Category Archives: Quince and Co

FREEBIE & NEW Colours Quince & Co Kestrel

Qince and Co NEW COLOURS COMBO 2.jpg

NEW Colours Quince & Co Kestrel

When you want quick summer knitting in lovely linen, use Kestrel! It knits up quickly at 3½ to 4 stitches to the inch on 6mm/US10 needles and it looks great in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) and simple silhouettes—the better to show off its texture and drape.

Kestrel is a new take on a simple linen yarn. Quince and Co. took the same Belgium-grown organic linen that they use in their little Sparrow and spun it this time in a ribbon structure (actually it’s a ‘chainette’ – a small knitted tube). Its flat surface adds a slight texture to simple knit and purl stitches. But we think the best thing about it is its incredible drape. Like all things linen, woven or knitted, Kestrel only gets better as you wash and wear it.

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Quince Kestrel Tolt Bag COMBO 2

Photos: Veronika Jobe & hellodarlingknits

 

Tolt Folded Bag

This a quick, easy and satisfying little project for Spring & Summer (plus the pattern is FREE). We made the stocking stitch version on 5mm/US8 needles using the very lovely, popular, and versatile Quince & Co. Kestrel organic linen.

Materials

Notes

NEW Framework by Norah Gaughan

Quince Norah GAughan Framework

Framework by Norah Gaughan

Norah Gaughan combines her love of geometry and her mastery of innovative construction in Framework: Ten Architectural Knits, a collection of ten breezy pieces worked in Quince & Co’s organic linen yarns, Kestrel and Sparrow. From a summery little neck scarf to a godet-trimmed, shoulder-baring top to a free flowing open cardigan knitted in different directions, Norah’s collection offers ten projects that are a pleasure to knit and flattering to wear.

Framework delves into the underlying structure of her pieces—the simple rectangle—and how various knitting techniques transform this basic shape into new and interesting knitwear. Illustrated tips on essential techniques, such as yarnovers in knit and purl fabrics, short rows, twisted fringe, and more are also provided throughout the book.

PROJECTS in Progress: Gillespie

 

Spring Knitting ADD: Part 1

I am in the throws of full Spring knitting ADD. Several projects are on the needles, and more are in the planning stages. If you also suffer from Spring Knitting ADD don’t blame yourself, it’s the rollercoaster weather. On warmer days I’ve been working on GILLESPIE, a light,  warm weather sweater made with Quince & Co Sparrow. Becuase it is linen I’m making a smaller size than I normally would, and I don’t think I’ll need more than 6 skeins. I’ve also made some pattern modifications to make it fit me and the store mannequin better (we both have small shoulders), which I always add to my project notes in Ravelry.

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My work on this sweater has been a bit congested lately, but I’ve found that I like knitting with this fine linen best while lying down on my sofa – I don’t know why, but I’m best able to get into the flow in this position. Sitting positions, no matter how slouchy, don’t seem to do it for me with this yarn. I think it’s because my body (head, neck, back, shoulders, arms) is fully supported. The pattern is straight knitting and there isn’t much to look at, so it’s ideal for catching up on some trashy TV.

 

Gillespie Progress Combo

Photos: Quince & Co, Knit-O-Matic

 

NEW COLOURS Quince & Co Sparrow

Quince & Co Sparrow Marls Combo

Quince & Co. Sparrow: Marls

Quince & Co. has come out with 5 new colours in their gorgeous linen, Sparow. The colours are all marled, which means they are a blend of two colours twisted together. Marls have a depth of colour and surface interest missing in most solid colours. These marls are especially beautiful, subtle colour combinations perfect for spring and summer.

Sparrow is a plain little yarn, beautiful in its simplicity. Its clean, smooth hand is crisp as you knit it. But after washing and wearing it becomes handkerchief-soft and drapey. It’s spun in Italy from organic linen grown in Belgium. Knit Sparrow on a variety of needle sizes—try needles from size 2.75 to 4mm (US 2 to 6) —depending on the drape and feel you want in your project. The yarn is a natural in lace patterns, carving out the yarn overs, but it’s fluid, too, in simple stockinette. It’s great in tanks, shawls, and breezy cardigans, and lovely as can be in bags, wash cloths, and other home accessories.

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Quince & Co Sparrow Marls COMBO 2

Gillespie

Gillespie 1

Gillespie

Oh, hello summer sweater of my dreams, nice to finally meet you! Seriously, Gillespie is the pattern I’ve been waiting for from Quince & Co.  It’s a simple top-down knit in the round – I love uncomplicated. The neckline looks quite wide and after making

Notes

The neckline looks quite wide and the model in the picture seems to have sizeable shoulders.  After recently finishing a similarly shaped linen sweater, Daicey,  I’d suggest that if your shoulders are on the smaller side (like mine) you might consider omitting some stitches in the neck and back area. Always check the measurements in the pattern schematic to get a good idea about fit.

Size

  • Finished Bust: 34¼ (37¾, 41¼, 44¾, 48¼, 52, 55½, 59)” or [87 (96, 105, 113.5, 122.5, 132, 141, 150) cm] bust circumference;
  • Shown in size 37¾” [93.5 cm] with 3¾” [9.5 cm] positive ease

Materials

  • Quince & Co Sparrow: 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10) skeins
  • 3.25mm/US3 – 16″ circular needles
  • 3.5mm/US4 – 24″ circular needles
  • 3.5mm/US4 – 32″ circular needles
  • 3.5mm/US4 double pointed needles
  • stitch markers
  • scrap yarn
  • tapestry/daring needle
  • Pattern 

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Gillespie COMBO

FINISHED Daicey

Quince and Co Kestrel Daicey Sample

Daicey

I just finished Daicey, a new store sample, one I intend to wear around the store this Spring & Summer. It was a super quick and easy knit, a real low-brainer. I think it is going to be a great sweater to wear over a tank or cami in the summer! It’s open, airy, casual, modern, and simple – all things I like.

Notes

  • The neckline is quite wide (as it is designed to be). If you have broad shoulders you should be fine. If you have narrow shoulders (like me and my mannequin) you might find it slips off your shoulders. If I make Daicey again I will cast on fewer stitches for the neck.
  • I expected a lot of drape and made a size smaller than I would normally, but it really does have a ton of stretch. I think I over-estimated my size, if I make this again I might make the smallest size (I’m a size 4-6/small, 36″ bust).
  • I don’t think the A-line shaping is necessary for the garment’s style if your body doesn’t need it. I would skip that if I made it again. The same goes for the pocket.
  • I blocked by washing in a delicate bag on cold and drying (in the delicate bag) on low heat. I find this loosens up the fibres and makes them soft and pliable. Plus I can see the full stretch & drape. If you don’t want it to “let-go” don’t put it in the dryer.
  • I wove the ends in where possible (underarms, pockets, cuffs, etc) and sewed all of the ends down with matching thread. All yarn was joined at the side, under the arm.
  • I didn’t bother using double pointed needles, I was able to make the arms entirely on 16″ circular needles (I don’t know if that would work with the smallest size).

Size

  • Finished Bust: 31½ (34¾, 37¼, 39½, 41¾, 45¼, 48½, 52)” or 80 (88.5, 94.5, 100.5, 106, 115, 123, 132) cm
  • finished measurements for our sample are available in our Ravelry project notes (no point subjecting your to that kind of minutiae)

Materials

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Quince and Co Kestrel PATTERN daicey COMBO

Rhea

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Rhea

I love this new pattern by Pam Allen, made with Quince & Co Kestrel. Of course it’s a gorgeous spring/summer cardigan, made with gorgeous yarn, but it’s also knit seamlessly from the bottom-up (SEAMLESS is one of my favourite words, I can’t tell you how sexy I find it).

Skills

I think this pattern is probably suitable intermediate knitters or advanced beginners who are ready to take a leap forward. Special skills required include:

  • long tail backwards-loop cast on (no biggy)
  • short rows (intermediate skill)
  • three needle bind-off (not a big deal)
  • seaming (I know they said seamless, but I guess there is a bit? anyway, it’s good to learn & practice is the only way)

Notes

Check out our Kestrel Knit Hacks!

Size

  • Bust Circumference: 33¾ (37, 40¼, 43½, 46¾, 49¾, 53)” or [85.5 (94, 102, 110.5, 118.5, 126.5, 134.5) cm]
  • shown in size 37″ [94 cm] with 3″ [7.5 cm] positive ease

Materials

  • Quince & Co Kestrel: 9 (10, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) skeins
  • 5mm/US8- 32″ circular needles
  • 5.5mm/US9-32″ circular needles
  • 5mm/US8 double pointed needles
  • 5.5mm/US9 double pointed needles
  • Tapestry or darning needle
  • sewing needle & matching thread (to join yarn)
  • Pattern

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Rhea COMBO

RESTOCKED Quince & Co Sparrow

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Quince & Company Sparrow

Sparrow is one of the loveliest linen yarns I’ve ever seen. This super high-quality organic linen is has a slight sheen and works up STUNNINGLY. It has a smooth hand and is crisp as you knit it. After washing and wearing it becomes handkerchief-soft and drapey – perfect for all year wear. It’s great in tanks, shawls, and breezy cardigans, and lovely as can be in bags, wash cloths, and other home accessories. Quince & Co has designed exquisite patterns with Sparrow, you can browse them HERE, or check out all the pattern ideas on Ravelry. You can also see our past blog posts featuring Sparrow.

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perkins-combo

Photos: Quince & Company

Perkins Pullover

I find this simple little pullover exceptionally inspiring for spring/summer. It’s worked in one piece from the top down with a looser tension and easy yarnovers make for an interesting detail. You know my opinion on these things, I love a good K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly), and I consider 250 finished projects on Ravelry a good referral.

Size

Keep in mind, linen is a very drapey and stretchy textile, and if you like your garments closer fitting you might want to go down a size. The garment is shown in size 34″ with no ease. A-line shaping is created by changing to a larger needle size.

  • Finished Bust: 31¼ (34, 37, 40, 43, 46, 48¾, 51, 53, 56)” or [79.5 (87, 94, 101.5, 109, 116, 124, 129.5, 134.5, 142) cm]

Materials

  • Quince & Company Sparrow: 4 (5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8) skeins
  • 3.5mm/US4-32″ circular needles
  • 3.75mm/US5- 32″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6-32″ circular needles
  • 3.5mm/US4 double pointed needles
  • stitch markers
  • Pattern

FREEBIE! Linen Triangle Wrap

Linen Triangle

I love the simple, rustic yet modern look of this wrap. The pattern is super simple – just 3 lines, and that includes the cast-on! Perfect for mindless summer knitting. Plus it’s free, and made with one of my favourite yarns, Quince & Co Kestrel. Kestrel is a beautiful linen that’s easy to work with and washes beautifully (machine wash & dry in a lingerie bag).

On that subject, don’t be scared of the suggested needle size. The pattern was designed to create a very dense fabric (I tested it), but if you prefer feel free to go up a needle size – just be sure to swatch first to make sure you like how the fabric looks and feels, and cast on fewer stitches or your wrap will be huge (you also won’t need as much yarn). I tried a 5mm/US8 needle and it looked fine.

 

Materials

 

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FREEBIE Lattice Top

Cap Sleeve Lattice Top

The Cap Sleeve Lattice Top is a great opportunity to play around with summer yarns. It’s light & breezy, with just enough detail to keep things interesting. You can make it in two colours or one, it’s up to you! Check out other people’s finished projects on Ravelry to get more ideas.

Size

  • Small (Medium, Large)
  • Finished Chest Circumference: 34 (36, 38) inches
  • Finished Length from Shoulder to Cast On Edge: 18.5 (20.5, 22.5) inches
  • Finished Length from Underarm to Cast On Edge: 12 (13, 14) inches

Yarn Options

ON SALE!  Cascade Ultra Pima Main Colour: 3(3, 4) skeins, Contrast Colour 2(2, 3) skeins

ON SALE!  Louet Euroflax Sport Main Colour: 2(2, 3) skeins, Contrast Colour 1(1, 2) skeins

ON SALE!  Quince & Co Sparrow Main Colour: 4(4, 5) skeins, Contrast Colour 2(2, 4) skeins

Other Materials

  • 4mm/US6- 16″ or 24″ circular needles
  • 3.75mm/US5- 16″ or 24″ circular needles

 

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