Cast Off: A Collection for Sea and Shore

Cast Off: A Collection for Sea and Shore

by quince & co.

To cast off is to let go, to loosen the lines and set forth into open water. It’s also the knitter’s quiet release when work becomes whole and the making complete. Along Maine’s rugged coast, where salt air meets pine and the tide pulls at weathered docks, our Cast Off collection takes shape. Inspired by seafarers and shorelines, by hands that mend and make, these knits honor the spirit of work, warmth, and wonder.

This collection marks the debut of our newest yarn, Hawk. Spun from 60% alpaca and 40% merino wool, Hawk is a tweed yarn that carries the texture of the landscape itself, sturdy, grounded, and quietly beautiful. Each earthy shade echoes the tones of sea-worn rope, wet sand, driftwood, and pine, evoking the timeless rhythm of tides and hands at work. Two of our other favorite hearty yarns, Osprey and Plover, join Hawk in this sea-weathered collection of patterns. Cables twist like coiled rope, stripes mirror the rhythm of tide and current, and textures recall weathered docks, worn wool, and the working coast of Maine.

From storied, fisherman-inspired pullovers and cabled beanies to ribbed caps and everyday knits made for facing the elements, each piece is a tribute to warmth, endurance, and the quiet joy of making.

Saltwind

by Jennifer Kent

Trawler / Hawk

Alison Lee’s grandmothers shaped her knitting journey in distinct ways; one taught her the craft, the other, through her sheep farm, instilled a love for natural materials. Growing up on a small island off Canada’s west coast, Alison recalls bottle-feeding lambs amid nature’s beauty, an experience that continues to inspire her designs. She strives to honor yarn ’ s unique character and nature’s influence in every piece Alison finds knitting connects her worlds: comforting patients as a Registered Nurse, keeping her sons warm and fostering friendship. Follow her work at @thestitchwhisperer and www.thestitchwhisperer.com.

Meet the Designers

Johnny / Hawk

Designer Sandi Rosner learned to knit in the late 1970s from the instructions in the back of a magazine She now works as a freelance designer, technical editor, writer and teacher. When Sandi isn t knitting, she usually has her nose in a book. Find more of Sandi’s work at www.sandirosner.substack.com.

Simon / Hawk

Taught to knit as a young child by her Nana and Mum, Peg Dunnem has been playing with yarn for as long as she can remember. With a degree in Textile Design (BFA), her creative journey spans from gallery walls to public art installations to the quiet rhythm of home. Now, as Design Director at Quince, Peg continues to dream up new ways to share the joy of making through yarn, design, and community

Transom & Halyard / Hawk

Jordan Prouty learned to knit in 2010 and began designing knitwear in 2017 She lives with her husband and their four kids in Michigan, but they can frequently be found traveling in their camper, exploring the wonders of the natural world, with Jordan finding inspiration for her designs in the beauty of creation. You can find Jordan on Ravelry and Instagram as BluePointKnits

Jerry & Tom / Hawk

Paul Haesemeyer is a multigenerational knitting designer currently working on his first knitting book based on his Fulbright to Latvia Paul is currently working in costuming and knitting in Brooklyn, NY You can find his work on Instagram, @paul haze30, Ravelry, @paulhaze 30, Ko-Fi, and on his website, paulhaesemeyer com

Lighthouse / Plover

Jennifer Kent designs and writes patterns for various knitting publications and is passionate about unlocking the healing potential in knitting. She is also a TKGA Certified Master Knitter and Knitting Instructor.

Saltwind / Osprey

Keiko Kikuno is a Japanese knitter, spinner and knitwear designer living in the U.S. who likes to play with textures and colors. Her designs are often inspired by natural wonders and Japanese culture. You can find more of her work on Instagram: keikokikuno

The Cast Off collection was photographed on location at Falmouth Town Landing, in Falmouth, Maine. Our heartfelt thanks to Tom, captain of a sailboat, who encouraged us to take out an old wooden dinghy for the shoot; and to Jerry, the lobsterman and captain who graciously modeled while selling his fresh catch of lobster and crab. A special thanks to Simon, who rowed the boat and offered the best faraway looks a photographer could hope for. And to Johnny, who has the best beard that ever lived to round out the entire vision. To all the designers, makers, and hard-working hands, whether knitting or fishing, who inspired this collection, thank you. And lastly, to our Art Director, Regan, who captured it all so perfectly.