The Best Knitting Playlists & Podcasts

Picture this: You’re curled up in your favorite spot, yarn in hand, a hot cup of coffee (or let’s be real—maybe a glass of wine) by your side. The only thing missing? The perfect soundtrack. Whether you love peaceful background tunes, nostalgic throwbacks, or a gripping podcast that keeps you hooked row after row, I’ve got you covered.

Music to Set the Mood

Chill & Meditative – Sometimes, you just want to zone out and let the stitches flow. These artists and playlists are perfect for that relaxed, almost meditative knitting session:

  • Lo-fi Beats: Lofi Girl, Chillhop Music
  • Indie Folk: Bon Iver, The Paper Kites, Iron & Wine
  • Soft Instrumental: Ólafur Arnalds, Tycho, Explosions in the Sky
  • Coffee Shop Vibes: Norah Jones, Ray LaMontagne, The Lumineers

Nostalgic Throwbacks – For those of us who grew up with cassette tapes and burned CDs:

  • 90s Alternative & Grunge: The Cranberries, Pearl Jam, Radiohead
  • 80s Synth & Soft Rock: Fleetwood Mac, The Cure, Eurythmics
  • Early 2000s Indie: The Strokes, Death Cab for Cutie, The Killers, Feist

Upbeat & Fun – Sometimes you just need a little energy boost:

  • 80s & 90s Pop: Madonna, Prince, George Michael
  • Pop-Punk & Emo (Yes, We’re Going There): Paramore, Blink-182, Fall Out Boy
  • Danceable Indie Rock: Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, HAIM

Seasonal Vibes – Match your music to your mood (or the weather outside):

  • Cozy Autumn Knitting: Taylor Swift’s Folklore, Hozier, Fleet Foxes
  • Holiday Knitting: Sufjan Stevens, She & Him, classic Bing Crosby
  • Spring & Summer Knitting: First Aid Kit, Jack Johnson, Maggie Rogers

Pro Tip: Not in the mood to make your own playlist? Just search for “Cozy Knitting Playlist” on Spotify or Apple Music. There are tons out there!

Podcasts to Knit By

Some projects demand a little background storytelling. Whether you’re in the mood for something cozy or something that makes your hair stand on end, there’s a podcast for that.

Knitting & Crafting Podcasts – Because sometimes you want to listen to people who “get it.”

  • VeryPink Knits – Quick tips, tutorials, and knitting advice.
  • KnitBritish – All about celebrating British wool and fiber arts.
  • Two Ewes Fiber Adventures – A fun, chatty podcast with project inspiration.

Storytelling & Fiction Podcasts – For when you want to escape into another world while your hands stay busy:

  • Welcome to Night Vale – A little weird, a little eerie, totally addictive.
  • The Moth – True, personal stories that will make you laugh, cry, or both.

Cozy & Feel-Good Podcasts – If you just want warm, friendly conversation in your ears:

  • Happier with Gretchen Rubin – Tips for making your everyday life a little better.
  • By the Book – Two women live by the rules of self-help books (with hilarious results).
  • Armchair Expert – Dax Shepard’s deep-dive interviews that somehow feel like casual chats.

True Crime & Mystery Podcasts – Because let’s be honest, knitting while listening to crime stories just works:

  • Crime Junkie – Engaging and easy to follow.
  • My Favorite Murder – A little bit of murder, a little bit of comedy.
  • The Fall Line – Focuses on underreported cases, particularly in the South.

Pro Tip: If you’re working on something complex (lace knitting, looking at you), go for instrumental music or a podcast that doesn’t demand too much focus.

Creating Your Perfect Knitting Atmosphere

  • Find your sound balance. Some projects require calm background music, others need something engaging. Play around with it!
  • Set up a knitting nook. Comfy chair, soft lighting, maybe a candle? Instant knitting oasis.
  • Have different playlists for different projects. A relaxing one for those repetitive stitches, something lively when you need motivation.
  • Remember: There’s no wrong way to do this. Whether you knit to classical music or true crime, the only rule is that you enjoy yourself.

What’s On Your Knitting Playlist?

I’d love to hear what you listen to while knitting! Drop your favorite playlists and podcasts in the comments or connect with me on social media. Happy knitting (and happy listening)!