Justyna Lorkowska: “Knitting is connection, creativity & comfort”
Justyna Lorkowska’s Seasons of Stitches is a year-long journey in knitwear, with designs that capture the shifting moods of nature, colour and texture in a wearable, timeless way. The book includes 16 stunning knitting patterns: cardigans, sweaters and tops, as well as shawls and other accessories.
We talked with Justyna to learn more about her book and creative work!
Hi Justyna! Tell us a bit about yourself and your everyday life.
“My name is Justyna Lorkowska, and I’m a knitwear designer from Poland. I live in a small town north of Poznań, surrounded by forests that overflow with mushrooms in the autumn and beautiful lakes where we swim in the summer. Our family home is an old house with a flower and fruit garden, which has become one of my greatest joys and hobbies. I’m also a mom of three — two teenagers and a younger daughter, Cecylia, who inspired my second venture: a small yarn brand called Cecily Grove Yarns (named after her!). Alongside designing knitwear, I also love hand-dyeing yarn, which makes this creative journey even more special.”
Your new knitting book has just been published, congratulations! How do you feel right now?
“I feel absolutely thrilled and grateful — it’s such an exciting and happy moment. This is actually my third book: about eight years ago, I self-published two titles called Tabula Rasa. Neutrals and Speckles, each built around playful design themes. But working with an established publisher has always been a dream of mine, so seeing this book come to life feels incredibly special and fulfilling.”
Each design in the book is inspired by the essence of a season. Tell us more about this! What are your favourite seasons to knit and design for?
“Seasons of Stitches is my way of translating the year's rhythm into knitwear — each design inspired by the essence of a season, whether that’s light and playful textures, crisp structure, or deep, cosy warmth. Every piece is meant to capture a feeling you can wear.
I truly enjoy knitting all year round, though I have to admit that summer is when I knit the least — it just gets a bit too hot! When I do knit then, it’s usually shawls: light and airy projects that don’t sit heavily on my lap. Autumn and winter, on the other hand, are my most productive times. That’s when I really dive into sweaters and hats — cosy, comforting knits that feel just right for the season. Designing for these cooler months always feels natural to me, but I love the variety that comes from exploring what makes each part of the year special.”
You have a long career in knitwear design. How has your design style evolved during that time?
“I think my design style has evolved quite naturally over the years. In the beginning, I was fascinated by playful constructions that were popular at the time, like contiguous sleeves, and I loved experimenting with interesting textures and unique silhouettes. These days, I focus more on comfort and ease, while still blending in the elements that inspired me at the start of my career. It feels like a balance between my original curiosity and today’s modern, wearable approach.”
How do you nurture your creativity?
“I like to nurture my creativity right from the very beginning of my process — I hand-dye my yarn, transforming plain white fibre into colourful skeins, which always feels inspiring. I also ‘rest’ by knitting patterns from other designers and enjoy crocheting purely for fun, never for work. Lately, I’ve found inspiration and relaxation in my garden and through jigsaw puzzles — anything that keeps my mind creatively engaged while also giving it a chance to rest and recharge.”
What are the Polish knitting traditions like, and how have they affected your work?
“Knitting has always been part of my family. My mom learned from her mother-in-law, and she passed it on to me when I was very young. My sister also knits, so it feels like a natural thread running through generations.
In Poland, we don’t have such a widely recognised knitting tradition as in Scandinavia or Great Britain, but there are still aspects worth highlighting. One is the Eastern European knitting method, sometimes called Eastern Uncrossed. It’s the method I use myself, and it often surprises knitters abroad when they see me knit, because the stitches are formed differently. Another tradition is our delicate lacework, often crocheted, featuring natural motifs like sunrays and flowers, which are joined into larger pieces — almost like wearable art. And during the communist era, when fashion and materials were scarce, people often had to knit their own sweaters, which fostered creativity and resourcefulness.”
All of these influences — family tradition, local techniques and that spirit of making out of necessity — have shaped the way I see knitting today: as both a practical craft and a form of personal expression.”
What, to you, is the deeper meaning of knitting?
“For me, knitting is so much more than just loops of yarn — it’s really become the fabric of my life. What started as a hobby has turned into my profession, and I can’t imagine my days without it. It’s a way to create something beautiful and useful with just two sticks and a ball of yarn, which still feels a little like magic to me. But the true essence lies in the community — knitters are some of the most generous, supportive and creative people I’ve ever met. So, to me, knitting is connection, creativity, comfort, and a bit of everyday enchantment all rolled into one.”
What do you hope knitters will get from your book?
“What I truly hope is that knitters will not only make the projects from my book, but also wear them, love them and let them become part of their everyday lives. The best feedback I could ever receive is hearing that these pieces have stayed with someone for years — worn, cherished, and maybe even carrying their own little stories along the way. For me, there’s something deeply beautiful about knitting garments that live beyond the moment of making, wrapping people in warmth and memories at the same time.”
What are your dreams and goals for the future?
“First, my dream is simply to rest a little after the whirlwind of creating this book. Then, on the more everyday side of things, I’d love to finally finish redecorating our house and harvest the blackberries from my garden — because nothing tastes quite as sweet as fruit you’ve grown yourself. And after that pause, I’m excited to return with fresh energy, new ideas for designs, and even more beautiful yarn colours — like turning the seasons of my garden into stitches and skeins.”
Learn more:
Justyna Lorkowska’s Seasons of Stitches