Free Pattern Friday – Exhilarate Revisited

Woman facing away from camera wearing a triangular shawl knitted in Bamboo Pop Sock yarn. Text reads Free Pattern Friday, Exhilarate Revisited in Bamboo Pop Sock

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Today, Exhilarate Revisited, in Bamboo Pop Sock and Bamboo Pop Sock Solids (pattern link here).

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

Bamboo Pop Sock has plenty of options for stripe combinations. We went with 506 Rip Tide and 503 Jetties for the color band sections, bordered with bluish-gray Bamboo Pop Sock Solids 620 Moondust for the borders. It’s a cool, beachy combo with bright pops of purple!

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.

We hope you have an exhilarating weekend!

Happy Crafting!

-Heather Hill

Free Pattern Friday – Lunaria Socks

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

For our Easter special, we present Lunaria in Bamboo Pop Sock Solids (pattern link here).

We were thrilled to work with designer Allison Lutes, fieldwonderful on Instagram, to bring you these special spring socks!

Allison writes, “For style inspiration, the Lunaria Socks draw on the floral dresses and ruffled cotton socks I wore to childhood Easter celebrations, updated with tiny bobbles and microstripes.”

Written for four teen/adult sizes, these top-down socks feature a picot edge and a heel flap and gusset. There are also two versions of the chart included, one with the light color as contrast (as shown) and one with the dark color contrasting, so you can pick which look you prefer.

Since they’re designed for spring, these cute ankle socks call for Bamboo Pop Sock Solids, a wool-free yarn that won’t leave you overheated.

We added a little PBT to its bamboo/cotton blend, which gives extra elasticity for a beautiful fit. Together, these fibers make a great warm weather yarn, good for socks, accessories, and garments of all kinds!

What a fun, festive, floral way to usher in the season! We love these socks, and we think you will too.

Happy crafting!

-Heather Hill

Free Pattern Friday – Edisto Shawl

It’s Free Pattern Friday!

Woman wearing knitted shawl and facing away from viewer

Today, the Edisto Shawl in Bamboo Pop Sock (pattern link here).

Designer Rachel Brockman has once again channeled her love of nature into an inspiring design. This bright, warm-weather shawl took its name from beautiful Edisto Island.

No wonder – this breezy beauty would be the perfect accessory for a walk along a windswept beach.

Wool-free Bamboo Pop Sock is a great choice for this shawl – and just one ball of two colors is all it takes.

We love this shawl so much we made it in two colorways. The combination of 505 Tide Pool and 507 Breeze seen above…

…and the more subdued 502 High Tide and 503 Jetties shown here.

Both are stunning.

This is a lovely pattern, designed to make maximum use of your two balls of Bamboo Pop Sock. You’ll be knitting flat on US5/3.75mm needles (or whatever gets you gauge).

Then you’ll switch to US7 /4.5mm needles for the i-cord bind-off. It’s a tidy edge that adds extra polish to an already exquisite design.

Botany Bay beach at cloudy sunset, Edisto Island, South Carolina, USA. Nickolay Khoroshkov/stock.adobe.com

We hope your weekend is filled with natural beauty.

Happy crafting!

Yarn Spotlight: Bamboo Pop Sock

It’s early June, which means that summer is here (in my book, even if not officially!). And while there are numerous things I love about summer, one thing that’s always exciting is the introduction of new yarns for the upcoming Fall season! For the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of our great new offerings, starting this week with Bamboo Pop Sock – Solids.

Yep, you heard me correctly – solids! We’ve had lots of requests from customers who fell in love with our self-shading version of Bamboo Pop Sock. When we introduced the yarn with eight splashy, self-striping colors in 2019 it was an instant hit, so we swiftly added another eight colors in solid, gradually shifting stripes. This yarn has become beloved for being a wool-free alternative to other sock yarns, so it’s great for vegan knitters or those with sensitivities to animal fibers. This yarn blends bamboo, cotton, and PBT to create a cool, comfortable, and elastic yarn. While it’s fantastic for socks, we’ve fallen in love with it for baby projects, garments, accessories, and more! To celebrate the introduction of our 22 solid colors (20 of which are available now), I want to highlight some beautiful free patterns featuring Bamboo Pop Sock solids.

Fairway in #614 Celestial, #612 Sky, & #616 Fern

I mentioned that people began to love Bamboo Pop Sock for baby projects, like the popular Playtime Dress in color #404 Wildflowers. Aubrey simply couldn’t resist adding to the collection of baby patterns using this yarn, so she designed Fairway (pattern link). This cute little sweater features bold blocks of color and texture using colors that remind me of a sunny day playing Par 3 golf with my dad. It’s perfect! Fairway is sized from 0-6 months through 4 years, and only takes one ball of each color across all sizes.

Crimson Tee in #608 Pomegranate

With an eye for feminine details, Aubrey perfectly finds the balance between elegant and casual apparel in the Crimson Tee (pattern link). It features a botanically-inspired lace motif along the hem, sleeves, and in the panels featured on the front and back. We love it styled with a French tuck (as pictured), allowing the scalloped hem to show along the sides and back.

Lace details on the Crimson Tee.

Looking for an accessory instead? Try the lovely Serendipity shawl (pattern link), also designed by Aubrey. This asymmetrical triangular shawl is knit flat on the bias, and it only takes one ball of yarn! The fabric is covered in a lovely little lace motif. The design illustrates how magical the drape of this Bamboo Pop Sock is. It creates a silky, smooth effect that perfectly hugs your neck and shoulders. Toss this shawl over your favorite summer tank or dress and you’re good to go!

I hope you’ve enjoyed a peek at new patterns in Bamboo Pop Sock! Which of these do you plan to knit first? The yarn and patterns are available now, so be sure to head to your local yarn store or our website to start your new favorite project!

Happy knitting!

Little Stitches: Projects for Little Ones

Few projects are more satisfying than baby projects. I always relish the opportunity to knit baby projects for several reasons. First, they are satisfyingly fast. Want to make a sweater in less than a week? Just throw a baby project on your needles or hook! How about in a few hours – try an accessory! Second, they’re small, therefore they’re cute. Does that need any further explanation? I didn’t think so. Finally, baby projects are great for perfect, lovingly handmade gifts. I’ve created numerous projects for my niece and daughter of one of my dearest friends, and I love knowing they’re staying cozy in knitwear!

Today, I want to share some great projects for all the little ones in your life. From cute sweaters to cuddly toys, you’re sure to find a perfect project.

Cotton is a popular choice for baby projects because it’s soft and easy to care for. Plus, it’s gentle and great for sensitive baby skin. Last year we introduced Cotton Supreme Sapling, a 100% cotton bulky-weight yarn that is – put simply – baby soft. Since then we’ve introduced two excellent projects for babies using Sapling: the Sunshine Throw and Daisy Cardi.
Sunshine Throw in Cotton Supreme Sapling
A striking lace pattern framed by garter stitch decorates the Sunshine Throw (pattern link). The lace motif is deceptively simple. It is an 8-row repeat that you’ll memorize in no time. This blanket would be an impressive gift at a baby shower, and an heirloom piece to last for years to come.
Daisy Cardi in Cotton Supreme Sapling
Whether it’s the baby’s first cardigan or your first time knitting a sweater, the adorable Daisy Cardi (pattern link) is a perfect choice. It features little more than beginner-friendly garter stitch and K1, P1 Rib but has lots of impact, especially when you add some cute buttons! Knit in Cotton Supreme Sapling, this cardigan is optimal for the chilly weather of autumn, winter, and early spring.
Few yarns are softer than our chenille yarn family, consisting of Bella Chenille and Bella Chenille Big. These 100% polyester yarns create a velvety, plush fabric perfect for snuggling. The Storytime Blankies (pattern link), knit in Bella Chenille Big, are completely worthy of cuddles. These simple blankets feature a bit of twisted stockinette for a nice texture and a bold stripe in the center. It’s finished off with fun tassels little ones would love to play with.
Which Way is Up? in Bella Cash
So far I’ve shared projects in bulky yarns, but finer yarns are also perfect for baby projects! Although we created Bella Cash, a blend of superwash merino, cashmere, and nylon, with all sorts of projects in mind, we specifically intended for it to be a yarn perfect for babies and children. We have the patterns to prove it, too!

Sized newborn to four years, Which Way is Up? (pattern link) is an excellent example of a baby project using machine-washable Bella Cash. Little arrows decorate this seamless raglan cardigan. If you prefer to knit accessories, try the sweet Heartsbloom Hat & Mitten Set (pattern link) instead. The superb stitch definition of Bella Cash shines in the textured accessory set, which is great for the chilly days ahead!
Heartsbloom Set in Bella Cash
Toys also make great gifts for babies. Unlike baby accessories and clothing, little ones are sure to hang onto stuffed toys well into childhood (and perhaps beyond!).
Pipsqueak in Bella Cash
Pipsqueak (pattern link), a cute mouse crocheted in Bella Cash, is the perfect size for babies. Not too big, not too small. Spike stitches and pastel stripes add texture and visual interest to the project. All of Pipsqueak’s facial features are embroidered, too, meaning you don’t have to worry about making sure you have safety buttons for the eyes. (Side note: this pattern has a complementing jacket included – sized from 2 years to 12 years. Don’t miss it!)
Itty Bitty Set in Bamboo Pop Sock
Earlier I touched on accessories for exceptionally quick baby patterns. Tis’ the season for keeping the head, hands, and toes cozy! The Itty Bitty Set (pattern link) is soft and stretchy thanks to the lightweight and breathable Bamboo Pop Sock. The combination of simple ribbing and elasticity of the yarn helps to ensure the little one can wear this project for more than a month. After all, they do grow up so fast!

We also absolutely adore Adore for baby projects. In fact, I wrote a whole blog post dedicated to baby projects using Adore earlier this year. You can find it here (link). Like the other yarns I’ve mentioned, Adore is touchable and soft, yet durable and easy to care for. We’ve knit everything from baby blankets to accessories in this yarn. The Mini Mittens (pattern link) and Toasty Toes (both pictured above) are both projects that are great last-minute gifts. They also require so little yarn that you could easily make many pairs from just one ball. So if you have multiple babies in your life, you’re all set!

This list is by no means comprehensive. We have a plethora of wonderful patterns for children and babies. If nothing here strikes your fancy, don’t forget to browse or selection of patterns for children! You can find all of our children’s patterns here (link).

Happy crafting!

Free Pattern Friday – Itty Bitty Set

It’s Free Pattern Friday!
Today, the Itty Bitty Set in Bamboo Pop Sock (pattern link here). Bamboo Pop Sock is a new yarn for us this season. We love it for wool-free socks. Check out these beauties from Birdhouse Yarns in Tucson, or these ankle socks from The Twisted Knitter in Mebane, NC. But as much as we love it for socks, we knew as soon as we touched it that it would also be great in kid projects. So, let’s have a few bonus free patterns!
The Easy Stripe Pullover (pattern link here) lives up to its name! Shown here in the 6-12 month size, this pattern will use 1-2 balls of the sleeve color (402 Acid Wash) and 1 ball of the torso (406 Florals).
Ah, the beauty of self-striping yarn. No color changing at the ends of rows (except between the blues and the purples at the cuffs), but you still get those nice crisp stripes. And did we mention this is machine washable? Like we said, great for kid projects.
The Playtime Dress (pattern link here) uses just one color of Bamboo Pop Sock, 404 Wildflowers. Amy Gunderson designed this darling piece for sizes 3-6 months (shown) up to 6 years. Check out how the wavy Feather and Fan section creates festive ripples of color!
Caretakers will appreciate the buttons on the shoulder. Bamboo Pop Sock is very stretchy, but it never hurts to have extra room when pulling a top over a wiggly baby’s head!
So here you go. A three-fer of fun knit projects for youngsters in a summer-friendly yarn. We hope you have a great weekend. Happy crafting!