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As the days grow shorter, the layers of warm woolens start to pile on, making for yet another cozy season of hibernation. A bevy of bulky weight knits and handfuls of colorful new yarns are in store for you with our latest batch of news, available just in time to cuddle up with on the darkest days of the year.
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With the hectic season of gift knitting/crocheting/crafting upon us, there’s no better time to revisit the convenience of easy care yarns! What, exactly, classifies a yarn as “easy care”? It’s fairly simple: machine washability (two of the most beautiful words in the English language).
Every hand-knit or crocheted project will likely begin with the same step—fiber selection. Beyond the consideration of factors such as color, sheen, and even drape, you’ll want to think about the recipient of your labor of love. The good news? Whether you’re making a tiny hat for a newborn, a gift for someone with a wool sensitivity, or perhaps crafting for a person who is … shall we say … less careful with their accessories, easy care yarn is a great fiber for anyone on your list. Machine-washable yarn brings you peace of mind with any project. Is there anything worse than spending 20+ hours on a custom-fit, hand-knit sweater only to have it shrink in the wash? We think not!
Superwash yarns are animal fibers (most often wool) that have been treated in a way that makes them less likely to felt in the wash. This usually happens in one of two ways – the wool is treated in a bath that removes the scales of each fiber, or the fiber is coated to smooth the scales, which prevents them from clinging together. Superwash yarns, like the Swish yarn family for example, bring all the benefits of wool yarns (warmth, breathability, and durability) with the convenience of being able to machine wash your garment.
That said, there are a few simple precautions you can take to ensure your garment looks good wash after wash. First, you can place your hand-knit or crocheted item in a garment bag. This will help reduce the friction and the general wear and tear of spinning around with your laundry, which will help to reduce pilling. Use the gentle cycle on your washer, or simply make sure that your washer is set to cool water. Some washing machines even have a wool or hand-knit cycle setting, which is another option when caring for superwash wool garments. We always recommend that you lay garments made in any animal fiber flat to air dry rather than putting them in your dryer.
See all Superwash Wool yarns here.
Cottons, like our Dishie yarn line, can generally take a little bit more wear and tear than superwash wool yarns, but it is still good to know certain properties that are unique to cotton when planning out your projects. Cotton, by nature, will not felt like wool fibers and are generally rugged, long-lasting fibers. Perfect for dishcloths, light summer garments, and general home décor projects, cotton has excellent drape and stitch definition, but it can also “grow” or relax over time. When caring for cotton, we recommend putting your project in a garment bag to protect it from unnecessary stretching. Then, simply wash your project on cool or warm settings and tumble dry in your dryer on low. If your project is a fitted/shaped garment, you can also use a steamer to care for it to avoid stretching or distorting the project.
See all easy care Cotton yarns here.
Finally, we have the ultimate in hard wearing and easy care yarns such as Brava, our resilient 100% premium acrylic yarn! This is truly an easy care yarn, letting you fearlessly create large throws and blankets as well as endless amounts of baby hats and sweaters. Not only will you be able to put your finished project though the wash cycle, but you will be able to have it go into the dryer with the rest of your laundry. The only thing you want to avoid is extreme and direct heat, like steam blocking for example. This is sometimes referred to as “killing” your acrylic because it removes all structure from your yarn and finished object.
View all Acrylic yarns here.
When in doubt, MAKE A SWATCH. These mini versions of your pattern hold the key to not only the prospective look of your finished project, but also it’s potential longevity. Simply apply whatever care method you plan to use with your finished hat, sweater, what-have-you, and you’ll see just how your fiber selection holds up to everyday life. Take your plan prep a step further and make notes of your swatch measurements before and after washing/drying so as to get an idea of how your finished gauge will end up. The added bonus of swatching is that if anything unexpected comes up—be it in the washing machine or dryer, you’ll have only sacrificed a swatch instead of your entire project.
Even though fall is just around the corner, we’re more than a little excited to debut an abundance of new colors of some of our favorite cotton yarns for all of you cool cotton lovers. We’re also ecstatic to introduce our first-ever faux-fur yarn, Fable Fur! It’s an ultra-plush premium acrylic yarn that is destined to add an extra-touch of softness to your cold-weather knits. The cozy possibilities are practically endless!
Given that the temps are about to start dropping in the Northern Hemisphere, we naturally couldn’t help but to create two new collections that are fit to serve you well throughout the colder months—one a modern take on traditional gansey sweaters and the other a comprehensive pattern collection and reference guide to the intricate art of colorwork knitting.
Sound good? Then read on!
A luxuriously soft faux-fur effect yarn, Fable Fur is perfect for bringing a touch of elegance and snuggly softness to your latest projects. Add a stylish trim to your next accessory, or knit up a gorgeous wrap or afghan exclusively in this premium, 100% polyester yarn. What makes it premium? This grade of polyester holds it’s shape well and doesn’t shrink. Projects will work up fast at this super bulky weight, so you’ll have a menagerie of cozy accessories and home décor projects in no time!
Inspired by a nostalgic fever dream, this trio of limited-edition Hawthorne Sock Lab colorways are sure to transport you back to the days of watching after-school specials and microwaving pizza rolls. Created on our bestselling machine washable sock yarn base, these handpainted yarns are perfect for adding a retro vibe to your sock drawer or for making ultra-hip accessories
Love our beautiful heathered Andean Treasure yarns? Then you are sure to love the 8 modern colors we just added! The softness is irresistible—count the number of hugs you get when wearing a sweater made with Andean Treasure vs. other sweaters, and this one will win, hands down! Excellent for items that are worn close to you—scarves, vests, legwarmers, pullovers, even the humble pair of mittens.
We rounded out our previously pastel-centric line of Comfy Color Mist with 7 new vivid colors! Made with the popular Comfy Worsted base, acrylic microfiber gives elasticity to this lightweight, long wearing, machine washable yarn. Good for warm weather knits of all kinds, you’ll find it especially great for children’s clothing and baby blankets that need an extra misting of color.
Enjoy 4 new colors of fingering and 11 new of colors of our worsted weight of Comfy yarns! Soft, machine washable, and lightweight, this Pima cotton and acrylic blend fiber is the ultimate solution for easy care and warm weather knitting. Did we mention it has excellent stitch definition, too?
We have 7 new autumn-inspired colors of our Biggo yarns for you to enjoy, just in time for sweater weather! Biggo is a bulky weight 50% Superwash Merino Wool, 50% Nylon blend yarn that is well suited for cozy & oversized easy care garments and accessories.
Billow is all about creature comforts: oversized cowls and wraps, lazy weekend pullovers, and cozy blankets that hug you back. Eight plies of super soft pima cotton create a thick and thin texture for a feel that is both rustic and modern all at once. Plus, now there are 7 new colors for you to explore!
Ganseys (or guernseys) were originally knit for hardworking fishermen to wear at sea; they were traditionally made with tightly spun wool, and the resulting garments were dense and almost waterproof. Today we can take these historical garments as inspiration for wearable, fun-to-knit, beautifully textured pullovers. Featuring cables and/or textural stitch patterns using just knit and purl stitches, the assortment of sweater patterns in Form & Function: A Modern Gansey Collection showcase a variety of construction techniques and styles, something for every modern knitter.
Our Palette yarn was designed for colorwork, and this colorful collection was designed for Palette! Spectrum: A Colorwork Collection in Palette begins with an intro to color theory and some stranded colorwork tutorials, plus an introductory pattern that doesn’t even use stranding. Several small and simple projects provided are perfect for trying your hand at stranded knitting for the first time. From there, the patterns in this collection become larger and more complex. Pick and choose patterns you love, or work through this book beginning to end. You’ll find yourself getting more confident as you go, and by the end you’ll be picking and throwing multiple colors like a knitting pro!
Things you can never have too many of: skeins of yarn, puppy & kitten cuddles, and super-cute enamel pins. Pro Tip: Start making room on your favorite denim jacket now so you’ll be ready when your fresh batch of pins shows up!
Complicated patterns weighing you down? Stay on track of your trickiest stitches with our new, colorful enamel stitch markers.
It’s the 10th anniversary of this very special, limited edition scent inspired by all things Ravelry! Unleash comes in an 8 oz. bottle and is a lightly sweet, fruity, and spicy scent that will leave all of your woolen wonders smelling fabulously. Plus, Ravelry receives $1 of the proceeds from each bottle sold!
The Benka Cowl alternates between a veritable sampler of colorwork patterns and solid blocks of stockinette stitch, with 3 options for a colorfully customized finished knit.
Knit in new Fable Fur yarn, the Ephemeral Cowl knits up SUPER quick, making it an easy afternoon project ideal for gifting during the upcoming holiday season.
Our latest free pattern featuring our Brava Mini Packs, the Magic Ribbon Blanket is a unique pieced, 15-block Garter Stitch blanket consisting of five sets of three identical blocks.
Last, but not least, it’s time for another book sale. Save 40% on every single book on the site! The sale runs through 10/8/19 and ends at 11:59pm PT.
As the clustering cold and heavy skies of winter pass, refreshing vernal rains come to bring new life to the landscape. . .and your knitting! Knit Picks is celebrating the renewing season with new cottons, new colors, and new perspectives.
To start, Knit Picks official cotton aficionados Hillary and Erica discuss fresh and favorite cotton yarns, including new Snuggle Puff, made just like our ever-popular Wonderfluff, but with cotton!
After that, Hannah and Heather dig into stash cleaning to talk about how and why to give those hoarded hanks new life.
Enjoy!
Mentioned in this Episode:
For the entire month of November, you’ll save 20%-40% on Comfy Yarns, making it our ultimate Comfy yarn sale! Because its supple softness can’t be beat, Comfy Yarns make the BEST gifts like blankets and easy wearing garments, especially for little ones or those with sensitive skin. The breathability and softness of Pima cotton allows for easy wearing while the touch of acrylic microfiber adds just the right amount of elasticity. This blend offers a cotton based yarn that has superior wearability and longevity, which you are sure to appreciate over the years.
Comfy yarns also has the added benefit of coming in 3 different weights, Fingering, Sport*, & Worsted, making the range of project possibilities fairly broad.
*Comfy Sport weight is being discontinued and is even lower in price at only $2.39/ball!
The Woven Baby Blanket, crocheted in Comfy Worsted, mixes stitches to create a unique woven look. While it looks complex, its as simple as counting your stitches. This blanket imparts a lasting impression on all who encounter it and would make a treasured heirloom for any family.
The Fronds Afghan, knit in Comfy Worsted, is such a beauty! The interlocking Sword Fern pattern is both modern and engaging in its visual appeal, while its botanical motif makes it a timeless addition to your decor.
One of my favorite crafty things to do this time of year is take an existing pattern and modify it for holiday decorative use. The Shaker Dishcloth, knit in Comfy Worsted, reminds me of peppermint hard candies. I think these would make a fun garland or wall hanging when knit in colors like Pomegranate, Jalapeno, and White.
No matter what season it is, essential layering pieces like the Vintage Vee Tee, knit in Comfy Sport, are great to have on hand when your wardrobe needs a refresh!
One of my favorite free facecloth patterns that we offer is the Neeli Facecloth, knit in Comfy Fingering. The zigzagging columns remind me a bit of a mid-century Polynesian pattern, making it just a tad bit hip. I think would make it a fun addition to a spa-themed gift basket or repeat the stitch pattern 8-10 more times for a funky table runner.
The Comfy monthly yarn sale ends 11/30/18 at 11:59pm PDT. Hurry up and get Comfy!
Unofficially touted as being the most soothing fiber to live in, cotton speaks to our longing for next-to-skin comfort. That being said, we couldn’t think of a better way to send off summer (and it’s triple digit temps) with a huge cotton yarn sale! If you’re not familiar with the plethora of cotton yarns that we offer, allow me to list them for you below:
Dishie, CotLin, Comfy, Billow, Shine, Lindy Chain, Color Mist, Curio, Simply Cotton Organic
Here are just some of the projects that we would make with our hypothetical cotton stash:
Larkshead Throw – knit in CotLin
Serenity Afghan- crocheted in Color Mist
Hearth – knit in Comfy Worsted
Calm Tide Cardigan – knit in Simply Cotton Organic Worsted
Lacy Shoulders Tee – knit in Lindy Chain
Braided Pinwheel – knit in Comfy Worsted
Moroccan Muse Rug – knit in Dishie
The beauty of the dishcloth pattern? Aside from interesting designs that wouldn’t necessarily translate on a larger scale, it provides a manageable way to learn a new stitch while leaving you with a functional addition to your kitchen. Here are a few of my personal favorites from this past year. Pictured patterns from left to right are: Herringbone Dishcloth, Textured Comb Crochet Dishcloth, Quake, & the Stripy I-Cord.
“It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.”
Amelia Barr
Oh, life. Why can’t you consist of endless cups of coffee and an abundance of yummy yarn? Oh, wait. You CAN. Enter our Simply Yarns: simplicity at it’s finest! It doesn’t get much purer than our Simply Wool, Alpaca, & Organic Cotton yarns. The colors that you see are just as nature intended them to be. These eco-friendly varieties offer a subtle spectrum of earthy colors and textures, perfect for adding some neutral foundation pieces to your wardrobe.
With names like “Wilhemina” and “Wilbur”, the family of Simply Wool yarns is both endearing and perfect for a classic cardigan or wrap, like the Straight and Arrow Cardigan or the Laura Shawl.
This is the softest of the soft, the coziest of the cozy, the smooshiest of the smooshy. However you describe this über natural fiber, one touch of our Simply Alpaca and you’ll be scrambling to make ALL the things with this yarn. No dyes or bleach are used to process the yarn; a full spectrum of natural shades are created by meticulously sorting the fiber. Surround yourself in its warmth with the Cavendish Wrap or the Portree Poncho, both projects well suited for this yarn line.
Luxurious, super soft, and easy to work, our 100% Organic Simply Cotton Yarns are good for you AND Mother Earth. No dyes or bleach are used to process the yarn, and since the color is naturally occurring, some variation from skein to skein is normal. Perfect for neutral baby gifts, like this sweet + classic Simply Seamless Baby Blanket or everyday wearables like the Calm Tide Cardigan. With summer just around the corner, this yarn* will be a major player in my project queue. Plus, for all you indie dyers, this cotton acts as a wonderful base for your personal color touches!
*Note: Because it is cotton, we highly recommend knitting a swatch and washing and drying it the way you intend to wash and dry the final project to check shrinkage and gauge before knitting your project. You mayexperience a 5-10% shrinkage in length of knitted fabric.
Projects have been flying off my needles lately! Between puttering in the garden and blowing through stacks of library books I’ve been clickty-clacking my needles together on some light weight projects, perfect for sunnier days. First up on my summer list was Mari Chiba’s Chevron Lace Tank pattern from the In Bloom collection.
I loved this project when we shot it at Cistus Nursery and I quietly filed it away in the back of my queue to await warmer weather. I had just enough CotLin Seafoam in the office to whip it up over a long weekend and I still love the pattern! The first version had some chart issues but they’ve been resolved now which should make this an even easier pattern to tackle. I especially love the hem detail!
You might notice that I did a modification to the front portion of the chevron lace. I decided that the lace detail extended just too low for me in the front because I didn’t want to wear a tank top underneath so I continued working plain stockinette an additional inch or so but made sure to work the arm hole decreases that were on each edge of the chart as I went.
Next up is yet another pair of Hawthorne socks this time in the lovely, foresty Mt. Tabor colorway.
I’ve been sticking to Two at Once, Toe-Up Magic Loop Socks pattern (free!) on our site for these and I just love how they come out each time. I have super narrow, long feet so I like to be able to try my socks on as I go to get just the right customized fit. My other Hawthorne socks are still wearing like champs and are in heavy rotation even on these warm June days.
I have a few surprises up my sleeves over the rest of the summer, so stay tuned! In the meantime what have you been working on?
