Category Archives: hat

NEW Sandness Garn Double Sunday

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We recently received a shipment of a new staple yarn, Sandnes Garn Double Sunday. Double Sunday is a favourite of PetiteKnit, to the extent where she’s collaborated with the yarn company and added her own palette of colours. Double Sunday is a soft, 100% merino wool, non-superwash double knit weight yarn (3.5mm to 4mm needles). It works up beautifully on its own, or try holding it with a kid-mohair like Drops Kid Silk or a brushed alpaca like Drops Brushed Alpaca & Silk to give it a halo St. Peter would envy. While the ball band says to hand wash, the word on the street is that you can machine wash this yarn (I’ll whip up a swatch and throw it in my next load). No matter what, always wash your hand knits in a delicate bag on delicate so they don’t abrade!

All Double Sunday Patterns

The Hipster Hat

The Hipster Hat is worked bottom-up in a 2×2 rib stitch. The bottom has a folded edge of about 6 (6) 8 (8) cm [2¼ (2¼) 3¼ (3¼) inches] (you can do a double folded edge if you knit the hat extra-long, but bear in mind that this will require more yarn than suggested). The decreases at the top of the head are done by working 2 sts together on each side of two knit sts a total of 4 times across the round. The Hipster Hat can be knit a bit long for it to get a little “hipster top” or to a length where it fits your head snuggly. The Hipster Hat is for both men and women.

Size

  • baby (child) woman (man)
  • head circumference of approximately: 45-48 (48-53) 53-57 (57-60) cm [17¾-19 (19-20¾) 20¾-22½ (22½-23½) inches]

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: 2(2, 2, 3) skeins (knit with 1 strand only)
  • 3.5 mm/US4 – 16″ circular needle
  • 3.5 mm/US4 double pointed needles to shape the crown (or a longer circular needle if you prefer to do it using the magic loop method)
  • Pattern

Oslo Hat

The Oslo Hat is worked in two strands of yarn held together from the bottom up in stockinette stitch. The first part of the hat is worked on a 40 cm 16 inches circular needle, while the top of the hat is worked either on double-pointed needles or on a circular needle using the Magic Loop technique.

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) the approx. equivalent to baby (junior/woman) woman (man)
  • head circumference of approximately: 47-50 (50-55) 55-59 (59-62) cm [18½-19¾ (19¾-21¾) 21¾-23¼ (23¼-24½) inches]

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: 2(3, 3, 3) skeins (knit with 1 strand only)
  • 3.5 mm/US4 – 16″ circular needle
  • 3.5 mm/US4 double pointed needles to shape the crown (or a longer circular needle if you prefer to do it using the magic loop method)
  • Pattern

Champagne Cardigan

Construction

The Champagne Cardigan is worked from the top down with raglan increases on the yoke and a deep V-neck. The neckline of the cardigan is shaped with short rows by raising the back of the neck. The button plackets are worked in double knitting with buttonholes along the right side.

Size

The Champagne Cardigan has an oversize fit and is designed to have approx. 28 cm [11 inches] of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 28 cm [11 inches] larger in circumference than your bust measurement. The sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL are designed to fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm (130-140) 140-150 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39½) 39½-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ (51¼-55) 55-59 inches].

Before beginning your project, measure yourself to determine which size to knit. For example, if you measure 106 cm [41¾ inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body) you should knit a size XL. A size XL sweater has a bust circumference of 134 cm [52¾ inches] which in the given example would give you 28 cm [11 inches] of positive ease.

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL
  • Finished Bust circumference: 113 (117) 121 (128) 134 (146) 157 (167) 173 cm [44½ (46) 47¾ (50½) 52¾ (57½) 61¾ (65¾) 68 inches]
  • Length: 61 (62) 65 (66) 68 (68) 70 (71) 72 cm [24 (24½) 25½ (26) 26¾ (26¾) 27½ (28) 28½ inches] (measured mid back excl. neck edge)
  • The model in the picture has a bust circumference of 82 cm 32¼ inches. She is 164 cm 5’5” tall and is wearing Champagne Cardigan in a size XS.

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: 11(11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) skeins
  • Drops Kid Silk: 5(5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins
  • Circular needles: 4.5 mm [US7] / 40, 60 and 80 or 100 cm 16, 24 and 32 or 40 inches and 3 mm [US2½] / 100 cm [40 inches]
  • Double-pointed needles: 4.5 mm [US7] (unless the Magic Loop technique is used) as well as a single 3 mm [US2½] double-pointed needle
  • 4 buttons (22-24 mm)
  • Find videos on the techniques used in this pattern here.
  • Pattern

Hanko

Hanko has a boxy and relaxed fit that is effortless to wear and style in many different ways. It is my take on the classic Breton stripe style, but with a few little twists such as the two-colour stripes, dropped shoulder line and wide sleeves. Did you also notice the two-colour tubular bind off at the hem and the cuffs?

Hanko is knitted seamlessly top-down. The neckline is folded double, and the top of the back is shaped with German short rows to improve the fit around the neck. The shoulders are sloped and worked by increasing stitches along the shoulder line. After finishing the increases the front and back are separated and knitted separately to create the sleeve openings. After that, the pieces are joined again in the round and worked seamlessly down to the hem. Lastly, stitches are picked up around the sleeve openings and worked in the round. You can easily try the Hanko pullover on as you knit it and adjust the measurements to your own body measurements.

Hanko got its name after the small seaside town in Finland. The town of Hanko is a popular summer destination with beautiful beaches, marinas and old wooden villas dating back to the 19th century.

Size

This garment is supposed to be an oversized fit and features a positive ease of 25 cm / 10 inches.

  • 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
  • Finished bust circumference: 100 (111, 120, 131, 140, 151, 160, 171, 180) cm / 39.25 (43.75, 47.25, 51.5, 55, 59, 63, 67.25, 70.75) inches
  • Length from hem to underarm (adjustable): 24 cm / 9.5 inches

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: Main Colour: 6 (7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) skeins, Contast Colour 1: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2), Contrast Colour 2:  1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins.
  • 3mm/US2.5 & 3.5mm/US4 DPNs
  • 3mm/US2.5 – 16″ circular needles
  • 3mm/US2.5 & 3.5mm/US4 – 32″ (40″) circular needles
  • Pattern

Marseille Sweater: Adult, Junior & Young

Construction

The Marseille Sweater is worked from the top down. First, the back yoke is worked back and forth, while the shoulder slope is created by working short rows for a good fit. After this, each shoulder is worked back and forth separately with short row shaping. Then, the shoulders are joined to form the front. The front and back are worked separately and joined at the bottom of the armholes, and then the body is worked in the round on a circular needle. The sleeves are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armholes and are shaped using short rows. The sleeves are worked in the round on a circular needle and double-pointed needles or using the Magic Loop technique. The neck edge is worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the neckline, it is then folded double and knitted together. The Marseille Sweater is worked with stripes, the placements of which are described in the pattern.

Size

The Marseille Sweater is designed to have approx. 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be 25 cm [9¾ inches] larger in circumference than your bust measurement. Before beginning your project, measure yourself to determine which size to knit. For example, if you measure 90 cm [35½ inches] around your bust (or around the widest part of your upper body) you should knit a size S. A size S sweater has a bust circumference of 115 cm [45¼ inches], which in the given example would give you 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease.

ADULT

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL
  • Designed to fit a bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 cm (130-140) 140-150 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39½) 39½-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ (51¼-55) 55-59 inches].
  • Finished Bust circumference: 110 (115) 120 (125) 135 (145) 155 (165) 175 cm [43¼ (45¼) 47¼ (49¼) 53¼ (57) 61 (65) 69 inches]
  • Length: 62 (64) 66 (67) 68 (70) 72 (72) 74 cm [24½ (25¼) 26 (26½) 26¾ (27½) 28¼ (28¼) 29¼ inches] (measured mid back excl. neck edge)
  • The model in the photos is wearing a size XS and has a bust circumference of 82 cm [32¼ inches] and is 164 cm [approx. 5 feet 4 inches] tall.

JUNIOR (age 1 to 9)

  • 1-2 (2-3) 3-4 (4-5) 5-6 (6-7) 7-8 (8-9) years
  • Finished Bust circumference: 64 (70) 74 (76) 78 (80) 84 (90) cm [25¼ (27½) 29¼ (30) 30¾ (31½) 33 (35½) inches]
  • Length: 36 (37) 39 (40) 41 (43) 44 (46) cm [14¼ (14½) 15¼ (15¾) 16¼ (17) 17¼ (18) inches] (measured mid back excl. neck edge)

YOUNG (age 9 to 15)

  • 9-10 (10-12) 12-14 (14-15) years
  • Bust circumference: 97 (100) 105 (108) cm [38¼ (39 ¼) 41¼ (42½) inches]
  • Length: 50 (52) 54 (57) cm [19¾ (20½) 21¼ (22½) inches] (measured mid back excl. neck edge)

Materials

ADULT

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: Main Colour 11(11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18) skeins, Contrast Colour 1(2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4) skeins. If knitting the sweater without stripes: 12 (13) 14 (15) 16 (18) 19 (20) balls. Shown in colours Almond 2511 and Sailor in the Dark 5581.
  • Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 40, 60 and 80 and/or 100 cm [16, 24 and 32 and/or 40 inches] and 3 mm [US2½] / 40 cm [16 inches]
  • Double-pointed needles: 4 mm [US6] (unless the Magic Loop technique is used)
  • Find videos on the techniques used in this pattern here.
  • Adult Pattern

JUNIOR

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: Main Colour 4(4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins and Contrast Colour 1(1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2) skeins. Shown in Camel 2542 and That Orange Feeling 3819.
  • Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 40, 60 and 80 cm [16, 24 and 32 inches] and 3 mm [US2½] / 40 cm [16 inches]
  • Double-pointed needles: 4 mm [US6] (unless the Magic Loop technique is used)
  • Find videos on the techniques used in this pattern here.
  • Junior Pattern

YOUNG

  • Sandnes Garn Double Sunday: Main Colour 8(8, 9, 10) skeins (shown in colour 2511), Contrast Colour 2 skeins (shown in colour 8236).
  • Circular needles: 4 mm [US6] / 40, 60 and 80 cm [16, 24 and 32 inches] and 3 mm [US2½] / 40 cm [16 inches]
  • Find videos on the techniques used in this pattern here.
  • Young Pattern

Saktevotter

Construction

The chart is designed to make the knitting flow, even though the cables are placed closely together. For this reason, all the cables are knitted on the same row, followed by 3 simpler rows. The cable pattern is easy to memorize and not too difficult to knit, even if you haven’t knit cables before. The mittens are knitted bottom-up and the thumbs are knitted at the end, using the ‘’afterthought’’ method.

Size

The mittens are quite stretchy in width, and they will therefore fit a wide range of sizes. The length is adjusted by knitting fewer or more repeats.

  • S (Small, Womens), L (Large, Womens)
  • Length: S – 18.5 cm, L – 21 cm (measured without the cuff). Fits hands with palm length S – 16.5-18 cm, L – 18.5-20.5 cm (measured from the wrist to the tip of the longest finger).
  • Circumference: S and L – 17.5 cm (without stretching, corresponds to 8.5-9 cm width). The circumference is the same in both sizes and can be stretched comfortably to a circumference of 22 cm. The mittens will fit a palm measured around the knuckles’ circumference (without the thumb) of 16 to 22 cm.

Materials

PROJECT Hipster

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This book has absolutely nothing to do with the hat, it’s just something I’m reading.

Hipster

What can you do with one 50g skein of really nice yarn? You can make a really nice beanie! Hipster is a great little pattern from Tin Can Knits that spans sizes from baby to adult large and can be used with either DK or Aran weight yarn (for this project we went with the former). For any size, you only need 1 skein of delicious Fibre Co Acadia. Acadia has a slightly rustic look, but don’t be fooled, it’s made with 100% sexy stuff: Silk Noil, Baby Alpaca, and Merino Wool. Think of it as a city dweller’s fantasy of what they want rustic to be (which really couldn’t be further from the reality, but we humans love our theatre).

Bird crashed the photo shoot
The colour is closer to being accurate on the white background

This project and yarn combo are excellent gift territory – nobody doesn’t need a little hat when it’s chilly, and the end result will be gorgeous, no matter what! The finished hat is also reversible – the neat decrease detail in the crown looks amazing on both sides. If you prefer the fisherman look over the hipster, you can add a turned-up brim by making the ribbing longer, but remember to get a second skein of Acadia (one skein should still be fine for a baby size).

The crown decreases from both sides of the fabric

I always like recommending patterns by Tin Can Knits; their patterns are easy to follow, they work, the sizing usually covers all ages, and when I’ve contacted them and asked them questions they were really kind and helpful. So basically, if you are one of those people who are resistant to paying for patterns, I feel like the ones by Tin Can Knits have a lot of value and I think you get a lot for what you’re paying for. Plus they’re Canadian, eh!

Photo: Tin Can Knits

Size

  • To Fit: Baby (Child, Small Adult, Medium Adult, Large Adult)
  • Head circumference: 16” (18”, 20”, 21”, 22”)

Materials

Photo: Tin Can Knits

One Sweater DK

The Fibre Co has put out a series of One Sweater patterns that run from baby to adult sizes. The company owner & founder, Daphne, is wearing their One Sweater DK in
Fibre Co Acadia colour Royal Tern. I think the colour is absolutely smashing!

Size

  • To Fit Chest: 48-51 [53-58: 58-63: 63-68: 68-71: 71-76: 78-81: 86-91: 97-102: 107-112: 117-122: 127-132: 137-142: 147-152: 157-162] cm (19-20 [21-23: 23-25: 25-27: 27-28: 28-30: 30-32: 34-36: 38-40: 42-44: 46-48: 50-52: 54-56: 58-60: 62-64] in)
  • Chest Circ: 57 (65: 68.5: 72: 76: 80: 84: 95: 106.5: 118: 126: 133 145: 156: 167.5) cm (22.75 (26: 27.5: 29: 30.5: 32: 33.5: 38: 42.75: 47.25: 50.25: 53.25: 58: 61.5: 66) in)
  • Total Length (Shorter): 33 (40.5: 43: 46: 49: 55: 61: 61: 61: 62.5: 62.5: 65: 65: 66.5: 67.5) cm (13 (16: 17: 18: 19.5: 21.5: 24: 24: 24: 24.5: 24.5: 25.5: 25.5: 26: 26.5) in)
  • Total Length – Longer (at shoulder): – ( -: -: -: -: -: 66: 67: 68: 70.5: 70.5: 76: 77: 78.5: 80.5) cm (- -(: -: -: -: -: 26: 26.5: 26.5: 27.5: 27.5: 30: 30.5: 30.5: 31.5) in)
  • Upper Arm Circ: 24.5 (28.5: 29.5: 31.5: 32: 34: 36: 38: 39: 44: 47.5: 49.5: 52: 54: 56) cm (10 (11.5: 11.75: 12.5: 13: 13.75: 14.5: 15.25: 15.5: 17.5: 19: 19.75: 21: 21.75: 22.5) in)

Materials

Bird crashed the photo shoot

NEW Pumpkin Beanie Kit

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Pumpkin Beanie Kits

Our local knitting guild, The Needlework Guild of Canada, very graciously invited me to attend their first Knit in the Park, so I whipped up a little kit for them, a Pumpkin Beanie. I figured it’s timely, what with harvest season approaching. Plus, there is no child ever who isn’t ADORABLE in a pumpkin hat. Since our guild knits for charity I wanted it to be something that was gender neutral, and makes a great gift for anyone. I sized the hat from preemie to kids of all ages, and you should be able to get 2 pumpkin hats out of one kit (and probably a third green hat too). The yarn is the ever soft and Berroco Vintage, but if you want to upgrade go for the combo I assembled with Malabrigo Rios.

You can purchase the pattern separately HERE.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

We wanted the skill level to be accessible to knitters in the beginner spectrum, so there isn’t any colourwork or charts, you just need the following skills:

  • Read a knitting pattern
  • Cast on & Bind off
  • Knit & Purl in the same row
  • Work in the round on circular & double pointed needles
  • Weave in ends

See our curated list of knitting skills for tutorials

Not sure how to make the fancy knot at the top? No problemo, there’s a link in the pattern to a little video that shows how it’s done!

Size

  • preemie (0-6 mos, 6-18mos, 18mos-4yrs, 4yrs-adult S)
  • To fit head circumference: 14.5(16.75, 18, 20.5, 21.5)” or 36(42, 45, 51, 54) cm
  • Note: Fabric is stretchy. If you want a tighter fit go down a needle size
  • Photo is size 0-6mos: after blocking it measures 7.75″ wide

Gauge

  • 20 sts & 26 rounds = 4”/10cm with 4.5mm/US7 circular needles after blocking

Kit Includes

  • Berroco Vintage (or Malabrigo Rios): 1 skein in each of 2 colours. Our sample is made with Vintage (MC) 5176 Pumpkin & (CC) 51174 Spruce.
  • Pattern (PDF & printed)
  • one kit is enough yarn to make at least 2 pumpkin hats, with lots of green leftover to make another hat. 

Kit Does Not Include

PROJECT Novice Cardigan

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Photo: © PetiteKnit

Novice Cardigan – Mohair Edition

A simple sweater makes for a very satisfying project (and a great sweater), and Petite Knit is really, really, really good at that. Besides designing patterns for beautiful, simple silhouettes, she does a lot of combining of fibres, which creates a depth of colour and texture that goes beyond what you can get out of a single strand. The Novice Cardigan Mohair Edition is designed with 2 strands of a lace-weight mohair, like Drops Kid-Silk, held together. There are a few different ways you can go about this:

1. Same Yarn & Colour (Identical Twins)

You can use (ie. Drops Kid-Silk) like the designer has done in her sample (see the picture above for a closeup). Easy, peasy, no thinking, falls under Keep It Simple Sister.

Photo: © PetiteKnit

2. Combine Two Colours (Fraternal Twins)

A second option could be to use two different colours of the same yarn (ie. Drops Kid-Silk). If you want to create a depth of colour chose two that are close together, and their fuzzinesses will blend together and make them look like something new. Below are a few examples of to illustrate my point ….

3. Combine Fibres (Kissing Cousins)

The option that gets me really excited is to combine different fibres in colours that complement each other, thereby creating a dept of colour and texture – something you’ll never find in a store-bought garment. For this pattern I’m crushing on Fibre Co Meadow (On Sale to Sept 6) paired with Drops Kid-Silk. A lighter shade of kid-mohair will brighten up the base yarn, while a colour that is closer to the base will blend more, and create a halo. The most important thing is that the base tones match. For the the following examples I’ve eyeballed and scrutinized the skeins in natural light to make sure they work together, or as Erica says ‘make sense’. (FYI, if you’ve only got 1 skein of Meadow see the bottom of the page for a smaller project)

4. Single Strand of Yarn (Friends of the Family)

Lastly, you can use a single strand of DK Weight yarn (something that knits at around 22 to 21 sts/4″) … made in the right yarn, like Fibre Co Acadia, Malabrigo Arroyo, or even Kelbourne Woolens Scout could make for a very happy cardie!

Photo: © PetiteKnit

Size

  • XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL
  • Finished Bust circumference: 96 (100) 105 (111) 120 (129) 140 (151) 161 cm OR [37¾ (39¼) 41¼ (43¾) 47¼ (50¾) 55 (59½) 63¼ inches]
  • Length: 52 (54) 56 (58) 59 (60) 61 (62) 63 cm OR. [20½ (21¼) 22 (22¾) 23¼ (23½) 24 (24½) 24¾ inches] measured mid back
  • Designed to fit an approximate bust circumference of 80-85 (85-90) 90-95 (95-100) 100-110 (110-120) 120-130 (130-140) 140-150 cm [31½-33½ (33½-35½) 35½-37½ (37½-39½) 39½-43¼ (43¼-47¼) 47¼-51¼ (51¼-55) 55-59 inches].
  • Designed to have approx. 10 cm [4 inches] of positive ease, meaning it is designed to be approx. 10 cm [4 inches] larger in circumference than your body. (This means that if you, for example, measure 90 cm [35½ inches] around your bust or widest upper body part (measure yourself around your bust, or your widest point, using a measuring tape), you should knit a size S which has a circumference of 100 cm [39¼ inches]. This will give you 10 cm [4 inches] of positive ease.)

Yarn Options

  1. Drops Kid-Silk: 8(8-9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14-15) balls in one colour
  2. Drops Kid-Silk: 5(5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) balls in each of TWO colours (you may end up with an extra ball of yarn this way, but it’s better than running out)
  3. Drops Kid-Silk: 5(5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) balls, AND Fibre Co Meadow: 2(2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4) skeins (ON SALE TO SEPT 6)
  4. Any DK Weight Yarn : 850(850 to 950, 950, 1060, 1060, 1166, 1272, 1378, 1484 to1590)m

Other Materials

Photo: © PetiteKnit
Photo: © PetiteKnit

Oslo Hat – Mohair Edition

FYI, if you’ve only got 1 skein of Fibre Co Meadow (On Sale to Sept 6) pair it with 2 balls of Drops Kid-Silk and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous hat!

Size

Fits head circumference: 47-48 (49-50) 51-52 (53-54) 55-56 (57-59) 60-63 cm [18½-19 (19¼-19¾) 20-20½ (20¾-21¼) 21¾-22 (22½-23¼) 23½-24¾ inches]

Materials

Photo: © PetiteKnit

SALE Technical Difficulties, Let’s Try That Again!

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OOPS! It seems the discount in our system didn’t want to work! So be it, let’s try this again, shall we? The digital bug has been rectified and the sale is actually saleing now! if you purchased something yesterday or this morning at full price that was supposed to be on sale we will fix that and refund the difference. Thanks for your patience! Haley

15% OFF some very Yummy Yarn when you check-out Online!

From June 6th, 12:01 am – June 19th, 11:59 pm

Discount will automatically be added in your shopping cart at check-out, you don’t need to do anything! You will see the discount code SOMETHING NICE automatically be entered. This discount can not be combined with other discounts or sales, except for items that are already marked down in our system, like Fibre Co Amble colour Helvellyn which is overstock and REALLY needs a good home).

SALE Treat Yourself to Something Nice!

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15% OFF some very Yummy Yarn when you check-out Online!

From June 6th, 12:01 am – June 19th, 11:59 pm

Discount will automatically be added in your shopping cart at check-out, you don’t need to do anything! You will see the discount code SOMETHING NICE automatically be entered. This discount can not be combined with other discounts or sales, except for items that are already marked down in our system, like Fibre Co Amble colour Helvellyn which is overstock and REALLY needs a good home).

I’ve noticed people have kind of become accustomed to suffering and aren’t being kind to themselves …. don’t suffer, no matter what your grandmother said, it is NOT good for you! You aren’t going to grow any faster or learn more from suffering, it will never magically evolve into joy – it’s just blocked energy. When you lean into flourishing you connect with flow. Be kind to yourself, love yourself unconditionally, TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING NICE! And if you’re afraid of ducking up your project because your confidence is in the off-position, then just choose something simple … that’s the nice thing about sexy yarns, they always look great, no matter what! Keep It Simple Sister.

Other People’s Projects

I thought you might enjoy this … my friend sent me this snapshot because her husband just doesn’t appreciate the magnitude of her triumph …. it’s the yarn she had left at the end of her project. She fought the yarn-shortage Dragon and won!

One of her kids wanted some camo socks and she wanted to take advantage of the Urth Uneek Worsted (ON SALE!) before it disappeared (sorry, that particular colour disappeared onto her needles – I also tarted up the colour a bit, it was VERY camo-drab, colour 4006 Cocoa Nibs).

The other kids got a pair of Langfield hats, also made with Urth Uneek Worsted (1 skein each). Again, don’t hold me accountable for other people’s photography – the photo above (4004 Bird of Paradise)is very close to the actual yarn colour, but the one below (4005 Sunset) looks a bit duller than the yarn in the store …. could be a dye-lot thing. She used 1 skein per hat.

Langfield is a great hat project for any yarn that knits in a long colourway. It’s modular, so you can use any thickness of yarn – a great stashbuster and one-skein project!

Please note, when I post other people’s projects I always confirm what level of privacy they are comfortable with. In this case, my friend is cool sharing her pictures and experience, but she’s a private person and would otherwise prefer to stay anonymous, so I have linked the pictures to the general patterns on Ravelry.

NEW Urth Galatea + Projects

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Urth Galatea

Urth Galatea is a super soft and super stunning bulky weight cloud cotton. It’s a truly special hand-painted, self-striping yarn that knits up in sophisticated, self-striping colourways. Urth Galatea is vegan, machine washable, and perfect for babies, kids, spring and summer sweaters, tanks and tees, and blankets! We have found it knits up well on 6.5mm/US10.5 to 7mm/US10.75 needles. 

  • 100% Cotton (mercerized)
  • 100g/85m (95yds)
  • 5.5mm to 8mm (US9 to 11) needles
  • 14 sts = 4″/10cm
  • Bulky Weight
  • Machine wash, lay flat to dry
  • Made in Turkey
  • See the yarn on Ravelry
  • The pattern for our mini-sweater swatch is HERE; we used 6mm/US10 needles.

How Much Will I Need?

  • 1 skein: hat
  • 2 skeins: scarf
  • 5 skeins: baby blanket (approx 27″ x 30″ in garter stitch on 6.5mm/US10 needles)

Inspiration (yet to be realized)

I think Galatea would especially great as a loose, cropped, oversized drop-shouldered sleeveless summer tee (you know, the kind made from two rectangles sewn together … something that is shaped like THIS). I’d use big needles, 8mm/US11

Long Beanie

My first thought when I found Galatea was babies & kids! We made the smallest size in this hat pattern to fit a little person. Because the yarn is a bulky weight cotton it doesn’t have a lot of give, so you can go up in needle size. We tried 6mm/US10 needles but I think the yarn would be best on 6.5mm/US10.5 or 7mm/US10.75 needles.

Materials

Meadow Lane Baby Blanket

Meadow Lane is one my go-to blanket patterns because it’s extremely effective with hand-painted yarns and it’s mostly brainless, so you can get some binge-watching in, letting the yarn do all the work. We used 5 skeins of Urth Galatea in colour 2089 Pinata and our blanket is 27″ wide x 30″ long.

Modifications

We cast on 76 sts and used 6.5mm/US10.6 needles, although I think you can easily go up to a 7mm/US10.75. To block the blanket we hand-washed it and laid it flat to dry.

Materials

Knit Hack

If your yarn is pooling or not striping the way you want it to, try using a denser stitch, like garter stitch or a K1P1 rib. Variegated yarns look especially good in garter stitch (knitting every row), and it makes self-striping yarns extra interesting to the eye.

NEW Accessories in Kelbourne Scout

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Last Week I offered the sweater patterns, and as promised here are some accessories knit with Kelbourne Scout ….

Portage

Portage is a classic-styled cabled toque, made with a classic wool, worked in the round from the bottom up. Simple and elegant, this never goes out of style – plus cables create density in the fabric which helps to keep you warm! It’s also kind of an easy project to choose when you don’t know what to knit, it makes a gorgeous gift or you can keep it for yourself.

Size

  • 18.75” (47.5 cm) circumference, unstretched
  • 11” (28 cm) height, brim folded

Materials

Tutorials

Le Massif Scarf

Le Massif Scarf is worked in the round, featuring simple but striking geometric patterns. It is bold, stylish, and deliciously warm. This is a great exercise if you want to practice your stranded colourwork.

Size

  • 14″/35cm in circumference
  • 76″/193cm long

Materials

Tutorials

Compass

Compass is a gorgeous cabled cowl designed in the style of traditional aran sweaters (my heart skipped a beat when i found it). The cowl is written for two sizes, depending on how you like to wear your winter neckwear. If you prefer not to work the tubular cast on and bind off, a long tail cast on and binding off in pattern may be used in their place.

Size

  • Circumference: 22.5 (25)” 57 (63.5) cm 
  • Height: 13.25 (15.5)” 33.5 (39.5) cm 

Materials

Tutorials

Ballard

Ballard is a classic hat knit in stranded colourwork. All you need is a light or bright colour and a dark shade and you’re set!

Size

  • 20.25” (51.5 cm) circumference
  • 10.25” (26 cm) length.

Materials

Tutorials

Custom Hats

Custom Hats, by Kate Atherly, an awesome knitting instructor and designer, is an ebook that has something for every knitter. It’s not a standard pattern book, this is a complete recipe for making your own custom-fit hats, for any head, with any yarn. Just grab a skein and start knitting. With instructions for slouchy and beanie-style hats, and tutorials added for decorative flourishes like different cuff finishes and pom-poms and tassels, this book has everything you’ll ever need to keep everyone in your family warm.

The recipe includes all the instructions and numbers for three styles of hat with three choices of cuff, in 13 gauges and 17 sizes, covering preemies to XL adult heads. And if those don’t cover your needs, the formulas are included so you can calculate your own.

The book steps you through the whole process: from choosing yarn and determining size right through to finishing, with tutorials for all the key knitting techniques – casting on, working in the round, stretchy and decorative bind-offs, even weaving in the ends. There’s a whole chapter with ideas and instructions for customizing the hat with colour, changing up the hem pattern and style, and adding decorative flourishes like pom-poms and tassels.

Don’t worry, a yardage table will help you make sure you’ve got enough yarn: and there’s lots of tips and tricks for what to do if you think you’re going to run out, and how to use up small quantities of yarn leftovers. There’s even information on making hats for the most delicate of heads: premature babies, cancer patients and others losing their hair because of medical treatments. Photo tutorials and guidance on fit and yarn help you make your first hat perfect. For experienced hat knitters, the advice on customization and straightforward but powerful formulas empower you to get designing.

Kelbourne Woolens Scout

Kelbourne Scout is a classic yarn for the sake of yarn. It’s an unfussy, strong, versatile, heathered wool. Scout is a Dk weight, woolen-spun yarn, so it’s light, airy and springy – perfect for fair isle, cables, or any other technique that requires a bit of definition. Made with 100% Peruvian wool, it’s comfortable to work with and wear (it passes my yarn-o-meter, meaning it’s not as buttery soft as a merino wool, but it isn’t remotely in the itchy or uncomfortable range of fibres).

  • 100% wool
  • 100g/250m (274 yds)
  • 20 to 22 sts = 4″(10cm) 
  • DK to light worsted weight
  • 3.75mm/US5 to 4.5mm/US7 needles
  • Feltable
  • Hand wash, lay flat to dry
  • Made in Peru
  • Patterns designed with Scout

Substitutions & A Hack

  1. If you love the projects we’re sharing today but you aren’t a fan of traditional style woolen-spun yarns like Kelbourne Scout (it isn’t itchy, but it also isn’t baby-bum soft), you can substitute the following yarns:

2. If you like knitting with a more traditional yarn, but you find it too itchy for a hat, try lining your hats with a headband sized strip of fleece fabric – it’s also beneficial as it makes the hat warmer!

BEGINNER PROJECT Toboggan Hat

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Toboggan

There are a lot of new knitters picking up sticks for the first time, so I thought a nice little pattern to get you beyond scarves might serve you well. If you’re already an experience knitter you might want to keep this project in mind for people you end up teaching down the line!

Toboggan is a basic hat knit flat and seamed up the back. It only uses the knit stitch, which I think makes it great for kids as well as adults.

Size

  • Kids L / Adult XS (Adult S/M, Adult L/XL)
  • Circumference (unstretched): 17½ (20½, 23¼)“

Yarn Options

You’ll only need about 100g of yarn for this project, so one ball of any of the following yarns will work:

Needles

Beginners generally do best with straight needles (circular needles tend to get confusing early on). Because you are going to be putting on a bunch of stitches a longer 13″ or 14″ needle is a good idea. (9″/10″ straight needles are my favourite to start people off with, especially for scarves, but for a hat you’re really going to have to jam the stitch on there and it gets uncomfortable).

If you knit tight go up a size to a 6.5mm/US10.5 and if you knit loose consider going down a size to a 5.5mm/US9 needle. (I prefer to knit my hats a little bit tighter on purpose to block out the wind, so I go down).

In general, beginners seem to learn fastest with wood needles: they’re light, easy to use, and they aren’t too slippery (slippery is NOT good for beginners).

Notions

Either will do, they’re basically the same thing, except one is straight and the other has a bent tip.

Accessories

What’s a craft hobby without accessories?! But seriously, a good Pom-Pom *makes* a hat. You can either make your own pompom or buy a real or synthetic fur pompom. Personally, i swear by the Clover brand pom-pom makers (I’ve made A LOT of pom-poms with them). These days, I’m partial to a raccoon fur pom-pom – they’re light and fluffy and the way they bob around makes me happy.

Pattern

I came across Toboggan a few years ago, it was a freebie from Classic Elite Yarns, which unfortunately no longer exists. I’ve found a link for you through the Internet Archive, but be sure to download it and save it in your preferred cloud drive (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, etc) – don’t take your patterns for granted, sometimes the internet lingers and other times things disappear.

The pattern is written in two ways; knitted in the round and knitted flat. Be sure to use the version that suits your skillset. Working in the round will require 16″ circular needles and double pointed needles, but you won’t need to seam it. Working flat uses one pair of straight needles, and it has to be seamed to finish it up.

DOWNLOAD THE PATTERN HERE

Skills & Resources

There are lots of good resources on the web for knitters, it’s really an embarrassment of riches. A few reliable favourites are KnittingHelp.com, VeryPink.com, and Interweave has a great Knitting Glossary. If you want to take a great online class check out Craftsy.

NEW Manos del Uruguay Serpentina

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Manos del Uruguay Serpentina

I came across Manos del Uruguay Serpentina on a distributor’s website while I was browsing through their patterns and BAM! I saw it and thought “What IS that?! WHY is that?! What is THAT??!!!” Pattern after pattern, it knit up so consistently stunningly (plus Manos is an ethical company with a great track record) …. It’s the holidays, and we could all use a little extra cheer this year, so I got some!

Manos del Uruguay Serpentina is a stunning artisanal experience … its both hand dyed and handspun, which automatically makes it both scrumptious and glorious. Gorgeous colours run throughout the yarn at random which enhances its tactile quality. The result is a fabric that is soft and squishy to the touch with plush stitch definition.

  • 100% Merino Wool
  • 100g/120m (131 yds) 
  • Aran to Bulky Weight
  • 15 to 16 sts = 4″/10cm
  • 4.5mm/US7 to 5.5mm/US9 needles
  • Hand wash, lay flat to dry
  • Made in Uruguay

Chimel

A simple toque takes on new dimension with this stunning yarn

Materials

Double Seed Stitch Scarf

Sometimes the simplest is also the most effective. A double seed stitch is just knits and purls. Be sure to keep track of your rows, and if you aren’t a pro at fixing mistakes try inserting a Lifeline every time you complete Row 4.

Materials

Minimalist Hat

Keep it simple – this hat pattern is actually a great little go to – it’s written for 4 thicknesses of yarn (DK, worsted, aran & chunky).

Materials

Shoulder Cozy

This shoulder cozy (or capelet) is soft, light, airy, and oh so cozy! Wear it over your shoulders or around your neck as a cowl.

Pattern Notes

Don’t be tempted to work another cast-on method here. You really do want the stretch of the e-loop around the bottom where it will hit both your bust and your arms. At the same time, don’t work a traditional bind-off on this piece. Follow our instructions and work it loosely. If you have to, pull it out and try again. You’re after a relaxed, stretchy neck edge so that you can style the finished piece in a variety of ways.

Size

  • Without cowl: Approx. 9 ( 11, 16, 18)”/ 23 (28, 41, 46)cm long when laid flat, after blocking.
  • With cowl: Approx. 13 1/2 (16 1/2, 24, 26)”/34 (42, 61, 66 )cm long when laid flat, after blocking.
  • To fit 4-7 year old (8-12 year old, Adult S/M, Adult L/XL).
  • Instructions are given for 4-7 year old size, with larger sizes in parentheses ().
  • Shown in Adult S/M with cowl. We knit this Shoulder Cozy in Color 1562, which is no

Materials

Hanmora

Colour and texture come alive in a basic hat

Materials