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.
Yesterday the opportunity to enter the giveaway for two skeins of our latest yarn, Bella Cash Worsted, came to a close. As promised, we have two winners: Cass and Kim T! A heartfelt congratulations to both of you!
That’s right – “cash” is short for cashmere. Mmmm
Curious what these lucky winners plan to make?
Cass commented: “I would make a shawl and matching fingerless gloves for my sister!”
We love that you’re planning to treat yourself and a loved one. That’s what crafting is all about, right?
Kim said she “would love to make some fingerless gloves” and that she’s “been trying to find the right yarn for this project.” Problem solved!
Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway. It has been so fun to read about the things you’d like to make. Here’s a breakdown of some of your project plans:
With 21 comments about cowls, they seem to be the top choice! Like we mentioned before, the Cayuga Cowl was designed just for this yarn, so it’s the optimal choice!
Cayuga Cowl in Bella Cash Worsted
Fifteen of you plan to make a scarf.
Might we suggest the Broken Garter Scarf by Amy Gunderson? This simple scarf has some really gorgeous results! The yarn is a bit thicker than the recommended Deluxe Worsted Superwash, so you might want to grab a third ball of each color, but how cozy would it be to wrap that scarf around your neck this winter?
Thirteen of you plan to make some mittens or fingerless gloves. We have a pair of mittens using this yarn coming your way, but we also think the Nutmeg Mittens would look great!
Nutmeg Mittens
Eight of you plan to make a hat. We’re busy working on pattern support for this yarn, and I can tell you we have a lovely hat design by Heather Hill coming your way very soon.
Can’t wait to cast on? We have some other options, too! Maybe you’re a cable fanatic? How about the Cold Mountain Hat or the Hazy Hat? Both of these would look beautiful in Bella Cash Worsted.
Cold Mountain Hat
What an excellent variety of accessories! We hope you’ll share your projects with us. Thanks again for entering our giveaway!
Last year we introduced a very special yarn called Unity, along with its patterned counterpart, Unity Beyond.
Unity/Unity Beyond is made up of linen, cotton, bamboo, and wool. Man, I love a good blend, especially when it’s the best of both plant and animal worlds, as is the case with Unity. This yarn is bursting with character. Let me give you a closer look:
Color 204 Boardwalk
The bamboo, wool, and cotton are combed together and twisted, and a fine strand of linen is wrapped around. The strand is just a bit thick and thin, but subtly so. In the Unity Beyond colorways, the dye is printed on just one side of the yarn giving an organic, washed out appearance.
This collection was photographed just blocks from our office here in Charlotte at an old-timey general store called Davis General Merchandise. The owner, Silas, kindly allowed us to shoot around the grounds to take advantage of the aged, rich texture of the building materials. Our own Rachel Brockman did the photography, so every shot is through the knitter’s eye.
All patterns can be purchased via Ravelry as individual downloads or together as an ebook. (Ravelry link)
And that brings me to our giveaway! Crochet expert Ellen Gormley released a swatching video featuring Unity Beyond. I work with our yarns every day, so it’s always interesting to me to hear another’s take on our products. Ellen does not disappoint! You can see her video here:Â (link video)
And if you’re interested in brushing up on some crochet techniques, follow Ellen’s youtube channel. She has lots of instructional videos.
But back to free yarn! Here are the details:
Two lucky crafters will win the Atacama Scarf pattern and the yarn to make it with (3 skeins of Unity Beyond!)
For a chance to win, leave us a comment on this post. Keeping in line with our Unity theme and Ellen’s commentary about why one might like to work with a yarn like this that has such rich character, in your comment, tell me something unique about yourself
Leave this comment before Monday, July 3, 12 pm EST
Winners will be announced on July 4
Eligible for US crafters only (no offense, international peeps!)
And that’s it! Craft on, and keep on doing whatever it is that makes you, you!
Labor Day weekend is the traditional start of Fall – a time when thoughts turn to warmer wools and holiday knitting. Fortunately, we’ve got just the thing to start you off with a bang!
We’re giving away a copy of the popular 50 Garter Stitch Gifts to Knit.  All the patterns feature our Deluxe Worsted wool (220yds/100g), a favorite stash staple that comes in 120+ colors.
To fire your imagination, we’re including enough Deluxe Worsted to make the ZigZag Mosaic Scarf, a lengthwise-knit scarf that makes clever use of slipped stitches to create a mosaic effect.
To enter, just comment on this post and answer this question: what’s the longest a project has stayed unfinished in your WIP pile?  I’ll start the ball rolling by saying that during a recent cleaning binge I conceded defeat and ripped out the baby blanket that I started… a couple of decades ago.  That baby is long grown.
There are no wrong answers, and there’s no shame here. Â What there is, is a desire to jump start your holiday crafting, assuming you’re not already neck-deep in projects. Â Comment by Monday, Sept 21st for your chance to win. Â We’ll randomly select one entry to receive the prize.
Have you visited Annie’s Craft Store’s new site yet?  I love features like Build-A-Kit, which makes it easy to grab everything I need for a project that catches my fancy.  The stitch guides are a great help too – it’s nice to have that resource at my fingertips.  Annie’s is proud of the new site too, with good reason, and they’re having a sale to celebrate!
From now until Jan 23rd, use the code NEWYARN at the Annie’s site and get 20% off any yarn purchase. Â This is great, because we all know, even if you’re on a yarn diet, sale yarn doesn’t count!
To keep the celebration rolling, they’re also giving away a subscription to Crochet! magazine.  We’re partnering with them for one of our favorite projects from the Spring 2015 issue, Amy Gunderson’s Bruges Edged Round Throw shown below (Ravelry link here).  What a great burst of color for Spring!
So here’s the deal: Â comment on this post and tell us your favorite kind of project to crochet. Â We’ll select one entry to win a year’s subscription to Crochet! magazine as well as enough yarn to make the Bruges Edged Round Throw. Â Enter by Jan 30th to be counted!
