Category Archives: kit

FINISHED Galatee Kit

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Galatee

Galatee is simple and classic, let the color change of the yarn do all the work. I really like this sweater, the yarn is thick and knits up quickly, but it’s allso light and full of air, so it doesn’t FEEL like a thick, heavy yarn. I don’t normally wear bulky yarns, they’re a bit too warm and feel a little ungainly for my taste, but this one I’m into, and this sweater I LOVE (thanks to Adrienne for making up our sample).

Our sample (above) is knit in colour 3825 Catskill, Berroco’s sample is made with 3811 Appalachian.

Construction

Galatee is knit in the round from the bottom-up. The body and sleeves are worked in the round to underarms, then joined to work the yoke in the round. The neck is shaped using short rows. 

Note

  • This sweater is designed cropped. Check the length to see if it is right for you, and if you are in the size 46″, 50″, 62″, 66″ range consider ordering an extra ball of yarn if you want to make your sweater longer. 
  • We went up a needle size to get gauge (we used 7mm/US10.75 & 9mm/US13). If your dashes aren’t looking right then you may also need to change needle sizes too.

Skill Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate (see our curated list of knitting skills for support).

Size

  • Finished Bust: (34, 38, 42) [46, 50, 54, 58] {62, 66, 70}” / (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) [117, 127, 137, 147.5] {157.5, 167.5, 178} cm
  • Length: (20½, 21, 21) [21½, 21½, 22, 22] {22½, 23½, 23½}” / (52, 53, 53) [54.5, 54.5, 56, 56] {57, 59.5, 59.5} cm
  • Shown in size 38″ / 96.5 cm.
  • Recommended ease: approximately 2–6″ / 5–15 cm positive ease.

Gauge: 12 sts and 16 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needle

Yarn

Berroco Dash is a fluffy chainette yarn that’s super soft and light. Painted with random but uniform “dashes” of color throughout, this bulky weight yarn is all squishy, soft fun.

  • 92% Superwash Merino Wool, 8% Nylon
  • Super Bulky Weight
  • 9mm to 10mm/US13 to 15 needles
  • Made in Italy
  • Hand wash in cold water. Lay flat to dry.

Kit Includes

  • Berroco Dash: (3, 4, 4) [4, 4, 5, 5] {5, 5, 6}  (our sample is knit in colour 3825 Catskill, Berroco’s sample is 3811 Appalachian)
  • Pattern

Materials NOT Included

If you don’t already have the right needles in your we recommend interchangeable needles, like the Knitter’s Pride, or invest in an interchangeable needle set.

  • 6mm/US10 – 16″ circular needles (we used 7mm/US10.75 to get gauge)
  • 6mm/US10 – 32″ circular needles (we used 7mm/US10.75 to get gauge)
  • 8mm/US11 – 16″ circular needles (we used 9mm/US13 to get gauge)
  • 8mm/US11 – 32″ circular needles (we used 9mm/US13 to get gauge)
  • 6mm/US10 double pointed needles (we used 7mm/US10.75  to get gauge)
  • 8mm/US11 double pointed needles  (we used 9mm/US13 to get gauge)
  • 4 stitch markers, 1 a different color for beginning of round (BOR)
  • Tapestry needle
  • Waste yarn

Pre-Order

This yarn is a special-order product and we aren’t stocking it in the store on a regular basis – 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 order will ship or be available for pick-up once it arrives, and we will contact you. If you need your yarn for a specific date please let us know and we can find out if it’s feasible. 

NEW KIT Zelie Crochet Top

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Zelie

Whenever I find something up to scratch for the crocheters I like to include it … there aren’t enough pretty patterns for crochet. This top is also a fairly simple piece, so you don’t need to be especially experienced to make it.

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 – that’s it, it’s just two pieces. It’s made with a simple half-double crochet stitch throughout. It’s a K.I.S.S. top (Keep It Simple Sister)! I also really like the way this yarn crocheted up – it’s like a colourful camo …. so you can blend seamlessly at the botanical garden.

Need a little review? See our CURATED LIST OF CROCHET SKILLS!

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.

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

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. 

PRE-ORDER NIXE Shawl Kits are Back!

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NIXE by Melanie Berg

We’re Taking Pre-Orders For Nixe Kits NOW!

The Nixe shawl kits are back for a second run baby! Availability is limited, so don’t wait on this, once we run out we can’t get any more.

This two-colored asymmetrical triangle shawl, with an easy-to-knit yet beautiful stitch pattern that resembles a mermaid’s tail. The yarn, Balayage by @pascuali_filati_naturali, is a gorgeous blend of alpaca and organic, non-mulesed merino wool. 

  • Finished Size: 98.5” [250 cm] wingspan and 23.5” [60 cm] deep 98.5” [250 cm] wingspan and 23.5” [60 cm] deep
  • Gauge (after blocking): 11 sts x 22 rows = 2 x 2” [5 x 5 cm] in garter stitch
  • Requires US 3 [3.25 mm/US3 circular needles or size to obtain gauge (not included in kit)

Kit Includes:

  • 3 skeins Pascuali Balayage 190 yds/50g 3 Hanks: colour Ica (natural)
  • 2 skeins Pascuali Balayage Handdyed 190 yds/50g: colour Paracas 
  • Pattern

Pre-Orders

We will ship/contact you for pick-up as soon as our stock arrives – we expect it in early March. This kit is only available as a limited run and once it is sold out we will not be able to get more. 

USE code NIXE10 at checkout to take 10% Off your Nixe Kit purchase!

KITS Turmeric + Rooibos Pre-Order

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The following two projects were so beautiful that I wanted to share them. These easy projects feature a simple, top-down construction in the round for minimal finishing. They have a lovely depth of colour and texture, created by working with 2 strands of yarn held together (don’t worry, its easy). One is a hand-painted Peruvian wool, the other a light, lace-weight blend of kid-mohair & silk. The combination is stunning, the two yarns blend together so gracefully that they look like they were made for each other. The thicker yarn provides the main colour palette and the mohair delicately colours in the back-ground. I sat down with the shade cards, comparing colours to figure out which colours work best together, so you don’t have to worry about what goes with what. I put together a bunch of options, but my favourite colour combinations are the ones where the mohair picks up the most dominant colour in the hand-painted yarn.

The Yarns

Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint is a classic worsted weight, 100% Superwash Peruvian wool. Ultra Wool Handpaint is hand-dyed using a watercolor brush technique. The result is the machine-washable wool you love with speckled colors throughout. We recommend alternating skeins to get a cohesive overall look as each skein is unique. Use it along with our Ultra Wool for unlimited combinations. 100% Superwash Wool, 100g/200m (219 yds), made in Peru.

Berroco Aerial is an airy and light blend of mohair and silk. It’s a perfect yarn to carry along with any one of our work-horse yarns to give a soft halo to any project. 65% Superkid Mohair, 35% Silk, 25g/260m (284 yds). Hand-wash in cold water, lay flat to dry.

PRE-ORDER

These kits as a special-order and we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, although 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. It may take two to three weeks to get your kit, or less time, depending on when our next order is shipping.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a classic oversized, simple circular yoke pullover combining  Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint and Berroco Aerial for an allover dreamy look. This easy project creates depth of colour and texture by working with 2 strands of yarn held together (don’t worry, it’s not hard). Turmeric is worked in one piece in the round, from the top-down.

Size

  • Finished Bust: (36, 41½, 45) [49, 53, 56½] {60, 64, 68}” / (91.5, 105.5, 114.5) [124.5, 134.5, 143.5] {152.5, 162.5, 172.5} cm
  • Length: (22, 22¼, 22¼) [22½, 22½, 23] {23, 23, 24}” / (56, 56.5, 56.5) [57, 57, 58.5] {58.5, 58.5, 61} cm (down center back)
  • Shown in size 41½” / 105.5 cm.
  • Recommended ease: approximately 8″ / 20 cm of positive ease.

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Gauge: 17 sts and 26 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch on larger needles with C1 and C2 held together

Rooibos

Rooibos is a classic and easy-to-wear raglan using Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint and Berroco Aerial. This easy project creates depth of colour and texture by working with 2 strands of yarn held together (don’t worry, it’s not hard). Rooibos is worked in one piece in the round, from the top-down.

Size

  • Chest/Bust: (36, 40, 45) [49, 53, 57] {62, 66, 70}” / (91.5, 102, 114) [124.5, 137, 145] {158, 168, 178} cm
  • Length: (20, 21, 21½) [22, 22½, 23] {24, 24½, 25½}” / (51, 53, 54.5) [56, 57, 58.5] {61, 62, 65} cm
  • Shown in size 45″ / 114 cm.
  • Recommended ease: approximately 8–10″ / 20–25.5 cm positive ease.

Gauge: 16 sts and 22 rows/rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needles with MC and CC held together

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

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

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

PRE-ORDER Knitted Bliss Embroidery Kits

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Knitted Bliss Embroidery Kits

This is a Pre-Order and will ship/be available for pick-up as soon as it arrives from the distributor.

Knitted Bliss Embroidery Kits are designed and hand-assembled in Toronto by Julie Crawford. You won’t find a more eco-friendly embroidery kit anywhere else! The packaging and materials are designed to be as eco-friendly and plastic-free as possible. On top of being very sustainable and Canadian-made, they are beautiful, whimsical and really fun to stitch and easily portable for summer crafting, and they also make a great gift.

Kits are available in Blue, Pink & Purple.

Kits include everything you need (except scissors):

  • bamboo embroidery hoop
  • design pre-printed on 100% cotton
  • stainless steel embroidery needles included
  • 100% cotton DMC threads organized on a thread card
  • a plastic-free needle threader
  • floral enamel needle minder
  • instruction sheet, with a link to a dedicated webpage for additional support and guidance for the stitches and techniques specific to that design

KITS Classic Baby Knits (worsted)

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I personally have an eye for the wild, weird & whimsical, but I also appreciate the balance and calm of the classics. The following are some worsted weight baby projects for the most discriminating eye (unless you make them in hellacious colours, in which case all bets are off). The suggested yarn, Berroco Vintage , is soft, washable, affordable, and comes in a broad selection of classic and adventurous colours. As always, we can substitute any of our baby-friendly worsted weight yarns. If you’re looking for some projects made with thinner yarn those will be up at bat next, but you can browse HERE.

Pre-Order

These kits are a special-order and we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them any time (they will be available to purchase as long as the manufacturer makes it available to us). That said, we keep  Berroco Vintage in stock all year and are always reordering, so if the yarn is in stock your kit will be available very quickly. 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.  

Ivy

Simple and sweet, Ivy is a rectangular lace blanket that’s just the right size to become your little one’s favorite. The stitch pattern is both charted and written out, and is only 4 rows, making it a great choice for knitters who are new to lace.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Skills: Cast on, cast off, knit, purl, reading a pattern, basic lace knitting, joining a new ball of yarn, weaving in ends, reading a chart (optional), using lifelines (optional).

Size

  • Approx 28½” wide x 30” long
  • For 33″ x 34″: add 20 sts to cast-on and 1 extra skein of yarn 
  • For 35″ x 37″: add 30 sts and 2 extra skeins of yarn
  • For 37.5″ x 38″: add 40 sts and 2 extra skeins of yarn 
  • For 40″ x 42″: add 50 sts and 3 extra skeins of yarn

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

  • The pattern repeat is 10 sts, so to make your blanket narrower or wider you would add or remove stitches in denominations of 10. 
  • Each pattern repeat measures approximately 2.25″

Luca

Luca is a miniature gansey pullover with buttons at the neck for easy dressing. This pattern is knit in pieces and seamed together.

Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced-beginner

Skills: Cast on, cast off, knit, purl, reading a pattern, joining a new ball of yarn, weaving in ends, seaming (mattress stitch)

Size

  • 3(6, 9, 12, 18) months
  • To Fit Chest Size:  17(18-19-20-21)˝
  • Finished Chest – 20(21-22-23-24)˝
  • Finished Length – 9½(10-10½-11-11½)˝
  • This garment was designed with approximately 3” of ease.  Please take this into consideration when selecting your size.

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Battenberg Blanket

The Battenberg Baby Blanket is a classicly styled blanket, with a simple, elegant aesthetic. The stitch used has the appearance of complicated waves,  but it’s really just an easy ribbing that starts one stitch to the right every few rows. For an unusual touch, the edging is worked along the sides but doesn’t meet in the corners.

Skill Level: advanced-beginner 

Size: 35” wide x 42” long

Skills: following a pattern, pick-up & knit stitches, weaving in ends

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

Rabbit

With extra-long ears and a large pom-pom for a tail, Rabbit will fit right in with the rest of your little one’s menagerie of toys. This toy is knit in the round, mostly in one piece. Ears are sewn on, as is the pom-pom tail. 

Skill Level: advanced-beginner to intermediate

Skills:  knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, seaming (mattress stitch), picking up and knitting stitches, increasing (M1L & M1R), decreasing (K2tog & SSK), cable cast-on.

Size: approximately 10” around body x 11½” high (not including ears)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

Carrot

Whether your little one is a future gardener, chef or nature lover, he or she is sure to love this soft toy carrot. 

Skill Level: advanced-beginner to intermediate

Skills:  knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, cast-on (provisional), seaming (mattress stitch), increasing (M1L & M1R), decreasing (K2tog & SSK), grafting (kitchener stitch).

Size: approximately 8” around (at widest point) x 12” long (including leaves)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

BABY BLANKETS Round is the New Square

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The more I look at these round blankets, the more I love them! It’s amazing how changing the shape can shake up a concept as simple as a blanket. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just refine the shape a bit!

The Yarn

Berroco Vintage Chunky is a bulky weight yarn that’s great for just about everything: babies, kids, men, blankets, afghans, etc. It is machine washable, soft, easy to work with and come in a spectrum of great colours, both solid and heathered. It’s a blend of wool and high-end synthetic fibres, but it isn’t shiny (or squeaky), and doesn’t feel acrylicy. 40% Wool, 52% Acrylic, 8% Nylon, 100g/125m (136yds). Made in Peru, machine wash, lay flat to dry. 

Pre-Order

Please note, while these kits are a special order, we stock the yarn all year round, and generally the chances are good that we will have your colour in stock and your kit will be ready quickly. 

These kits as a special-order and we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis – 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. 

Knit from the centre out, Cecelia is a botanical blanket that’s perfect for cuddling a baby, wearing as a shawl or simply decorating the home. Stitch pattern is charted. The finished projects on Ravelry for this pattern are beautiful, and people seem to make it over and over again!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Skills: knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, reading a chart, weaving in ends, centre double decrease, cast-on (provisional), yarn-over (double), lifelines, K2tog & SSK, stitch markers (in lace)

Prerequisites: You should already have tried some basic lace knitting and knitting in the round on double-pointed needles.

Size: Approximately 48” across (piece is circular)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT include

Solaria Baby Blanket

To make this cheerful circular blanket, one cable pattern is repeated sixteen times, resulting in a profusion of texture. Diamonds and cables intertwine, forming negative spaces that are as interesting as the raised design. Cable pattern is charted, blanket is worked from the outer circumference and decreases into the centre. The finished projects for this pattern on Ravelry are absolutely GORGEOUS!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Skills: cables, knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, reading a chart, weaving in ends.

Prerequisites: You should already have tried basic cables and knitting in the round on double-pointed needles.

Size: Approximately 36″ across (the piece is circular)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT include

Key Lime Baby Blanket

This simple, fresh baby blanket is created by combining two-by-two rib and garter stitch in concentric circles. Worked from the centre outward, all the increases occur on knit rounds, which makes the counting easy to manage. The off-white centre and border mimic the look of a sliced lime. This blanket would also be adorable as a lemon (colour 6122) or a watermelon (colour 6123 for the interior, 6101 and 6135 for the rind, and 6125 if you want to throw in some seeds).

Skill Level: Advanced-Beginner to Intermediate

Skills: cables, knitting in the round on double-pointed needles, reading a chart, weaving in ends.

Prerequisites: You should already have tried knitting in the round on double-pointed needles.

Size: Approximately 36″ across (the piece is circular)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT include

PROJECT/KIT Mrs. Watson for Summer

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Pre-Order

These kits are a special-order, we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis but you have the option to order them 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 doable. 

Mrs Watson

I’ve kind of been into slightly order patterns lately, not necessarily ‘vintage’ or retro, but things I think are awesome, maybe a bit different, but didn’t get the traction that other patterns do. I think of them like the Miros or Gaudis of the pattern landscape: peripheral, but absolutely brilliant.

One of these gems is Mrs. Watson by Martina Behm. I love the asymmetry and the graphic quality of the design. The shape is just interesting, and I like the way it draws inspiration from nature in the markings on a feather or a leaf (yeah, I know, I have a bird, I know feathers and leaves don’t actually look like that, but you get the concept). The stripes are created using short rows and an asymmetrical shape is achieved using strategic increases (don’t worry, it only sounds hard, it’s actually pretty straightforward).

This pattern also comes with a small technical bonus – it’s all garter stitch, which means you don’t have to unwrap any of you short-rows! If you are familiar with the short-row technique, then you already know that this is the fussier part of it, so it’s great to be able to skip it.

The Yarns

While I was swatching summer yarn samples from Berroco I had one of my “you know what would work well together …?!” moments. Berroco Medina knit up in such a beautiful colourway, I thought it might really hit the spot for a summer wrap (it’s a blend of cotton, viscose & acrylic). I paired it with Berroco Mantra, a 100% silk yarn, which is it’s a matte silk with a slightly slightly rustic look. Both are summer yarns, neither contain any woolly ingredients – perfect for a spring & summer wrap!

If you want to use a winter (wool) yarn, I suggest Fibre Co Acadia for the main colour and Schoppel Edition 3 as the contrast (you can also flip the solid vs ombre yarn, I’m trying that out right now). If you only want to use solid colours then you’ve got lots of options, just about anything Sport Weight to DK Weight will work.

Colours

I’ve gone through all of the colours for both yarns and paired them up with their best candidates for this project. If there is a combo that I missed, you can choose the “Choose Your Own Colours” option and leave us a note when you check out (or email) with your choice. 

The design works extremely well with a high contrast between the two yarns, especially the neutral cream as the main colour and the shifting colourway of a darker contrast colour. This kind of pairing is a no-brainer – natural/cream goes with just about everything, and it always makes the coloured yarn pop. I used main colour 4402 Cream and contrast colour 4733 Agadir.

There is, however, a case for colours that are a bit closer together, they just have to be colours that work well together and respect the balance in the pattern. You may not always get the same distinct patterning, but it can be gorgeous in a waving, undulating way. If you feel like the high contrast print is a bit too stark for you, consider one of these combos, they’re more subtle.

Modifications

I made our shawl a bit larger than the pattern (see Larger Size in the drop-down menu) by adding an extra three pattern repeats in “Leaf Pattern 3” and “Leaf Pattern 4” (a total of 6 leaf patterns between the two sections combined). 

I did not block our sample because I was enjoying it exactly as it is, but these yarns will block well and can be blocked aggressively if you want to make your shawl larger. 

I did not carry the yarn up the side and don’t recommend doing this – it left A LOT of ends to weave in and used up yarn unnecessarily.  I strongly recommend following this tutorial on how to elegantly carry colours up the side: https://youtu.be/mDYQVKETTUw

Size

Like I mentioned above, I did not block our sample, but these yarns will block well can be blocked aggressively if you want to make your shawl larger. 

  • Regular Size (following pattern instructions): approx 66″ long x 20″ across (blocked, made with Berroco Ultra Alpaca on 4mm/US6 needles)
  • Larger Size (with 6 extra pattern repeats): 68″ long x 20″ across (unblocked, made with Berroco Medina & Berroco Mantra on 3.75mm/US5 needles. Will be substantially larger if blocked aggressively)

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Because the pattern is owned by an independent designer, I think it is in their best interest if each customer buys and downloads it themselves. If you have a hard time with this type of thing you can purchase the pattern through us and we will download and print it on your behalf (see the bottom of the drop-down menu for this option). 

Special Skills

Knit it Hacks

  • I like to put a locking stitch marker in my wraps so I can find them easily and keep track of how many I’ve done (it isn’t necessary, but I find I makes life easier).
  • I also use locking stitch markers to mark sections of the pattern, so I can quickly look and see how many repeats I’ve finished.