Category Archives: cashmere

PRE-ORDER KIT Adara Pullover

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Adara PRE-ORDER

PRE-ORDER KIT (see below for details)

As soon as I saw Adara I thought “Hello sweetie, you’re going to be my next favourite sweater!” Then I swatched with the yarn and I KNEW it. Berroco Lucca is a new blend of cashmere and cotton, and it is so soft and buttery – I have a feeling that once you put this sweater on you’ll never want to take it off (you may even want to make another in a different colour). It isn’t just a perfect closet staple, its the sweater of your heart.

The design features all over garter stitch with slightly leafy looking lace panels up the sides and arms. Rolled edges finish things off and add a modern, simple polish. Adara is worked flat in pieces and seamed (seams give a sweater stability and structure, which is helpful with a fibre blend of cashmere and cotton … if you’re going to spend the time and money to make a cashmere sweater, it should be beautiful too). The lace pattern is charted.

Newsletter Special: 10% Off, use code KITSTOGO at check-out!

The Yarn

Berroco Lucca is a luxurious, soft and buttery yarn made in Italy from a blend of premium cashmere and cotton. It has beautiful stitch definition and soft drape, and it’s perfect for making just about anything you want to touch your skin (sweaters, shawls & wraps, cowls, hats, scarves, mitts, blankets – you name it. The colour is very delicately marled, giving the finished knit a bit of subtle dimension while still keeping that classic cashmere look. Lucca is definitely a yarn you’ll want to come back to over and over again … I’m so convinced of this that this kit includes the entire Digital eBook: Berroco no. 426 Lucca (you’re going to want to make more).

Lucca is worsted weight and normally knits 20sts/4″(10cm) on 4.5mm/US7 needles. Lucca is machine washable (not often something a cashmere does well), but lay it flat to dry.  

Note: If you love this pattern but the yarn is a little too precious, we can work with you to make up a kit for you in another yarn – just contact us!

PRE-ORDER NOTE

These kits are a SPECIAL PRE-ORDER – we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them at 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. 

FYI: The yarn mills still aren’t up and running at full capacity, international shipping is still lagging, and it’s going to be another hit-or-miss year in terms of availability from distributors. If you want something in a particular colour I suggest you order early, shipments are already a bit backed up.

Size

  • Finished Bust: (36, 40, 44) [48, 52, 56] {60, 64, 68}” / (91.5, 101.5, 112) [122, 132, 142] {152.5, 162.5, 173} cm
  • Length: (23, 23½, 23½) [24, 24, 24½] {25, 25½, 26}” / (58.5, 59.5, 59.5) [61, 61, 62] {63.5, 65, 66} cm
  • Shown in size 40″ / 101.5 cm. Recommended ease: 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

Gauge

  • 18 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter St on larger needles
  • 20 sts and 32 rows = 4″ / 10 cm over Sleeve Chart on larger needles
  • 15 sts = 3″ / 7.5 cm over Body Chart on larger needles

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

NEW Handmaiden Casbah 5ply Gradient Wrap Kits

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handmaiden casbah 5ply gradient kit wrap BLOG.png

Handmaiden Casbah 5Ply Gradient Wrap Kits

Soft and luxurious, Cashbah 5 Ply is a wonderful DK weight yarn made with cashmere and merino! These gradient sets transition from one skein to another naturally, and have an amazing depth to their colours. Each skein is 82m(87 yards)/50g (80% merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon). Made in Canada. Each kit is individually dyed, no two are exactly alike, images may vary a bit.

Kit Contains

  • 5 skeins of Casbah 5ply yarn (398m total)
  • Pattern

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w

Handmaiden casbah 5ply wrap kit colour COMBO BLOG.jpg

Handmaiden casbah 5ply wrap kit COMBO.jpg

New Finished Project: Simple Yet Effective Cowl


You already know that I’m having a love affair with cashmere, so it won’t be much of a surprise if I told you I made another cowl with the stuff. It couldn’t be helped, this damnable cold winter made me do it. I caved and bought a parka – don’t tell my old wool coat, she’ll never forgive me.  The down-filled usurper is a very boring grey and desperately needs some colour …… some snuggly, baby soft, cashmere colour. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 

Simple Yet Effective Cowl



  • I like wearing it inside out
  • Used German Twisted Cast On
  • Worked 10 pattern repeats and then 3 purl rows.
  • Bound off with 5.5mm/US9 needles

New Finished Project: Devin’s Toque

Is there a better gift than a cashmere hat? Well, any kind of cashmere accessory is fine by me! It’s so cozy, I love having it near my face. 

I finished a new Toque just in time for my mom’s birthday – and it is LOVELY!  It was an easy gift, she put in a request for an updated version of an earlier hat matching her Tuesday Night Cowl. 


Devin’s Toque

The pattern, Devin’s Toque, is an oldie and goodie. It is written for flat knitting (and seamed up the back), but is easily translated to a circular knit. 

My mom’s head is very small, and cashmere tends to stretch with wear, so I made a few mods to accommodate.



Modifications
  • Worked in the round
  • Used 3mm needles
  • Used German Twisted Cast On. 
  • Did not cast on with 2 strands (as recommended by pattern)
  • Cast on 96 sts for a size XS (head size 20.5″ circumference)
  • Worked until close to using up the yarn.
  • Blocked using Eucalan
  • For decreases: I used k2tog instead of k2tog tbl (looks nicer)
  • Second last round: knit (instead of purl)

One Skein Cashmere Classics


I’m kind of in love with one skein cashmere projects, especially with Handmaiden 4ply Cashmere.  It’s just so soft and cuddly, it’s like wearing a loving hug – and in the midst of a long cold winter, who doesn’t need one of those? I made the following projects for the store but absconded with them and wear them every day! In fact, I love them so much I’m making another set in a brighter colour (something else necessary to get through the grey, dark days). Plus, both patterns are FREE!!!!



Simple Yet Effective Cowl
So snuggly! I like to wear this one inside out (pic on the left), but either way it’s like wearing a bunny (but much lighter). The German Twisted Cast-On was very effective for this piece and I highly suggest it. Otherwise, make sure your cast-on and bind-off are loose so your cowl will stretch when you put it on and take it off.




Classic French Beret

More Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply

Just arrived, more colours of Handmaiden Cashmere 4ply! One skein is enough to make a very yummy hat or neckwarmer. 

New: Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single


Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single  $34.97
Zen Yarn Garden Serenity Silk Single is a hanka-hanka burnin’ love! Seriously, it’s GORGEOUS. It is a luxe blend or merino, cashmere, and silk, twisted into a lush single ply. It’s completely worth the indulgence, and it’s made in Canada too! You can use it for socks, shawls, wraps, caps,  sweaters, wristlets, and anything else you can dream of – it’ll make anything stunning. 
  • 75% Superwash Merino, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk
  • 100g/392m
  • 2mm to 3mm needles
  • Hand or machine wash, lay flat to dry
  • Made in Canada


As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!