The “Revisited” in this pattern’s name is because it is a re-imagining of an existing sock yarn shawl, Exhilarate. We loved the way it used panels of varying widths in self-striping yarn to create different lengths of stripes. It led us to think, “hmmm… this would look great in Bamboo Pop Sock!”
(L-R) Bamboo Pop Sock colors 506 Rip Tide and 503 Jetties
Perfect for a confident beginner, Exhilarate Revisited uses garter stitch and lets the color do the work. Looking to build your skills? We’ve implemented a touch of intarsia for a colorful effect sure to turn heads. The tidy edge is created by an i-cord bind-off. It’s a handy tool to have in your knitter’s bag of tricks!
This shawl is worked modularly in 4 sections. A diagram is included to help you visualize the construction. You’ll create the stripes, then pick up stitches to add the solid border along the two shorter sides.
This accessory is so lightweight and drapey in wool-free Bamboo Pop Sock – it’s perfect for summer.
So super snuggly! This sweet knitted throw uses fuzzy Bella Chenille to create a texture it’s impossible to stop stroking.
Colors 126 Lapis (darker) and 128 Coastal (lighter)
Soft and plush, Bella Chenille is perfect not just for home decor and kid projects (hello, Peanut Butter and Jelly bears!), but for adult garments like the Roseate Cardigan, free on our site.
The throw uses intarsia for the color changes at the border. While you could use intarsia for the triangles, we’d recommend doing them in stranded knitting instead, to decrease the number of ends you’ll need to weave in.
Colors 119 Misty (lighter) and 118 Elephant (darker)
Now, as to colors. I absolutely love the original 126 Lapis and 128 Coastal that designer Rachel Brockman chose, because I’m all about cool tones. But you could also go monochrome, with 119 Misty and 118 Elephant shown above, for a low contrast palette. Make it more dramatic by swapping the darker gray for 112 Black, if that’s your vibe.
Colors 122 Amethyst (darker) and 124 Boysenberry (lighter)
Or embrace the rich, saturated nature of this yarn, and try the darker 122 Amethyst and lighter 124 Boysenberry. There are just so many beautiful options in Bella Chenille!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, and that you find time to snuggle up – maybe with someone special!
This is a really exciting design to share, because it’s so striking, yet so simple to knit! Amy Gunderson did a great job combining easy intarsia color changes with bold shades to create a popular and fun pattern!
With such a wealth of color choices in Bamboo Pop, it’s a snap to customize your shawl. This 50/50 cotton/bamboo blend yarn is perfect for bright and beautiful warm weather pieces! Just one ball of each of your three colors will make this gorgeous accessory.
Amy chose colors 209 Jungle Life, 210 Orchid Smash, and 112 Black for her original, but here in the office we couldn’t resist whipping up a few color combos of our own.
For instance, just swapping purple 210 for the bright pink variegated 208 Pink Joy makes a huge difference! Now I’m craving watermelon at a springtime picnic!
Me, though, I’m all about the blue tones. Here, 205 Brilliant Blues fills in for the green, for a confection that reminds me of raspberry gelato! Design note: you’ll get the most striking results if you keep the narrow stripe color either significantly darker or lighter than your main two colors. Of course, that’s only a guideline – you should create your shawl however you are moved to!
Am I going to make myself another shawl? I might have to make myself another shawl. Well, this is definitely the right time!
To get the Staggered Shawl free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase. Not a Ravelry user? Drop us a line by the end of Sunday5/1 and we’ll get you taken care of.
Happy Thursday! Today I’d like to spotlight a pattern I designed that was recently published in the Deep Fall 2021 issue of Knitty. It’s bright, a little quirky, and a ton of fun to knit. Say hello to Lipsky!
I designed the Lipsky (pattern link) vest in late June and knit this baby in less than two weeks. Sure, part of this was due to a fast-approaching deadline, but it’s also because it’s simply a fast project! Amy Singer and Jillian Moreno, the geniuses behind Knitty, asked me to create a vest that’s perfect for layering. While vests have traditionally been worn in more preppy or minimalist fashion, the Lipsky vest is quirky and contemporary. A leading trend this fall is the statement vest and Lipsky celebrates it by incorporating other trends such as color blocking and checkerboard patterning.
I chose DK-weight Fibra Natura Dona for the project. This plump and super soft extra fine superwash merino yarn features a broad palette of deeply saturated colors. I whipped up a quick sketch with colored pencils, but I wasn’t confident in my color selection. I asked Talya, the creator of our videos, TikTok content, and Reels, to give me her opinion. Together we came up with the combination of #102 Daffodil, #119 Clear Day, #127 Real Teal, #114 Camellia, and #135 Buttercup.
This vest incorporates a variety of colorwork techniques. You’ll pretty much get to dip your toes into everything! It includes intarsia worked flat and in the round, stranded knitting, and a touch of stripes. Don’t be intimidated, though! The intarsia is completely uncomplicated and the stranded colorwork is a breeze to memorize.
One concern I had while designing was that the intarsia portions at the top would be jarring with the different colors used in the stranded colorwork portion. My solution to this was simple – pepper the edgings with the teal and vibrant pink, and add stripes of sky blue and yellow to the hem. Incorporating these colors together in this manner helped to create harmony throughout the piece. It’s those details that really make me love this vest.
While I tend to be partial to seams because of the structure and longevity they provide, I know that many knitters prefer seamless, top-down sweaters. I wanted to give the people what they want, so I switched up my norm and designed Lipsky to be top-down and seamless. You start at the shoulders, working the back first and then returning to the shoulders to pick up stitches for the left and right front. After you complete the neck and armhole shaping, you’ll join the fronts and back, then work in the round for the rest of the vest.
And there you have it – a quick rundown of my new pattern! I’ve been so excited to share this project with you and hope you find it to be just as playful and fun as I do!
Do you love statement projects like this one? What colors would you choose? Let me know in the comments!
Why did we pick Seastar? Because today is the birthday of the designer, Aubrey Busek, and we think of her as the bright star on our design team! We also press Aubrey into service as a model sometimes, as with these free crocheted Ribbon Mitts in Kingston Tweed. Work it, Aubrey!
Seastar appeared earlier this year in the Seaside Supreme collection, and it really shows off Aubrey’s design sensibilities. It’s fun, upbeat, modern, and has great little details. Aubrey’s choice to echo the star’s color on the edging really pulls this design together.
The choice of soft, 100% cotton, worsted weight Cotton Supreme gives the top great breathability, and makes it very wearable for warm weather!
Seastar is sized from XS to 5X, and it includes options for short and long sleeves, for even more flexibility. We’re delighted to be able to offer this beauty for free this weekend!
To get Seastar free, use the buy it now or add to cart links on the Ravelry pattern page. Then enter coupon code FLASH where you see the “use a coupon code” links that appear during purchase.
Aubrey Busek’s Seastar shown with Rachel Brockman’s Yawl.
If you follow us on social media you might have noticed that this week we’re putting the spotlight on one of our most beloved yarns, Bamboo Pop! Knitters, crocheters, and weavers alike love working with this yarn and it’s easy to see why. Bamboo Pop is a beautifully balanced blend of 50% bamboo and 50% cotton with a broad palette of solids, multis, and speckles. The yarn itself features the subtlest heather, gentle sheen, and creates fabric that is smooth, soft, and perfectly drapey.
Bamboo Pop in #117 Emerald and #114 Super Pink.
We have an array of patterns available to support this yarn: accessories, garments, and more! With so many options available, sometimes it can be hard to pick the perfect pattern for your next project. So, today we thought we’d kindle some inspiration by sharing our five best-selling patterns in Bamboo Pop over the last year. Let’s get started!
Areca designed by Yonca Ozbelli.
#5 Areca
Coming in at #5 on our list is Areca (pattern link), designed by our amazing managing director, Yonca Ozbelli. Yonca has a knack for creating designs with simple silhouettes that really stand-out, and Areca is no exception. I love how this top casually caps the shoulders but isn’t a true cap-sleeve. It’s somewhere between a cap-sleeve tee and a tank, and it’s perfect for warm spring and summer days. The timeless color combination of black and white makes it so easy to pair this top with anything. Areca features graphic mosaic motifs that are offset by solid side panels. Knit flat from the bottom-up, there is actually no seaming involved! Instead, a three-needle bind-off joins the shoulders and side seams.
Palmetto designed by Aubrey Busek.
#4 Palmetto
Looking for an absolute show-stopper? Look no further than Palmetto (pattern link). I am so glad that Aubrey joined our design team back in 2019. She has such a thirst for learning new things, taking creative risks, making bold design decisions, and letting the “extra” in her shine through. Although by design Palmetto is a rectangular stole, Aubrey opted for a variety of engaging stitch patterns to make this eye-catching accessory. You’ll be a mosaic knitting expert by the time you finish. While the mosaic portions decorating each end demand a bit of your attention, you’ll be rewarded with rest during the garter stripes and slipped-stitch sections in the center of the wrap. Finish this piece with fun tassels on each corner, wrap it around your shoulders, and show it off to all your friends!
By the way, both Areca and Palmetto are part of the Modern Mosaic ebook (link), published in Fall, 2020. This collection as a whole tied with Palmetto for #4 on the list. The ebook compiles four delightful designs featuring mosaic knitting. Don’t miss the other amazing designs in this collection! Buy just one pattern, or get Areca, Dypsis, Palmetto, and Sabal together when you purchase the ebook!
Staggered Shawl designed by Amy Gunderson
#3 Staggered Shawl
Next up is the Staggered Shawl (pattern link). Playing with color is just so fun with Bamboo Pop. The palette is broad and the variegated colorways were designed to pair perfectly with the solids. Designer Amy Gunderson loves adventurous designs and she knows how to transform simple knits and purls into something truly special. In this case, she used intarsia to create an exhilarating effect in this otherwise simple triangular shawl. It’s primarily garter stitch, so this accessory will fly off your needles, too. The Staggered Shawl has been a hit since we first published it, so much so that our customers demanded a kit (link) with options for different colors!
No. 1 Pullover designed by Amy Gunderson
#2 No. 1 Pullover
At #2 on our list, we have yet another genius design by Amy Gunderson. I remember when we first received this sweater from our sample knitter. I fell in love immediately and was so thrilled to see the Bamboo Pop multis used in such a clever way (plus, it reminds me of Fruit Stripes gum). The multi creates short blips of color breaking up the thick graphite stripes and each edge is trimmed with a tidy, stripey I-cord. Nope – you don’t need to change colors mid-row for this effect – the multis do all the work! I love the oversized and boxy shape of the body with fitted, 3/4 length sleeves. The silhouette perfectly illustrates the drape of Bamboo Pop. It’s breezy, lightweight, and perfect for springtime. The No. 1 Pullover has been a hit at shows and we’ve seen many interpretations of the design. No matter what color combination you choose, it’s sure to yield exciting results!
Kukui designed by Tori Gurbisz
#1 Kukui
Finally, at #1, our best-selling Bamboo Pop design is Kukui (pattern link), designed by Tori Gurbisz! I’m pretty sure I’ve seen someone wearing a wonderful iteration of the Kukui shawl at every Stitches show I’ve attended, and I swear I’m not exaggerating. Our local yarn stores routinely ask to borrow our sample for their trunk shows. It’s a clear favorite among all of our customers and it’s easy to see why. The slipped stitches are striking next to the blocks of solid color. It’s a boomerang-shaped shawl, meaning that it’s knit on the bias. Personally, this is my favorite shawl shape because they’re fun to knit, easy to style, and they have a more modern appeal than traditional triangular shawls (don’t get me wrong, I also really love classic triangular shawls!).
There you have it – our five best-selling patterns in our best-selling yarn, Bamboo Pop! Have you made any of these great patterns, or are you planning to add them to your queue? We’d love to know!
Oh, and one more thing – we’re sharing more Bamboo Pop inspiration on our Instagram and Facebook pages this week and next week. Be sure to follow us so you can see it all!
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Flying V Afghan in Uptown Worsted (pattern link).
This modern crochet pattern first appeared in e-book Uptown Favorite Afghans 2.
When we were looking for a colorful crochet pattern to share for Free Pattern Friday, we immediately thought of this collection. It’s easy to see that Flying V is a simple, gratifying pattern that deserves to be shared!
It comes in both large and small sizes, making it versatile for home decor or baby blankets.
Color changes use the intarsia method. Each full chevron requires approximately 35 yds/19 grams of a color. Helpful to know if you’re measuring out lengths ahead of time.
And speaking of color changes, the pattern contains schematics for both versions, plus this completely unfilled diagram, so you can grab your colored pencils and try out your own color combos before casting on. Fun!
We hope you have a fantastic weekend. Happy crafting!
This is part 2 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 2 Edition.
Meet the Illusion Throw (pattern link)! Made using machine washable Uptown Worsted, this throw is squishy, resilient to pilling (perfect for everyday use!), and the perfect size to throw over your couch.
This graphic throw is inspired by one of my other favorite crafty things: quilting. Illusion Throw is definitely not like your grandmother’s quilt. Rather, it is a knitted interpretation of some beautiful modern and graphic quilts I’ve seen out there in the world.
I wanted to create a project easy enough for beginners (so no complicated shapes or shaping) but entertaining for more experienced knitters, too. The stitches themselves are easy – there is nothing more than knit and purl going on here.
The color changes – where white shifts to light gray and then to dark gray – this is achieved using the intarsia technique. I feel like intarsia sometimes has an unpleasant reputation, but it’s actually very simple to do. And there are only a few color changes on each row, so there is no need to have a thousand bobbins hanging off the back of your work.
To change colors with intarsia, all you’re doing is dropping the color you were using, picking up the new color behind the old one (to prevent any gaps or holes in your work) and knitting on. That’s it!
Remember, you can find Series 2 of the 12 Days of Winter Kits patterns on Ravelry.
“Do The Wave” is a slightly more complex design, but you can do it! It’s just a matter of shifting your color over by one or two stitches at a time.
Looking at the back of the block, you can see that the principle is the same as the first block’s little squares. You’re still twisting your stitches around each other to lock them in place as you pick up your new color and knit.
And speaking of the back side, Amy added a bonus to this square’s video – in addition to demonstrating diagonal intarsia, she also gives tips on weaving in ends.
If you’re not following us on Facebook, you may want to – we’ve had some great color combinations shared there. We also have a Ravelry afghan group going.
We’ll do a check in next week and see how we’re doing. After that, we’re moving on… to basic lace!
Today, something adorable! The Little Peep Dress is designed in soft, smooth Little Bird. It’s a sleek, high quality 100% acrylic that knits up easily here on a US Size 3 needle.
Designer Amy Gunderson was inspired by the figures on the Little Bird label to create a cute set of feathered friends suitable for any little chickadee. This is a great warm-weather dress for Spring.
These birds are a classic example of the kind of designs you can make with intarsia. If you’re participating in our afghan knitalong, these would be a great use for your new skills (which we’ll be refining further with our new square on Monday).
