The weather is FINALLY gorgeous, so it’s time to shift to our summer store hours … starting MAY 22nd we will be closed on Sundays:
May 22 to Sept 14, 2024:
Monday to Saturday: 12 pm to 6pm
One of the most popular summer sweaters this year has been Pyramid! Pyramid is a SEAMLESS tee (no sewing) worked from the top down. You can easily adjust the length of the body to make it cropped or longer, and the sleeves can also be made longer if you want them 3/4 or full length. It comes with a finished bust size from 86.5 cm / 34 inches to 158.5 cm / 62.5 inches, and is designed to be worn with 10-12 cm / 4-4.75 inches positive ease.
NOTE: The tension of this pattern is a bit loose, so if you make it with Berroco Modern Cotton you might want to wear it with a cami under it. If you want to go down needles size and knit it at the yarn’s normal tension I suggest making a size larger in the pattern.
You can also make it using 2 strands of Berroco Remix Light held togehter, which will give you the exact tension and no holes. The Berroco Remix Light would also make for a pullover for transitional seasons, perfect for the cooler end of summer/start of fall, and also spring. Remix Light does not contain any animal fibre, so it’s a great all-season option, or just wonderful if you are allergic to wool, or your body runs warm.
See Finished Projects
Size
Yarn Options
This pattern will be great made with Berroco Modern Cotton, it will have a loose, summery tension that’s a bit open. I also did some swatching and found that it’s also perfect to use 2 strands of Berroco Remix Light held togehter, which will give you the pretty tweedy texture, and a more conventional tension so you won’t need to wear a cami under your top.
Materials
Our SUMMER SALE is on now! Select products (including some clearance items) are 20% OFF until August 30, 2025, 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, including free shipping – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).
Summer is the perfect time to make and use crochet bags! Crochet bags are beautiful, stylish, sturdy, and versatile. They’re fun to make, and make fast little projects which are also very portable (so great for plane/train/car trips to the city/country/beach/cottage). They’re made with cotton, which is perfect for humid summer weather (most animal fibres except silk hold humidity, which is less fun in hot weather). The Portofino bag set is crocheted with Berroco Modern Cotton and the Costa Market Bag is made with Berroco Modern Cotton DK (both are ON SALE until the end of August).
The Portofino bag set is the ultimate duo in accessories! A roomy tote for market scores, beach day essentials, or picnic must-haves in addition to a chic bottle bag to ensure you are always hydrated make the perfect pair this season. These quick projects are stylish, quick, and functional – the best combo!
I made the Portofino Bottle Bag for myself this weekend (picture below), and I’m sold, it’s a great one and I want to make the larger bag now too! I added one row to the body to make mine a little taller to accommodate some of my big bottles, and I only put on 160 sts for the strap. The bag fits my big, wide bottle perfectly, the mesh of the body of the bag is stretchy but also sturdy. The strap is extremely sturdy, and I don’t think it’s inclined to stretch out.
I used 1 skein of Berroco Modern Cotton (on SALE until the end of August) and it was ideal – it’s strong, sturdy, but also has a gorgeous sheen and luster, giving the finished bag some polish.
The instructions were clear and easy to follow. The pattern is free on the designer’s blog, or you can purchase a printable PDF that’s probably more concise (you know how blogs are these days, lots of ads and pictures).
Size
Skill Level: Intermediate
Skills: Single crochet, Double crochet, Slip stitch, Chaining and skipping stitches (my favourite crochet skill tutorials are from Bella Coco on Youtube)
Tote all of your beach essentials or market finds in the Costa Bag, available in three sizes to ensure it will work for any occasion. A simple stitch mixed with a unique construction makes this classic net bag look polished and professional! The Costa Market Bag is a refinement of the very popular French Market Bag, which we made a few years ago, so I know it’s going to be a great one.
Skills Level: Intermediate
Skills: Single crochet, Single crochet decreases, Half double crochet, Half double crochet decreases, Working into chain spaces, Working flat and in the round, Crocheting into the sides of a row. (my favourite crochet skill tutorials are from Bella Coco on Youtube)
Sizes
Materials
Our SUMMER SALE is on now! Select products (including some clearance items) are 20% OFF until August 30, 2025, 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, including free shipping – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).
One of the tops I’ve seen trending lately is the Lacey Loop Tee by Other Loops. The Lacey Loop Tee has a loose fit, a classic round neck and is detailed with stripes consisting of purl stitches, a feminine eyelet pattern and a unique ribbing edge. You can make this classic top in Berroco Modern Cotton or Sandnes Garn Line for a comfortable summer knit!
Construction
The t-shirt is worked from top to bottom. First stitches are cast on for the back piece, which is worked back and forth with short rows to shape the upper back. Then stitches are picked up along the shoulder edges and the shoulders are worked back and forth individually. The two shoulders are joined for the front by casting on stitches mid-front. The front and back piece are then joined, and the body is worked in the round and finished with a ribbing edge consisting of eyelets and purl stitches. Neck stitches are picked up around the neckline and the neck is worked in the round in ribbing. To create a nice finish, the last four rounds are worked in double knitting, followed by Italian bind off. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armholes and sleeves are worked in the round. Stripes are created with purl stitches and eyelets according to a chart across the whole t-shirt. The first part of the pattern describes the chart row-for-row.
Size
YARN OPTIONS
NEEDLES
The weather is FINALLY gorgeous, so it’s time to shift to our summer store hours … starting MAY 31st we will be closed on Sundays:
May 20 to Sept 8, 2024:
Monday to Saturday: 12 pm to 6pm
Since summer weather is starting, here’s a summer tee for your summer knitting & wearing – Pyramid! Pyramid is a seamless tee worked from the top down; and you can easily adjust the length of both the sleeves and the body. It comes with a finished bust size from 86.5 cm / 34 inches to 158.5 cm / 62.5 inches, and is designed to be worn with 10-12 cm / 4-4.75 inches positive ease.
NOTE: the tension of this pattern is a bit loose, so you might want to wear it with a cami under it. If you want to go down needles size and knit it at the yarns normal tension I suggest making a size larger in the pattern.
See Finished Projects
Size
Materials
Alternate Yarn
To get a bit of texture, you can also use 2 strands of Berroco Remix Light held together: 2 (2 to 3, 3, 3) {3, 3, 4, 4} balls
Satawal is a cropped tee with a simple lace pattern around a boat neck, which looks a bit like a Macramé texture. You can use various weights of yarn, from fingering weight for airy and transparent texture to worsted weight yarn for mid season garment (we used Berroco Modern Cotton on 6mm/US10 needles).
Our Project
We made the second size (size small) with 2 skeins of Berroco Modern Cotton in colour 1648 Abbot Run). It measures approximately 20″ wide (40″ bust circumference) and 20″ tall from top of shoulder to hem (you can of course make it longer if you want to). If you feel like the neck is too wide you can always seam it and make it a closer neck. The fabric has a lot of stretch, and at this tension you’ll probably want to wear it over a light camisole. It’s meant to be worn loose and oversized, with lots of ease!
Modern Cotton is a soft, easy to knit, and very machine washable blend of cotton and Modal Rayon (which is viscose, a plant based cellulose fibre, much like bamboo). It’s easy to wear in warmer weather, and it’s also great for people with allergies to wool or other animal fibres, or who knit vegan.
Many thanks to Erica for whipping up this beautiful top!!! And many thanks to Gru for sitting for photos without having to be bribed or making a mess.
Construction
The pattern is worked seamlessly from the top down. The lace pattern for the yoke is worked in the round with increases at the both right and left shoulders, then the body is divided into the front and the back and worked flat separately to the underarm, where they are joined again. The lower body is knitted in one piece in the round. Sleeve stitches are picked up along armholes and worked in the round.
Note
Size
Materials
I love the floral patten motif of the Guayaba tee, the overall shape reinds me of a tulip or a lotus. Use Berroco Modern Cotton or Sandes Garn Line to make this pretty summer top!
The Guayaba tee is an oversize and slightly cropped summer top. It is decorated with evenly spaced, round lace patterns. This project has lots of ease, making it airy and comfortable during the greatest heat. The entire project is minimalistic, easy, quick and fun to make, as I believe, the perfect summer piece of garment should be. It will match both shorts and skirts or dresses!
Construction
The designs is worked almost completely seamlessly from the top down. Front stitches are cast on using a provisional cast-on method and, after shoulder and neckline shaping, joined and worked straight down to the underarm. Stitches for the back are picked up along the front shoulders and cast on for the back neck. After shoulder shaping, back is worked straight down to the underarm. Shoulders are shaped using German short rows. Back and front are joined together and continued straight in one piece down to the hem. Sleeve stitches are picked up around the armholes. Hem and sleeve scallops are shaped using German short rows. Neckline stitches are picked up around neck opening and finished with one row of purl stitches.
Size
Yarn Options
Other Materials
When I saw Castle Hill I felt sooooo nostalgic for my early days of knitting. It reminds me of the endless parade of cabled pullovers that were all the rage in knitting magazines in the mid 90s. I had a subscription to Vogue Knitting, and even though I didn’t really know what I was doing, I loved looking at the pictures and imagining all the sweaters I could make. And now here it is, back again, and I know what I’m doing now, and this time round there’s an absolute universe of YouTube videos to help me with anything I don’t know. This updated version has a shorter, cropped length and elbow-length sleeves (although you can make them longer if you like).
Knit in Berroco Modern Cotton yarn, Castle Hill is knit in the round from the bottom up to the underarms, where the back and front are completed separately and seamed at the shoulders. Sleeves are knit flat separately and seamed during finishing. The cable pattern is written out, not charted.
Size
Materials
Thanksgiving comes a bit earlier north of the 44th parallel in Canada, it has something to do with our harvest being earlier, therefore we dine earlier. We are open regular store hours (12 to 6 pm) on Saturday & Monday, and closed on Sunday. Have a great weekend, wherever you are!
Saturday October 12: 12 to 6 pm
Sunday October 13: CLOSED
Monday October 14: 12 to 6 pm
Never wanting to leave you without some inspiration, here are a couple of pullovers by designer Jacqueline Cieslak. I love that Jacqueline’s designs are size inclusive, but I love even more that her designs LOOK GREAT on different sized women. Her casual little tops are always just right for people, no matter what shape they may be. Wear them over a dress or a loose shirt, it’s all beautiful! Plus, they aren’t immense projects, so they won’t break the bank, and you’ll actually wear it (an important factor to my mind). they’re pretty, and I think its good to make yourself feel beautiful on the outside, because you are beautiful on the inside.
The Bay Pullover is your dream all-weather sweatshirt, whether you’re getting cozy at home or being tousled by a crisp ocean breeze. This relaxed fit pullover features dolman sleeves, uninterrupted stockinette on the front and back panels, and decorative 3-needle bind offs, making for a simple, seamless knit with a clean, modern look. The pattern includes 9 sizes, 6 original video tutorials, technical illustrations for understanding the unique construction, and detailed guidance for choosing your size and adjusting the sleeves.
Because of the dolman sleeves and relaxed fit, BAY works with an extremely wide range of positive ease (anything from 6-20”/15-50cm). If you prefer more drape or a more oversized fit, feel free to size up! In the photos, Jacqui is wearing a size 7 (62”/155cm). Her bust circumference is 54”/135cm, her waist circumference is 49”/122.5cm, and her bicep circumference is 20”/50cm.
Because the recommended yarn is a silk/linen blend, both of which are fibres that stretch and have a lot of drape, I recommend using something that also has some stretch. Superwash yarns, blends with cotton, linen, wool, silk, or alpaca tend to be good at this.
The Bay Slipover is your dream all-weather slipover, whether you’re getting cozy at home or being tousled by a crisp ocean breeze. This relaxed fit top features dolman sleeves, uninterrupted stockinette on the front and back panels, and decorative 3-needle bind offs, making for a simple, seamless knit with a clean, modern look. The pattern includes 9 sizes, 6 original video tutorials, technical illustrations for understanding the unique construction, and detailed guidance for choosing your size and adjusting the sleeves.
Because of the dolman sleeves and relaxed fit, BAY works with an extremely wide range of positive ease (anything from 6-20”/15-50cm). If you prefer more drape or a more oversized fit, feel free to size up! In the photos, Jacqui is wearing a size 7 (62”/155cm). Her bust circumference is 54”/135cm, her waist circumference is 49”/122.5cm, and her bicep circumference is 20”/50cm.
Because the recommended yarn is a silk/linen blend, both of which are fibres that stretch and have a lot of drape, I recommend using something that also has some stretch. Superwash yarns, blends with cotton, linen, wool, silk, or alpaca tend to be good at this.
I kinda love an all-over mesh lace sweater (like Look at My Holes or Menden – it’s pretty but also mod and and very retro, all at the same time. The Corran Cardigan is an all-over lace cardigan, knit seamlessly from the bottom up with drop shoulders (this means you’ll be picking up stitches for the sleeves). There are two neckline options: round and V-neck and two sleeve lengths. This pattern can be knit in a wide variety of fibres making it a perfect transitional piece. To see the Corran knit in a variety of yarns and with various modifications, please see the #CorranCardigan on Instagram.
Corran is knit with worsted weight yarn, giving you lots of options for fibres suitable for cool or warm weather (I HEART pragmatic designers, they really understand knitters).
Size
Yarn Options: Short Sleeve
Yarn Options: Long Sleeve
Other Materials
I love holes, I love mesh, I love me some BIG lace!
#LookAtMyHoles is a top down, seamless raglan crop top with a simple lace repeat creating large holes all around the garment. The combination of large needles and the lace motif make this an incredibly low yardage pattern. Perfect for layering, this top is designed to be worn with coordinating tank top, #AsFriendsTank by Jessie Mae Martinson. Look at My Holes also looks cool on its own, but for the full effect of the #LookAtMyHolesAsFriendsSet you need to make both!
Sizes
Materials
