Forest Friends – Children’s Knitting Pattern Collection

Printed Pattern Book
Pattern design by Jessica Anderson

A gentle story of forest friends unfolds across this collection of knitting patterns for children and beyond.

Inspired by the beloved world of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, each garment has been thoughtfully designed around an individual character, bringing warmth, personality, and quiet charm to every piece.

Lovingly presented as a printed booklet, the collection includes delicate illustrations and carefully chosen quotations, creating a pattern book that is as meaningful to hold as it is to use.

Designed using AppleOak FibreWorks’ naturally dyed Softwool (now Olann Bhog), these patterns highlight the softness, resilience, and beauty of sport weight yarns.

Included patterns

This collection includes 9 individual designs:

• 3 sweaters
• 1 cardigan
• 1 sleeveless top
• 1 hat
• 1 scarf
• 1 shawlette
• 1 pair of fingerless mittens

Sizes range from 6 months to 16 years, with selected adult sizes included.

Yarn compatibility

Designed for sport weight yarns, including:

• Olann Bhog
• Ériu
• Lima
• Other AppleOak sport weight yarns

Format

Printed booklet
Professionally printed and bound

Suitable for

• Beginners with basic knitting experience
• Intermediate knitters
• Children’s garments
• Meaningful handmade gifts

Criosta ~ single printed pattern** 

With a mesmerising sense of movement to its mesh-like horizontal lace, the Criostal shawl invokes the flow of water from crystal-clear mountain lakes to bubbling forest streams.

Worked sideways, using a basic lace repeat and simple increases and decreases, this intricate-looking shawl is surprisingly easy to knit, and to adjust in size. When worked at the specified yarn weight and gauge, a single skein makes for a mid-sized, gauzy, lightweight shawl which can also be styled as an elegant scarf. For best resemblence to the sample, work this shawl in a solid, semi-solid, or lightly variegated yarn, with some silk, ramie, or linen content. Criostal is Irish for ‘crystal,’ and is pronounced similarly to the English.
Designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn 

MATERIALS & INFO

Yarn 
Apple Oak Fibre Works Yeti (466m [509.6 yards] / 100g [3.5oz])
1 skein 
shown in Forget Me Not

Gauge
10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”) = 25 sts x 28 rows, in stockinette 

Sizing
blocked dimensions: 160cm x 45cm

Needles
circular needle, 3.75mm (US Size 5) in diameter, or as needed to meet gauge

Notions
tapestry needle 

Pattern Support
For help with techniques mentioned in this pattern, visit:

Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

**a download link is available on the paper pattern.  For an electronic version only, please see Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

By the Orchard Gate ~ single printed pattern** 

Nearby to where I live, there is a derelict orchard whose grounds I love to explore. As I wander through its rusting gates and dive beneath its trellised archways, I cannot help but sense that once this was a place of romance.  ‘Meet me by the orchard gate,’ I nearly hear a voice whisper, lost in the past and in the underfoot crunch of fallen branches. 

By the Orchard Gate is the sort of cardigan you might wear to meet a lover on a chilly country night. It is simultaneously cozy and dressy, understated and flattering. Worked top down with contiguous sleeve construction, features include semi-scooped neckline, A-line bodice, vertical lace panels and corded button bands. Suitable for solid, tonal, and lightly variegated yarns. Designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn 

MATERIALS & INFO

Yarn 
Apple Oak Fibre Works Softwool [300m /328y) / 100g (3.5oz)]
4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins
shown in Cheri

Gauge
10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”) = 25 sts x 34 rows, in stockinette

Needles
Needle A: circular needle, 3.25mm (US 3) in diameter (or as needed to meet gauge)
Needle B: circular needle, 2.75mm (US 2) in diameter (or .5mm [1 US size] smaller than Needle A)

Notions
tapestry needle; removable stitch markers; scrap yarn; 10-12 buttons, 8-10mm [5/16-3/8”] in diameter (or as desired)

Sizing  &  Fit
Finished garment measures as follows at chest circumference:
87cm [34.75”] (92cm [36.75”], 96cm [38.5”], 101cm [40.5”], 111cm [44.5”], 122cm [48.75”])
Select size with desired amount of ease and refer to schematic for details.

Special  Techniques
provisional cast-on, short rows, ruffle

Pattern Support
For help with techniques mentioned in this pattern, visit:

Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

**a download link is available on the paper pattern.  For an electronic version only, please see Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

Winter Fruit ~ single printed pattern** 

As a child I took piano lessons from a teacher who kept a potted lemon tree in her home.  The tree bore fruit in winter, and all through the cold months the surfaces of her living room were covered in crystal bowls full of lemons.  As snow swirled outside and light streamed through the frosted windows, the citrus fruits glistened like baubles in the darkened living room - an improbable and delightful spectacle to accompany the sounds of the piano... 

Intriguingly textured and cuddliciously warm, Winter Fruit is an anatomically shaped, reversible cowl.  It is worked much like a top-down sweater yoke - only without the sweater! - making for a  satisfyingly quick single-skein project.
Designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn 

MATERIALS & INFO

Yarn 
Apple Oak Fibre Works Stockholm (100m [109y]  /  100g [3.5oz])
1 skein 
shown in Lemongrass

Gauge
13 sts x 17 rounds  = 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”) in stockinette 

Sizing
48cm (19”) circumference at neck x 28cm (11”) depth go down/ up in needle size to adjust size as needed 

Needles
circular needle, 8mm (US Size 11) in diameter, or as needed to meet gauge

Notions
tapestry needle; measuring tape 

Pattern Support
For help with techniques mentioned in this pattern, visit:

Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

**a download link is available on the paper pattern.  For an electronic version only, please see Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

InstaMitten ~ single printed pattern** 

Warm your hands in an instant, with the fabulous InstaMitten! Made with a single skein of chunky yarn, these easy-peasy mittens make wonderful holiday gifts and stash-busting projects.

And, as the name suggests, they are shockingly quick to knit. How quick, you ask? Well. Why not try it, and let us know how long it takes you. Wooosh!
Designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn 

MATERIALS & INFO

Yarn 
Apple Oak Fibre Works Stockholm (100m [109y]  /  100g [3.5oz])
1 skein 
shown in Riding Hood

Gauge
Small Mitten: 15 sts x 17 rounds = 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”)
Large Mitten: 13 st x 15 rounds = 10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”)

Sizing
to fit hand with the following measurements:
Small: 16cm (6.5”) from base of wrist to tip of middle finger 16cm (6.5”) in circumference, measured at widest point
Large: 18cm (7.25”) from base of wrist to tip of middle finger 18cm (7.25”) in circumference, measured at widest point

Needles
circular needle with long cable, or a set of 4 double-pointed needles
Small: 6.5mm in diameter (US 10 1/2) - or as needed to meet gauge
Large: 8mm in diameter (US 11) - or as needed to meet gauge

Notions
tapestry needle; scrap yarn; measuring tape 

Pattern Support
For help with techniques mentioned in this pattern, visit:

Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

**a download link is available on the paper pattern.  For an electronic version only, please see Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

Ripple and Bloom ~ single printed pattern** 

All summer long the seaside gardens of Falcarragh overflow with cascading hydrangeas, their vibrant blossoms spilling over walls and fences to the distant sounds of crashing waves...

Inspired by this pairing of movement and colour, Ripple and Bloom is a lightweight cardigan with lace details at the yoke, cuffs and hem. A captivating but uncomplicated knit, it is worked top down with circular yoke construction, and is highly suitable for variegated yarns.
Designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn 

MATERIALS & INFO

Yarn 
Apple Oak Fibre Works Softwool [300m /328y) / 100g (3.5oz)]
4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins
shown in River Moon

Gauge
10cm x 10cm (4” x 4”) = 25 sts x 34 rows, in stockinette, with Needle A 

Needles
Needle A: circular needle, 3.25mm (US 3) in diameter (or as needed to meet gauge)
Needle B: circular needle, 2.75mm (US 2) in diameter (or .5mm [1 US size] smaller than Needle A)

Notions
tapestry needle; stitch markers; scrap yarn; snap fasteners (10-12, or as desired), and corresponding number of buttons; optional: backing ribbon 

Sizing  &  Fit
Finished garment measures as follows at chest circumference:
85cm [34”] (90cm [36”], 95cm [38”], 100cm [40”], 110cm [44”], 120cm [48”])
Select size with desired amount of ease and refer to schematic for details. 

Special  Techniques
provisional cast-on, short rows, lace

Pattern Support
For help with techniques mentioned in this pattern, visit:

Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn

**a download link is available on the paper pattern.  For an electronic version only, please see Ravelry: Designs by Ailbíona McLochlainn