Category Archives: Yarn

PROJECT Four Points Blankets (Baby + Throw Sizes)

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Photos: © Purl Soho

KNIT Four Points Blanket

I’m in the Dominican Republic this week … but I promise I’m still thinking of you! While I’m gone, here’s a popular favourite ….. the four points blanket is a great project all year round. It’s available in both knit and crochet, and you can make it in a baby blanket size or as a throw. It’s a simple composition and can be made in a number of different yarn options. The patterns are free, so you can read them over and see if they work for you without committing. If you want something a bit more jazzy, try the Easy Puzzle Blanket, which uses 6 colours.

MODIFICATIONS

  • use 3.75mm/US5 to 4mm/US6 needles
  • for a crib (throw) size cast on approximately 140(204) sitches. You will pick up & knit the same number of stitches.
Photos: © Purl Soho

CROCHET Four Points Blanket

The original version of the Four Points Blanket was made in crochet … inspired, isn’t it?!

MODIFICATIONS

  • Use a 3.75mm to 4mm crochet hook
  • chain approx 123(178) sts for baby(throw) size, and and pick up the same number of stitches.

YARN OPTIONS Baby Friendly Staples

1. Berroco Vintage Baby

Berroco Vintage Baby is a new yarn that just cam out this spring. It’s very similar to it’s sibling Vintage DK, but it has a slightly silkier texture and comes in 50g balls. It’s soft, easy to work with, machine washable, reliable and is generally great on both the skin and the wallet. The yarns in the Vintage line are a blend of wool and synthetic, and generally work well for people with sensitive skin. We carry this yarn all year.

  • KNIT 4 Points Baby: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours ($59.64)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw: 5 skeins in each of 4 colours ($99.40)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours ($79.52)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw: 7 skeins in each of 4 colours ($139.16)
Berroco Vintage Baby: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage Baby: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage Baby: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage Baby: 4 Points Blanket Combos

2. Berroco Vintage DK

Berroco Vintage DK is a staple around here, we sell tons of it for every kind of project for babies, grown-ups, and everything in-between. It’s soft, easy to work with, machine washable, reliable and is generally great on both the skin and the wallet. The yarns in the Vintage line are a blend of wool and synthetic, and generally work well for people with sensitive skin. We carry this yarn all year.

  • KNIT 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours ($79.76)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw Blanket: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours ($159.52)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours ($79.76)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw Blanket: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours ($159.52)
Berroco Vintage DK: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage DK: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage DK: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage DK: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Vintage DK: 4 Points Blanket Combos

3. Cascade Ultra Pima

For several years Cascade Ultra Pima has been the go-to yarn for these projects. Its silky soft texture is seductive, and it’s ideal for babies as it’s machine washable, allergy-friendly and excellent for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), and comes in a bunch of great colours.

  • KNIT 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours ($95.76)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw Blanket: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours ($191.52)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours ($95.76)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw Blanket: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours ($191.52)
  • 3.75mm/US5 to 4mm/US6 needles/hook
Cascade Ultra Pima: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Cascade Ultra Pima: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Cascade Ultra Pima: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Cascade Ultra Pima: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Cascade Ultra Pima: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Photos: © Purl Soho

NEW Colour Flow

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Holiday Gift Parade

It’s chilly outside today, which means it is time for me to start reminding about knitting for the holidays. You’ve got about 2 months until Christmas, Kwanzaa and Yule, if you’re Eastern Orthodox you get an extra few weeks, but Hannukah is REALLY early this year (Nov 28th!). I’ll try to keep throwing in the interesting stuff, abut the project suggestions are shifting into small achievable goals. Let the parade of giftable projects roll!

Stay tuned for:

  • Hats & Headbands
  • Mitts
  • Scarves & Infinity Scarves
  • Cowls
  • Legwarmers
  • Wraps & Shoulder cozies
  • Slippers & Slipper-socks
  • Holiday decor
  • Fast blankets & throws

SEE OUR PAST GIFT PROJECT IDEAS

NEW Estelle Colour Flow

For a few years clients have been telling me they LOVE the soft, airy look and texture of blown yarns like Drops Air, but does it come in something more colourful? Well, this fall one of our distributors introduced something just of the sort, so if you like Drops Air, then Estelle Colour Flow is for you!

Estelle Colour Flow is a super-soft yarn with lots of fun! It’s made with merino wool that is literally blown into a nylon core, making it super light and airy, like knitting with a cloud (without the precipitation). The colour changes all by itself, making it an entertaining and pretty knit. It’s a bulky weight, so it will knit up reasonably quickly on 6mm/US10 needles. Colour Flow is knits really well with other fuzzy yarns (see below for more on this). NOTE: this yarn is feltable, so it must be hand washed.

SEE PROJECT IDEAS FOR THIS YARN

  • 80% Merino Wool (exterior), 20% Nylon (core)
  • 50g/125m
  • Bulky Weight
  • 6mm/US10 needles
  • 14 sts = 4″/10cm
  • Hand wash, lay flat to dry
  • Made in Italy

NOTE: if you love one of the pattern suggestions linked above, but you want to use a solid coloured yarn, try Illimani Amelie, it’s a perfect fit!

How Much Will I Need?

  • Hat: 1 skein
  • Cowl/Snood: 1 to 2 skeins
  • Scarf or Infinity Scarf: 2 to 3 skeins (4 if you want it really big)
  • Legwarmers: 2 to 3 skeins
  • Shawl/Wrap: 4 to 5 skeins
  • Blanket: 10+ skeins

Colour Flow Free Hat Pattern

When you purchase this yarn you’ll automatically receive an email with a link to download a free copy of the Colour Flow Slouchy Hat Pattern (above).

Materials

Mobius Cowl (in progress)

It gets a bit busy around here in the fall (which is awesome, no complaints), so here’s a pic of our first solo project, a Mobius Cowl. Scarves, cowls and wraps knit LENGTHWISE will look amazing with this yarn, the colour gradation in the yarn will do all the work! The pattern is an oldie – you can’t beat a classic.

Mods

  • Use 6mm/US10 needles (36″ or longer)
  • Cast on 174 sts
  • Reduce each garter section by 1 round for each group (5 rounds becomes 4, 6 rounds becomes 5)
  • If you are a new knitter and can’t deal with the mobius cast-on, just use a regular cast on and make it without the twist.

Materials

Estelle Colour Flow combined with Drops Air: both strands knit together on 9mm/US13 needles

Yarn Combining

Yarn combining has become a ‘thing’, and I’m glad it has, because it makes textiles that much more fun and interesting! I’ve embarked on a little experimentation, and found that Estelle Colour Flow works up beautifully held with other fluffy yarns:

Colour Flow & Drops Air 

1 stand of Estelle Colour Flow + 1 strand of Drops Air on 9mm/US13 needles =.12 sts & 16 rows/4″ (10cm). The combination, besides knitting up nice & quick, is deliciously soft and squishy. The fabric is still light, but they have a bit more body than if you worked with them on their own.    (colours: Colour Flow 42205 River Rock & Drops Air 05 Brown Mix.

SEE PROJECT IDEAS FOR COLOUR FLOW & AIR COMBINED

If you’re interested in experimentation I recommend combining it with either Drops Air or Drops Brushed Alpaca & Silk to keep everything super-soft and yummy.

A closeup of Estelle Colour Flow combined with Drops Air: both strands knit together on 9mm/US13 needles

I can’t say I’m in love with the colour combo I chose above (it works, but I find it a little depressing, the brown is sort of stealing the colour’s ‘life’), but I’d like to give it another shot holding the Colour Flow with a light grey, light beige or cream coloured yarn. I’ll try the fun skein below (colour 42204 Pinata) – it became unruly so I threw it on the winder and yowza it looks purty!

Estelle Colour Flow wound up on a machine: colour 42204 Pinata
Bird escaping light-box

I tried getting Gru into the game, but he was having none of it (and I was out of treats). This is what birds look like right before they take-off.

TRUNK SHOW Amano & Kits (pt. 2)

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As promised, more inspirations from Amano! If you already caught Part 1 of the Trunk Show Goodies, feel free to ship down to where the pictures begin. If not, you can go back with the magical time-machine that is the link below.

SEE PART 1 of the AMANO TRUNK SHOW

P.S. I am placing an order with the distributor this week, so if you order your kit now it should arrive by the middle of next week.

We received a little trunk show from Amano, and some of the samples are so lovely I thought they merit becoming pre-order kits! A ‘Trunk Show’ is a small selection of samples on loan from a designer for a short period of time. They’re a great opportunity to feel the yarns in action, see how they behave worked up, and actually try on the samples. I often find surprises in trunk-show collections – gems I never would have known about if they hadn’t fallen into my hands – literally.

Amano is Peruvian company and they make gorgeous yarns with the highest quality Alpacas, Pima Cotton, Peruvina Highland Wool, and Silk.

We received A LOT of samples, so I’ll be posting over a few every day or so, and I’ll curate and pick out the best. If you live near the store we are open 7 days a week, from 11 am to 6 pm, and everyone are welcome to come by and check them out! We are only a retail store, so you don’t need to show proof of vaccination, but you have to wear a mask at all times in the store, and we ask that everyone keep their physical distance from each other. The samples will be in store until the 25th of October.

SEE ALL THE AMANO KITS HERE (as we load them)

Pre-Order

These kits are SPECIAL-ORDERS – we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them at 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. 

Rafaella Chullo Hat Kit PRE-ORDER

Details

Designed by Isabel Kraemer, this super-soft, super warm, fun hat is a feast of texture! Except for the earflaps, it is worked in the round (besides the earflaps) in the round with a cute pixie style crown shaping. 

When you order your kit you’ll receive a link to download the pattern digitally, as well as a printed copy with the yarn. 

Yarn

Amano Eco Puna Black Alpaca is a super soft 100% natural baby alpaca. The colour is the natural colour of the coat from pure black alpacas. Eco Puna black represents Amano’s strong desire to preserve this unique beautiful black color. Amano supports the Andean communities in the breeding of alpacas with pure black fibre in an effort to re-establish this population, called the Yanapaco (black alpaca) program, part of the Pacomarca Sustainable Alpaca network.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size

  • One size
  • To fit head circumference 20″ to 22″
  • From brim to top: 9″ (23cm)
  • Circumference at brim: 20.5″ (52cm)

Kit Includes:

  • Amano Eco Puna Black (100% natural baby alpaca): 4 balls
  • Pattern

Kit Does NOT Include:

Substitutions

If you want to start making this hat right away and don’t want to wait for your yarn (or you want another colour or a more economical option), you can use any of the following yarns:

Paula Mitten Kit PRE-ORDER

Details

I really love the texture and simplicity of these mitts. Designed by Isabel Kraemer, these super-soft, super warm, mittens are all about little luxuries! They are knit from the bottom up in the round, and more length can be added by working more rounds before starting the top shaping. (texture is only on the upper side of hand, the palm side is stocking stitch). Please note, the colour is Pure Black. 

To make a matching set see the RAFAELLA CHULLO KIT

When you order your kit you’ll receive a link to download the pattern digitally, as well as a printed copy with the yarn. 

Yarn

Amano Eco Puna Black Alpaca is a super soft 100% natural baby alpaca. The colour is the natural colour of the coat from pure black alpacas. Eco Puna black represents Amano’s strong desire to preserve this unique beautiful black color. Amano supports the Andean communities in the breeding of alpacas with pure black fibre in an effort to re-establish this population, called the Yanapaco (black alpaca) program, part of the Pacomarca Sustainable Alpaca network.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Size

  • One size
  • Length: 11″ (28 cm)
  • Hand Circumference: 8″ (20.5 cm)

Kit Includes:

  • Amano Eco Puna Black (100% natural baby alpaca): 3 balls
  • Pattern

Kit Does NOT Include:

Pre-Order

These kits are a SPECIAL-ORDER – we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them at 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. 

TRUNK SHOW Amano & Kits (pt. 1)

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We received a little trunk show from Amano, and some of the samples are so lovely I thought they merit becoming pre-order kits! A ‘Trunk Show’ is a small selection of samples on loan from a designer for a short period of time. They’re a great opportunity to feel the yarns in action, see how they behave worked up, and actually try on the samples. I often find surprises in trunk-show collections – gems I never would have known about if they hadn’t fallen into my hands – literally.

Amano is Peruvian company and they make gorgeous yarns with the highest quality Alpacas, Pima Cotton, Peruvina Highland Wool, and Silk.

We received A LOT of samples, so I’ll be posting over a few every day or so, and I’ll curate and pick out the best. If you live near the store we are open 7 days a week, from 11 am to 6 pm, and everyone are welcome to come by and check them out! We are only a retail store, so you don’t need to show proof of vaccination, but you have to wear a mask at all times in the store, and we ask that everyone keep their physical distance from each other. The samples will be in store until the 25th of October.

As we load them to the online store you’ll be able to find the kits HERE

Pre-Order

These kits are SPECIAL-ORDERS – we aren’t stocking them in the store on a regular basis, but you have the option to order them at 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. 

Margarita Cowl Kit PRE-ORDER

Details

Margarita is a pretty lace cowl is worked seamlessly in the round. The lace pattern is both written and charted. When you order your kit you’ll receive a link to download the pattern digitally, as well as a printed copy with the yarn. 

Yarn

Amano Apu is a gift from the Inca gods, it is a fiber like no other. This particular type of alpaca is called Imperial because it is the softest alpaca that exists.

Size

  • 8½” (21.6 cm) high x 20” (51 cm) circumference

Kit Includes:

Kit Does NOT Include:

Substitutions

If you want to start making these mitts right away and don’t want to wait for your yarn (or you want another colour or a more economical option), you can use any of the following yarns:

Ariel Bobble Sweater Kit PRE-ORDER

Details

The Ariel  Bobble Pullover is an adorable sweater for kids 12 months to 6 years. The body and sleeves are worked separately in the round from the bottom up, then they are joined, and the yoke is worked in the round to the neckline.

When you order your kit you’ll receive a link to download the pattern digitally, as well as a printed copy with the yarn. 

Yarn

Amano Sami is a buttery soft, 100% Organic Peruvian Pima Cotton(often called the “silk of the south”.) It’s an extremely soft cotton to knit with and wear, with a matte finish that gives garments a cozy, casual look and feel. Sami also somes in somer eally beautiful colours for babies and kids!

Size

  • 12 months(2, 4, 6) years
  • To fit chest size: 18(20, 22, 24)”
  • Finished chest circumference: 20.25(21.75, 24, 26.25)”
  • Length: 14(15, 16.5, 17.25)”

Kit Includes:

  • Amano Sami (100% pima cotton): 3(4) skeins 
  • Pattern

Kit Does NOT Include:

Similar Patterns

The same pattern designer has also made similar designs for thicker yarns and for adults:

Substitutions

If you want to start making these mitts right away and don’t want to wait for your yarn (or you want another colour or a more economical option), you can use any of the following yarns:

PROJECT Four Points Blankets (Baby + Throw Sizes)

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Photos: © Purl Soho

KNIT Four Points Blanket

The four points blanket is a project we have a lot of clients coming in to get yarn for all year round. It’s available in both knit and crochet (see below), and you can make it in a baby blanket size or as a grown-up throw. The pattern is all knitting in garter stitch, and they provide a video tutorial for the single ‘fancy’ technique, picking up stitches. We’ve got lots of suitable yarns included in our SUMMER SALE, there are lots of options to advantage of for a baby or an adult blanket.

Photos: © Purl Soho

CROCHET Four Points Blanket

The original version of the Four Points Blanket was made in crochet … I’m always glad when crocheters aren’t left out, it makes a great blanket!

YARN OPTIONS

1. Berroco Remix Light ON SALE TO SEPT 6

Berroco Remix Light is soft, easy to work with, machine washable, eco-friendly (it’s recycled), allergy friendly and great for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), comes in a bunch of great colours, and is ever so affordable (especially on sale)!

Berroco Remix Light: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Remix Light: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Remix Light: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Berroco Remix Light: 4 Points Blanket Combos
  • KNIT 4 Points Baby: 1 skein in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $47.91, Reg. $63.88)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $95.82, Reg $127.76)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby: 1 skein in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $47.91, Reg. $63.88)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $95.82, Reg $127.76)
  • 3.75mm/US5 to 4mm/US6 needles/hook

2. Kelbourne Mojave ON SALE TO SEPT 6

Kelbourne Mojave is soft, easy to work with, machine washable, allergy friendly and great for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), comes in a bunch of stunning colours, especially baby friendly brights, and is a great deal on sale! Use 3.

Kelbourne Mojave: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Kelbourne Mojave: 4 Points Blanket Combos
  • KNIT 4 Points Baby: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $68.82, Reg. $91.76)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $137.64, Reg. $183.52)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $96.35, Reg. $137.64)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw: 5 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $172.05, Reg. $229.40)
  • 3.5mm/US4 to 4mm/US6 needles/hook

3. Quince & Co Sparrow ON SALE TO SEPT 6

Quince & Co Sparrow is a linen that turns silky smooth once it’s washed. It’s eco firendly (100% organic linen), machine wash and dryable, allergy friendly and excellent for warm climates (no animal fibres in it), comes in a bunch of great colours, and is a great deal on sale! If you live in a hot climate or are making a blanket for someone who does, this yarn is remarkable, as it has something of a cooling effect. This yarn would make a very special blanket.

Quince & Co Sparrow: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Quince & Co Sparrow: 4 Points Blanket Combos
Quince & Co Sparrow: 4 Points Blanket Combos
  • KNIT 4 Points Baby: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $89.82, Reg. $119.76)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $179.64, Reg. $239.52)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $134.73, Reg. $179.64)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw: 6 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $269.46, Reg. $359.28)
  • 3.25mm/US3 to 3.5mm/US4 needles/hook

4. BC Garn Bio Balance ON SALE TO SEPT 6

BC Garn Bio Balance is soft, a pleasure to work with, eco-friendly (it’s GOTS certified organic), and comes in a bunch of great colours. It is NOT machine washable, but would make a stunning throw! It;s unique blend of wool & cotton make it great for temperate climates or people to run a bit warm.

BC Garn Bio Balance: 4 Points Blanket Combos
BC Garn Bio Balance: 4 Points Blanket Combos
BC Garn Bio Balance: 4 Points Blanket Combos
  • KNIT 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $77.82, Reg. $103.76)
  • KNIT 4 Points Throw Blanket: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $116.73, Reg. $155.64)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Baby Blanket: 2 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $77.82, Reg. $103.76)
  • CROCHET 4 Points Throw Blanket: 4 skeins in each of 4 colours (SALE PRICE $155.64, Reg. $207.52)
  • 3.25mm/US3 to 4mm/US6 needles/hook

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!

denim 1.JPG
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 Kalaloch

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Kalaloch

I kinda love the slouchy, deconstructed quality of this sweater. Texture replaces colourwork in the yoke, evoking a fair-isle sweaters without creating the bulk of layers of yarn. It’s a light, easy to wear spring & summer top. It’s meant to fit oversized, so take that into account when choosing your size.

The body and sleeves of this pullover are worked in the round from the bottom up to the yoke, then the pieces are joined for working the circular yoke. If you haven’t already read about the yarn, BC Garn Bio Balance, (if you have you can skip ahead to the next section … seriously, it’s a copy-cut-paste) it’s soft, light, comfortable, and comes in a great selection of colours. It’s a 100% organic and GOTS certified blend of cotton & wool, and kind of feels the way I’ve always wanted cotton to feel (but doesn’t). And FYI, the GOTS certification is a real THING. It means the product is truly organic and humanely handled from the field to the distributor (once it hits the store shelves it’s an ethical free-for-all, choose your yarn pusher wisely). BTW, there’s a lot of yardage on these little skeins, so PLEASE feel free to ask us to wind it for you before shipping or picking it up.

Size

  • Circumference at Underarm:  42 (48, 54, 60, 66)“
  • Pullover shown measures 48”; modeled with 15” of positive ease.

Materials

  • BC Garn Bio Balance: 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins (colour 05)
  • 2.75 mm/US2 – 40″ circular needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4 – 40” circular needles
  • 2.75 mm/US2 double-pointed needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4 double-pointed needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4 – 16” circular needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4 – 24″ circular needles
  • stitch markers
  • stitch holders or scrap yarn
  • tapestry needle
  • Pattern

Hacks

  • Check your local library’s online resources to see if they offer this magazine digitally
  • If you were thinking about investing in a set of interchangeable needles this might be a good time. Chiaogoo makes sets that go as small as 2.75mm/US2 (both a Half Set that goes up to 5mm/US8 and a Full Set that goes up to 10mm/US15). If you get the 4″ tips you can use them to make 16″/hat sized needles.

NEW PROJECT Getting Warmer

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The sweater in this picture is Carbeth, made with Cascade Eco Peruvian Tones

Getting Warmer

I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get this project out to you (it’s been in the store window for a couple of weeks already) – you know how it goes … Life! Anyway, I thought it would make a great little neck accessory as the temperature drops. I love little shoulderettes, they’re so cosy and are great for changing seasons.

This one is Getting Warmer, a FREE pattern, and we made it with a yarn that’s new for us, Illimani Llama II. Illimani is a little company located in Quebec that imports gorgeous yarns from South America, especially alpaca and other camelids, like llama.

The pattern is pretty straight forward and is fairly accessible for beginners (depending on your level of beginnerness, of course). The ‘special’ skills include knit & purl in the same row, working in the round on circular needles, decreasing, and reading a pattern. Basically, if you can make a hat, you can make a Getting Warmer. The project works up on 6mm/US10 needles, so I think it qualifies as a “small, achievable goal”.

BTW, many thanks to Adrienne for doing the heavy lifting on this project!

Yarn Options

The yarn we used, Illimani Llama II, was a delight! It is super soft and is made from 100% de-haired llama, so it basically feels like baby alpaca (de-haired means that when the fibre is being processed the coarser parts of the coat are removed, leaving only the soft undercoat).

Other yarns options:

Cascade Eco Merino: one skein of Cascade Eco Merino would make an entire Getting Warmer, which would be pretty economical at $38.

Drops Air: two skeins of Drops Air would make a looser, more relaxed look, and the price tag would look sweet at under $20.

Diamond Baby Alpaca Sport: three skeins of super soft ‘n sexy Diamond Baby Alpaca Sport would make a neckie-thingie you’ll want to cozy up next to at the bar and offer to buy it a drink.

Berroco Vintage Chunky: three skeins of Berroco Vintage Chunky will get the job done with style and grace for people who are sensitive to wool or are really good at wrecking things by putting them in the washing machine.

Mineville Merino 2ply: If you want a little colour, you can still scoop up 3 skeins of Mineville Merino 2ply from our Clearance section!

Drops Brushed Alpaca and Silk: if you want mega texture, go for a super soft mohair effect with Drops Brushed Alpaca and Silk. For a loose, airy texture knit with a single strand (3 skeins), and for a denser, warmer fabric work with 2 strands held together (6 skeins). Both options are super affordable, from $18 to $36.

Materials

Needle Hack

If you don’t already have these needles in your kit, you might be interested in some Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable needles: you just buy one set of 3.5″ tips and two cords, and it saves having to purchase two separate circular needles. But note, you MUST get shorter tips that are 3.5″ to 4″ long! Any longer and they won’t work with the 16″ cord:

If you prefer Addi needles, they also make interchangeable tips that are the right length:

These shorter needles are ideal for making hats, neck things, baby things, and will always work with the longer cords from their respective brand. If you’re feeling like why not dive in and buy a whole set with a bunch of sizes (its usually more affordable than buying them one size at a time), here are a few brands who make them in the right size:

Short Interchangeable Needle Sets (with 3.5″ to 4″ tips)

PROJECT-SPIRATION Kalaloch Pullover

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Kalaloch Pullover

I don’t know if you caught this pattern on Ravelry a few weeks ago, but I filed it away somewhere in the middle of my mind. It’s made with BC Garn Bio Balance, a gorgeous spring/summer weight yarn made from a blend of organic wool & cotton. We’ve worked up a sample shawl with it and it was delightful to work with and wear. When you work with it, it kind of moves like a soft wool with a bit of texture and grab to it, you don’t really feel the cotton. But when its knitted, the fabric doesn’t feel like wool at all, it feels like a blended plant fibre you’d find in a commercial garment. It’s interesting, and really nice!

Anyway, I love the combination of texture and oversized ease in this sweater. It’ll be extremely comfortable and breathable, perfect for slouching around the cottage, the house and the city. I don’t love the colour they chose, I don’t know about you but I have a hard time visualizing myself in a dark green summer sweater! Good thing BC Garn Bio Balance comes in a bunch of pretty colours for warmer seasons (they have a medium green that is beautiful). If you want to cast on right away, here are your best bets (if you have your heart set on another colour that we don’t have in stock let us know and we can get that for you):

Needle Hack: Interchangeables ROCK!

The body and sleeves are worked in the round from the bottom up to the yoke, then the pieces are joined for working the circular yoke. If skipped ahead to the materials, you’ll notice that the pattern calls for a bunch of needles in different lengths – if you have been thinking about buying yourself a set of interchangeable needles this might be a good opportunity. If not, I’d buy individual interchangeable tips and cords: for the circulars I’d get Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Tips 3.5mm-4.5″, 3.5mm-3.5″, and 3mm-4.5″ (to sub for the 2.75mm), and corresponding Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Cords/Cables in 16″, 24″ and 40″. For the double pointed needles you can get them in 3mm & 3.5mm, or use your 40″ cord for the magic loop technique.

If you already have an interchangeable set check to see if it comes with the 3mm tips – most do not, but Knitter’s Pride makes them as individual pairs in the metal “nova platina” (chrome plated brass).

Pattern Hack: Libraries ROCK!

We no longer carry Interweave Knits, but you can still find the paper edition in grocery stores, drug stores, and online as an e-publication through Interweave. But there is a fourth option: the public library! Check your public library to see if they provide digital magazines. Interweave Knits is available from the Toronto Public Library though the RB Digital service, which is a FREE service – all you need is a library card (also FREE) and a digital device (smart phone, tablet or computer). If you don’t have a device you can go to the library and use one of their computers and printers – you can even ask the librarian for help if you are having trouble, helping people access information is their calling. You can also ask a librarian for help if you have a portable device but you don’t know how to use the digital system to access the magazine. Librarians ROCK!

These are screenshots of the magazine, that I downloaded to my i-Phone through my public library’s website.

Size 

  • 42 (48, 54, 60, 66)“ circumference at underarm.
  • Pullover shown measures 48”; modeled with 15” of positive ease.

Materials

  • BC Garn Bio Balance: 6 (7, 8, 8, 9) skeins.
  • 2.75 mm/US2 – 40″ circular needles
  • 2.75 mm/US2 double pointed needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4- 40” circular needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4 double pointed needles
  • 3.5 mm/US4 – 16” and 24” circular needles
  • stitch markers
  • Pattern

NEW Bio Balance Wrap

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Grrovy shawl/wrap in BC Garn Bio Balance

Groovy in BC Garn Bio Balance

We just finished another Groovy wrap (when something works well, I tend to go with it). The last time we made it was a few years ago with Quince & Co Sparrow, and I wanted to try it with a different textile, to see how the fibre behaved.

The pattern isn’t free, but it’s a good pattern, the kind you’ll go back to over and over when you have random skeins you don’t know what to do with, and the price is nominal. It doesn’t take a lot of brain power (which is nice in warm weather), and is accessible to newer knitters. Basically, it falls into the “some things are worth paying for” category.

The pattern isn’t free, but it’s a good pattern, the kind you’ll go back to over and over when you have random skeins you don’t know what to do with, and the price is nominal. It doesn’t take a lot of brain power (which is nice in warm weather), and is accessible to newer knitters. Basically, it falls into the “some things are worth paying for” category.

This time we used a new yarn, BC Garn Bio Balance. It’s a deliciously soft blend of organic cotton and organic wool, an all year yarn that’s especially great for people who run warm. The company is Danish, the yarn is milled in Turkey, and the fibres are from Argentina. It’s definitely an idea yarn for wraps, sweaters, baby and child garments, etc. The fabric turned out soft, light, and cozy, and pretty, and our wrap is a perfect little something to throw on in spring and summer. Not too big and not too small, you wan wear it around your neck or your shoulders. If you want to make one larger, just get an extra skein and keep knitting. I loved this dark blue, it’s very denimy (without feeling or knitting like denim), but now that all of our stock of BC Garn Bio Balance has arrived I’ve re-confirmed that all the colours are delicious!

Materials