Category Archives: yarn

Ranunculus FO

Posted on July 16, 2026 | 5 comments

I finished Ranunculus. It was such a quick knit, I decided to just forge on and see what would happen once it was off the needles. I knit the underarm to 8” including the twisted rib, using less than 3 50g/164 yard skeins of Quince & Co. Sparrow, less than 400 yards total. (This means you really could knit this with one skein of sock yarn!)

Here it is unblocked, fresh off the needles. It’s linen, so it’s pretty crunchy. 50” wide (matched the gauge, but it hasn’t been blocked).

And here it is blocked. The sleeves are no longer curly, and the fabric is somewhat smoother. But now the sweater is 46” wide, and the underarms are 10” long. Gravity always wins! It wanted to grow longer, and that length is stolen from the width.

You can see that it’s quite a bit longer, and longer than I want. I left a long tail so I’d be able to frog back and adjust. And look! Bisquee’s tail is in the picture, too.

I showed it to my friends, asking for advice on how long it should be. And then I decided to have Bev try it on; she’s much taller than I am.

It looks like it was meant for her, so I gave it to her! I have more of the same yarn, and it doesn’t take long to knit. I have a better idea of how long to knit it under the arms.

This is the project that I’ve lost interest in; I started it in 2022? maybe? I’m frogging it for the yarn. I don’t have enough to go further, since I used the last 3 skeins for the sweater above!

This has been a really fun knit, so I don’t mind doing it again. Part of what made it so much fun was an accidental mini-KAL with Annie, my test knitter extraordinaire. We were texting back and forth with progress updates. She knit hers with DK weight yarn.

She didn’t swatch either. It looks great on her! And she’s knitting another one in blue.

I was working on my second one in the car wash the other day. Totally fun!

Do you knit repeats? I’m also starting a second Luminos Tee, after I finish my second Ranunculus.

The pink is MadelineTosh Twist Light, Coquette Deux. I bought this color a while ago to go with something else but it didn’t work out. I went to my LYS to get a second skein, as well as this contrast color, but they’re out of the pink so I’m ordering online. I’m not worried about dye lots; I’ll start the second skein above the striping so it won’t matter if it’s not an exact match. The variegated is from Dream in Color.

Do you knit repeats? Why or why not? I like working off the knowledge I got from the first one, and tweaking things to perfection!

5 Comments

Posted in KAL, Knit, yarn

Tagged dream in color smooshy, kal, knitalong, linen, MadelineTosh Twist Light, Quince and Co Sparrow, ranunculus sweater, recycling yarn, reusing yarn

Introducing Trillium Path

Posted on July 7, 2026 | 3 comments

Trillium Path is an ode to spring wildflower hikes. A field of simple, twinkly assigned pooling flowers on stockinette combined with optional eyelet stripes make this eye-catching accessory sparkle. This asymmetric triangle is knit on the bias from skinny point to wide end. Trillium Path can be an easy-to-knit social knitting project, or a multi-tasker’s dream.

A video tutorial for the assigned pooling pattern is included in the pattern.

Trillium Path is knit with one skein of fingering weight yarn that’s dyed for assigned pooling. You can also extend your shawlette with a second skein of yarn if that’s your jam.

The eyelet stripes are optional, but I highly recommend them for visual interest, and also as mini-goals while you knit. The final eyelet edging at the bind off keeps your edge from rolling.

I knit my shawlettes with A Chick That Knitz Singles Fingering in Wildflowers AP (blue) and From Paris With Love AP (green).

The Trillium Path pattern is available on Ravelry (link here) and also on Payhip (link here). Use coupon code THRICE for 15% off on either site, through July 21, 2026.

Are you interested in a knitalong? This could be a fun and easy summer KAL! Let me know; if there’s enough interest I’ll announce it here.

Thanks to tech editor Jen Lucas, test knitters Ann Berg, Greta Heintz, Karen Viglione Lauterwasser, Martha Grace McCune, Iris Mondri-Kish, Melissa A. Rowe, Patty Scruggs, Evan Tribelhorn, Sue Zois, and model Sharon Hsu.

Special thanks to Tammy Pelfrey of A Chick that Knitz for this beautiful yarn to design with!

3 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged a chick that knitz yarn, assigned pooling, Knit, knitting, shawl knitting, shawlette, Trillium Path

On a (sweater) roll!

Posted on July 5, 2026 | 3 comments

I finished my Luminos Tee. It looked great right off the needles, and even better after wet blocking. The size stayed the same, but the stitches and edges are smoother. I knew the size would be consistent, because I knit, washed, and blocked a swatch. That’s always good for a sweater that you want to fit!

A quick mirror selfie. Yarn is a kit from Knits All Done/Yarn Snob, merino/silk/cashmere. Luxurious!

Do I always knit, wash, and block swatches? Usually yes, for sweaters. But I’ve been eyeing the Ranunculus sweater, and I’m not sure it matters. The instructions are the same for all sizes through the yoke; the actual size is determined after knitting the yoke, when beginning the raglan shaping. You can use any weight yarn, and a size 10 needle is recommended. That’s all pretty loosey-goosey!

I wanted to play with some fingering weight linen that’s in my stash. Most of it is in an abandoned design project. There are 3 untouched skeins (50g/168 yards each), so I can play with what’s there without ripping the old project yet. This sweater takes 370 to 400 yards for the short sleeve version, so I’m covered!

It would make a very open and airy Ranunculus, to go over a tank top or sundress. I decided to jump in and start knitting; it’s just as easy as making a circular gauge swatch. I’ll have enough done when the yoke is finished to really figure out my gauge, and adjust accordingly. Because blocking is transformative for linen, I could put it on waste yarn and wash and block. Or not. The smallest size in this pattern gives me 10 inches of ease, so I’m not worried that it would be too small.

I took it to the Waterfront Blues Festival yesterday; it’s going pretty quickly. (Jenny Don’t and the Spurs on the screen.)

The weather was perfect for 3 days of music outdoors. Happy Fourth of July weekend! 250 years for this republic.

Time to knit…

3 Comments

Posted in Knit, Portland area fun, yarn

Tagged Knit, knitting, knitting gauge, Luminos Tee, ranunculus sweater, sweater, waterfront blues festival, yarn, yarn snob yarns

Introducing Hi Ho Helix!

Posted on June 22, 2026 | Comments Off

woman wearing hand knit striped hat and cowl — Hi Ho Helix!

Helix knitting is a method of knitting jogless stripes in the round. It works well for single row stripes, seamless garter stitch, and blending dye lots of yarn.

This worsted weight hat or cowl begins with a jogless garter stitch band. Jogless stripes are then worked in your choice of two or three colors. These projects are great for stashbusting your leftover yarn from previous projects! I knit all of my samples with Malabrigo Rios.

I designed this set as a quick start project for a helix knitting class. We had class on Saturday, and it was fun!

The Hi Ho Helix pattern is available on Ravelry, link here.

And it’s also available on Payhip, link here.

Use code STRIPED for 15% off the pattern through June 30, 2026.

Stripe it up!

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Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged helical knitting, helix knitting, Hi Ho Helix, Malabrigo Rios

Knitting break

Posted on June 14, 2026 | 6 comments

I’ve been knitting/working a LOT. Last week I had 3 designs in test knitting, and I was knitting/finishing versions of two of them. One of them is for the helix knitting class next weekend; that one was at the tech editor. All my knitting is done, so it was time to pick something new to knit.

I’m away for the weekend, and I want to knit a little summer top for myself, that I don’t have to design. I just want to follow someone else’s instructions!

My options: a little brioche top from Knit Graffiti (Mist), Ranunculus in fingering weight linen if I abandon something I started several years ago and will probably never finish, and Luminos Tee.

I discovered that I didn’t have enough yarn for the brioche top. Poot.

This is the linen top that I was freestyling, that I don’t feel inspired to pick up again. I started it in 2022. I may have knit some in 2023 and 2024, up to the armhole. The lace pattern is the same as the one I used in Kittiwake, which was Aran weight linen. I think Kittiwake is more appealing.

But I wasn’t ready to frog the fingering weight piece.

Last year I bought this kit from Yarn Snob. It’s superwash merino, silk, and cashmere, for the Luminos Tee.

Luminos Tee by Yamagara, photo from their Ravelry page

Winner winner!

The construction of this is so interesting. It starts with the two triangles at the bottom. I finished one last night. Working on the second one, and then I get to join them and start the stripes going up the body. Super fun, and the instructions are very well written so far. The side triangles are a great social knit; the increases are very regular.

What’s on your summer needles?

6 Comments

Posted in Knit, yarn

Tagged Luminos Tee, Yarn Snob

Introducing Effervescent

Posted on June 12, 2026 | 2 comments

woman wearing brioche knit shawl with assigned pooling motifs

Effervescent is an asymmetric triangle brioche shawlette, knit from narrow end to wide end. It features a syncopated brioche edging, and assigned pooling bubbles on the body of the shawlette.

The pattern requires two skeins of fingering weight yarn, one of which should be dyed for assigned pooling. You’ll need a 24″ circular needle for working 2-color brioche flat.

Don’t be intimidated by brioche plus pooling! Assigned pooling works well on many backgrounds such as stockinette stitch, garter stitch, and brioche rib. If you can knit brioche rib, assigned pooling is a fun way to play with it.

This pattern is available on Ravelry and Payhip. Use coupon code FIZZY for 15% off through June 19, 2026. Newsletter subscribers, check your email for your special code.

Thanks to tech editor Meaghan Schmaltz, and test knitters Ann Berg, Micaela Langevin, Ashely Meshioye, Lillyvette Montalvo Ostenson, and model Sharon Hsu.

Special thanks to Tammy Pelfrey/A Chick that Knitz, for the beautiful yarn for this design!

2 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged A Chick That Knitz, brioche plus pooling, Effervescent shawlette, embellished brioche

Blocking is magic, redux

Posted on June 5, 2026 | 5 comments

I finished the second version of my upcoming Trillium Path. This version has optional eyelets, which I highly recommend.

collage of assigned pooling shawl, fabric, and yarn

I’m in love.

I blocked it much more assertively than the green version. The fabric is floatier, more diaphanous. Both fabrics are lovely, but I prefer the airier version. Also, eyelets really love blocking.

The green version is now soaking for a reblock! Both yarns are A Chick that Knitz Single Fingering.

Trillium Path is currently being test knit. I’ll publish the pattern in July; stay tuned!

5 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged a chick that knits yarn, assigned pooling, blocking, blocking is magic, knitting

Playing in the pool

Posted on May 22, 2026 | 6 comments

a green shawlette with assigned pooling motifs

I’ve been craving a simple knit, and here it is. Working title, Trillium Path. It’s simple stockinette with assigned pooling fields.

I love the fields of flowers. I’m adding optional eyelet bands for texture to this second knit. Why? Because the first one ended with eyelets to discourage the bind off from curling, and I’d like to incorporate them in the body, too.

I’m looking for a few test knitters for this single skein piece. This is meant to be simple knitting, perfect for travel or social knitting. It’s knit with fingering weight yarn, 100g. I used A Chick that Knitz Singles Fingering in From Paris with Love (green) and Wildflowers (blue). Let me know if you’re interested!

6 Comments

Posted in Knit, pattern design, yarn

Tagged assigned pooling, knitting, test knitting, Trillium Path

Learn entrelac with me!

Posted on May 22, 2026 | Comments Off

And Modern Daily Knitting! I’m teaching online for them on Friday, June 26, noon to 2:30 pm Eastern. The class is recorded for rewatching, or watching for the first time if you can’t make it in person.

Entrelac looks woven, but it’s actually knit modularly, unit by unit, each one picking up on the previous blocks. We’ll learn how to make each of those units in class, including picking up stitches, and simple decreases.

We’ll be using Noro Silk Garden for its beautiful color changing properties. You can purchase this yarn with class registration, or on your own. You can use this or any other Aran to bulky weight yarn with a slow color change. I’ve also used Berroco Wizard for this project with excellent results.

Noro Silk Garden entrelac, Flower Power Entrelac scarf

The scarf above was knit with two 50g balls of Noro Silk Garden. It’s knit end to end, so you can stop when you want, if you’d rather seam it for a shorter round cowl. (Photos above are from the Modern Daily Knitting site.)

This is the only picture of my Noro sample that I have! I knit most of it on the plane to Nash Yarn Fest, and left it there for photography. I love how vibrant Noro colors are.

These samples are knit with one 100g skein of Berroco Wizard. Actually it’s just one long sample, pinned up to show you how shorter versions would work as a cowl.

And here’s an entrelac sample (Minerva pattern) knit with a gradient yarn. It takes longer to see the color change, but it’s spectacular.

Come knit entrelac with me! You can register for the class here.

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Posted in classes, Knit, yarn

Tagged Berroco Wizard, entrelac knitting, knitting class, modern daily knitting, Noro Silk Garden

Introducing Staghorn Cowl Hat

Posted on May 20, 2026 | 1 comment

I collaborated with Sweet Paprika Designs for their Skill Building Yarn Club this spring. My design for the yarn box featured…brioche, of course!

This is the Staghorn Cowl Hat. I love convertible cowl/hats as teaching pieces, because not everyone loves a cowl…or a hat. So you get to choose!

You can also choose to knit the whole piece in 2 color brioche rib, without the decorative increases and decreases that make the Staghorn motif. This is a great way to practice brioche knitting before getting into the more challenging parts.

If you know you don’t want a hat, you can make the cowl a bit wider because it doesn’t need to fit a head. Choices!

Staghorn Cowl Hat is knit with 2 colors of worsted weight yarn. The cowl/hat is knit with 140 yards/128 meters dark color, 66 yards/60 meters light color heavy worsted weight yarn. Shown in Sweet Paprika Andante (100% superwash merino wool, 4oz/110g/195 yards/178m), Jacaranda (LC) and Deep Purple (DC). If you’d like to buy the Sweet Paprika Designs kit, you can do so here.

If you’re a newsletter subscriber, you’ll get a code for 25% off this pattern. I’m a little behind in getting my newsletter written, so it’s not too late to subscribe before the newsletter comes out on Saturday (I hope!). Subscribe here.