Tag Archives: Knitting

Early Winter News: New Felici colors have arrived!
10 skeins of self-striping sock yarn are laid out in two rows of five on a white background.

You’ve been patiently waiting, and the new Winter Felici Sock Collection is finally here! Our latest collection of 10 colorways is a perfect balance between cozy, warm shades and icy, cool tones—just right for winter! Rustic Cabin, Solstice, and Bookshop are just a few of the colorways to add to your sock yarn stash.

Can’t pick just one or two favorites? Get them all in the Winter 2021 Felici Sock Value Pack

Felici Worsted

7 skeins of worsted weight self-striping yarn are arranged in a circle on a white background.

Not only has new Felici Sock arrived, but Felici Worsted is back for a limited time in the same 10 colorways! Self-striping worsted weight yarn gives a big impact without a lot of effort. Use it to spice up small, plain-vanilla knits, like the Basic Mitten by Kerin Dimeler Laurence or the Benefaction Knit Hat by Stacey Winklepleck. Felici Worsted can also be paired with Bare Felici Worsted to enhance multicolored knits. Try using that yarn duo with a brioche stitch, like on the Typic Hat: Worsted by Emily Ringelman, for a stunning result.

Like Felici Sock, Felici Worsted is also available in a Winter 2021 Felici Worsted Value Pack to get every color in your stash.

Knit Bits: Learn to Knit Colorwork! 

A stranded colorwork sweater is laid flat on a white background with a stranded colorwork beanie and a stranded colorwork cowl laid on top.

The cure for winter gloom is to provide your own color, and what better way to do that than to learn how to work stranded colorwork? The latest in the Knit Bits series will help you do just that. Knit Bits: Learn to Knit Colorwork! will guide you through knitting with two colors in a row, knitting with three colors in a row, shaping, and finally steeking. The book includes three projects that advance in skill as you do.

2022 Calendar

The year is coming to its end, and that means it’s time to pickup next year’s calendar! Provide yourself with fiberful inspiration throughout the year with the Knit Picks 2022 Calendar. Each month features beautifully photographed yarn, finished knits, and more.

Coming Soon

Banner reads, "The most Wonderfluff time of the year. 20% off solids and ombre. Use code WONDER20. Jump into the fluff. Sale ends 12/09 at 11:59 pm PT. Limited to stock on hand. Cannot be combined with other promo codes. Click for completed terms and conditions"

Don’t miss the Wonderfluff sale starting tomorrow! Take 20% off Wonderfluff December 3rd, 2021-December 9th, 2021.


Radiance: Knit Accessories

As the weather starts to change from winter to spring, thoughts turn from bulky scarves and hats to lighter weight knits. Layering pieces are the perfect compliment to warmer weather outfits; with that in mind, our new collection Radiance will have you reaching for your needles.

I love this collection – it’s a bit of a follow up to last year’s Everyday Wraps, which I personally have knit several projects from. These 12 patterns are all fabulous, featuring fun projects that you’ll want to immediately wrap around your neck. My favorite project is easily the cover project – Claire Slade’s Blurred Waves.

Blurred Waves by Claire Slade from knitpicks.com, a beautiful shawl with colorful stripes

Using a combination of a solid yarn (here using our Stroll Bare) and our Stroll Gradient, this shawl is knit on the bias, alternating waves of Garter Stitch with simple lace. It’s a stunning piece and is large enough to wrap around you when your sunny day turns downright chilly at night.

Another project that was a hit when it showed up in the office is the Colorful Garter Cowl by Aud Bergo.

Colorful Garter Cowl by Aud Bergo from Knit Picks. Waves of color in the fabulous Paragon yarn.

As the name implies, Garter Stitch is highlighted here, with waves of color in various combinations. But what really makes this project stand out is the gorgeous I-Cord edging, which gives it a finished, polished look. And since it’s knit in Paragon, it’s sinfully soft and begging to be worn on that night on the town.

If you, like me, have not had much practice with intarsia but love the look of it, the pretty Frenemy shawlette by Sarah Jordan is for you.

Frememy by  Sarah Jordan from Knit Picks, a pretty shawl featuring stripes of color.

Using my beloved Hawthorne in 2 colors (in this case, Wisp Kettle Dye and Irvington Multi), Frenemy uses a combination of short rows and intarsia to create those wonderful bands of color. It is also in Garter Stitch (hey, what can I say, I love the look of Garter!) and also has an I-Cord bind off.

There are many more patterns included in this collection. And best of all, the book is on sale for $17.99, which is such a deal for these projects. If you prefer eBooks, you can get Radiance for only $14.99 or just a single pattern for $4.99. This will keep your needles busy for the spring (and summer!).


Stitch Story: Aran Islands

Photo credit: www.aranisland.info

Knitters in the know are often more than familiar with the classic Aran jumper; big chunky Irish ganseys (or guernseys), traditionally hand-knitted from unbleached wool. Originally worn by working fishermen, they also became popular fashion garments in the US during the “golden” era of Hollywood. Grace Kelly. Steve McQueen. Paul Newman. Marilyn Monroe. Icons in their own right, the stars of the silver screen adopted this classic garment as part of their everyday attire. As such, it’s no wonder the treasured Aran knit sweater continues to be reinvented to this day in the fashion industry.

Love a good urban legend? There happens to be one based on the stitches of these namesake sweaters. The story goes that each jumper knit for fishermen in the Aran Islands had a different combination of patterns: one unique to each family. In the tragic (yet often frequent) event of a fisherman dying while at sea, the body could be identified when washed up by the specific stitches in the jumper. No matter how long the body had been lost at sea, the pattern of their Aran jumper would have endured. A bleak notion? Yes! Fascinating? VERY.

With the idea of these stitches serving as a means of relaying a family’s legacy, the breakdown of each individual stitch’s nomenclature becomes all the more intriguing.

Knit Picks Inis Aran
Inis Aran – Designer: Donna Estin

Diamond – The Diamond stitch represents and reflects the small fields on the islands (which were labored upon by the many farmers that resided there). This stitch is used in hopes of good luck, success, and wealth in the fields of the Aran Islands. It is also thought to represent the shape of the fishing mesh, as well as wealth and prosperity.

Plaiter Sweater – Designer: Claire Slade

Cable and Rope – The cable stitch, which is the most frequently used of the Aran stitches, was originally used to represent a fisherman’s ropes, and are a symbol of hope and safety for fisherman, thought to better qualify them to have a fruitful day out at sea.

Knit Picks Retro Pullover
Retro Pullover – Designer: Stephannie Tallent

Honeycomb – A tribute to the hard work of the bees, the Honeycomb is said to be a lucky stitch, signifying prosperity, or in the case of fishermen, a good catch.

Moss Stitch Coat – Designer: Harriet MacDonald

Moss – Seen as a symbol of growth, the Moss stitch is thought to represent the Carrageen moss that grows on the Aran Island. Said to symbolize abundance and growth, this stitch is often used in tandem with the diamond stitch.

Cabled Trellis Pillow – Designer: Emily Kintigh

Trellis – The trellis stitch represents the stone-walled fields of Northwestern Irish farming communities, which serve as protection from strong Atlantic winds.

Loganberry Dishcloth – Designer: Stacey Winklepleck

Blackberry – Similar in appearance to the wild berries that grow abundantly in the thickets of Aran Island, the blackberry stitch serves as a reminder of the rich bounty that can be found in nature.

Zig Zag Mat – Designer: Hope Vickman

Zig Zag – Sometimes known as Marriage Lines, the zig zag stitch represents the ups and downs of marriage as well as the twisting cliff paths that are on the islands.

Berry Basket Dishcloth – Designer: Faith Schmidt

Basket (aka lattice stitch) – Thought to represent the fisherman’s basket – an omen of a good catch.

Whether any of these origin stories are based on actual historical meaning or are simply folklore, there is no denying the intricate beauty and timeless appeal of the classic Aran sweater.


New Sock Labs for November!

Don’t you wish autumn weather lasted all year? With our new sock labs, those autumn vibes will linger well into winter.

With tones of chocolaty brown, rust orange, and a sea of blue and gray, these yarns embody all the warm colors of fall. They are begging to be knit into your new favorite snuggly garment. The Rita M Shawl would look gorgeous in these tones and will be sure to become your go-to knit this winter! If you want to combine all 3 of these beautiful hanks, the Blushing scarf is a great pattern to do so. And the ultimate treat for your feet would be to knit up a pair of Annagh Socks, Fortunate Isle Socks, or Peony Socks!

Let us see what crazy creations you come up with featuring our sock lab colors! Share your projects with us on Instagram with #socklabs (don’t forget to tag us @knit_picks) and on our Facebook page!

Hurry though! Don’t miss your chance to cozy up your stash with these limited edition colors before they blow out of here!


New Capretta Superwash!

We love luxurious Capretta! What is not to love? The superbly soft cashmere yarn is perfect for special projects, small accessories or if you really want to treat yourself, a sweater or cute cardi. Now it is perfect for socks because Capretta now comes in SUPERWASH!

Capretta is Capra’s fingering weight sibling and is a blend of 80% Fine Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon. The addition of nylon makes it ideal for super soft socks but it’s also well suited for fine-gauge knits like scarves, cowls, mitts and even lightweight yet warm cardigans. It is now available in 15 new, sophisticated colors. In honor of the new color palette, I put together some fall color inspiration below!

Library Color Palette

 

This gorgeous shot of well loved books had the perfect mix of rich jewel tones for some fall knitting. Mix these colors together for a pair of fun, striped Spring Street Socks! They will be so cozy you will want to wear them well into Winter.

Dried Flowers

This photo is for monochromatic lovers! The colors create a cozy yet ethereal mood. For a sweater you can pair with any color, knit up a Caddington Wrap to ward off the morning chill or to lounge during lazy Autumn mornings.

Fall Blooms

Dark, dramatic colors were pulled from this gorgeous photo! They would be perfect for lux accessories such as the Leaf Wreath Cowl.

 

Frosty Morning

Here in the Pacific Northwest, our frosty mornings have quite the bite to them. Bundle up in the Adelaida Hat with the softest Merino/Cashmere blend yarn.

 

 

Pressed Petals

There is something romantic about a book full of pressed flower petals. This color palette would look great with any Autumn outfit, adding a warmth or pop of color too! The Isabel Cowl is a basic cowl made enchanting with a deceptively simple motif that would feel amazing knit in Capretta.

 

Autumn arrangements

Blush pinks, creams and stark white make this palette so dreamy. When paired with Emerald Green, this icy palette is perfect for Fall. The lacy pattern of the Lotus Lace Cardigan would be so lovely in these colors.

 

I hope these Autumn color palettes have inspired you to grab some of the new superwash Capretta!

All images from Design-seeds.com

Fall Outfit Inspiration: Menswear

I can already feel the Fall cold in the evenings and I know Summer is on it’s way out! Fall style to me is about adding cozy layers and easy to wear shapes. That is why I was so excited when we launched our new pattern collection, Dapper. Menswear styles transition to Fall women styles perfectly. I put together a few ways to style some projects from Dapper to get you excited for cooler weather!

Knit Picks styled shot featuring the Matinee Cardigan

The Matinee Cardigan is the perfect Fall layering piece. The raglan sleeves make it so comfy and the simple refinement of the X and O colorwork balances cozy seed-stitch in rugged tweed for a versatile garment that keeps the casual classy. Balance out the boxier silhouette with skinny jeans and feminine shoes. This outfit is perfect for running weekend errands!

This cardigan is knit flat from the top down, finished with inset pockets and a seed-stitch shawl color. A band of simple two-color stranded colorwork wraps around chest and arms. The boxy shape lends a masculine feel that could easily be softened by adding waist shaping.

 

knit Picks style shot featuring the Idyllwild Scarf

To add a little bit of warmth, the Idyllwild Scarf is the project for you. This scarf definitely is a statement so pair it with a simple tee and dark wash skinny jeans. To balance out the masculine scarf, pair it with fun wedges!

This comfy scarf is named after the small town of Idyllwild, CA – a forested retreat steps from the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Jacinto Mountains. Idyllwild is a scarf pattern for advanced beginners who have mastered knitting and purling. Working in a simple rib stitch to start, the purl stitches are dropped to create an open fabric with incredible drape. The Idyllwild Scarf is flat from a short end. Purl stitches are dropped in the last row, dropping all stitches back to cast on, drastically altering final gauge and drape.

Dapper has been my favorite pattern collection we have launched since I started working at Knit Picks. All of the projects are so stylish and I love the menswear  style they will add to my wardrobe this Fall.


Summer Yarn Sale: Super Tuff Puff

One of the reasons I love knitting over crochet is the amazing texture that knit stitches have. When using a super chunky yarn, the texture is amplified! That is why I love our Super Tuff Puff yarn. At an astonishing one and a half stitches per inch, project knit up in no time at all. The 100% wool in a single ply with a slight twist, this yarn is perfect for making amazingly chunky home decor and accessories.

My favorite chunky yarn “hack” is knitting smaller patterns in chunky yarn for a super sized project! I recently knitted our Mini Kitty Poufs in Super Tuff Puff and am in LOVE with the results. This large kitty is so cuddly and the Super Tuff Puff makes it so soft!

Super Tuff Puff is also perfect for making poufs, baskets and other home decor items. They knit up so fast and are sturdy enough to use as functional storage. The fun, bright color palette will add some punch to your home decor too!

With our Summer Yarn Sale, you can save 30% on this fun yarn. Stock up on your favorite colors and explore some fun chunky knit projects!