Category Archives: SUMMER

SIMPLE Spring/Summer Crochet Kits

Crochet has been gaining ground over the last few years, which lots of new crocheters coming taking it up during the pandemic, so I thought I’d share a few simple crochet projects for spring & summer!

Kyrie

Kyrie is the perfect cardigan for spring. Crocheted in a simple allover lace pattern, this has built-in air conditioning. Fronts and back are worked separately with curved front hems and seamed together. Pattern includes both charts and written instructions.

The Yarn

Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find yourself wearing your garments made with it become some of your favorites. It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres (10% silk, 9% linen, 27% cotton, 30% nylon, 24% acrylic). Read more about how Berroco Remix and Remix Light are made HERE. 100g/400m (432 yds), machine wash, lay flat to dry. 

You can also make this project with Berroco Vintage Sock (it requires the same number of balls).

Size

  • Bust: (34½, 39, 41) [45½, 48, 52½, 55] {59½, 64, 66½}” / (87.5, 99, 104) [115.5, 122, 133.5, 139.5] {151, 162.5, 169} cm. This includes (5¾, 5¾, 5¾) [5¾, 5¾, 5¾, 6¾] {6¾, 6¾, 6¾}” / (14.5, 14.5, 14.5) [14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 17] {17, 17, 17} cm gap in front
  • Length: (21, 21, 21) [21½, 22¼, 22¼, 22¼] {22¾, 22¾, 22¾}” / (53.5, 53.5, 53.5) [54.5, 56.5, 56.5, 56.5] {58, 60.5, 60.5} cm
  • Shown in size 41″ / 104 cm
  • Recommended ease: 4–6″ / 5–10 cm positive ease

Gauge: 23 sts and 26 rows = 4″ in Pattern Stitch

Kit Includes

Kit DOES NOT Include

Notes

Pre-Order

These kits as a special-order, but we stock the yarn, Berroco Remix Light, seasonally, so you can check to see if the colour you want is in stock. You have the option to order this kit at any time, and we will order the yarn if it is not currently in the store. 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 normally takes one to two weeks to get stock, as long as it is in stock with the distributor. If we think it will take longer to get your yarn we will contact you to confirm.

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.

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.

You can also make Zelie in a solid colour with Berroco Modern Cotton (swatch first to check your tension, you may need to go down a size in the pattern and up a hook size).

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

  • 4mm/G crochet hook
  • 3.75mm/F crochet hook
  • tapestry/darning needle

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. 

PROJECT Ranunculus in Remix Light

Ranunculus

We worked up this little top (Ranunculus) as an experiment to see how far we could stretch one skein of Berroco Remix Light – it turns out it can go the distance! Remix Light is a very popular little sprig and summer yarn that ticks a lot of boxes:

  • it’s very light and has double the yardage of an average cotton summer yarn (100g/400m)
  • it’s machine washable
  • it’s soft and comfortable to wear
  • it’s comfortable and easy to work with
  • it’s eco-friendly, and made from a blend of recycled fibres: Cotton, Linen, Silk, Acrylic, and Nylon.
  • it’s made in the first world (France), so no slave labour involved, just unionized, properly paid EU workers
  • it’s affordable and only costs $16.47/ball

We made the smallest size in the short sleeve and it only took ONE ball. Most of the sizes, long and short sleeved, use two balls … making it a VERY affordable project. The pattern has instructions for both a short and a long sleeve version, and it is knit from the top-down, so you can make your sleeves any length you want.

Size

We made the short-sleeved version in Size 1 on 5.5mm/US9 & 4.5mm/US7 needles, and the combination of the needle size and the unique qualities of the yarn’s fibres made ours come out smaller than the pattern. Our tension was 18 sts & 26 rows = 4″/10cm (un-stretched) – this is a big difference to the pattern, which is a gauge of 14 sts & 20 rows = 4″/10cm.

Our garment ended up smaller than the pattern specifications: it measures 18″ across the chest (36″ bust) and 16″ high from the back of the neck to the bottom ribbing … a big drop from the pattern’s 46″ bust circumference. That said, I’m extremely happy with the finished project! It’s am amazing little top, and the size is just right for someone who wears a size XS or S. The fit is cropped, and after trying it on I’d say it’s a roomy fitting size small, or oversized XS. The fabric is very stretchy, it has a lot of give and a surprising amount of memory! It is very light and doesn’t have a ton of drape. We used the majority of 1 skein of yarn, and only had about 3g left (we used approx. 375m, or 5m more than the pattern suggested).

If you choose to follow our lead and use the yarn & needle combo we did (and your tension is the same) you can probably estimate the size will come out 20% smaller than the pattern recommends (ours was 22% smaller), so multiply the finished size by 0.78 got get a good idea of where yours will end up (see the measurements in bold below, I did the math for you).

  • 1 (2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)(8, 9, 10, 11)
  • Pattern’s Finished bust circumference: 117 (123, 129, 134) (140, 146, 151)(157, 166, 174, 180) cm / 46 (48.5, 50.75, 52.75)(55, 57.5, 59.5)(61.75, 65.25, 68.5, 70.75)”
  • Our Finished Bust Circumference (corrected to 18 sts/4″): 36(38, 40, 41.25)(43, 45, 46.5)(48.25, 51, 53.5, 55.25)”

Yarn

We used Berroco Remix Light, a very light and airy bend of recycled plant and synthetic fibres – perfect for warm weather! Because we used up a good amount of our yarn, I have factored that into the yardage suggestions below and leaned on the side of caution so you won’t run out.

Remix Light has a light, nubbly, tweedy texture, which lends itself perfectly to this particular project. See finished Ranunculi made with Berroco Remix Light.

Berroco Remix Light:

  • Short sleeve: 1(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2) balls
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 3, 3, 3) balls

Other Great Spring & Summer Yarn Options

The pattern is written to be knit in a variety of yarn weights, from Lace to Worsted. Ideally, you want a solid or semi-solid coloured yarn, or a yarn that knits up in a very long, gradual ombre colourway, so you can see the details in the lace and textured stitches. The thinner the yarn, the lacier the sweater will be (yarn thickness goes from the thinnest at lace weight, then fingering, then DK, then worsted).

Berroco Modern Cotton (worsted weight – see finished projects):

  • Short sleeve: 2(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4, 4)
  • Long sleeve: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5, 5)

Berroco Modern Cotton DK (DK weight):

  • Short sleeve: 2(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 3, 3, 3)
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3, 3)

SALE Cascade Ultra Pima (DK Weight – see finished projects);

  • Short sleeve: 2(3, 3, 3)(3, 3, 3)(4, 4, 4, 4)
  • Long sleeve: 3 (3, 3, 4)(4, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5, 5)

SALE Berroco Pima Soft (DK weight):

  • Short sleeve: 4(4, 4, 4)(5, 5, 5)(6, 6, 6, 6)
  • Long sleeve: 5 (5, 6, 6)(6, 7, 7)(7, 8, 8, 8)

Schoppel Zauberball Cotton (fingering weight – see finished projects):

  • Short sleeve: 1(1, 1, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2, 2)
  • Long sleeve: 2 (2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 2)(2, 2, 3, 3)

Materials

  • 5.5mm/US9 circular needles
  • 4.5mm/US7 circular needles
  • stitch markers
  • tapestry needle
  • Pattern

FINISHED Sophie Shawl in Vivo

Sophie Shawl

Sophie is a simple shawl that’s knit horizontally, from tip-to-tip. It’s a quick, easy knit thats great for little projects …. perfect for travelling or patio season. It calls for a worsted eight yarn, but we tried it out with Berroco Vivo, a textured, DK weight, 100% cotton, just to play around and see what would happen. What happened was a really pretty, light little spring/summer wrap!

Size

We made a size medium and I feel like it turned out as more of a scarf than a wrap (I had an uncertain amount of yarn on hand and I wasn’t sure how far it would go). We only used 1.22 balls (or 330m) of Berroco Vivo, and I feel like it turned out a bit small as far as wraps go, so if I made another I’d go up to the largest size. If you are using Berroco Vivo you will likely not use as much yarn as is recommended in the pattern, it seems to have gone further than expected.

  • Our Finished Sample: Size Medium – 11″ (27.5cm) deep, 80″ (200cm) long
  • Pattern Size: S (M) L
  • Pattern Length from tip to tip: approx. 170 (210) 240 cm or 67 (82¾) 94½ inches

Easily Change the Size

Because the pattern is knit from side-to side, its really easy to just knit until you’ve used up half of your yarn, then start the decreases. Just be sure to weigh your yarn before you start, so you know how much is you half-way mark (I use an inexpensive digital kitchen scale from Amazon). If you want you can also make your shawl larger than the largest size, you just need to start your decreases later.

Materials

  • Berroco Vivo: 1 to 2(2, 2 to 3)
  • 4.5mm/US7 needles (straight or circular)
  • Tapestry or Darning needle
  • Pattern

Spring & Summer Yarn Alternatives

Fall & Winter Yarn Alternatives

Just in case you happen to be vacationing in the southern hemisphere any time soon … if you want to make a fall/winter version or something with some fuzzy, my favourite options are

FREEBIE Tybee Baby Cardie

Tybee

Tybee is a simple, new free baby cardie pattern knit with using Berroco Vivo, a multi-colored, self-striping 100% cotton. Vivo is perfect for baby & kid knits, as it’s super soft, light, machine washable, and ever so pretty! the 100% cotton is breathable and prefect for transitional weather.

Construction

The body is worked in one piece from the bottom-up to the underarms, then divided
for back and fronts. The sleeves are worked in the round to underarms, then joined to body so that yoke is worked in one piece.

Simpler Pattern Options

If you like the idea of a baby sweater in this yarn but you want something simpler, try one of the following:

Size

  • (3, 6, 9) [12, 18, 24} mos
  • Chest (closed):  (20, 21, 22) [23, 24, 25}” / (51, 53.5, 56) [58.5, 61, 63.5] cm
  • Length:  (10½, 11, 11¼) [12¼, 13, 14]” / (26.5, 28, 28.5) [31, 33, 35.5] cm
  • Shown in size 3 mos.

Materials

NEW Berroco Modern Cotton

Berroco Modern Cotton

Berrooc Modern Cotton is a super soft and slightly silky yarn that’s perfect for spring and summer projects. It’s a machine-washable blend of pillowy Pima cotton and silky Modal viscose/rayon, which also makes it a perfect choice for people sensitive to animal fibres and vegans. Modal is a sustainable cellulosic fibre sourced from plants (like bamboo or Lyocell), and is a bit cooler to the touch than plain cotton (a good thing if you tend to run warm, or live in a warm climate).

Modern Cotton is a Worsted weight yarn, meaning it works up on 4.5mm/US7 knitting needles or a 5mm/H crochet hook, and you can substitute it in patterns that call for a similar weight yarn.

Modern Cotton is perfect for both crochet and knitting and is great for sweaters, tanks, tees and other tops, hats (especially chemo hats), bags, shawls & wraps, blankets & afghans, and slippers

SEE PROJECTS SUITABLE FOR THIS YARN

  • 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal Rayon (viscose)
  • 100g/191m (209 yds)
  • Worsted weight
  • 4.5mm/US7 knitting needles
  • 5mm/H crochet hook
  • Knitting gauge: 20 sts & 26 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet gauge: 16 sc & 19 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Made in Peru
  • Machine Wash in cold water, delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.
  • Berroco Modern Cotton is also available in a DK Weight

Red Bud Isle

Red Bud Isle is a pretty summer tank with a nifty cross-over in the back. The Tank is worked from the bottom front hem upwards, increasing along edges of the back body and adding a single stripe near the hem and a set of stripes at the chest. Stitches are then cast off to separate into front and back strap sections. Front body is finished first and each strap is turned into an i-cord. Back body pieces overlap and strap stitches pick up stitches to join together back body pieces to create the fixed overlap. The final stitches are worked into i-cord for each strap.

Size

  • Finished bust: 84 (92, 102, 112, 116, 127) cm OR 33 (36, 40, 44, 46, 50)”
  • To be worn with 5 cm / 2” positive ease
  • Model has 81.5 cm / 32” bust, stands 165 cm / 5’5” tall, and is wearing size 2.

Materials

Admit by Norah Gaughan

I admit, I love Norah Gaughan … her designs always engage me, they’re creative, sometimes architectural, but always different from everything else out there. Simple eyelets make a basic top both pretty and a teensy bit avant-garde. This top will be extra flattering on anyone with smaller shoulders. Plus, this particular pattern is FREE!

Size

  • Finished Bust: 36(40-44-48-52)”
  • Length: 22(22-22½-22½-24)”
  • Designed with approximately 6” of ease.

Materials

Chickadee Cardigan

Misha and Puff don’t have a large repertoire of patterns, but their classic, vintage-inspired knits are simple, beautiful and fun. This easy, open little cardie is a versatile layering piece for warmer weather. Seamless, top-down construction and a hint of texture at the yoke make it a fun and satisfying knit. This classic cardigan construction is certain to be a go-to favourite. There is also a pattern for a matching Bonnet.

Size

  • 0-6m (6-12m, 12-18m, 18-24m, 2-3y)
  • Finished bust: 18 (19 3⁄4, 20 1⁄2, 21 1⁄4, 22)” OR 46 (50, 52, 54, 56) cm

Materials

Modern Stripes Baby Blankets

This simply styled FREEBIE baby blanket combines bands of colour and texture in a modern ‘sampler’. It’s available in a knit (right) as well as a crochet (left) version.

Throw Blanket

To make a larger blanket you just need to add more stitches:

  • CROCHET: The pattern stitch is a two-stitch repeat so you can change the stitch count at the beginning by a multiple of two stitches and the pattern will still come out right.
  • KNIT: The pattern is a multiple of 4 plus 2 stitches, so ass stitches in a multiple of 4 to make your blanket bigger.
  • For a full throw size (Crochet: 62.5″, Knit: 61″) buy twice as much yarn and start with Knit: 278 sts, or Crochet: 224 chain.

Size

  • Crochet version: Finished size 31.3/4” x 42”
  • Knit version: 30 1/2″ x 42″

Materials: KNIT

Materials: CROCHET

Cloverleaf Eyelet Blanket

There is something very beautiful and special about this vintage-inspired baby blanket … I may be sentimental because it resembles the blanket my great-grandmother made for me. I think a fabric this simple and pretty requires a fibre with a little bit of a fancier aesthetic, like Berroco Modern Cotton (or a merino like Cascade 220 Superwash Merino). The trefoil border is a simple corchet stcrochet stitch, and the pattern comes with free youtube videos.

The pattern is FREE on the designer’s blog, you can sign up for her newsletter and get a copy for free, or you can pay to download a PDF . There are also instruction on how to Resize a Knit Blanket, Throw or Washcloth.

Size: 40″ X 44″

Materials

Crocheted Moroccan Style Slippers

Size

  • Women’s medium: approx. 10″/25cm long (toe to heel); approx. 9″/23cm around foot at instep.
  • Note: Pattern can be adapted for a longer or shorter foot. For length over approx. 11″/28cm, buy extra yarn.

Materials

Portofino Bag Set

This mesh bag set is the ultimate duo in accessories! A roomy tote for market scores, beach day essentials, or picnic must-haves in addition to a chic bottle bag to ensure you are always hydrated make the perfect pair this season. These quick projects are stylish, quick, and functional – the best combo!

Size

  • Tote Bag: Width laying flat: 21”/53.5cm; Length: 15”/38cm; Depth: 7”/18cm; Strap length: 15”/38cm
  • Bottle Bag: Circumference: 10”/25.5cm; Length (adjustable): 7”/18cm; Strap length: 50”/127cm

Materials

SALE ENDS SOON! & Long Weekend Hours

Labour Day Weekend Store Hours

I’m needed by my family this weekend for an 80th birthday party, followed by my sister-in-law’s departure for her first academic conference (we’re so proud of her!), so I’m taking an extra day off this Saturday. The last weekend of the summer is not traditionally a busy one in the yarn store, so I don’t think you’ll miss me too, too much. I adore it when you come by, but I also love it when people are out taking advantage of beautiful weather and just enjoying life.

Friday: 12 pm to 6 pm

Saturday: CLOSED

Sunday: CLOSED

Monday: CLOSED

Tuesday: 12 pm to 6 pm

My current reading suggestion is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. You can read it on paper, digitally download it, or get it as an audiobook (which is read by the author), so you can knit/crochet/wash dishes/walk/run/get your nails done while you read. It is also accompanied by a chapter-by-chapter podcast with Oprah (stream free online or on any podcast service, including Spotify), so you can test the water and see if it’s for you, and if it is, you can read along with the author, lady-O, and regular people asking really good questions. I feel kind of silly having come so late to the Tolle party (especially after seeing Oprah’s podcast was recorded in early 2019), but I guess I wasn’t ready. Now that I’m here I see exactly why Oprah has been such a fan. Tolle isn’t just talking about spiritual life, he’s talking about LIFE (or to the point, spiritual life IS life).

If you’re at a place where you want to change yourself, your life and our world for the better, this book is a great point of reference to help you level up. Just one caveat – people who are negative and aren’t ready to leave that state won’t get this book (and judging by the reviews online it seems to make them really angry). If you have a negative person in your life, giving them this book won’t ‘fix’ them – they have to be open to healing themselves. People who aren’t quite ready, but are getting there, might read a chapter or two but it won’t stick, it’ll sort of go through them – if this is you or a loved one it’s a good sign, hold on to the book, it’ll be there for you when it’s needed next. Anyway, the best books are always the ones you can read over and over and get something new from each time.

Effortless Cardigan

Get your fall off to a great start with a simple cardie you can wear everywhere, all the time. The Effortless Cardigan is made with a simple worsted weight yarn and ONE pair of 4.5mm – 32″ circular needles. It’s knit from the top-down in one piece (the underside of the sleeves are seamed, but if you prefer you can knit them in the round). The pattern is free, and there are a range of affordable yarn options, so if you end up loving your sweater you can keep making them and fill your wardrobe!

See Finished Projects

Size

  • Finished Bust (not including front bands) 34 (38.5, 42, 45.5, 49.5)” in.” or (86.5 (98, 106.5, 115.5, 125.5) cm)

Yarn Options

  • Berroco Vintage: Super soft, machine washable, blend of wool & synthetic. ($10.47 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Drops Air: Cozy and light – super soft baby alpaca blown in an airy nylon core. ($10.97 ea) – 6 (7, 7, 8, 8) balls
  • Cascade 220 Superwash: Soft, machine washable, 100% Peruvian wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($13.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Berroco Summer Sesame: Great for warm climates … light, machine-washable, colourful and slightly textured (go up a size in the pattern). SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97) – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) balls
  • Cascade 220 Superwash Merino: Super soft, machine washable, 100% Merino wool at a very affordable price (go up a size in the pattern). ($15.97 ea.) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls
  • Malabrigo Rios: Super soft, hand-dyed, machine washable, 100% Merino wool. We suggest alternating skeins to get the best colour distribution. ($23.97 ea) – 4 (5, 5, 6, 6) balls

Other Materials

SEE ALL SALE PRODUCTS

Our SUMMER SALE is ending Sept 5th! Select products (including some clearance items and craft kits!) are now 25% OFF. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).

See our Past Project Ideas For:

Berroco Remix Light: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See Projects

Quince & Co Kestrel: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See Projects

Quince & Co Sparrow: SALE $11.22 (Reg $14.97)

See Projects

Berroco Summer Sesame: SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97)

See Projects

Rico Creative So Cool So Soft: SALE $8.98 (Reg. $11.97)

See Projects

Berroco Pima Soft: SALE $7.48 (Reg. $9.97)

See Projects

Assorted Crafty Kits 25% Off

SUMMER SALE EXTENDED 25% OFF

SEE ALL SALE PRODUCTS

Our SUMMER SALE CONTINUES! Select products (including some clearance items and craft kits!) are now 25% OFF until September 5th, 11:59pm. The discount is online and in-store, and it will be automatically be added at check-out, so you don’t have to jump through any extra hoops or remember to put in a discount code (this discount can not be combined with any other offers or discounts – you won’t be able to use another discount code when you check-out).

See our Past Project Ideas For:

Berroco Remix Light: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See the Projects Above

Quince & Co Kestrel: SALE $11.98 (Reg $15.97)

See the Projects Above

Quince & Co Sparrow: SALE $11.22 (Reg $14.97)

See the Projects Above

Berroco Summer Sesame: SALE $14.98 (Reg. $19.97)

See the Projects Above

See the Projects Above

Rico Creative So Cool So Soft: SALE $8.98 (Reg. $11.97)

See the Projects Above

Lion Brand Pima Cotton: SALE $5.98 (Reg. $7.97)

See the Projects Above (and many more!)

Berroco Pima Soft: SALE $7.48 (Reg. $9.97)

See the Projects Above

Assorted Crafty Kits 25% Off

NEW Rico So Cool + So Soft Cotton (Bulky Weight)

Rico So Cool So Soft Cotton

SALE $9.58 (reg $11.97)

Rico Creative So Cool So Soft is a 100% cotton bulky-weight cotton yarn is made up of a fine thread wrapped around a stand of soft as a cloud cotton. It knits up exquisutely soft and with a bit of texture to keep things casual, interesting and easier to work with (to see the texture better check out some finished projects). It has a pretty, matte surface texture, with zero shine. It’s Ideal for knitting oversize sweaters, cozy blankets, shawls, and crocheting baskets. 

  • 100% Cotton
  • 100g/100m (109yds)
  • 7mm/US10.75 needles
  • 13 sts & 17 rows = 4″(10cm)
  • nubbly texture
  • Hand wash, lay flat to dry
Photos: Jacqueline Cieslak, Stitchnerd

Ursa

A cropped little top is the prettiest thing when paired with a summer dress or loose skirt/pants. It gives you just enough coverage with tons of casual, easy to wear style. This tops is knit at a loose, comfortable tension on 8mm/US11 needles, so you’ll whip it up quickly and it’ll breathe nicely!

Ursa is constructed from the top-down with raglan shaping for the sleeves and optional horizontal bust darts in 3 cup sizes. The pattern includes directions to try it on as you work and notations to help you tweak the size (including the length, if cropped isn’t your thing!) according to your preference. Also included in the pattern are links to custom video tutorials that will walk you through the techniques for half brioche stitch and German short rows.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Size

To choose your size, measure the circumference around the fullest part of your bust, then add 2-6” (depending on how much ease you want) and choose the closest size. If you are between sizes, you can size up or down depending on whether you want more or less ease in the bicep (see full schematics illustration in the photos to the left).

  • Finished bust circumference: (34, 38, 42) [46, 50, 54] {58, 62, 66} inches / (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) [117, 127, 137] {147.5, 157.5, 167.5} cm

Materials

  • Rico So Cool So Soft: (5, 5, 5) [6, 7, 7] {8, 9, 9} balls
  • 8mm/US11 needles (you can go down to 7mm/US10.75 for a tighter tension/smaller fit)
  • Stitch Markers
  • Pattern

Yarn Substitution

Yarn Substitution

If you want to make the project in a light, airy, fuzzy style, try holding 1 strand of Drops Air (3, 4, 4) [4, 5, 5] {5, 6, 6} balls, with 1 strand of Drops Kid Silk (2, 3, 3) [3, 3, 4] {4, 4, 5} balls. Use the needles recommended in the pattern.

For a linen summer version, use Quince & Co Kestrel: with Long Sleeves – (6, 7, 8) [8, 9, 10] {11, 12, 13} … for a top with short sleeves you can probably omit at least 2 skeins of yarn.

Column

Construction

Column is worked seamlessly in circular from bottom up. The hem begins with preferred method CO, then it is worked in rib or stockinette stitches for your choice. The pieces of body and sleeves are worked together in the round after joining. The shape of yoke takes unique hybrid raglan with single and double decrease. Toward end, the neckline is formed by german short rows.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Size

  • Finished bust circumference : 48.25 (52, 55.5)’’ / 123 (132, 142) cm
  • Recommended ease : 13-17’’ / 33-43 cm of positive ease

Materials

  • Rico So Cool So Soft Cotton: 7(8, 8) balls
  • 7mm/US10.75 – 40″ circular needles
  • 7mm/US10.75 – 24″ circular needles
  • 7mm/US10.75 double pointed needles (or use the 40″ circular for magic loop)
  • 5mm/US8 – 32″ circular needles (for ribbing)
  • 4.5mm/US7 – 32″ circular needles (for cast on …. optional?)
  • stitch markers
  • Pattern

Yarn Substitution

If you want to make the project in it’s original light, airy, fuzzy style, try holding 1 strand of Drops Air 5 (5, 6) balls, with 1 strand of Drops Kid Silk 4(4, 4) balls. Use the needles recommended in the pattern.

Aran Gallant

Construction

The Gallant sweater in aran weight yarn is an advanced beginner, top down, raglan sweater knitting pattern. You will need to be familiar with basic top down sweater construction in order to make it. Its simplicity is what makes it so special. It is cropped and it features a simple mock neck. Worked in the round in stockinette stitch all the way through.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Size

  • Finished Bust: 34”(37.5, 42, 45, 49, 53, 57, 61, 64) inches or 86(96, 106, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165) cm
  • Model is wearing size M on 93 cm bust
  • Intended to be worn with at least 10 cm of ease. 10 to 15 cm of positive ease is built into the pattern.

Materials

  • Rico So Cool So Soft Cotton: 5(6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 10) balls
  • 7mm/US10.75 – 32″ or 40″ circular needles
  • 7mm/US10.75 – 16″ circular needles
  • 7mm/US10.75 double-pointed needles (or use the 40″ circular for magic loop)
  • stitch markers
  • Pattern

Yarn Substitution

If you want to make the project in it’s original light, airy, fuzzy style, try holding 1 strand of Drops Air 4(4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) balls, with 1 strand of Drops Kid Silk 3(3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) balls (use needle sizes suggested in pattern).

Erikka Slipover

Construction

Erikka Slipover is worked seamlessly top down. First, the slipover is worked in rows while the shoulders are shaped with short rows. Thereafter, the body is worked in the round. Front and back are then divided and are finished separately. Decreases are worked at the front piece for a better fit. You pick up stitches for the ribbing around the slipovers neckline that is worked in the round. Erikka Slipover can be worked in 3 lengths, which result from the different lengths of armhole openings and 2 neckline variations. The short version can only be worked with a narrow neckline.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Size

  • Finished bust: 34(36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48) inches
  • Designed with a positive ease of approx. 6.5 to 8 inches

Materials

  • Rico So Cool So Soft Cotton: 5(5, 5, 6, 6, 7 to 8, 8, 8) balls
  • 6.5mm AND 7mm/US10.75 – 32″ or 40″ circular needles
  • 6.5mm/US10.5 AND 7mm/US10.75 – 16″ circular needles
  • 4.5mm/US7 – 16″ circular needle
  • stitch markers
  • Pattern

Yarn Substitution

If you want to make the project in it’s original light, airy, fuzzy style, try holding 1 strand of Drops Air 4(4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5) balls, with 1 strand of Drops Kid Silk. 2(2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) balls.

Midsommar Shawl

Midsommar is a crescent-shaped shawl that requires no counting — just follow along with the easy set of drop stitch, eyelet, stockinette and garter stitch sections.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Size: approximately: 90” x 20”

Materials

Yarn Substitution

This shawl would be absolutely gorgeous knit in an aran weight linen like Quince & Co Kestrel (you’ll need about 7 skeins, and 6mm/US10 needles are recommended).

Cozy Colorblock Shawl

The shawl starts with a single stitch and gradually increases by one new stitch on every right side row, until it’s the size you’d like, or you run out of yarn. When you’re done with the knitting just bind off and add a fringe!

This is a really simple project which makes for perfect comfort knitting. It’s easy enough for a novice and the side-to-side construction means you can simply bind off whenever you want – you’ll have the perfect triangle shape. Because of this ‘bias’ construction, the fabric is stretchy and will wrap and drape beautifully.

Skill Level: Beginner Friendly

Materials

  • Rico So Cool So Soft Cotton: 7 balls {A (blue) – 1 ball, B (grey) – 2 balls, C (yellow) – 1 ball, D (coral) – 3 balls}
  • 7mm/US10.75 – 32″ or 40″ circular needles (for a loose tension use 8mm/US11 needles)
  • FREE Pattern

Yarn Substitution

If you want to make this wrap but don’t want to use cotton, Berroco Vintage Chunky is a great alternative (you’ll still need a total of 7 skeins, and 6mm/US10 needles are recommended).

15th Street Wrap

The 15th Street Wrap is a simple scarf but larger than life! Worked in bulky yarn, this wrap is the epitome of classic minimalism, combined with comfy coziness that every knitter dreams of in the middle of winter. This wrap is wider and longer than a regular scarf , which makes it perfect for looping around your shoulders while reading a book or wrapping up snugly against the winter weather. The simple construction and stitch pattern make the 15th Street Wrap perfect for both new knitters and experienced knitters looking for a relaxing project.

Skill Level: Beginner Friendly

Materials

Yarn Substitution

If you want to make this wrap but don’t want to use cotton, Berroco Vintage Chunky is a great alternative (you’ll still need a total of 10 skeins, and 6mm/US10 needles are recommended).

NEW Schoppel Zauberball Crazy

Schoppel Crazy Zauberball

Recently I was chatting with an old friend about sock yarn. She knits a lot of socks, and she wears a lot of socks, and she’s been making them for a while. I asked her about which yarns she uses over and over, which socks she likes the best, and which socks have lasted the longest. The point in the Venn diagramm where beauty, quality and longevity met was one of my all-time favourite sock yarns, Schoppel Crazy Zauberball.

Schoppel Crazy Zauberball a 2ply marled sock yarn that knits up in an ombre gradient. The stripes in it are never narrow and the shifts are never jarring, but things are always changing, which keeps things fun when you’re knitting (especially if you’re just working on a pair of vanilla socks). It isn’t a new kid on the scene, but maturity comes with benefits, including a broad palette and lots of colours to choose from.

You may have already extrapolated that Schoppel Crazy Zauberball washes and wears extremely well. To prove it, I asked my friend to bring some of her socks by for a little photoshoot. All of the socks above are OVER TEN YEARS OLD, none have holes or thinning from wear, and they have definitely been worn. She doesn’t do any special laundering acrobatics, (she says she washes them on a cold water cycle with detergent and a cup of white vinegar, and then hangs them to dry). They were a little bit pilly, but not badly so, and it wasn’t anything that couldn’t be cleaned up lickety-split with a disposable razor. (I gave them a little steam to get them photo-ready, but they didn’t need anything more than a little shvitz to bring them fully to life).

My grandmother once told me she knitted my grandfather a pair of argyle socks, and he wore a hole in them while walking to work the next day – it still makes me cringe, these are the stories knitters tell around campfires. I don’t know about you, but if I’m spending 20 to 30 hours making a pair of socks, I want them to have looooooongevity.

Schoppel Crazy Zauberball

Schoppel Crazy Zauberball embodies everything we want in a sock yarn – beauty and longevity! It’s a marvelous, self-striping yarn with a long colourway. The yarn is made from 2 plies, each a different colour, which creates a marled effect as well.

When it comes to sock yarns the Germans do them best – they always bring the besst quality products to market. Schoppel Crazy Zauberball  is soft but also a very hard wearing yarn with 25% nylon, so your socks should wear well and last a long time (depending on wear and washing, we have clients who have had theirs well over a decade and they’re still going strong). We believe that if you’re going to put 20 to 30 hours of love and labour into a pair of socks then it’s worth it to make them with a yarn that’s going to last!

We really like the Magic Zauberball Stripe Socks free pattern (picture to the left) and the Sock Head Hat free pattern for this yarn.

  • 75% Superwash Virgin Wool, 25% Nylon
  • 100g/420m (460yds)
  • Fingering Weight Sock yarn
  • 2mm to 3mm/US 0 to 3 needles
  • Made in Germany
  • Machine wash cold, lay flat to dry
  • Pattern ideas for this yarn

PROJECTS Unexpected Summer Knits

Sometimes you need to see a finished project on a real person to see how unexpectedly great it can be. The following are a few projects I just stumbled across that made me say YAAAAASSSSSS. Simple, unexpected little details can take a garment from an ordinary top to something special.

All of these projects work beautifully in Quince & Co Kestrel – an aran to bulky weight organic linen that loosens up completely for an easy summer garment.

See more projects for Kestrel HERE

Use Code QUINCE15 at checkout to receive 15% Off Quince & Co Yarns, until July 15th.*

*Discount can not be combined with any other discounts or sales, and is subject to change without notice.

Photos: gracececelia on Ravelry

Ursa

A cropped little top is the prettiest thing when paired with a summer dress or loose skirt/pants. It gives you just enough coverage with tons of casual, easy to wear style. This tops is knit at a loose, comfortable tension on 6.5mm/US10 needles, so you’ll whip it up quickly and it’ll breathe beautifully. Linen tends to be VERY stretchy, I would go down two sizes in the pattern for a comfortable fit.

Ursa is constructed from the top-down with raglan shaping for the sleeves and optional horizontal bust darts in 3 cup sizes. The pattern includes directions to try it on as you work and notations to help you tweak the size (including the length, if cropped isn’t your thing!) according to your preference. Also included in the pattern are links to custom video tutorials that will walk you through the techniques for half brioche stitch and German short rows.

See more Ursas made with Quince & Co Kestrel

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

To choose your size, measure the circumference around the fullest part of your bust, then add 2-6” (depending on how much ease you want) and choose the closest size. If you are between sizes, you can size up or down depending on whether you want more or less ease in the bicep (see full schematics illustration in the photos to the left).

  • Finished bust circumference: (34, 38, 42) [46, 50, 54] {58, 62, 66} inches / (86.5, 96.5, 106.5) [117, 127, 137] {147.5, 157.5, 167.5} cm

Materials

Please note that Linen (Quince & Co Kestrel) is very stretchy, especially knit at a looser tension like recommended in this pattern (on 6.5mm/US10.5 needles). I highly recommend going down two sizes in the pattern, as the fibre will relax after washing and your garment will grow.

  • Quince & Co Kestrel: With Long Sleeves – (6, 7, 8) [8, 9, 10] {11, 12, 13} … for a top with short sleeves you can probably omit at least 2 skeins of yarn.
  • 6.5mm/US10.5 needles (you can go down to 5.5mm/US9 for a tighter tension)
  • Stitch Markers
  • Pattern

Yarn Alternatives

Another good yarn option that isn’t quite as precious as linen is the Rico So Cool So Soft, a super soft, bulky weight, 100% pima cotton yarn. For this yarn, choose your sizing like normal, and if you want you can go up to a 7mm/US10.75 needle with it, or if you want a looser texture go up to an 8mm/US11. If you want to make short sleeves you can probably omit at least 1 ball of yarn.

Photo: jkstarnes
Photo: marieleecarter

Birdie

Shrugs were going hard when I first started out in this industry, and I’m really glad to see them creeping back into summer silhouettes. Their relaxed elegance make for the most comfortable, versatile summer cardie on the planet (especially paired with linen)! This one looks amazing over a casual top with pants, or pair it with a loose dress. They’re just the happiest cocoons you ever wore.

Birdie’s construction is simple – it’s just of two identical pieces worked flat and joined at center back (done with my favourite, the super-easy 3 needle bind-off), then closing the cast-on edges to form the sleeves makes it a refreshingly simple knit. Geometric stitch patterns provide a pleasing contrast to the soft hand of the fabric that Quince & Co Kestrel creates.

See more Birdies made with Quince & Co Kestrel

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Size

  • 33¼ (33¼, 40, 40)” [84.5 (84.5, 101.5, 101.5) cm] wide and 26¾” [68 cm] deep / to fit bust size 30-36 (36¼-42¼, 42½-48½, 48¾-54¾)” [76-91.5 (92-107.5, 108-123, 124-139) cm]

Materials

  • Quince & Co Kestrel: 9 (9, 11, 11) skeins
  • 4.5mm/US7 – 32″ circular needles
  • 5.5mm/US9 – 32″ circular needles
  • spare 5.5mm/US9 needle
  • 4.5mm/US7 double pointed needles
  • Pattern
Photos: tiny laser

Francis

This top is just cool … I love the take on the peek-a-book back that keeps your beautiful body all yours … unless you want it otherwise, in which case you can definitely knit it shorter and share with flare (as the Toltec say, ALL bodies are beautiful, so enjoy your body exactly the way you please).

Francis is leverly constructed in one piece, this tee can be worn with the opening in the front or back. The garment is worked in a single piece from cuff to cuff in stockinette, with a garter stitch panel providing textural interest. Perfect for advanced beginners (the pattern comes with a free Project Tutorial to guide you).

See other Francises (Franci?) made with Quince & Co Kestrel

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • Finished Bust: 31.5 (33.75, 37.75, 40.25, 42.5, 45.25, 48)“
  • Finished Length: 20.25 (21, 21.5, 22.25, 22.75, 23.5, 24)”

Materials