Spotlight: Crazy for Carry-Alongs

Happy Wednesday, fiber friends! Have you ever wanted to customize your yarn for the next project on your hook or needles? If the answer is yes, this post is for you! Today we’re spotlighting some of our favorite carry-along yarns.

First things first – what exactly makes a yarn a carry-along yarn? Well, the truth is any yarn can be one if you’re holding at least two strands together at once. But more precisely, I would consider a carry-along to be a thread to laceweight yarn with an interesting characteristic that transforms a “base” yarn into something totally new. It could be that the yarn adds a lofty halo, touch of texture, pop of color, or glitz and glam. A “base” yarn is often a stash staple, such as a smooth, solid 4-ply yarn. But that’s not a rule! You can use ANY yarn as a base, and the more playful you get, the more exciting the results.

Today we’re going to talk about some brand new options, as well as some old favorites. From neon and glittery threads to classic silk-mohair, let’s take a look at some of our favorite carry-along yarns based on the characteristic you want to add.

Yarn for a Lofty Halo

One of the most commonly seen carry-along yarns are mohair/silk blends. They’ve been incredibly trendy over the past few years, and we don’t see their popularity slowing down. This blend adds a fluffy halo and the subtlest ethereal sheen. We offer two options: Rico Design Essentials Loves Silk and Essentials Love Silk Print. Loves Silk is great for pairing solids in coordinating colors. Choosing Loves Silk Print will yield interesting results thanks to the slow fade from one color to another. Both of these yarns are a combination of 70% mohair and 30% silk. These luxury yarns are warm and insulating, take dye beautifully, and are durable and hard-wearing.

Ola, knit in Deluxe Worsted held together with Penna

Although mohair/silk blends are the perfect choice for many fiber artists, there are some who may find their skin is a bit sensitive to the high proportion of mohair. If you love the look and feel of those yarns, but are looking for a mohair-free alternative, we can’t recommend Penna enough! Penna is a blend of 50% baby suri alpaca, 28% extra-fine merino, and 22% nylon that offers a light, fluffy texture, but unlike the Loves Silk line, it has more of a matte finish. When held with other yarns, such as Deluxe Worsted (pictured in the classic Ola sweater, designed by Adrienne Larsen, above), it contributes a feathery halo that’s kitten soft.

Yarn for Glimmer and Glamour

Whether you’re knitting for a wedding, evening out, or just to enjoy a bit of sparkle, we’ve made it easy to make your favorite projects twinkle like stars in the night sky. Let’s take a closer look at a brand new yarn and an irresistible fan favorite.

First, a longtime favorite for jaw-dropping impact: Cotton Gold. Cotton Gold is a laceweight yarn comprised of 65% cotton, 27% payette (sequins), and 8% metallic. If dramatic sparkle is what you’re aiming for, you cannot go wrong with this yarn. We’ve been using this yarn as a carry-along for a long time, and customers are always drawn to it when we attend festivals and shows. It’s softer than you might imagine for a sequinned yarn, and it’s especially pleasant to work with when held together with another yarn. The free Midnight Top, designed by Aubrey Busek, is an outstanding example of the level of glamour this yarn provides. Knit with Cotton Supreme DK (on sale!), it’s a fast and easy top to get you through the end of summer. Preparing for autumn and winter? Try the Glisten Cowl, designed by yours truly. Here, it’s paired with glittering Noelle (also on sale!) for maximum impact. As you can see in both projects, this yarn doesn’t impede the stitch patterns – in fact, we think it enhances them!

Next, a brand new addition: Rico Design Metallic No. 40! This embroidery thread is a blend of 70% polyamide, and 30% polyester available in nine colors. I wouldn’t necessarily suggest knitting or crocheting with this yarn by itself (it’s great for embroidery and hand sewing), but the results are impressive when used as a carry-along. This yarn is excellent for understated shimmer. In the swatch pictured above, I’ve held Uni Merino together with Metallic No. 40 to show how it appears in a superfine yarn with light and dark coordinating colors. I love the subtle marl in the lighter stripes (#107 Conch) and the subdued sparkle in the darker stripes (#138 Black Cherry). Although we don’t have any patterns for this yarn just yet, I can assure you this little swatch will grow up into something beautiful. The best thing about this yarn? The impact on gauge is minimal. I suggest trying it out in your winter sweater pattern!

Yarn for a Pop of Color

To put the icing on the cake, we’ve also introduced a soft, smooth thread in brilliant neon shades to add a zing of vibrant color to your next project. Say hello to Rico Design Creative Make it Neon! This thread is comprised of several loosely spun plies, so it’s soft to the touch and pleasant to work with. Its construction also gives it a touch of bounce that more closely matches yarns such as the new Essentials Merino Plus DK. It is 100% polyester and comes in three lively neon shades: Orange, Pink, and Green. Unlike the carry-alongs where you have the option to coordinate similar shades for new textures or sparkle, Creative Make it Neon is designed to introduce a marled fabric. Keep in mind that the neon could easily be lost if you choose a similar color to your base yarn. Contrast is key for working with this one.

I was so smitten with this yarn that I immediately cast on a new design. In the coming weeks, you’ll get to combine Essentials Merino Plus DK with Creative Make it Neon for a squishy cabled hat. Perfect for welcoming autumn, so stay tuned!

There you have it: five of our favorite carry-along yarns! Remember, any yarn can be a carry-along: just take a look at Pattern 1020 by Rico Design for another example. Get creative and go crazy with color and texture. Consider mixing several of these carry-alongs together in the same project. The options are truly limitless and inspiring. Let us know what you would create with these yarns in the comment section below!

Happy crafting!
-Rachel

Summer Yarn Spotlight

Cotton Supreme yarn in blue and green shades lines up to frame text which reads "Yarns you Need This Summer."

Summer is swiftly approaching, and as the weather warms to peak sunny season we are sure projects like tank tops, hats and lacework are on your mind. If you haven’t had a chance to find patterns for your queue, then fear not! We have some gorgeous summer yarns and projects for you to try out today.

Magnolia is a luscious blend of 95% modal and 5% cashmere. Modal is a bio-based material made from beech tree cellulose. It’s typically considered a more eco-friendly alternative to cotton because the amount of water these trees require is 10-20 times less than cotton. You can read more about the process of creating modal here. We love this yarn for more than its environmentally conscious origins though – it has excellent drape and feels silky soft with the kiss of cashmere blended in.

One of my favorite projects using Magnolia is the Sailfin wrap, designed by Rachel Brockman. This standout pattern is one of five from our Sunkissed Summer collection from Spring 2022. It’s my favorite because it features so many buoyant, joyful colors of magnolia and shows off the radiance of the yarn so well. Simply put, it just makes me happy every time I see it!

Summer crafting would feel lacking if you didn’t have cotton in the mix. Cotton Supreme is our buttery soft, 100% cotton yarn available in a wide array of colors. This worsted weight yarn is wonderful for any project ranging from garments and accessories to blankets and homewares. In fact, this yarn is so popular that we offer it in a variety of options. Our fun, multi-colored Cotton Supreme Speckles is a complimentary worsted weight yarn with dashes of fun colors throughout. Or, if you’re looking for a lighter weight version, our Cotton Supreme Waves is a beautifully blended self-striping dk weight option. While supply lasts, we also have Cotton Supreme DK in solid options, but act now! This yarn is being discontinued and won’t be around much longer.

The Cotton Supreme Family, as we like to call this offering of yarns, gives so many fabulous options between weight and colors. So, of course we have created many beautiful designs to uplift them throughout the years. For any yarn above, you can scroll down below the color listings to view all of the patterns available. Take some time to browse around, then try to choose a favorite – it’s hard! I finally landed on featuring the Seastar sweater by Aubrey Busek. It combines many of my favorite attributes in a project. It’s made in panels then seamed, so it’s simple and easy to carry around without getting too heavy. It has lovely lace all the way up the sleeves, which remind me of ocean waves. Lastly, it uses intarsia colorwork to create the cutest starfish, ever!

Up next is Filly, one of our new yarns launched for spring of 2023. This super fine yarn is a special blend of 46% cotton, 33% super wash merino, 12% polyamide, and 9% pbt. It’s unique fiber content, eye-catching colors, and amazing yardage (492 yards per ball), make it your go-to summer grab.

Whip up a quick one-skein project like the crocheted Stormy Shores Shawl to start showing off this favorite, new yarn today. Not a crocheter? Check out the full pattern selection here, with knit options to try out too!

Lastly, I wanted to highlight a beautiful yarn from Rico Design, the Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton. This blend of 46% acrylic, 49% cotton, and 5% polyester is irresistible! It washes and wears well over time, it’s basic color is spun with a print ply for a bright variegated look, and it’s offered in everything from pastels to rich earthy tones. What more could you want!?

Rico patterns, which they call Compacts, are all paid-for, but each typically come with at least two designs! Creative Lazy Hazy Summer Cotton has 6 Compacts to choose from, so you have a myriad of choices. My favorite Compact is number 1106, including a Sweater, a Top, and a Shawl. Each one is simple and lets the yarn shine!

I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring some of these summer yarn highlights! Check our Summer Yarns Collection to view even more options! Don’t forget to share all your beautiful creations with us on social media!

That’s all for now! Happy Stitching,
Ashley Jane McIntyre

Free Pattern Friday – Midnight Top

Happy Free Pattern Friday!

Midnight Top in Cotton Supreme DK 718 and Cotton Gold 1097

Today’s free pattern is the Midnight Top, knit using Cotton Supreme DK and Cotton Gold held together. When I designed this top, my inspiration was twinkling stars in the night sky. I grew up in a wooded neighborhood with no street lights, so going out to look at the beautiful stars at night is a childhood memory I cherish, and one that I always find inspiring.

Midnight Top in Cotton Supreme DK 718 and Cotton Gold 1097

Cotton Supreme DK is a fantastic staple yarn for warm-weather projects. This 100% cotton yarn is easy to work with, buttery-soft, and perfect for the whole family. It works up into a fabric that has gorgeous drape and stitch definition, so we love using it for garment patterns like the Midnight Top. I chose the color 718 Black for this design.

Cotton Gold is a fancy yarn that works up into an ethereal, shimmering fabric. It looks lovely on its own for shawls or stoles that are perfect for an event, like the Golden Fans Shawl and the Phantom Shawlette. When carried along with another yarn, it adds some pizazz to an otherwise plain project. The thread base is made of cotton mixed with gold or silver glitter (depending on your color choice), and has small Payette sequins strung throughout that give this yarn its magical appearance. I chose the color 1097 for this design, which is Black with Silver sequins.

Midnight Top in Cotton Supreme DK 718 and Cotton Gold 1097

This pattern uses an eyelet stitch repeat, which creates lovely columns of knit stitches and eyelets, resulting in a stretchy, comfortable lace fabric you’ll be happy wearing all day long. If you’re intimidated by lace stitches, don’t fret! The pattern uses a three-stitch repeat, so it is incredibly easy to memorize as you go. Simple neckline shaping, and an identical front and back make this a very suitable project for the advanced beginner as well as more seasoned knitters.

Midnight Top in Cotton Supreme DK 718 and Cotton Gold 1097

I often think about the versatility of pieces I design. The Midnight Top is designed so that it works well for any outfit you choose. Style it with jeans or pants for a more casual look, or throw it over a dress for an evening out! Cotton Supreme DK also makes this piece suitable to be used as a swimsuit cover-up for days at the beach or pool. The fringe detail on the hemline adds just a bit of flair that makes dressing up or down even easier.

Midnight Top in Cotton Supreme DK 718 and Cotton Gold 1097

I’d love to know, with so many colors of Cotton Supreme DK and Cotton Gold to choose from, what combination would you choose for the Midnight Top?



Happy Crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Crystal Coast

Happy Free Pattern Friday!

We know warm summer weather is in full swing for most of us. Even though we’re trying to beat the heat, we still want fun things to knit! So today, we set Crystal Coast free.
Crystal Coast uses Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray and Cotton Supreme DK with a welt and slip stitch pattern to create a graphic and fun texture. Inspired by the Cape Lookout Lighthouse along the Crystal Coast of NC, this design features the light shining at one end, with the waves of the sea flowing along the other. The cotton will keep you cool, so you can proudly wear this scarf through the summer!
Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray is now on sale, so why not pick your favorites and make one Crystal Coast scarf for you, and one for your bestie? With everyone spending a lot of time at home these days, a handmade gift in the mail is a much appreciated treasure.

Happy Crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Apple Orchard Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Apple Orchard Shawl in Cotton Supreme Waves and Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).
Apple Orchard is a fun springtime shawl knitted in lightweight solid Cotton Supreme DK and self-striping Cotton Supreme Waves.
Combining two coordinating yarns in the same weight creates bold stripes that play well together.
Start knitting at the broad end, and work toward the narrow tip.
Garter stitch blends with openwork for a cool shawl that’s great to knit while chatting or hanging out (virtually!) with friends.
We hope you enjoy this breezy, easy project. Stay safe, and happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Goldleaf Tank

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Goldleaf Tank in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here). Moira Engel’s lovely lace top is worked in the round from the bottom up in Cotton Supreme DK, the lighter-weight version of our popular Cotton Supreme.
The lovely leaf lace pattern has a delightful accent in the extra set of leaves on the upper back and front. This is a beautiful botanical project for Spring. Formerly pay-only as part of Cotton Supreme Book 5, we’re happy to offer it now for free!

Happy crafting!

Stellar Supreme

Last week we released an exciting new ebook – Stellar Supreme – a collection of patterns in the Cotton Supreme family. The ebook features six new patterns for future space explorers. We’ve been so excited about this collection because of its galactic theme.
A children's yoke sweater in Cotton Supreme DK and Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray
Blast-Off Tee
Just take a look at Blast-Off: a colorwork yoke tee worked up in Cotton Supreme Seaspray and Cotton Supreme DK. Vibrant rockets are featured on a “starry” background.
A crochet children's cardigan featuring a fun, alien-themed hood.
Bleep-Bloop
Or how about the in-house favorite: Bleep-Bloop. This alien-hoodie is so much fun. Crocheted using Cotton Supreme, this zippered sweater serves as a costume as much as everyday wear. The structure of this design is pretty basic, but the applied eyes, ears, and horn really make this piece by Amy Gunderson special.
A rainbow-colored blanket knit in Cotton Supreme.
Spectral Throw
Amy and I always wanted to include some home-decor to the collection. Stellar Supreme features one crochet and one knit blanket. The Spectral Throw nods to astronomy and plays with the electromagnetic spectrum.
A crochet throw using Cotton Supreme and Cotton Supreme Batik.
Galactic Blanket

The second decor item is the Galactic Blanket, which emulates the swirls and spirals of galaxies both near and far. This crochet cover is worked up using both Cotton Supreme Batik and Cotton Supreme.

A girl's knit skirt using Cotton Supreme DK and Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.
Nebula Skirt
This little skirt incorporates slip-stitches at the hem to create alternating rows of stars. An elastic waistband gives the Nebula Skirt a professional finish. The Nebula Skirt uses both Cotton Supreme DK and Cotton Supreme DK Seaspray.
A girl's tank top with a lace hem knit in Cotton Supreme.
Starfall Tank
Finally, we have Starfall. A tank-top knit in Cotton Supreme featuring cute shoulder ties. The lace hem was inspired by the movement of falling stars.
So, which one of these delightful patterns will be the next thing on your needles? We hope you love the new collection as much as we do! You can find the entire collection on our website (link) and on Ravelry (link). Happy crafting!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a topic near and dear to us.  So many of our friends and relatives have been touched by this awful disease.  As crafters, our natural impulse is to reach out and comfort those we love with a gift from the heart.  Here are a few options.

This is the Cancer Comfort Cap in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

We designed this cap at the request of Yonca, our sales director.  When she requested this cap, it was for a friend who was about to undergo chemotherapy.  We wish we could say this was the last time a friend would need this kind of help.  According to breastcancer.org, 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of her lifetime (as well as 1 in 1000 men).

It’s knitted in the round in our Cotton Supreme DK, which we picked because it’s very soft, and chemo scalps can be quite sensitive – something to keep in mind when choosing yarn.

Next, Healing Vibes in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

Amy Gunderson designed this one.  She says she thinks of this as a knitted representation of rays of radiation zapping cancer away.  We hope someone wearing this will feel the strength and energy Amy has put into this design.

This hat was originally designed for Halos of Hope, a non-profit organization that provided hats to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Just published today, this is the Overcast Cap in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

This pattern is named for the shadow of cancer that affects the lives of so many. Cancer patients and their loved ones alike can feel like they are helpless and hopeless in their situations. We offer this hat pattern as a small token of comfort and a concrete action that can be taken – perhaps a knitting project will take your mind off of unpleasantries in your life, whether that means cancer or any other type of illness or grief.  We hope the sun will shine again for you soon.

If you have questions about breast cancer detection and treatment, the American Cancer Society has a helpful page.  Mammogram guidelines can also be found at CancerCare.org.

To all of our generous-hearted crafting friends, we wish you peace and good health.

Free Pattern – Fleurette Lace Pullover

Summertime can be a tough time for a needlecrafter.  It’s hot, and a big project can weigh heavy in your lap, but you don’t want to put down the yarn.  Fortunately, there’s always cotton!

Woman outdoors wearing cknitted cream lace pullover in Cotton Supreme DK.

To beat the heat, try the Fleurette Lace Pullover in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

Sized Small to 3X, this raglan-sleeved pullover features waist shaping, and is knitted from the bottom up in pieces. It’s quite stylish with a contrasting tank underneath.  This is a nice three season piece.

Closeup of lace pattern in knitted Fleurette Lace Pullover

The lace pattern is both written and charted, and covers front and back.  It calls for Cotton Supreme DK, the lighterweight version of our popular Cotton Supreme DK.  It’s very pretty as shown in a natural 702 Ecru, but there are a lot of ways to go with this one.  Maybe a pretty pastel?

Five pastel hanks of Cotton Supreme DK with a blossoming cherry branch

Or go dark, with something light showing through beneath?

Hank of Navy Cotton Supreme DK yarn

We hope you stay cool, and keep on crafting.  Have a great day!

Free Pattern – Cancer Comfort Cap

We are proud to share this free pattern with you, although we wish there were no reason to do so.

This is the Cancer Comfort Cap in Cotton Supreme DK (pattern link here).

We designed this cap at the request of Yonca, our sales director.  When she requested this cap, it was for a friend who is about to undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer.  Unfortunately, since then, another friend of hers has also been diagnosed.  According to breastcancer.org, 1 in 8 American women will develop invasive breast cancer in the course of her lifetime (as well as 1 in 1000 men).  This is a disease that hits close to home.

Yonca wanted to write something for her friend to add to this post, but she finally had to admit defeat. She felt that everything she wanted to say was inadequate.  In the face of a life-changing diagnosis, it can be hard to find the words to express our pain and love.  But just reaching out to say “I’m here, I’m with you,” can sometimes be enough.

We offer this hat as a way to say “I’m with you” when words won’t quite do the trick.  It’s knitted in the round in our Cotton Supreme DK, which we picked because it’s very soft, and chemo scalps can be quite sensitive – something to keep in mind when choosing yarn.

If you have questions about breast cancer detection and treatment, the American Cancer Society has a helpful page.  Mammogram guidelines can also be found at CancerCare.org.

To all of our generous-hearted crafting friends, we wish you good health and every happiness.