Category Archives: Berroco Vintage

Holiday Store Hours & Create a Hudson Bay Inspired Baby Blanket This Summer

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A folded Hudson Bay inspired baby blanket featuring stripes of red, yellow, blue, and green laid on a bed with a blue quilt.
Photo: purlsoho

Hudson Bay Inspired Baby Blanket

Does anything say Canada to Canadians more than the iconic Hudson Bay Blanket? It’s simple design is timeless and a hand-knit version would make for a super-special baby gift. The pattern is beginner-friendly (it’s just straight knitting), and makes a great low-brain activity, summer project. And it’s FREE, so that’s a bonus too!

Size

  • 34 inches wide and 39 inches long
  • NOTE: Garter stitch has a tendency to stretch, so your blanket will “grow” beyond these dimensions.

Skills

See our curated list of skills & techniques

  • Cast-on (long-tail/slingshot method)
  • Knit stitch
  • Bind off
  • Joining a new ball of yarn
  • Weaving in ends in garter stitch
A folded baby blanket featuring a cream background with colorful stripes in green, red, yellow, and blue, inspired by the Hudson Bay design.

Yarn Options

The Hudson Bay Inspired Baby Blanket is made with worsted weight yarn, so you’ve got several great options to choose from! I’ve colour combined and art-directed the colours, so you don’t have to worry about which shades match and balance together – I’ve got you covered! Working with the palates available from each yarn line, I tired to create as many combinations that looked good as possible. I also tried to go for different aesthetics, the classics are closest to the iconic blankets sold by the Hudson Bay Company, and feature clearer, brighter colours. The subdued combos are a more modern, grown-up take on the hues, and are darker.

Cascade 220 Superwash

Cascade 220 Superwash is an affordably priced, machine washable Peruvian wool yarn. It’s soft enough for baby garments and blankets, knits easily, and has been a staple around here for a LONG time. If you aren’t into synthetics this is a great choice!

  • classic colours: six skeins of 817 Aran or 871 White, and one skein each of 251 Evergreen, 809 Really Red, 877 Golden, 1924 Midnight Heather
  • slightly darker colours: six skeins of 817 Aran or 871 White, and one skein each of 1950 Hunter Green, 893 Ruby, 877 Golden, 854 Navy.

Berroco Vintage

Berroco Vintage is a super soft, machine washable blend of wool, acrylic and nylon. It’s easy on the hands and the pocketbook, and is another very popular choice for babies and kids. This yarn is also a longstanding resident around here.

  • classic colours: six skeins of 5101 Mochi or 5100 Snow Day, and one skein each of 5152 Mistletoe, 5151 Cardinal, 5121 Sunny, 51182 Indigo Heather.
  • somewhat subdued colours: six skeins of 5101 Mochi or 5100 Snow Day, and one skein each of 5193 Yukon Green, 51181 Ruby Heather, 5127 Butternut, 51182 Indigo Heather.
  • grown-up heathered colours: six skeins of 5101 Mochi or 5100 Snow Day, and one skein each of 5177 Douglas Fir Heather, 5181 Black Currant Heather, 5192 Chana Dal Heather, 51182 Indigo Heather.

Berroco Vintage Chunky

Berroco Vintage Chunky is a slightly thicker version of Berroco Vintage (above), and knits on 6mm/US10 needles. Because this yarn is thicker you’ll need to cast on about 25% fewer stitches (119 sts).

classic colours: six skeins of 6101 Mochi 0r6100 Snow Day, and one skein each of 6152 Mistletoe, 6151 Cardinal, 6121 Sunny, 61182 Indigo Heather.

Five bundles of Estelle Breeze cotton yarn in pastel colors: cream, green, coral, yellow, and blue, each with a label reading 'Breeze 100% Cotton'.

Estelle Breeze Cotton

You can also use Estelle Breeze to make a Cotton version in sorbet baby colours. Breeze is also thicker and works up on 6mm/US10 needles, so you’ll want to cast on 119 stitches.

sorbet colours: 01 Natural (6 skeins), 09 Aqua (1 skein), 06 Peach (1 skein), 07 Lemon (1 skein), 11 Sky (1 skein)

A hand-knit Hudson Bay inspired baby blanket displayed folded on a bed, featuring horizontal stripes of green, red, yellow, and blue on a light gray background.

Berroco Mystery Blanket Knit Along PRE-ORDER

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Many of you picked up your materials for the 2025 Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL last week, but there’s no deadline to join and we’re always happy to order a kit it for you. We carry the yarn, Berroco Vintage, year round and are constantly restocking, so if you want to you can also just get one skein of each colour and try it on and see if this type of project fits you (although the dye lots won’t match, but it’s a blanket so not a huge deal).

Berroco has thought of just about everything for this KAL … they’ve come out with 7 different colour combinations, and they’ve cleverly drawn up pretty diagrams so you can dream up your own colours combos and get an idea of what the blanket will look like. They’ve already published the pattern for January (see below), and a supporting video is available for techniques and skills (see below). There are online groups available on Facebook and Ravelry where you can meet other MKAL knitters and share your accomplishments (see below).

At the end of 2025, finished projects added to Ravelry will be entered to win a Year’s Worth of Yarn, so make sure to tag your Ravelry project with VintageMKAL25 (Instagram might not hurt either).

Joining the Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL is FREE, SIGN UP HERE

Description

Build your skills with Berroco’s year-long Mystery Blanket Knit Along! The Berroco Design Team has worked to create a delightful mix of techniques and methods for twenty 12 x 12″ squares that come together to create a stunning finished blanket. Practice outside-in, centre-out, and straight-up and down knitting as you work through the collection of squares with their engaging mix of constructions. Throughout the year, you’ll work squares featuring texture patterns, lace, cables, slipped stitches, stranded colorwork, intarsia, and finish with a cable and lace combo. Squares are seamed together during finishing with a border added to frame your masterpiece with the perfect finishing touch. 

This Kit is a Pre-Order

We keep this yarn in stock in-store all year, but we may not have enough of the quantities for your kit in stock and we will special order more for you. When ordering please assume that it’s being special ordered for you, but if we can we will prepare it right away from stock we have in store.

Pattern

Groups

Size
Approximately 52″ / 132 cm x 64″ / 162.5 cm 

Needles

  • 4.5mm/US7 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 5 mm/US8 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 4.5mm/US7 long circular needle (for border)

Yarn

Berroco Vintage:

  • 6 hanks C1
  • 4 hanks C2
  • 3 hanks C3
  • 3 hanks C4
  • 2 hanks C5

Suggested Colorways

  • Coastal Dream (sample colors): 5101 Mochi (C1), 5172 Calico (C2), 51198 Acai (C3), 5105 Oats (C4), 51184 Twilight (C5)
  • Neutral Comfort: 5101 Mochi (C1), 5160 Smoke (C2), 5103 Mocha (C3), 5174 Rye (C4), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C5)
  • Berries & Cream: 5102 Buttercream (C1), 5195 Macaron (C2), 5182 Black Currant (C3), 51181 Ruby (C4), 51194 Rhubarb (C5)
  • Eclectic Haze: 51133 Electric (C1), 51132 Grapes (C2), 5123 Blush (C3), 51131 Citrus (C4), 51122 Violet (C5)
  • Sage Advice: 51196 Jalapeno (C1), 5199 Sage (C2), 5185 Tide Pool (C3), 5189 Charcoal (C4), 5104 Mushroom (C5)
  • Spring Awakening: 5132 Sky Blue (C1), 5100 Snow Day (C2), 5122 Banane (C3), 5126 Watermelon (C4), 5116 Dove (C5)
  • Forest Path: 5177 Douglas Fir (C1), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C2), 5143 Dark Denim (C3), 5182 Black Currant (C4), 5173 Red Pepper (C5)

Berroco Mystery Blanket Knit Along PRE-ORDER

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Many of you picked up your materials for the 2025 Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL last week, but there’s no deadline to join and we’re always happy to order a kit it for you. We carry the yarn, Berroco Vintage, year round and are constantly restocking, so if you want to you can also just get one skein of each colour and try it on and see if this type of project fits you (although the dye lots won’t match, but it’s a blanket so not a huge deal).

Berroco has thought of just about everything for this KAL … they’ve come out with 7 different colour combinations, and they’ve cleverly drawn up pretty diagrams so you can dream up your own colours combos and get an idea of what the blanket will look like. They’ve already published the pattern for January (see below), and a supporting video is available for techniques and skills (see below). There are online groups available on Facebook and Ravelry where you can meet other MKAL knitters and share your accomplishments (see below).

At the end of 2025, finished projects added to Ravelry will be entered to win a Year’s Worth of Yarn, so make sure to tag your Ravelry project with VintageMKAL25 (Instagram might not hurt either).

Joining the Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL is FREE, SIGN UP HERE

Description

Build your skills with Berroco’s year-long Mystery Blanket Knit Along! The Berroco Design Team has worked to create a delightful mix of techniques and methods for twenty 12 x 12″ squares that come together to create a stunning finished blanket. Practice outside-in, centre-out, and straight-up and down knitting as you work through the collection of squares with their engaging mix of constructions. Throughout the year, you’ll work squares featuring texture patterns, lace, cables, slipped stitches, stranded colorwork, intarsia, and finish with a cable and lace combo. Squares are seamed together during finishing with a border added to frame your masterpiece with the perfect finishing touch. 

This Kit is a Pre-Order

We keep this yarn in stock in-store all year, but we may not have enough of the quantities for your kit in stock and we will special order more for you. When ordering please assume that it’s being special ordered for you, but if we can we will prepare it right away from stock we have in store.

Pattern

Groups

Size
Approximately 52″ / 132 cm x 64″ / 162.5 cm 

Needles

  • 4.5mm/US7 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 5 mm/US8 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 4.5mm/US7 long circular needle (for border)

Yarn

Berroco Vintage:

  • 6 hanks C1
  • 4 hanks C2
  • 3 hanks C3
  • 3 hanks C4
  • 2 hanks C5

Suggested Colorways

  • Coastal Dream (sample colors): 5101 Mochi (C1), 5172 Calico (C2), 51198 Acai (C3), 5105 Oats (C4), 51184 Twilight (C5)
  • Neutral Comfort: 5101 Mochi (C1), 5160 Smoke (C2), 5103 Mocha (C3), 5174 Rye (C4), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C5)
  • Berries & Cream: 5102 Buttercream (C1), 5195 Macaron (C2), 5182 Black Currant (C3), 51181 Ruby (C4), 51194 Rhubarb (C5)
  • Eclectic Haze: 51133 Electric (C1), 51132 Grapes (C2), 5123 Blush (C3), 51131 Citrus (C4), 51122 Violet (C5)
  • Sage Advice: 51196 Jalapeno (C1), 5199 Sage (C2), 5185 Tide Pool (C3), 5189 Charcoal (C4), 5104 Mushroom (C5)
  • Spring Awakening: 5132 Sky Blue (C1), 5100 Snow Day (C2), 5122 Banane (C3), 5126 Watermelon (C4), 5116 Dove (C5)
  • Forest Path: 5177 Douglas Fir (C1), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C2), 5143 Dark Denim (C3), 5182 Black Currant (C4), 5173 Red Pepper (C5)

KITS Blanket of Joy in Worsted or Chunky

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MDK Blanket of Joy

As per your request, I’ve reshuffled the Blanket of Joy kit to include both a worsted weight (4.5mm/US7 needle) and a chunky/bulky weight (6mm/US10 needle) option. I had to play around a bit with the colours for the Chunky weight, but getting the project done faster may have more value to you than having the colours ‘just-so’. Additionally, a few people found the pattern unclear in some places (myself included) so I made revisions to clarify everything and even drew up a chart for you to keep track row by row.

The Blanket of Joy is a simple knit, which is also important right now … Keep It Simple, am I right? Simple bands of colour are knit in offset segments of stocking and reverse stocking stitch to create an easy, graphic combination of colour and texture. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most brilliant! Need some help with weaving in the ends? Check out our Skills Page!

Size

  • approx 50″ x 76″ (125cm x 190cm)

Kit Includes

Kit Does NOT Include

  • 4.5mm/US7 or 6mm/US10 – 36″ (or longer) circular needles
  • Tapestry/darning needle

Colour & Change

In the book Joyful, Ingrid Fetel Lee talks about the revitalization of the run-down, crime-ridden city of Tirana, Albania … which was initiated with the very easy and affordable approach of painting buildings bright colours. I’ll leave the details for you to read up on (the book was really good), but if painting a run-down building bright orange can initiate the transformation of a city, maybe it’s not too far a stretch to posit that a joyfully coloured blanket can initiate positive change in a life?

PROJECT Blanket of Joy

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MDK Blanket of Joy

My client Leesa brought me The Blanket of Joy, and as soon as I saw it I knew it was marvellous and needed to be shared! The world is so full of uncertainty right now, it’s more important than ever to choose carefully how we focus our energy. Like attracts like and like begets like, so I think something bright, happy, and full of joy is a good place to put our attention.

The Blanket of Joy is a simple knit, which is also important right now … Keep It Simple, am I right? Simple bands of colour are knit in offset segments of stocking and reverse stocking stitch to create an easy, graphic combination of colour and texture. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most brilliant! The pattern looks like it’s suitable for novices and experienced knitters alike. Need some help with weaving in the ends? Check our our Skills Page!

Yarn

The project is a “lets see if we can find a way to use every colour in the crayon box” type of experiment.

Option 1. I think BERROCO VINTAGE fits the bill perfectly – it’s soft, comfortable, affordable, machine washable, and comes in a slew of colours. You’ll need 1 skein in each of 22 colours, and I suggest using 4.5mm/US7 needles. If you’re using Vintage your tension will be slightly different (it will knit a bit faster) and you’ll have about 25% more yardage than in the pattern, so you should be able to get away with making your blanket a smidge wider.

KITS ARE AVAILABLE HERE!

Berroco Vintage Colour Substitutions:

5101 = Natural (B)5135 = Wintergreen (R)5181 = Barn Red (K)
5105 = Mousse (J)5140 = Clementine (T)5182 = Merlot (E)
5109 = Shale (S)5143 = Navy (Q)5197 = Malla (G)
5110 = Tutu (I)5145 = Truffle (V)51131 = Citron (N)
5112 = Leek (M)5160 = Lapis (P)51132 = Pear (C)
5113 = Skyline (O)5174 = Cork (A)51196 = Sea Glass (D)
5114 = Whisper (F)5177 = Peat (L)
5116 = Pebble (U)5179 = Cedar (H)

Option 2. If you wanted to make a blanket that is smaller in budget I recommend using BERROCO VINTAGE BABY (get 1 ball of each of the 22 colours) with 4mm/US6 needles. The colours aren’t the same as the original pattern, so you’ll have to get a little creative shuffling them around, but the palette available is beautiful and complimentary, all the colours work together. The yarn is super soft and easy to work with, it’s machine washable, and at $4.97 a ball it makes for an affordable project.

Size

Materials

Berroco Vintage: Colours in Pattern Order

A51174 Rye HeatherL5177 Douglas Fir Heather
B5101 MochiM5112 Minty
C51132 GrapesN51131 Citrus
D51196 JalapenoO5113 Misty
E5182 CurrantP5160 Wild Blueberry
F5114 AsterQ5143 Dark Denim
G5197 Neptune HeatherR5135 Holly
H5179 Chocolate HeatherS5109 Storm
I5110 FondantT5140 Orange
J5105 Oats HeatherU5115 Dove
K5181 Black Cherry HeatherV5145 Cast Iron

Colour & Change

In the book Joyful, Ingrid Fetel Lee talks about the revitalization of the run-down, crime-ridden city of Tirana, Albania … which was initiated with the very easy and affordable approach of painting buildings bright colours. I’ll leave the details for you to read up on (the book was really good), but if painting a run-down building bright orange can initiate the transformation of a city, maybe it’s not too far a stretch to posit that a joyfully coloured blanket can initiate positive change in a life?

P.S.

Thank you for your support following our COVID Policy update yesterday. At last check, I’ve received at least 16 replies, all of them positive. I’m glad we’re on the same page … you made my heart grow two sizes this afternoon!

PROJECTS Giftable Socks

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When it comes to gifting socks for the holidays, I have a few key elements that are on my must-have list:

  1. They must be soft and comfortable – if nobody wants to wear them then what’s the point in making them?
  2. They must be machine washable AND stand up to wear. Once they leave the wrapping paper these socks are in the wild, they must be able to defend themselves!
  3. They need to be pretty, or interesting, or have something unique about them. Complicated is definitely not necessary, but some kind of design feature should be present to create a bit of a WOW factor.
  4. It can’t take forever to make them …. the thinnest yarn I want is a DK weight. House socks are a perfectly legitimate holiday gift, especially for wearing around the house during the holidays.

Berroco’s Vintage line of yarns is ideal for just such a purpose. They’re all super soft, machine washable, made with nylon so your socks will wear well, come in a bunch of pretty colours, and come in DK, Worsted and Chunky/Bulky weights, and they’re all affordably priced, so you’ll still be able to afford to go discount hunting after the holidays.

CHECK OUT OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS

Ribbing Hack

  • When doing a K2P2 rib (also known as a 2×2 rib) always go down a full mm in size. 2×2 rib is looser that stocking stitch and you need the smaller needlet to get the proper tension.
  • K1P1 rib (1×1 rib) is naturally nighter than the 2×2, and you don’t need to go down as much to get the right tension (half a mm is fine).

Fairlee

FAIRLEE are a super pretty, but not particularly involved pair of socks. The pattern is written for 2 circular needles (see tuturial working in the round on 2 circular needles), but you can use any sock knititng technique you prefer. They are worked from the toe-up using judy’s magic cast-on (turkish cast-on) and increases, and the heel is done with wrap & turn short rows. The stitch pattern is an intro level fair isle technique of 4 stitches. The cuff is finsihed with a tubular bind-off, but you can do any type of bind-off you like.

Skill Level

  • Intermediate
  • If you’re a newer sock knitter and want to try out some new skills it’s a great project to practice with.

Size

  • Foot circumference: 7½ (8, 8¾)”
  • Foot length: 9 (10, 11)”, adjustable

Materials

Ayla

AYLA uses Berroco Vintage Chunky to quickly whip up a fast, super pretty pair of house socks. These socks are knit from the top down with a simple cable repeat worked on the front and top of the foot, as well as the back above the heel flap. The instructions are for two circular needles (see tuturial working in the round on 2 circular needles), but you can use any sock knititng technique you prefer. with a simple cable repeat worked on the front and top of the foot, as well as the back above the heel flap.

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
  • Cable knitting is super simple, don’t let it intimidate you, you’ll love it!

Size

  • Approximately 8″ around leg and foot x 10″ from top edge to top of heel

Materials

Keel

KEEL are classic boot socks for men that work up quickly in Berroco Vintage DK. They feature contrast stripes on the toes and cuff. They’re made with a traditional top-down construction with a heel flap.

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • Approximately 10″ around x 8″ to top of heel flap

Materials

Lumberjack

Tin Can Knits make great patterns that are clear, easy to follow, and always come in a range of sizes for the whole family. These simple boot socks are sure to please everyone!

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner

Size

Baby (Toddler, Child, Mama, Papa)

  • Baby: Cuff 5” around, 2.5” long. Foot 3.5” long.
  • Toddler: Cuff 6.5” around, 4.5” long. Foot 4.5” long.
  • Child: Cuff 7.5” around, 5.5” long. Foot 6” long.
  • Adult SM: Cuff 10.5” around, 6.25” long. Foot adjustable.
  • Adult L: Cuff 13.5” around, 7.5” long. Foot adjustable.

Materials

Resources

Basic Bed Socks

These socks are super cute and show how a simple, vanilla sock can come to life with a few extra colours thrown in. Berroco Vintage Baby in smaller 50g skeins, which are super convenient when you want to introduce extra colour to your project. It also comes in a palette of bright, pretty colours, perfect for happy colour blocked socks!

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner

Size

  • 22.5 (24, 25) cm long (Or whatever length you like)!

Materials

Camp Moran

These unisex socks make a great gift – in darker colours they’re handsome, in brighter colours they’re pretty! They’re a classic top-down heelp-flap construction with a simple and sweet fair isle design.

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • Small (Medium, Large)

Materials

Candy Cane Bedroom Socks

So it’s time to come clean … I’ve always wanted a pair of candy cane socks. Barber-pole stripes are my favourite christmas aesthetic. The pattern is designed as tube socks, but it’s easy to add an afterthought heel.

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

Women’s sizes Small (Medium, Large)

  • 7 (8.25, 9.5) inches in circumference, unstretched
  • 8 .5 (10, 11.5) inches in circumference, comfortably stretched
  • 14 (15, 16) inches long

When you’re deciding which size to make, consider getting the sock over your heel. That is the widest part of the journey, and these socks are not super stretchy! The size shown in these pictures is a Small.

Materials

Bulky Sleep Socks

Cold feet? These bulky slipper socks are just the ticket to keep your feet warm all winter. They also knit up quickly, and therefore make good holiday gifts. Even if you’ve never knit socks before, the bulky yarn makes these toe-up socks easy, and will teach you the skills necessary to knit other toe-up socks patterns. The pattern includes links to a four-part video tutorial.

Skill Level

  • Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • Kids (Womens, Mens)

Materials

Want a full-on online sock knitting tutorial? No problem, here are a few options for you:

Beginner Socks

More Advanced Techniques

NEW Pumpkin Beanie Kit

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Pumpkin Beanie Kits

Our local knitting guild, The Needlework Guild of Canada, very graciously invited me to attend their first Knit in the Park, so I whipped up a little kit for them, a Pumpkin Beanie. I figured it’s timely, what with harvest season approaching. Plus, there is no child ever who isn’t ADORABLE in a pumpkin hat. Since our guild knits for charity I wanted it to be something that was gender neutral, and makes a great gift for anyone. I sized the hat from preemie to kids of all ages, and you should be able to get 2 pumpkin hats out of one kit (and probably a third green hat too). The yarn is the ever soft and Berroco Vintage, but if you want to upgrade go for the combo I assembled with Malabrigo Rios.

You can purchase the pattern separately HERE.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

We wanted the skill level to be accessible to knitters in the beginner spectrum, so there isn’t any colourwork or charts, you just need the following skills:

  • Read a knitting pattern
  • Cast on & Bind off
  • Knit & Purl in the same row
  • Work in the round on circular & double pointed needles
  • Weave in ends

See our curated list of knitting skills for tutorials

Not sure how to make the fancy knot at the top? No problemo, there’s a link in the pattern to a little video that shows how it’s done!

Size

  • preemie (0-6 mos, 6-18mos, 18mos-4yrs, 4yrs-adult S)
  • To fit head circumference: 14.5(16.75, 18, 20.5, 21.5)” or 36(42, 45, 51, 54) cm
  • Note: Fabric is stretchy. If you want a tighter fit go down a needle size
  • Photo is size 0-6mos: after blocking it measures 7.75″ wide

Gauge

  • 20 sts & 26 rounds = 4”/10cm with 4.5mm/US7 circular needles after blocking

Kit Includes

  • Berroco Vintage (or Malabrigo Rios): 1 skein in each of 2 colours. Our sample is made with Vintage (MC) 5176 Pumpkin & (CC) 51174 Spruce.
  • Pattern (PDF & printed)
  • one kit is enough yarn to make at least 2 pumpkin hats, with lots of green leftover to make another hat. 

Kit Does Not Include

KITS Knits for Kids

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Last week was baby week, and this week is brought to you by kids. When my niece and nephew were babies they were so cute and loveable that I thought I never wanted them to grow up. What I didn’t realizes was that the best thing about babies was that they grow up to be kids; interesting, cool, funny, silly, beautiful little people. Kids love a hand knit, as long as it’s soft, and in a colour they like. It doesn’t matter how obnoxious the colour is, just go with it – they’ll wear it until they can’t squeeze themselves into it anymore. Kids LOVE colour.

All of our kids kits & projects are HERE.

By the way, all of these knits are also available for adults, so you & the kid in your life kid can match. If you love the idea of a family of matching knits, check out the patterns by Tin Can Knits, they often designed with a FULL range of sizes, from newborn baby to adult 6XL.

Amari

Amari is a seamless tee that begins at the neck and is worked down. Easy eyelet stitches shape the yoke and add decoration to the neckline at the same time. Derecho is worked in one piece from the neck down. Neck and lower edges are shaped using short rows. For an adult version of this top see Derecho.

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.

Skill level: Intermediate

Size

  • Chest: (22, 24, 26, 27½, 30)” / (56, 61, 66, 70, 76) cm
  • Back Length: (13½, 15, 16½, 17½, 19)” / (34.5, 38, 42, 44.5, 48.5) cm (front is ½” / 1 cm shorter)
  • Shown in size 8. Recommended ease: approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease

Skills: reading a pattern, picking up and knitting stitches, short rows (wrap & turn), increasing (M1L & M1R), yarn-over, knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, stitch markers, joining in the round, using circular needles, weaving in ends.

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

Lawrence

Lawrence is a simple pullover with garter stitch texture, that’s cute for boys and girls. It is knit in a conventional way in 4 pieces and seamed together (a great option for beginners if working in the round is a bit daunting). The drop-shoulder construction makes it super easy to seam the sleeves, which is usually the scariest part of finishing. For an adult version of this pullover see Larry.

For the yarn, we’ve substituted the ultra wearable and very affordable Berroco Vintage  – a soft, worsted weight machine washable wool/synthetic blend. A knitting store staple, it features a wide color range, an incredibly soft feel and yardage that goes on and on. Its unique fiber blend makes laundering a breeze and perfectly suited for easy-care garments for both children and adults. 

Skill Level: Advanced-Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • 2(4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
  • To fit Chest Size: 23(24-25-26-27-28)˝
  • Finished Chest: 25(26-27-28-29-30)˝
  • Finished Length: 16(16½-17½-18-19-20)˝
  • This garment was designed with approximately 2˝ of ease. Please take this into consideration when selecting your size.

Skills: reading a pattern, cast-on (long-tail/slingshot), knit, purl, bind-off, bind-off (in middle of row), picking up and knitting stitches, seaming (mattress stitch), weaving in ends.

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Jemison

Jemison is an adorable vintage-inspired cardigan. It’s perfect for layering on a chilly day, and has cute pockets for kids to hold all the little treasures they pick up in their adventures. This sweater is worked flat in pieces and seamed. We’re pairing Jemison with Berroco Vintage, our go-to yarn for sweaters kids love to wear. For a grown-up version of this sweater check-out Headland.

Skill level: Intermediate

Size:

  • Childs sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10)
  • Finished Chest (closed): 25 (27, 29, 31, 33)”
  • Finished Length: 13½ (16, 18, 19½, 21)”

Skills: reading a chart, seaming (mattress stitch), picking up and knitting stitches, weaving in ends, sewing buttons.

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KITS Classic Baby Knits (worsted)

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I personally have an eye for the wild, weird & whimsical, but I also appreciate the balance and calm of the classics. The following are some worsted weight baby projects for the most discriminating eye (unless you make them in hellacious colours, in which case all bets are off). The suggested yarn, Berroco Vintage , is soft, washable, affordable, and comes in a broad selection of classic and adventurous colours. As always, we can substitute any of our baby-friendly worsted weight yarns. If you’re looking for some projects made with thinner yarn those will be up at bat next, but you can browse HERE.

Pre-Order

These kits are a special-order and we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them any time (they will be available to purchase as long as the manufacturer makes it available to us). That said, we keep  Berroco Vintage in stock all year and are always reordering, so if the yarn is in stock your kit will be available very quickly. Your kit will ship or be available for pick-up once it arrives, and we will contact you. If you need your kit for a specific date please let us know and we can find out if it’s feasible.  

Ivy

Simple and sweet, Ivy is a rectangular lace blanket that’s just the right size to become your little one’s favorite. The stitch pattern is both charted and written out, and is only 4 rows, making it a great choice for knitters who are new to lace.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Skills: Cast on, cast off, knit, purl, reading a pattern, basic lace knitting, joining a new ball of yarn, weaving in ends, reading a chart (optional), using lifelines (optional).

Size

  • Approx 28½” wide x 30” long
  • For 33″ x 34″: add 20 sts to cast-on and 1 extra skein of yarn 
  • For 35″ x 37″: add 30 sts and 2 extra skeins of yarn
  • For 37.5″ x 38″: add 40 sts and 2 extra skeins of yarn 
  • For 40″ x 42″: add 50 sts and 3 extra skeins of yarn

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Notes

  • The pattern repeat is 10 sts, so to make your blanket narrower or wider you would add or remove stitches in denominations of 10. 
  • Each pattern repeat measures approximately 2.25″

Luca

Luca is a miniature gansey pullover with buttons at the neck for easy dressing. This pattern is knit in pieces and seamed together.

Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced-beginner

Skills: Cast on, cast off, knit, purl, reading a pattern, joining a new ball of yarn, weaving in ends, seaming (mattress stitch)

Size

  • 3(6, 9, 12, 18) months
  • To Fit Chest Size:  17(18-19-20-21)˝
  • Finished Chest – 20(21-22-23-24)˝
  • Finished Length – 9½(10-10½-11-11½)˝
  • This garment was designed with approximately 3” of ease.  Please take this into consideration when selecting your size.

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Battenberg Blanket

The Battenberg Baby Blanket is a classicly styled blanket, with a simple, elegant aesthetic. The stitch used has the appearance of complicated waves,  but it’s really just an easy ribbing that starts one stitch to the right every few rows. For an unusual touch, the edging is worked along the sides but doesn’t meet in the corners.

Skill Level: advanced-beginner 

Size: 35” wide x 42” long

Skills: following a pattern, pick-up & knit stitches, weaving in ends

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Rabbit

With extra-long ears and a large pom-pom for a tail, Rabbit will fit right in with the rest of your little one’s menagerie of toys. This toy is knit in the round, mostly in one piece. Ears are sewn on, as is the pom-pom tail. 

Skill Level: advanced-beginner to intermediate

Skills:  knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, seaming (mattress stitch), picking up and knitting stitches, increasing (M1L & M1R), decreasing (K2tog & SSK), cable cast-on.

Size: approximately 10” around body x 11½” high (not including ears)

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Notes

Carrot

Whether your little one is a future gardener, chef or nature lover, he or she is sure to love this soft toy carrot. 

Skill Level: advanced-beginner to intermediate

Skills:  knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, cast-on (provisional), seaming (mattress stitch), increasing (M1L & M1R), decreasing (K2tog & SSK), grafting (kitchener stitch).

Size: approximately 8” around (at widest point) x 12” long (including leaves)

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Notes

4 Retro Inspired Baby Blanket Kits

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The Yarn

Most of these projects are made with Berroco Vintage, a soft, worsted weight machine washable wool/synthetic blend. A knitting store staple, it features a wide color range, an incredibly soft feel and yardage that goes on and on. Its unique fiber blend makes laundering a breeze and perfectly suited for easy care garments for both children and adults. 52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon, 100g/199m (218 yds). Made in Peru, machine wash inside out in cold water, gentle cycle, lay flat to dry.

Pre-Order

These kits are a special-order and we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them any time (they will be available to purchase as long as the manufacturer makes it available to us). That said, we Berroco Vintage in stock all year and are always reordering, so if the yarn is in stock your kit will be available very quickly. Your kit will ship or be available for pick-up once it arrives, and we will contact you. If you need your kit for a specific date please let us know and we can find out if it’s feasible. 

High Fidoodlity Crochet Blanket Kit

This colourful depiction of sound waves makes a cheerful blanket (and a great tent). If you’d like to make a grown-up sized throw you should purchase two kits. This piece is worked in blocks and sewn together. If you don’t have it in you to do that you can try using the instructions from the wavy blanket. I’ve played around and worked out some colour palettes that are harmonious with the design, but you can also choose your own colours if your inspiration leads elsewhere.

  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Size: 38″ wide x 46″ long
  • Gauge: 16 sts & 20 rows = 4″ (10cm) in single crochet stitch

Kit Includes:

  • Berroco Vintage: 2 skeins each of 4 colors, 1 skein in one colour of (total
  • of 9 skeins).  Shown in colourway 01: 5104, 5121, 5125, 51180, 5107.
  • Pattern

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Vintage Baby Blanket Kit

The Vintage Baby Blanket is a retro-inspired sampler of color, texture, and cable stitches. The design is closely tied to the mustardy yellows and browns popular in the 1970s. We’ve sat down with the yarns and come up with a the colour combinations that match just right and will make your project pop. You can also choose your own colours if your inspiration takes you in another colour direction (I love seeing what other eyes come up with!).

  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Size: 30” wide x 36” long
  • Gauge: 20 sts & 27 rows = 4″ (10cm) in stocking stitch

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Moderne Baby Blanket

This blanket is inspired by the colours and geometric construction of mid-twentieth-century artwork. It’s made of twenty garter stitch blocks – some blocks are knit in a solid colour and others are worked in multiple colours. It’s an easy project to tackle, one square at a time. The small squares also make it easier to work on in warmer weather, and make it easy to pop in your bag. I’ve worked out some additional colour combinations, but like always you are welcome to choose your own colour adventure!

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Glamping Blanket

The Glamping Blanket was extremely popular when it was first came on the scene, so much so that the company ran out of the suggested yarn colours and had a hard time getting more because of COVID. Now that the company is starting to catch up, I think it’s a viable option again, especially for a fun baby blanket.

The Glamping Blanket is a graphic combination of colours and textures. The yarn, Berroco Vintage Chunky, is the PERFECT blanket yarn – it’s soft and cozy, it knits up quickly, and it’s easy to wash – ideal for comfy snuggling for all ages. I went to town, working on new colour combinations that will work in balance with the design, in including (but not exclusive to) grown-up palettes, and I even came up with a few Christmas colourways (for those of you who go all-out at the the holidays). Like all our other kits, please feel free to choose your own colours!

Skill Level: Intermediate (trying different stitch patterns)

Sizes

  • Cat Blanket: 18″ X 22”
  • Baby Blanket/Small Dog/Portly Cat: 24″ X 36”
  • Dog/Lap Blanket (or a larger baby blanket):  35″ X 44”
  • Sofa Blanket: 46″ X 58”

Kit Includes

  • Berroco Vintage Chunky: colour A. 1 (2, 3, 5)hanks, colour B. 1 (2, 2, 4) hanks, colour C. 1, (2, 2, 4) hanks, colour D. 1, (1, 2, 3) hanks.
  • The sample blanket is done in: A: 6121 Sunny (yellow), B: 6101 Mochi (off white), C: 6110 Fondant (pink), D: 6104 Mushroom (beige).
  • Pattern

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