Category Archives: self-striping

FINISHED Malou

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Malou

As promised, here’s Malou, the sweater I mentioned last week when I wrote about the Bente Throw …. I made Malou for myself, and I’m so happy I did, I LURV it so much I’ve started a second in another colourway! The yarn, Berroco Wizard, is super soft, light, airy, colourful, and easy to work with. It’s machine-washable merino wool in a chainette form (that means it’s already knitted in a tube, like an i-cord). There is also a little bit of nylon in the yarn that’s used to carry and bind the ultra fluffy & light merino and keep it in place (all you’ll feel is the merino, the two fibres aren’t blended together).

Construction

Malou is a simple pullover knit in the round from the bottom up, making it a great first (or fiftieth) sweater. The body and sleeves are knitted separately in the round, up to the underarms. The pieces are then joined and the yoke is worked in the round to the neck. There are some short-rows at the neck to bring the back of the neck higher, but if you find this intimidating you can skip this. There is no seaming, no picking up stitches – the only finishing is weaving in the ends and whatever type of blocking you prefer (I steam blocked)

Skill Level: advanced beginner to intermediate.

Skills: knitting in the round, W & T short rows.

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS 

Project Notes & Insights

  • Choose at least two skeins of yarn that start at around the same place in the colorway – these will be for the sleeves.
  • Start your project with the sleeves. You can use them to check your tension, and you’ll be able to match their colour before you start into the body.
  • I got a different gauge than in the pattern (my sweater came out smaller than the size in the instructions) so be sure to check yours! That said, I still had lots of yarn left over (I used 2.6 balls for my sweater in the second size), and the sweater size is perfect for me, so it’s a win-win in my books! As always, check your tension ….
  • The colourways in this yarn seem to be more of a suggestion than an exact duplication in each ball. When you do your sleeves they probably aren’t going to be *exactly* the same, even if you try to meticulously match the skeins. If you try to get them to be you’ll probably drive yourself crazy, but treat it as an exercise in surrender and you’ll be smiling!
  • I used colour 2954 Unakite.

Size

  • Finished Bust: (34, 38½ , 42½) [47, 51¼ , 55½] {59¾, 64, 68¼}” / (86.5, 98, 108) [119.5, 130, 141] {152, 162.5, 173.5} cm
  • Length: (21, 22, 23½) [23½, 24, 24¾] {26, 26½, 27}” / (53.5, 56, 59.5) [59.5, 61, 63] {66, 67.5, 68.5} cm
  • Shown in size 38½” / 98 cm.
  • Suggested ease: Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

Gauge

When checking your tension do so after blocking to get the most accurate stitch gauge:

15 sts and 22 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needle (I got 16 sts to 17 sts ….

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

Berroco Wizard is a super soft, light & happy bulky weight yarn. It stripes by itself, with bold colors flowing. It has a chainette construction which makes it feel deliciously airy and weightless. The construction is also responsible for it’s very generous 240m yardage – the same amount of a typical bulky weight yarn would normally be about 100m to 125m. Wizard is also machine washable, so it’s great for all kinds of projects including blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts – even a cozy pair of -slipper-socks!

  • 85% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Nylon
  • 100g/240m (264 yds)
  • Bulky Weight
  • 6mm to 6.5mm/US 10 to 10.5 needles
  • 6.5mm/K crochet hook
  • Knitting Gauge: 14-16 sts & 20-23 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet Gauge: 13 sc & 16 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine wash separately in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.Made in Italy
  • When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

Projects & Patterns

FINISHED PROJECT Bente Throw

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We’ve finished up a bunch of samples made with Berroco Wizard, which I’ll be sharing in the next few days …. they’re turning out soooooo beautifully, it’s definitely my favourite new yarn of the year! Wizard is super soft, light, airy, colourful, and slightly textured – perfect for the process and the product knitter in us all! Plus it;s machine washable, so it’s open season for kids & baby knits, sockies & etc. I just finished Malou in it, and I’m already planning to cast on for a second in a different colour. Nuff said?

See Favourite Kits & Projects 

Bente

Bente is a super soft & squishy mosaic stitch blanket made using one color of Wizard. It also works up relatively quickly on 8mm/US11 needles. The painterly colour effects come from working from two balls simultaneously (don’t worry, it’s easy). Our kits are available in both a throw size and a baby blanket size (see modifications below), since the yarn is machine washable.

Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner (after scarves). (Mosaic stitch is an extremely easy form of colour knitting and only involves slipping stitches from the left needle to the right. 

Skills: Knit, slipping stitches, following a pattern, alternating balls of yarn (carrying yarn up the side/stripes)

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS 

Size

  • Approximately 52″ / 132 cm wide x 62″ / 157.5 cm long
  • To make a baby blanket size (approx 36″ x 40″) cast on 115 sts. 

Gauge

When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

  • 13 sts and 24 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in pattern stitch

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

Berroco Wizard is a super soft, light & happy bulky weight yarn. It stripes by itself, with bold colors flowing. It has a chainette construction which makes it feel deliciously airy and weightless. The consruction is also respinsible for it’s very generous 240m yardage – the same amount of a typical bulky weight yarn would normally be about 100m to 125m. Wizard is also machine washable, so it’s great for all kinds of projects including blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts – even a cozy pair of -slipper-socks!

  • 85% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Nylon
  • 100g/240m (264 yds)
  • Bulky Weight
  • 6mm to 6.5mm/US 10 to 10.5 needles
  • 6.5mm/K crochet hook
  • Knitting Gauge: 14-16 sts & 20-23 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet Gauge: 13 sc & 16 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine wash separately in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.Made in Italy
  • When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

Projects & Patterns

PRE-ORDER Berroco Wizard Kits

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Who wants to think about Fall when we’re in the middle of Summer? Me! When I saw Berroco Wizard I knew the projects were winners, and when the yarn for our store samples showed up I knew I’d be happy, but it wasn’t until I cast on that I realized it was BASHERT (a Yiddish term referring to something that is destined, like a soul mate).

I’m making Malou, a simple pullover (see below), in colour 2954 and it’s just sooooo gorgeous. It’s like if Noro and Missoni collaborated and said: “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if we could make everything Haley ever wanted in a yarn?!” I thought the colourway would work up looking more blue, but you know what – I don’t care! It’s GORGEOUS, it’s better than what I wanted it to be, it’s what I need.

Berroco Wizard is a super soft, light & happy bulky weight yarn. It stripes by itself, with bold colors flowing. It has a chainette construction which makes it feel deliciously airy and weightless. The consruction is also respinsible for it’s very generous 240m yardage – the same amount of a typical bulky weight yarn would normally be about 100m to 125m. Wizard is also machine washable, so it’s great for all kinds of projects including blankets, sweaters, hats, scarves, mitts – even a cozy pair of -slipper-socks!

  • 85% Superwash Merino Wool, 15% Nylon
  • 100g/240m (264 yds)
  • Bulky Weight
  • 6mm to 6.5mm/US 10 to 10.5 needles
  • 6.5mm/K crochet hook
  • Knitting Gauge: 14-16 sts & 20-23 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet Gauge: 13 sc & 16 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine wash separately in cold water on delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.Made in Italy
  • When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

Projects & Patterns

Pre-Order

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. 

Aleid

Aleid is a simple stockinette hat and mitten set, perfect for gifting. Also a great beginner project! You can order the kit as just the hat, just mitts, or both.

Skill Level: Hat: Beginner (after scarves); Mitts: Advanced Beginner (after hats)

Size

  • Hat: 18″ / 45.5 cm around x 9½” / 24 cm high (not including pom-pom)
  • Mittens: 7″ / 18 cm around x 10½” / 26.5 cm long (length is adjustable

Gauge

When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

  • 20 sts and 28 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm n Rib Pattern and St st

Kit Includes:

  • Berroco Wizard: 1 ball for each hat & mittens (shown in colour 2948)
  • Pattern (PDF & Printed – after checking out you will receive an email with a link to download a PDF of the pattern)

Kit DOES NOT include:

Bente

Bente is a mosaic stitch blanket using one color of Wizard. Working from two balls simultaneously creates a dynamic color change throughout the blanket. Kits are available in both a throw size and a baby blanket size (see modifications below).

Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner (after scarves). (Mosaic stitch is an extremely easy form of colour knitting and only involves slipping stitches from the left needle to the right. 

Skills: Knit, slipping stitches, following a pattern, alternating balls of yarn (carrying yarn up the side/stripes)

SEE OUR CURATED LIST OF KNITTING SKILLS 

Size

  • Approximately 52″ / 132 cm wide x 62″ / 157.5 cm long
  • To make a baby blanket size (approx 36″ x 40″) cast on 115 sts. 

Gauge

When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

  • 13 sts and 24 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in pattern stitch

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

Malou

Malou is a simple pullover in Wizard, a great first sweater. Body and sleeves of this garment are worked in the round to underarms. Pieces are then joined and yoke is worked in the round to the neck

Skill Level: 

Size

This sweater is designed cropped – to make yours longer please purchase an extra ball of yarn. 

  • Finished Bust: (34, 38½ , 42½) [47, 51¼ , 55½] {59¾, 64, 68¼}” / (86.5, 98, 108) [119.5, 130, 141] {152, 162.5, 173.5} cm
  • Length: (21, 22, 23½) [23½, 24, 24¾] {26, 26½, 27}” / (53.5, 56, 59.5) [59.5, 61, 63] {66, 67.5, 68.5} cm
  • Shown in size 38½” / 98 cm.
  • Suggested ease: Approximately 2–4″ / 5–10 cm positive ease.

Gauge

When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

  • 15 sts and 22 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needle

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

Sanne

Sanne is a must-make cardigan with ¾ sleeves, pockets and cozy shawl collar. It’s a wear-every-day kind of sweater. Shoulders are shaped using short rows and are then joined using 3-needle bind-off. Sleeves are then picked up and worked down. The hem and sides are finished with an applied I-cord.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size

This sweater is designed cropped – to make yours longer please purchase an extra ball of yarn. 

  • Finsihed Bust (closed): (40, 48, 54) [61, 66, 72]” / (101.5, 122, 137) [155, 167.5, 183] cm
  • Length: (25½, 26, 26½) [27, 27½, 28]” / (65, 66, 67.5) [68.5, 70, 71] cm down center back
  • Shown in size 48″ / 122 cm.
  • Recommended ease: Approximately 6–10″ / 15–25 cm positive ease.

Gauge

When checking your tension do so with WET BLOCKING to get the most accurate stitch gauge.

  • 14 sts and 20 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in St st on larger needle

Kit Includes:

Kit DOES NOT include:

NEW Cascade 220 Superwash Wave

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Cascade 220 Superwash Wave DISPLAY

Cascade 220 Superwash Wave

Cascade 220 Superwash Wave is a great new self-striping, ombre yarn. It’s made with the same great machine washable Peruvian wool as Cascade’s staple Cascade 220 Superwash, but it knits up in a long, “pixelated” colourway. The yardage is the same, one skein is enough for an adult hat or mitts, 2 for a scarf, 4 for a baby blanket (approx 30″ x 30″), 5+ for an adult sweater (depends on your size).

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w

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Cascade 220 Superwash Wave HATS COMBO

 

 

FREEBIE & HACKS Noro Stripe Scarf

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Noro Striped Scarf

I’m very pleased with myself, I just finished a Noro Striped Scarf, an unfinished project that languished throughout the summer. A Noro scarf is a simple & effective project when your knitting mojo is feeling a bit below base-line.

I used two skeins of Noro Kureopatora, but the pattern was originally designed and looks gorgeous made with Noro Silk Garden. You can use two different colourways, or use the same colour starting at different parts of the colourway.

Yarn Options

Materials

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Noro Hacks

  • Noro Kureopatora and Silk Garden are both feltable, so you can join two strands with a “Spit Splice” … less ends to weave in!
  • Noro Silk Garden blooms beautifully when knitted at a looser tension. Try going up a needle size, avoid a dense tension, and you’ll receive a treat! There’s a side benefit too – your yarn will go farther!
  • Both Kureopatora and Silk Garden enjoy a bath at the end of your project, blocking them in Eucalan or Soak to soften them up and let them bloom!
  • Sometimes the colours in your two skeins might get to a point where they blend together a bit too much and your stripes look less defined. When this happens I cut one of the yarns and skip ahead in the colourway to the next point where the contrast returns.
  • It’s ok to edit your Noro palette. If you come to a colour that doesn’t work, you don’t like, or there’s just too much of it, feel free to cut it and skip ahead.

NEW Mineville Merino Sock Self-Striping

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Mineville Merino Sock Self-Striping

Soft, supple with a perfect 2ply twist, this 80% Merino Wool, 20% Nylon fingering weight yarn is simply beautiful. Spun in Italy, it is just right for everything from a lovely lace shawl, to socks, mitts, sweaters, and hats. Machine washability makes it an easy choice for everyday wear. One skein will knit one pair of women’s socks.

Mineville Wool Project is a relatively new “off-brand” brand from the sisters at Fleece Artist and Handmaiden. The prices are excellent because we purchase the yarn in one-time only lots. This means that once it’s gone, it’s GONE, so be sure to order enough for your project.

  • 80% Merino Wool, 20% Nylon
  • 345 meters / 115 grams
  • 2.5mm to 3.5mm (US 2.5 to 4)
  • 26sts/4″
  • Machine Washable
  • Made in Canada
  • See it on Ravelry

Shop Online Button Turquoise 250w

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NEW Schoppel Pur



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Schoppel Pur
Schoppel Pur is another cool semi-felted yarn like Schoppel Alpaka Queen (in fact the two work well together). It’s a single ply, with a marvelous, felted texture and no twist. It is also self striping, which is always fun. 

  • 100% merino wool
  • 100g/150m
  • 12 sts & 19 rows = 4″/10cm
  • 6mm to 7mm needles
  • see colours HERE
  • soft, single ply, semi-felted, self striping
  • made in Germany
  • $24.97/skein















    Moebius Riff Cowl
    • FREE Pattern (pattern instructions on pgs 21, 30 + 31. Reading the pattern is a little confusing, basically you do the following: Use Mobius Cast-on technique, cast-on 100 sts, turn to pg. 31 and follow instructions “K” (the stitch pattern), and “L” (the cast-off). 
    • 2 skeins Schoppel Pur
    • 6mm-47″ circular needles