Our Summer Sale is ending soon, September 6th is the last day to get 25% Off! Take advantage now, before it goes away!
Labour Day Long Weekend Store Hours
Friday Sept 3: 11 am to 5 pm
Saturday Sept 4: CLOSED
Sunday Sept 5: CLOSED
Monday Sept: CLOSED
LONG WEEKEND PROJECTS
I was thinking wouldn’t it be great to have a small project that’s for the long weekend? Something small, portable, not too challenging. I settled on cloths: face cloths, dish cloths, etc. I know I cherish the little linen cloths I’ve made with Quince & Co Sparrow (they’re like the energizer bunny of textiles, they just keep going …) and I figured you might feel inspired to make something pretty for yourself. There are lots of patterns on Ravely for cloths, but here are a few I found that sparked some joy, and my absolute favourites follow below:
Note: the pattern seems to have neglected to explain how to make an I-Cord (the loop at the tops of the cloth), so here is an I-cord tutorial for those of you who are not familiar with the technique. Alternately, you can skip the I-cord, make your cloth loop free and just weave in your ends – there’s no rule that says a cloth must to have a loop.
Size
Approximately 10 x 10 inches
Yarn Options
Main Colour: 100m required per washcloth. Contrast Colour: 24m required per washcloth.
The four points blanket is a project we have a lot of clients coming in to get yarn for all year round. It’s available in both knit and crochet (see below), and you can make it in a baby blanket size or as a grown-up throw. The pattern is all knitting in garter stitch, and they provide a video tutorial for the single ‘fancy’ technique, picking up stitches. We’ve got lots of suitable yarns included in our SUMMER SALE, there are lots of options to advantage of for a baby or an adult blanket.
Berroco Remix Light is soft, easy to work with, machine washable, eco-friendly (it’s recycled), allergy friendly and great for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), comes in a bunch of great colours, and is ever so affordable (especially on sale)!
Kelbourne Mojave is soft, easy to work with, machine washable, allergy friendly and great for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), comes in a bunch of stunning colours, especially baby friendly brights, and is a great deal on sale! Use 3.
Quince & Co Sparrow is a linen that turns silky smooth once it’s washed. It’s eco firendly (100% organic linen), machine wash and dryable, allergy friendly and excellent for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), comes in a bunch of great colours, and is a great deal on sale! If you live in a hot climate or are making a blanket for someone who does, this yarn is remarkable, as it has something of a cooling effect. This yarn would make a very special blanket.
Quince & Co Sparrow: 4 Points Blanket CombosQuince & Co Sparrow: 4 Points Blanket CombosQuince & Co Sparrow: 4 Points Blanket Combos
KNIT 4 Points Baby: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $89.82, Reg. $119.76)
KNIT 4 Points Throw: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $179.64, Reg. $239.52)
CROCHET 4 Points Baby: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $134.73, Reg. $179.64)
CROCHET 4 Points Throw: 6 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $269.46, Reg. $359.28)
BC Garn Bio Balance is soft, a pleasure to work with, eco-friendly (it’s GOTS certified organic), and comes in a bunch of great colours. It is NOT machine washable, but would make a stunning throw! It;s unique blend of wool & cotton make it great for temperate climates or people to run a bit warm.
BC Garn Bio Balance: 4 Points Blanket CombosBC Garn Bio Balance: 4 Points Blanket CombosBC Garn Bio Balance: 4 Points Blanket Combos
KNIT 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $77.82, Reg. $103.76)
KNIT 4 Points Throw Blanket: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $116.73, Reg. $155.64)
CROCHET 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $77.82, Reg. $103.76)
CROCHET 4 Points Throw Blanket: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $155.64, Reg. $207.52)
I just came across Posy and I knew it would make for a stunning pairing with Quince & Co Sparrow, which by the way is ON SALE TO AUG 4! It has a pretty and simple lace detail at the bottom and then the rest is knit on cruise control in stocking stitch. It’s knit from the bottom up in the round, and then the front and back are knit flat once you get to underarms. I especially like the shoulder strap detail with the ties made with iCord, it’s a really pretty tie-in (no pun intended) with the lace, but it also address the issues of fit, since they’re are adjustable. A variation for wider straps is also included at the end of the pattern. I also like that the pattern is extremely size inclusive and goes up to a 67″ bust, and the fit is one that will look great on any body.
Photo: Along Avec Anna
Sparrow
If you’ve already heard me go on about how much I adore Quince & Co Sparrow then please feel free to skip over the rest of this blurb. I love Sparrow SOOOOOOOOOO much. It just makes the perfect summer garments. When you see it in the skein it looks a bit matte and feels stiff, but once it goes in the wash it acquires a gorgeous lustre and loosens up COMPLETELY. The resulting fabric flows like water, and it feels cool on the skin (cooler than cotton). Linen is also one of the most eco friendly fibres in the world, and this one is also organic and milled in Italy. I don’t really think of this yarn as a luxury, it’s more of an investment. For me, the cost per use is extremely low; I wear my garments constantly and have for years (never have I ever retired a Sparrow garment).
A few notes:
Linen is very stretchy, so if in doubt DO NOT go up a size.
I don’t think the marled colours will have the same lustre as the solids, their texture is slightly different, but they’re lovely in their own special way.
Sparrow is machine washable, just pop it in a delicate bag and it’s good to go. I think this makes so much sense for summer garments – who are we kidding, we sweat.
I usually dry garments made with Sparrow on low in the delicate bag, but if you want to get a little structure back into it leave it to air dry flat.
Make some towels that are so beautiful you’ll never want to use them! That’s ok, some things you use until they’re shredded, and some you keep out to please the eye. Both have their roles in our lives. The pattern is a FREEBIE, and makes for some simple, elegant summer knitting.
Quince & Co Sparrowis my favourite yarn for this project, I love how this linen looks, the silky feels after being washed, and also how resilient it is (it gets better going through the wash) . My second personal choice would be
Kelbourne Mojave – their colours make me so happy, and the I love the the subtle texture of the fibre.
Berroco Remix Light is the budget friendly, earth friendly, use-friendly option – it has so much yardage, two skeins of the main colour will make 3 towels, and 3 skeins will make 5. Plus it’s recycled, has a neat texture, is easy to knit with and wash.
Cascade Ultra Pima is the last on the list, but not the least. This silky smooth pima cotton is a staple, and is always a joy to knit with and wear. If you like a plain, flat aesthetic, this is your yarn of choice.
We just received a restock of one of our favourite summer yarns, Quince & Co Sparrow. Quince debuted their 2021 Sparrow designs this week, adding an extra 5 designs to their already abundant catalogue of projects. Sparrow has drape, coolness, texture, colour. Eco friendly and lustrous, linen is the ultimate summer fibre to work with and wear. With excellent stitch definition and a fluid drape that only gets better with continued wear, I always look forward to working with one of my favourite fibres in the warmer weather.
Lätta by Frances Othen-Wales is a wonderfully versatile addition for your summer wardrobe. Shown here in our colorway Conch, Lätta can be worn with its signature twist in the front or the back, and it is constructed by knitting two long pieces that are then folded around each other to create an elegant, chignon-style knot. Quince & Co Sparrow gives this garment its graceful drape for a top that is both timeless and dramatic.
Construction
This cool pullover is constructed by knitting two long pieces which are then folded round each other and seamed to create two interconnected loops. The flat ends of each seamed piece create the sides of the back piece. The front piece is worked flat and front and back pieces are seamed at the shoulders and sides. The sleeves are picked up from the armholes and worked in the round. Pullover is reversible and can be worn with the twist in the front or the back.
Long-tail cast on, picking up stitches, mattress stitch (links provided); knitting in the round, decreasing.
Laureline
Delicate and breezy, Audrey Borrego’s Laureline is named after the Laurus Nobilis, or Laurel plant – inspired by this top’s intricately cabled trim resembling graceful, twisting leaves. Quince & Co Sparrow, shown here in colorway Fen, is an ideal choice to show off Laureline’s sophisticated stitchwork. It is knit from the bottom up with front and back hems crafted flat separately and then joined to work in the round. Elegant texturing, a scooped back and a hi-lo hemline turn an otherwise basic staple into a refined statement piece.
Construction
Laureline is worked from the bottom up, starting with back and front hems which are knitted flat separately. The hems are joined and the body is worked in the round to the armholes. Front and Back are separated at the armholes and worked flat separately, decreasing on the neck edge to the shoulder straps. A double knitted edge is worked both along the armhole and neckline. These edges then form the shoulder straps which are joined together to complete the top. Charts and line-by-line instructions included in the pattern. Note: the tension is worked fairly tight in this top so you likely will not need to wear a cami under it to mitigate peek-a-boos.
German twisted cast on, cables with and without a cable needle, three-needle bind off (links provided); knitting in the round, decreasing. Charts and line-by-line instructions included.
Strala
Strala is a simple knit tee in fresh summer colours is the ideal piece for all your warm weather fun. Strala, by Frances Othen-Wales, stands out with a modern mosaic colourwork pattern that stretches all the way to the sleeves. Shown here in Quince & Co Sparrowcolorways Moon and Sans, it’s perfect for a simple barbeque outing or worn over a dress for an elegant twilight stroll. Choose your own special combination of colours to create your personal getaway look!
Construction
Tee is worked flat in two pieces from the bottom up with a slip-stitch mosaic colorwork detail on the front yoke. It is seamed at the shoulders using Kitchener stitch and at the sides using mattress stitch. Applied i-cord edging is added around the sleeve openings. Both charts and line-by-line instructions are included in pattern.
Colour
Need a few colour suggestions for your Strala? Try the following:
Long-tail cast on, cable cast on, picking up stitches, mattress stitch, Kitchener stitch, applied i-cord (links provided); decreasing, slip-stitch colorwork, working in the round. Charts and line-by-line instructions included.
Affinitee
Affinitee is defined as a spontaneous liking for something, and that’s exactly how we felt when we first saw Rebekah Berkompas’ splendid knit tee. Shown here in colorway Frond and worked from the top down, an elegant silhouette and delicate stitchwork become the star of the show. Affinitee’s beautiful lace hem showcases the lustrous glow of Quince & Co Sparrow’s organic linen fiber, as wonderful to wear as it is to knit!
Construction
Tee is worked from the top-down in the round, with raglan sleeve shaping and a simple lace stitch at the hem. The neckline and hi-lo hem are shaped with German short rows. The hem, sleeve, and neckline edges are finished with an i-cord bind off. Instructions for a seamed or seamless i-cord bind off are provided. Charts and line-by-line instructions included.
Long-tail cast on, cable cast on, backwards loop cast on, crochet provisional cast on, picking up stitches, knitting in the round with magic loop method (optional), Kitchener stitch, German short rows, i-cord bind off (links provided); increasing, decreasing, knitting in the round. Charts and line-by-line instructions included.
Yembe
Do you dream in color? We do! Yembe, by Valentina Consalvi, is a bright summer go-to piece with sophisticated stitchwork that is pleasantly straightforward to do. Knitted sideways, Yembe’s combination of texture, lace, and colorful stripes transform a simple sleeveless tee into a dazzling modern top. Shown here in Quince & Co Sparrow colorways Penny, Sans and Truffle, this is the kind of satisfying project that flies off the needles – a joy to knit and effortless to wear.
Construction
Tee is worked flat, from side-to-side, in one piece in garter stitch, in three colors of stripes alternated with eyelet rows. An i-cord border is worked across the bottom edge to carry the different colors of yarn throughout the work. Shoulders are joined together with an i-cord bind off. Neck and sleeve openings are finished with an i-cord bind off.
Colour
Need a few colour suggestions for your Yembe? Try the following:
I usually lead with details about the pattern, but when you’re using Quince & Co Sparrow the main character in the story is always the yarn. Sparrow is one of my absolute favourite summer yarns, I never ever get tired of wearing the garments I make with it and I’m always planning my next project with it in the back of my head. It’s the best linen I’ve ever come across, once it is washed it is deliciously soft, cool, light and comfortable. It’s not that I don’t work with other yarns, it’s just that this is just the one I always go back to. I havetwo sweaters made with it and I wear them as soon as the weather gets warm – they’re like my summer uniform. I need to make a third this year because I need it in another colour (which is really the only thing that’s been holding me up).
Sparrow is organic, made in Italy, and is machine washable. I generally machine wash mine in a delicate bag (to keep it from abrading) and machine dry it on low in the bag. (The label says to lay it flat to dry, but I like it better if it’s been in the dryer at least a little).
Yarn Substitutions
If you’re not a linen person and you’re never going to be a linen person, I get it. but you want to make a shawl, my favourite sub would be Fibre Co Meadow, cause it’s gorgeous and you’re going to LURV making and wearing your project. BC Garn Bio Balance would make a slightly more casual look, and the wrap would be a smidge warmer (it’ll bring the price-point down too – $52). For a more rustic look and a really affordable project, try Berroco Remix Light, you only need two skeins (only $32).
The pattern, Ashtona, is an asymmetrical, sideways knit shawl. It combines combines pretty ribbon lace with an uneven ribbing motif – think waves lapping against a shoreline grooved with tiny rivulets and ripples in the sand. The piece is worked on the bias from the right tip to the wide left edge. Both charts and line-by-line instructions included.
By the way, Quince & Co has a gorgeous website. If you’re in the mood to stroll online and look at beautiful photos of wonderful designs, I highly recommend it.
Skill Level: Intermediate (see below for a list with links) – I wouldn’t make this as your first lace project, there might be a few too many hoops to jump through, but it should be fine for a second.
Size: 80″ (203 cm) wingspan and 22″ (56 cm) deep at centre
When I came across this project it immediately struck me as a great little summer tee … an it would be PERFECT made with Quince & Co Sparrow. Treit is a light tee, worked bottom up, with a cropped length and leafy lace yoke. After a few rounds of twisted rib at the collar, the cropped body (which can be knit longer if desired) is knitted to the underarms. Two sleeve caps are knitted, body and sleeves are joined, and the yoke is worked from a lace chart to the neck. There are optional instruction to raise the back of the neck neck with short rows (a nice feature for more experienced knitters, and great that it isn’t necessary for those who need to keep thins KISSasble (you remember K.I.S.S., right? I refer to the sage life advice, “Keep It Simple Stupid”, not the 70’s band with the black & white getups.)
A. If you want to reproduce the ‘tweedy’ texture, use one of ‘Marled’ colours (they are marked in the drop-down menu of colours on our site). If you aren’t so keen on it, that’s cool too, just use one of the regular colours for a more refined finish.
B. I would DEFINITELY suggest the use a lifeline when knitting this project. Linen is slippey, and lace is lace, so do yourself a favour and give yourself a safety-net. If you are not already familiar with this concept, now’s the time to add this very, very handy little hack to your “I wish I knew that BEFORE ….” life list.
The pattern recommends you choose the next size up from your normal bust size, but linen is very stretchy, so if you plan to wear this top over a tank or cami you may want to take that into consideration and not size-up.
To make life easier, here’s a list of colours that we have in relevant sweater quantities … well, at least at the time of publishing … once it goes live it’s in the hands of a higher power (the yarn gods?):
Last time was crochet, so today I’m looking at knitted bags that make me happy. Knitted bags can be simple and elegant, and make great totes and carryalls. They’re also a nice, smallish summer project – great for taking up to the cottage, your back-yard or the local park. They benefit from working with plant based fibres, which are perfect for the summer because they don’t hold humidity like most animal fibres do (wool, alpaca, camel, mohair, cashmere … basically everything except silk).
I kind of love the simple spiral design on this bag, it’s elegant but has some interest, it’s a great design feature! Instructions are included for three sizes. It’s worked in the round, cast on using Judy’s Magic Cast-On and worked from the bottom up. Straps are then worked back and forth and grafted together at the top.
Simplicity is also key wit this tote! You make this bag by first knitting the base flat, then picking up around the Base and knitting the Body of the bag in the round.
Graphic stripes and simple designs make me extremely happy! This bag is knit flat in one piece in garter stitch to form a rectangle that is then folded and sewn on two sides to create the bag shape. If preferred, you can carry the yarns up the edge of the piece when working the “Thin and Thick Stripe Pattern” sections.
Sizes
Sizes: 1 (2, 3)
Finished width at base: 28 (35, 42) cm / 11 (13¾, 16½)”
Finished height: 28 (35, 42) cm / 11 (13¾, 16½)”
Before sewing, flat piece measures 20 (25, 30) cm / 8 (10, 12)” x 60 (75, 90) cm / 24 (30, 35½)”
People have been asking a lot about market bags this summer, so I’ve put together a little bit of inspiration for you. I prefer crochet for market bags, the stitch reinforces the strength. Plus crochet is fun in the summer, it’s an extremely comfortable way to work with plant fibres. A basic crochet bag (like the second below) is also a great next level project for new or inexperienced crocheters.
I designed this little bag many, many moons ago and it’s still one of my favourites. My favourite version were the ones I made a few years ago with some Quince & Co Sparrow Linen – they’re sturdy, light, and put away up nicely!
Quince & Co just released this super pretty wrap, Ashtona, as part of their new Shawls 2020 Collection. I thought its a pretty, not overly ambitious piece suitable for advanced beginners and intermediate knitters (I don’t know about you, but my mind has been super fuzzy lately – I blame COVID and humidity). This is the first pattern to be officially released from the collection, but I think you can buy the entire collection as a e-bookright now (I’m quite fond of the crochet wrap Sand Dollar).
The Pattern
Ashtona is an asymmetrical, sideways knit shawl, that combines pretty ribbon lace with an uneven ribbing motif. The piece is worked on the bias from the right tip to the wide left edge. The skills required are long-tail cast on (link provided); increasing, decreasing, and reading a pattern (both charts and line-by-line instructions are included in the pattern).
The Yarn
It’s made with one of my favourites, Quince & Co Sparrow. If you aren’t already familiar with Sparrow it’s a super soft, organic linen that’s made in Italy. Linen is generally crisp in the skein or ball, and then loosens up completely once it goes through the wash (like, seriously, it lets go on a buddhist level). Sparrow is machine washable, but I put it in a delicate bag to keep it from abrading with other garments in the wash. I often put it in the dryer for 15 to 20 minutes too. If you’ve never used my Panty Hose Hack I suggest you try it out the with linen, it’s slippery and can get a little unruly when left to its own devices.
