Category Archives: Quince & Company Sparrow

RESTOCKED Quince & Co Sparrow 2021 Collection

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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.

SEE ALL QUINCE & CO SPARROW PATTERNS

You can also browse patterns designed with Sparrow on Ravelry, there are also other designers who love it enough to work with it! The list is long and includes Isabell Kraemer, Jane Richmond, Joji Locatelli, Hannah Fettig, Yoko Johnston, Clare Lakewood, Carrie Bostick Hoge,  Alicia Plummer, olgajazzy, Ririko, Yoko Johnston, Carol Feller, Norah Gaughan, Gudrun Johnston, etc.

Latta

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.

Size

  • bust circumference: 37 (41, 45, 48, 52) (56, 60, 64, 68, 72)” [94 (104, 114.5, 122, 132) (142, 152.5, 162.5, 172.5, 183) cm]
  • Sample shown in size 41″ [104 cm] on a 34″ [86.5 cm], 5′ 9½” [176.5 cm] tall model (7″ [18 cm] positive ease)
  • Suggested 6–8″ [15–20.5 cm] positive ease

Materials

Skills

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.

Size

  • bust circumference: 37 (42, 46¾, 51¾) (56¾, 61½, 66½)” [94 (106.5, 118.5, 131.5) (144, 156, 169) cm]
  • Sample shown in size 37″ [94 cm] on a 34″ [86.5 cm], 5′ 9½” [176.5 cm] tall model (3″ [7.5 cm] positive ease)
  • Suggested 2–6″ [5–15 cm] positive ease

Materials

Skills

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 Sparrow colorways 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:

  • Port & Nannyberry,
  • Truffle & Chicory
  • Juniper & Blue Spruce

Size

  • Bust circumference: 31¼ (35¼, 39, 43, 46, 50) (53¾, 57½, 61½, 65¼, 69)” [79.5 (89.5, 99, 109, 117, 127) (136.5, 146, 156, 165.5, 175.5) cm]
  • Sample shown in size 39″ [99 cm] on a 34″ [86.5 cm], 5′ 9½” [176.5 cm] tall model (5″ [12.5 cm] positive ease)
  • Suggested 4–10″ [10–25.5 cm] positive ease

Materials

Skills

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.

Size

  • Bust circumference: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64)” [81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152.5, 162.5) cm]
  • Sample shown in size 36″ [91.5 cm] on a 34″ [86.5 cm], 5′ 9½” [176.5 cm] tall model (2″ [5 cm] positive ease)
  • Suggested ease: Positive 0-2″ [0-5 cm]

Materials

Skills

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:

  • Pigeon, Birch & Sea Salt
  • Fen, Frond & Sans
  • Sea Salt, Pink Grapefruit & Hibiscus

Size

  • Bust circumference: 43½ (52, 60½, 69, 77½)” [110.5 (132, 153.5, 175.5, 197) cm]
  • Sample shown in size 43″ [110.5 cm] on a 34″ [86.5 cm], 5′ 9½ [176.5 cm] tall model (9″ [23 cm] positive ease)
  • Suggested 9.5–15.5″ [24–39.5 cm] positive ease

Materials

Skills

Knitted cast on, crochet provisional cast on, Kitchener stitch, i-cord bind off (links provided); increasing, decreasing.

PROJECT Ashtona

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Ashtona

The Yarn

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 have two 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

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.

You can see all of the patterns designed with Quince & Co Sparrow HERE

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

Materials

Skills

PROJECT Treit

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Treit

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.)

P.S. Quince & Co Sparrow is ON SALE until the end of July!

Suggestions

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.

Size

  • Finished bust circumference: 33 (35, 38, 41, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60) inches or 84 (89, 96.5, 104, 114.5, 122, 129.5, 137, 145, 152.5) cm
  • 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.

Materials

  • Quince & Co Sparrow: 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7 8, 9) skeins
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 24″ & 29″circular (or longer for larger sizes) longer and below gauge-size circular needles of
  • 3.25mm/US3 (or 3mm) – 16″ & 29″circular (or longer for larger sizes)
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 12″ circular needles (or double pointed needles)
  • 3.25mm/US3 (or 3mm) – 12″ circular needles (or double pointed needles)
  • Stitch markers in two colours
  • Waste yarn (for putting stitches on hold)
  • thin waste yarn to use as a lace “lifeline”
  • Pattern

Sweater Quantities

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?):

  • Butternut
  • Eclipse (first 2 sizes)
  • Fen
  • Frond MARL (up to 6th size)
  • Fundi
  • Little Fern (first 2 sizes)
  • Lunar
  • Maize
  • Mineral MARL
  • Rille MARL
  • Rosa Mundi MARL
  • Sans
  • Surf MARL 253 (up to 8th size)
  • Venice 218 (first 2 sizes)
  • Viburnum (first 2 sizes)

PROJECTS 3 Knitted Bag Patterns

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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).

FYI: All the Yarns Listed Below are 20% OFF until July 31st!

Sachetto

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. 

Size

  • Small (Medium, Large)
  • Circumference: 28(31)(34) inches
  • Height: 13(13.5)(14) inches
  • Total Strap Length: 14(14.5)(15) inches

Suggested Yarns

Materials

  • 4mm/US6 – 24″ circular needles
  • locking stitch markers
  • Pattern

Simple Knit Tote

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.

Size

  • Finished Circumference: 25 inches
  • Finished Height: 11 inches
  • Base of Bag: 3½ inches wide x 9 inches long
  • Strap Width: 3½ inches
  • Strap Length: 22 inches

Suggested Yarns

Materials

  • 5mm/US8 – 24″ or 32″circular needles
  • a spare 5mm/US8 double pointed needle
  • stitch holder (optional)
  • stitch markers
  • a few yards of sport or light worsted scrap yarn
  • Pattern

Judoka

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)”

Suggested Yarns

Quince & Co Sparrow

  • Colour A: 1 (2, (2) balls
  • Colour B: 1 (2, 2) balls
  • Colour C: 1 (1, 2) balls

Materials

  • 3mm/US2.5 needles
  • tapestry needle
  • Pattern

PROJECTS 3 Market Bag Patterns

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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.

FYI: All the Yarns Listed Below are 20% OFF until July 31st!

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Photo: eLoomanator

French Market Bag

Here’s a great one for the people who aren’t afraid of the hook – a gorgeous french market bag crocheted with cotton!

Suggested Yarns

Materials

Crochet Grocery Bag

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!

Suggested Yarns

Materials

Provence Summer String Bag

I love the lace in this bag – it’s vintage without being too much. You can easily change the handles to make them longer.

Suggested Yarns

Materials

PROJECT Ashtona Wrap

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Ashtona

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-book right 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.

Materials

  • Quince & Co Sparrow: 5 skeins (shown in colour Maize)
  • 3.5mm/US4 – 29″ circular needles (or longer)
  • tapestry or darning needle
  • Pattern

PROJECT Nettle

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Nettle

Nettle is a pretty, lacy triangular wrap made with Quince & Co Sparrow linen. It’s light and drapey and makes a great accent with summer clothes. The pattern is from a cool book of shawls that came out last fall, To The Point: The Knitted Triangle. If you like triangular wraps you should definitely give it a look. Even if you don’t, it makes for some good eye-candy.

Materials


PROJECT Seguin

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Seguin

Straight off, let’s acknowledge that Seguin is not a design for the chestier ladies. I think it’s important to value all bodies, and some of those bodies look really pretty with a bit of an accent in front. I also like the ‘smocking detail’ (it isn’t really smocking), it’s just interesting and a cool texture. I don’t think it would be hard to omit the ruffle and just keep the slipped stitch cable rib. Seguin is made with Quince & Co Sparrow, but if you like the aesthetic but want a thicker yarn that knits faster try Merrifield, made with Quince & Co Kestrel and 6.5mm/US10.5 needles … isn’t that nice of them?

Size

  • Finished Bust: 32½ (36¼, 40, 43¾, 47½, 51½, 55¼, 59, 62¾)” [82.5 (92, 101.5, 111, 120.5, 131, 140.5, 150, 159.5) cm]
  • Shown in size 36¼” / 92 cm on a 34” / 86.5 cm, 5’5” / 165 cm tall model (2 1⁄4” / 6 cm positive ease)

Materials

  • Quince & Co Sparrow: 6 (6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 16″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6 – 24″ circular needles
  • 4mm/US6 – 32″ circular needles
  • Pattern

PROJECT Laudholm

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Laudholm

Something classic and cool for summer makes me very happy. It’s knit with Quince & Co Sparrow, one of my favourite yarns for summer. It feels soft and cool on your skin, washes beautifully in the machine, and just kind of *flows*.

Note: Linen can be quite stretchy once it is washed, so be sure to swatch a square at least 5″ x 5″ and wash it before you measure your tension. You may also want to make a smaller size than normal, I usually go down one size.

Size

  • Finished Bust: 34 ¾ (37 ¾ , 40 ¾ , 43 3⁄4, 46 ¾ , 50, 53, 56, 59, 62)” [88.5 (96, 103.5, 111, 118.5, 127, 134.5, 142, 150, 157.5) cm]
  • Shown in size 37 ¾ ” [96 cm] on a 34″ [86.5 cm], 5’5″ [165 cm] tall model (3 ¾” [9.5 cm] positive ease)

Materials

  • Quince & Co Sparrow: 6 (7, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) skeins
  • 3.25mm/US3 – 24″ circular needles
  • 3.75mm/US5 – 24″ circular needles
  • Pattern




PROJECT Popham Crochet Bag

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Popham in Quince & Co Sparrow

Popham

Quince & Co Sparrow Linen is finally restocked just in time for the good weather! And it’s a good thing, because I seem to have reached maximum pandemic and my brain doesn’t seem to want to work good. If you are in the same boat, Popham is a nice little crochet bag (I know the crocheters are always jonesing for pretty projects), ready for you to go hit the outside and stand in a line (but it’s outside, so that’s a nice change, right?). If you are not a crocheter you can take the knitted version, Rue Mouffetard, for a drive. And another cool thing, this pattern is written for two sizes of yarn (a nice touch), the thinner Quince & Co Sparrow (the brown bag) and the thicker Quince & Co Kestrel (ecru bag) (also restocked).

Popham in Quince & Co Kestrel

Materials: Longer, Narrower Bag (thinner yarn)

The brown bag in the pictures. Size is 4½” [37 cm] wide and 27½” [70 cm] total length (including strap).

Materials: Shorter, Wider Bag (thicker Yarn)

The ecru bag in the pictures. Size is 4½” [37 cm] wide and 27½” [70 cm] total length (including strap).

Popham in Quince & Co Kestrel

Popham in Quince & Co Kestrel

Popham in Quince & Co Sparrow
Popham in Quince & Co Sparrow