Winter 2026 Knit Along: Cartography by Tin Can Knits

We’re absolutely thrilled to announce our Winter 2026 Knit Along, and this year we’re diving into Cartography by the always-fantastic design team, Tin Can Knits! This will be our third KAL using a Tin Can Knits pattern, and for good reason — their designs are timeless, their pattern writing is wonderfully clear, and their library of tutorials and support resources is second to none. Every time we run a KAL with a TCK pattern, we know that knitters of all experience levels will feel confident, supported, and inspired.

The Cartography Knit Along kicks off on January 4th and runs through the end of February. As always, we’ll be hosting both optional Zoom meet-ups and in-person knitting times to keep everyone connected and motivated throughout the dark winter weeks.

Choose Your Project: Hat or Sweater

One of the best things about Cartography is the choose-your-own-adventure nature of this project. The design includes both a Cartography Hat and a Cartography Sweater, giving you the option to pick the level of challenge that suits you best. Both are knit in DK-weight yarn, and the sweater is knit from the top down. The iconic Cartography look features all-over stranded colorwork in three or four (or as many as your creativity dares!) colors — but don’t worry, the pattern only uses two colors per round, keeping the colorwork approachable and enjoyable.

If you're newer to colorwork, you’ll be happy to know that Cartography is genuinely accessible for the adventurous beginner. Both the hat and sweater are great choices if you're ready to try stranded knitting for the first time. If this sounds like you, the hat is a perfect low-commitment way to build confidence and technique before tackling a full sweater.

Size Inclusive and Beginner Friendly

We are committed to selecting KAL patterns that look great on a wide range of bodies, and Cartography checks all the boxes. The sweater comes in an impressive 25 sizes, and the hat is available in six sizes — from newborn to adult large — making it wonderful for gift knitting as well.

Endless Ways to Customize

Part of the fun of any KAL is making a project your own, and Cartography is especially customizable. Want a longer hat? Add extra rounds of your main color between motif sections. Prefer a cropped sweater or short sleeves? Just stop knitting when you reach your desired length. Not feeling all-over colorwork? Since the sweater is knit top-down, you can work the striking yoke and then switch to plain knitting for the body. More advanced knitters can even swap motifs or design their own — the possibilities are nearly endless.

New to Goat KALs?

If this is your first Goat KAL, welcome! We do things a bit differently, and you can find answers to all of our frequently asked questions in our blog post all about how our KALs work.

So… are you in? Sign up at the Knit Along Page! We can’t wait to knit Cartography with you this winter.