Spring Knit-Spiration

I'm super inspired by these spring/summer cardigans designed by Heidi Kirrmaier! I'm even considering ripping back a linen cardi in the works and starting again as one of these. According to Heidi, if you purchase both patterns (either together or if you bought the other one previously) you will receive 40% off the second one.

They are worked from the top down, entirely seamlessly, and are suitable for a knitter with some experience with top down knitting. The instructions comprise only a few repetitive elements, so it’s easy to find your knitting rhythm. 

Fine Sand

Yarn: Louet Euroflax Sport or Cascade Ultra Pima or Cascade Ultra Pima Paints
Needles: 3.5mm/US4 needles (see pattern for details)

Quick Sand

Yarn:  Quince & Co. Kestrel

Needles: 5.5mm/US9 needles (see pattern for details)

Friday Freebie!

Photo: Berroco

Sun Prairie

• FREE Pattern
• Designed by Amy Christoffers
• Berroco Maya: 10+ skeins
• 4.5mm/US7 and 5mm/US8 needles

Store Project: Liesl Spring/Summer Cardie

Liesl Spring/Summer Cardie

I'm in love with the new Spring/Summer cardie I just finished, Liesl.

The Yarn
I used Cascade Ultra Pima, which I really, really loved! It's a very deceptive yarn, it looks like a plain cotton, but it is soft, pliable, has a slight sheen, and is easy to work with. I used needles 2mm larger than suggested and they weren't pointy, and it was still easy to work with - I definitely did not expect that. I don't normally relish summer knitting because cotton is a little hard on my hands, but this yarn was great! I'm already planning my next project with it (Rebel Lace Cardie by Jennifer Hansen).

The Pattern
Liesl is a great pattern, I've made it before and it's lace for people who don't like knitting lace. It's knit top-down, so you can try on the project as you go. All the details are spelled out in the instructions, and they are very well written. The pattern repeat is only 4 rows, but you only knit lace on one of the rows - 3 holiday rows! The lace pattern is also incredibly easy to remember and mark with stitch markers. I also marked my rows with locking stitch markers, making the project mostly mindless.

Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima (2 skeins)
Needles: 6mm-29" + 6mm-16" circular needles, 8mm needles (for cast-on)
Notions: locking stitch markers, pointy darning needle, steam iron
Pattern: Liesl by Ysolda Teague
Our Project Notes: Spring 2014: Liesl

Spring Cardigan Ideas

Sandspur

• 4.5mm-29" circular needles
• 3.75mm needles
• Pattern: Berroco Lago #317 ($7.97)
• 940m to 1220m worsted weight yarn
• 5 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend ($6.97 ea)
• 5 to 7 skeins Berroco Remix ($10.97 ea)

Quintet

• 4.5mm needles
• PDF pattern download  ($7)
• 600m to 1200m  of worsted yarn
• 3 to 6 skeins Berroco Remix ($10.97 ea)
• 4 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend ($6.97 ea)
• 7 to 14 skeins Berroco Origami  ($8.97 ea) 

Kirra

• 15 to 20 skeins  Berroco Origami  ($8.97 ea) 
• 5.5mm needles
• 8 stitch markers
• Pattern: Berroco Origami #294 ($7.97)

Kiama

• 10 to 13 skeins Berroco Origami ($8.97 ea) 
• 5.5mm needles
• 8 stitch markers
• Pattern: Berroco Origami #294 ($7.97)

Quonset (Chunky)

• Pattern: Free!
• 6.5mm-29" circular needles
• 6.5mm crochet hook
• 6 stitch markers
• 4 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend Chunky  ($6.97 ea) 
• add 2 skeins for longer arms
• free pattern also available for worsted weight yarn with  4 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend ($6.97 ea)

Amy

• 5.5mm-29" circular needles
• 4.5mm needles
• 1150m to 1345m worsted weight yarn
• 6 to 7 skeins Berroco Weekend ($6.97 ea)

Pampero

• 5.5mm-29" circular needles
• 5.5mm double pointed needles
• Pattern: Norah Gaughan Vol 10  ($14.97)
• 1560m to 2940m  of worsted yarn
• 8 to 15 skeins Berroco Remix ($10.97 ea)
• 9 to 16 skeins Berroco Weekend ($6.97 ea)
• 18 to 33 skeins Berroco Origami  ($8.97 ea) 

Coromuel

• 5.5mm & 6.5mm needles
• 815m to 1330m chunky weight yarn
• 8 to 12 skeins Berroco Weekend Chunky  ($6.97 ea)
• Pattern: Norah Gaughan Vol 10  ($14.97)

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Imogen Sweater Kits

Imogen Sweater Kits

Bored? Uninspired? We've got a remedy for the winter blahs - the Imogen Cardigan Kit! Imogen is simple jacket, knit side to side in one piece, knit on 5.5mm needles (circular are easier, not included in kit). Size S/M is $119, Size L/XL is $157. Note the finished sizes, the sweater is very roomy!

Size

• S(M, L, XL)
  
• Total chest circumference (edge to egde): 44(50.5, 57, 63.5)"
  
• front widths - 12(14, 16, 18)” [adjustable]
• back width 20(22.5, 25, 27.5)”
• cuff to cuff 60(62.5, 67, 69.5)” [adjustable]
• length 25(28, 31, 34)”

Yarn

• Blue Face Aran by Fleece Artist, 100% wool
• S/M - 750g/900m (6 skeins)
  
• L/XL - 1000g/1200m (8 skeins)

NEW - Ma Belle Baby Kimono Kit

NEW - Ma Belle Baby Kimono Kit

Ma Belle is a super pretty little Kimono Cardigan made with 2 skeins of Dream in Color Classy, a soft, hand dyed, machine washable wool.  We made out store sample with the colour Petal Shower in size 2 years and we had more than enough yarn leftover to make a hat. This pattern is super-duper pretty and not at all hard to make. The kit is currently $44, but prices may vary based on the exchange rate (for better or worse) and customs duties.

NEW Mission Falls Tulips Baby Cardie Kit

NEW Mission Falls Tulips Baby Cardie Kit ~ $65

We really liked the Tulips baby cardie pattern, but the yarn it was designed in (which is gorgeous) doesn't it into everyone's budget. So what we did is swap in Mission Falls 1824 Merino Wool in some kits to help spread the love. The kit comes with the pattern and 9 balls of Mission Falls in 8 colours, enough to make a size 6-9 months, although it knits up a bit thicker to a 22" chest (according to the Craft Yarn Council a 22" chest is supposed to fit a 3 year old, but I'm not buying it. The sweater in this kit should definitely fit an 18 month old and possibly a 2 year old). 

The kit is currently available in 2 colourways, Autumnal (above), and Traditional (below). Of course, we can always dream up your own colourway too!

Tulpis Baby Kit

This is a simple cardigan knit in the round from the top-down. The yarn is 100% merino wool and machine washable. The pattern is easy to follow and a quick, satisfying baby knit! There should be enough yarn in the kit to make the first 3 sizes (6-9mo, 12-18mo, 2 yrs). The colour sequence for this kit is different than the pattern but that is the only change. $57.

Kit Includes

• 3 x 115m of Dream in Color 'Classy'

• 1 x 227m of Dream in Color 'Classy'

• Dream in Color Tulips Baby Cardigan Pattern

• Eucalan or Soak packet

• Garment Label

• Zippered Kit Bag

Kit Does NOT Include

• 4.5mm-29” circular needles

• 4.5mm double pointed needles

• 3.75mm-29” circular needles

• 3.75mm double pointed needles

• 4 stitch markers

• tapestry needle

• scrap yarn

• measuring tape

• scissors