literally freezes and I can never make anything that I like or that gives
these beautiful yarns justice. May be one day lol.
Q: Are you a monogamous knitter, or do you keep a pile of WIPs, each with its own
mood and moment?
A: I usually have 2 or 3 active WIPS at different stages of completion, and then
there is also a 'corner of shame' with those projects that have not been
touched for a new months and that I might finish one day or finally have the
heart to frog.
November Beanie Brigade Pre-Order
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