We chose two colours that are close together but not exactly the same, which creates some depth of colour and vibrance in the finished piece. I’m including some colour combinations below.
Modifications
To make an adult size large (23″ to 24″ head circumference): 1. cast on 96 sts, 2. knit an extra inch before you begin the decreases (begin decreases at 9”); 3. begin the decrease section by working in 1×1 rib pattern for 21 sts, P3tog, then continue in the same logic.
If you want a folded brin knit for an extra 2.5″ to 3″ from cast-on edge
Size
One Size (fits medium-sized head: for a large see modifications above/in pattern)
14.5” circumference (before blocking and unstretched), 10.25” height
French Macaroon is an adorable and simple little pullover for babies & toddlers! I love it because it’s a great basic sweater for less experienced knitters. It’s knit in garter stitch, which is a great texture for coloured, self-striping and hand-painted yarns. We’ve used Schoppel Edition 3, a super soft and spongy, machine washable merino yarn that changes colour by itself. For a light, cotton version of this project try using Berroco Vivo. If coloured yarns aren’t your thing that’s ok too, the pattern is actually designed in solid colours (see below).
Tutorials
The pattern comes with a list of video tutorials to help you with any skills that might be new:
Looking for a matching hat for the new macaroon in your life? Try Tiny Tot or if you want something a bit more interesting to use up your coloured yarn (like Schoppel Edition 3 or Berroco Vivo) try Tensfield.
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.
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)
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
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.
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 longneedle. See all our past project notes and hacks HERE.
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 long60″ needle)
Stitch Markers (locking or fixed, but not split-ring markers)
The Great Lakes Throw is a super simple blanket anyone can whip up QUICK! It’s made with super bulky weight Cascade Cotton Puff and knits on 15mm/US19 needles for maximum satisfaction. The yarn is a soft, machine-washable cotton tube with a springy polyfil core (like the stuff in pillows and stuffed animals), giving it body and ease of use (it’s also allergy friendly and vegan).
The pattern is a simple, elegant, reversible rib, suitable for all knitters from beginners on up. Sizes range from a baby blanket to king-sized bed. Each ball of Cascade Cotton Puff is 200g/7.05oz, so while this technically isn’t a ‘weighted blanket’, it has some weight to it! Our sample is the Medium Throw 45″ x 60″ and is knit in colour 04.
Size
Baby (Medium Throw, Large Throw, Twin Bed, Double Bed, Queen Bed, King Bed)
Inches: 35 x 42 (45 x 60, 55 x 70, 65 x 90) {85 x 90, 95 x 100, 105 x 100} inches
Centimetres: 87.5 x 105 (112.5 x 105, 137.5 x 175, 162.5 x 225) {212.5 x 225, 237.5 x 250, 262.5 x 250) cm
Our sample is the Medium Throw 45″ x 60″ and is knit in colour 04
Alternately use a super bulky weight yarn that calls for 12mm/US17 to 15mm/US19 needles and knits at 8 sts/4”(10cm): 485 (890, 1270, 1925) {2520, 3125, 3455} metres OR 532 (977, 1393, 2112) {2765, 3429, 3791} yards
How adorable are these little chickens?! These hens knit up quickly with about 25m of worsted weight yarn (or two strands of a DK or Sport weight held together – about 50m) and are perfect for creating a cute and festive atmosphere. And when they hide a chocolate egg, it’s even more fun! Or use one to keep your soft-boiled eggies warm? Or just keep them around the house and invite them for a coffee clutch …
Yarn Options
I like the idea of rustic, tweedy-looking chickens using Drops Soft Tweed hold 2 strands together with 5mm/US8 needles).
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:
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.
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
Berroco Modern Cotton: Main Colour 3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins (shown in Piper 1603), and Contrast Colour 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1) skein (shown in Point Judith 1645)
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!
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
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.
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.
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!
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
Locking Stitch Markers (I used 12 in a main colour, one in a contrast colour, and another odd one to help me keep an eye on things)
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!
I can totally see myself getting caught up in making these bows …. either a bunch for myself or give them as little gifts. They’re very charming, kind of semiotically neutral, and essentially a pretty basic knit. The December Bow is worked back and forth in one piece from tip to tip in garter stitch with i-cord edges. The work is folded into a bow and sewn together at the end following the diagram with instructions that can be found at the end of the pattern. The money from the sale of December Bow will go to Save the Children in the time period between the 1st of December 2022 and 1st of December 2023.
Another winter creature, the snowperson is a delight for everyone’s eyes. To help your snowpeople stand tall, try putting some metal washers in their bottoms (you can get them at the hardware store) – it will improve their balance immensely.
Yarn Options
Double knitting weight yarn is perfect for this project – I love a textured yarn like Drops Soft Tweed, but I know some people like the simple grace of a pure merino like Sandnes Garn Double Sunday. If you want to keep things cheap ‘n cheerful go for Berroco Vintage Baby (it comes in 50g balls), or if you want a village of snowpeople you can also opt for Berroco Vintage DK in 100g skeins.
There are a lot of wreath patterns out there, for all seasons and occasions, but I just kind of enjoyed this one because it’s so leafy – I love the idea of using different shades of greens and different textures of yarn to recreate a natural abundance.
This must be one of the easiest patterns goings …. a simple tree ornament. This pattern is great for less experienced knitters … that pattern PDF even has links to video tutorials for the skills.
This adorable little tree is a simple crochet (only chain and single crochet are used), and it comes with a free video tutorial to walk you through it! Make one, make a forest, and decorate them with little beads for ornaments or leave them in their natural state.
Gnomes can be knit mini (ornament) sized with fingering weight yarn, or start upsizing with a thicker yarn and make yours a super-gnome! Whatever you choose will be marvelous …. you’ll never stock gnoming! Go down approximately 1 mm from the recommended needle size to get a tight tension.
Infinitude is a really easy cowl great for knitters both experienced and less-so. A few years ago we made it in a solid colour of Drops Air, and it’s been so popular that I figured it was worth punching up with some colour. We made the smaller size of this cowl with one ball of Berroco Wizard (see our Ravelry notes for dimensions, etc), and while we used the recommended 5.5mm/US9 needles, I think you could go up to a 6mm/US10 with Berroco Wizard. The fabric is light and airy, incredibly soft, slightly textured, and above all else dazzling to the eye (and don’t your eyes deserve something resplendent to rest on?)
After we made our Bente Throw we had some leftovers, and I hate seeing leftovers going to waste (not that yarn goes bad), so we played yarn chicken to see how far our Berroco Wizard bits would go …. it turns out FAR! Our hat weighs just 42g, which means you should be able to make TWO hats with one ball (as long as you buy a pom-pom or go without) or one hat and on pair of mitts (see below).
I used a natural raccoon fur Pom-pom, but you can also opt for synthetic if you like (for this hat I’d go any size natural raccoon pom-pom or a MEDIUM-sized synthetic pom-pom, since the fabric is light and won’t hold the weight of a large or extra large synthetic pom-pom).
The pattern is one size, but the fabric is very stretchy and comfortable fit a 24″ head (including ponytail) – I love magic yarns!!!
Materials
Berroco Wizard: 1 ball (we used 42 g for our hat, colour 2933 Apatite)
I was doing some teaching last week and cast-on for a sock using more of the leftovers (although I’m really running low now) and the free Rye pattern from Tin Can Knits (I have left out the garter stitch detail). If you’ve never made socks before this is an excellent pattern!
