This is part 8 in a 12 part series highlighting designs from our 12 Days of Winter, Series 4 Edition.
Happy Day 8 of our 12 Days of Winter celebration! When I first started sketching up ideas for designs for this year’s kits, I knew I wanted to create a non-wearable project that would challenge me as a designer. Enter Coco, the loveable, snuggly bunny friend you can make up for someone you love (or for yourself).
Coco in Uptown Worsted 376 Umber, 303 Cream, 374 Beet, 324 Black
I love stuffed animals. Always have, always will. Although I don’t have anything close to a ‘collection’, the ones I do have all hold special meaning to me. Amigurumi are all the rage in the crochet world, but I wanted to knit up a larger stuffed animal that was ultra-snuggly. Uptown Worsted is our 100% anti-pilling acrylic yarn, and it was the obvious choice for Coco. Whether he is in little hands, a dog’s mouth, or just sitting on your desk (as he is mine now), Uptown Worsted is easy to care for and very soft. I chose colors for Coco that went with our palette for this year’s collection, and got to work!
Coco’s legs, arms, head, and ears are knit flat, while his body, the hat, and scarf are knit in the round. Little pom poms are made for his hat and tail, while his face is embroidered on as the final step. Small fringe are added to the scarf ends after seaming the tube together.
Look at that little tail!
I wanted Coco to be very cute and be able to sit on his own, so his feet are far bigger than the rest of his legs. Uptown Worsted has some ‘stick’ to it, which makes for easy putting together of Coco’s pieces. While he has lots of shape, all you need to know how to do to make Coco is increase, decrease, knit in the round, and use mattress stitch.
Coco is ready to be your new BFF.
Aren’t those floppy ears just irresistible? I just had to make them extra long. If you’re interested in how I embroidered Coco’s face, watch the video below! But feel free to make Coco your own, and embroider his face however you like! After all, he is your new buddy.
I hope Coco brings as much of a smile to your face as he does mine. You can grab the kit at your LYS! Click here to find a shop near you.
Happy November and welcome to Week 6 of the Bella Cash Socktober Mystery Knitalong! Hopefully by now you’ve been able to finish your socks. We’re so excited to be able to reveal them to you this week!
Use this graphic on Ravelry and on social media to share about the knitalong.
Each week in October I revealed a new portion of the pattern. Now that each piece of the puzzle has been fully revealed, I hope you’ll enjoy seeing the projects of others. If you didn’t have a chance to join last month, no worries! It’s never too late to knit socks, right? You can find the pattern for the Sweet Dumplin’ Socks here (link). Grab your colors of beautiful merino/cashmere/nylon Bella Cash here (link).
We hope you’ve added your project to Ravelry, too! You can find the Ravelry listing here (link).
The finished Sweet Dumplin’ Socks in their full glory!
I’m so excited to fully reveal the completed socks. I had so much fun designing and knitting them, and I hope the process has been great fun for you, too. The mornings and evenings around here have grown quite chilly, so I’m excited to be able to start wearing mine! This week I want to share a few photos of your projects in addition to our versions here at the office. You might recall that Aubrey, Yonca, and Heather all joined in on the fun. We’ve already revealed their color choices, but it’s great to see them knit up!
From left to right: Aubrey’s sock, Yonca’s sock, Heather’s sock.
First let’s take a look at Aubrey’s progress. She hasn’t quite reached the toe and heel portion yet, but she’s well on the way. I so love how she opted to arrange her colors. The pink as the main color is so fun, and I love the slate grey as the background color.
Aubrey’s color choices.
Aubrey used 117 Tulip as the main color (MC), 109 Snow as contrast color one (CC1), and 110 Graphite as contrast color two (CC2). Here is how it looks knit up:
Aubrey’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks progress.
Next we have Yonca. Like Aubrey, she hasn’t yet reached the toe and heel portion. However, she’s been knitting her socks simultaneously, so she’s actually pretty darn close to finishing the pair. Here were her color choices:
Yonca’s color choices.
Yonca used 122 Amethyst as the MC, 118 Orchid as CC1, and 109 Snow as CC2. The subtlety of Snow and Orchid together is just beautiful, and the Amethyst really provides a pop.
Yonca’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks progress.
Finally, let’s take a look at Heather’s hot chocolate-inspired palette, for her aptly named “Hot Chocko Sockos”. She’s nearly finished with the toe. I have a feeling these will be off her needles in just a couple of days.
Heather’s color choices.
Heather chose to use 107 Coffee as the MC, 121 Cabernet as CC1, and 106 Oat as CC2. The results are so autumnal and I would love a pair of socks in the same color combination!
Heather’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
Now let’s take a look at some of your socks! I’d like to give a special thanks to those who participated in the Ravelry chats – it was so fun to watch your progress and interact with you as the weeks ran along. Some knitters chose the sample colors, and others went in totally different directions. Let’s have a look!
Sati of Rows and Roses yarn shop modified her socks to be a bit shorter. She also chose a warm, autumnal palette for her socks.
Sati’s socks using Bella Cash 103 Violet, 106 Oat, & 107 Coffee.
Thatgirlknit and 4Laurel both chose to use the sample colors for their Sweet Dumplin’ Socks. They look great!
Left: 4Laurels’ Sweet Dumplin’ Socks; Right: Thatgirlknit’s Sweet Dumplin Socks
FrauReisende created this stunning version – and FAST. It seemed like she shared a progress photo of the next portion the same day as it was revealed from week to week. It was so fun to watch her fly through her knitting, and the colors are simply perfect. For a similar version to hers, I’d suggest using Bella Cash in the following colors: 103 Violet (MC), 109 Snow (CC1), and 124 Mustard (CC2).
FrauReisende’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
BlaueOdonata blew me away when I saw that she added beads to her colorwork motif. Beads! Absolutely genius. This autumnal pair of socks was suddenly transformed into something well-suited for Christmas. For a holiday version of your own, I’d suggest using Bella Cash in 126 Forest (MC), 121 Cabernet (CC1), and 111 Cream (CC2).
BlaueOdonata’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
Fireboysgirl used colors extremely similar to Yonca’s, but needed to improvise since she was working from her stash. Her modification to the toes is so fun.
Fireboysgirl’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
UDalily created a really fun, vibrant version. My favorite detail is how she mirrored the colorwork motif for the left and right sock. Now why didn’t I think of that?! For a similar version, I recommend using Bella Cash 123 Maldives (MC), 121 Cabernet (CC2), and 126 Forest (CC2).
UDalily’s Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
Looking at everyone’s different socks reminds me of what I love so much about knitting. The possibilities are really endless. You can choose any colors you love to make a project uniquely yours. Is there a detail on the pattern you’d like to adjust? Go for it! As a designer, I get a ton of inspiration out of seeing how others creatively modify my designs. I always want to encourage people to step outside of the box and view patterns are guidelines rather than rulebooks. It truly fills me with so much joy to see people creating beautiful things from our yarns.
Thank you so much for joining me over the last month for the Bella Cash Socktober Mystery Knitalong. Check back in with us on Friday, when we’ll reveal more photos of the finished socks for our Free Pattern Friday. Happy knitting!
Welcome to Week 5 of the Bella Cash Socktober Mystery Knitalong! You’ve nearly made it to the finish line! We have continued to enjoy seeing peeks at your Sweet Dumplin’ Socks progress, and we can’t wait to see more!
Use this graphic on Ravelry and on social media to share about the knitalong.
Just like my last post, I want to give a refresher about the knitalong for those who might be joining in late. Don’t worry – if you haven’t started, newcomers are more than welcome. To play a little catch-up, here is where you can find my previous blog posts:
Each week in October I’ll be revealing a different portion of the pattern. The pattern is updated on our website every Wednesday and you can find it here (link). Grab your colors of beautiful merino/cashmere/nylon Bella Cash here (link).
This is a mystery knitalong, but if you don’t want to commit without seeing the socks first you can find spoiler images here (link).
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.
Detail of the Foot pattern of the Sweet Dumplin’ Socks.
Last week you worked on knitting the foot, which features fun twisted stitches and is full of texture. I hope you enjoyed it! This week you’ll be reintroducing color to your socks. A nice touch on the toe and a good pop in the heel. You’re in the final stretch and are finally going to be able to cozy up in your brand new socks!
This week you’ll indulge in two techniques that we already have tutorials for. First, you’ll finish the toes by grafting using Kitchener stitch. You can find a helpful tutorial on how to work this stitch here (link). After you finish your toes, you’ll need to pick up stitches from the waste yarn you placed last week to create the heel. We shared a photo-tutorial for working afterthought heels here (link).
So are you ready to get started? The next portion of the pattern is now available for your knitting pleasure! Next week I’ll share our progress at the office as well as some photos of the socks you’ve shared. I can’t wait because there are some really beautiful versions of these socks being created!
Remember, you can 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).
Welcome to Week 4 of the Bella Cash Socktober Mystery Knitalong! We’re getting so close to the final stretch now that the cuff and leg are complete! Watching your projects come to life has been so inspiring. We’ve seen some lovely peeks at your Sweet Dumplin’ Socks progress, and we can’t wait to see more!
Use this graphic on Ravelry and on social media to share about the knitalong.
Just like my last post, I want to give a refresher about the knitalong for those who might be joining in late. Don’t worry – if you haven’t started, newcomers are more than welcome. To play a little catch-up, here is where you can find my previous blog posts:
Each week in October I’ll be revealing a different portion of the pattern. The pattern is updated on our website every Wednesday and you can find it here (link). Grab your colors of beautiful merino/cashmere/nylon Bella Cash here (link).
This is a mystery knitalong, but if you don’t want to commit without seeing the socks first you can find spoiler images here (link).
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.
If you finished Week Three, your socks should look like this.
If you’ve been following along, whether by knitting or knitting vicariously, you’ll have seen the colorwork portion of the pattern, pictured above. The bold vine motif worked in the main color really pops against the contrast colors. For this week, though, you’ll return to working with a single color and have the opportunity to play with a fun textural pattern that is every bit as addicting as the leg and cuff.
This week you’ll be working on the foot. What’s that? Did you think I skipped the heel? Fear not – the heel is not forgotten! But, these socks feature an afterthought heel. Sorry for the small spoiler, but you were bound to find out in the first few rows of this portion! This is one of my favorite methods for knitting socks because I simply love the look of them, plus I feel like they make the knitting fly by. I’m not going to get into the how-to of that now, because that’s for another day.
Today I want to talk a bit about foot length to help ensure your socks fit well. Keeping the after-though heel in mind, it’s important to note that the heel will add to the final length of the foot. So will the toe. So, how long should you knit the “Foot” portion from this week? To answer that you need to know what the total length of the Foot should be, measuring from the back of the heel to the tip of the toes.
The Craft Yarn Council’s Foot Size Charts
If you aren’t sure, there are various sources available that tell you the average lengths for various shoe sizes. The Craft Yarn Council has handy sizing charts for standard body measurements, including foot sizes. The chart above suggests foot lengths based on shoe sizes. The Craft Yarn Council chart is pretty general, but more specific charts are available. I found this shoe size chart to be extremely helpful because it gives precise measurements for each shoe size in inches, centimeters, and includes conversions to sizing in different geographic locations. Sizing charts are especially helpful if you’re knitting for somebody else.
Measuring your own foot length is simple. Simply place a sheet of paper on a flat surface, then stand on it and trace your foot as closely as possible. Using a tape measure, measure your foot from the back of the heel to the longest toe. After you know your foot length, knitting the foot of the sock is a breeze. Simply work the foot pattern as long as the pattern instructs (this is different for each size). This pattern takes into account the total length the heel and the toe add to the sock, so the length of this portion will be different from your actual foot length. That’s all there is to it, so you can get cracking on the Foot portion of the pattern!
Remember, you can 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).
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!
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!
If you have popped by our website in the last week, you might have noticed a new addition. We’ve added an exciting new line of handcrafted leather goods perfect for the crafting lifestyle. Muud is a Danish brand, and we’re so excited to be a retailer for their products in the United States. From project bags to chic storage solutions for your notions, you’re sure to find something you love.
Today, I wanted to share a few of the products that have quickly become essentials for my knitting.
Stockholm has plenty of storage space for your interchangeable needle tips, cords, and notions, like this needle gauge by Katrinkles.
When we first decided to bring on muud, I was immediately drawn to Stockholm. I knew I needed it for my interchangeable needle set. It perfectly stores the needle tips, has a zippered pocket for storing cords, notions, and the perfect pockets for holding my needle gauge. (Stay tuned – the needle gauge shown, created by Katrinkles for Universal Yarn, is coming soon!)
My favorite thing about Stockholm is the size. It is large and roomy, but folds up into the perfect size. It can easily be tossed into a project bag, and doesn’t take up too much space on my living room end table, where my needles usually live.
One thing I love about the line is the inclusion of small, adorable accessories that are ideal for storing your notions. Helsinki is a great storage container with a zipper closure. I’ve been using it to store my Katrinkles mini-tools as well as stitch markers, tapestry needles, and more.
No knitter or crocheter can get by without a tape measure. If I don’t have one nearby, I feel lost! Sure, I have the retractable tape measures, but I also have several of the regular ol’ tape measures. Enter Malmo – possibly the cutest, most useful storage solution for a tape measure I’ve seen. Malmo was designed specifically for them! Just roll it up, place it in the case, and snap it shut until you need it. It has a little keyring, so it’s so easy to attach to your project bag for safe keeping.
The Saturn XL will fit your project and your yarn – plus your needles and more!
Finally – the Saturn XL. Talk about an excellent project bag! It’s deep, has plenty of pockets both inside and out, and a handy strap to toss over your shoulder and head out the door. This bag will easily store projects of all sizes – including your latest sweater WIP.
Saturn XL
The Whisky colorway is perfect for me, but if brown isn’t your cup of tea, all of the products I mentioned come in black, too. There are also so many different styles and sizes to choose from. If you’re looking for a sophisticated treat for yourself or a luxurious gift for a fellow crafter, check out all of the products in the muud collection here (link).
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.
