You’ve got to love the ones that are easier than they look.
This slip-stitch knit pattern is worked in two colors of our bulky Major acrylic. Because this yarn comes in big 200g/328yd skeins, you only need one skein of each color. Even though it’s a wide scarf, it’s made on a size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needle so it goes pretty quickly.
It’s always gratifying to see the next color come up in a pattern with self-shading yarn, isn’t it? The travelling slipped stitches mean the color carries up into the next row, even though each section only uses one color of yarn at a time. Knit it lengthwise, add the fringe, and voila! A lovely accessory.
Depending on where you are, either it’s warm enough for Spring projects, or you’re dreaming that it’s warm enough. It’s time to get a little headstart with this beautiful lace wrap.
Knit on US Size 7 (4.5mm) needles in Radiant Cotton (203yds/100g), it’s a generous 84″ (seven feet!) as shown. It would be easy to lengthen or shorten – just add or remove a repeat or two from the central section. The crocheted picot edging is applied after finishing the piece.
This lovely sampler also comes in a narrower scarf version at about half the width.
There are some really bright Spring colors in Radiant cotton that would look lovely with this. Maybe 819 Sky Blue?
Or maybe something lighter and more delicate, like 807 First Bloom.
As you may have guessed, it’s not a recent picture. However, he’s still got that youthful spirit and twinkle in his eye. He still has a wicked sense of humor. And he’s astonished (in a good way!) that his little tomboy grew up to be such a prolific knitter. What’s better, he appreciates my knitting.
We all know there’s nothing like crafting for someone who truly cherishes what we’ve made. Dad’s great about that. When I made him his first pair, he proclaimed they were “like butter” and that he never knew socks could feel that good. Obviously, this is someone knitworthy.
When we got our first shipment of Allegro, a no-wool sock yarn, I knew this is what I’d be using for his 2017 birthday. It’s so smooth! I chose color 803 Slate Minstrel.
Knitting in the grass in summertime. Bliss.
Although there’s no wool content, Allegro has a bounce to it that makes it perfect for socks. They stay up and keep their shape nicely. Allegro would also be great for any projects where wool allergies are a concern, or for those who simply want to avoid animal products.
Ready to close the second toe!
As you can see, there was plenty in one ball to make a pair, and the striping matched pretty much perfectly. There’s enough left over that I could have extended the cuffs or made a larger size with no worries.
No, these are not my father’s legs.
My go-to pattern is Back to Basic Socks, a free pattern on our website for a cuff-down heel flap sock. It goes fairly quickly and stands up well to wear. It’s also a great starting point for those who want to customize by adding, say, an eye-of-partridge heel or patterning along the leg. For Dad’s socks, though, I kept it basic. Ribbed leg, plain heel, nice and simple. I knew he’d appreciate them just as they were.
Also not a recent picture of my Dad.
Dad’s birthday was at the end of January. Alas, I don’t have a picture of my dad with the socks, so please enjoy this picture of a previous birthday. Once again this year, he was delighted by his hand-knitted socks. And I am once again picking out yarn for his next pair.
We wish you joyful knitting for an appreciative audience.
We loved the way this simple color-changing scarf looked, so we knitted up several options to see how it looked in different colors. It was no hardship. The pattern is easy enough for a beginner and is worked on US size 10 1/2 needles in our Deluxe Bulky Superwash wool.
I’m a sucker for blues and greens, so the five-color version in those tones really speaks to me. Those who want to go bolder might try the six-color version, shown in purple, pink, and green. And those who want something classic and understated can knit the three-color version in shades of white and gray.
We’re not kidding when we say the welting pattern on this is easy. It’s a four row repeat knitted flat which goes: knit a row, purl a row, purl a row, knit a row. Great for beginners, or for those who want a project to knit that doesn’t require their full attention. (I still haven’t gotten to see the latest season of Sherlock; this would be ideal for that!)
As I look at this scarf, I also wonder how it would look with a couple of different colors of a self-shading yarn, like Poems Chunky. I’ve been searching for the perfect project for our newest color.
First, it’s a neat example of how to work the same stitch pattern flat or in the round. Row one is the same on both, but of course when you’re working in the round things are a bit different because you’re never reversing directions. In row 2, stitches are knitted for the flat back-and-forth of the scarf, but purled in the round for the hat.
The second reason to like this set:
It’s pretty cool what you can do with a pom-pom maker and a self-striping yarn like Major. You can plan out the colors, or just go with the flow. This little half-and-half topper happened organically.
Plus, let’s face it, what isn’t improved by the addition of pompoms?
The cowl looks great doubled over and scrunched – or if you’re in a silly mood like designer Tori Gurbisz, wear it however you please. Very “Cat in the Hat,” Tori. You’ll definitely turn heads.
Luscious, right? Well, we also did a long version, for those who like to loop their cowls around.
This version uses one skein of Deluxe Worsted wool as a backdrop for the variegated Bamboo Bloom. We chose a more subdued color palette for this combo. The large version is the same height as the small, but twice as long. Here are the stats! FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Height: 15¼”
Circumference: 61”
Needles: US Size 11 (8 mm) 32” circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle
We’re loving this pattern and are having a great time with other color combinations as well. Here’s one that features two hanks of Bamboo Bloom Handpaints in 311 Bonsai and two skeins of Wisdom Yarns Poems in 602 Bruges.
The pattern is a simple linen stitch that you can easily master. In the coming days, we’ll be sharing other color combinations in this rewarding pattern.
We love going to LYSes and getting feedback on yarn and designs. That’s what we were doing when we brought a Bamboo Bloom Handpaints cowl around to local shops to get their take. Like us, they fell in love with it.
This is the Hanasaku Cowl, designed by Tori Gurbisz. Hanasaku means “bloom” in Japanese. With its bursts of color the name seemed apt. We were going to hold off on releasing this until Spring, but we just could’t wait. Besides, winter is a great time for this burst of color.
It’s available in both large and small versions – the small version is pictured above. As pictured, the pattern calls for:
MATERIALS
Small
Wisdom Yarns Poems (100% wool; 50g/109 yds)
• 601 Arles (MC) – 1 skein
Universal Yarn Bamboo Bloom Handpaints (48% rayon from bamboo, 44% wool, 8% acrylic; 100g/154 yds)
• 313 Kanji (CC) – 1 skein
Needles: US Size 11 (8 mm) 24” circular needle or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle
This pattern is only available at your LYS. The experts there can download it for you and help you put together the perfect color combo. It’s a simple knit, made in the round. If you can work a knit stitch and use a circular needle, you can create this cowl.
We’ll feature the longer version in another blog post.
Sometimes you just want to make something fun and quick, you know? Inside Job fits the bill.
This basic hat flies by in our Uptown Bulky anti-pilling acrylic yarn (87yds/100g). It’s worked from the bottom up in the round, with US Size 11 (8mm) needles for the ribbing and US Size 13 (9mm) needles for the brim. Top it with a cute pompom, and voila!
What makes this hat a little different is that it’s worked in reverse stockinette. The plain striping shows on the inside, and the more intricate patterning shows on the exterior. Hence the name “Inside Job.”
Self-striping yarn looks so cute in baby knits! It’s a great way to add color without complicating the design. Adore Colors is a great choice for this, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a soft, machine washable blend of our anti-pilling acrylic and superwash merino. Lucky baby. Well, not just baby – this jacket is sized up to 6 years.
Work the cardi from the bottom up in one piece until you get to the yoke. Sleeves are worked flat to the yoke. Then join the sleeves and the body and work upward. You’ll want three or four buttons, depending on size. There’s one button hidden under the collar, so you can fasten it closed around the neck in case of really cold weather.
We hope you enjoy this cute little jacket – and that you and yours stay warm!
This slip-stitch knit pattern is worked in two colors of our bulky Major acrylic. Because this yarn comes in big 200g/328yd skeins, you only need one skein of each color. Even though it’s a wide scarf, it’s made on a size 10 1/2 (6.5mm) needle so it goes pretty quickly.
