We’ve officially moved back to our regular fall/winter store hours, so we’re open 7 days a week again, Monday to Sunday 12 pm to 6 pm.
Sit ‘n Knit is every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm – it’s free and everyone is welcome!
Masks are NOT currently required in the store, but if you feel more comfortable wearing one please feel free to bring your own.
The Stripe Hype Sweater is a great stash busting project where you can use up scrap yarns or combine your favourite colors in just the way you want. Also, knitting stripes makes this one a really quick project to complete because the curiosity of seeing how every next stripe will affect the overall look is highly addictive, and a lot of fun.The work begins by working the back flat, then stitches are picked up for the left and right front separately and worked flat. The back and front are then joined together and the body is worked in the round. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves and worked in the round and lastly stitches are picked up around the neckline and the collar is worked in a twisted rib stitch.
Size
Yarn
Materials
The Stripe Hype dress is a relaxed dress that is the absolute perfect “just-throw-it-on” garment for any season. The dress has a dropped shoulder and a boxy fit which makes it modern and easy to knit.
You can customize it to your exact preferences by choosing your favourite colours: go all in and use multiple colours for a really fun and playful vibe (a great option for using up scrap yarns in your stash), or choose just a few colours in a more toned down colour palette for a more classical look. You can also knit it all in one colour.
Try Sandnes Garn Double Sunday or Berroco Vintage DK for the fall or winter. See below for amounts required.
Construction
The dress is worked top down. The work begins by working the back flat, then stitches are picked up for the left and right front separately and worked flat. The back and front are then joined together and the body is worked in the round while increasing stitches along both side seams around the waist and hips for a slight A-line shape. Stitches are picked up for the sleeves and worked in the round and lastly stitches are picked up around the neckline and the collar is worked in a rib stitch.
Watch the designer’s video vlog on Youtube where she designs and knits this dress in 12 days.
Size
Materials
Yarn Options: Single Colour
If only working with one colour, you can use any of the following:
Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: 12(14, 14, 16) (18, 20, 21) (22, 23, 25) balls
Berroco Vintage DK: 5(6, 6, 7) (8, 8, 9) (9, 10, 10) skeins
Yarn Options: Striped
If you want to make the striped version, you can use any of the following:
Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: CC1 off white 2 (2, 2, 2) (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3) balls, CC2 pink 2 (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) balls, CC3 brown 2 (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4), CC4 light yellow 3 (3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5) balls, CC5 light blue 2 (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) balls, CC6 red 2 (2, 3, 3 (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) balls, CC7 dark blue 2 (2, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4) (4, 4, 4) balls.
Berroco Vintage DK: CC1 off white 1 (1, 1, 1) (1, 1, 1) (1, 2, 2) skeins, CC2 pink 1 (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) skeins, CC3 brown 1 (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) skeins, CC4 light yellow 1 (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) skeins, CC5 light blue 1 (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) skeins, CC6 red 1 (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) skeins, CC7 dark blue 1 (1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) skeins.
The Louisiana Sweater by PetiteKnit is a fast little top-down project to keep you warm & cozy in the fall & winter months. It’s worked on 9mm/US19 needles, and there are lots of soft & comfy yarn options to choose from! See the YARN OPTIONS
Construction and Fit
The Louisiana Sweater is worked from the top down with raglan increases on the yoke. The ribbing at the neck edge is folded and knitted together to form the neckline. The Louisiana Sweater has a short, feminine fit. The sleeves have tight-fitting ribbed cuffs. The designer recommends using the Italian bind-off method (or Tubular Bind-Off) on cuffs and hem for a neat, elastic edge.
Notes
Gauge
Size
The Louisiana Sweater is designed to have approx. 10-15 cm [4-6 inches] of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 10-15 cm [4-6 inches] larger in circumference than your widest upper body measurement.
Yarn Options
One of the great things about this project is that you have lots of options to choose for your yarn. The yarn that is closest to the one called for in the pattern is Drops Melody, a super-soft, bulky weight brushed alpaca blend, which is worked holding two strands together. For a slightly less fuzzy look you can also use a single strand of Drops Wish, or try Drops Air holding two strands together. For a more mixed texture try combining a strand of Drops Air and Drops Melody together. Finally, for a super smooth surface texture and complete machine washability you can work with a single strand of Estelle Merino Big.
A. Drops Melody (2 strands held together): 7(7, 8, 8, 8, 10, 11) balls. SEE FINISHED PROJECTS – DROPS MELODY
B. Drops Air (2 strands held together): 6(7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10) balls SEE FINISHED PROJECTS – DROPS AIR
C. Drops Wish (single strand): 7(8, 8, 8, 8, 10, 11) balls SEE FINISHED PROJECTS – DROPS WISH
D. Drops Air & Drops Melody (1 strand of each yarn, held together): Air 3(4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls, Melody 4(4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6) balls
E. Estelle Merino Big (single strand): 6(7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9) balls
Other Materials
The Easy Garter Scarfy Wrap is the brainchild of my friend Jo, and I’m very grateful that she came up with this simple solution because it’s GREAT! This wrap drapes like a big scarf, but is also equally wearable as a little wrap. The pattern is almost totally brainless; it’s a great second or third project for a beginner knitter, but it also works equally well for more experienced knitters hanging out on the patio with a beer or a cocktail.
You can choose one of our colour combinations, put together something from your own inspiration, or combine the two and use our palette as a jumping-off point and curate your own perfect colour experience. We’re happy to help you any way we can. We stock the yarn, Sandnes Garn Double Sunday, all year round.
This kit can be used for any kind of scarf or wrap project. 4 balls of Sandnes Garn Double Sunday is enough for a conventional 6″ wide double-wrapped scarf (about 6 feet long (of 1.8m). For a standard triangular shawl (like Boneyard) you’ll need 5 skeins or more.
Our Wrap is in the colour palette “Bright Lights” (many thanks and much gratitude goes to Adrienne for knitting the sample, also to Gru, who allowed me to take his photo).
Sandes Garn Double Sunday is a 100% merino, DK weight yarn (a mainstay of designer PetiteKnit). Double Sunday is an affordable merino from Norway that is NOT superwash, but can go in the machine on delicate (see below), or just do a simple no-rinse hand-wash in Eucalan or Soak wash.
SEE MORE PATTERN IDEAS FOR THIS YARN
Sandnes Garn’s supplier has guaranteed that the wool does not come from sheep that have been subjected to mulesing. For machine washing, the manufacturer recommends that all wool garments be washed separately on a wool program, to ensure the gentlest treatment. Due to the unique absorbency of the merino wool, it is important to centrifuge hand-knitted garments well before drying them on a flat surface, preferably on top of a towel. They do not suggest using a laundry bag when washing hand-knitted wool garments, as this creates friction that can cause the garment to felt.
The base pattern calls for 250g (or about 500m) of DK weight yarn, but it’s easy to make your scarfy-wrap bigger … you just keep knitting and it’ll keep growing (where there was an opportunity I expanded the colour palettes offering to 6 and 7 ball colour combos). There’s enough yarn in the basic 5 colour combo for a nice sized scarf (at least 7 inches wide x 6 feet long). If you want to use our colour palettes as guidance and want to make a sizeable gradient wrap I suggest getting two kits.
Skill Level
Finished Dimensions (5 balls)
Materials
On the C Train is a great hat project for any knitter. It’s knit with Sandnes Garn Double Sunday and Drops Brushed Alpaca & Silk held together, making it soft, warm, fluffy, but it also has the weight to hold up to cold weather.
We chose two colours that are close together but not exactly the same, which creates some depth of colour and vibrance in the finished piece. I’m including some colour combinations below.
Modifications
Materials
Long Weekend Hours
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Saturday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday: CLOSED
Our SUMMER SALE Ends in a week! Select products (including some clearance items!) are 20% OFF until September 5, 11:59pm. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).
Berroco Vivo is a super soft, light, 100% cotton yarn that’s dyed in a flow of transitioning colour. It’s machine washable, making it great for all kinds of projects from babies (perfect for a French Macaroon or Ezra baby cardie) to blankets (4 balls make a Super Easy Garter Baby Blanket), and everything in between … you can even make DK-weight socks or Yoga Socks with it!Vivohas great colour and texture, making it perfect for simple pieces that aren’t heavy on skill or attention. It also has great yardage – one ball is 100g/290m, making it go a lot further than regular cottons (2 balls are enough for a Ranunculus (smaller sizes), Boneyard Shawl, Groovy DK, three for an Elementary Wrap).
Berroco Vivo is great for both Crochet and Knit projects:
Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find the garments made with it become some of your favourites (you know, the one you wear over and over and over again, until you get tired of the colour so you make another in a new colour … etc). It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres.It’s great for people who are allergic to wool, and light enough for perfect for people whose bodies run warm and wearing a knit is more about dressing and less about warmth. It’s popularity also stems from it’s INCREDIBLE yardage – it’s a DK weight yarn that comes in a 100g/400m skein (for those of you who don’t live in a yarn store, that’s like a bonus 150m to 200m). Remix Light is great for sweaters, tanks, tees, blankets, socks, scarves, shawls, bags, etc. It’s great for everyone: babies, kids, adults. It also works beautifully for colourwork, especially stranded/fair isle. SEE OUR FAVROURITE PROJECTS WITH BERROCO REMIX LIGHT
Patterns & Projects
Trendy Patterns
Bright, happy shades of colors ebb and flow to make this worsted weight yarn a perfect summer choice. This cotton blend yarn is light to the touch, easy to work with, self-striping, and is machine washable. Summer Sesame is great sow tops & tees, tanks, sweaters, scarves, wraps, shawls, blankets, even socks!
Berroco Summer Sesame Kits & Projects
Patterns
Berroco Modern Cotton is a super soft and lustrous yarn perfect for knitting year-round. Made from a blend of Pima Cotton and Modal Rayon (viscose, a plant-based cellulosic fibre), Modern Cotton is machine washable, sustainable, and more resilient than pure cotton yarns (it has a slight sheen and it won’t pill and get fuzzy like many cottons). The smooth texture will also make your lace, cables, or any other texture POP! Modern Cotton is perfect for both crochet and knitting and is great for sweaters, tanks, tees and other tops, hats (especially chemo hats), shawls & wraps, blankets & afghans, and slippers. Berroco Modern Cotton is also available in a DK Weight
Berroco Modern Cotton DK is a super soft and lustrous yarn perfect for knitting year-round. Made from a blend of Pima Cotton and Modal Rayon (viscose, a plant-based cellulosic fibre), Modern Cotton is machine washable, sustainable, and more resilient than pure cotton yarns (it has a slight sheen and it won’t pill and get fuzzy like many cottons). The smooth texture will also make your lace, cables, or any other texture POP! Modern Cotton is perfect for both crochet and knitting and is great for sweaters, tanks, tees and other tops, hats (especially chemo hats), shawls & wraps, blankets & afghans, slippers, and Knitted Knockers. Berroco Modern Cotton is also available in a Worsted Weight
Designed for knitting blankets, throws & rugs, Cascade Cotton Puff is a jumbo yarn crafted from soft cotton & nylon. Ideal for home goods like blankets, pillows and baskets, this yarn is machine washable & dryable. Cascade Cotton Puff wears well & does not pill as it is a knit fabric tube with a light fiber core to create structure.
How Much Yarn Do I Need?
Schoppel ZauberballCotton is a wonderfully soft, 100% cotton, self-striping sock yarn with a long colourway/gradient. It’s completely machine washable and perfect for socks, hats, tops, shawls & wraps, blankets – you name it!
Rico Creative So Cool So Soft is a 100% cotton bulky-weight cotton yarn is made up of a thick and a thin ply, which knits up to give your patterns a unique texture. It’s Ideal for knitting oversize sweaters, cozy blankets, and crocheting baskets.
Project Suggestions
Berroco Pima Soft is deliciously soft two-ply cotton yarn, perfect for anything from beautiful sweaters and accessories to heirloom knits for baby, kids or home. It’s slightly textured, giving your knits some dimension, and is great for colourwork (it;s also more forgiving, especially when seaming and weaving in ends). It has a little bit of natural sheen without being shiny. It’s lovely to work with, and comes in 50g pull-skeins that are easy to work from and make it affordable to use an array of colours.
Keep track of your crochet and knitting work with our hypoallergenic stainless steel ring row-counter in a rainbow-colored metallic finish or black.
NOTE
Artfil Colour Bundles are braids of 6 gradient colours in Artfil’s super-soft fingering yarn, Belle. Each colour is approx. 20g. for a total of 406m/444 yds per braid. To achieve a true gradient look work simultaneously the required skeins. Colour bundles are great for socks, sweaters, shawls, scarves, hats, mitts – ANYTHING. Please note, the colour braid is made of six separate colour stands, and is NOT a single strand of yarn that is dyed as a gradient. Artfil Colour Bundles also make great gifts!
How Much Will I Need?
When you purchase Fibre Co Acadia you will receive a link to download the Wythrop pullover pattern for free!
The Fibre Co. Acadia is a luscious, luxurious blend of silk noil, baby alpaca and fine merino wool. It has a slightly rustic look, but don’t be mistaken, this yarn is all beauty and softness. Acadia shines in simple knits, it positively SINGS, leaving you with less work and all the credit!
SEE PATTERNS WITH FIBRE CO ACADIA
SEE PROJECTS MADE WITH FIBRE CO ACADIA
Drops Soft Tweed is a super soft, rustic-looking (but not feeling) tweed yarn. It has a good amount of squish and a loose enough spin to give it a lofty body. It’s easy to knit with and the stitches come out beautifully even. The viscose makes it extra soft, and the alpaca content creates a little bit of a halo and texture. Drops Soft Tweed is great for every kind of project: sweaters, hats, mittens, scarves & cowls, shawls & wraps, blankets. See below for pattern suggestions. Please note, this yarn is feltable, and is not machine washable.
Patterns
Finished Projects
Fleece Artist Favourite Soft Mitts are truly the warmest, softest hand-knit mitts you will ever own. Each kit includes 1 skein of Fleece Artist Chinook and a matching skein of Handmaiden Wisp, hand-dyed together to complement each other perfectly. Kit is one size (Adult Medium)
PLEASE NOTE
Each kit is a unique adventure and no two are alike! The green pair in the photo is a sample of pattern and how the kit may work out, we don’t have anything exactly like them.
Kid DOES NOT Include
Fibre Co Road to China Light is the sexiest yarn I’ve ever come across. Seriously, it’s ambrosia! Some clever person thought to combine cashmere, silk, camel and baby alpaca and it feels like … joy and gratitude and unconditional love. This yarn is seriously stashable! Two skeins makes a Pashmina Cowl.
When you purchase a skein of Fibre Company Road to China Light you’ll automatically receive an email with a link to download a free copy of Fibre Company’s Foundations Road to China Light Collection: two hat patterns, one cowl and one pair of wristwarmers (see pictures below … this collection normally costs $17 CAD). Many thanks to the Fibre Company for making this available to our customers!
Handmaiden Maiden Hair is a sumptuous yarn with a lot of texture and an innate depth of colour. The single strand of supple silk is wrapped in a light halo of mohair, giving it body, texture, and warmth. It has lot of yardage, and one skein is enough for a cowl. The needle size is flexible, it’s a great yarn to play around with tension. Hand dyed in Canada.
Tin Can Knits is a design duo who I recommend in the store constantly because their patterns are extremely well written, they’re are accessible to multiple skill levels, they always come in almost ALL sizes imaginable, and some of them are even FREE! Plus, they are Canadian (and it may not be connected, but when I write to them with questions or suggestions they’re always really helpful and kind)! Now Tin Can Knits has a FREE app, so if you are digitally inclined and you’ve got room on your phone for one more download, I say it is worth checking it out!
Orders will be available to ship/pick-up 15 September, 2023
The beautiful autumn issue is here! In Laine 18 — called Weekend Getaway — they take time to relax in a little cottage by the forest. The versatile and comfortable knits are suited for both indoors and outdoors, and they are the perfect addition to your wardrobe as the days get colder.
– 11 knitting patterns (both charts and written instructions provided): 5 sweaters, 2 cardigans, 1 slipover, 1 shawl, 1 hat and 1 pair of mittens.
– An interview with the American knitwear designer and fashion historian Sydney Crabaugh, who specialises in vintage knits and runs her own virtual knitting school.
– An article about Shetland and its knitting traditions, with two inspiring designers — Gudrun Johnston and Mary Jane Mucklestone — as our guides.
– Jeanette Sloan’s Fibre Talk: a regular article on Jeanette chatting with interesting people. In this issue, she meets Tanis “Akutuq” Simpson, whose company produces yarn from qiviut: a fibre that comes from the undercoat of the muskox.
– Five Ways by our regular writer Päivi Kankaro, who gathers experts’ tips on mending your knits.
– Where I Knit: a regular piece that pictures people knitting in their favourite spot. In this issue, we meet Nora, who likes to knit on the rooftop of her home in Cologne, Germany.
– Seasonal recipes to inspire your autumn cooking.
– Book reviews.
Designers featured in this issue: Jenny Ansah, Marcela Chang, Melissa Clulow, Emma Ducher, Jenna Kostet, Ksenia Naidyon, Olga Putano, Tiia Reho, Anna Sjösvärd and Julia Wilkens.
Orders will be available to ship/pick-up September 7, 2023
Guest Editor: Candice English of The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers
“Collaborating with creatives we admire is one of the great joys of making Pom Pom. Candice English of The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers has been an inspiration to us for a long time, both as a dyer and as an advocate for Indigenous women. We are thrilled to welcome Candice as Guest Editor for this issue.Candice has brought a fresh perspective to these pages, along with her distinctive aesthetic, drawing from both her Indigenous roots and life in the American West. We are so grateful to her for sharing herself, her work, and her family with us. It’s an honour to be trusted with the stories and creativity of each contributor to this autumn issue. The patterns in this issue are a representation of hard and soft duality in the American West. The hard work embedded in the people of Montana is a result of the softness you find in the spirit of Indigenous homelands. You will find classic designs that can be worn in utilitarian ways but also jazzed up a bit for social outings.”
Featuring designs by: Allison Lutes // Esti Juango // Elena Solier Jansà // Natalie Bullock // Sandy Jones // Lindsey Fowler // Lena Zharichenko // Lee Ann Yazzie // Imke von Nathusius // Tin Can Knits
Your purchase of the print magazine also includes access to a digital copy, which will be emailed to you on publication day, 7 September 2023. You can also access a digital copy via Ravelry using the download code printed on the inside cover of the magazine from the same date.
Publication day is August 25th
Observations: Knits and Essays from the Forest is a knitted walk through the forest and the seasons. With a keen eye for the innate wonders of the natural world, Lotta H. Löthgren combines knitwear designs with notes of the landscape she calls home: a small village in the southeast of Sweden, nestled among forests and lakes. There, she spends her days writing, knitting, designing knitwear and hand-dyeing yarn. Observations includes nine knitwear patterns for long-lasting, wearable garments and accessories, along with essays about living a life close to nature. ”The patterns have been created in a quiet conversation with the land, drawing elements from the natural world and translating them into stitches and fabric,” Lotta says. Lotta H. Löthgren is a knitwear designer, writer and yarn-dyer living with her husband, children, dogs and chickens in a small village in the southeast of Sweden, where she also runs her own yarn shop. Lotta leads a small, quiet life close to nature and the changing seasons. As a designer, she loves to interpret natural elements into practical and wearable garments, perfect for her way of life.
The Badger Sweater
Badger is a playful and comfortable knit, with a relaxed fit to make the most of the softness of the yarn combination. The deep yoke has a wide colourwork pattern, and the roomy sleeves have optional colourwork on the cuff. The abstract pattern across the yoke as well as the colours and heavier yarn are a nod to the badger, this shy and compact creature that burrows out of our sight.
The Woodpecker Vest
Woodpecker is the perfect layering piece. It has a wide rib at the bottom, a light V-neck shape to the neckline, cables on each front and an overall textured pattern. The vest is intended to be worn open and has no buttonholes. The texture reminds me of the holes made by woodpeckers in old tree trunks, and the front cables of tree roots growing around each other and into the ground.
The Mushroom Sweater
This is a classic raglan sweater knitted seamlessly from the top down. The mix of knit and purl rounds in the colourwork creates an interesting and comfortable texture. The sample is made in a woollen-spun DK-weight yarn that is light and warm, with a high contrast colours. Choose a yarn with a rustic touch for the perfect outdoor sweater for mushroom-hunting or bird-watching.
The Dragonfly Sweater
This is a classic drop-shoulder crew neck pullover, knitted seamlessly from the bottom up. It has a wide colourwork across the body and on the top of the sleeves. The hem is split and slightly longer in the back. Dragonfly is a cosy piece for snuggling up by the fire or for a walk by the lake. The colourwork mirrors the sunlight through the dragonfly’s wings as it hovers by the reed.
The Lake Socks
Seen from the front, the Lake socks look like a classic rib sock but along the back, different textures swirl around each other — a cable, twisted stitches and a calliper pattern to frame the cable. A classic heel flap and the ribbed top ensure a good fit. The design speaks of the lakes that might seem calm, even though they are filled with life just below the surface.
Dusk Cardigan
Dusk is a loose-fitting, open cardigan with optional spine embroidery on the front edges. It is one of those comfortable pieces that you can throw over any outfit. The hourglass cables on the upper back, cuff and hem frame the large canvas of relaxing stockinette stitch, creating a reminder that there is time — time to add another stitch, another row, to the work we have at hand.
The Dawn Top
This top has a colourwork yoke with an arrow-shaped motif and comes in two lengths. Worked in a soft silk and wool blend, Dawn is easy to wear on its own or layered with a cardigan or shawl. The yoke is inspired by the shape of migratory birds leaving, and returning — cranes and geese streaming in a V-shape across the sky as summer turns to autumn and as winter turns to spring.
The Mushroom Hat
This little hat is a quick and fun project, and the perfect companion to the Mushroom raglan. The low yardage means you might even be able to make one with the leftovers from your sweater! It features the same colourwork and textured pattern and has four faux raglan seams to match the sweater. The length of the hat can easily be adjusted, turning the hat from a snug beanie to a more slouchy hat.
The Bat Shawl
The symmetrical, triangular Bat shawl is knitted from the centre top down. It features an easy colourwork pattern combined with callipers and slipped stitches, and can be worked in one or two, or more, colours. Using a lightweight, woollen-spun yarn makes it warm and airy, and perfect for layering with other knits. The calliper sections remind me of stylised bat wings — thus the name.
Textured Knits is a thoughtfully curated collection of contemporary and timeless handknits. The 20 fascinating patterns feature a variety of inventive ways to combine different textures, such as cables, colorwork, and embroidery.
Textured Knits is a thoughtfully curated collection of contemporary and timeless handknits. The book includes sweaters, cardigans, shawls, and a pair of socks. The 20 fascinating patterns feature a variety of inventive ways to combine different textures, such as cables, colorwork, and embroidery. The result is a versatile knitwear collection that features stunning yet delicate elements. In true Laine-style, the knits are photographed and presented beautifully creating a publication that promises to be a true classic.
Paula Pereira is a Brazilian knitwear designer. She is currently based in Luanda, Angola, where she lives with her husband. Paula is constantly inspired by the textures, colors, and motifs she sees around her, especially in architecture and art, which she then turns into stitches. Textured Knits is Paula’s debut book.
SEE PROJECT DETAILS ON RAVELRY
Alen
Alen is a laid-back sweater that symbolizes the pleasure of knitting. The folksy stitch pattern is one of many used in traditional Alentejo blankets from Portugal. It is perfect for beginners and lovers of stranded colorwork alike. The color possibilities are endless — swatch with leftovers from your stash, swap the colors so that you have a darker shade as the main color or even knit every section in a different color.
Balaio
Paula Pereira loves the idea of universal symbols found in different cultures. Some elements from The Balaio’s colorwork can also be found, for example, in traditional Fair Isle and Norwegian knitting patterns. In Brazil, similar motifs can be found in beautiful, traditional basketry! Balaio is a large basket in Portuguese, but it is also commonly used to describe a place where we can add all sorts of things.
Brocado
Brocado, meaning “brocade” in Portuguese, is another garment mixing knitting with different crafts. The Brocado sweater is Paula’s interpretation of brocade fabrics, and it combines knitting and delicate hand embroidery. The short-sleeved design has an all-over lace stitch pattern with a distinctive, almost three-dimensional effect. With a contrasting color, you embroider a few stitches to enhance the delicate texture even further.
Caliandra
Looking at hand-embroidered pieces, it is possible to see how, stitch by stitch, someone added a unique beauty to the fabric. It can be really fun to embroider while knitting, by combining knitting and crochet techniques. Using a crochet hook, you can make elongated loops while you knit, creating the cutest little flowers — this is what is done in the toe-up Caliandra socks.
Cestaria
Cestaria is a comfy and relaxed cardigan with long sleeves and beautiful details. Paula loves how the biased stitch creates an angle on the fabric that organically forms the shoulders and pockets! Cestaria means basketry in Portuguese — an ode to the fascinating panels of slip stitch cables that mimic the textured patterns of Brazilian basketry.
Cidreira
Textured knitted fabrics created by mixing different stitch patterns are fascinating! Something Paula loves to freely create stitch patterns that evolve from the previous one — no rules, only connecting textures. Cidreira’s yoke resembles vegetation, where every leaf has its own unique texture and shape but somehow they look connected. Knit and experience the flow of stitches of this sweater!
Cobogó
The Cobogó cardigan combines the comfort of a boxy shape with the warmth of a dense cabled fabric worked in stranded colorwork. Choose colors with medium to high contrast — pick two neutrals or go for brighter, bolder tones! The name Cobogó comes from a traditional Brazilian architectural element that can be assembled as either a full wall or part of one. Its geometric openings let sunlight through, creating amazing patterns.
Diamantine
Diamantine is a seamless top-down sweater with an all-over intuitive diamond cable pattern and a beautiful, ribbed neckline. Paula’s inspiration was to create a highly textured fabric for a construction so many knitters love — the top-down raglan. Diamantine, which in Portuguese means diamond, will be a garment that you will treasure for years to come!
Espedito
The colorful Espedito sweater, knitted with textured stripes, was inspired by the work of Mestre Espedito Seleiro, a Brazilian artist famous for his leather shoes, bags, saddles, and jackets. Espedito is a great stash-busting project, as you can use as many or as few colors as you wish. Another interesting variation would be to combine not only different colors but also different textures.
Florada
Florada features a colorful and textured pattern on both the circular yoke and the sleeves. The name means flowering in Portuguese, and the design combines two types of colorwork — a delicate dance between two yarns! A blend of suri alpaca and mulberry silk was used for a captivating effect.
Franzidinho
Franzidinho features a textured yoke created by playing with different needle sizes. The beauty of simplicity! The yoke stitch pattern looks like a gathered fabric, franzido in Portuguese. The sleeve cuffs and the hem are folded and sewed, adding a finishing touch to this versatile top. Franzidinho can be worn all year long, on its own or layered for colder weather!
Lina
Lina’s marled effect is created by the soothing and intuitive alteration of two colors. The sleeves have another motif, also worked with the same two colors. The inspiration for Lina was the Italian architect Lina Bo Bardi, and the glass and concrete easels that she created to display pieces in the São Paulo Museum of Art. In my mind, Lina truly is the go-to sweater for every knitter because of the simplicity of basic stitches that create colorful, textured motifs!
Lygia
Paula wanted to create a cozy shawl that can be comfortably wrapped around your shoulders and arms, and that would also be a pleasure to make. Knitted with a dense, textured fabric, the construction makes Lygia a quick knit. It is a highly textured shawl inspired by the work of the magnificent Lygia Pape — a Brazilian visual artist, sculptor, engraver, and filmmaker, and the co-founder of the 50s and 60s art movement Neo-Concretism.
Manacá
Manacá’s flower details on the yoke look like a necklace made of delicate flowers. The inspiration for this design was manacá, a fragrant Brazilian flower. The manacá trees also grow in Rio de Janeiro, where Paula was born. She remembers walking back from school, picking the flowers that fell off the trees onto the pavement. The memory of their shape has stayed with Paula ever since.
Mesclada
In Portuguese, the word mesclado is used to describe things that are mixed together — and a marled fabric is just that! Two light, neutral colors were used for the sample, but you can also choose two colors with more contrast. The construction and shape of the Mesclada sweater make it the perfect canvas for a marled and textured fabric, created by different placements of the simple knit and purl stitches.
Milhazes
Paula loves mixing textile production techniques with knitting! This was also her starting point for Milhazes. It was inspired by the art of Beatriz Milhazes, Paula’s favorite Brazilian contemporary artist, and her breathtakingly colorful circular shapes. Using a tapestry needle and an airy yarn, you weave into a loom created with yarn overs. For the sample, same-colored mohair yarn was used but feel free to play around.
Musgo
Musgo means moss in Portuguese. The combination of Musgo’s cozy and soft bouclé yarn and the cabled pattern remind Paula of mosses — both visually and the way the delicate, squishy fabric feels. The wide cables, with their lines and twists, create a unique movement in the garment. If you are into reversible knits, Musgo also has a different, equally beautiful, texture on the inside.
Oiticica
Hélio Oitica is another of Paula’s favorite Brazilian artists. He was a painter, a performer, and above all, an artist who fought against the oppressive military regime in Brazil. He created a series called Metaesquema that are a real inspiration — especially the small spaces between geometric shapes, where light can get through. The Oiticica sweater is an invitation to mix fibers in a garment. Use any fuzzy fiber or color as the contrasting yarn.
Rendado
Rendado’s stitch patterns look intricate, but all of them are knitted with basic and very straightforward stitches and techniques. The light shawl is worked in two different directions: the first section is knitted sideways, with an ensemble of delicate stitch patterns alternating eyelets, knit and purl stitches. The second section is worked from the top down with big flowers made with a crochet hook. Rendado in Portuguese means lacy, or lace-trimmed.
Viana
Picot is an element that is used in textiles in different handcraft traditions, adding a beautiful, delicate texture. Viana is a blank canvas that gives this cute detail room to shine. It is knitted top down with raglan sleeves and a henley front opening. Picot details are added to the sleeves and the neckline opening — a simple and beautiful way to make this top unique!
Our SUMMER SALE starts July 27th! Select products (including some clearance items!) are 20% OFF until September 5, 11:59pm. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you don’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).
See our original blog post for our colour pairing suggestions.
Berroco Vivo is a super soft, light, 100% cotton yarn that’s dyed in a flow of transitioning colour. It’s machine washable, making it great for all kinds of projects from babies (perfect for a French Macaroon or Ezra baby cardie) to blankets (4 balls make a Super Easy Garter Baby Blanket), and everything in between … you can even make DK-weight socks or Yoga Socks with it!Vivohas great colour and texture, making it perfect for simple pieces that aren’t heavy on skill or attention. It also has great yardage – one ball is 100g/290m, making it go a lot further than regular cottons (2 balls are enough for a Ranunculus (smaller sizes), Boneyard Shawl, Groovy DK, three for an Elementary Wrap).
Berroco Vivo is great for both Crochet and Knit projects:
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Materials
Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find the garments made with it become some of your favourites (you know, the one you wear over and over and over again, until you get tired of the colour so you make another in a new colour … etc). It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres.It’s great for people who are allergic to wool, and light enough for perfect for people whose bodies run warm and wearing a knit is more about dressing and less about warmth. It’s popularity also stems from it’s INCREDIBLE yardage – it’s a DK weight yarn that comes in a 100g/400m skein (for those of you who don’t live in a yarn store, that’s like a bonus 150m to 200m). Remix Light is great for sweaters, tanks, tees, blankets, socks, scarves, shawls, bags, etc. It’s great for everyone: babies, kids, adults. It also works beautifully for colourwork, especially stranded/fair isle. SEE OUR FAVROURITE PROJECTS WITH BERROCO REMIX LIGHT
Patterns & Projects
Trendy Patterns
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Bright, happy shades of colors ebb and flow to make this worsted weight yarn a perfect summer choice. This cotton blend yarn is light to the touch, easy to work with, self-striping, and is machine washable. Summer Sesame is great sow tops & tees, tanks, sweaters, scarves, wraps, shawls, blankets, even socks!
Berroco Summer Sesame Kits & Projects
Patterns
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Materials
Berroco Modern Cotton is a super soft and lustrous yarn perfect for knitting year-round. Made from a blend of Pima Cotton and Modal Rayon (viscose, a plant-based cellulosic fibre), Modern Cotton is machine washable, sustainable, and more resilient than pure cotton yarns (it has a slight sheen and it won’t pill and get fuzzy like many cottons). The smooth texture will also make your lace, cables, or any other texture POP! Modern Cotton is perfect for both crochet and knitting and is great for sweaters, tanks, tees and other tops, hats (especially chemo hats), shawls & wraps, blankets & afghans, and slippers. Berroco Modern Cotton is also available in a DK Weight
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Yarn
Other Materials
Berroco Modern Cotton DK is a super soft and lustrous yarn perfect for knitting year-round. Made from a blend of Pima Cotton and Modal Rayon (viscose, a plant-based cellulosic fibre), Modern Cotton is machine washable, sustainable, and more resilient than pure cotton yarns (it has a slight sheen and it won’t pill and get fuzzy like many cottons). The smooth texture will also make your lace, cables, or any other texture POP! Modern Cotton is perfect for both crochet and knitting and is great for sweaters, tanks, tees and other tops, hats (especially chemo hats), shawls & wraps, blankets & afghans, slippers, and Knitted Knockers. Berroco Modern Cotton is also available in a Worsted Weight
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Size
Designed for knitting blankets, throws & rugs, Cascade Cotton Puff is a jumbo yarn crafted from soft cotton & nylon. Ideal for home goods like blankets, pillows and baskets, this yarn is machine washable & dryable. Cascade Cotton Puff wears well & does not pill as it is a knit fabric tube with a light fiber core to create structure.
How Much Yarn Do I Need?
Schoppel ZauberballCotton is a wonderfully soft, 100% cotton, self-striping sock yarn with a long colourway/gradient. It’s completely machine washable and perfect for socks, hats, tops, shawls & wraps, blankets – you name it!
Rico Creative So Cool So Soft is a 100% cotton bulky-weight cotton yarn is made up of a thick and a thin ply, which knits up to give your patterns a unique texture. It’s Ideal for knitting oversize sweaters, cozy blankets, and crocheting baskets.
Project Suggestions
Berroco Pima Soft is deliciously soft two-ply cotton yarn, perfect for anything from beautiful sweaters and accessories to heirloom knits for baby, kids or home. It’s slightly textured, giving your knits some dimension, and is great for colourwork (it;s also more forgiving, especially when seaming and weaving in ends). It has a little bit of natural sheen without being shiny. It’s lovely to work with, and comes in 50g pull-skeins that are easy to work from and make it affordable to use an array of colours.
Keep track of your crochet and knitting work with our hypoallergenic stainless steel ring row-counter in a rainbow-colored metallic finish or black.
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