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Your Yarn Tension & Your Inner Life

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I’ve wanted to talk a bit about this subject for a while, and I feel like there’s no time like the present. Our inner life directly affects our outer life, even our knitting and crochet. If you’ve ever been in a place in your life where you were experiencing a lot of stress you may have noticed that your tension got tighter. This is especially noticeable when making socks … over the years I’ve seen many pairs of socks come out at mismatched sizes because they were made with different life factors. Like the title of Bessel van der Kolk’s excellent book, the body keeps the score … especially those very creative hands of ours.

Well, this particular door swings both ways … what can get tight when we are holding things in, can also get looser when we are letting things out. We emerged from a pandemic, just in time to slide into a period of massive changes on the planet. As my friend and spiritual teacher Katie Heldman said in January, the collective energy is going to resonate strongly with the revolutionary qualities of the late 1960’s. What that means is big stuff is coming up, big emotions are surfacing, maybe stuff we haven’t wanted to look at or couldn’t experience before … but it’s here for us to process now. If you’re noticing this shift, you may also be doing some things to help yourself through this change … things like meditating, going to therapy, exploring or deepening your spirituality, etc.

If you are connecting with yourself and going inward, and you’re letting go of old baggage you no longer need … well, first off, BRAVO brave soul, you’re amazing!!! But it can also affect your knitting & crochet tension. When I started meditating eight years ago I was bemused to find that my very consistent tension became looser. After about 6 months my body adjusted to my new normal and my knitting tension went back to baseline. Whatcha gonna do, right? ADAPT. Until your body gets used to it’s new mental landscape, you can do a few things to level the playing field” (and it goes without saying tha the following suggestions also apply if your life has gotten a lot more stressful and your tension:

Swatch

Swatching is going to be your friend for the next little while (not that it wasn’t your BFF before). Before you start a project, especially something that needs to fit properly (like a sweater) you should always swatch. Make a swatch that is at least 5″ x 5″, and block it by washing it and laying it flat to dry. For more information on swatching please see this VIDEO (it also includes instructions on how to swatch for something that is knit in the round). Designers do A LOT of swatching and really know the ins & outs of it and often share helpful information:

Go Down a Needle Size

When tension is measured over 4 inches/10cm, I’ve found that one needle size or 0.5mm accounts for 1 stitch. So if your pattern calls for 18 sts/4″ on 4.5mm/US7 needles, and you are getting 17sts/4″ on 4.5mm/US7 needles, you probably need to go down to a 4mm/US6 needle to get the correct tension. I say probably because this is more art than science, yarn wants what it wants, and nothing is written in stone.

Put in a Life-line

You can always add a lifeline to your work and leave it in. This might be useful if you’re picking up your project up after a period of time and you think your tension might be different now. A lifeline is a strand of scrap yarn on a darning or tapestry needle that you thread through the live stitches that are currently on the needle (here’s a video about lifelines and how to use them). You leave the scrap yarn hanging out in the stitches and if you need to rip your work back it’s all there, super safe and secure and easy-peasy to go back to go. You’ll be able to pick your stitches back up and change your needle size (see above). And if you don’t need to make any changes that’s no problem, just remove the lifeline when you’ve finished your project.

  • Some people like to use dental floss for lifelines, but I prefer something more sturdy and use a smooth cotton yarn that I can tie off and secure.
  • Always use a yarn that is finer or thinner than the one you are working with, otherwise, it can disrupt the tension of the stitches in that row and you may notice a slight difference.
  • I like to use a mercerized cotton because they don’t tend to shed fibres, which can get stuck in your knitting.
  • Choose a colour with a high contrast, so it’s easy to see the lifeline and pick-up the stitches.

Upcoming Classes

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Looking to take some classes? No problem, you can find group and private classes on our website under, you guessed it … CLASSES! We teach knitting and crochet, all levels and most ages (8years & up seems to work well). You can take a group class or a priave class, it’s up to you.

Beginner Crochet

This is a crash course to get you crocheting fast! You’ll learn the basics to get you up and running: understanding yarn information, the proper way to hold your hook, how to chain, the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. By the end, you should be well on your way to making your first scarf.

This class is taught in-person, in our Toronto store, and is not virtual.

The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below and you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class.  

Skill Level: Absolute Beginner

Hours of Instruction: 3 

Instructor: Erica Wilson

Next Class: Sunday May 4, 2025: 9 am to 12pm

Materials:

The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below, and you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class:

Class Cancellation Policy:

Class deposits are non-refundable. Knit-O-Matic requires at least 72 hours notice of your cancellation before the start of the class in order to transfer your class deposit over to another class. Students who cancel less than 72 hours before the start of class or do not show up for the class will forfeit their class deposit. 

Beginner Knitting

This is a crash course to get you knitting fast! You’ll learn the basics to get you up and running: how to put stitches on your needles, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and how to finish up. By the end, you should be well on your way to making your first scarf. 

This class is taught in-person, in our Toronto store, and is not virtual.

The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below and you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class.  

Skill Level: Absolute Beginner (no prior experience is necessary)

Hours of Instruction: 3

Next Class: Sunday April 27, 2025: 9 am to 12pm

Materials:

The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below, but you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class:

Class Cancellation Policy

Class deposits are non-refundable. Knit-O-Matic requires at least 72 hours notice of your cancellation before the start of the class in order to transfer your class deposit over to another class. Students who cancel less than 72 hours before the start of class or do not show up for the class will forfeit their class deposit. 

Private Classes & Help

Learn something new, catch up with an old project, or get help with a new one – you set the agenda. Private classes are by appointment only, please book online by clicking the button below, or call us at 416-653-7849 to make an appointment. 

If you’re coming for a beginner knitting or crochet class we sell everything you need and you can pick up your materials when you come for your lesson. Private classes are one-on-one instruction, in-person in the store. You can learn what you want and at your own pace. You can book 10 minutes for quick help (like a dropped stitch), 1/2 hour for project help, 1 hour for a lesson, or 1.5 hours for a beginner lesson or for something more involved. If you aren’t sure how much time you’ll need just contact us and we can help.

To purchase a private class as a gift you can check out below and you will receive a gift card (the prices include tax). 

Details

  • Ages 8 & up
  • Maximum 2 people per private class (or contact us to arrange for a larger group)
  • Please see our calendar for dates and time (click the ‘Book Appointment‘ button)
  • You pay for the class in person when you attend your class
  • Classes take place in-person in-store, during store hours. 
  • Book online with the link below. Time slots are available for half hour, 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 2 hours. 
  • $9.97/15 minutes or 39.97 per hour/per person (+tax). 

Sandnes Garn Line: Perfect Yarn for Spring & Summer Projects

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Sandnes Garn Line

Almost all of the colours of Sandnes Garn Line have landed for your Spring & Summer knit, crochet, and weaving fun! Sandnes Garn Line combines the easy comfort and drape of linen with soft cotton for body and the coolness of viscose. Create classic lightweight summer tops and sweaters with this elegant plant-based Light worsted to heavy DK weight yarn. 

SEE PROJECT IDEAS

  • 53% Cotton, 33% Viscose, 14% Linen
  • 50 g / 1.8 oz (110m/120 yds)
  • Light Worsted to heavy DK weight
  • Knitting Needle Size: 4mm/US8 
  • Knitting Gauge: 20 to 21 sts = 4″/10 cm
  • Crochet Hook Size: 4.0 mm / E
  • Crochet Gauge: 20 scs = 4″/10 cm
  • Machine wash in cold water, delicate cycle; lay flat to dry.
  • Made on Norway 

Ilha

ILHA is worked from the top down, in the round. After the delicate yoke, the top of the sweater is shaped with raglan increases, resulting in a comfortable sweater and well-defined armholes. Once the stitches of the sleeves are put on hold, the body is knitted in the round, with pretty braids on the sides, revealed during movements. The ribbed edges are nicely highlighted by broken lines of twist stitches.

Size: Finished Bust 38 ¾ (41 ¾, 44 ¾, 48, 51)(54 ½, 57 ½, 60 ½, 63 ½)”

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Line: 8 (9, 10, 10, 11)(12, 13, 13, 14) balls
  • 3.5mm/US4 and 4mm/US8 circular needles (you’ll have to consult the pattern for the lengths required)
  • PATTERN

Spacetime

This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down in the round, starting with the collar. The yoke shaping is neither raglan nor round; it’s a bit of both! The pattern includes 3 options, that you can mix and match: rolled or ribbed edges; straight or A-line body shape; basic (m1l and m1r) or invisible lifted increases. If you are unsure which edge you prefer, you can make a swatch with one edge style on each end, and wash and dry it to see how they behave.

Size: Finished circumference (inches) XXS (31½); XS (34½); S (37¼): M1 (40); M2 (43¾); L (47); XL (50½); 2X (54); 3X (57½); 4X (61½); 5X (65¾); 6X(70¼)

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Line: 8(9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) balls
  • 3.5mm/US4 circular needles (you’ll have to consult the pattern for the lengths required)
  • PATTERN

Capolette

Capolette is the lighter-weight version of my original Capo layering top! Part capelet, part poncho, this little layering top is easy to make and fun to wear. And knit up in a lighter sport/DK-weight, it makes a great warm-weather-friendly layering piece. It’s worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up and uses sport/DK-weight yarn – the designer used Berroco Remix Light (we stock that too) but it would be drapey and delightful made with Sandnes Garn Line.

Size: Finished Bust 47 (53, 59, 65, 71)” / 119 (135, 150, 165, 180) cm

Materials:

Agave

Agave uses three different sizes of the same lace pattern. The large lace pattern is worked at the bottom of the front which creates a wavy hem. The medium lace pattern is worked in the middle of the front and back. The small lace pattern is worked on the sleeves.

Agave offers two sleeve options. The flutter sleeves are fun to wear and great for warm weather. The sleeve edges are wavy, fluttering each time you move due to the unseamed undersleeves. The regular, longer sleeves are perfect to wear for many seasons and occasions. The placement of the small lace pattern along the top of the sleeve creates an elegant look.

Optional adjustments (instructions included)
Sleeve style options (Flutter or Regular sleeves)
Sleeve depth/length adjustments (Regular sleeves only)

Size

  • Chest: 42 (46, 50, 54, 58)“/105 (115, 125, 135, 145)cm
  • Length: Choice of 18 ½”, 21” or 23 ½“ / 46cm, 52.5cm or 59cm

Materials

  • Sandnes Garn Line:
    Flutter Sleeves: 18 ½“ long: 6 (6, 6, 7, 7) skeins; 21” long: 6 (7, 7, 7, 8) skeins; 23 ½” long: 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins
    Regular sleeves: 18 ½“ long: 6 (7, 7, 7, 8) skeins; 21” long: 7 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins; 23 ½” long: 7 (8, 8, 9, 9) skeins
  • 5.5mm/US9 needles (see pattern for details)
  • stitch markers
  • PATTERN

Doodles

To make this unique texture without being complicated, some sections are worked with one strand of yarn, and other sections are worked with two strands of yarn held together. This produces a fabric where some sections are light, delicate, and see-through, and other sections are textured and a bit thicker. Slip stitches make wavy, horizonal lines without using short rows.
The instructions have an option to make a top without sleeves.

☆Instructions include the following adjustment/options.

  • Sleeve opening depth adjustments
  • Sleeves length adjustments
  • Kimono/straight sleeves instead of Gathered cuffs
  • Sleeveless option

Size

  • Chest: 45 (49, 53, 57)“/112.5 (122.5, 132.5, 142.5)cm
  • Length (laid flat): Choice of 19 ½”, 22” or 24 ¾“ /48.5cm, 55cm or 62cm

Yarn

Sandnes Garn Line:

  • 19 ½“ long: 10(11, 12, 12) balls
  • 22” long: 11 (12, 13, 14) balls
  • 24 ¾” long: 12 (13, 14, 15) balls
  • Note: These amounts are for a top WITH sleeves. If you make a sleeveless top, you need 200m/220 yds less (about 2 skeins).

Other Materials

Cloud Sweater

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Cloud Sweater by PetiteKnit

We finished the Cloud Sweater in this super pretty pink … and it might be the perfect three-season sweater (fall-winter-spring). We made it with Drops Air in a pretty light pink, which is great all year but maybe fits nicely with the early spring.

Construction

Cloud Sweater is worked from the top down. First the back yoke is worked back and forth while german short rows are worked to shape the shoulders. Then each shoulder is worked separately, back and forth and with short rows. The shoulders are then joined to form the front yoke. The front and back yoke are joined at the underarms to form the body, which is worked in the round on a circular needle. The sleeves are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armhole openings. The sleeves are worked in the round. At the end, the stockinette stitch funnel neckline is worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the neck opening.

Size

We made size XXS. It’s designed to be worn with extra ease, the smallest size starts at a 40″ bust.

  • Ease: Cloud Sweater is designed to have approx. 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease in the smaller sizes and then gradually less positive ease in the larger sizes.
  • Sizes: XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL)
  • Bust circumference: 102 (108) 113 (118) 122 (127) 136 (146) 153 (162) cm [40¼ (42½) 44½ (46½) 48 (50) 53½ (57½) 60¼ (63¾) inches]
  • Length: 55 (56) 58 (59) 61 (62) 63 (66) 68 (69) cm [21¾ (22) 22¾ (23¼) 24 (24½) 24¾ (26) 26¾ (27¼) inches] (measured mid back excl. collar)

Materials

Alternate Yarn Options

For a lighter, fluffier, airier textile you could also use Drops Brushed Alpaca & Silk or hold 2 strands together of Drops Kid-Silk.

RE-STOCK Berroco Remix Light

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Berroco Remix Light

Berroco Remix Light is a multi-seasonal yarn that’s so comfortable you’ll find the garments made with it become some of your favourites (you know, the one you wear over and over and over again, until you get tired of the colour so you make another in a new colour … etc). It’s super soft, light, breathable, machine washable, and it’s made in France from an eco-friendly blend of 100% recycled fibres.

It’s great for people who are allergic to wool, and light enough for perfect for people whose bodies run warm and wearing a knit is more about dressing and less about warmth. It’s popularity also stems from it’s INCREDIBLE yardage – it’s a DK weight yarn that comes in a 100g/400m skein (for those of you who don’t live in a yarn store, that’s like a bonus 150m to 200m). Remix Light is great for sweaters, tanks, tees, blankets, socks, scarves, shawls, bags, etc. It’s great for everyone: babies, kids, adults. 

SEE OUR FAVROURITE PROJECTS WITH BERROCO REMIX LIGHT

  • 10% silk, 9% linen, 27% cotton, 30% nylon, 24% acrylic
  • 100g/400m (432 yds)
  • 3.75mm/US5 needles
  • Knitting gauge: 22 sts & 32 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Crochet gauge: 20 sc x 22 rows = 4″ (10cm)
  • Machine Wash in cold water, delicate cycle. Lay flat to dry.
  • Read more about how Berroco Remix and Remix Light are made HERE. 

Trendy Patterns

Patterns & Projects

Ship Shape

I love Ship Shape , it’s such a perfect spring/summer knit. The navy stripes are classic, and the neck-line and shoulder detail are simple and elegant. I have a friend who says navy blue is a neutral, but I think that’s bull. Navy is just unassuming, it’s a spy embedded in colour society, it lives under the radar.

Ship Shape is knit seamlessly, top down, beginning with 2 separate pieces for the shoulder gussets. The yoke is a drop shoulder / raglan hybrid, making it perfect for playing with stripes, self striping yarn, or colour blocking! Body and sleeves are knit in the round.

Ship Shape is also available as a Crew Neck … see HERE!

Size

  • XXS(XS, S1, S2, M1, M2, L , XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6X)
  • 33½(35¾, 38, 40, 42¼, 45, 48, 51½, 55, 58¾, 63, 66½, 70)”
  • Intended to fit with approximately 10-17 cm (4-7 inches) of positive ease around the chest. The body length is slightly cropped and the sleeves are 3/4 length, but both can easily be modified as they are knit top down. Just make sure you have enough yarn if you plan to lengthen anything.
  • Sample shown in size S2 with about 15 cm (6 inches) of positive ease.

Materials

  • Berroco Remix Light: MC 2(2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) shown in 6949 Nightfall, CC 1(1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) shown in 6901 Birch
  • Pattern
  • 3.25mm needles (see pattern for details)
  • 3.5mm/US4 needles (see pattern for details)
  • Stitch markers

Notes

Sapphire

This iteration of Sapphire was whipped up by Åsa Buchta, the garment designer. It was originally envisioned in Berroco’s new multicoloured summer yarn, Vivo, but a great design should be able to grow beyond its yarn. Åsa made a version of this wardrobe staple for herself using one of our summer staples, the very wearable and very affordable  Berroco Remix Light (see below for more info on the yarn) – you can read more about her version on Berroco’s Blog. I think her sweater looks amazing over a summer dress, and I love that it looks great on bodies of all shapes and sizes (the pattern is VERY size-inclusive and goes up to a 76.5″ waist). For more yarn recommendations see below; the options aren’t endless, but they are definitely abundant!

Read more about it HERE

Materials 

Pyramid Light

Pyramid Light is a lightweight version of my design Pyramid. It is worked seamlessly from the top down. You can easily adjust the length. It has an expanded size range compared to the original design. Pyramid Light is graded with inclusive sizing in mind, designed to fit actual bust sizes from 76 cm / 30 inches to 168 cm / 66 inches. Measurements are given in both cm and inches.

Size

  • 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
  • Finished chest circumference: 85.5 (97, 106.5, 118, 127.5) {138, 148.5, 157, 166.5, 178} cm / 33.75 (38.25, 42, 46.5, 50.25) {54.25, 58.5, 61.75, 65.5, 70} inches
  • This garment is intended to be worn with about 6-12 cm / 2.25-4.75 inches positive ease.
  • Shown in size 1, modeled with 6.5 cm / 2.5 inches of positive ease.

Materials

Capolette

Capolette is the lighter-weight version of my original Capo layering top! Part capelet, part poncho, this little layering top is easy to make and fun to wear. And knit up in a lighter sport/DK-weight, it makes a great warm-weather-friendly layering piece.

It’s worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up and uses sport/DK-weight yarn – I used Berroco Remix Light which is a lovely yarn because it’s super light and drapey, perfect for the warmer months.

Check out the Capo Tips page for resources & tips.

Sizes

  • Sizes: XS/S (M/L, XL/2X, 3X/4X, 5X/6X)
  • To Fit Bust Size: 32-38 (38-44, 44-50, 50-56, 56-62)”/ 81-97 (97-112, 112-127, 127-142, 142-157) cm
  • Finished Circumference: 47 (53, 59, 65, 71)”/ 119 (135, 150, 165, 180) cm
  • Picking a Size: I suggest picking a size whose Finished Circumference is approx. 9-15”/23-38 cm larger than your actual chest circumference (you can use the “To Fit Bust Size” as a reference). Shown in size XS/S, being worn with 14”/36 cm of positive ease at the bust.

Materials

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.

Read all about it HERE!

Yarn

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

Materials

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

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.

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

Materials

Notes

Eden

Eden is a lacy throw worked in a simple one row chevron lace repeat. Have fun mixing the colors of Berroco Remix Light to make a special throw of your own! Stitch pattern is both charted and has written instructions.

Size: Approximately 47” / 119.5 cm wide x 60” / 152.5 cm long

Materials

Berroco Mystery Blanket Knit Along PRE-ORDER

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Many of you picked up your materials for the 2025 Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL last week, but there’s no deadline to join and we’re always happy to order a kit it for you. We carry the yarn, Berroco Vintage, year round and are constantly restocking, so if you want to you can also just get one skein of each colour and try it on and see if this type of project fits you (although the dye lots won’t match, but it’s a blanket so not a huge deal).

Berroco has thought of just about everything for this KAL … they’ve come out with 7 different colour combinations, and they’ve cleverly drawn up pretty diagrams so you can dream up your own colours combos and get an idea of what the blanket will look like. They’ve already published the pattern for January (see below), and a supporting video is available for techniques and skills (see below). There are online groups available on Facebook and Ravelry where you can meet other MKAL knitters and share your accomplishments (see below).

At the end of 2025, finished projects added to Ravelry will be entered to win a Year’s Worth of Yarn, so make sure to tag your Ravelry project with VintageMKAL25 (Instagram might not hurt either).

Joining the Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL is FREE, SIGN UP HERE

Description

Build your skills with Berroco’s year-long Mystery Blanket Knit Along! The Berroco Design Team has worked to create a delightful mix of techniques and methods for twenty 12 x 12″ squares that come together to create a stunning finished blanket. Practice outside-in, centre-out, and straight-up and down knitting as you work through the collection of squares with their engaging mix of constructions. Throughout the year, you’ll work squares featuring texture patterns, lace, cables, slipped stitches, stranded colorwork, intarsia, and finish with a cable and lace combo. Squares are seamed together during finishing with a border added to frame your masterpiece with the perfect finishing touch. 

This Kit is a Pre-Order

We keep this yarn in stock in-store all year, but we may not have enough of the quantities for your kit in stock and we will special order more for you. When ordering please assume that it’s being special ordered for you, but if we can we will prepare it right away from stock we have in store.

Pattern

Groups

Size
Approximately 52″ / 132 cm x 64″ / 162.5 cm 

Needles

  • 4.5mm/US7 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 5 mm/US8 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 4.5mm/US7 long circular needle (for border)

Yarn

Berroco Vintage:

  • 6 hanks C1
  • 4 hanks C2
  • 3 hanks C3
  • 3 hanks C4
  • 2 hanks C5

Suggested Colorways

  • Coastal Dream (sample colors): 5101 Mochi (C1), 5172 Calico (C2), 51198 Acai (C3), 5105 Oats (C4), 51184 Twilight (C5)
  • Neutral Comfort: 5101 Mochi (C1), 5160 Smoke (C2), 5103 Mocha (C3), 5174 Rye (C4), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C5)
  • Berries & Cream: 5102 Buttercream (C1), 5195 Macaron (C2), 5182 Black Currant (C3), 51181 Ruby (C4), 51194 Rhubarb (C5)
  • Eclectic Haze: 51133 Electric (C1), 51132 Grapes (C2), 5123 Blush (C3), 51131 Citrus (C4), 51122 Violet (C5)
  • Sage Advice: 51196 Jalapeno (C1), 5199 Sage (C2), 5185 Tide Pool (C3), 5189 Charcoal (C4), 5104 Mushroom (C5)
  • Spring Awakening: 5132 Sky Blue (C1), 5100 Snow Day (C2), 5122 Banane (C3), 5126 Watermelon (C4), 5116 Dove (C5)
  • Forest Path: 5177 Douglas Fir (C1), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C2), 5143 Dark Denim (C3), 5182 Black Currant (C4), 5173 Red Pepper (C5)

Berroco Mystery Blanket Knit Along PRE-ORDER

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Many of you picked up your materials for the 2025 Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL last week, but there’s no deadline to join and we’re always happy to order a kit it for you. We carry the yarn, Berroco Vintage, year round and are constantly restocking, so if you want to you can also just get one skein of each colour and try it on and see if this type of project fits you (although the dye lots won’t match, but it’s a blanket so not a huge deal).

Berroco has thought of just about everything for this KAL … they’ve come out with 7 different colour combinations, and they’ve cleverly drawn up pretty diagrams so you can dream up your own colours combos and get an idea of what the blanket will look like. They’ve already published the pattern for January (see below), and a supporting video is available for techniques and skills (see below). There are online groups available on Facebook and Ravelry where you can meet other MKAL knitters and share your accomplishments (see below).

At the end of 2025, finished projects added to Ravelry will be entered to win a Year’s Worth of Yarn, so make sure to tag your Ravelry project with VintageMKAL25 (Instagram might not hurt either).

Joining the Berroco Mystery Blanket KAL is FREE, SIGN UP HERE

Description

Build your skills with Berroco’s year-long Mystery Blanket Knit Along! The Berroco Design Team has worked to create a delightful mix of techniques and methods for twenty 12 x 12″ squares that come together to create a stunning finished blanket. Practice outside-in, centre-out, and straight-up and down knitting as you work through the collection of squares with their engaging mix of constructions. Throughout the year, you’ll work squares featuring texture patterns, lace, cables, slipped stitches, stranded colorwork, intarsia, and finish with a cable and lace combo. Squares are seamed together during finishing with a border added to frame your masterpiece with the perfect finishing touch. 

This Kit is a Pre-Order

We keep this yarn in stock in-store all year, but we may not have enough of the quantities for your kit in stock and we will special order more for you. When ordering please assume that it’s being special ordered for you, but if we can we will prepare it right away from stock we have in store.

Pattern

Groups

Size
Approximately 52″ / 132 cm x 64″ / 162.5 cm 

Needles

  • 4.5mm/US7 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 5 mm/US8 straight or circular needles (for squares)
  • 4.5mm/US7 long circular needle (for border)

Yarn

Berroco Vintage:

  • 6 hanks C1
  • 4 hanks C2
  • 3 hanks C3
  • 3 hanks C4
  • 2 hanks C5

Suggested Colorways

  • Coastal Dream (sample colors): 5101 Mochi (C1), 5172 Calico (C2), 51198 Acai (C3), 5105 Oats (C4), 51184 Twilight (C5)
  • Neutral Comfort: 5101 Mochi (C1), 5160 Smoke (C2), 5103 Mocha (C3), 5174 Rye (C4), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C5)
  • Berries & Cream: 5102 Buttercream (C1), 5195 Macaron (C2), 5182 Black Currant (C3), 51181 Ruby (C4), 51194 Rhubarb (C5)
  • Eclectic Haze: 51133 Electric (C1), 51132 Grapes (C2), 5123 Blush (C3), 51131 Citrus (C4), 51122 Violet (C5)
  • Sage Advice: 51196 Jalapeno (C1), 5199 Sage (C2), 5185 Tide Pool (C3), 5189 Charcoal (C4), 5104 Mushroom (C5)
  • Spring Awakening: 5132 Sky Blue (C1), 5100 Snow Day (C2), 5122 Banane (C3), 5126 Watermelon (C4), 5116 Dove (C5)
  • Forest Path: 5177 Douglas Fir (C1), 5107 Cracked Pepper (C2), 5143 Dark Denim (C3), 5182 Black Currant (C4), 5173 Red Pepper (C5)

HOLIDAY STORE HOURS

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It was so busy and crazy this week that I completely forgot to post our holiday store hours and wish you a happy holiday!

Knit a Cozy Weekend Jacket in Super Bulky Yarn

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We finished a new store project and it’s all about PINK! The Weekend Jacket is a simple cardigan worked in super bulky weight yarn (we used Cascade SPUNTANEOUS in 33 Neon Pink) to give a dramatic scale to this design. It features deep armholes and puff bracelet length sleeves. The pattern also includes instructions for a long sleeve version. This jacket is worked seamlessly from the top down in one piece (no seaming). You can make it as long as you want. The neckline is shaped with short rows.

If you like this style of sweater made with Super-Bulky weight yarns and BIG needles you’ll like patterns by Tara-Lynn Morrison.

Many thanks to Elyse for whipping up our sample, her Neon Green Weekend looks AMAZING!

Size

  • This garment is intended to be worn with about 45-49 cm / 17.75-19.25 inches positive ease.
  • For between sizes, choose the smaller size.
  • Size: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
  • Designed to fit actual bust circumference: 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117) {127, 137, 147.5, 157.5, 167.5} cm / 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) {50, 54, 58, 62, 66} inches.
  • Finished Bust Circumference: 124.5 (134, 144.5, 154, 163) {175.5, 183, 195.5, 203, 215.5} cm / 49 (52.75, 57, 60.5, 64.25) {69, 72, 77, 80, 84.75} inches

Materials

Other Yarn Options

You can also use the following yarn options:

Needles

We think Interchangeable needles area great way to go when a pattern calls for a bunch of sizes you don’t normally use. The Knitter’s Pride tips can be a great value.

HOUSEKEEPING: Shipping Update

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Shipping Update

During the Canada Post labour disruption we’ve been shipping by UPS, but I received a heads-up yesterday that UPS will not be accepting packages sent by UPS Standard service (which is their least expensive service level) and will only be taking UPS Express. We’ve updated the shipping service levels in our online store, and we’ll keep you posted as things shift.

If you live in the Greater Toronto Area you can also use our same day/next day courier service (they’ve been very reliable), and of course we are open for pick-up and in-store shopping. Or you can have your order shipped by UPS Express. You can also ask us to hold your order and ship it when Canada Post comes back to work.

We’re sorry for the inconvenience!

Best,

Haley