Category Archives: berroco

INSPIRING PROJECTS with Ruffles!

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Belleville

Adult ruffle socks? Yes, please! Designed with Berroco Vintage Sock, this pretty pair of sockies will become your new favourites. Berroco Vintage Sock is a soft, comfortable, resilient, machine-washable, fingering weight yarn that features a wide colour range and incredibly soft feel.

Size

  • Approximately (7, 8)“ / (18, 20.5) cm around foot (unstretched), (9, 10½)” / (23, 26.5) cm from toe to heel.

Materials

Other Yarn Options

Lambertville

Lambertville is a pair of dainty ruffle socks for kids. Keeping little feet warm and stylish, these socks are worked from the toe up.

Size

  • (2–4, 6–8, 10–12)
  • Shown in size 6–8
  • Approximately (7½, 8½, 9½)” / (19, 21.5, 24) cm from toe to heel, (4, 5, 6)” / (10, 12.5, 15) cm from heel to ruffle, (3¾, 4½, 5¼)” / (9.5, 11.5, 13.5) cm around (unstretched)

Materials

Other Yarn Options

Ruffle Socks

Maybe you like your ruffles small … no problem, we got ‘ya covered!

The Ruffle Socks are worked from the cuff to the toe. At the beginning of the cuff a ruffle is worked followed by a folded edge. The socks are worked in stockinette stitch. The heel is shaped with short rows.

Size

  • EU shoe sizes: 35/36 (37/38) 39/40 (41/42) 43/44
  • US women’s shoe sizes: 5-6 (6½-7½) 8-9 (9½-10½) 11-12

Yarn Options

Other Materials

Ruffled Socks Junior

Maybe you like your ruffles small … no problem, we got ‘ya covered! The Ruffle Socks Junior are worked from the cuff to the toe. At the beginning of the cuff a ruffle is worked followed by a folded edge. The socks are worked in stockinette stitch. The heel is shaped with short rows.

Size

  • EU shoe sizes: 20-21 (22-23) 24-25 (26-27) 28-29 (30-31) 32-33 (34-35)
  • US children’s shoe sizes: 4½-5½ (6-7½) 8-9 (9½-10½) 11-11½ (12-13½) adult 1-2 (adult 2½-3½)

Yarn Options

Other Materials

Nuvem

Nuvem is one of my favourite ruffled wrap patterns I’ve made it a few times in different yarns and it’s always made me happy!

Notes

You’ll need to start your project on two sets of 32″ to 40″ needles and then when your project gets large enough you can move to one really long needle. See all our past project notes and hacks HERE.

Fingering Yarn Options

Thicker Yarn Options

This pattern is designed for a thinner yarn, but you can get away with using something thicker like we have!

Other Materials

  • Two sets of 3.5mm/US4 – 32″ circular needles (start with two sets of 32″ to 40″ needles and then when your project gets large enough you can move to one really long 60″ needle)
  • Stitch Markers (locking or fixed, but not split-ring markers)
  • Pattern

SIMPLE Spring/Summer Crochet Kits

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Crochet has been gaining ground over the last few years, which lots of new crocheters coming taking it up during the pandemic, so I thought I’d share a few simple crochet projects for spring & summer!

Kyrie

Kyrie is the perfect cardigan for spring. Crocheted in a simple allover lace pattern, this has built-in air conditioning. Fronts and back are worked separately with curved front hems and seamed together. Pattern includes both charts and written instructions.

The Yarn

Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find yourself wearing your garments made with it become some of your favorites. It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres (10% silk, 9% linen, 27% cotton, 30% nylon, 24% acrylic). Read more about how Berroco Remix and Remix Light are made HERE. 100g/400m (432 yds), machine wash, lay flat to dry. 

You can also make this project with Berroco Vintage Sock (it requires the same number of balls).

Size

  • Bust: (34½, 39, 41) [45½, 48, 52½, 55] {59½, 64, 66½}” / (87.5, 99, 104) [115.5, 122, 133.5, 139.5] {151, 162.5, 169} cm. This includes (5¾, 5¾, 5¾) [5¾, 5¾, 5¾, 6¾] {6¾, 6¾, 6¾}” / (14.5, 14.5, 14.5) [14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 17] {17, 17, 17} cm gap in front
  • Length: (21, 21, 21) [21½, 22¼, 22¼, 22¼] {22¾, 22¾, 22¾}” / (53.5, 53.5, 53.5) [54.5, 56.5, 56.5, 56.5] {58, 60.5, 60.5} cm
  • Shown in size 41″ / 104 cm
  • Recommended ease: 4–6″ / 5–10 cm positive ease

Gauge: 23 sts and 26 rows = 4″ in Pattern Stitch

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

Pre-Order

These kits as a special-order, but we stock the yarn, Berroco Remix Light, seasonally, so you can check to see if the colour you want is in stock. You have the option to order this kit at any time, and we will order the yarn if it is not currently in the store. 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. It normally takes one to two weeks to get stock, as long as it is in stock with the distributor. If we think it will take longer to get your yarn we will contact you to confirm.

Zelie is a boxy, loose-fitting, simple summer crochet top that lets the yarn do all the work! The back and front are worked separately and seamed.

The Yarn

Berroco Summer Sesame is a soft, light, and comfortable summer yarn with texture and colour. Its bright, happy shades of colors ebb and flow to make this self-striping worsted weight yarn a perfect summer choice. This cotton blend yarn is light to the touch, breathable, easy to work with, and machine washable. 100g/270 m (295 yds). 47% Cotton, 44% Acrylic, 9 % Nylon. Machine wash separately in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry. Made in Italy.

You can also make Zelie in a solid colour with Berroco Modern Cotton (swatch first to check your tension, you may need to go down a size in the pattern and up a hook size).

Size

  • Bust: (36, 40, 44) [48, 52, 56, 60] {64, 68, 72}” / (91.5, 101.5, 112) [122, 132, 142, 152.5] {162.5, 172.5, 183} cm
  • Length: (20, 20½, 21) [21, 21½, 21½, 22] {22½, 23, 23½}” / (51, 52, 53.5) [53.5, 54.5, 54.5, 56] {57, 58.5, 59.5} cm
  • Shown in size 40″ / 101.5 cm. 
  • Recommended ease:  Approximately 4–8″ / 10–20 cm positive ease.

Gauge

  • 20 hdc and 13 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in hdc with larger hook

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

  • 4mm/G crochet hook
  • 3.75mm/F crochet hook
  • tapestry/darning needle

Pre-Order

These kits are a special-order but we are stocking this yarn in the store on a regular basis through the spring and summer – you have the option to order it any time (it will be available to purchase as long as the manufacturer makes it available to us). 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. 

PROJECT Beach Wrap in Vivo

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Beach Wrap in Vivo

Erica just finished a new iteration of our Beach Wrap, it’s always a great project to use for experimenting with yarns and colours. Last year we tried combining two colours of the same yarn and it turned out really beautifully (you can see that project HERE), so we tired it again and it worked … again! I held two strands of complementary colourways of Berroco Vivo together, and just let them do their thing. You can also try holding two strands of the same colour but starting at different parts of the colourway.

The Project

The Beach Wrap has been a super popular project since its debut, and it makes a great canvas to paint on. It was created with accessibility in mind – I wanted it to be simple to knit, and incredibly wearable. The simple welted texture is random, completely reversible, and creates a classic, timeless look. The pattern is knitted on the bias, increasing in width as you go, so you can make it any size you like and you never have to worry about running out of yarn. To keep the texture looking random the pattern repeat is a log one, so I wrote the pattern with a line-by-line chart to help you keep track of your rows (a beneficial thing for everyone, but especially helpful for people with learning disabilities, brain fog, mommy brain, long COVID brain, messy brain, hectic brain, etc). And the final bonus – it’s a relatively fast knit on 5.5mm/US10 needles (think quick gift)!

If you prefer a rectangular wrap experience and a shape that you can have more control over, you can also try out this yarn combo in our Cottage Wrap.

Notes

  • On this version we did five full pattern repeats. Our goal was to work until we ran out of yarn, which we did.
  • When you choose your yarn, try to choose skeins that start at or around the same point in the colourway – this can help keep your colour distribution more consistent throughout the shawl. This isn’t crucial, just helpful.
  • When you start your project note whether you are taking the yarn from the inside or the outside of the skein, so you can do the same with the second ball.

Size

The Beach Wrap is a big, cozy shawl, but if you want yours huge, like a gigantic hug or a massive towel, then you should get an extra ball of yarn in each colour.

  • 100”/250cm long (from tip to tip)
  • 22”/55cm deep (at longest point)

Materials

Pairing blue with a blue is an easy task, it’s like the Canadian Tuxedo of colour combinations. To take some of the uncertainty out of deciding which other colourways compliment each other I lined them up in the natural light and gave them a very strong eye-balling …. the colour combinations above are all Haley approved.

Notions

PROJECT Ranunculus in Remix Light

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Ranunculus

We worked up this little top (Ranunculus) as an experiment to see how far we could stretch one skein of Berroco Remix Light – it turns out it can go the distance! Remix Light is a very popular little sprig and summer yarn that ticks a lot of boxes:

  • it’s very light and has double the yardage of an average cotton summer yarn (100g/400m)
  • it’s machine washable
  • it’s soft and comfortable to wear
  • it’s comfortable and easy to work with
  • it’s eco-friendly, and made from a blend of recycled fibres: Cotton, Linen, Silk, Acrylic, and Nylon.
  • it’s made in the first world (France), so no slave labour involved, just unionized, properly paid EU workers
  • it’s affordable and only costs $16.47/ball

We made the smallest size in the short sleeve and it only took ONE ball. Most of the sizes, long and short sleeved, use two balls … making it a VERY affordable project. The pattern has instructions for both a short and a long sleeve version, and it is knit from the top-down, so you can make your sleeves any length you want.

Size

We made the short-sleeved version in Size 1 on 5.5mm/US9 & 4.5mm/US7 needles, and the combination of the needle size and the unique qualities of the yarn’s fibres made ours come out smaller than the pattern. Our tension was 18 sts & 26 rows = 4″/10cm (un-stretched) – this is a big difference to the pattern, which is a gauge of 14 sts & 20 rows = 4″/10cm.

Our garment ended up smaller than the pattern specifications: it measures 18″ across the chest (36″ bust) and 16″ high from the back of the neck to the bottom ribbing … a big drop from the pattern’s 46″ bust circumference. That said, I’m extremely happy with the finished project! It’s am amazing little top, and the size is just right for someone who wears a size XS or S. The fit is cropped, and after trying it on I’d say it’s a roomy fitting size small, or oversized XS. The fabric is very stretchy, it has a lot of give and a surprising amount of memory! It is very light and doesn’t have a ton of drape. We used the majority of 1 skein of yarn, and only had about 3g left (we used approx. 375m, or 5m more than the pattern suggested).

If you choose to follow our lead and use the yarn & needle combo we did (and your tension is the same) you can probably estimate the size will come out 20% smaller than the pattern recommends (ours was 22% smaller), so multiply the finished size by 0.78 got get a good idea of where yours will end up (see the measurements in bold below, I did the math for you).

  • 1 (2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)(8, 9, 10, 11)
  • Pattern’s Finished bust circumference: 117 (123, 129, 134) (140, 146, 151)(157, 166, 174, 180) cm / 46 (48.5, 50.75, 52.75)(55, 57.5, 59.5)(61.75, 65.25, 68.5, 70.75)”
  • Our Finished Bust Circumference (corrected to 18 sts/4″): 36(38, 40, 41.25)(43, 45, 46.5)(48.25, 51, 53.5, 55.25)”

Yarn

We used Berroco Remix Light, a very light and airy bend of recycled plant and synthetic fibres – perfect for warm weather! Because we used up a good amount of our yarn, I have factored that into the yardage suggestions below and leaned on the side of caution so you won’t run out.

Remix Light has a light, nubbly, tweedy texture, which lends itself perfectly to this particular project. See finished Ranunculi made with Berroco Remix Light.

Berroco Remix Light:

  • Short sleeve: 1(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2) balls
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 3, 3, 3) balls

Other Great Spring & Summer Yarn Options

The pattern is written to be knit in a variety of yarn weights, from Lace to Worsted. Ideally, you want a solid or semi-solid coloured yarn, or a yarn that knits up in a very long, gradual ombre colourway, so you can see the details in the lace and textured stitches. The thinner the yarn, the lacier the sweater will be (yarn thickness goes from the thinnest at lace weight, then fingering, then DK, then worsted).

Berroco Modern Cotton (worsted weight – see finished projects):

  • Short sleeve: 2(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4, 4)
  • Long sleeve: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5, 5)

Berroco Modern Cotton DK (DK weight):

  • Short sleeve: 2(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 3, 3, 3)
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3, 3)

SALE Cascade Ultra Pima (DK Weight – see finished projects);

  • Short sleeve: 2(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4, 4)
  • Long sleeve: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5, 5)

SALE Berroco Pima Soft (DK weight):

  • Short sleeve: 4(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5)(6, 6, 6, 6)
  • Long sleeve: 5 (5, 6, 6)(6, 7, 7)(7, 8, 8, 8)

Schoppel Zauberball Cotton (fingering weight – see finished projects):

  • Short sleeve: 1(1, 1, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2)
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3, 3)

Materials

  • 5.5mm/US9 circular needles
  • 4.5mm/US7 circular needles
  • stitch markers
  • tapestry needle
  • Pattern

FINISHED Sophie Shawl in Vivo

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Sophie Shawl

Sophie is a simple shawl that’s knit horizontally, from tip-to-tip. It’s a quick, easy knit thats great for little projects …. perfect for travelling or patio season. It calls for a worsted eight yarn, but we tried it out with Berroco Vivo, a textured, DK weight, 100% cotton, just to play around and see what would happen. What happened was a really pretty, light little spring/summer wrap!

Size

We made a size medium and I feel like it turned out as more of a scarf than a wrap (I had an uncertain amount of yarn on hand and I wasn’t sure how far it would go). We only used 1.22 balls (or 330m) of Berroco Vivo, and I feel like it turned out a bit small as far as wraps go, so if I made another I’d go up to the largest size. If you are using Berroco Vivo you will likely not use as much yarn as is recommended in the pattern, it seems to have gone further than expected.

  • Our Finished Sample: Size Medium – 11″ (27.5cm) deep, 80″ (200cm) long
  • Pattern Size: S (M) L
  • Pattern Length from tip to tip: approx. 170 (210) 240 cm or 67 (82¾) 94½ inches

Easily Change the Size

Because the pattern is knit from side-to side, its really easy to just knit until you’ve used up half of your yarn, then start the decreases. Just be sure to weigh your yarn before you start, so you know how much is you half-way mark (I use an inexpensive digital kitchen scale from Amazon). If you want you can also make your shawl larger than the largest size, you just need to start your decreases later.

Materials

  • Berroco Vivo: 1 to 2(2, 2 to 3)
  • 4.5mm/US7 needles (straight or circular)
  • Tapestry or Darning needle
  • Pattern

Spring & Summer Yarn Alternatives

Fall & Winter Yarn Alternatives

Just in case you happen to be vacationing in the southern hemisphere any time soon … if you want to make a fall/winter version or something with some fuzzy, my favourite options are

FREEBIE Tybee Baby Cardie

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Tybee

Tybee is a simple, new free baby cardie pattern knit with using Berroco Vivo, a multi-colored, self-striping 100% cotton. Vivo is perfect for baby & kid knits, as it’s super soft, light, machine washable, and ever so pretty! the 100% cotton is breathable and prefect for transitional weather.

Construction

The body is worked in one piece from the bottom-up to the underarms, then divided
for back and fronts. The sleeves are worked in the round to underarms, then joined to body so that yoke is worked in one piece.

Simpler Pattern Options

If you like the idea of a baby sweater in this yarn but you want something simpler, try one of the following:

Size

  • (3, 6, 9) [12, 18, 24} mos
  • Chest (closed):  (20, 21, 22) [23, 24, 25}” / (51, 53.5, 56) [58.5, 61, 63.5] cm
  • Length:  (10½, 11, 11¼) [12¼, 13, 14]” / (26.5, 28, 28.5) [31, 33, 35.5] cm
  • Shown in size 3 mos.

Materials

NEW Berroco Modern Cotton

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Berroco Modern Cotton

Berrooc Modern Cotton is a super soft and slightly silky yarn that’s perfect for spring and summer projects. It’s a machine-washable blend of pillowy Pima cotton and silky Modal viscose/rayon, which also makes it a perfect choice for people sensitive to animal fibres and vegans. Modal is a sustainable cellulosic fibre sourced from plants (like bamboo or Lyocell), and is a bit cooler to the touch than plain cotton (a good thing if you tend to run warm, or live in a warm climate).

Modern Cotton is a Worsted weight yarn, meaning it works up on 4.5mm/US7 knitting needles or a 5mm/H crochet hook, and you can substitute it in patterns that call for a similar weight yarn.

Modern Cotton is perfect for both crochet and knitting and is great for sweaters, tanks, tees and other tops, hats (especially chemo hats), bags, shawls & wraps, blankets & afghans, and slippers. 

SEE PROJECTS SUITABLE FOR THIS YARN

  • 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal Rayon (viscose)
  • 100g/191m (209 yds)
  • Worsted weight
  • 4.5mm/US7 knitting needles
  • 5mm/H crochet hook
  • Knitting gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet gauge: 16 sc & 19 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Made in Peru
  • Machine Wash in cold water, delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.
  • Berroco Modern Cotton is also available in a DK Weight

Red Bud Isle

Red Bud Isle is a pretty summer tank with a nifty cross-over in the back. The Tank is worked from the bottom front hem upwards, increasing along edges of the back body and adding a single stripe near the hem and a set of stripes at the chest. Stitches are then cast off to separate into front and back strap sections. Front body is finished first and each strap is turned into an i-cord. Back body pieces overlap and strap stitches pick up stitches to join together back body pieces to create the fixed overlap. The final stitches are worked into i-cord for each strap.

Size

  • Finished bust: 84 (92, 102, 112, 116, 127) cm OR 33 (36, 40, 44, 46, 50)”
  • To be worn with 5 cm / 2” positive ease
  • Model has 81.5 cm / 32” bust, stands 165 cm / 5’5” tall, and is wearing size 2.

Materials

Admit by Norah Gaughan

I admit, I love Norah Gaughan … her designs always engage me, they’re creative, sometimes architectural, but always different from everything else out there. Simple eyelets make a basic top both pretty and a teensy bit avant-garde. This top will be extra flattering on anyone with smaller shoulders. Plus, this particular pattern is FREE!

Size

  • Finished Bust: 36(40-44-48-52)”
  • Length: 22(22-22½-22½-24)”
  • Designed with approximately 6” of ease.

Materials

Chickadee Cardigan

Misha and Puff don’t have a large repertoire of patterns, but their classic, vintage-inspired knits are simple, beautiful and fun. This easy, open little cardie is a versatile layering piece for warmer weather. Seamless, top-down construction and a hint of texture at the yoke make it a fun and satisfying knit. This classic cardigan construction is certain to be a go-to favourite. There is also a pattern for a matching Bonnet.

Size

  • 0-6m (6-12m, 12-18m, 18-24m, 2-3y)
  • Finished bust: 18 (19 3⁄4, 20 1⁄2, 21 1⁄4, 22)” OR 46 (50, 52, 54, 56) cm

Materials

Modern Stripes Baby Blankets

This simply styled FREEBIE baby blanket combines bands of colour and texture in a modern ‘sampler’. It’s available in a knit (right) as well as a crochet (left) version.

Throw Blanket

To make a larger blanket you just need to add more stitches:

  • CROCHET: The pattern stitch is a two-stitch repeat so you can change the stitch count at the beginning by a multiple of two stitches and the pattern will still come out right.
  • KNIT: The pattern is a multiple of 4 plus 2 stitches, so ass stitches in a multiple of 4 to make your blanket bigger.
  • For a full throw size (Crochet: 62.5″, Knit: 61″) buy twice as much yarn and start with Knit: 278 sts, or Crochet: 224 chain.

Size

  • Crochet version: Finished size 31.3/4” x 42”
  • Knit version: 30 1/2″ x 42″

Materials: KNIT

Materials: CROCHET

Cloverleaf Eyelet Blanket

There is something very beautiful and special about this vintage-inspired baby blanket … I may be sentimental because it resembles the blanket my great-grandmother made for me. I think a fabric this simple and pretty requires a fibre with a little bit of a fancier aesthetic, like Berroco Modern Cotton (or a merino like Cascade 220 Superwash Merino). The trefoil border is a simple corchet stcrochet stitch, and the pattern comes with free youtube videos.

The pattern is FREE on the designer’s blog, you can sign up for her newsletter and get a copy for free, or you can pay to download a PDF . There are also instruction on how to Resize a Knit Blanket, Throw or Washcloth.

Size: 40″ X 44″

Materials

Crocheted Moroccan Style Slippers

Size

  • Women’s medium: approx. 10″/25cm long (toe to heel); approx. 9″/23cm around foot at instep.
  • Note: Pattern can be adapted for a longer or shorter foot. For length over approx. 11″/28cm, buy extra yarn.

Materials

Portofino Bag Set

This mesh 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!

Size

  • Tote Bag: Width laying flat: 21”/53.5cm; Length: 15”/38cm; Depth: 7”/18cm; Strap length: 15”/38cm
  • Bottle Bag: Circumference: 10”/25.5cm; Length (adjustable): 7”/18cm; Strap length: 50”/127cm

Materials

VIDEO TUTORIAL ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go’ Crochet Blanket

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I’ve been working on an “Oh the Places You’ll Go” Blanket and I made up a simple hack to make the increases and rounds look beautiful and seamless! In the video I show you how to make the blanket from the start … and there’s a special treat at the end!

Yarn

I’m using 6 colours of Amano Yarns Chaski – the yarn is lovely but it’s fingering weight and taking FOREVER to finish. I highly suggest using a thicker yarn than I did, the pattern uses a Worsted weight yarn and I recommend Berroco Modern Cotton (for a baby blanket you’ll need 1 skein of each of 6 colours, for a throw you’ll need two skeins of each colour, for something even larger try three skeins of each colour, and you may want/need an extra skein of yellow, that’s the colour I used the most of/ran out of first):

Other Materials

You can find the details for this project, all our other videos, and other recommended video support on our website in the main menu under VIDEO. We’ve included project ideas, links for skills, and more!

NEW Berroco Vivo

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I’m easing into spring a little early this year because … why not??!!! It’s been grey and dreary since November and I think we all deserve the joy and hope that comes with light, bright colours. I love wool, and I respect winter as a season and as a concept, but I also need something to look forward to, and our knitting & crochet is one area where we can do some pre-emptive spring & summering.

Berroco Vivo Cotton

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).

  • 100% Cotton
  • 100g/290m (317 yds)
  • DK (double knitting) weight
  • 4mm/US6 needles or 4mm/G hook
  • knitting gauge:  22 sts & 30 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • crochet gauge: 20 sc & 25 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine wash in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.
  • Made in Italy
  • Finished Projects Made With This Yarn

SEE PATTERNS THAT USE THIS YARN

SEE PATTERNS THAT WOULD WORK WELL WITH THIS YARN

Berroco Vivo is great for both Crochet and Knit projects:

I found this granny square cardie project on Ravelry … I love the watercolour quality of the colourways in this yarn!

Sapphire

Sapphire was my favourite new pattern in Berroco Vivo last year. It’s such a sweet and wearable little top that looks good on all types of bodies. It looks sweet over a summer dress, or you can wear it with pants, a skirt – it goes with everything. To make the arms longer pick-up the sleeves and knit down in pattern stitch to your desired length.

SPECIAL ORDER A KIT HERE!

Construction

Sapphire is a classic dolman sleeve V-neck cardigan in an all-over textured stitch. Back, Right Front, and Left Front are each worked separately, with increases forming the dolman sleeves. Pieces are sewn together, then sleeve cuffs and button band are picked up and knit.

Size

Note:  Since this garment has a dolman sleeve, the bust measurement is very forgiving.  Go by the waist measurement when selecting your size.

  • Waist: (32½, 36, 40½, 44½) [48½, 52½, 56½, 60½] {64½, 68½, 72½, 76½}” / (82.5, 91.5, 103, 113) [123, 133.5, 143.5, 153.5] {164, 174, 184, 194.5} cm
  • Length: (17½, 18, 18¾, 19¼) [20, 20¾, 21¼, 22] {22¾, 23¼, 24, 24½}” / (44.5, 45.5, 47.5, 49) [51, 52.5, 54, 56] {58, 59, 61, 62} cm
  • Shown in size 36″ / 91.5 cm. Recommended ease:  Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

The Yarn

Berroco Vivo is a bright and cheerful cotton yarn that features a delightful color flow. Tropical colors in a cottony soft fiber make it perfect for summer tops and accessories. Plus, it’s machine washable, making a great choice for summer tops!

  • 100% Cotton
  • 100g/290m (317 yds)
  • DK weight
  • 4mm/US6 needles 
  • 4mm/G hook
  • Knitting gauge: 5.5 sts = 1″ or 22 sts & 30 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet gauge: 5 sc = 1″ or 20 sc & 25 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Made in Italy
  • Machine wash delicate, lay flat to dry

Gauge

  • 22 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Moss stitch, on larger needle

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Cleome

Cleome is knit flat and uses intarsia colourwork with a contrasting colourway to make a cool graphic. If you’ve never done intarsia before this might be a simple introduction – the graphic is a simple one, and the yarn is textured, hiding a multitude of sins! Plus, the pattern is FREE, so you can check it out before you commit to the project.

SEE FINISHED PROJECTS

Size

  • Bust: (36, 40, 44) [48, 52, 56] {60, 64, 68}” / (91.5, 101.5, 112) [122, 132, 142] {152.5, 162.5, 172.5} cm
  • Length: (22, 22½, 22½) [23, 23, 23½] {23½, 24, 24½}” / (56, 57, 57) [58.5, 58.5, 59,5] {59.5, 61, 62} cm
  • Shown in size 40″ / 101.5 cm.
  • Recommended ease: Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

Materials

  • Berroco Vivo: (2, 3, 3) [3, 3, 3] {3, 4, 4} balls 3516 Meadow (MC), and (1, 1, 1) [1, 1, 2] {2, 2, 2} balls 3533 Rain (CC)
  • 4mm/US6 needles (straight or circular)
  • 3.5mm/US4 needles (straight or circular)
  • 3.5mm/US4 – 16″ circular needles
  • 1 stitch marker
  • 2 stitch holders
  • FREE Pattern

Photo: knittinmichelle

Piilu

First things first, check our Carol’s Piilu – it looks AMAZING on her!!! If you’ve never done entrelac it takes a little patience, but it’s worth the effort! This pattern is also a FREEBIE, so you can read it over before diving in.

SEE FINISHED PROJECTS

Size

  • Bust: (37, 41, 45) [49, 53, 57] {61, 65, 69}” / 94, 104, 114.5) [124.5, 134.5, 145] {155, 165, 175.5} cm
  • Length: (23, 23, 23) [23, 23, 24] {24, 24, 24}” / (58.5, 58.5, 58.5) [58.5, 58.5, 61] {61, 61, 61} cm
  • Shown in size 41″ / 104 cm.
  • Recommended ease: Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

Materials

  • Berroco Vivo: (5, 6, 6) [7, 7, 8] {8, 9, 10} balls #3514 Dewdrop
  • 4mm/US6 needles (straight or circular)
  • 3.5mm/US4 needles (straight or circular)
  • FREE Pattern

Photo: SingingSheep

Ametrine

Ametrine is an oversized CROCHET pullover with deep armholes for a loose, oversized look. This top is made to be worn over outfits and even great for a bathing suit coverup. It’s designed with a simple shell stitch pattern, making it accessible for less experienced crocheters.

Ametrine is made with four identical “quadrants“, each worked from the cuff to the center of the body, for back and front. Pieces are seamed at the centerline of each, the back and front, the top of the sleeves/shoulders, and the bottom of the sleeves, leaving openings at neck and bottom edge. Stitch pattern is both charted and written out.

Size

  • Lower Opening Circumference (40, 44, 48) 52, 56, 60 {64, 68, 72}“ / (101.5, 112, 122) 132, 142, 152.5 {162.5, 172.5, 183} cm
  • Length: 21” / 53.5 cm
  • Shown in size 44” / 112 cm. Recommended ease: 6–12” / 15–30 cm positive ease.

Materials

FINISHED Malou

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Malou

As promised, here’s Malou, the sweater I mentioned last week when I wrote about the Bente Throw …. I made Malou for myself, and I’m so happy I did, I LURV it so much I’ve started a second in another colourway! The yarn, Berroco Wizard, is super soft, light, airy, colourful, and easy to work with. It’s machine-washable merino wool in a chainette form (that means it’s already knitted in a tube, like an i-cord). There is also a little bit of nylon in the yarn that’s used to carry and bind the ultra fluffy & light merino and keep it in place (all you’ll feel is the merino, the two fibres aren’t blended together).

Construction

Malou is a simple pullover knit in the round from the bottom up, making it a great first (or fiftieth) sweater. The body and sleeves are knitted separately in the round, up to the underarms. The pieces are then joined and the yoke is worked in the round to the neck. There are some short-rows at the neck to bring the back of the neck higher, but if you find this intimidating you can skip this. There is no seaming, no picking up stitches – the only finishing is weaving in the ends and whatever type of blocking you prefer (I steam blocked)

Skill Level: advanced beginner to intermediate.

Skills: knitting in the round, W & T short rows.

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS 

Project Notes & Insights

  • Choose at least two skeins of yarn that start at around the same place in the colorway – these will be for the sleeves.
  • Start your project with the sleeves. You can use them to check your tension, and you’ll be able to match their colour before you start into the body.
  • I got a different gauge than in the pattern (my sweater came out smaller than the size in the instructions) so be sure to check yours! That said, I still had lots of yarn left over (I used 2.6 balls for my sweater in the second size), and the sweater size is perfect for me, so it’s a win-win in my books! As always, check your tension ….
  • The colourways in this yarn seem to be more of a suggestion than an exact duplication in each ball. When you do your sleeves they probably aren’t going to be *exactly* the same, even if you try to meticulously match the skeins. If you try to get them to be you’ll probably drive yourself crazy, but treat it as an exercise in surrender and you’ll be smiling!
  • I used colour 2954 Unakite.

Size

  • Finished Bust: (34, 38½ , 42½) [47, 51¼ , 55½] {59¾, 64, 68¼}” / (86.5, 98, 108) [119.5, 130, 141] {152, 162.5, 173.5} cm
  • Length: (21, 22, 23½) [23½, 24, 24¾] {26, 26½, 27}” / (53.5, 56, 59.5) [59.5, 61, 63] {66, 67.5, 68.5} cm
  • Shown in size 38½” / 98 cm.
  • Suggested ease: Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

Gauge

When checking your tension do so after blocking to get the most accurate stitch gauge:

15 sts and 22 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needle (I got 16 sts to 17 sts ….

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

Berroco Wizard is a super soft, light & happy bulky weight yarn. It stripes by itself, with bold colors flowing. It has a chainette construction which makes it feel deliciously airy and weightless. The construction is also responsible for it’s very generous 240m yardage – the same amount of a typical bulky weight yarn would normally be about 100m to 125m. Wizard is also machine washable, so it’s great for all kinds of projects including blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts – even a cozy pair of -slipper-socks!

  • 85% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Nylon
  • 100g/240m (264 yds)
  • Bulky Weight
  • 6mm to 6.5mm/US 10 to 10.5 needles
  • 6.5mm/K crochet hook
  • Knitting Gauge: 14-16 sts & 20-23 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet Gauge: 13 sc & 16 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine wash separately in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.Made in Italy
  • When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

Projects & Patterns