Category Archives: fall

PROJECT Nanaimo

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Nanaimo Cardigan

Nanaimo is a super cute, super-bulky weight cardie that will knit up in a FLASH!!!!! It’s perfect for fall weather, both knitting & wearing. Canadian designer Tara-Lynn Morrison of Good Night, Day makes marvelous, simple sweaters with super thick yarn. We used super soft, 100% merino Malabrigo Rasta for our sample (we used colour 809 Solis), her designs always make the yarn shine. If hand-painted yarn isn’t your thing and you want a more demure look try using Cascade Spuntaneous – it’s also a single-ply, 100% merino wool.

Size

  • XS/S, (M/L), (XL/XXL), (XXXL)
  • Width at bust (lying flat): approx 49.5 cm / 19.5” (56 cm / 22”), (62. 25cm / 24.5”) ( 68.5 cm / 27”) (75 cm /29.5”)
  • Body length: approx 42 cm / 16.5” (46 cm / 18.5) or desired

Yarn

Malabrigo Rasta: 4(5, 6, 7) skeins (we used colour 809 Solis)

SEE FINISHED PROJECTS MADE WITH MALABRIGO RASTA

or alternately …

Cascade Spuntaneous: 4(4, 5,6) skeins

SEE FINISHED PROJECTS MADE WITH CASCADE SPUNTANEOUS

Needles

Needle sizes aren’t listed, so check the pattern to confirm what you’ll need (although we expect it will be similar to the pattern above). We think Interchangeable needles area great way to go when a pattern calls for a bunch of sizes you don’t normally use. The Knitter’s Pride tips can be a great value, while the Addi Interchangeables are the premium option.

If you prefer fixed circular needles, Clover and Addi both make wonderful quality circular needles, and if you want a wood 15mm/US19 circular check out the Knitter’s Pride Fixed needles.

Other Materials

Looking for something to hold your cardie or shawl closed? Try one of our Oversized Safety Pins Brooches – the simple design makes them ideal for knits because there’s nothing for the yarn to get caught in.

SALE ENDS SOON! & Long Weekend Hours

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Labour Day Weekend Store Hours

I’m needed by my family this weekend for an 80th birthday party, followed by my sister-in-law’s departure for her first academic conference (we’re so proud of her!), so I’m taking an extra day off this Saturday. The last weekend of the summer is not traditionally a busy one in the yarn store, so I don’t think you’ll miss me too, too much. I adore it when you come by, but I also love it when people are out taking advantage of beautiful weather and just enjoying life.

Friday: 12 pm to 6 pm

Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday: CLOSED

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday: 12 pm to 6 pm

My current reading suggestion is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. You can read it on paper, digitally download it, or get it as an audiobook (which is read by the author), so you can knit/crochet/wash dishes/walk/run/get your nails done while you read. It is also accompanied by a chapter-by-chapter podcast with Oprah (stream free online or on any podcast service, including Spotify), so you can test the water and see if it’s for you, and if it is, you can read along with the author, lady-O, and regular people asking really good questions. I feel kind of silly having come so late to the Tolle party (especially after seeing Oprah’s podcast was recorded in early 2019), but I guess I wasn’t ready. Now that I’m here I see exactly why Oprah has been such a fan. Tolle isn’t just talking about spiritual life, he’s talking about LIFE (or to the point, spiritual life IS life).

If you’re at a place where you want to change yourself, your life and our world for the better, this book is a great point of reference to help you level up. Just one caveat – people who are negative and aren’t ready to leave that state won’t get this book (and judging by the reviews online it seems to make them really angry). If you have a negative person in your life, giving them this book won’t ‘fix’ them – they have to be open to healing themselves. People who aren’t quite ready, but are getting there, might read a chapter or two but it won’t stick, it’ll sort of go through them – if this is you or a loved one it’s a good sign, hold on to the book, it’ll be there for you when it’s needed next. Anyway, the best books are always the ones you can read over and over and get something new from each time.

Effortless Cardigan

Get your fall off to a great start with a simple cardie you can wear everywhere, all the time. The Effortless Cardigan is made with a simple worsted weight yarn and ONE pair of 4.5mm – 32″ circular needles. It’s knit from the top-down in one piece (the underside of the sleeves are seamed, but if you prefer you can knit them in the round). The pattern is free, and there are a range of affordable yarn options, so if you end up loving your sweater you can keep making them and fill your wardrobe!

See Finished Projects

Size

  • Finished Bust (not including front bands) 34 (38.5, 42, 45.5, 49.5)” in.” or (86.5 (98, 106.5, 115.5, 125.5) cm)

Yarn Options

  • Berroco Vintage: Super soft, machine washable, blend of wool & synthetic. ($10.47 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Drops Air: Cozy and light – super soft baby alpaca blown in an airy nylon core. ($10.97 ea) – 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) balls
  • Cascade 220 Superwash: Soft, machine washable, 100% Peruvian wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($13.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Berroco Summer Sesame: Great for warm climates … light, machine-washable, colourful and slightly textured (go up a size in the pattern). SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97) – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls
  • Cascade 220 Superwash Merino: Super soft, machine washable, 100% Merino wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($15.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Malabrigo Rios: Super soft, hand-dyed, machine washable, 100% Merino wool. We suggest alternating skeins to get the best colour distribution. ($23.97 ea) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls

Other Materials

SEE ALL SALE PRODUCTS

Our SUMMER SALE is ending Sept 5th! Select products (including some clearance items and craft kits!) are now 25% OFF. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).

See our Past Project Ideas For:

Berroco Remix Light: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See Projects

Quince & Co Kestrel: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See Projects

Quince & Co Sparrow: SALE $11.22 (Reg $14.97)

See Projects

Berroco Summer Sesame: SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97)

See Projects

Rico Creative So Cool So Soft: SALE $8.98 (Reg. $11.97)

See Projects

Berroco Pima Soft: SALE $7.48 (Reg. $9.97)

See Projects

Assorted Crafty Kits 25% Off

PRE-ORDER Pom Pom Quarterly Autumn 2022 No. 42

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Pom Pom Quarterly No. 42 Autumn 2022

Release Date: Aug 31, 2022

It’s no secret that, when it comes to colour, texture, and pattern, Pom Pom are maximalists through and through! This autumn,they decided to embrace this natural instinct and curate a knit and crochet collection inspired by abundance.

SEE PATTERN DETAILS HERE

The result is 11 glorious designs with immense visual impact, highly satisfying and tactile motifs, and which echo the intricate aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement. The patterns are mesmerising, romantic, and somehow embody the wondrous generosity imbued in the act of making.

Featuring designs by: EDDA LILJA // ELENA DIMCHEVSKA // EMMA DUCHER // EMMA JANET // ERICA SUFKA // FRAN LÓPEZ // LUCIA LUCIANO // MARIA WALTERS // OLIVIA SCZEPANIK // WEICHIEN CHAN (THEPETITEKNITTER) // YUCCA

What’s more, the autumn 2022 collection features an article by Aja Barber, an eminent figure in the pushback against fast fashion, who encourages us to think more about the clothes we pair with our handmade items.

Spend a golden autumn afternoon reading the interview with embroidery extraordinaire, Tessa Perlow, and using Ella Hawkins’ biscuit decorating tutorial to make confectionery which looks like your knitting.

NEW PROJECT Felix Pullover

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Felix Pullover

We recently finished this cozy sweater, and it’s definitely a WIN! It was a quick, simple knit with a timeless appeal and pretty, knitterly details. The pattern, Felix Pullover, is a beginner friendly top-down sweater that knits in one piece (no seaming). It works up on 6mm/US10 needles, so it makes a great project you can make AND wear THIS fall. We used two skeins of Cascade Eco+ Merino, which makes it an affordable project that comes in just over $75. It also makes a great gift to knit, should you happen to owe someone a sweater?

The Yarn

After seeing clients make a few gorgeous Carbeths with Cascade Eco+ Merino I wanted to give it a go! I’ve been feeling a need for colour lately, but I thought the neutral light grey would make for a pretty, simple sweater and show off the design details. Cascade Eco+ Merino is a soft, springy 100% South American merino wool, made in Bolivia. It’s spongy and has a ton of body and memory (seriously, it stands up majestically, like gigantic fake boobs). The only thing I’ve found about this yarn is that it’s very merino-ish, it creates great surface detail and would make gorgeous cables. The flip side is that it was slightly unforgiving when it came to weaving in the ends. I suggest splitting the strand when weaving in the tails, which will create less bulk.

Yarn Alternatives

DROPS AIR: The Felix Pullover was originally written to be a looser knit on an aran weight yarn that blooms. If you want to try a lighter or airier version, try super soft Drops Air: 4(5, 6, 6, 7) balls. This would would make a sensational spring pullover which would look great over a tank top, or be a great sweater for warm climates and for people who run warm. This is also a super affordable option, running from $40 to $70 (depending on size).

BERROCO VINTAGE CHUNKY: For a machine washable sweater or something for someone who is extra itchy or allergic, I’d go with Berroco Vintage Chunky: 5(6, 7, 7, 8) skeins. Vintage Chunky is also a pocket-book friendly choice, running from $40 to $80 for the project (depending on size).

DIAMOND LUXURY BABY ALPACA SPORT: For an extra soft and drapey version, try Diamond Luxury Baby Alpaca Sport: 6(7, 8, 9, 9) skeins. NOTE: alpaca is VERY stretchy and you can probably go down a size from what you would normally wear.

QUNICE & CO KESTREL: Do you winter down south or live in a warm climate? I don’t, but if I did I’d go for an aran/chunky weight, machine washable linen like Quince & Co Kestrel: 9(10, 12, 13, 14) skeins. NOTE: Linen is VERY stretchy and you can probably go down one or two sizes from what you would normally wear.

Size

Felix is supposed to fit a little bit oversized and casual. We made the second size, which is a medium.

  • S(M, L, XL, XL2)
  • Circumference at bust at underarm: 39 (43 ½, 48, 52 ½, 57)”
  • Length from right front cast on to right neck edge: 21 (23, 24, 26, 27)”

Materials

  • Cascade Eco+ Merino: 2(2, 2, 2, 3) skeins
  • 5mm/US8-16″ and 24″ circular needles
  • 6mm/US10-16″ and 24″ circular needles
  • 5mm/US double pointed needles
  • 6mm/US10 double pointed needles
  • Stitch markers
  • Tapestry needle
  • Pattern: Felix Pullover
I wish the mannequin had a booty – the sad, empty butt reminds me of my cousin’s sagging jeans.

Many thanks to Tessa for making this happen!

FINISHED Carbeth Pullover

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Carbeth (Pullover)

If you’re looking for a quick sweater to whip up before the fall weather really hits, this is IT! The Carbeth Pullover uses chunky weight yarn, 6mm/US10 needles, so it goes fast! The design is simple, elegant, and makes for a very easy to wear sweater with a little bit of interest in the details. It’s easy to change the measurements (make the body longer, make the neck longer or shorter, etc). We used the same yarn, Cascade Eco+ Peruvian Tones, but in a more interesting colour, 08 Rum Raisin (in the skein it looks brownish, but knitted up it looks more like an oxblood/dark red). We tried out the black/grey colourway last December when I made a Carbeth Cardigan, but I think it’s time to get some colour back into our lives!

Yarns

We used Cascade Eco+ Peruvian Tones, which gave it a contemporary look for a great price (the project used less than two skeins, and came in under $70). I’ve also seen it made a few times with Cascade Eco+ Merino, which is a softer merino wool, has more body and definition and still comes in under $76. If you need something machine washable you can’t go wrong with Berroco Vintage Chunky.

Mods

The pattern is a cropped style and we added one inch to the length of the body. I think if I was to make one for myself I’d like the neck longer – I like it all oversized and cozy.

P.S.

Many thanks to our sample knitter Tessa, without who I could not keep up with the hard work of inspiration.

Materials

NEW Fibre Co One Sweater

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Pattern

Fibre Co One Sweater is a classic. It’s a timeless, gender-inclusive (unisex) knit – it will NEVER go out of style. Take good care of this sweater and you’ll have it forever. It’s knitted in one piece from the top down with a raglan sleeve. It has a little bit of short row neck shaping to make the fit comfortable (I hate it when the back of a sweater rides up). The pattern is offered in a broad range of sizes, from age 1-2 through to a 56” chest circumference. It also includes the option of a shorter or longer length for the adult sizes, and they included the extra yardage (I love these people).

Skill Level

This is a great project for knitters who are new to sweaters, as well as those who have already been initiated.

If you are ….

  • New to sweaters: it’s a good first sweater, you’ll learn useful new skills and it’ll give you the confidence to jump into more advanced projects.
  • Have a little bit of experience with sweaters: this shouldn’t phase you, and it’ll reinforce the skills you already have.
  • Experienced at sweaters: it’s great for those who want to go on autopilot and make something simple and timeless. 

This is normally a paid pattern ($9 USD/$12.50CAD) but The Fibre Co is offering it for free through stores when you buy the yarn for the sweater (Fibre Co Cumbria). Just ask us in-store or when you check-out online. 

Yarn

Let’s talk about the YARN. Fibre Co Cumbria is a traditional style British yarn, and at first glance it doesn’t look substantially different from other classic-ish string from the UK? What makes it special? Good question … it involves a story. A little while ago I decided to start exploring a different way to buy yarn for the store. Instead of making sure a yarn ticks a bunch of boxes of client needs (which I do still take into account), I decided to base my initial decision of how the yarn feels to knit with – ie. how ENJOYABLE it is.

So I started swatching and rating my enjoyment level during the process of working with the yarns. It has been a VERY interesting process. There have been a lot of gorgeous yarns that I thought would be great while in the skein, but once I cast-on they felt Meh, or worse, Yucky. Life is both very short and very long, and if I’m laying down my money for a pricey yarn I don’t want to work with Meh or Yucky. I want something that SINGS, something that brings me JOY. Furthermore, I don’t want you to either. There’s already enough Meh and Yuck in our world, I don’t want to spread more, I want to share Joy. It’s time to bring-back joy. 

Anyway, I’m sure you’ve already read between the lines and figured out that The Fibre Co. Cumbria was one of the yarns that absolutely SANG. I think I even swatched it twice, on separate occasions several months apart, and still had the same happy reaction. It was beautiful to work with, and I enjoyed it so much that when I ordered it I bought an extra bag to make a sweater for ME (if you want my yarn I’ll share it, I know where to get more).

  • The Fibre Co. Cumbria 
  • 2 [2: 3: 3: 3: 4: 5: 5: 6: 6: 7: 7: 8] hanks.
  • For longer length – [-: -: -: -: -: 5: 5: 6: 7: 7: 8: 9] hanks.
  • Yardage given includes enough to knit an 8” x 8” tension swatch.

Other Materials

  • 3.75mm (US 5) 40 cm (16 in) circular needle
  • 4mm (US 6) 100 cm (40 in) circular needle (or size to obtain gauge)
  • stitch markers
  • scrap yarn or stitch holders
  • tapestry/darning needle

Size & Fit

  • Finished chest circumference: 22.5(25.5, 27.5, 28.75, 30.5, 32, 33.5, 38.5, 41.5, 46.5, 49.5, 52.75, 57.5)”
  • For full details See table HERE

PATTERN HERE

PROJECT Brushed Alpaca Nuvem

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Nuvem

I just finished a third Nuvem and it was a total win! It’s light and airy as a cloud and cozy as hell. It’ll be an awesome spring/fall wrap, I just want to cocoon in it. I used Drops Brushed Alpaca and Silk and 4.5mm/US7 needles, so it also didn’t take a super long time (I took about a month, but I totally dawdled because I wasn’t into any tv shows or audiobooks). Anyway, everyone who picks it up says they they feel compelled to make one – especially after I tell them the yarn only cost $36 (total).

Notes

The pattern isn’t very complicated, but it does involve a cast-on that some may not be familiar with: Judy’s Magic Cast-on. It’s isn’t hard, and I don’t think you should let it stop you from making this project. Judy’s Magic Cast-on is a very popular technique for making toe-up socks, and there are tons of videos and tutorials for it online, so if you have a hard time with one just skip to the next.

Nuvem Needle Hacks

  1. The last time I made a Nuvem I came up with an easy Knit Hack to help keep track of my needles on this project!
  2. This pattern is worked on two identical circular needles, which can get unwieldy. After I had been working for a while and my Nuvem had grown sufficiently I found that I was able to transfer all of my stitches to a single 60″ circular needle. My preferred type of needles for this project are interchangeables (I have a set of Addis, but Knitter’s Pride are also a great option, their extra cords and tips are affordable), because if I’m going to buy two identical needles of the same size, they might as well be interchangeable tips.

Size

I always wonder why shawls and wraps don’t come in sizes – people comes in different shapes and sizes, and a person with larger shoulders, back and/or bust will need a larger garment, right? Luckily, this pattern is extremely flexible, so it’s very easy to make this wrap smaller or larger. I cast on 143 stitches, which measured 37”/94cm in length after blocking (the end sections each measure about 17″/42cm). I feel like my wrap would fit up to a size large, but if I was an XL or larger I’d make it longer. If you want yours longer you can cast on more stitches (based on my tension, that’s about 3.85 stitches per inch, so if you wanted your wrap to be 4″/10cm longer I’d cast on an extra 15 stitches). If you want it wider you just have to knit extra rounds (or block it width-wise – I blocked mine length-wise).

  • Width (after blocking length-wise): 23”/58cm
  • Length (after blocking length-wise): 71”/180cm
  • Weight: 150g

You can get an idea about the finished size in the picture below. The mannequin is a size 6 and on the small size at that (no booty whatsoever), so I’d say that this is what it would look like on a small person.

Materials

FREEBIE Galilee

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Galilee-1_medium2

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Galilee

As soon as I saw this FREE pattern I knew I wanted to share it, but I figured I’d better wait until the heat settled down, and all the best yarn options had arrived. I love the elegant shape and texture in this “swancho” (it’s like a poncho, but with little sweater sleeves). If the textured panel seems a little daunting you can omit it and just knit the front panel like the same as the back, in stocking stitch.

You can use any chunky weight yarn (something that knits up on a 6mm/US10 needle). Berroco Vintage Chunky is soft, machine washable, and comes in a spectrum of great colours. Cascade Eco is made with 100% Peruvian wool that comes in both dyed and undyed natural colours, and is the most cost-effective choice, especially as the sizes grow). For a stunning statment, use Malabrigo Mecha, a gorgeous hand-dyed, machine washable, buttery soft single ply merino wool.

Size

  • Small (Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X, 3X)
  • Bottom edge – 55 (59, 64, 68, 71, 76)”
  • Length – 24½ (25, 25½, 26, 26½, 27)”

Yarn Options

Berroco Vintage Chunky: 9(10, 11, 13, 14, 15) skeins

Cascade Eco: 3(3, 3, 4, 4, 5) skeins

Malabrigo Mecha: 9(10, 11, 13, 14, 15) skeins

Other Materials

  • FREE Pattern
  • 5.5mm/US9-16″ circular needles
  • 5.5mm/US9-29″ circular needles
  • 6mm/US9-29″ circular needles
  • 2 stitch markers
  • tapestry or darning needle

 

 

 

FREEBIE Tied Knots

Tied Knots

Tied Knots a is gorgeous one-skein project that will make a very impressive and well received gift. Just one skein of semi-solid hand-dyed Mineville Merino DK is enough, or try 2 skeins of Cascade 220 Sport Superwash if you prefer a solid or heathered colour. For something more post use a skein of Madeline Tosh Merino DK. One skein of Mineville Angora Wool is enough for two hats or a hat and a matching pair of mitts.

Materials

  • FREE Pattern
  • Mineville Merino DK: 1 skein
  • 3.25mm/US3-16″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6-16″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6 double pointed needles
  • cable needle
  • stitch marker
  • tapestry/darning needle

 

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FREEBIE Favorite Slouchy

Favorite Slouchy

This stylish hat is a great project for both newbies and more experienced knitters (it comes with a tutorial on hat knitting). It’s simple, elegant, and makes a great holiday gift. It’s designed using soft, hand painted Malabrigo Rios, but you can use any worsted weight yarn (see list below for recommendations).

Yarn Options

Other Materials

  • FREE Pattern
  • 4mm/US6-16″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6 double pointed needles
  • tapestry needle
  • stitch marker

 

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