I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love Deluxe Worsted. Today, we’re excited to share that we’ve given this yarn a facelift. We’ve narrowed down the color palette to be more cohesive and, excitingly, we are now able to offer this yarn at a more accessible price point. Deluxe Worsted is a gorgeous, 100% non-superwash wool yarn that is a stash staple. You should see my own stash – there is plenty of it!
I love Deluxe Worsted for its versatility. It looks great in every stitch pattern – from cables to colorwork, you simply can’t go wrong. It is a round, 4-ply yarn that is smooth and soft without compromising durability. That’s why I chose it for my recently published design, Mahakam.
My husband, John, in his Mahakam pullover.
Published in the First Fall 2020 issue of Knitty, I designed this pattern specifically with my husband in mind. It needed to be a great layering piece, but more interesting than a plain stockinette stitch sweater. It also needed to be knit in a color he’d love wearing on a regular basis. After all, if something is going to be handknit, it needs to get a lot of love!
Although John definitely isn’t afraid of a little color, I wasn’t too surprised when his attention went straight to the neutrals. His top choices were #12172 Dark Crystal and #12178 Turkish Coffee. Although the colors are similar in tone and value, Dark Crystal is cooler and more grey while Turkish Coffee is a warmer, black-brown hue. It was hard to choose between the two, but who can resist a color that references the Jim Henson masterpiece, The Dark Crystal? After all, both of us love puppets (and Muppets, obviously), and take at least an annual trip to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
Deluxe Worsted #12172 Dark Crystal
After selecting the color, I knew the fabric needed to be rich in texture, so I turned to slip stitch cables to feature throughout the body and sleeves. I made some little swatches first, just to make sure John was happy with them. Even when using such a dark color, the texture isn’t lost thanks to the wonderful stitch definition of Deluxe Worsted.
The textural slip-stitch cables are also featured on the sleeves and body.
John was adamant about this sweater being relaxed and a bit oversized – pretty much as cozy as possible. However, I also wanted to create a design that could look great worn either way – relaxed and casual or more form-fitting and tailored. So, I also asked my friend, Michael, to model the sweater. I love how the fit is a bit tidier on him. It’s always nice to see how garments look on various body types. Both John and Michael loved the sweater, so I feel like my design was pretty successful.
Michael chose a pop of orange to peek out from beneath this sweater. A stylish and autumnal touch.
Mahakam is knit from the bottom up in pieces and seamed. I love seams because they add structure and longevity to knitwear. It features raglan shaping and a K1, P1 Rib hem, sleeve cuffs, and neckband. The slip-stitch cables decorate the front, back, and sleeves.
Deluxe Worsted shines in textural stitch patterns, like those used in Mahakam.
Naming patterns is one aspect of design that is fun, but also a bit challenging. While sometimes I know what I want to name a sweater during the early stages of designing, other times I don’t know until the sweater is finished. The latter was the case with Mahakam. Given that it’s delightfully woolly, I couldn’t help but think of this pullover as the perfect piece for trips to the mountains this time of year. Mountains led me to think of mining, and mining led me to think of dwarves. In short, this combination paired with my current obsession with all things related to The Witcher, I decided to name the sweater Mahakam after the mountainous region where dwarves live and thrive.
The textural pattern is also featured on the back of Mahakam.
Although the pattern as written could easily be considered unisex, I’ve been thinking about designing a women’s version of this sweater. It might be nice to give the waist subtle A-line shaping and crop it a bit. A split hem would also be a nice touch. If I decide to move in that direction, I think I’ll use #12281 Clay, which is a lovely terra cotta hue.
Deluxe Worsted #12281 Clay
I hope you enjoyed hearing a little more about this design. If you’re interested in knitting Mahakam, you can find the pattern on Ravelry (link) and in Knitty (link). Don’t forget, Deluxe Worsted is now available at a more accessible price point! You can find Deluxe Worsted at your local yarn store, or on our website, where you can see all of the colors. Which color would you choose?
It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, Ariosa in Penna and Bella Cash (pattern link here).
Sometimes, when you combine two beautiful things, you get something even more special.
In this pattern, fingering-weight Bella Cash is held together with new Penna to give a soft alpaca halo to this lacy pullover. Take a look at Penna on its own:
Held together with a vibrant yarn like Bella Cash…
…you get a fabric that’s soft and light, substantial yet perfect for lace.
Shown here in size Small with 5″ of positive ease, Ariosa is sized through 6X.
This sweater is worked flat and seamed, with some short row shaping on the shoulders.
The beauty of holding two thin yarns together is not just that you can mix their textures, but that you can use a larger needle than either calls for alone. In this case, a US6 (4mm) or the size that gets you gauge.
We hope you have a fantastic weekend, filled with light and loveliness.
Happy crafting!
Happy Socktober! This year we’ve decided to celebrate with a mystery sock knitalong! I’m so excited about this month-long event and hope you’ll join in on the fun. We’re using the unsung hero of sock yarns, Bella Cash. Bella Cash is a yarn that blends extra fine merino, cashmere, and nylon for projects that are luxurious, soft, and durable.
Use this graphic on Ravelry and on social media to share about the knitalong.
Let’s start with the knitty-gritty. Each week in October I’ll be revealing a different portion of the pattern with you in the following order:
9/30/20: Week 1 – Colors
10/7/20: Week 2 – The Cuff
10/14/20: Week 3 – The Leg
10/21/20: Week 4 – The Foot
10/28/20: Week 5 – The Toe & Heel
11/4/20: Week 6 – Wrap-up
If you join, we’d love for you to spread the love and share your progress on social media using the hashtag #UYSocktoberMKAL and tagging us on Instagram (link) and Facebook (link). Join in with chatter here on the blog and in our Ravelry forum (link).
Please add your project to Ravelry, too! You can find the Ravelry listing here (link). You can use the graphic above and on the Ravelry listing for your project page, too.
Does the thought of knitting something without knowing what it will look like first scare you? Not to worry – you can find spoiler images here (link).
Now that we’ve covered the details, let’s dive into the first week!
This week is all about preparing to knit your socks. The first thing you’ll need to do is choose your colors. The first segment of the pattern is available now (link) and it includes a bunch of information about choosing colors that make your heart sing. Everyone in the office is joining, and I’m going to share our color choices with you today.
I’ll start with my own color choices. Put simply, I wanted my socks to exude all of the autumn vibes. I chose two colors with subtle contrast and one color to pop among them. I looked to colorful autumn squash, pumpkins, and gourds for inspiration. That’s actually why I’ve named these the Sweet Dumplin’ Socks. They’re named after the delicious and colorful variety of squash (bonus recipe ideas here!).
You can’t have a knitalong solo, so I was thrilled when Aubrey, Heather, and Yonca told me they wanted to join. I asked each of them to tell me a little bit about their color selections.
Fellow designer and Instagram maven, Aubrey, chose colors that remind me of Valentine’s Day. Here is what she had to say:
“I’m a die-hard romantic, and I love nature. I chose to pick a trio that expressed the contrast between softness and harshness found in nature. In this case roses – my favorite (very romantic) flowers, and marble. I’ve always loved gemstones and geology. I’m so looking forward to wearing my socks while I indulge in some favorite movies and warm tea during the cold months coming up!“
Her selection is so beautiful, and it’s lovely to see the vibrant pink hue paired with two neutrals. It makes me picture a vase of beautiful pink roses on a gorgeous marble countertop.
When Heather, our social media connoisseur, agreed to join, my initial hunch was that she’d choose some blissful blues for her socks. She surprised me, though, with this earthy color combination.
“When I heard about Rachel’s concept for fall socks, I decided to lean into it. Normally I go for blue tones, but this time I decided to embrace the season. I’m calling mine Hot Choco Sockos, and am looking forward to sipping some marshmallow-topped hot chocolate while wearing my completed socks. Rachel actually shared a really great spicy hot cocoa recipe last winter that I’m going to use. You can find it here.”
As an autumn-colors gal, I’m smitten with this combination! They are aptly named, and I’m pretty sure a nice mug of Mexican hot chocolate would be perfect for sipping between rows while knitting.
Last, but certainly not least is Yonca, our fabulous managing director. I love her combination of a beautiful jewel tone with a pretty pastel and snowy white. When I asked her about her colors, here is what she said:
“I’ve always loved shades of pink and purple, but for some reason, I haven’t worn those colors in years. This knitalong seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce a little more color to my wardrobe.”
I love how different all of our colors are. There is nearly no overlap between our color choices. With 26 colors of Bella Cash to choose from, there is a virtual cornucopia of color combinations. The color wheel is a useful tool for understanding how colors interact with one another.
In this week’s portion of the pattern, I chat a little bit about how you can use the color wheel as a tool for helping you choose colors. You’re probably already familiar with the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue, as well as the secondary colors: orange, green, purple. However, have you thought about how to use these colors together?
Looking at the color wheel I’ve created above, you can see arrows that point to colors that are complementary to one another. Complementary colors are opposite hues on the color wheel, for example, red and green. These colors create a strong contrast when placed next to one another. Choosing opposite colors would be a great starting point when selecting the main or contrast color for your socks. Take a look at the combination below for a great example of how you could combine complementary colors in your socks.
Left to Right: #102 Blush, #120 Pistachio, #101 Apple
You could also choose to use analogous colors. Analogous colors are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. One example of this would be the colors between red and purple. Purple, pink, and red are analogous colors, which are shown in Bella Cash colors below.
Left to Right: #103 Violet, #117 Tulip, #118 Orchid
Monochromatic colors are all colors of the same hue. You might also refer to this as a gradient of colors – think of a greyscale, but all the same hue.
Left to Right: 120 Pistachio, 125 Emerald, & 126 Forest
Speaking of a greyscale, another factor to consider when selecting your colors is their value. Value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color. A greyscale is a great way to think about value of a color.
Like I mentioned earlier, I chose two colors with subtle contrast and one very dark color to pop among them. You could also choose colors that have a dark, medium, and light value so that each color pops even more. Aubrey’s palette is a great example of dark-medium-light. Notice how there is a clear distinction in the darkness and lightness between each of her colors. If you aren’t sure how your colors will look together, you can take a quick snapshot with your phone using black and white mode.
Need more inspiration? Take a look at the first part of the pattern. I highlight more color combinations and chat a bit about the color wheel, much like I’ve done in this post. Whatever colors you choose, I’m sure you’re going to create a beautiful pair of socks! What colors do you have in mind? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy Fall, y’all! Yesterday marked the first official day of the season, and we couldn’t be more excited. After all, this means we can start to wear all of our favorite handmade garments and accessories. Last week I gushed about my love of hats, but this week I’m going to turn my attention to another cozy accessory: socks! Specifically thick and cozy socks. As someone with serious Second Sock Syndrome, and who primarily wears handknit socks around the house, I’m just plain partial to heavier socks. I’m going to talk about some of my favorite yarns for heavier socks and share some pattern inspiration, too. Let’s start by looking at some of the worsted weight yarns we offer that would be great for socks.
It is commonly assumed that nylon is a fiber critical to knitting socks because it adds durability and can help add elasticity to a sock. While that is true to an extent, it absolutely is not critical for a sock yarn. After all, wool has been used for socks for more than a thousand years. Wool is such an amazing fiber – it is durable, naturally moisture-wicking, and is inherently elastic. It is a fiber with memory and will hold its shape over time. With that in mind, our 100% wool Deluxe Worsted and Deluxe Worsted Superwash are perfect for knitting worsted-weight socks. The two yarns work up to the same gauge and are interchangeable.
Deluxe Worsted
Deluxe Worsted is a non-superwash wool yarn. That means you won’t be able to toss it in the washer and dryer, but the benefit of non-superwash wool is that it retains a bit more memory than its superwash counterpart, so it is less likely to grow. It’s also a great option if you’re a very eco-conscious maker. Plus, the palette of colors is so expansive. Whether you’re a minimalist in search of the perfect neutral or someone who lusts for brilliant brights, you’re sure to find a color you’ll love.
Deluxe Worsted Superwash
If easy-care is your thing, look no further than machine-washable Deluxe Worsted Superwash. Like Deluxe Worsted, this yarn comes in an array of beautiful colors. I love using this yarn for gift socks because I can feel confident that there won’t be any felting disasters. Regardless of whether you choose Deluxe Worsted or Deluxe Worsted Superwash, you’ll love these versatile yarns. The smooth texture gives it superb stitch definition that makes them great for everything from simple textures and cables to colorwork.
Deluxe Worsted Tweed
If you love Deluxe Worsted Superwash, but are looking for a little more texture, you’ll love Deluxe Worsted Tweed. This yarn is a blend of 90% superwash wool, 7% anti-pilling acrylic, and 3% viscose. As I mentioned earlier, nylon is frequently added to wool sock yarns. The acrylic in this yarn serves as an alternative to nylon, mimicking its qualities. The viscose creates the lovely tweedy nubs that give this yarn extra interest.
Now that we’ve chatted about some of our great worsted-weight options for knitting socks, let’s get the inspiration flowing with pattern ideas. All three yarn options above will work great for these patterns.
Tillery Socks in Deluxe Worsted #13112 Red Apple
Texture, twisted stitches, and cables are the star of the cozy Tillery Socks by Amy Gunderson, knit in Deluxe Worsted. I would love to wear these socks while sipping a cup of hot cocoa and reading a good book in front of the fireplace. Worked from the cuff-down and featuring a heel flap and gusset, this is a great pattern for those already comfortable with knitting cables and socks.
Rye Socks, photo by Tin Can Knits
Recently, a store-owner mentioned that she prefers to use worsted and DK weight yarns whenever she is teaching a customer to knit their first pair of socks. I heartily agree – for a sock newbie, working with fingering-weight yarn can seem a little intimidating because not all beginners are comfortable working at such a fine gauge. Heavier yarn options create satisfying projects that are great for quickly learning the common techniques used for knitting socks.
So if you’re a sock newbie, the Rye socks by Tin Can Knits would be an excellent choice for your first pair. Well over seven thousand people have knit these socks – that’s A LOT of socks! It’s no surprise, either. Tin Can Knits are known for their accessible, easy to understand patterns. A simple panel of garter stitch decorates the front of these socks. I love this detail as it’s a super beginner-friendly stitch pattern that adds more interest than a pair of vanilla socks (aka stockinette stitch socks). Rye is graded for babies, toddlers, children, and adults, so you can make a pair for everyone in your family. I’d love to knit a pair for my niece using Deluxe Worsted Superwash in #746 Violet Rustic.
Colour Block Slipper Sock, photo by Jessica Biscoe
Next, we have the Colour Block Slipper Sock by Jessica Biscoe. I can attest that this is a great beginner-pattern. In fact, this is the pattern I used for my first pair of proper socks. I love the simple rope cable along the front and the contrast toes and cuffs. I knit these as a gift for my husband in cream and navy, but I’d love to make them again using Deluxe Worsted Tweed in colors #919 Merlot and #920 Camel – a combination that is appropriate for the changing leaves.
Laule’a, photo by cabinfourLaule’a by cabinfour is a simple, minimalist pattern that is so aesthetically appealing. Delicate dots of purls decorate these cuff-down socks. I’d love to knit these using Deluxe Worsted Naturals in #40002 Millet.
Classic Crochet Socks, photo by Hooked on Tilly
Of course, socks aren’t just for knitters. There are many crochet sock patterns out there, but I fell in love when I stumbled upon the Classic Crochet Socks designed by Hooked on Tilly. They look irresistibly cozy and I love the mock ribbing effect created by using the Front Post Double Crochet Stitch. Deluxe Worsted Tweed would be perfectly suited to this pattern. I might just need to make a pair in #905 Pine.
Which of these cozy sock patterns strikes your fancy? Do you have a favorite worsted-weight sock pattern? We’d love to know!
Each morning I begin my day by walking my beloved doggos before work, and occasionally I have time to sip a cup of freshly brewed coffee on my patio. It’s a morning routine I cherish and it gives me time to breathe before starting work for the day. This morning, to my delight, the air was crisp and cool. Considering the fact that summery temperatures carry on well into the autumn months in the south, a temperature below 60 °F is always a welcome excuse to pull out one of my favorite hand-knit items: hats!
Hats are one of my favorite things to both knit and design. I absolutely adore them. They are the perfect playground for trying new techniques, are satisfyingly fast, and are great for gifts. What’s not to love about them? To celebrate the season of hats I’m going to round up a few of my favorite hats that are perfect for September.
Looking Glass in Kingston Tweed
First up is Looking Glass. This hat is part of our e-book, Kingston Tweed Volume I. It’s a relaxed hat with a folded brim and a beautiful diamond motif in alternating colors. If you enjoy stranded colorwork, you’ll love this project. The motif will demand a bit of attention, but the results are worth it. I named this hat after Looking Glass Rock, located in Pisgah National Forest, as the colors echo the granite formation peeking out of the lush, green Appalachian Mountains. It’s knit using Kingston Tweed, a rustic blend of 50% wool, 25% alpaca, and 25% viscose. The sticky texture, slight halo, and subtle tweed make it an outstanding yarn for colorwork projects like this one.
Woodlawn Hat in Kingston Tweed
Kingston Tweed is great for more than just colorwork. The Woodlawn Hat is an excellent example of how beautifully it works up into rich textures. Knit-purl and mini-cable columns decorate this hat. This project is perfect for those looking to try cables for the first time. Although I love all types of knitting, I crave knitting cabled, textural projects the most, and in my wardrobe, those are the items I reach for most frequently. The Woodlawn Hat is classic and endlessly wearable. It’s exactly what I reach for when I’m ready for an early morning on the trail.
By the way, we’ve added three new colors to Kingston Tweed: forest green #114 Serpentine, fiery red #115 Garnet, and earthy brown #116 Dravite. They would be fantastic choices for the Woodlawn Hat.
Compass Hat & Cowl in Deluxe Worsted Superwash
As much as I enjoy making hats for myself, I also love making them for others – especially my husband. He is one of the most knit-worthy people I know, and he doesn’t leave the house without a hand-knit hat as soon as the weather begins to cool down. He would probably love to have every hat in this round-up.
One of the hats I’d love to knit for him is the Compass Hat (and bonus cowl!) because of its timelessness. The ribbing and cables are a simple, subtle nod to fisherman’s sweaters. Like the Woodlawn Hat, this accessory is perfect for anyone who wants to learn to knit cables. The Compass Hat is knit using woolly and wonderful workhorse yarn, Deluxe Worsted Superwash, and is completely interchangeable with non-superwash Deluxe Worsted (my favorite!).
Trawler in Bella Cash
Speaking of fishermen – I’d like to highlight another nautically-inspired design: Trawler. Wear this hat with the brim folded and close to your head to mimic the classic fisherman’s cap, or wear it unfolded and slouchy for a relaxed look. Trawler boasts squishy brioche and a handsome marled effect that is achieved by holding two strands of yarn together as one. Knit in Bella Cash, a blend of 60% superwash fine merino, 30% nylon, and 10% cashmere, this hat is a durable little luxury.
Basketweave Hat in Be Wool Mutis
If you’re looking to knit something in a flash, look no further than the Basketweave Hat. When I say this is a fast project, I really mean it. I knit it in under two hours! This beginner-friendly hat pairs little blocks of garter and stockinette stitch to create a basketweave motif (hence the name). It’s great as a palette cleansing project or a last-minute gift. Knit in Be Wool Multis, a super bulky blend of 60% acrylic and 40% wool, it’s an easy-care accessory covered in fun multicolor speckles. This hat is sure to spark some joy!
Cichlid Hats in Bamboo Bloom Handpaints and Deluxe Worsted Superwash
Who doesn’t love a hat topped with a pom pom? I especially love adding a pop of color with pom-poms, as demonstrated in the Cichlid Hat. For this design, I really wanted to allow the colorful, thick/thin texture of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints to shine. Bamboo Bloom Handpaints is a loosely plied blend of 48% bamboo, 44% wool, and 8% acrylic. It’s such a unique yarn and simplicity is key when working with it. Because this yarn wouldn’t be well-suited to ribbing for the brim of a hat or to creating a nice, plump pom-pom, I chose coordinating colors of Deluxe Worsted Superwash to create a brim that ensures a good fit. The color options are endless with this fun pattern!
Vinia Hat in Donnina
Worked in super-soft, lightweight Donnina, the Vinia Hat is another cute hat topped with a colorful pom-pom. You might have noticed by now that I love hats that feature a folded brim. In fact, I almost consider them vital when knitting hats for myself! Like many of the other hats in this list, Vinia features a deep, folded brim. Colorwork resembling vines decorates the body of the hat. I’ve been dreaming of knitting this hat in autumnal colors – #201 Vanilla and #203 Amber would make lovely choices, but the possibilities are endless!
Frosted Crocus Hat from Interweave Knits, Gifts 2021 in Donnina
Rounding out my list of great hats for the season is actually a design recently published in the Gifts 2020 issue of Interweave Knits. Knit in Donnina, the Frosted Crocus Hat is was such a delight to knit and design. The playful and bold colorwork motif is coupled with details like a speckled pom-pom (tutorial link) and tubular cast-on (tutorial link) for a hat that is irresistibly fun. I designed this with holiday gift-knitting in mind, but it’s perfect for autumn, too!
There are so many delightful hat patterns to choose from, so be sure to explore the patterns on our website for more. Plus, we have even more hat designs coming your way in the coming months. What hat patterns are you planning to knit or crochet this fall? We’d love to know!
This week, we are celebrating the release of another new collection: Modern Mosaic. This collection includes 4 mosaic knits in Bamboo Pop. Bamboo Pop is our 50/50 bamboo and cotton blend yarn that is perfectly suited to warm weather garments and accessories. It is light and cool, with a vibrant color palette of solids, multis, and dots to choose from. I often hear that Bamboo Pop is many people’s favorite yarn, and I can see why. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the perfect time!
Areca in 112 Black and 101 White
Mosaic knitting is a really interesting type of color work. It utilizes two contrasting colors of yarn, knitting the stitches on each row in the dominant color and slipping the stitches that are in the contrast color. You work two rows with a dominant color, and then it changes for the next two rows. The charts in each pattern tell you which color is the dominant one for that set of rows. Mosaic knitting lends itself well to geometric patterns, and creates really bold and stunning color work. I have to admit, I was a bit intimidated to do my first mosaic designs, but now I love it!
Areca in 112 Black and 101 WhiteAreca was inspired by black and white tile work and features a bold pattern throughout the front and back. Designed by Yonca Ozbelli, this top is sized from A-K and has a modern, boxy fit. Areca is perfect for those who love an interesting construction; the front and back are joined at the shoulder with a three-needle bind-off, and then the side panels and edging are created by picking up stitches along the left and right sides. I love the bold and graphic look of Areca, it’s an ‘all eyes on you’ kind of design.
Dypsis in 134 Blue Whisper and 127 Brambles
For those interested in dipping their toes into the mosaic knitting waters, Dypsis may be the perfect choice for you. Designed by Rachel Brockman, Dypsis features a traveling mosaic pattern on the hemline that is repeated again for an unexpected shoulder detail. Dypsis is knit in the round from the bottom up, so the mosaic pattern is perfectly seamless. The front and back are separated at the underarm, then worked flat. They are joined at the shoulders with a three-needle bind-off, and a garter edging is picked up and knit for the neckline.
The thoughtful choice of the mosaic hem and shoulders really makes Bamboo Pop shine, and the design looks timeless and sophisticated. Mosaic knitting can seem intimidating if you haven’t tried it, but I think Dypsis would be perfect for just about anyone. I’d throw on a fun necklace with this and let the gorgeous pattern do the talking!
Palmetto in 102 Cream, 114 Super Pink, and 212 Bright Spot
One of my contributions to the Modern Mosaic collection is Palmetto. I’m never shy about the fact that I’m a ‘more is more’ kind of person. When I was prompted to design with mosaic, I knew I wanted to design something that featured a few different patterns. I have a serious affinity for textile design and was inspired by Ikat fabrics from Indonesia for Palmetto. The tassels on the ends are one of my favorite touches too. Everything is better with tassels.
My Ikat inspiration blossomed into a stitch sampler style stole that is oversized and sure to get lots of love from everyone who sees you made it. You can wear Palmetto so many different ways, and it will add joy to any outfit you choose. I wear pink year-round, but I think this would look equally great in a blue and white combination.
Sabal in 106 Turquoise and 121 Lily Pad
My second design for Modern Mosaic is Sabal. This is an open front jacket/poncho that has a relaxed, bohemian vibe. I stuck with my textiles inspiration for this one, but instead, looked at tropical locale home interiors. I wanted a soothing color combination and a geometric style mosaic pattern that felt meditative.
My favorite thing about Sabal is the construction. It is worked starting at the back in one piece. After you get to the neckline, you work across one side, bind off the neck stitches, then work each of the fronts separately. You pick up and knit an edging for the sides, and then the garment is folded in half and seamed, while and I-cord is worked over the fronts and neckline. Sabal is just so relaxed feeling, and I love that you can wear this as a jacket to go out, a cardigan around the house, or a beach cover up!
Now that you’ve seen the patterns in our Modern Mosaic collection, here’s even more exciting news. Two lucky winners will receive a pattern of their choice from the collection, and enough Bamboo Pop to make the pattern in their chosen size and colors. We love Giveaways!
All you have to do to enter is follow us (Instagram), like our page (Facebook), like and comment on the giveaway post or another post from the collection. Only one entry per name, and the giveaway closes at 5 pm EST on 9/14. We will choose and announce our winners (one from Facebook and one from Instagram) on 9/15. You can enter on both social media platforms, but you can only win once. Good luck!
This week I want to chat a little about one of our favorite staple yarns: Adore. Comprised of 55% superwash merino and 45% anti-pilling acrylic, Adore is soft and easy to care for. It is exactly the type of yarn you reach for repeatedly because it ticks all the boxes. It has a broad palette of beautiful colors making it great for multi-color projects. This four-ply yarn is round and springy, giving it excellent stitch definition. It’s there for you whether you want to create a selfish sweater or the perfect gift for that upcoming baby shower.
Speaking of perfect for baby projects – let’s take a look at some of the great baby patterns we have for Adore.
Crosscut (sweater) and Parallelogram (blanket)
I’m pretty sure the quintessential handmade gift for babies is a blanket. Knit or crochet, if you’re a fiber artist, you’ve probably made one for a little one in your life. It’s easy to see why. Baby blankets tend to be fast (certainly faster than an afghan!) and you can be sure the little one won’t grow out of a blanket in a month or two.
Parallelogram in Adore: #130 Cream, #105 Cloud Grey, #111 Banana, & #110 Turquoise
For the knitters, we have Parallelogram. This is one of my designs, and it was inspired by quilts. It’s modern and graphic but is primarily comprised of garter stitch. It’s an incredibly easy pattern. It is knit in six strips that are sewn together. The way the stripes are arranged in each strip creates the larger blocks of color in the finished piece. If you’re looking for a mindless project with a bit of impact, Parallelogram is right for you.
Oasis Blanket in Adore #105 Cloud Grey, #101 Peony, #110 Turquoise, & #103 Capri
For the crocheters, we have the Oasis Blanket. This one is a personal favorite. Admittedly, I haven’t finished mine (yet!), but it’s so fun! It is created by making granny square motifs, sewing them together, and then working a border around the edges. What I love about this project is how portable it is. You can whip out your yarn and knock out a square any time and in any place.
Besties
Although blankets may get used for longer than a sweater, you can’t argue with the fact that lil’ babes are ADORE-able (see what I did there?) in sweaters. And baby sweaters are extremely satisfying projects. Raise your hand if you like saying you completed a whole sweater in a few days!
We have no shortage of cute baby sweaters that use Adore. If you enjoy combining garter stitch, stripes, and cute buttons, you’ll love the Besties cardigan. This simple pattern is seamless and quick. With Adore’s broad palette, the color options are endless.
Crosscut in Adore #105 Cloud Grey
If you’re looking for a sweater pattern with interesting construction, why not try Crosscut? This sweater is knit from cuff to cuff and has a striking cable panel along the sleeves and seed stitch along the neck and hem. We love the way Adore makes the cable and texture pop.
Cozy Kid Set in Adore #102 Pale Pink
Lovers of texture and twisted stitches will find the Cozy Kid Set on their needles in no time. This zippered cardigan is a great layering piece for fall and has a coordinating hat, too!
Special Gift Jacket in Adore #111 Banana
The Special Gift Jacket is a precious, crochet wrap cardigan. Scrunch stitches give it a beautiful, all-over texture. The delicate side ties might be my favorite detail!
Don’t have time to make a sweater or blanket? No worries! Why not try out the Mini Mittens or Toasty Toes? Better yet, why not make both? These are so fast! You can work them up in a matter of hours and they are sure to be your go-to projects for every baby in your life.
So, those are my picks for baby patterns using Adore. There is more where that came from, too, so be sure to peruse our website for patterns that suit all ages! Happy crafting!
This week we’re celebrating the launch of our latest ebook, Autumn Wonder. This collection is comprised of five charming patterns to knit using Wool Pop. It’s a plump, springy blend of 50% bamboo, 35% superwash wool, and 15% polyamide. Wool Pop is one of our newest yarns, and so far it seems you love it as much as we do! Let’s take a look at the patterns!
Developing pattern collections takes a long time. It starts with a mood board, followed by brainstorming, sketching, and swatching. Then there is the pattern writing, sample knitting, and tech editing. It doesn’t stop there. Outside of the actual pattern work, there is planning and conducting a photoshoot and, of course, putting the whole ebook together! It takes months, and it’s so exciting when we can finally reveal the finished product.
When I started developing the Autumn Wonder collection, I wanted it to include garments and accessories well-suited for the season. You’ll find gorgeous designs suitable for layering as well as rich, textural pullovers with relaxed silhouettes.
Brezza in Wool Pop #602 Cream
One of my contributions is Brezza. Brezza is a boxy, drop sleeve pullover featuring simple lace and twisted stitches on a background of reverse stockinette stitch. This garment is such a soothing knit. You’ll quickly memorize the stitch pattern, which sweeps from the front along the sides and into the back. The stitchwork in this piece is a testament to the wonderful stitch definition of Wool Pop – I mean, those twisted stitches really pop!
The body of Brezza is knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. The front and back are divided at the underarms and worked flat, then are rejoined at the shoulder seam using the three-needle bind-off. The sleeves are knit flat separately and seamed.
Filigree in Wool Pop #609 Darling Pink
I was given the opportunity to reach out so some designers I admire for this collection. I’ve long admired Lana Jois‘ work, so I was thrilled when she took me up on my invitation to contribute a pattern. Filigree is the result of this collaboration – and it might just be the perfect tee. It’s great for layering (as pictured above), or worn on its own.
I love the split lace hem that decorates this otherwise simple tee. Although I love knitting lace, I don’t always feel like “me” when wearing it. With that said, I fell in love with this top right away – it features just the right amount of lace for me. You can actually see me wearing it in this video. I have my heart set on knitting a version of this top in #616 Denim.
Perennial in Wool Pop #611 Brambles
If garments aren’t your favorite thing to make, look no further than Perennial. Most triangular shawls are knit either from the top down or the bottom up, but designer Adrienne Larsen isn’t one to stick to the status quo. Instead, she chose to use a clever, modular construction.
A beautiful lace panel is framed by simple ribbing and stockinette stitch. The panel is worked first, then stitches are picked up along the bottom edge of the panel to create a ribbed edge that is worked from the top down. Finally, stitches are picked up along the top of the panel for the body, which is worked from the bottom up and a tidy, single crochet border is applied across the top edge. I’m so inspired by this one!
Serra in Wool Pop #617 Raisin
My second contribution to the collection is Serra. This pullover has a relaxed, cozy fit and is covered with cables. Although this is a straightforward design with minimal shaping in this, the cables demand a bit of attention. The results are well worth the effort because you’ll want to live in this piece!
The body of Serra is knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. The front and back are divided at the underarms and worked flat, then are rejoined at the shoulder seam using the three-needle bind-off. The sleeves are knit flat separately and seamed.
Stagione in Wool Pop #615 Sage
Last, but certainly not least, we have Stagione, designed by Courtney Spainhower. When I invited Courtney to contribute to the collection, she told me that she has made a mission out of “showing shoulders more beautifully than ever before”. I’d call that mission a success! The details in this garment are so thoughtful, from the “rib” along the hem created with garter stitch to the twisted stitches, visible seams, and of course – that drool-worthy shoulder shaping!
This sweater is worked in two mirrored pieces from the center to the cuff. It begins with a provisional cast-on, which is then joined using a stretchy three-needle bind-off to create the visible seams down the center of the front and back. This is another sweater from the collection that I’m dying to knit.
Now that you’ve had a closer look at the designs, I have even more exciting news. To celebrate the launch of this collection we’re hosting a giveaway! Two lucky winners will receive a pattern’s worth of Wool Pop for the project of their choice from the collection, in the color and size of their choice. Does it get any better than that?
To enter, head to our Facebook page (link) and to our Instagram (link). All you need to do is like us, follow us, and comment on our post. We’ll choose a winner next Tuesday, 8/25/20. You can enter on both platforms, but you can only win once.
Perfect Summer Tote!
Happy Free Pattern Friday everyone! Today, we have a fun accessory for you: the Midsummer Tote. You can find the pattern here.
Tote bags are a summer essential, and why not make your own? The Midsummer Tote is crocheted using Yashi, our 100% raffia yarn. We recently released new colors in Yashi, so you can pick your new favorites for this project. We think the color combination in this bag would look fantastic with any summer outfit.
The Midsummer Tote is crocheted seamlessly in the round, with a mesh pattern nestled between sections of single crochet. We love how these textures work together in the finished bag!
Now where’d I put my keys?
Whether you decide to use this as a handbag, beach bag, or grocery bag, you really can’t go wrong with the Midsummer Tote.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d make a confession. I have a new love in my life, and it’s Fibra Natura Ravello. One of our new spring yarns, this is quickly becoming a favorite (I know, I shouldn’t pick favorites!). It’s a blend of cotton, extra-fine merino wool, and recycled cashmere, making it a fabulous yarn for multi-season garments and accessories. Ravello is soft, drapey, and has a subtle halo. These qualities are pretty irresistible!
Ravello in 104 Soft Clay
I’ve been having so much fun designing with this yarn. So, just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’re introducing the Ciri shawl. This is a large, asymmetrical shawl knit in two coordinating colors that nod towards Valentine’s Day without being obvious.
The main color is 108 Tuscan Pepper, a rich burgundy that shows off the lace beautifully. It is paired with 104 Soft Clay as the contrast color. After years of resisting pink, I’ve recently become more and more drawn to warm, less saturated shades of pink. Swaths of lace in the main color are interrupted by garter stitch stripes that are worked with the contrast color. It is finished with a crochet picot bind-off that adds a touch of romance. Ciri is knit on the bias, creating an asymmetrical shape. It begins at the tip and slowly increases to the widest edge. The shape and loose gauge make a drapey fabric you’ll love to wear. Each end of the shawl gently spirals downward when you place it over your shoulders.
This shawl is quite large. You can wrap it around your neck multiple times for maximum coziness.
Just look at that picot trim and gorgeous drape – we’re smitten!
Whether you’re knitting this for your Galentine, Valentine, or yourself, the Ciri shawl is the perfect cast-on this week.
Gardenia is knit is 101 Ocean Fog.
Oh, and just in case you’re looking for a little more Ravello inspiration, don’t forget about Gardenia. Lace and delicate cables would make this sweet little hat another lovely Valentine’s Day project, especially knit up in 106 Malbec or 107 Balet Slipper.
Top: 106 Malbec Bottom, left to right: 107 Balet Slipper and 104 Soft Clay
We hope you have a wonderful holiday – filled with chocolate, yarn, and your favorite people!
