Knitting is undeniably practical, but let’s be real – it certainly doesn’t have to be boring! It’s one of the coolest ways to express your creativity. Imagine sewing entire tiny worlds into your next cozy blanket or scarf. Australian designer Jake Hendsler (you may know him online as Boy Knits World) does just that, bringing stunning architecture to life with yarn.
Using clever paint and intarsia techniques, Henzler creates intricate little windows, colorful roofs and adorable building facades. The best part? He shares all his design secrets in his brand new book, Knit the City: Building Blocks.
The gorgeous book features unique knitting patterns inspired by iconic global cities such as London, Paris, Copenhagen and New York. Take a look at image 1.webp to see how these designs come together! Henzler selects memorable constructions and scales them into knitted works of art. For example, he recreates the iconic 17th century canal houses in Amsterdam. He also pays homage to Sydney’s classic terraced houses, which have a special personal meaning for him, reminding him of the share houses he lived in in his 20s and 30s.
Every design in Knit the City is completely modular. This means you can knit individual blocks just for fun, or sew them all together to create one of the three larger projects featured in the book: a huge blanket, a sweet baby blanket, or a stylish pillow cover. Don’t worry about the logistics, either—Henzler provides clear instructions for yarn amounts and block measurements, so you can grab your supplies and start casting your favorite city right away!
Jake Hendsler: Instagram | Ravelry
