knitspiration – Page 2 – Universal Yarn Creative Network

December 28, 2022December 28, 2022

Color Of The Year 2023 – Viva Magenta

With this year coming to a close, we’re all wondering what is next for 2023. You might be thinking about your resolutions and goals for the year ahead, or perhaps a new project you’d like to get started on.

Every year, Pantone releases their ‘Color Of The Year’, which influences industries around the globe from things like paint manufacturers, to fashion brands, and all the way to yarn. The Color Of The Year is meant to be a forecast of the general mood for the year ahead, give direction to companies for product development, and serve as inspiration to all of us. The color for 2023 is Viva Magenta. So, lets dive into the Magentaverse!

Image sourced from Pantone’s Color Of The Year Report

Viva Magenta is a vibrant and bold shade that is a hybrid of red and pink. It immediately feels like a strong, expressive color, and is deeply rooted in nature. It has an almost rebellious tone to it, and is a fearless hue you can proudly sport in amounts both great and small.

Although Viva Magenta feels a bit futuristic to look at, this color has ancient roots, being directly derived from Cochineal. These are scaly insects, which have been used for centuries to create powder dyes and colorants used for textiles, cosmetics, food, and more. If you’d like to read more about this interesting and historical process, please check out this article from the Smithsonian.

With the roots of this color being its use for natural dyes, it is no surprise that we can find Viva Magenta in so many yarns! From solids to multis, many of the yarns in our line feature this strong color. As Viva Magenta is a blend of pink and red, I’ve included some options for yarns that lean toward both sides of the hue, and hopefully will provide great inspiration for your next project!

The Crimson Tee, a free pattern in Bamboo Pop Sock

Speaking of projects, I’ve selected some patterns that I think are perfect solutions for the 2023 Color Of The Year inspiration. First, I wanted to share the Crimson Tee. This free pattern was designed by Aubrey Busek (that’s me!) and uses our Bamboo Pop Sock yarn in the color 608 Pomegranate. This simple knit tee is sized from XS-5X, and has a relaxed silhouette that works for any occasion. The touches of lace are worked along the hemline of the body and sleeves, and panels of lace decorate the body. The Crimson Tee is a bold, fearless use of the Viva Magenta color, perfect for entering the new year with a bang.

For the crochet enthusiast, try the Parlamak Shawl! Designed by Brittany Garber, this sophisticated shawl is made using our Noelle yarn in the color 303 Pixie. I love that this shawl is simple and chic, so the vibrant red and pink colors in the yarn are really the focal point of the piece. Noelle has different shades that flow from one to the next throughout the skein, and its metallic core makes it extra special. This yarn is currently on sale, so don’t miss out on a great deal before its gone!

The Rose Garden Sweater in self-striping Offbeat

If you have a little one in your life to knit for, try the Rose Garden Sweater! Sized from 1-10 years old, this sweater is great for school days and fun outings. The cabled pattern on the body is easy to memorize, and adds just enough textural interest to not distract from the bold stripes created by the yarn. Offbeat is a blend of 90% acrylic and 10% alpaca that has been a hit since its launch in 2022. And it’s no question why: with a luxurious feel, bold colors, and 586 yards per skein, it is a great choice for all projects from blankets to sweaters. The color used for the Rose Garden sweater is 102 Tubular, and I love how the bold pops of red look with the soft neutral tones in this shade.

Pairing Viva Magenta with soft neutral colors as seen in our Offbeat yarn (above) is exactly what is suggested by Pantone. The soft and dusty shades shown in their Color Of The Year report compliment Viva Magenta, but never take away from it being the focal point. However, if you prefer bright shades, do your thing! I think Viva Magenta would look wonderful paired with bright purple or hot pink. As with anything, you should do what speaks to YOU. Colors are personal, and a great way to express yourself.

The last pattern I wanted to highlight was the Pomegranate Path set, designed by Rachel Brockman. New from our 12 Days of Winter Kit Collection, Series 6, this cabled hat and scarf set is perfect for just about anyone on your ‘to-knit-for’ list. The color of Deluxe Worsted Tweed used for this pattern is 921 Beet, but the pattern itself was named after the delicious fruit that also boasts the same color. When I was looking for inspiration for Viva Magenta on Pinterest, tons of photos of pomegranates immediately came up. They are my favorite fruit, so I knew I had to include this pattern!

No matter how you want to explore the ‘Magentaverse‘, I can imagine that there is a shade of Viva Magenta that speaks to you. Personally, I think this color sets a wonderful tone for 2023. The past couple of years have been a rollercoaster for everyone on Earth in ways both great and small, and we can all benefit from the sense of inner strength that this type of bold color projects. I hope you get inspired, and have fun picking out some Magenta yarn for your next project!

Happy Crafting,

Aubrey

March 30, 2022March 31, 2022

Spring Clean your Stash

It’s that time of year where we welcome the new season, and immediately start seeing new collections, inspiration, and beautiful projects that we want to create. But if you’re like me, you may feel guilty pouncing on all the tempting newly-released offerings – like our Spring Magic collection in Vireo, or our sinfully smooth yarn Magnolia – before using up your current stash. So, let’s take a look at some fun quick projects that may help you clear out some room to make way for all of the new yarns that you’re sure to acquire.

*Color Blocked Scarf by Rachel Brockman*

First, lets check out the recently released freebie Color Blocked Scarf. It’s made using just three balls of Minou in colors 106 Panther, 105 Squirrel, and 104 Kitten, and has that coffee shop chic look that can transition to spring in that effortlessly cool kind of way. Even with it being a fluffy yarn, it’s so lightweight and soft, made of 40% Baby Alpaca, 8% Merino Wool, and 52% Nylon, that it’s not overwhelming enough to be a strictly cold-weather piece. It can also be fun to do this one mixing and matching with other colors in your stash to create some truly unique pieces!

*Cotton Candy Swirl Shawl by Universal Design Team*

Next up, lets look at the Cotton Candy Swirl shawl. This one-ball-wonder uses a 200g ball of our Cobblestone in the color 107 Cotton Candy. The yarn is made of 100% merino wool and has a lovely handspun feel to it, using one solid ply and one variegated ply to create a stunning color effect when worked up. It’s the kind of yarn that gives any project that “wow” factor, even when the pattern is ridiculously easy like this one! This is a wonderful pattern if you are a beginner to crochet, or just want that quick/mindless project to work through because it’s a simple stitch working increases along one side. You’ll have this one done in a snap – having a sweet accessory to show off while you shop for new yarns to replenish your stash, of course.

The Edisto Shawl is sure to be an addictive go-to for using your sock yarns if you aren’t in the headspace to make socks. It’s made with two balls of Bamboo Pop Sock, a wool-free yarn perfect for summer made of 37% cotton, 55% bamboo, and 8% PBT. We love this pattern so much, we made it in two versions, one in colors 505 Tide Pool and 507 Breeze (version 1), and the other in 502 High Tide and 503 Jetties (version 2). Named for Edisto Beach in South Carolina, these colors bring to mind the quintessential coastal sand, shells, water, sunsets and cottages of the town. You can of course use any color that your stash holds – perhaps your project will represent your ideal vacation destinations for the season! I personally will use up my stash of 401 Overcast and 407 Muscadine – Wine Tour anyone!?!

Lastly, lets consider the Talya vest made with 3-7 balls of Posh Alpaca, depending on the size you make. This one is a size small, using 4 balls in color 103 Wolf. You may think it’s a strange suggestion to make a plush vest for a Spring Cleaning project, but what’s so fun about a popover piece is that you can opt to wear it on its own as a top instead of layered as a vest! The yarn is made from 45% wool, 30% acrylic, and 25% superfine alpaca, and it’s roving style spin makes the most plump, beautiful stitches. This versatility takes this project from your fall/winter wardrobe well into the early months of spring when there is still a touch of chill in the air. This is again an easy and fast project to make, working from the bottom up seamlessly to the underarms, when you separate and work flat to join the back and front at the shoulders.

Happy Stash Spring Cleaning all!
Ashley Jane

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022

New Trends Inspiring Design – Pinterest Predicts 2022

At the start of the year, we are often thinking of all things ‘new’. Goals to achieve, new hobbies or projects, and maybe even a new trend we’d like to try out. Although many of these things are quite personal, one thing is for sure, new trends affect us all. I think the word ‘trend’ has a sort of interestingly taboo tone to it. Some people see the word ‘trend’ and think of things that are temporary, fleeting, and disposable. Though it is true that trends come and go, in design based industries, we look to them as a source of inspiration for the way forward into new seasons. Trends are a reflection of culture, time and place, and how the world is moving. They influence the colors and styles companies choose for new products and trickle into almost every industry imaginable in various ways great and small.

At Universal Yarn, trend forecasting helps us develop things like new yarns, colors, and pattern collections for each season. Outside of industry forecasting services, different social media and search engines can be a great way to source inspiration. I took a look at Pinterest’s own trend report for 2022 and decided to pick a couple trends that I thought would be inspirational to me as a designer this year. I’m pairing those chosen trends with a yarn from our line, and a design idea to go with it. I also thought it would be fun if a couple of my colleagues shared their choices and ideas too!

Starting with me (Aubrey):

Night Moves trend collage made by Pinterest

Night Moves was the first trend on Pinterest’s 2022 report that caught my eye. To be honest, I found something inspiring in each of the trends listed, so I had such a hard time choosing only two. On the trend page for Night Moves it says: ” The most memorable adventures will happen after sundown in 2022. People will turn to the quiet of the after-hours to invest in their travel bucket lists and nature excursions.”. I love adventure, and the idea of quiet nighttime turning into something fun and exciting. This brought my mind to breezy summer nights, and cozy knit and crochet projects to wear walking along a beach or by the lake. So, the yarn I am inspired to use for this trend is our Cotton Supreme. This worsted weight cotton yarn is so soft and pleasant to work with. We have some fantastic neutrals and beautiful bright colors in this yarn that I think would make a perfect match for the Night Moves trend. Plus, it is easy to go adventuring wearing breathable cotton! For this trend, I am inspired to design a long open cardigan that is easy to throw on or take off as your adventure requires. Perhaps with wide bell sleeves to mimic the shapes of the mushrooms in the Pinterest collage? I’d absolutely hold sparkling Cotton Gold alongside the solid Black color of Cotton Supreme to mimic a starry sky at night, like I did for my Midnight Top free pattern design! Here’s my chosen color scheme below.

For a cold weather appropriate yarn option for this fabulous trend, I would lean to working with Uptown Worsted! This 100% anti-pilling acrylic yarn is cozy and easy to care for, making it perfect for adventuring at night, and has a wonderful color palette to choose from with plenty of bright options well suited to the Night Moves trend.

Batter Up trend collage made by Pinterest

Batter Up is the next trend I was inspired by when I looked at Pinterest’s 2022 report. I know you may not immediately see cakes and desserts and think of knitting or crochet projects, but it is wildly often that I am inspired by tasty treats for designs, color schemes, and color names! Food is comforting and touches a part of your soul that sparks memories and good feelings. In my free time I am always cooking or baking something new. I find it to be one of those necessary things in life that sparks a lot of joy for me. Food feels like a constant source of inspiration as there are endless things to make and try, and that inspiration has trickled a lot into my work here at Universal Yarn.

In fact, we have a whole pattern collection inspired by desserts called Sweet Treats, which features our Donnina yarn. I am also getting married in April, so cake related anything feels extremely appropriate. Our Ravello yarn immediately came to mind when thinking about the Batter Up trend. It is small and sweet like a pretty cake, and the fibers look and feel absolutely delectable. Spun in Italy, this merino, cotton, and cashmere blend is perfect for trans-seasonal garments and accessories. For this trend, I think some kind of lace textured shawl or stole would be my ideal design, with botanical lace shapes like the cake icing above. I love romantic color schemes, so I came up with a soft color palette for this design idea.

Let’s see what my colleagues have to say!

Ashley Jane (AJ) –

Cuppa Time trend collage made by Pinterest

In my world, “Cuppa Time” perfectly sums up the saying “Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice.” I am an avid tea drinker, enjoying at least 3 to 4 cups a day switching from spiced cinnamon and chai in the afternoon over to sweet and soothing herbal teas at night. After my morning coffee, I just can’t stop holding a nice warm beverage in my hands! In an almost ritualistic way, I’ll thread my fingers through the handle of my mug so I can wrap my palm around the cup, reach my other hand up to hug the other side, then lift the steamy drink up to my face and do that deep, eyes-closed, inhale that resets your whole day. It is genuinely the one product in the world, next to yarn, that I feel a borderline addictive joy towards. Both yarn and tea come with endless variety, make you feel warm and cozy, and bring you a sense of calm that nothing else can. They can both also have a fun social element!

Fiber and textile arts have long been associated with guilds which help join creative minds together to preserve and pass on skills. Tea drinking has a long-standing history of the “High Tea,” gathering socialites together to enjoy snacks, pastries, and fabulous loose-leaf blends. When I think about what type of yarn is inspired by tea, I’m drawn to the pastels and polished aesthetic of a vintage tea party, and immediately am drawn to Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print. The colors available remind me of flowers painted on vintage tea sets, and the buoyant, fluffy texture is akin to plump macarons stacked on a cake tower. My make for the occasion would be the Inner Light shawl in color Sphere 007. With its 70% Mohair and 30% silk composition, it is the perfectly posh and polished yarn to compliment a gathering for afternoon tea!

Rachel –

Chequer Yourself trend collage made by Pinterest

I found something so inspiring in each of the trends listed in the Pinterest Predicts report. And if I’m honest, the predictable source of inspiration for me is surely the Biophilic Design trend. Nature inspires so much of my design – and there is more to come on that in our fall collections. So, instead of gushing about Flax and Flax lace as yarns essentially built for that theme, let’s celebrate all things Checkerboard with the “Chequer Yourself” trend!

I’ve been loving all of the checkers I’ve been seeing around. From the ultra-classic Vans slip on shoes to bold checkered prints, it simply brings a smile to my face. I recently purchased a ready-to-wear vest with black and white checks (not quite checkered) and it has been one of my favorite layering pieces. Regarding my own designs, I’ve dabbled a bit in Checkerboard patterning already – perhaps you’ve seen Lipsky or the Checkerboard Pullover, both in Dona. However, these two designs feature mini-checkers. For 2022, I’d love lean into the forecast for oversized checkers and would love to design a simple, but brightly hued statement pullover pairing three colors of Nymph: 109 Secret Garden and 107 Taiga for the squares, and trim accents of either #111 Rare Books or #113 Swan. It would be a divinely soft combination in a yarn that’s perfect for transitional seasons.

Beyond that, I’m envisioning scrap yarn projects – perhaps some socks with bits and bobs of Bella Cash? Or a fantastically hued multi-color crochet throw in Deluxe Bulky? With squares big and small as a key theme this year, the possibilities are virtually limitless!

I (Aubrey) really enjoyed seeing which trends my colleagues chose, as I think it is a great indicator of our personal aesthetics and visual preferences. As a designer, this is also a great challenge to spark new ideas! I know I find each and every one of the trends inspiring in some way, and feel like I am brimming with ideas for designs in 2022.

I’d love to hear which of the Pinterest Predicts 2022 trends you’d choose and what you’d like to make inspired by it!

Happy Crafting!

December 23, 2021December 23, 2021

Have a Very Peri New Year

What better way to prep for the new year than to start imagining all of the projects you want to make!?! Each year I like to challenge myself to make certain projects as part of my resolutions, and start seeking inspiration as New Year’s Eve approaches. This year, I’ll be committing to a project in the Pantone Color of the Year 2022 “Very Peri.” Won’t you join me? Read along as I explore pattern and palette options, then help weigh in with what inspires you!

There are so many ways you can build a color palette around this soothing color. In fact, Pantone has already created four palettes featuring Very Peri so that you can take some of the guesswork out, and get to making some beautiful pieces!

A pattern I suggest that feels specifically befitting of their suggested palette “Balancing Act” is our beautiful graphic jacket Slant, designed by Rachel Brockman, from our collection Chroma. This jacket uses our Colorburst yarn in the color #112 Romance which already features some beautiful notes of periwinkle, and is complimented with the solid #846 Mulberry Heather in Deluxe DK Superwash. Another beautiful example of a pattern utilizing a palette with Peri is the Windsong Cowl, by Heather Hill, made with Rico Design Essentials Super Kid Mohair Loves Silk Print in the color #008 Retro.

If working off of a palette isn’t your thing, we also have some beautiful pieces in solid shades of the soon-to-be-favorite Very Peri, like the ultra fun jacket Slushie, designed by Aubrey Busek, made in our Uptown Baby Sport combining the colors #212 Princess and #214 Violet – which comes in children’s sizes for the most adorable “Mommy and Me” matchy-matchy moment you could ever ask for!

*Slushie, modeled in Adult Small, and held in a children’s age 6-8. Designed by Aubrey Busek.*

While we are on the topic of items for kiddos, the Carseat Blankie, by Aubrey Busek is another perfectly-peri addition to this trendy lineup. It’s made using just 3 balls of our incredibly soft and durable Cotton True Sport in the color #111 Violet, making for the perfect baby gift.

There are plenty more inspired patterns to choose from, or you could simply browse for your favorite pattern and pick a Peri color palette of your own. Or instead of a palette, just stick with the exact color using our Deluxe Worsted in the color #12277 Periwinkle! Our patterns page on our site has almost endless options to choose from – many of which are free! What pattern do you think you’ll try out? I’m honestly still undecided!

That’s all for now, Happy Stitching!
Ashley Jane

December 1, 2021December 1, 2021

Day 1 of Winter – Series 5 Edition

This is part 1 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, series 5 Edition.

Hello all! 12 Days of Winter is upon us again, and this year marks the 5th year of our kit collection. We’ve gone above and beyond this year to deliver the best kits and patterns possible, and we’ve aimed to showcase as many of our beautiful yarns as we can in the collection. I thoroughly enjoy designing for the 12 Days of Winter because there’s so much variety in designs, all centered around the same thing: the joy of wintertime. I’m a person who loves all things winter and holidays, so I tend to have what feels like endless ideas for these particular projects.

Crystalline Cowl Kit – knit using Dona, Minou, and Universe

For Day 1 of Winter, I designed the Crystalline Cowl. I’m often inspired by nature and color for designs, but in this case, I was inspired by a place I’d love to travel to someday. My absolute ‘dream’ place to visit or even to live would be in the Alsace region of France. This idyllic European region looks like it is the center of a fairytale book series, and I think that would make it such a special place to live. The mixture of the golden lights and the white snowy rooftops in photos of Alsace during winter were my inspiration sources for the Crystalline Cowl.

Image sourced from Travel France Bucket List

Some of the techniques you’ll explore in the Crystalline Cowl pattern are:

knitting in the round
grafting
slipped stitch textures
bobbles

No matter where you live, a hand knit cowl will keep you cozy, warm, and stylish on cold days. One of our newest yarns, Minou , was my first choice for this ‘lights and snow’ inspired design. When we first introduced Minou, we knew it would create an incredible, fuzzy lining for accessories. I decided to make the Crystalline Cowl fully lined with the Minou yarn in the color 101 Borzoi. First, the lining is knit using Minou held on its own. Once you complete that portion of the cowl, you join our Dona yarn in the color 101 Vanilla and begin the ribbed bottom of the cowl body. Dona is a soft and plush superwash extrafine merino yarn, perfect for garments and accessories. This combination of yarns feels like something ideal to wear walking along a charming street of shops on a cold winter day.

Finally, to compliment both of the main yarns, I added glimmering Universe in the color 10-03 Crystal. Universe is a unique, shimmering blend of linen and cotton with a metallic thread wrapped around the base. It adds an ethereal, magical glimmer to any project that reminds me of the reflection of lights on snow. Universe is held with Dona for the main jacquard and bobble pattern worked over the body of the cowl. The cowl is long enough to wear draped over your shoulders, or doubled up for maximum coziness. Once all sections are complete, the lining is flipped inside the main cowl, and the ends are grafted together. Top tip: if you’d like to skip the provisional cast-on and grafting called for in the pattern, you can simply cast on and seam the lining to the main cowl body. There you have it- you’ve made the most squishy, soft, and luxurious feeling accessory ever!

Christmas market in Strasbourg- image sourced from christmas.alsace

I can certainly see someone sporting their Crystalline Cowl while walking around a Christmas market in Strasbourg. Known as the ‘Capitale de Noel’ or Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg is certainly on my wintertime travel bucket list, and I’ll be bringing my Crystalline Cowl with me when I go! Tell us in the comments: what place inspired a knit or crochet project you’ve made?

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the inspiration for this design, and can’t wait for you to see all of the 12 Days of Winter projects for this year.

Remember, these exclusive kits can be purchased at local yarn store retailers near you. Each kit comes with the pattern, the yarn required to make it, a mini Universal Yarn project bag, and stitch marker. Use our store locator to find your nearest Universal Yarn retailer!

Happy crafting,

Aubrey

October 27, 2021October 27, 2021

Knitflix: Halloween Edition

Happy Halloween, folks! We have a few days left of what is the official spooky season. No October would be complete without movie marathons. Whether you’re into feel-good Halloween flicks from your childhood or classic horror, I’m sure you have plans to watch something festive this weekend. I know those of us at Universal Yarn certainly are! So, today we wanted to share what we’re watching and some yarns and projects inspired by those flicks. Our design team – Aubrey, AJ, Heather, and I – are ready to share some of our favorites with you!

Aubrey

“Although I can happily admit I don’t love horror movies, I DO love film and television that has a dark or spooky undertone to it. Combine it with comedy, and I am sold. The Addams are a satirical take on the idealized 20th-century American family, and arguably the best part about them is that they are very much unconcerned with the fact that people find them bizarre or scary. Growing up, I would watch the television show with my parents, and Morticia Addams quickly became an icon of mine for various reasons. She’s stylish, passionate about her family, independent, and confident in herself, which are all qualities I admire. Also, this femme fatale was a knitter! Remember the 3 legged romper?

The 1993 film Addams Family Values is one of my favorites to watch around Halloween, and so I thought I’d share a couple of knitting patterns that I think will help anyone channel their inner Morticia. A dramatic silhouette I could see Morticia loving would be a cape. For our Elevated Essentials collection, I designed the Moria Cape, knit using 100% non-superwash wool Deluxe Worsted.

This cape was a lot of fun to design, and the black and gray color-blocked panels give it a very modern touch. It has a trapeze shape, with an open front and armholes that make it easy to wear out and about. I believe everyone deserves some statement outerwear pieces in their wardrobe, and this cape is meant to be exactly that! Pair this with a billowing blouse or dress and you have a very Morticia-esque silhouette. This pattern combines cable work and shaping, so it is on a more intermediate level. It is worked in pieces and seamed to ensure it lasts for years to come.

Though we might not design our patterns with characters in mind, it is so much fun to think about a character you love and what they might enjoy making and wearing. Morticia Addams certainly seems like the type of woman who would love to make herself some FABULOUS knitted sweaters and accessories!”

“I have watched Hocus Pocus every year for Halloween since I was a kid. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of other movies that I love for the season, but this film feels like tradition at this point. My household has watched it enough that my husband and I will spout off goofy quotes like “Dead Man’s Toe!” to each other year-round for absolutely no reason. I know – I’m weird. So anyway, that’s why I love this adorable Witch Legs Scarf pattern by Chelsea Roberts! It has an iconic style spotted in movies like The Wizard of Oz and in Hocus Pocus that just screams “Witch!”

A great yarn to use is our Uptown Worsted, which comes in plenty of vibrant colors and is made in an Anti-Pilling Acrylic that is ultra-soft and super easy to care for. Because of the price-point and variety of color options, this makes for a great gift to thank hosts of Halloween parties, or simply a fun quick project to whip up and wear while passing out candy year after year. I myself received this scarf as a gift during my Craft Guild Fall Gift Exchange, and I wear it for our October Guild Meeting for a bit of quirky costume fun!”

Heather

“I tend to spook easily, so I’m not a big fan of scary movies. However, I have to tip my hat to a classic B-grade horror flick from 1962 called The Brain That Wouldn’t Die. I stayed up watching the late-night creature feature at a friend’s slumber party after everyone else went to bed. A mad scientist keeps his fiancee’s head – and just her head – alive after a car wreck.

You’d better believe this blew my tiny mind. Even now, when I see people in thermal hoods, I think of it. However, this movie did kindle a love of truly awful movies in me, so I thank it for that. For the Brain that Wouldn’t Die, I keep wanting to make a balaclava, for obvious reasons! But to keep it from creeping me out, I think I’d turn the idea on its head (pun intended!) and go with Picklehead by Suzen Statz, designed in Uptown Worsted!”

Rachel

I think I may be the only one here that LOVES horror films. So does my mom, so that’s probably the reason behind it. I’ve been watching horror films since I was probably a bit too young to handle some of them. Even if they were off-limits, I remember sneaking behind the sofa in the living room to take a peek while my mom enjoyed them. I watch scary movies all year on a regular basis – rewatching favorites and savoring the new ones, regardless of whether they’re ridiculous or legitimately good (don’t even get me started, there are too many to name!). My pick for this Halloween is an absolute classic: Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Everything about this movie is great – the visuals and cinematography, ominous music, pace, and the psychological and supernatural tension throughout.

Regarding visuals beyond the set, the costume design is chock full of excellent sweaters. I’ve wanted to recreate several of the sweaters donned by Jack and of course, we can’t overlook (oh yes, the Overlook) Danny’s Apollo 11 sweater. (Take a look at this excellent project by Sabrina Magazine).

However, one of the most iconic images in the film is the carpet. It’s eye-catching, graphic, and unforgettable. So thank goodness The Shining blanket by Kraftling exists. This is described as a beginner-friendly pattern which is great because I know my crochet skills aren’t polished yet. The moment I spotted this pattern I knew it had to go on my “to-make” list – perhaps by next Halloween? For the blanket, I’d use Deluxe Worsted Superwash. Although normally I’m a non-superwash gal, I have to say that I like my homewares easy to care for. You can wash and dry this yarn on low heat without the concern of felting. Easy peasy!

So that’s it for our Halloween movie picks this year! Do you indulge in spooky movies each Halloween? What are your favorites? Do you have any projects recommendations to go along with them? Let us know in the comments!

Have a safe, spooky, and fibery Halloween!